Rise & Fall

THIRDS, Book 4

By: Charlie Cochet

Narrated by: Mark Westfield

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

THIRDS, Book 4 - Sequel to Rack & Ruin

After an attack by the Coalition leaves THIRDS Team Leader Sloane Brodie critically injured, agent Dexter J. Daley swears to make Beck Hogan pay for what he's done. But Dex's plans for retribution are short-lived. With Ash still on leave with his own injuries, Sloane in the hospital, and Destructive Delta in the Coalition's crosshairs, Lieutenant Sparks isn't taking any chances. Dex's team is pulled from the case, with the investigation handed to Team Leader Sebastian Hobbs. Dex refuses to stand by while another team goes after Hogan, and decides to put his old HPF detective skills to work to find Hogan before Theta Destructive, no matter the cost.

With a lengthy and painful recovery ahead of him, the last thing Sloane needs is his partner out scouring the city, especially when the lies - however well-intentioned - begin to spiral out of control. Sloane is all too familiar with the desire to retaliate, but some things are more important, like the man who's pledged to stand beside him. As Dex starts down a dark path, it's up to Sloane to show him what's at stake, and finally put a name to what's in his heart.

©2015 Charlie Cochet (P)2015 Dreamspinner Press

One of the best UF series out there.

The first thing you need to know about THIRDS agent Dexter J. Daley is that he lives to bend the rules. He never does what he’s told. He is loving, unruly, and hilarious.

In Dex’s world, being gay is perfectly normal and accepted, but the two co-existing species, humans and therians, are constantly at war. Humans fear the shapeshifting Therians, and Therians resent being forced to register and get tattoos on their necks. The conflict is always brewing and acts of terrorism from both sides are far too common. Enter Therian-Human Intelligence, Recon, Defense Squadron, also known as the THIRDS, whose only mission is to keep the peace between the two races.

Agents Dexter Daley and Sloane ‘Broody Bear’ Brodie are THIRDS agents. One is human and the other is therian. They are both excellent agents, but personally they’re as different as they can be. They are also partners, on and off work. Dex is a half-glass-full type of person, loveable, extroverted and funny. He is very close to his father and brother and he makes friends with seeming ease. Sloane Brodie is none of the above. Having lost his previous partner and lover, he is very careful with his feelings. It’s always one step forward, two steps back between him and Dex. But he is strong, honest and fair, even when someone doesn’t deserve it.

Rise & Fall is the fourth book in Charlie Cochet’s THIRDS series, and like the three before, it left me completely in awe. This is how everyone should write paranormal fiction, M/M fiction, action, romance… everything. This is how everyone should write. Enough said.

I remember starting this series with a very healthy dose of skepticism. I didn’t need another Cut & Run series, with two amazing, all-powerful agents perfect in everything they do. I wanted strong, but fallible men with a great sense of humor and a romance I could actually enjoy. But Charlie Cochet must have known exactly what her readers crave because she gave us a series that is both amazing and insanely popular.

I can’t say too much about the plot in Rise & Fall for fear of spoiling some important detail from the previous two books, but I can say that this book is the biggest emotional rollercoaster so far. By now, the Destructive Delta agents are all very familiar to us: Ash, Cael, Letty, Hobbs and others have become our close friends. There’s so much going on in this series, plenty of action and danger from all sides, but the characters are what makes it truly stand out, and their weird dynamic is a constant source of amusement.

Mark Westfield narrates the story beautifully. He is the perfect person to bring us Dex’s light-hearted perspective. Every emotion comes through loud and clear in his voice, and although I read this one the second it came out, I couldn’t resist getting the audio when it finally showed up.


I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for excitement, excellent characters and a whole lot of action. Oh, and laughter. Lots and lots of it.

Epic

Dex heads onto a darker path in this book & it’s my least favorite version of him.

However, the progress of his and Sloane’s relationship is massive on this book and it’s about darn time.

The last chapter made me laugh. I adore the team, the found family and the story. This series is truly one for the books.

Rise & Fall

omg this audiobook was absolutely positively amazing. i would highly recommend this audiobook. Awesome .

Some of the most entertaining!

