Declination
Borealis Investigations, Book 3
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Declination
Narrated by:
Charlie David
Buy Now for £18.99
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Narrated by:
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Charlie David
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By:
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Gregory Ashe
About this listen
Shaw and North are together. Finally. After eight years of knowing each other and loving each other and slipping past each other, they’ve finally told each other how they feel. Borealis Investigations is growing, and they have a major prospective client on the line. Everything is finally moving the way it should.
Until the night Shaw receives a phone call telling him that Detective Jadon Reck, his former boyfriend, has been attacked.
In spite of a warning from Jadon’s partner, Shaw and North begin an investigation into the attack. But nothing is at it seems. City police are working to cover up evidence faster than Shaw and North can find it, and the motive for the attack seems impossible to unravel.
When a conspiracy of dirty cops takes action against Shaw and North, the two detectives realize they are running out of time. They have to get answers about the attack on Jadon before they lose their own lives. But Shaw knows there are things worse than death. And one of them has come back for him, to finish what he started seven years before.
The West End Slasher has returned.
©2019 Gregory Ashe (P)2020 Gregory AsheListeners also enjoyed...
Good story
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Listener received this title free
I highly recommend doing this series in audio. Performed by Charlie David, the characters in Borealis Investigations fit beautifully with his narration style. His ability to portray North’s raw vulnerability, when it breaks through his usual smooth confidence, and Shaw’s pain as he relives the heartbreaking moments of his past, is impressive. Mr. David infuses so much raw emotion into his performance, it’s really something special. Plus he keeps the good times rolling along, and makes the most of the wit and humor in Shaw and North’s banter.
The overall story builds gradually, throughout the three books. This is an intricate plot which unfolds so seamlessly I didn’t even realize how brilliant it was till the ending. Kudos to Gregory Ashe for his ability to craft such an amazing mystery!
As for the romance between Shaw and North, it’s a true slow-burn, beautifully done, and so worth the wait! Gregory Ashe writes deliciously sensual sex scenes, and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen to this pair in Declination. After Shaw’s experiences with Matty and Jadon, to see the person he can be with North is incredibly moving.
North is a such an interesting character. Watching him deal with Tucker's drama, navigate his relationship with his complicated father, and process everything that Shaw brings out in him, I loved seeing him grow and change throughout the series.
These two men have fantastic chemistry: as friends, as work partners, and most definitely as lovers. They just need each other so thoroughly, it’s a marvelous love story. An excellent friends-to-lovers romance and a first-rate mystery, I sincerely hope this is not the end of Borealis Investigations.
Spectacular Series, Charlie David is Perfect!
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I tend to avoid this narrator by contrast, his voice is too bland, no edges to it, so I find myself loosing concentration regularly and having to rewind to listen again, when I zone out yet again. The inconsequential banter between North and Shaw is also a distraction, which I have not really warmed to during this series, but because it's by Gregory Ashe I needed to finish it. The overlaps with the Hazard and Somers books are a treat though, so reading this series does enhance the Union of Swords books. Recommend anything by this author, even if his characters are often not very likeable, Shaw just irritates me, but I love North. That probably says more about the writer's abilities than mine as a reviewer!
Struggling with the Narrator
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Listener received this title free
Shaw’s note: example – that time junior year when North insisted he could find his way out of the corn maze blindfolded and ended up in the hospital with a minor concussion.
North’s note: better example? Shaw thinking fajitas are better than tamales.
Shaw’s correction: disagreeing with you doesn’t count as derivation just because your name’s North and anyway, you were the one who made out with the scarecrow after you hit your head on the wagon.
North’s correction: that scarecrow was f-ing hot. Period.
Sometimes I finish a book and I can’t wait to share it with the word. I write the review immediately and get it posted ASAP. Other times I listen and can wait until the next day and meander my way through my thoughts. Then there are books where I have to reflect upon my response. Parse my feelings to determine how I felt during the listening and how I feel now that it’s over. Would I recommend the book? What stuck with me and what did I forget? What do other listeners need to know? Would I listen to this book again? Or others by this author – in this series or other books?
Okay, so I’m now through most of those questions and I’m going to share my feelings. First, what I remember. The violence. I listened to Triangulation and LOVED it, so I leapt on Declination, breathlessly waiting to see what mischief North and Shaw were going to get into this time. Upon reflection, there was violence in the previous book. North had endured physical abuse by his husband and, finally, that man had received his comeuppance. Pure violence, but there seemed to be some justification for it. The violence in this book has far more shades of gray. I also occasionally wondered how everyone around them didn’t comment on the obvious injuries.
There is humor in this book. The löwchen puppy, to be sure. I love the antics of animals, and the men’s secretary Pari was back with all her craziness. Then there is the amusing dialogue. The following exchange, for example:
“He tried going peegan, actually,” North said.
“What’s peegan?” Truck asked.
“Paleo and vegan. Lasted about two days.”
“I missed tacos,” Shaw whispered.
The little exchanges between the two men are adorable. There’s witty banter and snark galore. I like those moments in books I read.
There was also the weird issue of time in this book. It takes place in a very short timespan and yet it felt like there was so much going on. Tons of action, right? Kept me on the edge of my seat. Then the guys would have sex. Weird sex. And then Shaw would freak out. I kept thinking, how do they have time for this? I mean, the bad guys are right there! Not to say the sex scenes weren’t good. Just weirdly timed.
I did enjoy the book and if there is another one, I will definitely read it. I feel like North and Shaw still have lots of stuff to work out between them and I want to see it. Now they seem firmly together, I want more sanity. But keep the snarky humor.
Finally, I want to give a shout-out to the narrator, Charlie David. I can still hear his voice in my head as I’m writing this review. I really like his style and I love the different voices he gives for each character. Again, stellar job. So although this wasn’t my favorite book, I would recommend it. Just consider yourself warned.
Murder, Mayhem, Violence, and Humor
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Listener received this title free
I already had the e-book for a while but I set it aside for a session and I am glad that I had done so. I read/listened to the book over two days but in less than 24 hours as the tale gripped me, so when not reading in bed I had my headphones on whilst walking, cooking and gardening as I had to find out what happened next.
The core story from books one and two continues and as such brings us Shaw and North's evolving relationship; funny, painful and beautiful. As well as the ongoing crime story that is important if you want to understand Shaw. Here we get some more answers. This unfortunately means you have to deal with some unpleasant and greedy people but it makes you value the simplicity and good in others.
What I liked about Gregory Ashe's storytelling was how he gradually wound up the tension and gave us a story that was believable and compellinging, but with those dashes of humour from Shaw and North that gave us a few moments to catch a breath.
The narrator Charlie David continues to give the characters their individual voices. He is a gem.
The ending was interesting! I'm hoping that Hazard and Somerset can help out in the next book.
A gripping read with a dash of humour, compelling and believable
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