ABOUT THIS EPISODEDetective Malcolm Khalaji is at a loss.For the second time in his life, he wasn’t there when his lover needed him. And with Seong-Jae Yoon on leave pending an internal investigation, Malcolm doesn’t know what to do with a shattered partner and boyfriend who’s retreated from him into a dark and broken place. It’s Gabrielle all over again…yet this time, Malcolm is determined to … this time, Malcolm is determined to do this right. This time he’s determined to be there no matter what Seong-Jae needs, even if it means taking time off from the pressures of their job to hold Seong-Jae through every moment of trauma, of guilt, of self-recrimination.
Until a frantic phone call from Seong-Jae’s parents destroys any hope of peace.
Because Seong-Jae’s younger sister is missing—and there’s only one place she would go.
Yet even if the desperate search breaks Seong-Jae’s numbness, it’s the warmth of family that brings him back from a black and dangerous edge—and shows Malcolm a side to Seong-Jae he never could have imagined. But not even these idyllic moments of calm are safe, as the twisted machinations surrounding them continue. If each player in this game is a chess piece, then none other than Edmund Bishop is a pawn, sacrificed to save his queen. Yet is Lillienne Wellington really the one pulling the strings?
Or is someone else trying to eliminate Bishop for their own dire ends?
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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A great storyline! Hard to put down! Intense and Emotional! Hot Chemistry! I truly enjoyed this read! Get it and Read it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
While the intro was bit too long, I think this is the shortest in the series yet. Probably because they don’t have a case.
This book was cute and heartwarming and fluffy and just made me smile a lot. We finally meet Seong Jae’s 15 year old sister and she’s a spitfire! A whirlwind, if you want to use Seong Jae’s words. I love her already.
I feel like this book is the calm before storm. Like the author is trying to feed us all this sweet moments and then BANG!! You were fooled!
Seong-Jae made every day better, and one day, some way… Malcolm would hope to call Seong-Jae his not just for now, but for always.
The sex scenes are one of the best I’ve ever read. Infact every moment with Mal and Seong Jae are literal perfection!
“You’re everything. You overwhelm me and I don’t want to lose myself but I need to drown in you and you make me feel like I could sink forever and never come up for air.”
If that ending wasn’t a cliffhanger, I don’t know what is! Oh, Sade!
Okay, so I’m definitely shipping Anjulie and Gabrielle!
This episode really focused on advancing the relationship between Seong-Jae and Malcolm as well as provide a better understanding of Seong-Jae. I love seeing these two men navigate their feelings and forming a strong relationship. I also really liked the playful edge Seong-Ja brought to the book while unmasking Seong-Jae a bit more. And there’s the part of the story that focuses on a past case the team solved. There were a good number of surprises here and that ending was just…WOW.
Honestly, this series just keeps delivering and I am loving every bit of it.
He was not there again and now his lover is broken as well in trouble. He needs to get it right this time, he must as he cannot let it happen again. How will he do it? Can he so it right this time? See if he can
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This author continues reeling me into this series with the well written storylines and characters that are so well developed that I have a very hard time putting this book down!
CRIMINAL INTENTIONS Season One, Episode Nine: A SINGLE BRIGHT CANDLE’S FLAME by Cole McCade is a great story to read. This is book number nine in this great series that I have really enjoyed reading very much. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading mysteries.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a lighter side to the two characters we’ve come to know and love. Seong-Jae and Malcolm share more tender moments and happiness despite everything going on around them. I’m a huge fan of Cole’s writing, having discovered him rather late in the game and as I said in my title, I’ve breathed in this series and exhaled delight, excitement and awe at such fabulous writing. I’m not often bowled over, because I’m a hard task master when it comes to reviewing books and I don’t do it often. I have few auto-buys but he is one of them. In this series, however, I’ve found myself another *fandom* because I love the way it’s written, the slow burn, the diversity of characters and sexualities in the books, the story line, and simply the unique writing that is Cole’s own. I recommend this series 100% and I can’t wait for the next instalment. I’ve now starting to read everything this author has written, and it’s been a treat.
Another great addition to amazing story of Malcom and Seong-Jae. I seriously can’t get enough of this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The relationship between Seong Jae and Malcolm just grows stronger. The poetic words of McCade makes you root for them both. And I love the introduction of Seong Jae’s effervescent sister!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I adored this book in the Criminal Intentions series! After constant tension, angst and drama, A Single Bright Candle’s Flame was a much needed break and respite.
Seong-Jae is recovering from the events of the 8th book which lead to him shooting and killing a suspect in a case. Malcolm has tried to be there for Seong-Jae as he deals with taking a life, but its been hard on them both. Enter Seong-Ja, Seong-Jae’s 16 year old sister, who steals their parents credit card, books a flight and travels all the way to Baltimore to see Seong-Jae because she misses her brother.
