Something Wicked by Lily Morton (Black and Blue Series book 3)

Something Wicked is the 3rd in the Black and Blue series, and it does need to be read as part of that series, as there's an established couple, and numerous references to past events. 

From the blurb:

After powerful psychic Blue Billings fell in love with Levi Black, he believed their biggest challenges would arise from Blue’s ability to see and speak to the dead. So it’s rather alarming when he and Levi are confronted with a spate of new—and frightening—problems that have to do with the realm of the living.

A sadistic serial killer is stalking their beloved York, and Blue himself is in the killer’s crosshairs. Blue and Levi must race against time to catch the murderer as the deaths increase in ferocity. But when they’re forced from their home, and close acquaintances seemingly disappear like mist over the Minster’s spires, Blue finds that he is completely and terrifyingly on his own, and for the first time in his life, he’s without his powers.

Something Wicked is the third book in the bestselling Black and Blue series. The books are meant to be read in order.

Please see the disclaimer at the beginning of the book for content some readers may find triggering.

Sheena's Review:

This is the third in the Black and Blue series, and really needs to be read as part of the series in order. There are lots of recurring characters - which I was more than happy to see again - and references to past events from the previous books.

This is the darkest book Lily has ever written, I think. While it's definitely still paranormal, there's more than a touch of psychological thriller in here too, and I'm here for it. A serial killer stalking the streets of York with Blue firmly in his sights, it would seem. Add to that a friend from Levi's past who wants to be more, the loss of his psychic powers and you have poor Blue on edge for most of the book. The heart of this story though is Blue and Levi, and I am loving the natural progression of their relationship, I've loved seeing them grow together as the books go on, and that continues here. I love these two together.

There's maybe less of Lily's trademark snark and humour here, that is not a criticism as this book has a different sort of feel to - definitely not in a bad way, but it's there and you don't have to look too hard for it. She has a knack for breaking up tense situations and making me snort with laughter at inappropriate times - which is why I cannot read a Lily book in public any more.

“If Levi and Tom had their way, I’d be dead of disapproval,”

Blue is as headstrong and strong willed as ever, and I'd love to say a little less reckless, but he wouldn't be Blue if he didn't go off and do his own thing, from time to time. The utter joy in this book is the relationships though, not just Levi and Blue, but with his best friend Will, and his mentor Tom too. The whole book is a mix of terrifying, warm, creepy, hot, and ultimately romantic. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Jacqueleen the Reading Queen's review:

"𝙄 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚 - 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮. 𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙡, 𝙄 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙇𝙚𝙫𝙞, 𝙨𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚."

Well Blue and Levi are at it again folks, along with their good friends of course. This time Blue finds himself helping the police, which is a far cry from something he would have done years ago. But he isn't doing it for them. No, he's doing it for the homeless victims because no one knows better than him how useless the police tend to be for those they decide are undeserving of their help. And this case is a doozy folks. I feel like it may have been a bit more gory than the previous books as well.

We are also getting deeper into the mystery of Blue. His powers continue to grow at rate Tom finds alarming to say the least. Poor Levi is going to end up in an early grave due to his stress of worrying over Blue. That is, if someone trying to hurt Blue doesn't get to him first. Their lives are never boring I'll tell you that. And I really loved how the author ties in Levi and Blue's connection. It cements their bond even further in my humble opinion and gives Levi some purpose that I felt he struggled with in the previous book.

This one ends on a happier note at least, though this is by no means a happy case. Awful things happen in this book. But the ending gives this series lots of direction it could go in and I hope we see more of Levi and Blue in the future.


Alyssa P's review:

This book series, Black and Blue #3 Something Wicked, is a series I continually love to read and get lost in. This book especially was spooky and scary as there was a good deal of gore that I wasn’t expected; it definitely added to the enthrallment of this book.

Levi and Blue, with their friends, are looking for a serial killer which is so interesting. This story has plenty of ghosts and Blue’s abilities getting more intense is very fascinating. Lily Morton continues to do a great job writing this series. The story told in dual perspectives mainly with Blue and Levi, makes the story even more engaging reading from their perspectives. In this story I found it really endearing how Blue and Levi’s relationship has gotten even closer and more dynamic.

Hopefully Lily Morton writes more books in the Black and Blue series! I need more from these characters; I’m in love!

Something Wicked is currently available as an e-book and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription