Death’s Ink- Black Shadow

More Heat Than the Sun Book 6

By: John Wiltshire

Narrated by: Gary Furlong

Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

"Learn to love death's ink-black shadow as much as you love the light of dawn."

Yeah? Well, Nikolas doesn't do early mornings.

It takes a certain kind of courage to live as if favoured by the Gods, ignoring the ever-present ghosts of your past - or perhaps not bravery, but arrogance. And maybe not even that. Ben genuinely believes that the past is behind them - that they deserve to enjoy the life they have created. So it's not hubris that leads him to overlook the signs that Nikolas does not share his faith, it's love. But Nikolas knows something is coming. He can't stop it; he can only decide how he will choose to face it. And without Ben's support, he is entirely alone.

©2016, 2021 John Wiltshire (P)2021 Decent Fellows Press

Series just gets better

This series continues to get better with each installment. Book 6 was engaging and loved the story. Looking forward to book 7!

I love this entire series so much!!!

I could listen to these books forever. Just amazing stories and characters.

And the narration is top notch!

Great story. Great narration.

I adore stories that have relatable characters. One of the reasons I have always appreciated Spider-Man was the fact that his superpowers don't make him inhuman, the challenges he encounters trying to manage his abilities showcase his humanity. Nikolas is a bit like that for me. He has overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to reach his current status in life, and his stoicism in the face of extreme hardship is a very human trait.

I could write an entire short story about why I am enjoying this series, but the one thing that made this book stand out was the way Nikolas, Ben, and a few others have become characters that I feel like I know, and I can relate to. Nikolas is right hand for certain parts he plays, and left handed for others. I do that. Ben uses running as an emotional outlet. I do that. Miles is full of "Did you know's". So am I. The frustrating part of this nicely constructed character development is that I figured out one of the author's tells. It only took six books....

Wiltshire does an amazing job of creating realistic characters, and Gary Furlong has done a wonderful job of bringing their voices to life.

Surprises never end

Wow, the surprises just keep coming!!! Ben really wants to believe people have the best intentions 😇 but again he is proved wrong 😑 and Nikolas come to the rescue to save him. This book Nikolas really paid a price for that rescue and Ben being Ben wanted to prove to Nickolas that he isn't the monster that he thinks he is. I really did enjoy this book and all the side characters and drama that went along with it!!! My heart did brake 💔💔😡 at some point in the story but I think that's what happens with this couple, but they seem to overcome everything and come back together stronger than the last time!! 🥰

More relationship, psychological thriller

Death’s Ink-Black Shadow is the sixth book in Wiltshire’s More Heat Than the Sun series. These books follow the same couple and each book builds off some events from previous ones. In some ways these stand on their own, but this one is an almost immediate continuation of events from The Bruise-Black Sky. I’d definitely recommend listening to them all and in order – starting with Love is a Stranger. This review contains spoilers to earlier books.

This book leans almost more toward a psychological thriller than past books. Focusing mainly on Ben & Nik’s relationship and their adapting to being parents. (I *told* you there was a spoiler from the last book!) Secrets that Nik’s ex-wife kept are revealed and in turn threaten his found/created family.

I love that Wilshire continues to incorporate characters from past books and that, despite his grumbling, it’s obvious Nik has found a way to love more people than just Ben. Tim, Squeezy, Miles, Emmy and more are a gathering of misfits that don’t fit anywhere yet somehow work well incorporated into this unusual brood. Trust and security continue to be elusive and Nik & Ben both struggle with the best way to care and protect themselves and those around them.

This book seemed to cap off several mysteries and it feels like there’s going to be a bit of a pivot in Enduring Night (book 7). I can’t wait!

Narration:
Gary Furlong continues to be magnificent. Despite all the ebooks already being released, there is absolutely NO WAY that I would read these to myself. Because these audios are perfection.

While I borrowed the ebook through Kindle Unlimited, I received a free copy of this audiobook from Decent Fellows Press and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Gary Furlong

I have my favorite narrators, but GF is at at the top of the list. He doesn't just read a book, he acts it out with his varied voices, inflections, emotions. He is just awesome.

As usual, Nikolas and Ben find themselves and their loved ones in danger. These guys just can't catch a break, have a normal, quiet life together. New additions to their hodgepodge group of friends, family, and team keeps things interesting.

enjoyed it

John Wiltshire is an unknown author for me. I picked up this series because I was looking for another long series (more than 5 books) revolving around the same characters and something a little "gritty" - it was a bonus that it was narrated by Gary Furlong. My overall comments are reflective of the whole 9 books, because I feel the 9 books are well worth the investment and it's been a very long time since I finished a series and went straight back to the beginning to listen again. 👍👍

Each book has a good pace and builds on events from the previous book as time progresses through the 14 years Ben & Nickolas are together, I was taken on a roller coaster ride of the best parts of an action/adventure movie, ran the full gamut of emotions and while the character development was subtle, it was well written and builds a relationship with a solid foundation that can withstand any force thrown its way.

Despite certain elements of some of the books not being to my liking, I was completely emersed in the stories, entertained from beginning to end and will definitely look for more from this author in the future.

*** my comments contain spoilers ***
📖 Story comment: Death’s Ink- Black Shadow: enjoyed the story overall but there's some things that didn't' sit well with me. I didn’t like the reference to Ben feeling “unmanned” because he was buying baby blankets and cooking scones, it was unnecessary and demeaning - Ben's attitude toward Molly-rose was crystal clear - and the whole Jackson and drugs in Nickolas’ bed and Ben's reaction to it didn't feel right.

🎧 Narrator comment: I enjoyed Gary Furlong's narration, he suits the characters, has good cadence, inflections and intonations and it's easy to distinguish the characters from each other. Overall an enjoyable performance and he bought the characters of the book to life

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Note to self ... the lack of lube drove me nuts ... 9 books and only one instance of "gun oil" to ease the way?

📌 Where does it fall on my personal scale? 7
• 1 not my thing • 2 didn't like the narration • 3 didn't keep my attention • 4 was good, but once was enough [3⭐] • 5 enjoyed it [4⭐] • 6 will listen again if i'm in the mood for the narrator [4⭐] • 7 goes on the "re-listen" list [4⭐] • 8 kept me up past bed-time [4.5⭐] • 9 recommended to family/friends [4.75⭐] • 10 own it in all formats [5⭐] • 11 keep a copy with me at all times [5⭐]