Another danger-filled investigation for Diem and Tallus. What starts as looking into a simple money scam has Diem and Tallus chasing around the city, dodging a bad guy and trying to help someone caught in the scheme. And throughout it all their love grows stronger. I was captivated by the intensity and the storytelling from start to finish.
From the blurb:
Diem never thought he would have a steady boyfriend and enough cases to keep his business in the green. He never thought his nana would live to be ninety-three.
Life is, dare he say, good?
He could do to drink less, and he still needs to quit smoking, but he’s getting there.
He’s happy.
In love.
If he could manage his stress, life might even turn out to be… great?
But then Tallus arranges dinner with his parents, where Diem faces questions about commitment and weddings and a weekend bonding trip with a stepfather he doesn’t know.
And a resident of Nana’s nursing home ends up involved in a twisted version of a grandparent scheme, so Diem agrees to investigate. The police clearly aren’t doing their job.
It’s all downhill from there.
The case somehow leads to Diem figuratively adopting the most obnoxious teenager imaginable. A boy whose troubled life reflects Diem’s past. A boy who is deeply entwined in a con far more complex than he realizes.
One misstep tips their hand. The hunter becomes the hunted. Diem and Tallus—and their unfortunate sidekick—are in a race against the clock, desperate to nail the person responsible before he skips the country… or seeks revenge.
So much for reducing stress.
Amidst the chaos, Diem finds himself bonding with his petulant rescue-teen. Diem is nobody’s role model, but the boy’s incessant questions open Diem’s mind and heart to things he never thought possible.
Things that make him think that maybe life could be… amazing.
*This is the fifth installment in the Shadowy Solution series. It is a same-couple mystery series with mental health rep, size difference, and a sassy vs surly dynamic. The series should be read in order for full enjoyment*
Lesetiger's review:
This is the fifth book in the Shadowy Solutions series, and I recommend reading the books in order.
The writing style is wonderful. The story is told alternately from the perspectives of Diem and Tallus, which allowed me to really empathize with both protagonists.
The author has done it again! She’s written a story that kept me hooked from start to finish! It captivates with a great balance of romance and suspense.
Diem and his grandmother have a special bond, and Diem’s new case is set in his grandmother’s nursing home. What sounds relatively harmless at first escalates into a turbulent hunt for the culprit. It’s always a delight to witness how fearless Diem and Tallus are in their search for the culprit—or rather, the man pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Alongside the investigation, the focus is on Diem’s development. Anyone familiar with Diem from the first book will notice the astonishing and touching character growth he has undergone. I loved the honest communication between Tallus and Diem and how Diem’s walls keep coming down more and more in Tallus’s presence. Equally fascinating is the deep love they both feel, which you can sense as you read.
There’s an interesting supporting character who fits perfectly with Diem and Tallus and who provided me with some humorous moments.
There’s an interesting supporting character who fits perfectly with Diem and Tallus and provided some humorous moments for me. The love story is heartwarming—it’s wonderfully done—and then the ending—so romantic, sweet, and well-deserved!
But the investigation is also super interesting and entertaining, and I enjoyed every second with Diem and Tallus. And I was so happy to see Arslan again.
Nick J. Russo takes an already excellent book to the next level. Wow, that was brilliant! He gives Diem and Tallus distinctive voices and incredible emotional depth, making them feel like authentic characters. I can picture grumpy Diem right in front of me, and Tallus too, speaking about Diem with so much warmth in his voice. I was captivated by the intensity and the storytelling from start to finish and finished the audiobook in just two days.
Highly recommended!
SNik's review:
Audio. Fifth in series (Shadowy Solutions), must be read in order. Established couple. Dual POV. Heed content warnings.
This story brings a new case for intrepid private investigator duo Diem and Tallus that starts at Diem’s grandmother’s nursing home and leads them on a merry chase. Everything about the evolution of Diem is front and center in this book, he has changed so much since he was first introduced and his love for Tallus is a huge part of it and it is swoon.
I enjoyed every second Diem and Tallus were on page together, the honest communication, the care, and the love that is reinforced each time they interact. I really appreciated how hard Diem tries in overcoming his individual battles and how both men are utterly committed to each other no matter what. The investigation part of the story was entertaining and new characters interesting. Honestly, I could read about this couple for years with this type of plot as I love the characters and their chemistry, both personal and professional.
Nick J Russo is excellent as a sassy Tallus making me laugh out loud at points and he gives the growly Diem his own ways of expressing his more tempered emotions. Russo gave each character their own voice and I enjoyed the narration immensely.
Penny for Your Thoughts is currently available as an audiobook, e-book and paperback, and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription
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