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gillianw's review against another edition
4.0
This was lots of fun. I had the audiobook version and both the story and the narration were fantastic. Henry is bloody hilarious and the scenes at the care centre were so entertaining. Mac is lovely and his affection for Henry/Sebastian is so sincere, it's a little heartbreaking. One thing is for sure: I will never look at mac 'n cheese the same way again!
I can't wait to get to the next book - Meet The Parents :) 4 stars
I can't wait to get to the next book - Meet The Parents :) 4 stars
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
Despite it being forever ago since I read [b:The Two Gentlemen of Altona|22439645|The Two Gentlemen of Altona (Playing the Fool, #1)|Lisa Henry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408431875l/22439645._SY75_.jpg|41864532], and admittedly, hardly remember any details, it didn't negate too much the interesting push pull of Henry and Mac.
Taking off immediately from where the first book ended, Henry is called away to attend some family business. What ensues is a very unbelievable improbable setup as he impersonates his sister at the home she’s living in to make sure her nebulous fears are unfounded or not. If something nefarious is going on, Henry is going to find out before he allows Viola to return. Against his will, federal agent Mac is pulled into Henry’s investigation which is completely out of his jusristation. Thing is, Mac just can't say no, no matter how hard he tries.
The dynamic between these two is funny and sometimes silly, the attraction never dimming. One MC is not sure if he could ever trust a con man, the other not sure if he can be trustworthy. In between the farcical situations these two get themselves in, it becomes more and more apparent that there’s some meat to this bone with plenty of angsty moments (mostly on Henry’s side) that explain why he is the way he is. Mac too, has his own problems brewing as someone wants him out of the way and this second installment builds on the first revealing a broader and more complex story arc that will see its conclusion in the next book.
Overall, interesting enough. The dynamic again, is compelling between these two complete opposites both in personality, motivation, and morality. I guess that makes them the perfect pair, and they’re going to need each other’s unique skill set to get them out of the trouble they find themselves neck deep in, while of course, falling further in love.
Despite it being forever ago since I read [b:The Two Gentlemen of Altona|22439645|The Two Gentlemen of Altona (Playing the Fool, #1)|Lisa Henry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408431875l/22439645._SY75_.jpg|41864532], and admittedly, hardly remember any details, it didn't negate too much the interesting push pull of Henry and Mac.
Taking off immediately from where the first book ended, Henry is called away to attend some family business. What ensues is a very unbelievable improbable setup as he impersonates his sister at the home she’s living in to make sure her nebulous fears are unfounded or not. If something nefarious is going on, Henry is going to find out before he allows Viola to return. Against his will, federal agent Mac is pulled into Henry’s investigation which is completely out of his jusristation. Thing is, Mac just can't say no, no matter how hard he tries.
The dynamic between these two is funny and sometimes silly, the attraction never dimming. One MC is not sure if he could ever trust a con man, the other not sure if he can be trustworthy. In between the farcical situations these two get themselves in, it becomes more and more apparent that there’s some meat to this bone with plenty of angsty moments (mostly on Henry’s side) that explain why he is the way he is. Mac too, has his own problems brewing as someone wants him out of the way and this second installment builds on the first revealing a broader and more complex story arc that will see its conclusion in the next book.
Overall, interesting enough. The dynamic again, is compelling between these two complete opposites both in personality, motivation, and morality. I guess that makes them the perfect pair, and they’re going to need each other’s unique skill set to get them out of the trouble they find themselves neck deep in, while of course, falling further in love.
acaprice20's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
fae_princess_in_space's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Another fun one from the Henry/Rock duo! Following on from where the last book left off, Mac is in trouble at work - he is being accused of being inappropriate with his witness, Henry Page, of using excessive force with suspects and even using drugs. A murder of a drug dealer has occurred with a note saying it is all Mac’s fault… but Mac has no idea what is going on.
Henry meeting up with his twin sister Viola, who is convinced that someone is hurting residents at the care home where she lives. Desperate to uncover what is going on and to protect his sister, Henry goes undercover at the care home posing as Viola… what could possibly go wrong?
