Life has been great for Sebastian Snow. The Emporium is thriving and his relationship with NYPD homicide detective, Calvin Winter, is everything he’s ever wanted. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Sebastian’s sole concern is whether Calvin would enjoy a romantic date. It’s only when an unknown assailant smashes the Emporium’s window and leaves a peculiar note behind that all holiday plans … plans get pushed aside in favor of another mystery.
Sebastian is quickly swept up in a series of grisly yet seemingly unrelated murders. The only connection tying the deaths together are curiosities from the lost museum of P.T. Barnum. Despite Calvin’s attempts to keep Sebastian out of the investigation, someone is forcing his hand, and it becomes apparent that the entire charade exists for Sebastian to solve. But with each clue that brings him closer to the killer, he’s led deeper into Calvin’s official cases.
It’s more than just Sebastian’s livelihood and relationship on the line—it’s his very life.
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Book #2 in the Snow and Winter series. I highly recommend this author and this MM series. I like the characters and the dialogue and the perspective from Sebastian Snow -who is unable to see color is unique and interesting.
Can’t wait for the next book!
Sebastian Snow has been getting unwanted attention from someone… brick through his shops window.. broken into his shop, he receives clues.. then a dead body.
Calvin is Sebastians boyfriend. Detective and former soldier. He tries to keep Sebastian safe as Seb throws himself headfirst in danger.
I love Calvin! Sebastian is kind of a brat to keep running off following clues and getting into danger. Action packed! Steamy scenes! Great story!
No. This story just wasn’t right.
I liked the first book. There, Poe laid the groundwork for a cute mystery series, with charming characters and some seriously hot shenanigans. So, why would she ruin it all by making the MC act so stupid in this book?
I don’t get it.
I mean, Sebastian, who is supposedly very smart, just kept doing the most stupid a** sh*t.
When discovering a dead body, where the death is clearly not natural, you call the police. You don’t start examining it, touching it and taking evidence that you hide from the police. And you most certainly don’t do such things repeatedly. Unless you’re Sebastian Snow that is.
Also, when your boyfriend is a detective, he doesn’t just accept that you’re messing with crime scenes, withholding evidence and generally hindering a police investigation. Repeatedly. Unless he’s Calvin Winter.
*Disappointed sigh*
It’s such a shame because Poe is clearly an excellent writer (which is the only reason I’m giving this book 3 stars). And while Sebastian absolutely did some reckless stuff in the first book, the level of stupidity he displays in this one is astounding. So, I’m very much done with the Snow & Winter series. But the jury’s still out on whether I’ll give Poe another chance in the future.
https://reflectionsofaswedishgirl.blog.se/the-mystery-of-the-curiosities-snow-winter-2-by-c-s-poe/
The author is NOT afraid of research, folks. In this next book of the Snow & Winter series, we learn some incredible facts about P. T. Barnum–American showman, politician, and businessman! In this work, find that someone is making odd use of Mr. Barnum’s curiosities–an extremely effective lure for the ‘mystery magnet’ antique shop owner Sebastian Snow. It all starts with a large brick through the shop’s window. That vandalism is followed by a series of other mysteries that keep Snow occupied as he considers Valentine’s Day with his new boyfriend, the very out Detective Calvin Winter of the NYPD. Soon murders become associated with the authentic curiosities of P. T. Barnum and the closeted ex-boyfriend (whose unhappy with the ending of his relationship with Sebastian) Detective Neil Millett becomes a suspect. I’m thrilled that the writer continues to grow the characters in very discernable, plausible ways! Even the covers reflect Snow’s personal changes as he moves on to a more satisfactory relationship. In addition, the pace of the book remains consistent throughout–the writer pulls you in and keeps you turning the pages! This was yet another time when I refused to put the book down until it was completed. And what an unexpected ending it was! OMG!
As sequels go, this one was a whole lot better than book 1. For one, I liked Calvin a whole lot more this time around. Sebastian is likable, even if he loves putting himself in harm’s way. Then again, what self-respecting amateur sleuth doesn’t do this once or several times throughout a book? LOL I’m still on the fence regarding their relationship, although their chemistry seemed better in this installment.
I enjoyed the mystery portion a lot. I had my suspicions about the bad guy’s identity and was so off the mark it wasn’t even funny, but I still liked playing along with Sebastian and Max as they tried to solve the clues the killer left Sebastian.
The narration was consistently good, although I kind of cringed every time Calvin called Seb by the array of pet names he loves to use. Unfortunately, listening to a grown man calling another sweetie or honey doesn’t do it for me. I know it’s not Mr. McClain’s fault, but it is what it is and it dampened my overall enjoyment of the narration.
Love this series!
Sebastian is so snarky! And his assistant can dish it right back.
I do love a well-crafted mystery, and this one was perfect for me. The multiple elements are beautifully woven, like a magician hiding key cards as she manipulates a deck to best surprise you. I enjoyed book 1 very much, but this one is even better. And the last line made me laugh even as I said “aww.”
These guys are great! Book 2 focuses on P.T. Barnum-related items from history, along with mystery and murder. Sebastian doesn’t really plan on pushing his homicide detective lover to the brink of insanity. It just happens. I love these men, and it’s wonderful to see them falling more and more in love. The series is just so fun to read, even though it makes me want to cry every once in awhile. It’s just a really good read, and I am enjoying it!
Awesome story and wonderful characters. I LOVE that Sebastian has a visual disability. It’s different from anything I’ve read before, and relatable. Calvin suffers from PTSD. I love that this isn’t insta-love either; they’re attracted, have some smexy times, but don’t immediately have an HEA, but an HFN so we look forward to book 2. The murder mystery was good, and the connections to Edgar Allan Poe were not quite as expected, in a good way.