ABOUT THIS EPISODEAn eerie ritualistic murder sends Malcolm and Seong-Jae down a bizarre path of the occult to find a killer–but when it comes to witchcraft, the suspect’s not the only one casting a spell. With Seong-Jae haunting his dreams, Malcolm is practically bewitched, his trust in Seong-Jae growing deeper and deeper as both men learn to rely on each other.But when the murder triggers … other.
But when the murder triggers memories from both Seong-Jae’s and Malcolm’s shadowed pasts, will the secrets they share bring them closer…or drive them further apart?
ABOUT THE SERIES
Baltimore homicide detective Malcolm Khalaji has his own way of doing things: quiet, methodical, logical, effective, not always particularly legal. He’s used to working alone—and the last thing he needs is a new partner ten years his junior.
Especially one like Seong-Jae Yoon.
Icy. Willful. Detached. Stubborn. Seong-Jae is all that and more, impossible to work with and headstrong enough to get them both killed…if they don’t kill each other first. Foxlike and sullen, Seong-Jae’s disdainful beauty conceals a smoldering and ferocious temper, and as he and Malcolm clash the sparks between them build until neither can tell the difference between loathing and desire.
But as bodies pile up at their feet a string of strange, seemingly unrelated murders takes a bizarre turn, leading them deeper and deeper into Baltimore’s criminal underworld. Every death carries a dangerous message, another in a trail of breadcrumbs that can only end in blood.
Malcolm and Seong-Jae must combine their wits against an unseen killer and trace the unsettling murders to their source. Together, they’ll descend the darkest pathways of a twisted mind—and discover just how deep the rabbit hole goes. And if they can’t learn to trust each other?
Neither will make it out alive.
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This keeps getting better and better! The level of intensity both personal and professional keeps escalating, more players enter the fray, more thoughts and feelings weave themselves into Malcolm and Seong-Jae canvas. I believe that the painting will soon follow. And it’s going to be beautiful. The characters are complex and multidimensional, the situations are raw and real, the murders are devious and shocking. But the best part is Malcolm and Seong-Jae.
This time the murder investigation takes the back seat to the development of personal relationship between MCs. Who knew that touching fingers and whispered words could be more seductive than the hottest kiss. I waited with bated breath to see what will happen between them here and they didn’t disappoint! Some parts are very emotional and a tad painful, always intense and very intimate. The tidbits Mr McCade drops are explosive, the subjects he tackles are complex and on point. I loved these two imperfect slightly dented but not broken men who sought solace in each other in the time of need, loved the trust that developed between them to the point that some of the darkest secrets were revealed. It was amazing.
The murder investigation was thrilling but still did not overshadow the emotional side of the book. This time it was pretty gruesome and was dealt with very quickly. More was told about characters that at first didn’t make sense but now it gets a little clearer one book at a time. I am enjoying this series immensely and highly recommend it!
This book has ALL THE FEELS!! It just keeps getting better and better. AHHHHHH!!
I just wanted to knock their heads together and tell them to use WORDS. It was simply beautiful when Seong Jae finally opened up to Malcolm. We finally get backstories of both the main characters.
Seong Jae is so cute when he’s jealous. And Malcolm has no idea why he’s mad at him! And that rooftop scene? To die for!
The case was horrific. Please heed the content warnings in the beginning. I can’t even imagine someone doing that.
While the UST is delicious, I’m torn between wanting them to get together and wanting more slow burn. I want say so much but don’t want to leave spoilers. I have a bad feeling about the nameless guy. Is he who I think he is?
Anjulie. Am I the only who thinks that she likes Gabi? And Sade is making me more confused than ever. Honestly I love all the secondary characters in this series. This series is perfect for binge reading!!
So…wow. This episode felt a bit different to me. Though the case was unique and the turns surprised me, what really struck me was how much character development It’s Witchcraft contained and how much it felt like it stole the spotlight this time. As we glean more and more information about Malcolm and Seong Jae’s pasts and personalities, I find myself utterly transfixed with their stories. I love their chemistry and how they both infuriate and support one another- it’s this ebb and flow that’s utterly compelling. Though their unique relationship isn’t new in this sense, the way it progressed over the course of the fifth episode is noteworthy and went a long way at tightening the series’s hold over me. And then came the ending. I’m all for surprises, but this one went above and beyond with the reveals and I cannot wait to see what the next episode holds for the detectives.
