Object of Desire

Bitter Legacy, Book 2

By: Dal MacLean

Narrated by: Gary Furlong

Tom Gray is one of the world's top models - an effortless object of desire. Self-contained, elusive, and always in control, he's accustomed to living life entirely on his own terms. But when Tom comes under suspicion in the gory death of his employer, his world spirals into chaos.

Someone's framing him. Someone's stalking him. And as old secrets come to light, Tom finds his adversary always one step ahead. Will Foster is the only man Tom trusts to help. But Tom brutally burned all bridges between them two years before, and Will paid a bitter price.

If he wants to survive, Tom must prove his innocence to Will - and to the world.

Contains mature themes.

©2018 Dal Maclean (P)2020 Tantor

It's open season for beautiful Tom

Almost everybody in this book is exceptionally beautiful, and most of all adorable, self-aware and smart Tom, the object of everyone's obsession. Again, very nuanced characters, except maybe for Will, who has the excuse that, because he needs to appear cool, calm and collected in front of Tom, manages to become totally impenetrable (he's actually a complete mess - but you'll have to read the 3rd book for his perspective). Beautiful Tom is a model, so he must be shallow, obsessed with designer clothes and parties, and a narcissist, right? As the book unfolds, we realize it's just a persona he cultivates. He wears his shallow model mask as an armor, because the alternative would be total vulnerability, something he's not prepared to show, especially to Will. I loved how he regards himself with a clinical - and cynical - eye. His (self-)ironic musings about how in a model, blankness and a sort of a "bewildered" look is confused with character is, I think, a very good commentary about the entire book, just like Ben's photos were for the first book in this series. He is aware he's beautiful, of course, but it's just a facet of him, and he's convinced that the people nearest to him see it that way, too - which is endearingly naive. Or, in his fear of his deep feelings for Will, he made himself numb to everything and so, became a victim of manipulation and gaslighting? Hmmm... In any case, he's incredulous at the level of obsession his person engenders in the people around him. But in the end, he snaps out of it and he's the one that figures out the killer's motives, saves himself and Will, too - funny, right, with all the big bad police detectives around. And so funny that the detectives fall prey to the gaslighting more than him! (Not that anybody feels the urge to laugh at the time). Also a great food for thought - how manipulative the police is during interrogations.
Again, brilliant murder plot, perfectly paced, another book that got my thoughts churning.

Damn Good

This author is a lil slow in beginning. BUT suddenly it takes off WOW !

First Rate!

Gary Furlong could read a soup can and make it sound like Shakespeare! Great story, given life by the indomitable Mr. Furlong. If his name is attached I will always listen.

Awesome 20 stars!!!!!!

This book is THE best book with THE best narration I’ve read in years. What a carefully written well thought out crime and just perfect erotic romance I’ve ever read. I really loved the first book In This series “Bitter legacy “. But this one left me so stunned by the authors writing as equally important the best narration I’ve ever heard. This is truly an incredible book. It’ll keep you twisted with anticipation as to who the killer is as well as how fleshly each characters person was so elegantly revealed. I have to stop here to say that even the best writers books can be ruined by the narration. However Gary Furlong is and will always be my absolute favorite voice actor. The way he truly acts with just his voice. That man has extreme talent snd any writer is lucky to be able to procure Gary’s contract on a book. Wow what a book. Now on to book 3. Yay!!!!!

I can't figure what that is on the cover.

It's good writing and good narration though sometimes a bit monotone. The plot is far too complicated and convoluted with way too many characters and different names for the same characters. It's all too confusing. But somehow I wanted to keep on reading. I can't really say it was worth it. The main character, Tom, is a complete idiot. He's a handsome, popular model but not worth the trouble. I think I ended up disliking Tom more than the villain, whatever his name was.

Great book with a slow start

I had loved the first book in the series and become fond of the characters, so I'll admit that I was a little disappointed at first with the beginning of this book and I was confused by the new characters, but I'm very glad that I kept listening. After the first few chapters, everything started to click and I really got into it. While there were times I got a bit frustrated with Tom, our narrator, I did end up liking both him and Will. One of the main characters in the first book makes a few brief appearances, providing some continuity between the first two books. Again, Gary Furlong did a wonderful job and added to my enjoyment of the story.

A surprising mystery with some romance.❤️

I will say right off that I wasn’t crazy about Tom, the model and one of the main characters. This is the second book in this series and the second time I’ve wanted to head slap one of the mains for being a jerk. I struggled with this through most of both books, but don’t let that stop you from listening to or reading this series. The books are very well written and though the characters are flawed, you will enjoy the stories if you like mysteries.

I’m off to get Blue on Blue, the next in the series. ❤️

Great series!

Definitely a roller coaster whodunit. In the end, the clues were there all along but you will miss them. Characters are well developed and you see James/Ben again from the first book.

Love Gary Furlongs narration with the British accents (just right not exaggerated). Definitely can’t wait to listen to book 3.

Again! One of the very best!

This series is so much better than second place that it really should be its own genre. In my review of book one, the only thing I I didn’t mention was the incredible narration. All of my words to try and explain why it’s the best still apply to book two. Can’t wait for book three in….five , four, threee , two… (you get the picture

DNF AT 50%

Not for me. All mystery and no MM relationship. Was willing to go with it until it was clear that Tom is a complete twat. Too many good audios. Win some loose some. I’m done cutting my losses.