Rating: 4.25 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | iBooks | Amazon UK
Length: Novel
Following a colleague’s sudden heart attack, cop Owen Duke finds himself in charge of wrapping up the Mayfield murder case. It should be an open-and-shut case. The only caveat is that a hotshot attorney named James Scott has taken on the defendant’s case pro bono and he has a “gut feeling” Duke’s perpetrator is innocent. The two men are forced to play nice as they both seek to uncover the truth.
Duke discovers Scott is more than a media darling. Even before their first formal meeting, Scott has uncovered key information which, in hindsight, was conspicuously absent from the case files Duke received. Now, Duke is interested in working with Scott to fill in the gaps…and maybe indulge in the explosive attraction they feel for each other.
When attempts are made on both Scott’s and Duke’s lives, Duke finds himself embroiled in the midst of a coverup. But he doesn’t know how far up the justice system the rot has climbed. With no one he can trust, it’s up to him, Scott, and a rookie cop to uncover the truth before it’s too late.
I rather enjoyed this suspense story. The two leads were a great mix of traits. I found Duke appealing, with his stone cold exterior, but soft(ish) interior. Conversely, Scott exudes slick confidence, but still battles with some insecurities. Watching these two interact was a real treat. In fact, if it weren’t for the characters themselves pointing out how fast and hard they’re falling for each other, I might not have pegged this as an instalove situation. Duke and Scott spend a lot of time together on page and they seem to be constantly in one another’s mind. I think this focused attention makes their romance feel rather grounded. Some plot devices feel conveniently convenient—like the conclusion of Duke and Scott’s first real meeting. What happens throws Duke into protector-cop mode and he ends up spending the night at Scott’s place. While they don’t immediately jump into bed together, the promise of more oozes from their interactions.
Of course, the whole scaffolding that holds up this story is the Mayfield murder case. Scott’s client, Hector Young, is the chief suspect in the murder of Tana Mayfield. When Young’s cellmate ends up dead, it is generally assumed that he is the only one who could have committed that crime; thus, it is almost a foregone conclusion that Young also killed Mayfield. However, it’s easy for the reader to give the alleged criminal the benefit of the doubt. The book eschews any detailed critique of the American justice system, but Craig draws enough of a picture that the reader can feel the gross unfairness with which Young is treated. This is achieved both through Scott’s dogged determination to see Young set free, and as we see hard boiled Duke gradually begin to acknowledge that Scott may be right and the perpetrator is actually innocent. I thought Craig struck a good balance between probable guesses as to how deep the corruption went and actual evidence of that corruption. It isn’t until the final climactic scenes that we learn the full extent of the crime.
All in all, I think this is a great read for people who like crime stories or enemies to lovers. Although I wouldn’t say Duke and Scott strictly adhere to the enemies to lovers trope, it’s absolutely true that these two men’s life’s work (homicide cop and defense attorney) necessarily mean they are professional adversaries. This is also a good title for anyone who’s looking for a contemporary book that features a fast-tracked love story.
This does sound good, Camille. Thank you!
Sorry, seems that I always be the one with the same question, but here I go again, lol
Is this the same version of Pas De Deux as the one that got released in 2009 with Amber Quill, or were there changes made in this new edition? I looked at Goodreads, but found no information about it.
Thanks for looking into it! =:))
Hi Eve,
I am not sure about this particular book, to be honest. We did not get any information that this was a repub, but if it is the same title and author, I’d assume it is at least a version of the original. I do not know if there were changes.
There are so many books being republished right now, between recently closed presses (Amber Quill, LT3, Loose Id, Samhain), and authors taking rights back (DSP, Riptide), that it is hard to keep track of what is totally new. Many authors/publishers make clear in their review requests that the books are reprints and what (if anything) has changed. If we get that information, we try to provide it in our reviews. But unfortunately, sometimes it is not even mentioned in the request and if we aren’t familiar with the book, we don’t even realize it is a republication.
I share your frustration here because no one wants to rebuy something they already own if there are no changes and it would be helpful if this information was made clear. If you want me to do some digging around, I can see what I can find out.
Hi Jay, thanks a lot for your patience!
I really don’t want to be nag, but as you said yourself, nobody wants to buy the same book twice! I buy mm books for more than 10 years now. (Propably 12 or so.) There weren’t so much authors in that genre then, so I bought everything that was released earlier also. Fictionwise existed still and ARe also. So there were lots and lots of mm books that I bought over the years.
I love it when old books are getting re-released and the new edition is longer than the original version, so I buy it also if it is a favorite book of mine.
But I really get frustrated a lot, when autors cannot be bothered enough with their “old” longtime readers, to share information if books are absolutely the same as in the 1st Edition, or not.
They seem to think only about new readers. Sometimes I really think that they care only about new readers. (New readers get good deals on series and so on, old readers were stupid enough to buy each book for the original price when it was released for the first time. No reason to do something for them also…. Perhaps you get what I mean.)
So I really would apriciate when authors would give this small information away right from the start! And not only when they are asked and prodded about it….
I don’t have the money to buy each book in different editions, only to find out afterward, that, AGAIN, I bought a book where nothing got changed or expandet. =:((
Sorry for this long rant, stepping down from my soapbox now, but this really frustrates me…a lot….
Again, thanks Jay, for looking into it….again and again.
No problem at all. I honestly don’t think most authors are trying to pull anything over on readers. I am just not sure folks realize how confusing it can be. Especially new publishers. Some are really good about clarifying things are reprints and others are not (at least in the info they provide us). But feel free to ask anytime you are unsure. I’m happy to look into things for you.
Hi
All the Jamie Craig titles being published by JMS Books are reprints with no additional changes.
Thanks
Thanks for the info! I actually talked to JMS and asked for more clarity going forward on review requests with what is a republication. They have started adding that info to requests they send us so we will add that info to our reviews when we know about it.