To the Bone

The tremendously satisfying third book of 'The Gaslight Mysteries' series brings our two willful leads, Michael McCree and Simon Hart, full circle in their torrid love affair, and weaves yet another stimulating mystery betwixt its romance. While I hope this is not the last I see of these two charismatic men, Erin O’Quinn has proven that she knows how to wrap a tidy ribbon on the exquisite gift of this engaging series.

Beginning the morning after the endgame of the second book, Michael lies abed contemplating what the previous night's ferocious bout of lovemaking, initiated by his heretofore-reluctant partner Simon, will mean to the future of their relationship. Despite the uncharacteristic show of aggression by Simon, Michael knows that his partner’s absence means that the man is probably off recriminating himself for his blatant display of desire. Attempting to give Simon the space he needs makes peace with the true nature of his feelings toward his own sex, Michael puts his mind to finding out more about his elusive lover, like how he came about his skill of cane fighting, by which he saved Michael the prior evening.

Well-ordered Simon on his part is in turmoil, struggling as Michael imagines, and conflicted about how he can be with Michael and yet maintain his individuality. Michael seems to suck all the air from him simply by entering the same room. And how can his new partner be so easygoing, smart, and sure of himself…and of Simon, when they only met eleven days earlier? Ever the investigator Simon carefully begins to search his soul for the truth of his feelings. When twenty-five paintings are reported missing from a wealthy townsman, the new case affords Simon a temporary respite from his soul search, but an old acquaintance enters the picture and throws the new lovers into a greater turmoil.

The mysterious Moshe, a clever older man with sleuthing skills comparable to Michael’s, seems to have ferreted out the true nature of their fledgling relationship, and worse, appears to be a friend to their vanquished enemy, The Brown Man. What follows is a sublime journey deep into the hearts of Michael and Simon as they try to solve the case of the missing paintings and the mystery of Moshe’s past, while cementing their relationship under the suspended approval of a man Simon had hoped he’d never see again in his lifetime.

This third book of the series sheds an incandescent light on masculine emotion and the uncertainties embraced by all who feel the sparks of love’s tender bite for the first time. The multiple storyline adventure is given additional charm by the witty turns of phrase strewn throughout its pages. It is this tantalizing language of prose which takes this top-notch episodic mystery to a place far beyond exceptional. Once again I found myself rereading phrases and entire passages simply for the thrilling images words like “bone-handled switchblade” and eyes like “sodding British sovereigns”, brought forth. No almost about it, Erin O’Quinn definitely has the Irish gift of the Blarney in her writing. The sublime subtly of the language used to express the two leads' desire to fornicate holds more heat than many actual sex scenes I’ve read in other books; the sentiment of passion bringing the familiar to mind exquisitely with an extra spark of delight by the author’s enchanting delivery.

Poignant romance between two very diverse leads, dynamic emotional tension, scintillating sex scenes and not one, but several mysteries to solve, punctuated with exceptional prose, make for an outstanding and satisfying addition to the series. Oh I know I was supposed to say conclusion, but one can always hope, can’t one? Erin O’Quinn, you’ve done it again, and I heartily thank you for it.

“Clever, Sparkling, Amorous”

To The Bone, the third book in Erin O'Quinn's Gaslight Mystery series, is proof that sequels can equal and in some ways outstrip the previous books. Relationships are at the forefront here, though there is plenty of action, too. Erin's depth of understanding of, and ability to lay bare, those relationships cuts `to the bone' with precision and eloquence. She never fails to provide a fully-realized world in which her stories take place, and the town of Dun Linden, Ireland in 1923 continues to intrigue and delight. In Sparring With Shadows, book 2, Simon Hart and Michael McCree were responsible for the capture and arrest of the Brown Man, and To The Bone picks up the next morning, a seamless continuation of the story.

In the midst of coming to terms with who and what he is, Simon finds himself standing between two men, one reappearing from his past and the other inhabiting his present. Both men have claims on his time, his loyalty, and his heart. They are not enemies, but they are often opponents in Simon's struggle for self-acceptance, and Simon must walk a very fine line in order to retain his individuality rather than surrendering his sense of self to either.

Michael must also come to terms with the changes in his life that knowing Simon has created. In response to Simon, Michael is reshaping himself, his attitudes, and his accustomed manner of dealing with his sexual urges. Change is never comfortable, but is often necessary, and Michael finds himself engaging in subtle but potent games of cat and mouse with his partner, the man he has come to understand that he loves.

The Brown Man, despite his defeat in Sparring With Shadows, remains a force to be reckoned with; his shadows are as long and difficult to dispel as the shadows of shifting identity both Simon and Michael must make their ways through. There are new criminals to be brought to justice as well, and as always, Erin O'Quinn's rich tapestry of time and place complements the storyline.

Though To The Bone completes the story of Simon Hart and Michael McCree in ways that the first two books did not, I sincerely hope that we've not seen the last of these two marvelous men, and this fascinating setting. Five stars for a delightful story and five `sizzles' for the love play.

With a new day to keep pursuing their unsolved mysteries and growing love life, private investigators Michael McCree and Simon Hart encounter their most confounding, and deeply personal, crisis yet--the arrival of a man from the past who will turn Simon's life upside down forever and challenge Michael to hold his lover more tightly than ever so that they never part.

This is either the perfect ending to a remarkable trilogy or a suitable tease for the next installment. No matter what the case, I was enthralled by its authenticity, its plotline, and its beautiful handling of love between men in an era and country where it was dangerous to be seen in such company. What struck me most, however, was that I discovered author Quinn's blog after I finished this tale, tears in my eyes and hope in my heart that she would continue the series.

That blog...is so remarkable in many respects but mostly in that she uses photos to pictorialize her heroes and her scenes--and they were virtually identical to who and what I imagined them to be!

Any writer who can do that deserves all that we can give her--which is the highest praise for her work and our prayers that she continues.