Oh, shit. That ending, oh god.
"Broadway Butchery" was absolutely THRILLING. It's, quite possibly, even more complex and intriguing than its predecessors and I can only applaud C.S. Poe for yet another masterpiece.

This series, three books in and two left to go, has become one of my favourites over the last two years: it's complex and mysterious and clever and painful and emotional and subtly romantic.
And its lead, Everett Larkin, is as iconic as you can get: snarky and brittle, damaged and self-loathing, egotistical and guilt-ridden and insecure and absolutely brilliant. He's one of a kind and being in his head, for the third time, was an absolute treat. He is the reason why I love this series so damn much and every single clue we get about his past and the way his mind works makes me only more curious to discover more about him.

So yes, of course, I loved "Broadway Butchery".
The case at the centre of this third installment is so complex: it's intertwined with the previous cases and, of course, with Larkin's mysterious stalker mastermind. The stakes are slowly rising for our favourite Cold Case Detective and every single aspect of the mysteries he's been tasked with solving, here and before, is a clue, fundamentally intertwined with the mysterious sender's identity and every single killer they've thrown in Larkin's path.
The case at the centre of this particular case was as heartbreaking and gruesome and complex as its predecessor: I don't want to spoil anything, but whew, what an emotional, tough ride. The twists were even more twisty, the discoveries even more shocking, and the betrayals even more unexpected. Book one will probably remain my favourite for the moment (I can't help but love the beginning, plot-wise and romance-wise, in any series I read), but I absolutely adored this one too.

Larkin and Doyle shine brilliantly in this book, and weirdly enough, Doyle was the one that broke my heart more this time around.
In some ways, I appreciate getting to know him more (although he remains somewhat a mystery), but in others I kinda kept wishing the focus would turn to Larkin: although he's the narrator, I feel like his past is still an enormous mystery (and yes, because I like angst and angsty protagonists).
I'm sure it will be addressed in the next two books but seriously! What happened with Patrick? Is his murder connected to the sender? Will we ever meet Larkin's infamous parents? Will somebody (I keep hoping for Doyle: sue me, I'm a damsel-in-distress kinda gal) ever bitch-slap Noah? Will we get more Neil and Baxter cameos? *sacrifices firstborn*

Anyway, I loved both of them to bits. Their relationship is growing and witnessing how far they've come, how much care and affection and respect is between them, how much they love each other, was beyond beautiful. Their interactions were gold: Doyle's flirty nature was, as always, hilarious, as were Larkin's snarky rebuttals.

Noah Millet and Lawrence Baxter SHONE as side characters; I don't know how many times I've said this, but god, I cannot wait for Neil's book. I think I'd seriously sell my soul (or some non-vital organs) for it. I loved them, and also, surprisingly and shockingly, I even liked quite a few of the detective side characters too.

C.S. Poe has become one of my favourite authors and this installment is another reminder why I love her writing so much. Each one of her books takes up a special place in my heart, and "Broadway Butchery" is no exception: I loved it to bits, and it broke my heart to bits too.
And that ending. Oh god. How am I meant to wait for the next book now?!


I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.