Genre: Contemporary
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
A bitter drunk meets a lonely paraplegic with a target on his back. Almost on the rim of the Arctic Circle, they’ve both run out of places to hide.
Dirk Black is a lost soul with a troubled past. When the washed-up cop happens to see an odd notice in a newspaper, his unshakable sense of irony sends him to a remote point in Scotland’s Shetland Islands. There he discovers something he’s never wanted and bloody hell doesn’t need—a computer nerd and recluse who’s confined to a tiny promontory in the North Sea.
Stephan Tavish is a scholar and business entrepreneur who’s managed to run from his family and from society, hoping for peace of mind in the solitude of his own land and his ancestor’s old isolated lighthouse. But karma has bitten him in the arse. He finds himself in a very dark place where he needs to ask for help, from a stranger who’s lost himself in a whisky bottle.
Two alienated men, each with a mystery to solve, end up working together at the edge of nowhere. Together, they discover that something in their own past may hold the key to a very intriguing future.
The Review
Dirk Black has made a mistake. He’s dealt with a great trauma, and is still suffering with the dark thoughts and the fallout. His bitterness and too much drama convinces him to complete a job application for a lighthouse keeper position with survival skills. What can it hurt?
After sleeping it off, Dirk is woken hungry by his cell phone ringing. Seems his snarky response has gotten him many return calls which he continues to ignore, for various reasons. Reaching the Sea Shanty, he finally breaks down and returns the call from “Livingstone.” The voice on the other end of the line is intriguing, and proceeds to tell Dirk all about the lighthouse.
Livingstone’s great-grandfather built the northern-most lighthouse on the Mainland of Shetland Islands back in 1880. Dirk is intrigued by voice on the phone and his story of destruction.
Peter Tavish arrives at the Sea Shanty, and Dirk sets off on the Seagull on his way to Fethaland. Soon Dirk finds himself below ground, and there he meets Stephan Tavish, Peter’s son. Dirk is very surprised with Stephan and his story. There are crimes to be solved, and Dirk craves the danger. Stephan’s issues and help encourage Dirk to explore his own tragic past, and just maybe find closure.
O’Quinn’s stories are always creative and filled with wonderful characters. Many of her novels have a Scottish flair, and this one is no different. Her descriptions of Scotland and her characters are vivid and memorable.
Dirk Black’s character, in particular, is exceptional, and I love the writing for him especially when his Scottish accent comes out – the author’s portrayal of this dark, snarky, brooding and lonely man is clear and wonderful.
Stephan Tavish is a definite genius, and has accomplished more than one man should be able to. He’s a loner too and needs to feel safe and protected, but he doesn’t let his situation hold him back. He’s been degraded and humiliated to the point where it ruined his relationship with his son.
Peter Tavish, Stephan’s father, is a wonderful man. He is so accepting, loves his son and his grandson, and is there whenever he’s needed. Dirk makes a special connection with him.
And DI Alan Ainsley is also quite the character. Being Dirk’s boss, he has his hands full, but he believes in Dirk.
With all the evil characters the mystery is plotted out well. There’s also danger, excitement, and suspense – a fast paced action adventure, page turner and very steamy too. I’m never disappointed in an Erin O’Quinn tale.
The next installment is “Lighthouse Keeper Holiday” – can’t wait to read it.
The Reviewer
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 piques 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.