I loved this - we learn more about Henry’s past and meet his twin sister Viola. There is lots of scandal and intrigue and this book is very action packed. Again, it ends on a cliffhanger as it seems that Henry and Mac are going to stay tangled up as their lives just seem to keep colliding…
Henry meeting up with his twin sister Viola, who is convinced that someone is hurting residents at the care home where she lives. Desperate to uncover what is going on and to protect his sister, Henry goes undercover at the care home posing as Viola… what could possibly go wrong?
I loved this - we learn more about Henry’s past and meet his twin sister Viola. There is lots of scandal and intrigue and this book is very action packed. Again, it ends on a cliffhanger as it seems that Henry and Mac are going to stay tangled up as their lives just seem to keep colliding…
teresab78's review against another edition
4.0
****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®****
4.25 Stars - I liked The Merchant of Death much more than book one in the series. Henry’s tragic past is explained in more detail and we see the pressure he puts on himself. We are introduced to his sister Viola and it goes a long way to understanding Henry.
The plot was fun, if you can consider investigating shady dealings at a mental care facility while in drag fun. There were a lot of humour and Shakespeare references that gave the mystery a comedic edge.
Henry as Viola was not something to laugh at, though; it was not poking fun at anyone. I found a sweetness to it and to how Mac responded to him.
I liked Mac and his dependability. We see more of him as a man and I loved one scene where he is racing down the highway with the music blaring and imagining himself the hero. It gave a different picture of him than the buttoned up, gruff, dieting FBI agent.
The plot twists and turns and I can’t wait to find out where it goes next. Luckily I have Tempest queued up next in audio!
Narration Review:
Nick J Russo again does a wonderful job on this series. I enjoyed listening to his voice and I believed all the characters. I look forward to more of his work.
4.25 Stars - I liked The Merchant of Death much more than book one in the series. Henry’s tragic past is explained in more detail and we see the pressure he puts on himself. We are introduced to his sister Viola and it goes a long way to understanding Henry.
The plot was fun, if you can consider investigating shady dealings at a mental care facility while in drag fun. There were a lot of humour and Shakespeare references that gave the mystery a comedic edge.
Henry as Viola was not something to laugh at, though; it was not poking fun at anyone. I found a sweetness to it and to how Mac responded to him.
I liked Mac and his dependability. We see more of him as a man and I loved one scene where he is racing down the highway with the music blaring and imagining himself the hero. It gave a different picture of him than the buttoned up, gruff, dieting FBI agent.
The plot twists and turns and I can’t wait to find out where it goes next. Luckily I have Tempest queued up next in audio!
Narration Review:
Nick J Russo again does a wonderful job on this series. I enjoyed listening to his voice and I believed all the characters. I look forward to more of his work.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
This one was still good but not quite as funny or as light as the first one. this gets into a little darker themes and a little more serious content. Not bad, it was still pretty good, but I didn't like it like I did the first one.
missawn's review against another edition
3.0
Gah! Such a disappointment ...
As is often the case, Henry moved from charming and adorable (in book 1) to annoying. I was initially excited about the introduction of Viola but ultimately disappointed. Viola came across as a caricature which I also found quite annoying. There were elements of the plot that were felt highly unlikely. I loved the first book ... this one, not so much.
As is often the case, Henry moved from charming and adorable (in book 1) to annoying. I was initially excited about the introduction of Viola but ultimately disappointed. Viola came across as a caricature which I also found quite annoying. There were elements of the plot that were felt highly unlikely. I loved the first book ... this one, not so much.
papercranestitches's review against another edition
3.0
I wish that I were a bigger fan of mystery novels. I think if I were, I would LOVE this series. These books are fast paced, the characters are zany and flawed (but in a good way), and the dialogue is snappy like a Gilmore Girls episode. Unfortunately, since I'm really here for the growing romance between Mac and Henry/Sebastian, I can appreciate the craft behind all the fun twists and cliffhanger endings, but I don't LOVE them like many of you will.
triftwizened's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0