Couldn't Cheat Death

The Paul Monroe Mystery Series, Book 1

By: A. P. Eisen

Narrated by: Kale Williams

Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Detective Paul Monroe has little room in his life for anything but work. Maintaining order and solving cases in the town of Thornwood Park keeps him busy. When Jerry Gregoria, a popular bartender and personal trainer is found murdered, there’s no shortage of suspects. It seems Jerry was busy shaking more than cocktails all over town, leaving Paul and his partner with an ever-growing list of men and women who have reasons to want Jerry dead. The deeper Paul delves into the case, the more he finds himself drawn to hotel manager Cliff Baxter, whom he hasn’t seen in years.

Cliff Baxter’s childhood crush on Paul Monroe hasn’t waned since high school. In fact, with the sexy detective conducting the investigation at the hotel, Cliff is more than happy to help. Ever since his last relationship went up in flames, Cliff has made it a rule to never get involved with a closeted man. But after Paul is threatened and things between the two heat up, Cliff decides to make an exception.

With new twists in the case popping up every day and the mayor breathing down the police department’s neck, Paul needs to solve the case yesterday. It takes a crisis for Paul and Cliff to realize what started out as something casual could be everything they’ve both been looking for but never thought to find. But if the killer strikes again, they might never get that chance.

©2019 A.P. Eisen (P)2019 A.P. Eisen

Couldn’t Cheat Death

I picked up this audiobook the other day because the narrator posted about it and I’m so glad I did! this is the first time I’ve read anything by this author and it was a great way to start. I really liked the characters and the mystery was well done. I knew who the murderer was fairly early in the story but I still enjoyed the story! I can’t wait to listen to the next one!

Loved it without reservation

I loved, loved, loved this book. Yeah, I figured out the whodunit before the heroes/leads did, but then I got to feel all smug about my deductive/detective skills, so it's all good. I finished the audiobook over less than two days, I was so wrapped up in the characters and the story - and the fantastic narration by Kale Williams, (and was still thinking about in between times I got to listen), so I'm not hesitating in the 5 stars at all.
I'm so glad I already have the next couple books in my possession.

Mystery, Love, Sex

Mystery is well plotted. The guys have instant chemistry. Neither is a simple stereotype. Good sex scenes. Background characters are well thought-out and complex. More in this series, please!

Good story. Good narration.

If you are looking for a basic police, procedural with a bit of m\m romance, this is a good read/listen. The character development and evolution of the relationship was engaging. The mystery was interesting.

Sometimes the story felt a little bit like an outline with details that were laid out for me a bit too neatly. I usually prefer a mystery with a little more intrigue, but I was still entertained.

The narration was performed well, but sometimes I struggled to match the character with the narrator's voices. This is one of those rare cases where I think the story might have benefitted from dual perspectives and narration. I enjoyed the story enough that I am continuing to the next book. I want to see what's in store for the two main characters.

A great murder mystery!

I loved everything about this book, it’s the perfect mix between the mystery, with the ongoing investigation about a bartender murder, and the blossoming romance between broody Detective Paul Monroe and Cliff Baxter, the manager of the hotel where the deceased bartender worked.
I loved both characters, Paul, the broody Detective, hardened by life, the premature loss of his brother and the constant contact with death. He’s not out and has never been in a relationship, but something in Cliff makes him want to try…
Cliff is an interesting character; he is quite settled and content in his life as a manager of a chain hotel. He’s out and proud, and has sworn off closet cases after two bad break ups. Maybe he is not so content though, as he readily embarks in the investigation, helping the Detectives at every possible chance and putting hiss heart on the line with closeted Paul.

A really good HFN, and I am very happy that I have book two already waiting for me, because I can’t wait to read more!!!

Kale Williams did a very good job with the narration: it’s engaging, the voices are easily distinguishable and it keeps you hooked!

Mystery Awaits

I really enjoyed this mystery and romance! I did a read/listen combination of this story because I didn’t want to put it down, and I needed to work too! Kale Williams did a great job of reading this story. His narration of Detective Paul Monroe and Cliff was spot on for me as I already had a sense of their voices in my head from reading first. From the beginning you’re thrown into a brazen murder, and an old connection. The murder of Jerry really kept me on my toes of who it could be. Let me tell you, as Detective Paul Monroe conducted his interviews, it felt like it could have been every one of those suspects! As you learned more about Jerry’s past, and how he treated the people in it, you became suspicious of everyone Paul interviewed! Jerry was a bit of a scoundrel! The whodunit of this mystery definitely kept me invested in the story. That connection I mentioned? Cliff’s first childhood love was Paul; unbeknownst to Paul. Cliff’s older brother was Paul’s friend growing up. I loved Paul’s somewhat grumpy and gruff exterior, he really portrayed the Detective role so much for me. I loved Cliff’s upbeat and energetic self, he seemed to find joy in the small things. I really felt the chemistry between them, and their growing feelings for each other. I found myself rooting for Paul to step outside the comfort zone of his life, and claim Cliff. While closeted Paul wasn’t worried about the people in his life not understanding, but he didn’t want to rock the boat of his predictable life. In turn, as much as Cliff cared for Paul he didn’t want to be with another man that wanted to hide him! This was a fantastic mystery and romance, and I definitely want to find out what is next for Detective Paul Monroe!

