February. The month of cold weather and hot romance. At least, that was the plan.Despite the busy nature of their lives working as Paranormal Investigation Agents (PIAs), and being fathers, Jake and Dean are determined to have the soppiest of Valentine’s Days. Romantic dinner, red roses, a stroll by the canal, then some snuggle time to cap it all off. Too much to ask?Hell yeah!Complication #1: … ask?
Hell yeah!
Complication #1: The mutilated body of a goblin turns up on their doorstep.
Complication #2: Some humans have been murdered by an unknown supernatural entity.
Complication #3: Those same murdered humans get back up again.
Looks like the romance will have to be put on hold.
Death is the end. Right?
The second instalment in Jake & Dean Investigations—a kick-ass Urban Fantasy tale with an established MM relationship.
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I love this series and enjoyed this instalment as much as book 1. The opening scene is fabulous, and has a couple of visuals that will stay with me for a long time. Totally brilliant, and a wild start to the story.
I love the world building in this series. It’s well thought out, and the setting of the Netherlands adds a different flavour. I also like that this world is populated by different kinds of supernaturals as well as humans, and how they interact. The pods are creepy, and kept me guessing as to what effect each one was going to have.
I love Jake and Dean as characters, both as individuals and together. The family they’ve made with their daughter, Louise, is very sweet, and I like that it’s important to them to make their home a safe haven from the nasty things they fight as part of their job. I also like that they’re both flawed heroes, make mistakes, and are still trying to put their pasts behind them. They’re aware of each other’s flaws, they see each other at their worst, and although they argue at times, their love for each other doesn’t waver. Their relationship feels very real.
This story was quite creepy with the dead bodies not saying dead, but I thought the reason behind the necromancy was very bittersweet and I felt for those responsible. I liked the different take on how and why it had happened and the difficult decision that had to be made to move forward.
Although the story with the necromancy is tied up in this book, I liked that there are still loose ends going forward, and can’t wait for the next book to see what happens next.
I really enjoy Jake and Dean, although I thought Jake went a little overboard with his anger at Dean breaking a promise. I mean, it isn’t like Jake hasn’t ever gone off half-cocked before. Getting off my soapbox, this is another wild ride full of adventure, danger, drama, surprises, and – of course – a healthy dose of gruesomeness (this is urban fantasy, after all). It left several questions open which I hope the author will answer in future books. I have to say I was really hoping for a better ending for the tragic lovers (read it and you’ll know who I mean), but I guess I didn’t really expect an HEA for them. Maybe in the next world. But – WHOA – about that murdering psychopath who enjoys watching Jake…that is seriously chilling and eerie. I loved this book and would have given it 5 stars except for a multitude of grammar and spelling errors that repeatedly pulled me out of the story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
Charms of Death by Richard Amos is the second book in the continuing Series, Jake and Dean Investigations. This is a paranormal Urban fantasy that gives us kick-@$$ action, but also sweet and sexy m/m romance. Fantastic world building – it’s easy to envision the universe created here, intriguing and wonderful characters that pull you deeper into their world, and an entertaining and attention keeping story that makes you want more.
I have become a big fan of this author, and I quite enjoy his books. This is the second book of the Jake & Dean Investigations, and I really enjoyed the book. I adore the way the author shows us what’s going on through both Jake and Dean’s POV, giving the book more depth. I also was excited about the revelations in this book, which I am excited to see where they will take us. This is an urban fantasy novel, but it does have a lot of romance in it, too, so be prepared. It doesn’t take away from the mystery, though. I admit that the reveal at the end of the book made me really sad as opposed to the general feeling of relief of the end. Yes, I’m vague so I don’t spoil it. LOL! Great characters, action, and mystery equal a great book. Recommend! I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.