Father Complex

Hazard and Somerset: Arrows in the Hand, Book 4

By: Gregory Ashe

Narrated by: Tristan James

Having a father can be hard. Being a good one might be even harder.

The call-out for the double homicide, when it comes, is a strange one: two men gunned down in a motel room, no witnesses, no real clues. Even stranger, the men were enemies, and no one seems to know why they were in that motel room together. And stranger still, people won’t stop calling John-Henry Somerset, telling him he needs to find some answers—preferably nice, easy ones—fast.

Hazard and Somers set out to learn what happened, but they quickly find themselves mired in shifting factions: the ultraconservative political machine of the Ozark Volunteers; a liberal activist group protesting the local gun show; a reclusive fundamentalist church; even a hint of Mexican drug cartels. The further they press their investigation, the clearer it becomes that the killer—or killers—wants something, and they’ll stop at nothing to get it.

As Hazard and Somers struggle to find the truth, they face trouble at home as well. Their foster-son, Colt, has received a letter from his estranged father, the same man who attacked Colt and Somers in their home. Worse, Colt seems open to more communication, which leaves Hazard grappling with his fears for Colt and his helplessness against a world that seems to be conspiring to take his foster-son away.

But when a pair of gunmen come after Hazard at home, two things are crystal-clear: He’s going to get to the bottom of these murders, and he’ll do anything to keep his family together.

©2022 Gregory Ashe (P)2022 Gregory Ashe

One day I’ll have to say goodbye, but. . .

. . . thankfully, today is not that day. I feel like I gush with each book, each review. And, well, they deserve it. Here’s this book’s gush:

I especially enjoyed the descriptive nature of all that was the gun show. I swear I was there and, yikes, I know some of those people. “C*cks for Glocks” snort!🤣

Ashe never steers us wrong with the mystery portion. If I was in some sort of literature class studying this book, I could write an essay on the father theme. The scene at Hazard’s mother’s home with Colt moved me to tears. I love, though, that the author is quick to insert humor to keep the reader from wallowing. And North and Shaw? Those cameos make me wish they were a permanent fixture in all the H and S books.

The narration by Tristan James keeps me from reading the actual books. He’s so perfect every time that I specifically wait for the audiobook version even though it kills me. So worth it though.

I’m such a fan of both that even though I am provided this audiobook by the author, I never can wait and BUY the books before the emails reach me.

Another good story and good performance

Overall, this book was a huge relief after all the Somers angst in the previous one. Still no answers regarding Dulac's behavior in that one (or Nico's), but hopefully more will be revealed in book five.

As usual, I read/listen to these book for the relationships more than the mysteries, and I loved seeing Hazard and Somers working together so well in this book. Even when they were on each other's last nerve, they were a team, and I appreciated that. I thought North and Shaw worked well in the mix, too, even though they remain kind of a puzzle to me as characters. My main stumbling block is/remains Emery and John's immediate and intense commitment to Cole. I can believe they might have taken him in, even after the initial con was revealed, but the level of devotion to him just doesn't ring true for me. It's sort of like insta-love, but without the romantic/sexual explanation. That said, I'm probably in the minority on this, so... there you go. Bottom line, this is another winner from Greg Ashe. 4.5 stars.

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

Fathers

I love the messaging in this book. Each book Gregory Ashe writes there is something more than the mystery and love between Hazard and Somers. This one has a focus on Fathers. Hazard's father's treatment to him and his treatment to Colt. And no one could a story line better than Ashe. I just love being on this journey with these men and will be extremely sad when it ends. But the best part is that I get to come back listen to the fabulous Tristan James tell it over and over again.

complicated plot

📖 Story comment: Good pace, the usual complex plot and likeable (but frustrating) characters.
Another interesting and complicated plot, lots of conflict - The usual relationship struggles are there, John-Henry's professional struggles are still there, Colt's attitude is grating, but as always Hazard and Somers come out the other side a stronger unit, there are a few "softer" moments in this book, which was nice as was North and Shaw's "visit" for some lighter relief.

I love the glimpses of "normal" life at the start and end of this book. Seeing Hazard and Colt actually having fun and smiling is delightful.

