The Merchant of Death

Playing the Fool, Book 2

By: Lisa Henry, J.A. Rock

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

All's fair in love and war.

There's something rotten in the state of Indiana. When con man Henry Page takes it upon himself to investigate the death of an elderly patient at a care facility, he does so in true Shakespearean tradition: dressed as a girl.

FBI Agent Ryan "Mac" McGuinness has more to worry about than Henry's latest crazy idea. Someone is trying to send him a message - via a corpse with a couple of bullets in it. He needs to figure out who's trying to set him up before he gets arrested, and he really doesn't have time for Henry's shenanigans. Then again, he'd probably be able to focus better if Henry didn't look so damn distracting in a baby doll dress and a wig.

But when Mac discovers that Henry has been keeping a secret that connects the cases, he has to find a way to live on the right side of the law when he just might be in love with the wrong sort of man.

©2015 Lisa Henry and J.A. Rock (P)2016 Riptide Publishing

More Powerful, More Suspense, More Romance, More

What did you love best about The Merchant of Death?

I loved that it took the strengths of book one- characters and situation- and made it stronger and better in book two. The enigmatic, but totally charismatic Henry Page is more so. The stalwart, but down to earth Mac who has a weak spot for one Henry Page is more so. And instead of one, there are two mysteries. And new players and more about the current cast. It was just more and I loved that.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Henry Page- he is so confused and so mixed up. He can't even figure himself out. But for all his shenanigans, he cares and he gives. He is terrified of the feelings he has for Mac, but yet he wants this man to respect him and want him. He needs Mac to be the first person who doesn't let him down.

What about Nick J. Russo’s performance did you like?

Can I say Everything? Yes, because that would be true. I think I'd stop listening to the series if Russo wasn't the narrator. I read the trilogy through and there is always a danger to listening to some one read a story after the characters are already established in my mind with voice and personality, but with Russo's narration they became clearer and truer. Or at least that's the best way I can describe it.
Plus timing and tone. I felt he nailed the essence of the story. I could laugh and sigh and feel like I was right there.

Who was the most memorable character of The Merchant of Death and why?

This would be Viola. The first book hinted at her and her situation and who she is definitely affects Henry. But to meet her was wonderful. She has a traumatic brain injury, but this doesn't restrict her. She thinks, feels, and knows things. She's intuitive about people and was the catalyst to getting them to see themselves better.

Any additional comments?

This is book two and it most definitely builds on book one so should be read in order.

My thanks to Riptide Publishing for the opportunity to listen to the book in exchange for an honest review.

It was really good.

This was a nice story, I already knew and love the characters, especially Henry. It had the same humorous style the previous book had, but I feel like this one was a bit more serious and it take some attention to a very interesting subjects, not usually mention in books.

I loved the relationship between Henry and Viola, it was very sweet and also heartbroken to understand the whole situation. Viola among some other secondary characters were amazing. I really enjoyed her and Remi, and loved to hate some others.

Mac was also fun to read, it was very interesting to expect his reactions from the situations he was into and how much he let his feelings get involved in his job. His relationship with Henry is so much entertaining, I love the way they interact with each other, they’re great together.

The narration was great, I don't generally like audiobooks, but this one is one of the exceptions, I think the narrator made a great job giving voices to Mac and Henry, it was so easy to know one from the other. It had a very nice way to make transmit the emotion, it was a great experience.

I feel like I liked the first book better, but I really enjoyed this one, and I’ll surely move on to the next one to know what the authors have prepare for Henry and Mac.

The Merchant of Death

It took me a little longer to get through this book because so much of it was behavior I didn’t like in the first book. If you loved the characters of Henry and Mac, you’ll still love them in this book. As always, the narrator does a great job!

Wonderful series

Book 2 in this series picked right up from the ending of the first story. The intensity really picked up as well, really loving everything about this series. Mac & Henry are wonderful, it's fun to see them get to know each other, overcome their own insecurities through this suspense storyline. Nick Russo is fantastic and I am so disappointed that the audible is not available yet, but no way am I waiting - on to book 3 NOW.

Can't get enough!

Henry and Mac's story continues. The intrigue leaves me ready to start the next book. Viola adds a lot to the story and I can't wait to see what is going to happen next!

Loving Henry & Mac

This is the second book in the series and picks up right after book one..they have to be enjoyed in order. it's a fun story that shows just how small the world is and how who we fall for may not always be who we think we should love. The heart wants what the heart wants.. and in this fun mystery Mac is saving Henry as he goes undercover in a personal con.

enjoy!

Now I’m hooked

It wasn’t that the first book wasn’t enjoyable, there was just something about this one that truly hooked me on these characters. I liked them well enough I just wasn’t invested yet. I have the next book already downloaded and I’m just taking the time to write this review so I can jump back into it.

