Seattle teacher and part-time blogger Hayden McCall wakes sporting one hell of a shiner, with the police knocking at his door. It seems that his new crush, dancer Camilo Rodriguez, has gone missing and they suspect foul play. What happened the night before? And where is Camilo?
Determined to find answers, pint-sized, good-hearted Hayden seeks out two of Camilo’s friends—Hollister and Burley—both lesbians and both fiercely devoted to their friend. From them, Hayden learns that Camilo is a “Dreamer” whose parents had been deported years earlier, and whose sister, Daniela, is presumed to have returned to Venezuela with them. Convinced that the cops won’t take a brown boy’s disappearance seriously, the girls join Hayden’s hunt for Camilo.
The first clues turn up at Barkingham Palace, a pet store where Camilo had taken a part-time job. The store’s owner, Della Rupert, claims ignorance, but Hayden knows something is up. And then there’s Camilo’s ex-boyfriend, Ryan, who’s suddenly grown inexplicably wealthy. When Hayden and Hollister follow Ryan to a secure airport warehouse, they make a shocking connection between him and Della—and uncover the twisted scheme that’s made both of them rich.
The trail of clues leads them to the grounds of a magnificent estate on an island in Puget Sound, where they’ll finally learn the truth about Camilo’s disappearance—and the fate of his family.
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New author, and a very well done book! It wasn’t an m/m romance, but an LGBTQ+ mystery, with the main character being gay, as well as several of the side characters being on the spectrum.
Hayden’s life was a bit of a hot mess, with a dumpster fire thrown in on top of it. But he was hilarious. He made me laugh out loud many times in my car or on my walks (since it was an audiobook, I’m sure I received several strange looks as I was walking through our neighborhood). Hayden wanted so badly to try to find out what happened to Camilo, the sexy dancer who disappeared after he spent the night with him. He also had to take care of the dog, which just added to the hilarity.
And the mystery was so well done…I had NO CLUE who the “bad guy” was, and what the twist was that caused Camilo’s disappearance.
I would have liked just a bit more of an epilogue, with more info on how everyone was faring, but I’m hoping (crossing my fingers!!!) that we might see more of Hayden, Hollister, Burley, the crazy brother and even find out where X person disappeared to! So, here’s hoping to this being a series, and maybe Hayden getting a little loving that he can enjoy!
While I enjoyed the story quite a bit, the narration left me wanting more. It was much more of a reading, than a narration. I didn’t hear a lot of vocal changes, and in some places didn’t feel the excitement. It wasn’t bad, just probably not the performance that I would have wanted for this funny book.
One more note. I realize that publishers set the price, and I’ve never once mentioned a price in a review, ever. However, I hate to say it, but I believe13.99 for a 300+page ebook is likely a huge reason why this book hasn’t done better. Having read it, I could absolutely see paying that for it, to support the author and publisher. But it being a brand new author, and not having read any of it? I just can’t see paying that price as a consumer. But the audiobook is available for 1 credit, so absolutely doable.
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this book, and recommend it for a fun time!
Story: 4 pieces of eye candy
Narration: 3 pieces of eye candy
Hi Denise! Thanks for the thoughtful and fair review of Devil’s Chew Toy! I appreciate you including Hayden & friends. Working on book 2 now, which is nearly complete. Thanks for all you do to support m/m stories!!!
Cheers, Rob