🎧 Narrator comment: Personally I love Tristan James as a narrator. He suits these characters, he has good timing and inflections and brings the characters to life, ramping up my frustrations with them through the roof - Good Job!.

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📌 Where does it fall on my personal scale? 6
• 1 not my thing • 2 didn't like the narration • 3 didn't keep my attention • 4 was good, but once was enough [3⭐] • 5 enjoyed it [4⭐] • 6 will listen again if i'm in the mood for the narrator [4⭐] • 7 goes on the "re-listen" list [4⭐] • 8 kept me up past bed-time [4.5⭐] • 9 recommended to family/friends [4.75⭐] • 10 own it in all formats [5⭐] • 11 keep a copy with me at all times [5⭐]

Best one so far

It’s taking me a while to really become more enchanted with hazard and Somerset audiobooks. I haven’t found the mysteries to be particularly engaging. They’re all right, and I still maintain that. However, with this one, I really feel that the characters their interplay, the dialogue. The description of all sorts of scenes really went to the next level. Great to listen to. You can almost feel yourself in hazard’s shoes as he struggles to become a dad. Absolutely priceless.But he’s going to get there.

Book 4

ARC received. Review follows:

This book closes the Naomi circle. The reader met Naomi in the 1st book of the series, acknowledged her as a steady and formidable nemesis, despised her for her undiluted homophobia, and wondered how in the world could a woman become the head of a right-wing organization. Well, the book doesn’t answer these questions. It tells a freudian story of a little girl lost, looking for her dad, stumbling upon a sort of Prince Charming, losing all her illusions in one go, and stoning herself to all reason and emotion to become a conservative, or to make herself invulnerable.
The kernel of all Hazard and Somers book is the relationship between the two. The cases they solve are a background that allows the course of their entanglement, with some of the recurring characters bringing more to the story than others.
Cora - Somers’ ex-wife and Evie’s mom — was preeminent in the first books of the first series, and slowly waned from the focus ever since, with one major exception, when she was pictured as generously supporting Hazard at a time of great need. In this book, the reader gets to see Somers feeling sorry for Cora, while looking back at his former life in the closet. It’s an important piece of information for the entire arc, even if one might think that — given the measure in which everybody’s happiness still depends on Cora and her decision to remain in a small town — feeling sorry is not necessarily what first comes to mind. Why important? Cora was pictured as the first step of Somers’ rebellion, and their marriage an open afront to Somers’ parents.
Colt is as insufferable as ever, doing crazy stuff like leaving home without telling everyone, trying to reestablish to some extent the relation with his father. Meanwhile, Hazard is taking the first step on the path to Zen, trying to manage his emotions, to communicate with Colt without anger, as Somers insists.
The book has extremely funny passages – there is a sort of gun worshipers’ cult, and respectively a left-wing foundation who fights guns with dildoes. North and Shaw make an appearance, or many, which is always fun to witness.
Tristan James is as much a part of the story as any of the characters. His rendering of Hazard is poignant and deep, his Somers slightly amused and a little bit tired, as he should. Even his Colt sounds like a brat. Overall, it is a great listen, in the Ashe tradition.

They just get BETTER!

Gregory Ashe is a talented, amazing author with complex stories and characters. Listening to Tristan's narration and the characters become real-I'd want to be friends with them (except for the constant MURDERS ;) ) The addition of Colt into the family dynamics has added new pertinent storylines for anyone dealing with teenagers. Can't wait for the next book! <3

Good

This series is good waiting for the next book to come out on audible. Thank you for writing.

More Than Murder

As with all Gregory Ashe books, we get an intriguing murder mystery for the guys to solve. This book doesn't disappoint and I enjoy watching Hazard & Somerset solve crimes. But this time, the cost is almost too steep, as their family gets caught up in the fallout. Add in family drama between Emery and Cole and there's more than a mystery to solve. It all ends up creating an engaging story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Tristan James is is the voice I hear, even when I'm reading the books. As always, he gives a great performance.

Oh Hazard

Oh Hazard. It’s a good thing we all love you, cause I wanted to push you into a wall in this one.