Any additional comments?

Do the series...start from the beginning, you'll need to to understand all the nuances. It's addicting...I laugh, cry, scream at the characters...good Charlie...very good...keep them coming!

Gold!

Steam, love, flirting, and angry dads! This was absolute gold and love the novel. Mark westfield is so perfect!

Buddy cop meets rom-com

love these books, this team, and all the sexy coup. more words words words words

Getting Better and BETTER!

This is book four in a series that sort of sneaked up on me. I am ex Special Forces Marine Corps and a homosexual man.
The first book was just a fluke that sat in my Audible library for over a year. I finally got around to hearing it during a rock climbing self challenge. I am man enough to say that I actually cried a few times while listening.
Here is the thing. Charlie has a way of understanding guys like us somehow. I can't imagine how, but she almost has a complete handle on it. The sex in the books is extremely tame as compared to man on man in real life, but she makes the tender stuff sound really nice.
The love of my life was a Black Hawk pilot an Air Force Fly Boy and now we have our lives together and love the hell out of each other each and every day going on eleven years now. We got married, really married two years ago.... What a trip!
THANK YOU CHARLIE AND THANKS TO THE AMAZING NARRATOR WHO SOUNDS LIKE A MAN AND BRINGS ALL THE LAUGHTER, ANGER, HEARTACHE AND LOVE TO EACH CHARACTER'S VOICE AND PAINTS A SERIOUSLY COOL MOVIE USING CHARLIE'S WORDS. YOU BOTH MAKE GREAT PARTNERS AND MORE GUYS IN AND GETTING OUT OF THE MILITARY SHOULD TELL YOU HOW IMPORTANT YOUR WORK IS TO US. PEOPLE IN THE US WOULD FALL OVER IF THEY KNEW THE STAGGERING NUMBER OF HOMOSEXUAL MEN RISK THEIR LIVES EVERYDAY TO KEEP AMERICA FREE.
ONCE THAT SCALP REDUCTED ORANGE BLIMP MONSTER IS OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE, OUR COUNTRY CAN GET BACK ON THE ROAD TO BEING RESPECTED IN THE WORLD ONCE AGAIN.

SERIOUSLY KILLER BOOKS CHARLIE COCHET! CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR THE NEXT ONE, WHICH I WILL START IN 5 MINUTES! OOOORAAAAH!
DIEGO

You'll Get A Rise Out of This

Cochet has created a unique and dangerously sexy world with men who protect and serve, and love with ferocity. Once you start the series, you won't want to stop. But definitely start with book one.

Wonderful

This is a wonderful read/listen. Author and narrator are fantastic together! seriously have amazing work.

Reminds me ofFriends--but the Special Ops version

This book starts with an anxious Dex sitting vigil at the bedside of his team leader Sloane, though it becomes apparent very quickly to the hospital staff that their bond is deeper than professional.

Let me first start by saying that one needs to suspend belief in order to enjoy each member of the Disruptive Delta (“DD” for short). For instance, for such a “great” soldier, Dex has difficulty following orders. In every installment of this series, there has been serious situations where Dex completely disregards orders to do what he thinks is best. I both enjoy and dislike his maverick ways. As a cast, Team DD remind me of the show Friends. They are fun and entertaining. I love how loyal and trusting they are with each other. In addition, I am amused by the fact that Team DD seems incapable of keeping secrets from each other.

The narrator really does a great job capturing their personality. Dex’s voice sounds jovial, Sloane sounds serious, Ash sounds a tad snippy, Lettie sounds compassionate etc. I don’t know if I would enjoy this books as much on print as I am used the audiobook format.

What I appreciated most about book 4 was the progression in relationships. Cael and Ash’s impasse in the last book was sad and finally we got the acknowledgment of their feelings for each other. Others getting some love action were Calvin and Hobbes, Seb and Austen, even Lou (Dex’s ex-boyfriend).

Even though most of Team DD experienced some resolution in their respective personal lives here, it’s clear that their professional lives hang in the balance. Dex and Cael’s dad has the bat, and I don’t know what he is doing to do to the team…or to Sloane and Ash’s knee caps.