Down and Dirty

Cole McGinnis Mysteries

De: Rhys Ford

Narrado por: Greg Tremblay

A Cole McGinnis Mystery

From the moment former LAPD detective Bobby Dawson spots Ichiro Tokugawa, he knows the man is trouble. And not just because the much younger Japanese inker is hot, complicated, and pushes every one of Bobby's buttons. No, Ichi is trouble because he's Cole McGinnis' younger brother and off-limits in every possible way. And Bobby knows that even before Cole threatens to kill him for looking Ichi's way. But despite his gut telling him Ichi is bad news, Bobby can't stop looking...or wanting.

Ichi was never one to play by the rules. Growing up in Japan as his father's heir, he'd been bound by every rule imaginable until he had enough and walked away from everything to become his own man. Los Angeles was supposed to be a brief pitstop before he moved on, but after connecting with his American half brothers, it looks like a good city to call home for a while--if it weren't for Bobby Dawson.

Bobby is definitely a love-them-and-leave-them type, a philosophy with which Ichi wholeheartedly agrees. Family was as much of a relationship as Ichi was looking for, but something about the gruff and handsome Bobby Dawson makes him want more.

Much, much more.

©2014 Rhys Ford (P)2015 Rhys Ford

4th one still a charmer

When all 4 (so far) books in a series area all equally entertaining, that says a lot about the author. This story changes the main characters from Cole and Jae Min to Cole's best friend Bobby and Cole's brother Ichi. In the background, Cole is still searching for Shelia and getting shot at and into other trouble as he does so, but those things do not drive the story. The story is simply about Bobby and Ichi developing a relationship and dealing with their inner selves and their outer life (how to tell Cole, for one thing). It is witty, sexy, and insightful, as are the others in this series. The narrator is one of the best I've ever heard, as I've stated in my reviews of the former 3 books, however, his Bobby voice was always sort of silly and dopey to me, so hearing that voice more and trying to put a sexy face on it wasn't easy. Nevertheless, the writing and the performance helped and it worked for me. I think there were a few less sex scenes in this one than the others.

Worth a credit? If you enjoyed the first three in the series, definitely. Could you start with this one? I think it could stand alone, but it would be better to have the Cole story backround.

Another hit

Greg Tremblay is awesome!! He has done this series justice!! I loved the story and the narration is spot on

It is all about Bobby!

I love narrator Greg Tremblay's Bobby voice so much. I basically listened for 6 hours for the pleasure of the narration. The storyline is not the strongest in the series but still enjoyable. I am a big fan of the whole series but for me this is a fun listen because of Greg Tremblay's great narration.

What Are You Waiting On

This book! To finally have Bobby's story! I absolutely cheered at the end! The writing is superb, the sense of place perfectly depicted! I was there! Rhys Ford is a master of language, layering each moment, each interaction with such detail that you have no choice but to become a part of the story, to know these characters and love them, to almost despair when you have to let them go. She is a gift.

Down and Dirty? Magnificent!

So happy to finally have Bobby's story

I have pretty much loved everything Rhys Ford has written, but the Cole McGinnis series has risen above all the others And finally having Cole's best friend find someone to love is a very welcome surprise.

Bobby has always been a love them and leave them type guy who loves the twinks, but enter Cole's brand newly found brother and Bobby is at a loss as to how to proceed. He's attracted to Ichi, but Cole wants better than a commitment phobic guy like Bobby for his brother, Plus Cole doesn't seem to see the true hurt and loneliness that inhabits Bobby's soul.

We get to find out about Bobby's life prior to coming out and how far he and Ichi will go to find love and support each other.

Solid storytelling

Not my favorite but a solid story. As a personal preference I like couples to be closer in age. Despite that I enjoyed the way the storyline was running roughly during the same timeline as the previous book. I am looking forward to the next book.

Charming fun, Bobby is a favorite.

I love this older Bobby character and it was very fun to get his lovely love-story. There wasn't much storyline in this new part (just more or less a mirroring of the last book but in Bobby's point of view instead).

...Anyway a sweet, tender, very sexy steamy book and the narrator (Greg Tremblay) does it simply FANTASTIC. I'm so much enjoying to listening to his grunting voice every time.

Are you already a series fan is this new part a must buy. In my opinion is this a excellent gay-romance (M/M) series to choose the audiobooks for. Just a lot of smexy romantic fun.

Love Rhys! Love Greg! Love Bobby and Ichi!

Any additional comments?

Bobby’s story! Woot!

Or should I say Ichi’s story? No, it was definitely Bobby’s story!

Woot!