And Detective became the victim of this love spell

One word: THAT is how you write a “murder mystery”. 😉❤️ I admit that my first interest in this book was because it was narrated by Kale Williams and you guys already know I love his narration. 😁 But my interest increased by double when I read the blurb. I knew I was just going to love our hero Detective Paul Monroe and oh boy, was I right!?! 😏😍 I freaking can’t believe this is a debut novel. 😳😱 It’s just soooooo good! 💜

To say that Detective Paul Monroe is a workaholic would be such an understatement. After all, he didn’t get the nick name bulldog by doing half arse jobs. When there’s a brutal, gruesome murder at a popular hotel in Thornwood Park, Paul and his partner has to scour and interview every potential suspect at the hotel. And cute and charming Cliff Baxter, hotel manager, has been more than helpful. Cliff has always had a crush on his best friend’s older brother Paul since they were in school. And now to meet his first love again more handsome and hotter than ever after so many years, Cliff is of course ready to assist Paul in “whatever” ways he needs. 😉 As these two gets to know each other more and more, the attraction and instant connection between them also becomes undeniably stronger. But Paul is in the closet and Cliff has sworn never again to date men who will keep him as a dirty little secret. But they have a bigger problem at hand than their love problems. They killer is on the loose and stirring terror in everyone’s mind. Now Paul has to catch the killer and convince Cliff to give him a chance at the same time before it becomes too late.

I loved reading somewhat grumpy and lonely Paul’s character. ❤️ It’s not even the consequences of coming out he’s afraid. He has just become used to the monotonous, lonely life of being a man on the force and become somewhat jaded over the years. And to balance him with an energetic, charming and kind Cliff Baxter, it was such a perfect match. 😍 I loved the slow and sensual romance between these two imperfectly perfect men. And I also genuinely liked the murder mystery aspect of it. Boy, until like 80%, I had no idea who is the killer. 😅 So many potential suspects and the investigation going on at the hotel and the police station was just fascinating and engaging. To learn and get the glimpses of the lives of so many fascinating characters, it was definitely a job well done. 👏 And the ending, omg, it was thrilling, exciting and simply amazing. Loved everything about it. I am so impressed with A.P. Eisen’s talented writing because if I didn’t know, I would have never thought this was a debut novel. A job very well done Miss Eisen. 👏 And Kale Williams did a spectacular job narrating this story as always. 🥰 His wonderful narration definitely added an extra depth to my enjoyment of the story. 👏 I really can’t wait for the second book of this series. I want to see more of Paul and Cliff and the journey to an EPIC HEA and I’m intrigued what kind of thrilling, exciting crimes Paul has to solve next. 😉 Recommended to anyone who loves murder mysteries with a healthy dose of romance. 💜😘

5 And Detective became the victim of this love spell stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️




Audio rating

Story- 4.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Narration - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance- 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

fantastic and fast police romance

I really enjoyed this quick murder mystery. Characters were enjoyable and the pacing was excellent. narration quite good.

Good first book!

Really enjoyed this book and excited to listen to more of the series. Although I figured out who the killer was right after they interviewed all the suspects: I think because I’ve read so many mysteries, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the book. I loved the development of the two MC’s and can’t wait to see what happens with them next. The narrator did a perfect job!!

Great start, please give me more!

I’ve been on a mystery binge lately and couldn’t resist picking up this debut novel by A.P. Eisen, I needed something new in my life. And did I ever find it in this book! Now I have a new problem – no more books in this series have been published. Me and waiting are not friends, I’m a very impatient person if there ever was one. Then again, if the follow-up to Couldn’t Cheat Death is as good it might just be worth waiting for.

Paul Monroe lives for his work as a detective with the local police department. His latest case, the murder of a bartender and personal trainer, turns up more suspect than he knows what to do with. And everyone seems to have had a motive to kill the man. During the case he meets Cliff, the childhood friend of his younger brother. A man that’s more than a little tempting for this closeted detective.

Cliff had the biggest crush on Paul when he was a teenager. To his dismay that crush is still there years later. Nothing can ever come of it, after the hurt his previous relationships caused him, he promised himself to stay clear of closeted guys that wouldn’t acknowledge him in public. But their paths keep crossing, and it’s not long before they cross more than paths. But a killer is still out there, and for Paul work has always come first.

I’m always partial to characters that feel genuine. The ones that have issues and problems, and aren’t picture perfect. Both Paul and Cliff fit that description perfectly. They have baggage and fears and wants and hopes. I believed in them, both as individual but even more so in their relationship. There was no instant relationship or “I love you’s” it wasn’t easy and when the book ended they are still not truly solid. Their relationship have just started, and I’m guessing we will see it grow and mature in the books to come.

This book was narrated by the very talented Kale Williams. Right off the bat he captured me with his smooth voice and easy pacing. He made both Paul and Cliff come alive for the listener and brought you into the story with them. He might not have truly distinguished voices for his characters, but the feelings he adds to his narration still makes it a great listening experience, and one that ended way too soon.

Couldn’t Cheat Death didn’t feel like a debut novel. It was well-written with characters and a plot you could believe in. There was no drama for the sake of it, or over used plot devices that made you roll your eyes. It was everything that I hoped it would be, a great and engaging murder mystery wrapped up in a beautiful romance. And I want more!

A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes.