Title: Absolution
Series: Hunter Book Two
Author: J.V. Speyer
Genre: Romantic suspense, paranormal suspense, romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Publisher: Self
Pages: 395
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
The would-be highwayman killer’s case is closed, and Luis has been cleared to return to work. He and Donovan are starting their new life together, and while they’re both a little new at this whole “stable relationship” thing they’re determined to make things work. When people start dying at Assonet Ledge, it seems like a typical case for Donovan until one of the victims turns out to be a missing person from out of state, bringing the FBI into one of Donovan’s cases yet again.
The park ranger at the site is everything Donovan isn’t, and Donovan finds himself wondering if his partner isn’t falling into old habits. Luis struggles to understand Donovan’s jealousy, which puts a strain on their relationship and the case. To top things off, there may be forces at work here that go back long before humans showed their faces, forces Luis can’t hope to understand. Will those forces propel the case, and Luis and Donovan’s rekindled romance, off a cliff?
The Review
Luis and Donovan are taking steps to work on their relationship. When things start to look up and a new serial killer case presents itself, their relationship takes a nosedive. Luis is really trying to adjust but Donovan has become a really jealous and obnoxious person to the point they can’t even work the case together. Donovan has taken to connecting with his father, Fred, who is a really nasty, vindictive, slimy person. Fred has pretty much brain-washed Donovan.
Luis has to make a very difficult decision for himself. Tables have turned because he has gained support from Donovan’s family. But for now, Luis has a goal and must stay focused on one of the most horrific serial murders. In Freetown State Park there’s a place known as the “Ledge”. Needless to say, the area is over populated with ghosts from different eras but the “Ledge” has a dark history of suicides. Even though it’s a strain on Luis to help ghosts that have not moved on, this time he finds a beautiful side to helping them find peace. For Luis, he no longer has the one person he can share those moments with.
So glad to see a sequel to “Hunter”. J.V. Speyer twists a variety of the paranormal with an interesting look into the investigation and the different types of obsessions serial killers have. Gradually the killer is revealed but there’s still a mystery in what lurks on the “Ledge”.
Luis again, steals the show for me. He stood by his moral principles and struggled through the moments when he really needed Donovan for support. I liked that Luis also keeps that unique connection with Captain Lightfoot and hope to see more of that.
From the first “Hunter” novel my opinion has shifted. Donovan’s Mom, Patricia, really comes through this time and a solid bond seems to form with her and Luis. Kevin, Luis’ partner also has changed and is very supportive as he sees Luis struggle through a bad time. Alicia and Nick also gave Luis a new look at what family really means.
I highly recommend reading “Hunter” it’s the first novel in this series and introduces Luis Gomez, Donovan Carey and Captain Lightfoot. Excited to hear there’s more sequels in the works for the “A Hunter Novel” series.
The Reviewer
About Maryann: Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights.
Now I am back on the west coast again to stay!
From a young age Ialways liked to read. I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors. My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book! As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb peaks my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading. I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews.
One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.