Genre: Romance, Mystery, Suspense
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Book three in the Declan Hunt Mysteries series
How far would you be willing to go to reveal the truth?
Finding work-life balance isn’t always easy when you’re sleeping with the boss. Charlie Watts is feeling stressed as he studies for his private investigator’s license, starts taking on his own cases and tries to navigate his relationship with Declan Hunt. He thinks he can handle it, but every time their relationship is going well, work always seems to get in the way.
While Charlie investigates a threatening note that appears to be from a boy who mysteriously disappeared ten years ago, Declan tries to find the meaning behind the final words of a man who was brutally murdered. As Declan and Charlie work to solve these mysteries, secrets from the past are exposed, Charlie is haunted by ghostly dreams, and Declan is forced to confront some terrible truths from a hidden past.
Ultimately, the truth will be revealed, but at what cost? And will Declan and Charlie be able to solve the mystery of where they want to go next with their relationship before things at work take a terrible turn?
The Review
Charlie Watts has his hands full. He’s worried that he may have made a mistake taking the job at Declan Hunt Investigations. He’s a big asset to the business with his expertise in technological research, but he can’t find the time to do his office management assignments/research, training for his investigator license, and now taking on an actual case. Declan has no problem with him taking the Chapman, Sherbrook and Finch HR Firm case, dealing with employee Tyler Chipping. But Charlie is missing the time that he want’s to spend with Declan.
Carrie and Charlie have been friends for some time now. They became roommates when Charlie had to leave home where he lived with his parents and grandmother. Both Charlie and Declan faced similar being gay and trying to get their fathers to understand. Now, his plan to meet Carrie is cancelled when Sgt. Sam Hunt, Declan’s father, comes to their office to relay information from Declan’s old partner, Gary Sawchuck. Archie Whitcher is now deceased, but before he died he gave Sawchuck a message for Declan. It brings back memories of Freddie, Archie’s son.
Charlie and Declan agree that they should hire a new office manager, and then they get a huge surprise. Declan also wants Charlie to have his own office. He suggests that Gwen, who owns Les Trois Magots and the building, may have some office furniture available. Gwen tells Charlie the history of the building, which is just a tad creepy. When Charlie is in the office, alone, things get even creepier.
Charlie and Declan are both tangled in a case that involves two young men, Milo Griffin and Freddie Whitcher. Will they be able to put the puzzle pieces together and solve a sad and intriguing mystery?
Fenton’s third installment of the “Declan Hunt Mysteries,” The Burnt, picks up where HooDoo House ended and brings back Charlie Watts and Declan Hunt as they take on new cases of intrigue, murder and a touch of the paranormal. As Charlie moves up in the world, he’s feeling the pressure. He has so much going on, but his priority is his relationship with Declan. Declan is very supportive of Charlie in his new endeavor – getting his investigative license. Even as busy as they both are, Declan tries to be available when Charlie needs him. There are high emotions and heart rending moments as they stand up for each other.
I like how the intimate scenes are written perfectly for Charlie and Declan, as they still are working on their relationship. The scenes are suggestive, with a bit of “fade to black,” and they aren’t rushed.
There’s also the wonderful characters that return to this story: Charlie’s loving “Gran” Elsie Watts, Gwen, Sgt. Sam Hunt, Mrs. B., (Joan Beckerman), Carrie, and Charlies parents, Ted and Maggie.
The mystery itself is complex and mind-boggling, and Charlie and Declan have to work hard to solve the case. I highly recommend The Burnt, an intriguing, semi-paranormal mystery, the best (so far) of the “Declan Hunt Mysteries.”
There are two books before The Burnt that you really need to read, Mann Hunt and HooDoo House. They give a progressive insight into Charlie Watts and Declan Hunt. I’m looking forward to the next installment – Peter E. Fenton is quickly becoming one of my top favorite mystery authors.
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.
