Murder and Mayhem

Publisher's Summary

Dead women tell no tales.

Former cat burglar Rook Stevens stole many a priceless thing in the past, but he's never been accused of taking a life - until now. It was one thing to find a former associate inside Potter's Field, his pop culture memorabilia shop, but quite another to stumble across her dead body.

Detective Dante Montoya thought he'd never see Rook Stevens again - not after his former partner falsified evidence to entrap the jewelry thief and Stevens walked off scot-free. So when he tackled a fleeing murder suspect, Dante was shocked to discover the blood-covered man was none other than the thief he'd fought to put in prison and who still makes his blood sing.

Rook is determined to shake loose the murder charge against him, even if it means putting distance between him and the rugged Cuban-Mexican detective who brought him down. If one dead con artist wasn't bad enough, others soon follow, and as the bodies pile up around Rook's feet, he's forced to reach out to the last man he'd expect to believe in his innocence - and the only man who's ever gotten under Rook's skin.

©2015 Rhys Ford (P)2015 Dreamspinner Press

Greg Tremblay is awesome again!!

Any additional comments?

Greg Tremblay definitely brings this murder mystery to life, creating character voices that drew me in like a siren's call. But it's the banter and humor in this that made this such a fabulous listen for me.

All of the characters (especially Hank, Mannie and Archie), the mystery, and the pacing were all really entertaining. There's quite a bit of action, and though there aren't that many sexy times, what is there is *so* good.

I loved all the pop culture references. I cracked up every time Rook brought up The Princess Bride (Dante's last name is Montoya so Rook keeps making six fingered man references LOL) and it totally goes over Dante and his partner, Hank's, heads. It was hysterical.

For those who love the whole enemies-to-lovers trope - you won't be disappointed with the romance between Dante and Rook.

"And babe, I'll hold you forever for however long you want me to. And even then, I might not let you go."

But, for me, hands down, my favorite interactions and scenes in the story were between Rook and his grandfather, Archie. Archie was such a fantastic character. He's the guy you love to hate, and hate to love.

Greg Tremblay's narration is a thing of beauty. His range of accents, emotive expertise, and wonderful pacing is hard to beat.

As long as Greg Tremblay keeps narrating, I'm definitely looking forward to more in the series!

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

AMAZING

Any additional comments?

Rhys Fords creative story telling is amazing when you add Greg Tremblay the story comes alive. Ford and Tremblay absolutely a great team!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A brilliant story made even better.

Rook and Dante are complicated. .. Ex-thief and cop, with a history. .. But a dead body is the catalyst to more complication, maybe love, and a few questions about why bodies keep turning up. Add Greg Tremblay as the narrator and you've got gold.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Another winner by a winning team

Another winner with the team of Rhys Ford and Greg Tremblay!! With the story of Rook and Dante I am taken back to the action and romance of Cole and Jae; but with a very different story. The excellent writing, witty dialogue, action and mystery is all there. Along with a wonderful romance. And what is there to say about Greg Tremblay's performance; as it is a performance. His voice, accents, inflections are flawless as usual. Five stars all the way.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Greg Tremblay kicks butt again!

This another amazing work by Rhys Ford! Rook is a thief, trying to get clean, but stuck in the middle of family drama “that keeps pulling him in”!

Dante is the cop on the case – at first determined to put Rook behind bars, but later determined to keep the man in his bed.

It’s a wonderful story of enemies to lovers with that special, emotionally charged twist that Rhys infuses into all her work. Rook is such a great character – warm hearted, giving, loyal, and totally unaware of how awesome he is.

Dante is the tough, alpha figure who knows a gem when he sees it. He won’t let Rook slip through his fingers and he’s lucky enough to get Rook’s crazy family, too.

The sex scenes were amazing, the love story so sweet and the action/mystery compelling.

I enjoyed the pop-culture references and laughed out loud many times. It was great seeing Alex again and catching up with him a bit. I also LOVED the pet names they had for each other… so adorable!

I can’t wait for this to be an audiobook – it’s going to go up with my Cole McGinnis stories as those books you just read/listen to again and again.

5 of 5 stars

Audio

Greg Tremblay is so amazingly talented! Gah! He gives each character, secondary or main, the full spectrum of his talent, each an individual identity and flavor. I ADORED his Dante… just the right amount of accent to sizzle and Rook was delightfully sweet and vulnerable.

He absolutely adds to the overall enjoyment of this story and makes a great book even more wonderful.

6 of 5 stars

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great

Great mystery, murder, romance.
Complicated and weird and funny.
This book has it all. And its narrated by an amazing voice.
Very enjoyable

Mr. wrong makes Mr. right

Two Interesting characters both with their own feelings coming together with romance and growing into the men they should be. I love the story I love the characters and I’m a great fan of the narrator.

WOW, good story, good writing, and great character

good story, good writing, and great characterization. it was a good read in that you couldn't you did not have to keep going back to understand the characters they were all brought the life and just well done!

More please!

Rhys Ford and Greg Tremblay truly is the perfect couple, well as far as authors-narrators goes ;) Combining the two creates some amazing and books that you can't help but falling for.

The detective and the cat-burglar, now that's another match made in heaven (well in my book at least). Oh, sorry Rook, former cat burglar. Former cat burglar Rook Stevens have tried to go legit for the past few years, leaving his thieving days behind him and stumbling on (literally) the dead body of a former colleague (of sorts) was not anywhere in his plans. Even less so when the cops show up and tries to arrest him for her murder. Among those the detective that's been hunting him for several years. The detective he can't get out of his mind.

Detective Dante Montoya thought this time around he'd finally be able to arrest Stevens. Something he'd been wanting to do for years. Only there things don't really add up the way he liked. As more bodies are found, it becomes clear that not only is Rook innocent of these murders but the killer is also targeting him. Working together might be the only way they can solve these murders before the killer gets to Rook.

I loved these two together. There was this tension between them from the beginning and the sexual tension was delicious. Watching them fight the attraction to each other made my day, they push, pull, drag and fight but can't help but gravitate towards each other anyway. Sure they have their problems they need to figure out (handcuffs anyone?), and work on,, but that is what book 2 is for ;)

Greg Tremblay... What can I say about Greg Tremblay? Utter perfection? Magical? Effortless? Adds so much feeling that you end up living in the book? He's all that and more. I know that going into a book narrated by Tremblay that the narration will be perfect. This book is not an exception. Loved every moment.

Did I figure out the killer?
- No
Did I solve the mystery?
- No. I was too busy enjoying the hell out of this book to pay attention such small details as suspects and devious plots.

Murder and Mayhem was a fun ride. I loved spending time in this world and it sets the bar for books to come in this series. I for one am looking forward to many more to come.

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

Action Packed Great Listen

I really enjoyed this story. It was fast paced and kept my interest all the way through. The story was well developed and emotional. The characters (even the secondary characters) came alive through the author's talent and the excellent performance by Greg Tremblay. The narration only added to the tapestry of the story and brought everything to life. Totally worth your time and a credit.

You won't regret it

Where does Murder and Mayhem rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of my favourites by far. I'm a fan of Rhys Ford, although I've always had issues with one or more characters she's produced being a bit O.T.T. in their execution, but on this latest offering she's hit her stride and every single character is pitch perfect. The effort that's gone into every aspect of this book just shines from every page (well, I've 'read' the audio version but you know what I mean!) and this is not only one of my favourite audiobooks but my favourite Rhys Ford book to date as well. I can't wait to read/listen to Alex's story and catch up with Rook and Dante and Archie too! I can't say whether I'd have had such a strong connection to the book if I'd read it as a print offering but I do know Greg Tremblay's performance was absolutely outstanding here and I can't recommend it enough.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters, the thought that has gone into every aspect of the story, the often hilarious dialogue and the slow (even though it only happened over a couple of days!) build between the characters. I could actually believe their relationship - which is unusual to say the least in this or similar genres - and could understand why it progressed as it did.

What about Greg Tremblay’s performance did you like?

Absolutely everything - I've got a couple of his performances for Rhys Ford already and, although good, I didn't experience the breadth of his talent and pacing until this book. Much like Ms. Ford he appears to have hit his stride with this book and absolutely everything is perfect from the accents to the pacing.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Without a doubt, sadly I couldn't but I would have loved to have done.

Any additional comments?

If there is one book that you choose to have as a first experience for either author or narrator then make it this one, you won't be disappointed. Excellent and incredibly enjoyable experience. Can't wait for the sequel, I'll be devastated if there isn't!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great!

Love Greg Tremblay's dramatisation, as always. I'm gradually working my way through both his and Rhys Ford's catalogue, they are both on my must-have list. Thank you!

A fun and enjoyable read

Would you listen to Murder and Mayhem again? Why?

Yes, there is so much to enjoy, from the performance to the numerous pop culture references throughout, I am definitely planning another read soon

What did you like best about this story?

The central relationship is appealing and I look forward to another story with Rook and Dante soon. I also loved all the pop culture/movie references throughout especially the continuing Princess Bride thread (one of my favourite movies!)

What does Greg Tremblay bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

He gives each character a distinctive voice and performs the humour well, making me laugh out loud several times.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed a lot, figuring out the pop culture references was fun and made me laugh many times as did some of the deadpan humour from the characters themselves.

Story Telling At Its Best

If you could sum up Murder and Mayhem in three words, what would they be?

Action and Suspense!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Murder and Mayhem?

Rhys is such a brilliant author and the way she writes means that there are too many memorable moments and surprises.

Have you listened to any of Greg Tremblay’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Greg always delivers a brilliant narrative to every one of his performances.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Of course I did, but just not possible.

Any additional comments?

The combination of Rhys Ford's writing and Greg Tremblay's narration - what more can you ask for!