Book Blurb
During a Texas summer in 1889, the governor calls on his friend, Thomas Carillon, a disabled medium, and Thomas’s secret lover, Marshal Hadrian Burton, to investigate the death of his favorite niece. Thomas and Hadrian travel to the beachside town of Corpus Christi where they are plagued by restless ghosts. As they work to solve the murder, the men discover the small town sheriff’s racism might be hiding more victims.
Thomas adores Hadrian, but he also feels smothered by his protectiveness. All of his life, he has striven to be as independent as possible, but Hadrian seems obsessed with keeping him safe. Thomas hopes a trip to Corpus Christi to solve a murder will allow the two of them to take a short vacation afterward and resolve some of their problems while soaking up the sun. Instead, they become caught up in a strange web of secrets that could be more dangerous than anything they have faced before.
Hadrian loves Thomas more than anything. After Thomas has a frightening accident, a panic attack drags Hadrian Burton’s soldier’s heart (PTSD) out into the light. Everyone knows it’s a coward’s disease, and the diagnosis makes him feel unmanned. Despite Thomas’s love and support, he finds himself fighting his demons as Thomas talks to ghosts. The one thing he knows is he loves Thomas to his bones. More than anything, he is determined to keep Thomas safe—but will the stubborn, sensitive Thomas let him?
This dark steamy M/M romance contains flawed characters, period ableism, period racism, period homophobia, mild violence, and descriptions of corpses some readers might find disturbing.
Book Review
“You’ve changed me. When I’m with you, I’m myself, only a better version, because you make me want to be a better man. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” ~ Vi Keeland, Bossman
Thomas and Hadrian, of 'Carllion's Corpus' by Sinnoach Wintergreen, have declared their love for each other and are happily living together in Thomas's mansion. Thomas continues his work as a medium but terrifies Hadrian with his methods in certain situations.
Thomas and Hadrian are interrupted during their peaceful moment on the veranda by a call from the governor. His niece has been murdered, and he believes Thomas's unique abilities as a medium are the key to solving the case. The trio, including Gracie, immediately head to Corpus Christie, where local law enforcement await them.
From the outset, it's clear that local law enforcement have grossly mishandled the case. Authorities have carelessly disposed of crucial evidence that could have provided vital clues, deeming it insignificant. Due to their prejudiced views on women, law enforcement have also neglected to interview potential witnesses. Even the girl's mother can't be bothered when they ask her for information about her daughter that may help them. The more Hadrian and Thomas uncover, the more their frustration mounts.
It's not until Adelaide’s ghost sister tells Thomas about a possible boyfriend that they finally get a break in the case. When they look for her again. they find her sister, Adelaide, instead. Thomas tries to help her, but she attacks him. Adelaide's ghost is angry and wants revenge.
'Carrillon's Corpus' was a great addition to the 'Men of the Shadows' series. Like the first book, it is fast-paced, mysterious, dark, and steamy. I loved seeing Gracie again. Thomas and Gracie's devotion to each other was palatable. She adds lightness to an otherwise morbid story. The character growth of both Hadrian and Thomas was satisfying as they figured out their relationship and themselves. I understand both characters and like Hadrien more all the time. Thanks, Sinnoach, for the continuing adventures of Hadrian and Thomas.
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