Again with Feeling

The Last Picks, Book 6

De: Gregory Ashe

Narrado por: Andrew Gibson

We might not be doomed to repeat the past. But it’s pretty likely.

When Dashiell Dawson Dane receives a phone call from his nemesis Vivienne Carver (okay, one of his nemeses), he’s caught off guard—to say the least—by her request: help solve the murder of her brother, who disappeared almost thirty years ago. His gut tells him to say no. But with Bobby preparing to move out of Hemlock House, Dash sees the perfect opportunity for them to spend more time together, whether Bobby likes it or not.

The local police seem convinced that Vivienne was responsible for her brother’s death—an opinion shared by some of her family. But the more Dash investigates, the more convinced he becomes that Vivienne is being set up. Secrets have been accumulating for decades, and the most dangerous lies, Dash knows, are the ones we want to believe the most. After all these years, answers might finally be within reach—and someone is willing to kill to keep the truth from coming out.

©2024 Gregory Ashe (P)2025 Gregory Ashe

About time!!!

Slow burn be thee thy name. And boy has this been a long fought after relationship. That plus a great mystery and you have the formula for a great Gregory Ashe book. Although I was leery about a cozy, I'm thoroughly enjoying this series. This so far is my favorite narration by Andrew Gibson - he's growing on me!

Cold Case Murder Mystery

Dash has been asked by Vivienne to solve what happened to her brother, when his body is found and she’s been charged with his murder. While Dash and the Last Picks try to figure it out Dash is almost killed and Bobby has a panic attack.

Dash and Bobby finally admit to their feelings for each other.

The narrator did an excellent job. I loved this audio!

One of the best volumes in the series!

I could listen to these books all day long. Andrew Gibson is such a great narrator bringing these characters to life, and Gregory Ashe does an amazing job weaving the quirky town and its characters into the mystery. Also, getting to revisit a blast from the past was extra fun with this one. I'm ready for the serving, please!

At last!

I guess it wasn't really slow burn, given Greg Ashe's track record, but wow was I getting frustrated with the one-step-forward, three-steps-back dance at the start of this series. To me, this book is where the series really starts moving. I enjoyed the narration, though a couple of pronunciation choices were jarring. All in all, this is in my relisten-often rotation!

Sad mystery with lessons to be learned

Oh my goodness, the tension in this book!! In my review of the previous book, I said I wouldn't be holding my breath for a romance between Dash and Officer Bobby anytime soon, but everything really comes to a tipping point in this book

After Dash, waiting for Bobby to be completely free from his breakup with his former fiancé and also withholding his own feelings for Bobby, stays silent for too long, Bobby is looking to move out with the guy he's been seeing for about one month. I was angry for Dash and at Dash, really. Anyone can see Dash's obvious feelings for Bobby and even though he told Bobby to go ahead and date just to make sure that he wasn't the "rebound" guy, I hated that Bobby took him up on the offer. And Dash shouldn't have thought to know Bobby's feelings better than Bobby himself. My hopes for an eventual romance were falling apart.

Thank goodness for distractions! Dash's former mentor and attempted murderer Vivienne calls to have Dash investigate the death of her brother Richard. Vivienne, the former owner of Hemlock House is in jail for murder but when her family tries to say that she was responsible for the death of her brother, Vivienne doesn't want to be labeled a "kin killer." So Dash does what he normally does and jumps into the investigation. Was it indeed Vivienne who killed her brother? Or her flighty sister Candy? Or maybe Richard's wife, Jane? Dash is knee deep in suspects and someone doesn't want him to find out what happened to Richard. When he's almost killed investigating, the Last Picks surround him and won't let him go off on his own.

Well, the mystery in this book was different than those of the other books, and what we end up finding out is tragic. And the sadness of Richard's end is enough to spur Dash to make the most of the time he has because it's a lesson most of us humans have discovered, life is short. It's important to participate in life and not stand on the sidelines while things just happen around you. So does Dash stop Bobby from moving out? Does the tension finally have a bit of relief? I will let everyone read or listen to this book themselves to find out.

It was a good mystery and lesson wrapped up in one. The narration by Andrew Gibson was great and I can't wait for the next one to be released on audio.

A great mystery and better story

It’s always interesting when a series brings back a villain, and even more so when the protagonist has a parallel in unexpected ways

Finally . . .

This is the sixth book in GA’s cozy mysteries series call The Last Picks. Well now we are getting somewhere in the Dash/Bobby situationship. I was grateful this installment came out so quickly after we were left gasping in Book 5.

In this installment one of Dash’s old nemesis returns to ask him to investigate a 30-year-old murder. Dash is initially reluctant, but then his annoying sense of “justice” prevails, and he ventures in. It’s a tragic tale of lost and love and Dash is almost killed for his involvement. This triggers something in both Dash and Bobby and confessions ensue. But of course it is never that simple in a GA novel. The mystery is really good and there a ton of red herrings. If you are a fan of the series, this is the one you won’t want to miss.

Andrew Gibson gives another masterful performance. A+++

I was given a free copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review

Great story. Great narration.

The week I started listening to Again With Feeling, I was stung by a bee, visited the dentist, caught a cold, lost power in my townhouse, and narrowly avoided being at the scene of a shooting. I think I still had a better week than Dash. He hasn’t stopped finding ways to get himself into trouble with his sleuthing. When his nemesis Vivienne Carver calls Dash to ask for help in solving a murder, trouble is inevitable. Naturally his band of friends, the Last Picks, are available to support him and worry over his tendency to find disaster.

The crew member most upset by Dash’s involvement in his latest case is Deputy Bobby. I was very frustrated by Dash and Bobby’s lack of communication in the last book. They both continue to struggle with expressing themselves in this book, but they are starting to gain better communication skills, finally. The evolving relationships of the Last Picks continue to add a touch of lightheartedness to a frequently grim story. All of the side characters have unique charms, but I am growing particularly fond of Keme and his brotherly relationship with Dash. Maybe it’s the big sister in me, but I am glad that Keme and Dash have developed a closeness.

The way Gregory Ashe pushes the limits of genre expectations while sneaking in a few lessons about writing is one of my favorite things about this series. I appreciate the use of genre categories to help me find my next read, but I enjoy creative bending of the genre “rules” even more. I also found value in the subtle writing lessons imparted throughout the story. This book series is turning out to be one of the most entertaining writing classes that I have ever participated in. The excellent narration is a bonus. I even learned something from the narration: algae is not pronounced the same way everywhere. Sigh. Apparently, the Pacific Northwest isn’t actually the linguistic center of the universe, just the home base for the Last Picks.

So so good. Waiting for Next One!!

I adore this series- cozy mystery with a side of romance. This is book6 of 12 and they are getting better and better. Run, don't walk to Book 1 and Enjoy! You're welcome!
PS- Andrew Gibson is a talented narrator that makes you feel... and gives you all the feels Gregory Ashe meticulously writes 💕

This is a plea not to deprive yourself of this book!

Breathtaking. My gob is smacked. My life’s trajectory has been set on a new path. (Also, am I Dash and Bobby’s secret alt-dimensional child?)

This book magically put into words many of the lurking feelings and questions I’ve pondered in the strange limbo space of my quarter-life crisis. It’s a chilling relief to be seen and heard, and to know that some people have found their answers in due time. It’s the painful realization that it might not be the clear-cut answer we hope for. The impatience to reach that point now, but the fear of what that truth could mean.

I’m speaking in riddles. Touching on the story specifics almost feels disrespectful because of how much I was enraptured by it all. The last thing I want is to take away from the impact of that first readthrough. But long story short, no matter what your feelings are on the books in this series thus far, this is an absolute must-read.