ABOUT THIS EPISODEBroken trust. Shattered hearts. Secrets exposed–and yet still no closer to the truth. When Malcolm and Seong-Jae’s relationship hits a wall, their partnership fragments as well…and they may not be able to withstand the crushing tide when protests over Tomasz Kowalczyk’s death turn into deadly riots. Too many familiar faces return, and one will be leaving in a bodybag.But for … leaving in a bodybag.
But for the puppetmaster guiding their every move, the chaos that descends on Baltimore is the perfect opportunity to capture his mark.
And when Sila sets his eyes on Malcolm…
Malcolm will discover that nowhere is safe. There’s no one he can trust.
And no one to save him from the man who taught Seong-Jae to love through pain. Through suffering. Through hatred. Through lies.
Through betrayal, when nothing and no one are what they seem.
Part I of the thrilling Season One finale!
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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CRIMINAL INTENTIONS Season One, Episode Twelve: THE HATTER’S GAME, PART I by Cole McCade is a wonderful story that I have read. This is book number twelve in this wonderful series that I have read and fell in love with. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about LGBT , romantic suspense and mysteries in their stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What the actual fuck was that ending?! This is going to be short because I’m dying to read the next one. I’m going to emphasis how lucky I’m that I don’t have to wait to read the next book!
Oh Seong Jae! He was being such an asshole but I could totally understand him (thanks to his POV). The walls he built up are ten times as strong as the ones in the beginning to keep Mal out. And Malcolm is hurting. Not that Seong Jae isn’t. He just hides it better.
That fucking ending! I was so hopeful and then BANG!
A word of advice: Start
reading this book only after you’ve cued up the next one!
I knew I shouldn’t have started this episode when I wouldn’t be able to jump right into episode 13, but clearly I’m a glutton for punishment because I did it anyway. Hattter’s Game, Part 1 had me on the edge of my seat. Between the frenetic excitement of the team racing to solve a case and stop more murders, and my heart clenching watching Seong-Jae and Malcolm struggle, this one had everything. And that ending. Even though I knew it was coming based on spoilers/blurbs for the next book, I was still floored. If you like police procedurals or romantic suspense at all, this is a can’t-miss series in my opinion. Now to finish my to-do lists so I can jump back to Criminal Intentions asap.
A well written book with an interesting story line. The characters are strong and the story flows quickly and smoothly. I enjoyed reading this story.
Things have fallen apart for them both in their personal relationship and professional life. Now he has become the centre of attention from the puppetmaster. Nowhere is safe for him. Who will save him? Can he escape them? See where is is going to go
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
We’re getting near the end, thank goodness. This series is uplifting and painful at the same time. Malcolm and Seong-Jae feel like favored family of whom you only want the best. Malcolm steps up and removes all doubt about the high level of man he is. Cole writes with a depth and intricacy of a PhD wordsmith. I like his word combinations as much as his context and descriptions. There is a certain beauty in how he navigates the human condition through the web of intricacies where you achieve clarity and satisfaction. Nicely done! I received an ARC from Booksprout for a review.
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This was a short one, but so action-packed and emotional! At the end of the last book, Malcolm confronted Seong-Jae with his old FBI file, which led to a major fracture in their relationship. Seong-Jae and Malcolm are both angry and scared, and with the city on the verge of a complete riot, this is the worst time for them to be at odds … especially with Sila closing in.
My heart really broke for both Malcolm and Seong-Jae this episode, even if I did want to smack Seong-Jae over the head. I get he wants to protect Malcolm, but trust him !! But also I get it.
I loved the background case and the energy and riots of Baltimore. It felt very realistic, and I’m glad that the case was solved. But then that ending! The cliffhanger! At least I don’t have to wait for the next book!
I debated on wether or not to just read this one or waiting for part two to come out first…yeah I could not help myself. I don’t want to give any spoilers so I’ll just say that I’m glad that the next book is coming soon because that cliff-hanger left me desperate for more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The time has come to reveal the secrets of the past. After the misunderstanding between Malcolm and Seong-Jae escalates into a fallout of epic proportions, we see how both men deal with emotional pain. While Mal is trying to bridge the gap between them, Seong-Jae reverts to his controlled cold self that we first encounter when both detectives initially meet. It shows stark contrast between how things were when they started and just how much Mal and Seong-Jae feel for each other. But there is no time for heart-to-heart talk since the city of Baltimore is about to tear itself apart with riots and protests. If that is not bad enough, a group of radicals decides to use this opportunity to commit horrible acts of murder against POC.
