Review by Rafa: Suspicious Behavior, by L.A. Witt and Cari Z

Suspicious Behavior, by L.A. Witt and Cari Z
Series: Bad Behavior, Book 2
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: August 21, 2017

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Detective Darren Corliss is hanging by a thread. In between recovering from a near-fatal wound and returning to work at a hostile precinct, he’s struggling to help care for his ailing brother. His partner and boyfriend, Detective Andreas Ruffner, wants to help, but doesn’t know how. And with his own family crises brewing, Andreas is spread almost as thin as Darren.

For cops, though, life takes a backseat to the job. When a stack of unsolved homicides drops into their laps, Andreas and Darren think they’re unrelated cold cases. But when a connection surfaces, they find themselves on the tail of a prolific serial killer who’s about to strike again.

Except they’ve got nothing. No leads. No suspects. Just a pile of circumstantial evidence and a whole lot of hunches. Time is running out to stop the next murder—and to pull themselves back from their breaking points.

M/M Pairing
Gay Character
Bisexual Character
Contemporary
Suspense/Thriller
Law Enforcement Partners (Police Detectives)
Age Difference
HIV
Side Character with Early Onset Dementia

When I reviewed the first book, Risky Behavior, I realized too late that it was actually part of an ongoing series, so I may or may not have judged the ending a bit unfairly because their relationship was sort of just left hanging. Okay fine, I initially picked this up because I felt bad for my miscalculation and wanted to atone myself, okay?! 🙂

Regardless of the reason, I’m glad I did because Suspicious Behavior was a great continuation of Andreas and Darren’s story. Just like in the previous book, this installment focused on their detective work (and other goings on in their lives), and kept the romance on a simmer. I thought the low heat level suited the story perfectly what with Darren still recovering physically from his injuries from book one and a slew of other things weighing on their minds. Plus there’s something to be said for heroes in suspense/thrillers who somehow manage to keep it in their pants when they’re smack in the middle of a dangerous situation. It might not be as steamy but it sure comes off as more realistic to me.

The serial killer plotline was gripping and kept the book going at a great pace. The book did a fantastic job at continuing to develop two very complex heroes in Andreas and Darren, and Darren’s struggles with his brother’s dementia in particular was just heartwrenching. I did not expect to enjoy this series as much as I have (when I didn’t even realize it was a continuing series, that is), but it’s fair to say that I am well and truly hooked. If you’re into cop dramas with romantic elements, this series is for you. Just be sure to start with book one in the series, Risky Behavior.

L.A. Witt is an abnormal M/M romance writer who has finally been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she didn’t lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband, several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies.

She also has substantially more time on her hands these days, as she has recruited a small army of mercenaries to search South America for her nemesis, romance author Lauren Gallagher, but don’t tell Lauren. And definitely don’t tell Lori A. Witt or Ann Gallagher. Neither of those twits can keep their mouths shut…

Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.

Cari Z. is a Colorado girl who loves snow and sunshine. She has a wonderful relationship with her husband, a complex relationship with the characters in her head and a sadomasochistic relationship with her exercise routine. She feels like Halloween should happen every month, which is why you get this picture of her, and hopes that you enjoy reading what she’s put out there as much as she enjoyed writing it in the first place.