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A review by lilyrooke
Where There's Smoke by Cole McCade
5.0
When a young Black couple are viciously attacked, Detectives Khalaji and Yoon assume the worst, until a fragile spark of hope offers the possibility that this might be a rare case where the outcome is not yet decided.
Can I just say that having Seong-Jae sing Peggy Lee was a mood. Early on in the Criminal Intentions series, I got the sense that this was a different kind of crime/detective fic story. I liked the breath of fresh air that was rugged detective Mal consciously being aware of how much of a threat he appears to victims; how the communities he serves rightfully distrust the police; how he tries to do better, but remains conscious of the limited capacity for change he has as an individual. There are complex, contemporary themes explored in this book that I haven't seen done elsewhere, especially when you factor in that both main characters are BIPOC queer men (now Khalaji is confirmed bi and Yoon is confirmed grey-ace). I have such respect for the author for dredging up his own history and experiences to inform these stories, yet any moral statements remain light-fingered and nuanced. This only grew stronger in Where There's Smoke. The ending - both for the crime plotline and the romance arc - was a powerful and uplifting choice that came at the perfect time in the series. Hats off to Cole McCade.
cw: racist slurs; gore
absolutely nothing *~*researchy*~* to see here; an ongoing reading list
1. A Study in Scarlet 2.5/5
2. The Hound of the Baskervilles 5/5
3. The Adventure of the Final Problem 4/5
4. Bath Haus 4.5/5
5. The Forest of Stolen Girls 4/5
6. The Red Palace 2/5
7. The Silence of Bones 1/5
8. Lay Your Sleeping Head 4/5
9. Carved in Bone 5/5
10. Lies with Man 3/5
11. Howtown 2/5
12. The Hidden Law 2/5
13. The Death of Friends 3/5
14. The Burning Plain 3.5/5
15. Rag and Bone 4/5
16. Pretty Pretty Boys 2/5
17. Three Nick Nowak Mysteries 5/5
18. Three More Nick Nowak Mysteries 3/5
19. Two Nick Nowak Novellas 4/5
20. A Time For Secrets 5/5
21. Murder Book 5/5
22. From the Ashes 4/5
23. Bloodlines 4/5
24. Lucky Days 4/5
25. Gifts Given 5/5
26. Heart's Desire 1/5
27. Broken Cord 4/5
28. The Cardigans 4/5
29. Junk Shop Blues 4/5
30. Changing Faces 5/5
31. It's Witchcraft 5/5
32. Where There's Smoke 5/5
Can I just say that having Seong-Jae sing Peggy Lee was a mood. Early on in the Criminal Intentions series, I got the sense that this was a different kind of crime/detective fic story. I liked the breath of fresh air that was rugged detective Mal consciously being aware of how much of a threat he appears to victims; how the communities he serves rightfully distrust the police; how he tries to do better, but remains conscious of the limited capacity for change he has as an individual. There are complex, contemporary themes explored in this book that I haven't seen done elsewhere, especially when you factor in that both main characters are BIPOC queer men (now Khalaji is confirmed bi and Yoon is confirmed grey-ace). I have such respect for the author for dredging up his own history and experiences to inform these stories, yet any moral statements remain light-fingered and nuanced. This only grew stronger in Where There's Smoke. The ending - both for the crime plotline and the romance arc - was a powerful and uplifting choice that came at the perfect time in the series. Hats off to Cole McCade.
cw: racist slurs; gore
absolutely nothing *~*researchy*~* to see here; an ongoing reading list
1. A Study in Scarlet 2.5/5
2. The Hound of the Baskervilles 5/5
3. The Adventure of the Final Problem 4/5
4. Bath Haus 4.5/5
5. The Forest of Stolen Girls 4/5
6. The Red Palace 2/5
7. The Silence of Bones 1/5
8. Lay Your Sleeping Head 4/5
9. Carved in Bone 5/5
10. Lies with Man 3/5
11. Howtown 2/5
12. The Hidden Law 2/5
13. The Death of Friends 3/5
14. The Burning Plain 3.5/5
15. Rag and Bone 4/5
16. Pretty Pretty Boys 2/5
17. Three Nick Nowak Mysteries 5/5
18. Three More Nick Nowak Mysteries 3/5
19. Two Nick Nowak Novellas 4/5
20. A Time For Secrets 5/5
21. Murder Book 5/5
22. From the Ashes 4/5
23. Bloodlines 4/5
24. Lucky Days 4/5
25. Gifts Given 5/5
26. Heart's Desire 1/5
27. Broken Cord 4/5
28. The Cardigans 4/5
29. Junk Shop Blues 4/5
30. Changing Faces 5/5
31. It's Witchcraft 5/5
32. Where There's Smoke 5/5