Mal and Seong-Jae try to be professional but too many things have changed between them. Even though it seems that nothing can be fixed, when Seong-Jae’s body finally gives up the fight Malcolm is there to catch him. The accursed folder is like an anvil hanging over their heads. Fear is a living thing in Seong-Jae, and after reading the contents Malcolm sees why Seong-Jae had such a visceral reaction to him having it. But Malcolm, steadfast and loyal Malcolm, shows Seong-Jae that he believes him and in him. That pivotal moment between them turns the tide of their relationship. There is hope for them yet.
Due to diligence, hard work and sheer luck Malcolm and Seong-Jae stop the perpetrators from killing their next innocent victim. This time it’s not the name of the villain that matters but the heinous nature of their crime, and how easily circumstances can be manipulated to someone’s advantage. But the time of reckoning has come. Sila finally makes his move, and Malcolm is in his way to get to Seong-Jae. Will Seong-Jae get to him in time? Will Malcolm escape unscathed from the hands of the puppet master?
Emotionally charged, full of angst (low steam this time) criminal drama! Finally the questions that have been bugging me for so long start being answered. But the main event is still coming! I can’t wait! Loved it!!!! Copy received for my honest and unbiased review
*Spoiler*
This is the 12th book in the Criminal Intentions series, and let me just say I have a lot of emotions. I fell in love with the series from the very beginning. I was hooked and now I can’t stop reading. I’ve always been interested in crime shows, so knowing that this series is formatted like an actual tv show was a huge plus for me. A lot happened in this book. I love the way the author writes and makes you feel all the emotions the characters are feeling. I just want to protect them all.
The book discusses the killing and harm of POC by white supremacist groups. Not only does it happen in the book, it happens in the real world. There are people who are so full of hate that they believe that what they are doing is right. I agree with Cole McCade that we as a society should unite in love, instead of hate. If we continue to do that, we will help each other live each day together. In this book, we see Mal and Seong-Jae in conflict and there is strain in their relationship. It really hurt me to see them this way. But I trust the author to bring them together and make them happy. They both deserve to be happy. I can see on both sides that Mal and Seong-Jae love each other. It’s just that Mal is afraid to lose Seong-Jae if he admits he loves him and Seong-Jae is scared to admit it because he doesn’t want to completely open himself up to Mal. I kept telling myself that things will be okay eventually. I love that although there is strain in their relationship Mal still shows Seong-Jae he still cares by doing the little things like buying him cigarettes and making him coffee in the morning. Even though Seong-Jae was stonewalling Malcolm, Malcom never stopped caring. Us readers also know that Seong-Jae cares about Mal too, but he is scared to open up to Mal and risk Mal leaving him once he finds out the truth.
“What the hell do you do, when the person you love is falling apart and doesn’t want you to help them stay in once piece?”
This quote broke my heart. I just want the boys to be happy. Seong-Jae asked Malcolm to never let him go and he is not letting go. As much as Seong-Jae hurts him, Mal continues to support Seong-Jae and catches him whenever he falls. I knew this book was going to end in a cliffhanger, but I was still shocked. I’m so scared of what is going to happen next. I honestly don’t know what Sila is going to do and what he has planned for everybody. You never know what to expect with Sila, that’s the scary thing. Can I just protect them all?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
You simply can’t get any more relevant of our society today than racism and riot control. Despite the obstacles in their relationship and Seong-jae’s personal demons they still kick ass. I needed that, Xen. Love is gonna win. it’s what keeps me reading.
It hurts though that at the split RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE of this episode, the demon’s on top. Cliff-hanger that I can only tolerate because it’s Khalaji and Yoon we are talking about. Sade was trying something and didn’t believe this demon was real; now Demon is manifest. Kill it with fire, guys.