An important first point: let me say that you must have read the other books for this to really mean anything to you. There are snatches of moments taken from the previous books to give you a time line so that the view as seen from a different angle makes more sense, but Ford does not “backfill” too much. She assumes you are an informed reader. (Thank you!)

This is pretty straightforwardly Bobby and Ichi’s love story. There is no mystery (those were Cole’s to solve and we see them through Bobby and Ichi’s lenses only.) We learn what makes Bobby and Ichi tick (mostly Bobby) and then we learn how they can fit together.

It. Was. Wonderful!

I absolutely loved digging deep into Bobby’s psyche. He’s a unique character, with years of experience that Jae and Cole don’t have. His history (being a closeted gay cop) must mirror what so many men of his generation experienced and it serves as a reminder for how far we (as a culture) have come along (hopefully) in our acceptance of “other” in our society. There was even a story thrown in as told by an older man who had similar experiences with his mixed marriage, that is, he was subjected to questions and cruelty as well.

Without reading this book, you may be worried that Bobby couldn’t possibly be seen as someone to trust in a long-term relationship. What Ford did was show us, by slowly peeling back the layers, just why Bobby is EXACTLY the type of guy you should trust in a long-term relationship. It was very elegantly done and felt completely organic.


Ichi’s history surprised me a bit too. There are things we find out that explain some of his personality; information about his mother (Cole’s too) and father and step-mother… fascinating. He’s an old soul and perfectly matched for Bobby.

I found the lack of mystery refreshing, not that the mysteries in Cole’s books aren’t great, but we got a chance to really focus on the characters in this book. Ford spends a lot of time developing these complex, rich characters (main and secondary) and this book show-cases that effort.

The ending was absolutely THE BEST. First, the way Jamie finds out Bobby is gay and then, the last scene at the tattoo shop… (le sigh) grab some tissues, it’s just wonderful. It feels so complete, but is just open enough that it hints at more excitement that we could see in upcoming book(s). I hope that both Bobby and Ichi (and maybe even Jamie?) will continue to play big roles in any future book(s).

Well done Rhys Ford, well done!

I highly recommend this and give it 6 of 5 hearts!



Audio

Greg Tremblay has done this entire series, so we are familiar with his deliciously growly Bobby and the exquisite way he handles all the variety of Asian accents.

I think he does another outstanding job with Down and Dirty. The emotion Bobby shows and the tenderness from Ichi are breathtaking.

I absolutely loved this audiobook and highly recommend it along with the entire series.



6 out of 5 hearts

nice addition, but not a stand alone

well written, great characters, but you have to have read the previous book to follow it. For more this was a pleasure, not a problem. Just be sure you know that before you buy.

Amazing narration

Down and Dirty is the only book in this series not focused on Cole and Jae. This time we follow Bobby and Ichi. Another change from the previous books is that this time the story is told in third person and from both Bobby and Ichi's POV. However, we still get the amazing Greg Tremblay doing the narration.

Sometimes the things that are forbidden are the things we want the most. No one knows this better than Bobby Dawson. From the first moment he laid eyes on his best friend Cole's baby brother, Ichiro Tokugawa, he was drawn to him and couldn't stop thinking about the fascinating man. Being the same age as his son made Ichi even more off limits.

Bobby has been there from the beginning, the kind of slutty best friend, but one with the biggest heart and who's always there, no questions asked. He's always been in the periphery and we haven't fully gotten to know him beyond the superficial level. That is until this book. We get to know his past, his heartbreak, his dreams and secrets, and they all made me fall for this man so much harder. He was so worth all the happiness he found with Ichi.

It's not only Bobby that was drawn to Ichi from the get go. Ichi too is drawn to the gruff Bobby the rough around the edges older man. He made him feel safe, feel loved. Something that's been lacking in his life growing up.

Ok, so I just thought of another difference compared to the previous books. They have had a large portion focused on solving a mystery, a case in some form. Down and Dirty is mostly focused on the relationships, getting to know Ichi and Bobby as individuals, their pasts, and then their growing relationship. Sure, as they still reside in the same city as Cole McGinnis, there are a few bullets flying, but that's not the focus of the book, but merely a catalyst of sorts. Bobby and Ichi are the focus. Getting to know them and their growing relationship. On the surface they are so different but together they become whole, complete.

I love Greg Tremblay. I know I've said that before, but it bears repeating. He is without a doubt my favourite male narrator and I have a smile on my face every time I pick up one of his works. They are always pure perfection, he never misses a single thing.

Down and Dirty was everything that I wanted from Bobby and Ichi's story. It had a gentler feeling than the other books, and it's nice to have a bit of a breather from the intenseness that's Always present when Cole is around. As I'm feeling good and relaxed, I'm going to jump right into the fire and ne next adventure with Cole McGinnis.

A copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes