Review: Threshold by Jordan L Hawk

From the blurb:

Introverted scholar Percival Endicott Whyborne wants nothing more than to live quietly with his lover, ex-Pinkerton detective Griffin Flaherty. Unfortunately, Whyborne’s railroad tycoon father has other ideas, namely hiring Griffin to investigate mysterious events at a coal mine.

Whyborne, Griffin, and their friend Christine travel to Threshold Mountain, a place of dark legend even before the mine burrowed into its heart. A contingent of Pinkertons—including Griffin’s ex-lover Elliot—already guard the mine. But Griffin knows better than anyone just how unprepared the detectives are to face the otherworldly forces threatening them.

Soon, Whyborne and Griffin are on the trail of mysterious disappearances, deadly accidents, and whispered secrets. Is Elliot an ally, or does he only want to rekindle his relationship with Griffin? And if so, how can Whyborne possibly hope to compete with the stunningly handsome Pinkerton—especially when Griffin is hiding secrets about his past?

For in a town where friends become enemies and horror lurks behind a human mask, Whyborne can’t afford to trust anything—including his own heart.

Review:

I am totally and utterly smitten with the Whyborne and Griffin series thus far.  I read the first book, Widdershins, but decided to give the audio book a whirl for the second novel in the series - Threshold.

It did take me a little to adjust to Julian G. Simmon's interpretation of Whyborne.  I must confess, in my mind Whyborne was always a little more British in his accent, but Julian does such a fantastic job of creating a softly spoken, humble and all round adorable Whyborne.  Now I couldn't think of Whyborne's voice as anything different.

The story of Threshold is very different from Widdershins.  Threshold is more like an episode of the X-files, whereas Widdershins was more like an adventure novel.  And I mean that as a compliment.  Moving the action away from the town of Widdershins was both refreshing and a little sad.  Widdershins was a character in itself.  But it really doesn't take Hawk long to establish the character of Threshold as a setting.

Hawk handles the movement from blossoming relationship between Whyborne and Griffin in Widdershins to established relationship in Threshold phenomenally well.  She never lets the characters remain comfortable for long.  The pain she puts Whyborne through is simply soul wrenching and it made my heart ache.

I loved the way we explore Griffin's past more in this novel.  It helps to make him a little less shiny and heroic.  There is a real sense of equality in their relationship and it warms me.

Whyborne's character development is also key to the forward momentum of this story.  He becomes emboldened.  And it's not just Griffin's presence and support which helps him to make these personal growths - it's also the ways in which he finds himself standing in opposition to Griffin.

I also adored the way we explore Whyborne's family more - especially his mother.  She is fascinating and I really hope we see more of her in the most recent book.

As much as I want to hold out and wait for the audio book version of book 3 in this series, Stormhaven, I don't possess that kind of patience.

Feels. I has them.

Title: Threshold
Author: Jordan L. Hawk
Publishing Date: June 3, 2013
Length: Novel (67k)
Genre: Paranormal/Romance/Historical
Type: m/m