Fish Out of Water: Book Two They must work together to stop a psychopath–and save each other. Two months ago Jackson Rivers got shot while trying to save Ellery Cramer’s life. Not only is Jackson still suffering from his wounds, the triggerman remains at large–and the body count is mounting. Jackson and Ellery have been trying to track down Tim Owens since Jackson got out of the hospital, but … Jackson got out of the hospital, but Owens’s time as a member of the department makes the DA reluctant to turn over any stones. When Owens starts going after people Jackson knows, Ellery’s instincts hit red alert. Hurt in a scuffle with drug-dealing squatters and trying damned hard not to grieve for a childhood spent in hell, Jackson is weak and vulnerable when Owens strikes.
Jackson gets away, but the fallout from the encounter might kill him. It’s not doing Ellery any favors either. When a police detective is abducted–and Jackson and Ellery hold the key to finding her–Ellery finds out exactly what he’s made of. He’s not the corporate shark who believes in winning at all costs; he’s the frightened lover trying to keep the man he cares for from self-destructing in his own valor.
more
I thoroughly enjoyed this story , Red fish, Dead fish . The title is somewhat of a tribute to analogies based on observations of the fish tank of Jackson’s childhood, “the big fish”, “the little fish”, the one thrown back to lure the big fish. . I enjoyed the book so much that I fell asleep reading and woke up in the middle of the night when I dropped my kindle to finish reading.
This is an incredibly intense story with an intricate complex plot requiring the full attention of the reader. The action is almost continuous with seemingly unconnected plot points converging in unanticipated fashion. I didn’t read the earlier story in this series but didn’t find that too much of a disadvantage.
Jackson Rivers was a police detective who wasn’t held back by the blue line when he discovered crimes committed by police officers including one who got away. Now he is a private investigator working with a top law firm and his lover/partner to finish the investigation that he started while in uniform.
Together Jackson and attorney Ellery Cramer are trying to find a serial killer. They know who it is but they need to prove that there is a serial killer and that a former police officer is responsible for the murders of ‘dirty but pretty’ young men and women. The supporting cast contains some truly evil characters, some truly wonderful allies as well as disinterested, disengaged authorities with misplaced focus on the investigators rather than the investigation.
Jackson’s focus is on protecting the few people in his inner circle, the family of his heart, while finding the killer of young people whose lives have a similarity to his own youth. Ellery’s focus is on convincing Jackson that he is loved, that he has worth and that he isn’t going anywhere.
In addition to the tense action-filled drama, I welcomed the sweet and sometimes sappy but oh so sexy interactions. Ellery keeps reminding Jackson that “I deserve you.” he whispered. “The good and the bad. Don’t take that away from me. “
I just can’t get enough of Jackson and Ellery. And of course Billy Bob! There was a ton of dark mystery and suspense, which I loved. Ellery and Jackson’s banter and spark kept the heavy subject matter from feeling like to much. The audiobook is fantastic.
Oh my! I expected to enjoy this book, but I ended up loving it. Jackson and Ellerly’s romance tick off so many boxes for me and I enjoy them on every level. There isn’t a single character I dislike outside of the ones, such as the killer, that are supposed to be reviled. In fact, I adore all the characters immensely. Jackson has been through Hell but it has made him who he is and he will make a difference in many lives, even more now that he has Ellerly to give him a reason to push to live and to keep him reined in and having a higher probability of living! Billy Bob the cat and Lucy Satan return to the storyline and it is perfect. I need more!!!!
If you haven’t began this series, you should!
I’m going to preface this review by saying this is the second book in a series that MUST be read in order. After the shenanigans in Fish out of Water, book 1, Jackson has moved in the Ellery along with his cat while he recovers and his house is refurbished. While Ellery is ready to add Jackson’s name to the deed and write Jackson into his will, Jackson already has one foot out the door, waiting for the guillotine to drop on his head. You’d think these two have been through enough and it’s time for their happy ever after, right? Yeah… not so much. Chaos erupts at Jackson’s house and Ellery is in a panic, his perfectly planned life in disorder. And that’s all before breakfast!
Holy crap this book kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end! I love the way Amy Lane can weave intricate plots and characters together and keep you wanting more in the middle of the maelstrom. Jackson’s life has been nothing but miserable, one disappointment after another, so when Ellery starts making promises Jackson already has his running shoes on. Ellery’s life is perfectly planned out, everything routine, normal and boring until Jackson comes along and pulls him out of his shell, makes Ellery want something more. Their relationship is like lightening, sunshine and an atomic bomb sewn together with barbed wire, duct tape and long stem roses with lots and lots of thorns.
The narration is nothing less than extraordinary. Tremblay has a way with words that truly brings the characters to life, makes them feel real. He totally nails Ellery’s sarcasm and Jackson’s internal struggle with his world falling down around him with tones, nuances and inflections.
This is an audio that I’ll be listening to again. On a side note, can somebody tell Amy Lane that I really want Ellery and Jackson to work a case with Ian and Miro (Mary Calmes Marshall series)?! THAT would be an amazing story.
It was a good book, has some curse words but your mind can easily replace them. I would recommend to age 10 and up because it is kind of violent. It is a 9 out of 10 for me but I think I would like it better if they had less cuss words.
This book has some heart-wrenching moments. The core plot of the Fish Out of Water is about family, the family we create and the family we are given. Jackson will do anything to protect his family even if that means taking a step away from them.
Amy Lane does a wonderful job of showcasing how our life experiences can influence the decisions we make when we try to create our families.
The narration was a wonderful addition to this story, and I will listen to this one many times.