Rating: 4.5🌈
Shadowy Solutions is a great series and in this story James has not only a terrific murder investigation but a case that will let a newly formed couple show individual development as well as their partnered maturity show.
It also allows for other aspects of Diem’s personal life to change for a more positive outlook instead of the same negative status and brutality it’s been at for the last books.
The case that draws Diem and Tallus out of town is a call from a heart broken mother who’s convinced that her son, now on life support, was murdered. But no one will believe her.
With little to show for her belief, she’s willing to pay enormous sums of money to have the case investigated by Diem and Tallus. Money Diem desperately needs.
The investigation is a complicated process, and James uses it to show the tremendous amount of growth for Diem personally as well as the potential for a larger healthier relationship between them as a couple. Diem’s working on his trauma and anger issues, and letting Tallus into his own life.
The mystery is one where I had several people pegged as the ultimate villain, an aspect of a story I liked.
And I can’t giveaway one element I both love and wanted a deeper dive into. I honestly don’t think James could have done that given the storyline and stakes as they were, but, going forward, I can’t wait to see this side character fit in with Diem and Tallus again.
This series is shaping up to be such a stellar series and with such outstanding characters. It’s a must read.
Shadowy Solutions:
Invisible Scars – prequel
Skeletons in the Closet #1
Power of the Mind #2
Reading Between the Lines #3
A Breath of Life #4 – Sept 18,2025
Connected and preceding series in the same universe:
Valor and Doyle (8* book series)
New book releasing
Buy link
Reading Between the Lines (Shadowy Solutions Book 3)
Blurb
One case to save my career.
One headstrong boyfriend I can’t function without.
I’m doomed.
Without solving a peculiar out-of-town case, Diem’s career is over. He can’t afford to live, let alone pay bills and run the business.
The case involves a mostly dead teen and a small-town police department who are convinced the boy suffered an accident.
All hope lies on the hunch of a grieving mother.
Unable to handle such a delicate situation on his own and unwilling to go bust, Diem invites his boyfriend/almost-partner along to make sure his rough edges don’t cost them a payday.
What he didn’t expect was a high school full of secrets and suspects, a bed-and-breakfast from hell with only one m*#@er f*#@ing bed, and danger around every corner because someone doesn’t want the truth to be unveiled.
Diem can handle threats. Risking life and limb to get answers is part of the game. But as the mystery unfolds, he realizes there is one thing not worth jeopardizing for a case: Tallus.
- Publication date: March 6, 2025
- Language: English
- Print length: 354 pages
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 