A Breath of Life

Shadowy Solutions, Book 4

De: Nicky James

Narrado por: Nick J. Russo

What would you do for love?

On a balmy September evening, Tallus and Diem discover a man who has been attacked in an alley. Saving his life seems like the right thing to do. With his dying breath, the man thrusts an item upon the couple and makes one request. Get rid of it.

The mysterious object proves to be valuable, and Tallus doesn’t want to part with it. Keeping it makes Diem uncomfortable in a way he can’t explain. Tempers flare, but before they can come to an agreement, everything unravels.

The item is more dangerous than either of them realized.

Lies and secrets threaten to tear the couple apart as Diem is drawn into something dark and menacing. Keeping his hotheaded boyfriend safe proves to be almost impossible, but Diem’s been given a task, and he will not fail. If he does, he will lose everything.

©2025 Nicky James (P)2025 Nicky James

The Relationship Growth

I LOVE them so much. Diem is so vulnerable but has grown so much from the first book. The way he can't convey exactly what he is thinking but Tallus knows how to read him. They are the definition of opposites attract and they are perfect for one another. ❤️❤️❤️

Excellent writing and story telling as always. One click buy for me on first day.

Steel your hearts!

[4.5] I’VE NEVER BEEN SO STRESSED. The mystery portion took on a solidly thick layer of suspense, and I was worrying the edge of my seat with my distress and anxiety. Every chapter ratcheted up the intensity another tenfold, and I simply couldn’t put the book down. Sleep? Not in this economy! Tack on Tallus’s spending habits and we’re truly running on fumes 😂

This installment is angst central, so prepare yourselves for an arduous journey but one that is worth it in the end. And prayer circle for Diem so he manages to catch a break soon - poor boy’s been through so much!

Diem!!!!!!

13 hours and 37 minutes have never gone by so fast. This was soooooooo good! Need more Tallus and Diem soon. Very soon. Restarting now.

How long can Diem keep a secret?

(Spoiler alert – not long…who could with the loveable Tallus with his beautiful eyes and stunning curiosity?)

I always start my Nicky James reviews by saying I love Nicky James.

It bears repeating. Her series are so good and I’m so damn jealous. Valor and Doyle might’ve wrapped up, but Shadowy Solutions is going strong with no signs of slowing down. Tallus and Diem are living together. Tallus still works as a records clerk for the Toronto Police Department, but he’s also a part-time detective in Diem’s agency. Is Tallus getting all the boring jobs? Yes. Does Diem worry constantly about Tallus’s safety? Also, yes. He’s never been in a real relationship – except perhaps with his snake, Baby. And, frankly, I don’t blame Tallus for being terrified of the big reptile.

Are snakes reptiles?

I digress.

Tallus and Diem. Out for a night’s stroll. Run into a guy wearing an Edwardian costume. Cute, right? Until they find the guy dying in an alley. He shares an object with them and makes them promise to get rid of it. Then the guy’s taken off to hospital and I spent the next many chapters wondering what happened to him.

My two detectives, however, are busy with the object.

Which takes them down the most insane rabbit hole.

And gets Diem into some serious trouble. And, because Diem’s now part of a couple, that trouble extended to Tallus. Some secrets are worth keeping. In fact, they’re worth dying for.

Wow. Just…wow. So many twists. So many turns. As always, I didn’t see the resolution coming but, when it arrived, I was blown away.

Shout out to Kitty Lavender and therapy dogs everywhere. And broken glasses – of course, broken glasses.

I can recommend this book with all my heart. Prior reading isn’t necessary – but it is helpful.

Finally, I have to give a shout out to Nick J. Russo for his incredible performance. His voice for Tallus is great. His gravely voice for Diem makes me want to give him lemon tea and admonish him to rest that stunning voice.

Another great instalment of the series which, I hope, will never slow down. Well done.

I Loved It

I love this series and this book was an amazing installment in the Shadowy Solutions world I didn't know I needed. This book is NOT a standalone, and it is absolutely necessary to read/listen to previous books in this series to fully enjoy this captivating story. I thought that the last book in the series brought Diem and Tallus's relationship to a new level and was so happy for both of them. A Breath of Life takes these two and their fragile relationship to a depth I didn't expect and they dealt with the pressure, forging a diamond from this messy sometimes coal dark circumstances. I loved a little but very important cameo from Tallus's cousin who needed a bigger role since he was a very intriguing character IMO. Narrator did an amazing job with all the voices and keeping me on the edge of my seat with anticipation. Loved it and highly recommend this book and the entire series.