On the search for a serial killer, Detective Anthony Parglietto and Flynn Parker learn that every man must make a choice: to kill, to live, to love.FROM DARKNESS AND LIGHTSomeone is leaving a trail of bodies throughout London, and Detective Anthony Parglietto is determined to end the violence. Then he’ll return to the man he loves.Tough, street-savvy, and used to dealing with lowlifes, Flynn … dealing with lowlifes, Flynn Parker is the last person Anthony thinks he has to protect. Then the Bow-Tie Killer strikes close to home and the world turns upside down.
Right is wrong, black is white, and a policeman might become a monster.
But in the name of love, justice must be served. In the name of love, pain can be endured.
In the name of love, a man can taste the very essence that defines him.
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My first time reading Susan Mac Nicol’s work and I mostly enjoyed it. Told in multiple POVs, this is a story about an already established couple: a detective and investigative reporter who get on the radar of prolific serial killer. The suspense is high and some situations are really intense and graphic. This is not a whodunit story since the killer is a known to the reader and has a POV of their own. This was a bit of disappointment for me at first, but I started appreciating it later in the book. The knowing of who was the culprit made the situations that more vicious and unexpected.
Both MCs Tony and Flynn were likable and easy to relate, and had wonderful chemistry. I liked the dynamics between them in the bedroom. There were some heated well written encounters that made for a nice break from the crazy that the killer was bringing to the table. I am happy to say that both men actually talked many things out with each other and there was no miscommunication used as a plot enhancer which is greatly appreciated. The plot was already intense as is.
The author gave voice to her secondary characters. I liked how well rounded that made the story. All angles were covered but that also made for some slightly gruesome moments, so I hope you have strong constitution, folks. The climax of the story happened around 80% mark that gave author time to tie up loose ends but what I didn’t get was the explanation of the supposed personal connection that was alluded to throughout the book between Tony and the killer. It was left unexplained and I was left wanting. This was a well written story with a good amount of steam and suspense, gamut of emotions ranging from guilt to incredible rage, passionate love to gut wrenching devastation – very enjoyable and felt in the words written on the pages. The police work and procedures were well described and realistic and added to the grittiness of the story. Overall, 4 solid stars.
Grabs you from Page 1
Wow, this one is intense from the first paragraph, and doesn’t let you go! Anthony and Flynn’s relationships is strong enough to survive a kidnapping, a serial killer and accusations of murder. A great romantic suspense story, with just the right amount of heat. I’ll definitely be looking for more by Susan MacNichol in the future!
Detective Anthony Parglietto and Flynn Parker, newspaper reporter, were an intriguing and gripping love story. One who feels the need to protect, the other who wonders why he needs the protecting.
There is a killer on the loose and Tony is determined to put a stop to it. Protect his lover, no matter what. Especially since he lost a family member from a horrific crime.
Not just mystery and suspense. There was plenty of steam between these two.
Excellent read!
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
A gritty thrillride from beginning to end. Anthony and Flynn were great characters and I really enjoyed their dangerous adventure.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read up Love & Punishment, when you just HAVE TO to have the man who serves his justice with the thrust of a of a knife. When I first started with BookBub, this was the book with the sample that demanded to be finished. Her Tangh-i-ness’s first requirement of reading is make me CARE about the characters. Heroes are usually all right, but when they skirt the edge, and move closer to the antihero, well that’s when heroes become potent stuff for me. DI Anthony Parglietto’s face off with the Bow-Tie-Killer brought me the same kind of heat Will Graham gave in Red Dragon. I got the thrill of watching serial killings unfold and Anthony’s scramble to track BTK and some yummy male-on-male action. What Ms. Mac Nicol does fabulously too is inject humor at the precise moments when readers are in need of a break from the darkness. Love & Punishment sits in my vaunted Favorite Read-Again collection. Curious if Anthony, Flynn and friends will ever make another appearance in Ms. Mac Nicol’s Storyverse.
Flynn is a reporter and made a statement to the press telling a serial killer labelled the Bow Tie Killer (BTK) that he wanted to tell his story. He finds himself abducted and terrorized by the killer.
Anthony is the detective in charge of the case and Flynn’s lover. After Flynn’s abduction, he is more determined than ever to find this killer. Anthony’s views of justice are not widely received on the force and this causes conflict with his new partner because Anthony feels if the killer isn’t dead he will get out and continue his death tolls.
As you can see there is a lot of suspense going on here. There are other key characters as well, we have Kieren, Flynn’s ex-lover, several people on the force, and there are others as well. Every single character is well written and intriguing.
This is a very powerful, angsty, psychological thriller full of emotion, chilling suspense and really hot sex. I will warn you it’s not for the squeamish, there is violence and rape. Don’t read this right after eating. Also, be sure to set enough time once you start reading you won’t want to put it down. It is a real page-turner.
One thing I really loved was that we actually meet the murder and part of the story is told in his and his current boyfriends view. I found this a very intriguing concept.
Loved the book it was great, the story was well written and the characters are interesting. The story of Anthony and Flynn was amazing the strength they produce and the twists and turns.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Holy Cow, this book is fantastic. I know it sounds contrived but I, seriously, couldn’t put it down. From page one it was completely captivating. The evil radiating from the villain was almost tangible. The desire to do what’s right from Anthony was encouraging. Flynn added the yin to his yang. This book was extremely intense in the best way possible. It had you on the edge of your seat pretty much to the very end. This author has penned a well told, well executed and a very well created romance/suspense story that absolutely deserves five plus stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A very hard book to put down once you start. I loved the story and the characters. You can not go wrong with this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.