Bitter Legacy

Kept me absorbed!

This crime novel with primarily gay characters is told from the perspective of Jamie, a 28-year old Metropolitan police detective living in London. He’s moved up in his career quickly, earning the respect of his captain and most coworkers. Jamie is intelligent, well-educated and beautiful, and estranged from his billionaire father. Unaware of his own beauty, Jamie is focused on his career and upholding the law with integrity and compassion. Jamie meets Ben, a 28-year old talented, wealthy, gorgeous, kind, and extremely promiscuous photographer while investigating the murder of a wealthy, gorgeous, well-connected 20-something year old woman. Jamie is instantly physically attracted to Ben, and the two men become friends. Jamie desperately desires more than Ben’s friendship but he engages the self-discipline taught by his severe father and decides to accept whatever category of relationship Ben offers him.
I enjoy getting into the mind(s) of characters, especially when those inner thoughts wrestle with conflicting desires and difficult situations realistically. The author captivated my interest and I was invested Jamie’s efforts as a newly out gay man trying to find friends and a social life while maintaining dedication to and focus on his detective job. I shared his anxiety and emotions as he explored sex, got involved in complex relationships, and dealt with turmoil and stress when trying to solve more murders. I think MacLean wrote a well developed crime mystery, and had me suspecting different characters as circumstances and evidence built.
I did get tired of the characters being both incredibly gorgeous AND wealthy. Maybe it’s because I’m a mundane human, but I’m seriously tired of that trope. But, it’s a small complaint and worth going along with.
The narrator was excellent. His English accent was delightful. His narration added beauty to this novel.

2 people found this helpful

Terrific !

Not only is this a excellent plot and characters, this is an exceptional audio. Gary Furlong does a masterful job. He takes an amazing book into the land of incredible.

2 people found this helpful

Slow start. Methodical Storyline. Super Conclusion

First, the UK/English accent will take some adjustment for listeners. The first chapter's exposition of the story is a bit confusing as is getting acquainted with the characters. After the slow start, the story of Detective Sargent Jamie gets a nice rhythm ... and the twists and turns are magnificent despite best efforts to figure it out.

Highly recommend for readers that enjoy challenge in figuring out the story's whodunit. The author is good at convincing us that DS Jamie got the murderer before introducing new elements of doubt.

1 person found this helpful

The heart sees beyond the eye...

I did like this book. The mystery was jus that, a mystery right up to the end, which is how I like a good mystery to work. The romance angle of this story was, at times, a bit too much for me. Though I was rooting for Ben and Jamie, the intense complications of their pasts was intense. There was one time in the story that I became so frustrated that I actually thought about turning the book off and not returning. I'm glad that I thought that one through. I don't want to give too much away, but the writing kept you hooked and the phenomenal narration of Gary Furlong made you long to continue. The performance was wonderful. The story was great, just a bit too much in places...but that approach made me stay until the end to see the outcome of this romance. A definite must listen / read.

1 person found this helpful

Best series ever

What a great series. Let’s start with the narration. Best ever!!! I love this team macLean and Furlong. Damn I just can’t say enough. Like a dope i bought the last book first then second book now this one. I’ve never been disappointed with all three books. There’s so much mystery and romance(sexy romance) damn Dal can write and Damn Gary can act. I can’t wait for the duo to work together again. Definitely worth the credit. You won’t be disappointed I promise. Now to start the three over again in order. So good so worth it. Perfect 5 stars on all three.

Mystery and sex

Well written gay mystery, interesting characters, complicated plot. lots of twist and turns. Excellent narration. It was a little difficult for me at first. Had to pay close attention but I stayed with it and I'm very glad I did. And no, I didn't figure out the ending ahead of time.

A twisted tale of murder and love ❤️

I want to say that I enjoyed the entire book, but there were a few times that I had to shut it down without being sure I would start it up again. That being said, I’m glad that I got this book and finished it. I loved the writing style, the narrator was beyond excellent and the story was amazing! I would definitely recommend this audio and also recommend that you keep going through the difficult parts. It’s worth it! ❤️

Love it

One of the best day mysteries I have read ever. Loved it will read more by the author. Many twists and turns.

Excellent book

I couldn't put the book down, it was interesting, puzzling and romantic. My only serious disappointment was the ending. The character who should have learned to withstand the siren's call never did. The writing is of excellent quality. the author shows well, instead of telling.
Maclean's plot, mystery, writing style and language surpass those of most established authors of gay male novels.
I'll read the rest of this series and look forward to all her future works.

Astoundingly good

Not since starting Josh Lanyon's Adrien English series have I been this excited about an author. This book was a revelation, both for the twists and turns the central mystery took and those of the protagonist's personal relationships.

I don't want to spoil anything so I'll only say that it was a breath of fresh air that the characters in this novel actually act and react like intelligent, rational people, particular the main character, James. A rarity in fiction, James is innocent but not naive or stupid, and when things don't go his way he doesn't descend into hysterics or dramatics.

It's also refreshing to read a M/M mystery novel that is focused on the mystery and just happens to have a gay protagonist who has a personal life, and doesn't use the mystery as merely a framing device for relationship drama. There really isn't a single flaw I could point to in this book, I give it my highest recommendation and I'm waiting eagerly for more from this author.