Murderous Requiem The Brethren Book 1
M/M Mystery
DSP Publications
March 22, 2016
234
Jeremy Spencer never imagined the occult order he and his boyfriend, Bowyn, started as a joke in college would become an international organization with hundreds of followers. Now a professor with expertise in Renaissance music, Jeremy is drawn back into the world of free love and ceremonial magick. The old jealousies and hurt that separated him from Bowyn eight years ago no longer seem significant.
Then Jeremy begins to wonder if the centuries-old score he’s been asked to transcribe hides something sinister. With each stanza, local birds flock to the old mansion, a mysterious fog descends upon the grounds, and bats swarm the temple dome. During a séance, the group receives a cryptic warning from the spirit realm. And as the music’s performance draws nearer, Jeremy realizes it may hold the key to incredible power—power somebody is willing to kill for.
Reviewed by Gloria Lakritz
Sr. Reviewer and Review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild
It is so wonderful coming off a Holiday reviewing break and catching up on my personal reads. This is one, Murderous Requiem has been on my kindle, on my long to be read pile, as I read for my own pleasure. I purchased it because I have reviewed this author for our guild and his all over the place choices on topics has made him one of my favorite to go to authors. Mr. Fessenden has written numerous books in numerous genres. His sometimes over the top information telling gives me a learning experience as he shares this knowledge with the reader. Murderous Requiem’s title did not disappoint.
The authors telling in this book is two-fold and I will review each thought separately. First the premise:
We first meet Jeremy Spencer who is now a music professor. While in college he and his boyfriend Bowyn, with other roommates formed an occult group called The Order as a joke. It has now grown to mystical proportions and exists to this day. Jeremy left, when Bowyn and the leader started hooking up. Jealousy and realization that he wanted a committed relationship, brought his departure with Bowyn choosing to stay.
The fact he is now approached by his old friends to come back to The Order professionally peaks his fancy two fold. Seeing everyone again, including Bowyn and the job that is offered; an original works of music to decipher.
I said a two fold telling, I will explain now. Mr. Fessenden has always done worlds of research in the stories I have read so far, so this is either great musical knowledge or a large amount of research that has made his telling exciting in two ways. The Mystery of The Order and the Music you actually can hear by his words.
To some who have no musical training whatsoever, might be bored with much of his embellishments to the score, the notes, the staccato etc. Having piano lessons for years the Staff , the Notes actually give the reader a thought to hear the music.
The second part of the story is Jeremy’s new relationship back in The Order even though temporary. His seeing Bowyn again, interacting with the Leader, and catchhing up with others in the group, seeing changes, the growth of them. . Being older now and having a different sense of himself and his new relationship with Bowyn now is also interesting.
The book was a great addition to my reading experience. Thank you!
2nd Place:
LBGT/MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER/ACTION/ADVENTURE/MILITARY/PARANORMAL