*ecopy provided via Patreon subscription*
Yoon and Khalaji have chemistry, but it’s in the service of their partnership in BPD Homicide. A ritual murder is the work of a nameless minion who has broadcast it on the Dark Web and their colleague Sade turns out to have chemistry with someone too. That someone is part of a world that he doesn’t want Sade to share as webs close in.
Malcolm Khalaji falls back on old patterns with his ex, opens up about vulnerabilities, crosses paths with characters we know from other episodes of this drama as Seong-jae taps resources from his time in the FBI to alert Interpol to the sickos making the snuff films.
In all, this is yet another puzzle piece in the unfolding mosaic of this spectacularly lurid series.
This is a good book to read. The chemistry between Malcolm and Seong-Jae is incredible. This was a great story the interaction and go between with these characters is great. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is a good book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
They are now dealing with the occult. They seem to be trusting and sharing things much better now. Will dealing with the occult bring them closer? Will secrets from their last bring them closer or push them apart? Follow their investigation
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really super enjoyed this story. The characters were so well developed that it seamlessly weave its tale with great detail and depth kept me totally engaged throughout the entire book.
Till 50% I wanted to put my hands in Seong-Jae and Malcolm’s hair and smack their heads together…hard! It’s so easy… you got two pair of delicious lips just bring them close and seal them… just do it!! You want it… both!
It’s killing me!!
Nauseating scenes sometimes, because the scene was so well described I could see the crime very detailed… They are awful clever put together… as always. The way the scenario is unfolding… intriguing… and there is more story coming!
Omg… when Seong-Jae opened up… I just melted… that was so delicate and perfect.
Highly sensitive and sensual passages… I loved it.
I love this way of writing, extended thoughts and sentences with depth… witty… sharp… irritated, cynical and consistent… With a lot of body language and less spoken words. The crimes are various and put down as a tv series… you can see them walking through the office, crime scene or sitting in the car. Always captivating and with great performance.
If you listen close… there is even music…
Kindly received an arc from the author
Really enjoying this series even though these two men still frustrate me! It seems as we go along things are getting a bit more gruesome but loving it all the same. Excellent writing from Xen.
I would rate this 4.25 stars.
This time the murder victim is named Logan, killed in a ritualistic murder. This is so guesome and sad. People who are lonely sometimes put themselves in unsafe situations. I can’t even tell you how disgusting and senseless it is. In this episode, the crime itself is still off center stage somehow. The episode moves foward in so many other ways with twists and slow reveals. We’re at episode five and already it’s so hard to review these without spoilers, I don’t know what to write.
Malcolm and Gabrielle wake up to a very angry Seong-jae staring at them. I have to say it is very difficult to not love Gabrielle. She really does know who Malcolm is. Since Malcolm has been on desk work, he has to have a physical assessment before going back on full duty. Seong-jae is taking this as seriously as everything else, but it’s an excellent opportunity to get some aggression out. Malcolm is a member of the same gym as Jason Huang, so the inevitable going a few rounds happens. As ever, Malcolm wants what he wants, while being obtuse about everyone else.
This is still mostly brushed shoulder, arm leaning, and some hugging, but emotionally Seong-jae and Malcolm connect. That connection will continue to be the most important thing. They open up to each other, but in a strange way that only makes sense for them. It seems quick, but it’s already such a dark, intense thing, I don’t see any other way for it to go. There should not really been too many surprises here because the author is good at foreshadowing and everything slots together nicely.
Malcolm’s one night stand stalker is back with an extra weird little scene which is only makes sense if he is Sila, or a red herring. This continues to be the weakest plot point in my opinion, but I know I’ll get sucked in and just have to suspend disbelief further down the line in the story. For this author, I have reason to have faith although I would not be surprised if some of the first episodes have minor tweaks in Kindle later to iron out some out some bumps.
This is a pivotal episode in that it moves the plots forward with Lillienne Wellington, Jason Huang, Sade, and Edmund Bishop. There are two big reveals here: one was a surprise for me and one was something I was just waiting for confirmation on. We now know the lay of the land better, although I expect more details later about how we got here. The nuances that make shades of gray within all the characters are what makes this so interesting. I’m still really enjoying this series.
Another great addition to feed my addiction for this amazing series. More character development for Mal and Yoon. The sexual tension between them has become thick enough to cut with a knife, talk about a slow burner. When (please let it be when not if) they finally get together they are likely to set the bed on fire. I can’t wait to see what book six brings.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow. Every ongoing plot thickens in this one. Hang on to your hats: Malcolm and his ex, Seong-Jae and his past, the partners’ dynamic, the Captain, Sade, and every iffy character around them shift and reveal and change and #6 can’t reach me soon enough!