Rating 3.5:
This was a hard book to rate as well as read. For all the qualities I loved in the first book, some of those same elements were ones that made this a very frustrating reading experience.
Where book one was an expansive exploration of those characters personalities, universe , including the mystical powers and mythology that surrounds them, the second novel narrowed down the focus to the men , their new dynamic, and the important orbiting characters. The smaller field of storytelling highlights some of the issues when making this strange nebulous dynamic the central aspect of the book.
There’s page after page of non communication between Nox and Nelson of what’s actually happening between them, the changes involved with them, but most importantly, the god that’s gradually taking over Nox. Its a case of “they know or don’t know, friends know more, and talk to over the issues to one but not the other” story. Over and over.
This type of repetitive behavior and endless conversations overlaid with sex gave me headaches. And rarely did it move the narrative forward. Until a mad rush at the end.
Where the first book has the murder investigations, the town’s people and various historical elements at play alongside the intricacies of Nelson and Nox’s personal interplay along with their new relationship dynamics. Here that’s winnowed down into a frustrating monotonous story of a four men and a god power play mystery. But instead of it being interesting and exciting , it feels flat, a bit densely packed, and the ending is just too predictable.
Read it because it’s the bridge to the last book in this trilogy. The events revealed weren’t that surprising. And the final book is out. Let’s see what it holds.
Moon Murder Mysteries I – 3
Buy link for #2
Nelson & MacIlwraith: Moon Murder Mysteries II
Blurb
What’s it like having a witch for a partner?
Nelson has figured out that keeping Nox satisfied is the key to his freedom during the day. But he’s also afraid their mystical connection could be harming Nox. That’s not their only problem. They’re still working on the Moon Murder Mysteries and now, suspects and witnesses are dropping like flies. And their murderer is getting far too close to home.
Nelson & MacIlwraith: Moon Murder Mysteries #2 is a paranormal mystery book, with an MM couple, plenty of spice, a murderer to catch, and a continuation of the overarching magical storyline based on Celtic mythology.
Nox is a little bit witchcraft. Nelson is a little bit Federal Bureau. Together, they’re a wickedly good team, but can they solve the puzzle and catch a murderer before Nox’s fate catches up with them?
• Publication date: March 12, 2024
• Language: English
• Print length: 242 pages
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 