Broadway Butchery

Memento Mori, Book 3

De: C.S. Poe

Narrado por: Kale Williams

The Cold Case Squad of the NYPD is overworked, understaffed, but receiving great press due to star detective Everett Larkin. His uncanny memory and Holmesian-like skills of deduction have already led to the capture of one serial killer. Now he’s identified a second predator and brought an end to their 20-plus-year reign of terror.

Routine construction at a Broadway souvenir shop leads to the discovery of a mummified woman in the wall. And when Larkin receives a mysterious VHS tape that same night, he knows it’s no coincidence. Expecting a Victorian mourning artifact to surface in this new mystery, Larkin wastes no time turning to boyfriend Ira Doyle of the Forensic Artists Unit for help.

A web of nameless victims, countless suspects, and endless lies drag Larkin and Doyle deep into the gritty past of Times Square, reopening painful wounds and testing the fortitude of their relationship. And all the while, someone is watching, biding their time until they can make Everett Larkin nothing…but a memory.

©2023 C.S. Poe (P)2023 C.S. Poe

Great author, didn’t exactly love it

I love this author and I think the characters in this series are good. The narration of the male, English first characters is great, the female characters are rough and the Spanish accents are a crime. Now for the story line: first the story is just getting too tangled to the point of being too unbelievable for a book that is otherwise firmly rooted in reality. And the gay male characters act in sexually harassing ways at work which if it was a male to female would NOT be ok, so also not ok with male to male. Finally, Doyle is just too perfect. He is becoming less and less realistic as a human as the series progresses. Lots to love about the story and characters, excellent research on NYC and tons of amusing exchanges. But let’s stop with the tropes of brilliant cops that don’t get backup when it’s stupid not to get backup and people getting hit on the head and being unconscious for more than 5 minutes without it causing brain damage. Please.

SO GOOD!

I love everything about this series, and this book did not disappoint. this was a genuinely good mystery to listen to and the characters are all distinct and fun.

Fantastic!

Book Review: There are so many things to love about C.S. Poe's writing but the one thing that always sticks out to me is the amount of research she has to do to put one of these stories together. There is so much history in these stories, but they are included in a way that brings the story together without feeling like you are back in school. She teaches us so much! But what's better is that not only is there history to share, but there is also a great murder mystery to solve. And of course, trying to figure out who done it is never easy. Which only makes for a more enthralling read. And then lastly, but definitely not least, is the character development. Larkin and Doyle are just so swoon worthy. Their characters continue to develop throughout this series and their relationship continues to build without being so quick you would think it's unrealistic. I just love the dynamic between the two of them plus the budding relationship. I can't wait for what comes next!!

Audible: Kale Williams does this book proud. The ability to relay such a pointed story and bring the right inflections - or lack thereof - when it comes to delivering Larkin's voice, is just truly amazing. I love the softness that you feel when listening to Doyle as well. Kale helps make you stick to this story and not get sidetracked. He truly helps you stay engrossed. I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story as much as I enjoyed reading it. Big winner

Gets better and better

I’m hooked. I’ve reread and relistened to this series so many times. Doyle and Larkin are basically my comfort couple. Kale Williams does such an incredible job with these characters, literally no one else but him could be Ira or Evie.

Perfection

This is absolutely one of the best series and best narrator to be in literature and audio

Spectacular addition to this amazing series!

AUDIOBOOK- March 2024: I liked this better the second time around on audiobook!

AUDIOBOOK - October 2023: Great narration to a spectacular series. NOT a standalone! Thanks to the author for the audiobook!

EBOOK - June 2023
Wow! A hell of a lot happens in this book; so much so that I felt a little lost at times. Poe, however gave me time to play catch up and I got there in the end.

It’s hard to talk about this book without revealing spoilers, but I’ll try.

A mummified body takes us back to NYC’s Times Square in the 1980’s. More mysterious notes and mementos come for Larkin. More cold cases that all seem to be connected.

Meanwhile, Larkin is slowly detoxing from his Xanax addiction. Doyle is as patient as ever, but dropping more hints about his past—all of which Larkin expertly stitches together.

This is definitely not a standalone & you wouldn’t go wrong reading the first two books again for a refresher.

This novel had more internal dialogue than past ones & we got to see more of how Larkin pieces clues together.

We are left in a cliffhanger & have to wait to see what outfit Larkin wears to the next murder scene. Can’t wait for the next one!

Thanks to the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

So so good!

I am a huge fan of this author and this series. Each book in this series keeps getting better and there are more and more depths to explore.

We see a big leap forward in the overarching mystery in this book. While it starts with a specific crime, this one, like the two previous books, has a tie in to the others. Larkin also begins to see a bigger picture.

Another huge element of this story is the evolution of Evie and Ira’s relationship. Evie begins to face some revelations and truths and to look at the impact Ira has had on his outlook and his psyche. The scenes between them are gut wrenching as Evie tries to assimilate this new development in his worldview. The writing is, in a word, beautiful.

Of course, like the previous two books, NYC itself is a character and Poe’s outstanding research skills are again front and center as she makes the reader feel a part of the gritty 70’s and 80’s in Times Square. I have such an awesome respect for an author who clearly cares so much about getting it right. From the descriptors and historical/cultural references about Times Square and what was happening politically at the time including the reference to the nearly devastating financial issues, (I immediately pictured that infamous 1975 NY Daily News headline!) to the series’ thematic information on mourning rituals that Doyle serves up, the details do so much to add the gravitas of the story and understanding the plight of the victims. It’s masterful writing. And as I read I also felt as though I was seeing this story through the lens of the range of movies depicting NYC in this same way. Poe’s writing made me feel that grit in a visual way…highest praise possible in my mind.

I’m almost sorry I read the book in one sitting as I now have so long to wait for book four! The only solace is that I will get to re-live it later this summer when the audiobook book comes out and I can enjoy it again, this time with Kale Williams’ stellar narration.

Highly recommend though you must read these books in order to fully understand the story and the characters.

With Each Installment, It Gets Better

I don’t want to just rehash my review I wrote for the e-book (and I adored it – 5 stars), so this will concentrate more on the audio version.
I thought Kale Williams did a fabulous job bring all the characters to life. In particular, he really nailed the two main characters. The C.S. Poe notes that Everett speaks in a monotone, flat voice, Kale is so great at sprinkling tiny, but significant inflections to give Everett that extra…. umph. When Williams does Ira voice, I can feel the texture of Ira’s gentleness, patience with Everett and peaks into his own wounded soul. I hold my breath every time Everett and Ira have meaningful moments – like their ice cream moment – “Just two cops sitting in the park, enjoying an ice cream cone.” ….sigh for that whole scene…..
The New York accents are spot on and make me miss being in NYC. A great mystery, the lovely coaxing of a deep relationship and great secondary characters. I can’t wait for the next installment.

Kale Williams

C S Poe writes a great story and Kale Williams does a fabulous job bringing it to life!

Excellent

Another excellent installment in this great series. Looking forward to the next one. Definitely read this is order and enjoy.