Five Dead Herrings

Quest Investigations, Book 1

By: E.J. Russell

Narrated by: Greg Boudreaux

Something’s definitely fishy about this case….

On my last stakeout for Quest Investigations, I nearly got clotheslined by a grove of angry dryads. I expected my bosses to reprimand me, but instead they handed me my first solo assignment. Me! Matt Steinitz, the only human on the Quest roster!

Okay, so the mission isn’t exactly demanding. Obviously, the bosses wanted to give me something they think I can’t screw up. I’m determined to show them what I can do, however, so I dive right in with no complaints.

At first glance, it looks as simple as baiting a hook: A selkie’s almost-ex-husband is vandalizing his boat with unwanted deliveries of deceased sea life. All I have to do is document the scene, tell the ex to cease and desist, and present the bill for property damages. Boom. Mission accomplished, another Quest success, and as a bonus, I get to keep my job.

But then things get…complicated. Suspicious undercurrents muddy up my oh-so-easy case. Nothing is as clear as it should be. And the biggest complication? My inappropriate attraction to the client, who may not be as blameless as he claims.

Turns out those dead herrings aren’t the only things that stink about this situation.

Dammit.

Five Dead Herrings is the first in the Quest Investigations M/M paranormal mystery series, a spinoff of E.J. Russell’s Mythmatched paranormal rom-com story world. It contains no on-page sex or violence, and although there is a romantic subplot, it is not a romance.

©2021 E.J. Russell (P)2022 E.J. Russell

Cute story!

This book is fun. I love the human and sexy selkie pairing. Matt is adorable and I can't wait to see where his and Lochlan's relationship goes. I love the narrator for the audiobook. Greg Boudreaux is fantastic!

oh Greg boudreaux

if this was an hour longer I would of not been so angry at the cliff hanger

but Greg boudreaux's voice is heavenly

Such a fun story!

This is a fun story with refreshing characters and a pace that is just right- it sucks you in and keeps you guessing the whole way. I love Greg Boudreaux’s wonderful narration. His accents are fantastic and he has a way of ‘becoming’ each character. E.J. Russell has a truly unique way of writing, adding commentary for the reader, humor throughout, and a good, solid mystery on top of a fantastic world of supernaturals hiding in plain sight. This story is more a supernatural mystery than a romance, as Matt and Lachlan come to a great fondness for each other towards the end of the book, but are stymied by Lachlan’s inability to get a supe divorce. But it’s in the works, and their romance grows in the next few books.

Entertaining

Matt is the one and only human allowed to interact with the supernatural community. He works doe Quest and his job is surveillance since no one things he’s capable of more. Then decide to give him his own case which is to document a case of vandalism. Simple case which ends of being much more complicated. Mysteries abound.

Nothing is as it seems. While I could figure out some things before the reveals there was a lot that came as a surprise.

One curiosity is that all the characters in it are gay, from the head of Quest to a supernatural paramedic. Not a complaint at all. Since this is a side series it may be addressed in the main books. I’m looking forward to more.

Fun! Can’t wait for more!

4-4.5

It should be said, I didn’t realize this was a new series in a current world. But with having said that, this author did an excellent job making it known you missed things while also making it feel natural like “its okay I’ll go back at get their story”.

I loved this book. It was fun, funny, cute, SCOTTISH ACCENT, magical… I enjoyed the world and the characters and it made me just want to go back and binge the previous books while also continuing this one!

Definitely can’t wait to see more of Matt and Lachlan!