The Face in the Water

Iron on Iron, Book 1

By: Gregory Ashe

Narrated by: J.F. Harding

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Come to Missouri! See the sights! Solve a murder!

When Teancum Leon, a wildlife veterinarian, and his husband, semi-reformed conman Jeremiah Berger, go to a conference in central Missouri, they’re expecting a short and uneventful trip. Tean will present a paper, attend a few panels, and network (under duress). Jem is looking forward to unlimited poolside drinks, some well-deserved couple time, and peace and quiet.

Instead, they find themselves drawn into a frantic search after the head of the association goes missing. Worse, Tean’s friend from grad school is arrested—and charged with murder.

Their investigation takes them face-to-face with a fervent conspiracist, a band of wildlife traffickers, the owner of a big cat sanctuary, and more. But the real killer doesn’t want to be found, and they’ll do anything to stop Tean and Jem from learning the truth. Lucky for them, they’ve got a reluctant group of allies. Not so lucky for them? Their allies are…well, characters.

©2023 Gregory Ashe (P)2023 Gregory Ashe

Great Start To This Series

I love that all four sets of characters from their respective series have come together. The mystery is fantastic and made all the more enjoyable by Harding’s narration. He easily able to capture the distinct voices and characteristics of each. Ashe has written a great story which allows each set of MC’s the chance to add their ‘expertise’ to helping solve the mystery. Im eagerly awaiting the next installment. This is a great start to what I’m hoping continues in each book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It took awhile, but I eventually got the rhythm

I feel the need to offer some context. The Lion and the Lion is my favorite Gregory Ashe series, I cannot get enough of Jem and Tean. Everything about the series is so different from the world that hangs from John Henry Somerset. And for me, that is good thing. I feel like an outlier in the world of Gregory Ashe fans. The Same Breath was my introduction to Ashe, and once I finished that series, I moved to The First Quarto series and absolutely loved Theo and Auggie. I thoroughly enjoyed the Holloway Holmes books, and even the DuPage Parrish Mysteries felt unique. The series I have struggled to love is the one everyone gushes over - Hazard and Somerset, I never became invested in their relationship, I had to work too hard and deal with way too much violence and ego. I gave up after the fifth book. Full transparency, I haven't tried any North and Shaw yet.

Major props to JF Harding for being able to bring all of these characters to life, this is no small feat. What continually amazes me about Harding is his ability to create not only unique voices, but also different cadences to his characters. He remains my favorite narrator.

So, coming having come out of the H&S closet, I admit I was a bit concerned that my next dose of Theo, Auggie, Jem and Tean was going to come with Emery and John Henry (and more). My concern, I believe, was initially well founded. After the opening chapters setting up Jem and Tean in the wilds of central Missouri, suddenly there were six additional characters in the mix. There was a long period of time trying to fit all the pieces together. I struggled with a lot of "Blond man" "Tall man" The other bearded man" "the young man" until everyone was formally introduced. A lot of time is spent establishing character idiosyncratic behaviors, which felt for a time like divas in concert where each one needed a minute in the spotlight to remind the audience just who this crazy guy is and why we love him so. The pacing felt very off - especially as this is being peppered in around what becomes a Jem and Tean focused story.

Fortunately, the plot finds its footing and the story flows much better. When allowed to just be, Jem and Tean are, well Jem and Tean in the best way. Ashe remains very true to Tean's voice, as well as Jem's. How they communicate, along with their outlooks make them unique in Ashe's world - especially compared with this group. J&T have always felt quite grounded, their comic relief characters are more subtle - Hannah for example. Funny, dry, a little off, but not a cartoon. There isn't a foul mouthed Fer-like character in their realm. I had to roll with the what felt like very disruptive moments when North and/or Shaw, or Emery would tear the fabric of J&T's energy. I will acknowledge that over the course of the book I came to enjoy John Henry's interactions with Jem, and especially Tean. Auggie had some fun moments, but hopefully the next book will offer more insights into his and Theo's relationship. I kept wondering why Auggie was working what seemed to be publicity for this convention.

An area I struggled with was the timeline, it could have been made a bit clearer. In final book of The First Quarto, John Henry seemed to be at the point where he was separated from his wife, but not yet working with Emery. As that book took place in 2017, Auggie who had just turned 22, should now be about 28, two-ish years younger than Jem. It seemed odd that Auggie was consistently referred to as looking so young, but he is essentially Jem's age. When asked about their relationship, Tean explains that he and Jem have been together about three years, are married and are fostering children (this is discussed early in the book, so it doesn't feel like a spoiler). That seems really fast for a period of no more that 18 months.