Seong-Ja really brought the life back into Seong-Jae’s life and it was so heartwarming to see two siblings love each other and then five seconds later yell at each other. Very much like how I am with my siblings. Also! Seong-Ja is the series first trans character and I adored her! She was sweet, funny and so adorable. I hope we get to see more of her.
Malcolm and Seong-Jae’s relationship really developed in this book, as Seong-Jae comes to understand more and more that Malcolm is someone he can really rely on … and that they are meant for each other.
On Twitter, Cole McCade mentioned that this would be the last light book before the drama of the final books would hit us and honestly I’m so scared. But grateful we got these moments of light-heartedness. Can’t wait for the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow!! Powerful!!
This storyline was so much more different than the usual Criminal Intentions serial.
Instead of following a new murder investigation we are lead deep into the relationship between Seong-Jae and Malcolm after Seong-Jae was put on leave while his officer shooting case was being reviewed.
Seong-Jae is not coping with having killed a man and withdraws from everyone around him, including Malcolm. Malcolm gives him space while still being there for him. Just as he starts to emerge from his self imposed exile he receives news from his family that startles him further back into the world…his little sister is missing.
What a breath of fresh air she turns out to be.I loved her!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This episode breaks the mold in several different ways. First, it’s all about the healing power of love and nobody actually dies. Second, we learn so very much about Seong-jae’s life, including his family and his home’s interior decoration. Third, large numbers of loose ends from previous episodes are coming to the surface and jostling up against each other, even as they still fail to make sense to us, or to the various characters we have come to know and cheer for.
Also Sade’s taste in men– is it really lousy?
I love me some good short ones.
Here I almost felt sorry for Edmund Bishop. Criminals are human, have feelings, have families and aren’t only a criminal.
This short one had a surprisingly other content than the ones before. Here we get to know more about Seong-Jae. And we see a loving, caring and concerned Malcolm.
The tornado running through Seong-Jae’s veins is killing. His inner turmoil is heart wrenching.
It hurts seeing Seong-Jae like this… numb. Malcolm is the best!
Seong-Jae got a visitor and that’s exactly what he needs at this moment.
Every time it still amazes me the way of writing and how all sentences are put together. This authors brain is always on and put everything together with a wide vocabulary. I love it!
It’s written with a clear vision, in an intelligent way. Intriguing in the best way and always stunning developed.
Kindly received an arc from the author
By author’s admission this is the sweetest episode to date, and I couldn’t agree more. After so much intensity and fast-paced events, it was a nice change to see Malcolm and Seong-Jae at home and dealing with their feelings rather than suspects.
Seong-Jae is not in a good place after their last case ended so tragically but necessary. He can’t breathe and is simply numb. He craves his worst addiction and does not know how to move forward. Malcolm is trying to be there for him unlike the last time when he failed the person he loved most at the time – Gabrielle. But he is at a loss and floundering. When a panicked phone call comes in, it’s enough to snap Seong-Jae out of his mental stupor into immediate action. His little sister Seong-Ja has run away from home and coming to Baltimore.
What could have been a disaster turns out to be wonderful opportunity for Seing-Jae to reconnect with his sister and finally be able to start putting the whole ordeal behind him. Malcolm is treated to a new look of Seong-Jae that of a smiling and care-free man, unguarded and sharing his affection with both him and Seong-Ja. It was a treat to hear siblings bicker, to see Seong-Ja poke at her brother and flirt shamelessly with Malcolm.
The sheer domesticity of the situation brings thoughts of family and commitment to Seong-Jae, and something between Malcolm and Seong-Jae shifts just a bit. The images of permanency are not as frightening as before, and their passion for each other is even higher. The doubts are still there niggling at the back of the mind but the desire to feel closer is stronger than fear.
Gabrielle and Anjoulie are both struggling with each other’s presence in their lives. Some things between them never change but others make way to new possibilities and questions yet to be asked.
This episode we return to the man with glass eye Edmund Bishop, and his internal musings allowed me to see him as a human being with feelings despite all that he’s done. How he came to be who he was and what shaped him, the acceptance of his fate and reasons behind it is just another line in many that connect all the characters of Baltimore. The last chapter is a bit of a shocker. Sade is frankly speaking an enigma that seems to have their fingers in many pies at the same time. Their connection to Bishop is yet another mystery to unravel, and it is not clear whose side they are on… Awesome as always! I highly recommend it!
*Spoilers*
‘t have a case and I’m okay with that. If they had gone right back into their normal rhythm I would have called bs. Seong-Jae needed some time to heal. Heck both he and Malcom did <3
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.