Kismet

De: Nicky James

Narrado por: Nick J. Russo

My name is Dominique Chevalier, and I am broken. Two years ago, a beloved part of me died. Angelique was everything, but she left me alone.
Alone with an infant, a broken heart, unimaginable pain, and a promise that I’ll never forget.
After relocating and taking a job as Ottawa’s chief forensic pathologist, I find purpose.
I find escape from the anguish that threatens to drown me.
I find him.
Detective Kobe Haven is everything I can’t have but everything I want.
Our paths cross when we are called to investigate a murder. Kobe is charming, smart, and relentless, but I can’t move on. I’m not ready. Before I know what’s happening, he’s under my skin, inside my veins, warming a special place in my heart.
I can’t turn him off.
He’s all I think about.
But do I really know him?
Does he really know me?
As the case unravels and the bodies pile up, true feelings surface.
Winter storms rage. Spring is nothing more than a feverish wish on a cold night. Eternally out of reach.
Or is it?
Is Kobe someone I can trust?
Is he someone I can love?

©2025 Nicky James (P)2026 Nicky James

an interesting twist

I am a big fan of this author's Valor & Doyle series, and have just started the Shadowy Solutions series. I am also a big fan of mysteries and the sort of investigative partners to lovers trope.

Kobe is a detective for the Ottawa Police. His few run-ins with the new forensic pathologist, Dominique,  have been brief but Kobe is quite attracted to the older man. They come together to work on the murder of a university professor with a plastic spike through his heart and a flower and note attached.. A little bit of flirtation occurs, but then another body shows up with a similar calling card and the two are investigating a serial killer and maybe catching some feelings for each other.

I have to stop and take a moment to talk about the characters. Kobe came from a rough start, a negligent mother and leaving home as a teenager. In his personal life, he tries to look out for those who are less fortunate. He's a "big brother" and often provides financially for the kid he's taken under his wing. He hangs around with his neighbor and loves football.  At work, I see him as pretty intuitive, with good observation skills. When he suspects that some of the victims might not have been very good guys, he's not very broken up about their deaths. I see him as very human. His partner, Rue,  and the chief of police are less understanding. Kobe takes their criticism of just about everything he does and internalizes it. I feel like he questions his trustworthiness and morals because they do. Their overreactions made no sense to me and I spent most of the book hating them.

Dominique is "papa' to a toddler girl, Cosette. He's definitely grieving and there doesn't seem to be much of a life outside of Cosette, work, and his fitness regimen. But he's also new to the area. He seems to get along well with Kobe as they are called to several crime scenes. I don't know if I had as strong of a connection to him as Kobe, though. A few times in this book, there were moments when Dominique questioned whether he could trust Kobe. He was also a bit harsh during one particular meetup. I was starting to think I might have to paint him with the same brush I had colored Rue and the police chief with. But things aren't always as they seem, and I had to extend a little bit of leniency to him. 

I can't go into to much more detail about the mystery. Kobe does figure out the culprit without much help from his work partner, but whether justice was served will be up to the reader. There is an interesting twist to the ending of this book and I found it very fascinating. I feel like the ending was at least a happy for now, with a hope for a forever when it comes to Dominique and Kobe's relationship. I am satisfied though, and look forward to this authors next investigative partners to lovers book/series. I think she does this trope really well, so I'm hopeful there will be one.

Last but not least, the narration from Nick J Russo was great. He is one of my narrators because he is really good at emoting and brings the story to life really well.

What a surprise

This was truly an amazing book. I’m pretty good at figuring out the bad guy. Was I surprised. What great writing

The Ending

This was so phenomenal. I, in fact, did not see this coming and it was beautiful. I don't want to give anything away, but I loved it.

Great performance and story

Another great performance by Nick. Nicky consistently delivers high-quality work and never disappoints. Absolute banger once again.

Ingenious!

Bravo to Nicky James for this book! Easily one of the most clever mysteries that I’ve sat through. Koby and Dominique were a joy to follow the story and Nick J. Russo did an amazing job with bringing the characters to life. 10/10