•spoilers!• 

When two key witnesses are found dead inside the Wahredua jail, Somers hires North and Shaw to help them figure out how it happened. As North and Shaw dig deeper into the many suspects, all seemingly relating back to the Cottonmouth Club, they get caught in the killer's crosshairs. With more of their group becoming targets, North and Shaw rush to find who's behind the killings. 

This was very much a North-centric book. North has been an asshole basically to everyone since the beginning of this series. He is very much an unfinished character in that he's still struggling with vulnerability and having to grow up. North has always had trouble cultivating healthy relationships, especially with the men in his life, so when presented with a group like this his first reaction is to throw up a wall of combative snark to protect himself. As the guys show up for him and Shaw time and time again, North slowly starts to realize that he can trust and rely on them. He works to right his wrongs, opening up and allowing himself to form bonds (the Pretty Pretty night will live in my memory forever as such wholesome fun). North lets himself change from the standoffish, almost mean, guy to considering this group of men as family, a support system that he and Shaw have needed outside of one another. 

I have always been a huge Shaw fan. He is so genuine, empathetic, and kind. Yes he's over the top, can come across as naive, and maybe too much for some people but that's also a bit of his own defense mechanisms, the shield he has from the world. I just love how he is always himself, and he eventually breaks down everyone's defenses. His character arc was a bit on the back burner in this book, but we are reminded of his unchecked empathy and unwavering support for those he loves (everyone, but mostly Emery). North and Shaw are still figuring out their friendship turned relationship, I personally never felt like their last series did anything to help them on that, and while they love each other immensely, like all the other couples they are a work in progress. 

North was always especially aggressive towards Auggie and Theo, which his ironic since they are so similar. North and Theo both have a blue collar, outside looking in, toxic masculinity upbringing. Their biggest concern is keeping their partners safe, and everything they do and say comes from that place. When North is struggling with how to help Shaw when he's fighting his own demons, he finds unlikely support with Theo. Auggie and Shaw both fight to be taken seriously in spite of these protectors in their lives. They are able to bond over their twink deaths (sorry Auggie) and form a quick and easy friendship. I loved seeing them work through their issues and come to realize that their similarities give them a unique kind of support and understanding of one another.

Tean and Jem are kind of just along for the ride for this book, though I love seeing how they integrate into the group. Everyone is a little obsessed with them, Tean who is so calm and knowledgable and Jem who can charm a rock. Hazard and Somers - or as they are known in this series, Emery and John-Henry, are stronger than ever but are going through it with this case. It's putting so much stress on them, especially JH, but their relationship isn't faltering in the least. I can't wait for their story next. 

What I love about reading North and Shaw books is how different they come across as side characters versus main characters. They are ridiculous, a bit immature, but it's really just how they cope with the stress of their jobs, trauma, and how they show they care. There's so much depth to them that you don't see when they have cameos in other books. I've noticed this with other characters as well, Ashe does such an interesting job of having characters appear one way but there's so much more to them that from different perspectives you don't get to see. It makes me curious about every character because you know there's more than meets the eye - and is probably why I'm always suspicious of every new character. 

While the last two books in this series focused on the introducing the case and exploring the evolving relationship dynamics between the two MCs, this installment was a lot more case/plot heavy (maybe because North and Shaw just had a recent series and are in a stable place for the moment?). The case gets even more complex after the jailhouse murders, and there were so many suspects it was a bit of a tangle to sort everything out. Even then there's still so much still left open, which makes sense because the series isn't over. You can just feel the disappointment of the group because while they solved one crime, the people who are pulling the strings are still out there. Side note - I'm actually real upset over Sheriff Engels because Rory's death hit me so hard, not a good time. 

I have a feeling the next one is going to really intense. On top of being the final crossover book (sad), it's Hazard and Somers and they always have next level angst. Reading some short stories in the meantime, but so nervous and intrigued to see how it all works out!

Read if you like:

• mystery/suspense

• Hazardverse crossover series

• found family  

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I'll say it again - this is not a series of standalones, and you really can't pick and choose what books to read and expect to follow the case.