Genre/Tags: Queer Cozy Mystery

Author: Gregory Ashe

Story Rating: 4 Stars

Narrator: Andrew Gibson

Narrator Rating: 5 Stars

Length: 6 hours & 5 minutes 

Audiobook Buy Links: Audible, Gregory Ashe 

You can’t hide from the truth. And apparently, you can’t hide from your ex either. Dashiell Dawson Dane wants the simple things in life: to live in a (possibly) haunted mansion, to avoid socializing at all costs, and to write, and possibly finish, a book. Unfortunately, the real world has a way of intruding. And since unfinished manuscripts don’t pay the bills, he finds himself persuaded—against his better judgment—to rent out Hemlock House for a wedding. Having his ex-boyfriend, Hugo, arrive unexpectedly during the preparations is bad enough. But when Hugo is arrested for the murder of the groom-to-be, Dash seems to be the only one who believes he didn’t do it. And Dash’s efforts to uncover the truth will draw the attention of the real killer—who has a great deal to gain, and nothing to lose.

Review: 

WWWGD?

I enjoyed this book immensely. Dash and his quirky group of friends and sleuthing enablers are going strong. I was pleased with how they’re settling into a reliable, or crazy, resource for one another – murder solving included.

When I disconnected, with a promise from Lyda that she’d look into Hugo’s situation, Fox said, “We’re solving another murder?”
“No,” I said. Fox’s eyebrows went up. I shook my head. “Absolutely not.”

Absolutely not means absolutely yes, I will. This is a cozy mystery after all. The murder/mystery got going early with some later entries to contend with. And, oh geez, what an awful family at the centre of murder. Wealthy and problematic because money is the core replacement of everything decent. Including, but not limited to, their overall lack of kindness, warmth, and love.   

Dude Magnet is aptly named because it also sees three guys gravitating around Dash. His ex, Hugo, has come to Hastings Rock to be delusional and get Dash to commit to their relationship again. He quotes Brené Brown at him.

“I’m not giving up on us.” Hugo raised his chin. “I’ve been reading Brené Brown. I’m daring greatly. I’m being brave for the sake of our love.”

Dude, five minutes in town and you’re hooking up. Yeah, ‘I’m daring bravely.’ I nearly choked on my water. Cole, the twin brother of the groom that’s supposed to be getting married at Dash’s home, Hemlock House, is lonely and lost and likes Dash. So naturally Cole asks Dash out. Dash is definitely like St. Jude, he likes a lost cause, that would be Cole, so naturally he agrees. Oh, and Hugo is arrested for killing the groom. 

It’s also about the conflicting friendship that has crossed into more with Deputy Bobby, I mean, it’s not that they’ve done anything in particular, and Deputy Bobby is in a relationship with West, but still, they have chemistry building and have had moments of mini line-crossing. They don’t connect on page a lot here, we’re told by others, especially the purveyor of news that is Millie, how Dash and Bobby have leant on each other in the months between the first and second book. When they do connect here, it’s either Deputy Bobby worried about Dash’s seeming lack of concern for his personal safety around murders. I mean, it is part of Deputy Bobby’s job to investigate murders, not Dash’s. Or Deputy Bobby gets drunk and Dash sees him home, just like Deputy Bobby did for him. They’re friends, right? He gets invited by Deputy Bobby to the ‘I’m leaving town with West party. Surprise!’ While Dash had overheard how West and Bobby were in conflict over staying/leaving Hastings Rock it was still a bit of a dick move.   

Dash has definitely had some growth in the few months since he stepped into Hastings Rock and Hemlock House. He was feeling bad when Hugo first turned up because he knew he’d be asked to explain why he left in more detail. And everyone would love Hugo. Hugo initially threw a lot of blame at Dash, but Dash ends up handling it really well. He also gets a clue that if his feelings don’t align with his partner’s, even if he likes him as a person, that is a reason to not be in relationship with them, as scary as that can feel sometimes.  

His friends are funny and they take turns in giving Dash some grief. Keme is still using non-verbal communication. 

Keme had his arms folded across his chest, and he was staring at me, his expression dark.
“I know,” I said to him. “I know it’s risky. I know it’s stupid.” He nodded slowly to let me know how stupid it was.

And no one, especially Dash, wants to piss Indira off. Especially if you’re moping.

     “If you’re not out of there in the next minute,” Indira said, “the kitchen is going gluten free.”
For a moment, I froze. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“I have so many cookbooks, Dashiell. And I love a challenge.” 

Andrew Gibson, aka Blake Lockheart, is so good at the narration. He adds to the overall vibe of the series. Up or down, humorous, murderous, friendship, small intimacies, he nails the mood of the moment within the books. It helps the characters and the books really pop.  

I have the third book in the series, Doom Magnet – hmm – lined up to listen to. I’m sucked into this cozy mystery series. 4 Stars! for Dude Magnet.