Madison Square Murders

Madison Square Murders (2021) C.S. Poe (Memento Mori)

Everett Larkin works for the Cold Case Squad. And even among that group he’s considered odd. But he’s good at his job, even if he is often a bit overly emotional.

I was initially distracted by the appearance of Neil Millett, Sebastian Snow’s ex, and someone I’m especially fond of.

“Cold Case Squad,” Larkin added.

“Cold Case?” Millett echoed. “They let you guys outside?”

“I believe the department is ethically obligated to allow us to see the sun once a quarter.”

Millett isn’t the love interest (if you’d read the Snow & Winter series).

However. Everett is married. And his marriage is clearly falling apart.

“Easy out?” Larkin echoed. “You know what, Noah— I’ve been on Xanax for the last six months. I’ve been falling apart right in front of you. When was the last fucking time you asked if I was okay and actually meant it?”

Noah looked as if he’d been slapped— his eyes wide, jaw open. The silence crumbled inward as he asked, “Why the hell are you taking Xanax?”

Also, that first paragraph was a personal punch in the gut.

Cheating is usually a DNF for me, so I was extremely wary. And if it had been a different author, I may well have not continued on.

I don’t love that (like Sebastian) we’re seeing Everett’s relationships–marriage–fall apart on the page. That’s rough going. But, I decided to trust her and keep reading.

Also, just like the Snow & Winter series, Larkin has an extremely rare and at times debilitating illness that affects his perception of the world.

The idea of this?

“(S)ome of those memories… aren’t good. They’re just as vivid as they were five or ten or fifteen years ago. And so are the emotions of that moment.”

Made me want to throw up. Physical pain I generally handle, but emotional pain? To never be free of it? That’s a nightmare.

The mystery was interesting and I enjoyed it. And now I am irritated that I don’t have another book with this characters to read RIGHT NOW.

Publisher: Emporium Press
Rating: 8.5/10

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