From Bad to Worse (Southern Awakenings #1) by Gin Vane

Solid debut. Intriguing mystery. Intense, not a romance. From Bad To Worse is a 5 star read according to Janet.  

From the blurb:

Both detectives know that there’s different kinds of dangerous—the obvious threat you clock on approach, and the one you never see comin’…

Colt Harkan’s not much of a laughing man, or he might more appreciate the biggest joke of his life. Fresh from his time undercover, that first day at Mason PD finds him partnered with Everett Kane—a man determined to stumble through life and still come up the golden boy.

Makes it all look so easy, talking to people with his sun-bright smile. Everett just…cares. It’s like the man can’t help it.

But even in Mason, Colt sees darkness at the fringes, and catching that State Rodeo case starts two unexpected obsessions: proving Patrick Combs was a murder, and screwing around with Ev in the backseat of their car. Seems to work out fine for them both, when Ev isn’t busy with his women or his wife.

One of these days, Everett’s gonna find the rock bottom he’s digging for, and Colt can’t help but push him along. Because the bosses won’t admit it, but Combs was a murder, and that bigshot Richard Edwards knows something for sure.

Ev would say it makes him a pessimist, but Colt just has that feeling, an ice-sharp truth learned in days spent dodging death. Gettin’ honest words from Edwards and Everett both might be what kills Colt yet.

Janet's Review:

From Bad To Worse is the first in the Southern Awakenings series. This was the first time I had read this author; I’ll definitely be on the look out for more by them. 

The world building and character building were well done. But there are time jumps that threw me for a loop. I love a really good mystery and this one has a pretty intriguing one, plus it’s pretty gritty. 

Everett is the head detective with the Mason PD. He’s married with children but openly cheats on her. Colt was undercover and has come back into the fold, he’s partnered with Everett. They have insane chemistry and cannot help but gravitate towards each other. 

The story is really interesting and super intense. Overall, a fantastic story, but be aware of the triggers. 

Rating: 5 Stars

From Bad To Worse is available to buy on Amazon or read through Kindle Unlimited subscription.