Nick J. Russo does it again!

Any additional comments?

While the story didn't pack the same punch for me that The Two Gentlemen of Altona did, it's entertaining, mainly thanks to Henry's continued misbehavior. It's also really interesting to see the threads woven from the start starting to finally show a pattern in the overarching mystery of the series and it makes me all the more anxious to find out what's really happening.

In the end, though, it's the narration that once again takes center stage and continues to blow me away. Nick J. Russo does such a fantastic job with all the characters voices and the tone of the story. He even managed to kept me enthralled at a point when, if reading, I would have thrown the book across the room in a fit of pique.

Mac and Henry are back and the story picks up just where The Two Gentlemen of Altona left with Henry racing to his twin sister, Viola's, side. Viola is in some trouble and Henry is determined to investigate the matter, much to Mac's consternation as Henry goes "undercover" as his twin sister to discover if there's an Angel of Death at his sister's care home.

Mac's distracted by Henry's shenanigans, but also by the fact that he's come under investigation for some pretty serious charges at the Bureau. When it turns out that Henry is linked in some ways to what's happening, it's up to Mac to decide whether he can trust Henry or not.

~~QUOTE~~
He almost turned back. Wasn’t that what you were supposed to do? You were almost out of the building or on the plane or driving home in the rain, and then suddenly you turned around and raced back and told the other person how you felt. And then they said they loved you too, and you kissed, and the credits rolled. No word on what happened next. How you dealt with the fact that one of you belonged in a prison cell, and the other should be facilitating that.
~~QUOTE~~

Bottom line, this is an entertaining story, a terrific series, and extraordinary narration. Note, this story once again ends on Quantum Leap cliffhanger-ish type ending, which I hope will be picked up and finally resolved completely in Tempest (Playing the Fool #3), which will be released soon on audio.

love this collaboration Lisa + JA + Nick

For me, this series just gets better and better. I differ in her opinion in that I think this is not a story you skim. It is fast paced and rich in detail and every line is important.

I love the depth with which the characters are drawn and though my heart bleeds for all the sad life stories in this story, I am also rooting for them wholeheartedly.

Henry’s antics in Viola’s home are hysterical and the racy interactions between Henry and Mac while Henry is dressed as a girl were superb!

The romance moves forward in a very satisfying way (aka super HOT), as does the connection between Mac and Henry (aka super sweet).

I’m really enjoying this series and I was grateful I could move on to book three when I read the series.

Audio:

Nick J Russo is a fantastic narrator and always does a quality job. He does a wonderful job of giving Viola and Henry as Viola a subtle difference but still feminine. I love this sequel and – as always – love Nick’s interpretation of it.

A fun ride

The Merchant of Death picks up at the moment the first book ended. It’s not a book that stands on its own, so I’d urge you to start from the beginning to fully Henry and Mac. Which means that this book starts in a bit of a delicate moment with Henry and Mac. A moment that’s interrupted by a phone call from Henry’s twin sister Viola. She’s run away from the care facility she’d been living in, claiming that the staff are killing the patients. Henry doesn’t know what to believe, but takes it upon himself to investigate. So of course he pretends to be is sister and checks himself into the facility, and it’s not long until he discovers things are not what they seem, and some of the staff does not have the best interest of the patients at heart.

While Henry investigates the home, Mac investigates Henry, trying to discover more about this mysterious – and infuriating man. His quest takes him to Viola – only to discover his (once again) wayward witness. He reluctantly agrees to aid Henry’s investigation, but he also knows that if they are found out they would both be in a world of trouble. Trouble that is already coming for him from many directions.

We learn more about Henry in this book, learn about his and Viola’s past. It’s heartbreaking for sure, and it also explains so much about them. I love how fiercely they love each other, how close they are. The two of them united against the world – in their own way at least. I also enjoyed watching Henry and Mac’s continued dance. They had less time together compared with the first book, but I enjoyed it all the same. It’s growing, into what we’ll have to see in the next book. Let’s just say they’ve had a bit of an unconventional start.

The Merchant of Death is as much fun as the first book. It’s not supposed to be a serious story – there are serious moments for sure, but the undertone throughout is fun with a dash of quirky. The mystery turns more intricate and complicated but also very entertaining.

Nick J. Russo performed this book really well. I loved how he made Henry’s love for Viola so clear, you just knew that she was the one thing in the world he truly cared about – until Mac that is. I also liked the whole Law & Order intro – though I have to say none of them got it quite right. I liked how he portrayed Viola. It’s difficult for voice actors to not overdo the opposite sex, but he never did. Russo made this book fun to listen to, and time just flew by, before I knew it the book ended. Luckily for me I have the final book ready to go…

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