So what worked for me? The case was very, very Jem and Tean. The twists and turns felt very much of their universe, there is an especially fun part at rescue sanctuary that would have fit in any of their prior titles. Jem still works his magic, and it really propels the whole story. There is a part of one of Jem's grifts that is really amazing, I won't say more as you need to experience it, and the aftermath as it unfolds. I also appreciated that Theo and Auggie seemed to settled into something solid, as mentioned before I am eager to see what we learn of them in the next installment. I still have fingers crossed that Jem and Tean, and also Theo and Auggie will have their own books/series again, I can't imagine Ammon was at all happy about that wedding!

I think fans of Hazard and Somerset, and also North and Shaw will likely delight in seeing their faves collide in this book, and Ashe has cleverly laid the groundwork for the next book without it feeling gratuitous. Overall a solid recommendation for any fan of Gregory Ashe.

Back in Missouri

Loved being back in Missouri with all these couples. You should read/listen to other Gregory Ashe stories before jumping into this one as you will understand the dynamic between each coupling. That being said, Ashe provides the best mysteries for us to ride along with it. And like all his other arcs, this one solves one part of the mystery but a bigger one is still ongoing. So anxious for the next one. J.F. Harding proves why he is good at telling stories. He has the perfect voice for Tean and Jem. However, having other narrators for the other couples, it was a little hard listening to his version of characters - specifically Shaw. Looking forward to all of these coming together.

Loved this ensemble

Greg did a wonderful job bringing all these characters together. I loved their interactions. The mystery wss was enjoyable and entertaining.

J. F Harding did a great job bringing the characters to life.

Many thanks to the author for this complementary audiobook.

Getting to know the gang

Great story as always with this author. Also the narrator was great. The story took me a little while to get into because I was trying to find the balance with all the couples together and seeing the other couples through their eyes was different but not in a bad way. I’m excited to see where this series goes. Especially looking forward to book 2 and 4 which feature my favorite couples.

Not a surprise…it’s amazing

Great story and wonderful performance. The author is an excellent storyteller. He is able to capture tension and mystery so well! The n top of it all, the reunion of characters from other series is an excellent surprise and done seamlessly. The author has created a group of characters that become heroes in a human way; not flawless and unreachable but imperfect yet admirable.

Such an awesome cast of characters

This series is like a gift to the fans of Gregory Ashe. It’s been just about two years since I last listened to a book from Jem and Tean’s perspective. I missed them so much! The last time we saw them, they were forging a life together. Jem was attempting to stop his con-artistry and find steady work. At the beginning of this story we see that they are married now, and raising two kids. They leave their Utah home for the weekend for a Wildlife convention in Auburn, MO. When a person ends up missing and Tean’s friend and fellow convention goer is blamed for some sort of wrong doing, things get a little crazy.

It just happens that Hazard and John Henry are at the conference as guests, North and Shaw are at the conference to investigate the aforementioned missing person, and Auggie is there with his husband Theo in order to handle social media for the event. Three couples from three other series written by this author. And even though I just listened to a book in Theo and Auggie’s world a week or so ago, it was so awesome to see them all converge and put their heads together to solve the case. It was also a little crazy. Shaw is as over the top as always and North is cranky. John Henry tries to keep peace, and Hazard is brusque.

Though Tean and Jem are well established in their relationship together, this trip also causes some feelings of inadequacy. Jem slips a little and tries to con someone and suddenly the whole group is caught up in a murder investigation. So much happens and while I enjoyed the mystery, the interactions between the characters was what had me sucked in. A “bad guy” is found and taken care of at the end of this story though he seems to be just a link in a chain of bad guys and it appears that Jem and Tean are going to be staying in Wahredua with Hazard, John Henry, Auggie, and Theo until they can get to the bottom of the larger mystery that will feature throughout the series.

I am excited to see that we will get a book in each of the couples perspective, and Jem and Tean will be side characters going forward. I do wish that I had just a little bit more of them alone also. They are such an intriguing and complex couple. I think this series will please any fan of mysteries and fans of this author. Last but not least is the narration by J.F. Harding. He is a really good narrator and brought life to this story. I have to wonder with the other couples if their original narrators will narrate their books. If not, I am pleased with the narration.

Murder and Mystery

WOW great start to a new series, I loved ALL the characters. In this book the main characters are Tean and Jem. They’re very different. The story gets more intriguing. There used to be a small cliff hanger for the next book. I can’t wait!

Another excellent performance; spectacular book

This series, where Greg Ashe's various couples interact, is simply masterful. As I said in my review of the ebook version, I don't know how to write a review for this, because I don't think anyone who already reads Greg Ashe's other series would dream of missing it—and I don't think it would be anywhere close to effective for people who haven't already read those books. JF Harding's narration is, as always, excellent.

I'm still rolling my eyes over the idea of Jem and Sean fostering/adopting kids, but yeah, whatever, I'm not the boss of Greg. Bottom line, I would gladly read/listen to ensemble interactions among these characters for the rest of my life.

My thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this audiobook.

NakitaThomas

Love it! from start to finish could not stop listening J.F. Harding did amazing job I love Hazard and Somerset together and all of the other characters.💖