Dude Magnet

The Last Picks, Book 2

By: Gregory Ashe

Narrated by: Andrew Gibson

You can’t hide from the truth. And apparently, you can’t hide from your ex either. Dashiell Dawson Dane wants the simple things in life: to live in a (possibly) haunted mansion, to avoid socializing at all costs, and to write, and possibly finish, a book. Unfortunately, the real world has a way of intruding. And since unfinished manuscripts don’t pay the bills, he finds himself persuaded—against his better judgment—to rent out Hemlock House for a wedding. Having his ex-boyfriend, Hugo, arrive unexpectedly during the preparations is bad enough. But when Hugo is arrested for the murder of the groom-to-be, Dash seems to be the only one who believes he didn’t do it. And Dash’s efforts to uncover the truth will draw the attention of the real killer—who has a great deal to gain, and nothing to lose.

©2024 Gregory Ashe (P)2024 Gregory Ashe

Need the next book now!!

Another great book. The ending had me needing the next audiobook now. Really enjoyed the mystery. That little twist ending had me crying but it’s what I love about GA books! Not a full five stars because I’m having a hard time enjoying all the side characters. I find them distracting at times. I’m hopeful as the books go on I’ll love all of them. For now loving Dash, Indira and Deputy Bobby.

The pieces are coming together!

As much as I enjoyed the first book, Ashe had a lot of balls in the air. He gave us a lot of characters to meet, while also absorbing a murder mystery. The madcap bunch hanging around Dash was bit much at times, as was Dash and his nonstop self narrative. That said, the sitcom nature of Dash & crew began to sync by the end of the book one.

Fortunately everyone hits the ground running in volume two. They have bonded, Dash is settled in his character and is just the Dash he is meant to be.

Narration remains top notch. Gibson does an amazing job navigating the complicated opening scene at the wedding rehearsal. His tender approach to Dash and Bobby is just total chef’s kiss.

This style of story telling is a departure from what most of Ashe’s fans are familiar with. While there is murder most foul in each book, this isn’t the dark and bloodied world of Hazzard & Somerset, Jem & Tean, or Augie & Theo. What those guys go through is an endurance test.

However, what we’re literally treated to in this, The Last Picks series is Murder She Wrote for a new generation. Yes there is murder, yes there is heartache, but most notably there is lightness in this world where we know at the end of the worst day, there will still be cake. The books themselves are perfectly bite sized, allowing for a crime complex enough to keep us interested partnered with a slow burn romance, and the aforementioned cake.

This is a great introduction for people who don’t know Ashe, or want something lighter. For me, it’s a great reset to see Ashe lend his amazing talents to this six book endeavor. I needed to step away from Wahredua, Mo after the mashup series, well after book two. Dash & crew are highly recommended.

Meets all expectations!

As always, great! As always, I can’t wait to start the next one in the series.

A mostly very good reading of a very good book

I gave the ebook version of this story four stars, and I stand by that. I do think that the audiobook makes the story more enjoyable—and knowing how the story continues in books three and four helps as well. I'm definitely appreciating the opportunity to revisit the characters and situations more slowly (I'm a fast reader) via audio. I still wish these books were longer and meatier, but (as I noted in my initial review) I realize that's not possible given the writing/publication speed.

There were a couple of super-clunky mispronunciations that I wish had been caught and fixed (brooch and sachet stuck in my mind), but on the whole I thought the narration was excellent. Recommended!

My thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this audiobook.

Good friends

Love how this mismatched crew of friends come together and stick their noses into everyone's business in order to solve a murder that turns into a series of related deaths.
The narrator once more does an excellent job of giving voice to all of these kooky folks. So looking forward to the next one whenever it releases.

2nd Murder Mystery

This is the second audio in the Last Picks series.
Dash and the Last Picks gang once again find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery, though this time Dash isn’t a suspect. Dash’s ex Hugo is a suspect. As the gang investigates 2 more people are murdered.

I truly enjoyed Dash’s bumbling investigative skill, made me laugh and roll my eyes lol.

This audio was just as enjoyable as reading the ebook. The narrator did a wonderful job. I giggled.

Love this series

Very sad ending. But I need more. I’m very invested and can’t believe how much I’m falling in love with the last picks

Another great book in this series.

Another great book in this series!

After author and Dash’s mentor, Vivienne, was arrested in the first book, Dash is living in her house and maybe (?) owns it. I neglected to mention in the first review, the rest of the zany characters that come with Dash staying in the house and Hasting’s Rock in general. First there is Indira, Vivienne’s former cook who has stuck around to cook for Dash. Keme is a young man of very few words, but he is very protective of his friends including Dash. Fox is an artist who was doing some interior design when Dash met him. Last, but not least, is Millie a woman in town who makes it her business to know what everybody else is doing. These four, plus Dash, are The Last Picks (the name of the series, and also because they were picked last as teens in gym class).

The last picks joined forces in the first book to solve a murder, so why wouldn’t they come together again when the groom of a wedding Dash is hosting in Hemlock house is found dead? Mason and his bride-to-be really bring the drama right from the beginning and the marriage plans are pretty shaky. Just to complicate things more, Dash’s ex, Hugo, turns up in town to try to win Dash back, but somehow gets wrapped up in drama involving the bride and groom. Mason’s twin brother Cole is always intoxicated, his parents are frosty and his grandmother holds all of their inheritances’ over their heads. I felt really bad for Dash with all this craziness.

As a side note: Dash is kind of a “dude magnet” in this book since Cole starts flirting with him, and he has Dash to contend with. Then there is always Deputy Bobby who Dash is kind of crushing on. Oh I am rooting for Deputy Bobby and Dash, even though Bobby is in a relationship that is also looking a bit rocky at the beginning of this book.

But, I digress. Mason’s murder had me questioning so many things because he has a twin. I kept wondering if it was actually Mason who died, or if it was Cole. And though I (incorrectly) suspected many of the characters, I didn’t suspect Hugo, who is being held on suspicion. As wrong as he was as Dash’s boyfriend, Dash knows Hugo isn’t capable of murder so he and the last picks get to investigating. Against the wishes of the new sheriff and Deputy Bobby.

A few more deaths follow, but Dash does finally figure it out and barely escapes with his life. Closure is had with Hugo, and the kindling relationship between Dash and Bobby looks to be snuffed out. I have to believe it’s only for the moment because if you have ever read Gregory Ashe’s books, you have realized that happy endings are very hard won.

Of course, I enjoyed this book. For me, this author doesn’t disappoint. I only wish that the next audiobook would release soon because the narration from Andrew Gibson adds to the story. I also can’t wait to find out what happens next for Dash and all his friends.

Fun Listen

This is the second book in GA’s cozy mysteries series call The Last Picks. In this installment the Scooby Gang, and our main guy, Dashell Dawson Dane get caught up in yet another series of mysterious death. Dash need money so he rents out his new home for a wedding. Then the wedding party starts dropping dead. To add insult to injury, Dash’s ex shows up to “win him back.” Deputy Bobby is not happy about this turn of events.

The mystery is OK, though not one that left me guessing. This book is more about the development of Dash and Deputy Bobby’s relationship. They appear to make progress in admitting their feelings for each other. Bobby definitely has some demons he is suppressing. But in typical GA fashion, there is a “twist” at the end that left me saying, WTF?

This is a fun listen with tons of humor, snark and just loveable characters. Mr. Gibson gives us another A+ performance and really brings these characters alive.

I was given a free copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review

Cozy mystery . . . Ha!

I can’t decide if this is indeed a “cozy mystery” or brilliantly, an ironically dubbed “cozy mystery.” Either way, this is why I love Gregory Ashe! Always with a mystery, engaging (and flawed and funny and and) characters and the relationship angst that drives me towards therapy. It’s gonna be hard not to read the next ones while waiting for the audiobooks to release. This narrator, though, makes it worth it.