For twenty-one days I missed the release of this audiobook.. twenty-one days of missed opportunities to catch-up with the wickedly twisted events centered around, and inflicted by, the Callahan Mafia family. A dynasty of strong colorful characters whose multi-layered lives and actions have been masterfully concealed and slowly been revealed in this spin-off series from the deliciously dark Ruthless People series. They’re caught up in (or create) situations that are always self-serving.. they’re possessive, passionate, loyal to the family and deadly to anyone who crosses them.. or anyone they don’t like.. or anyone not family.. or anyone family who abuse their trust or breaks their rules. Yet these hardened characters draw you in, they woo you with their dark endearing personalities, they shock and shake you with their violent acts and they knock your moral compass off kilter when you find yourself justifying their bloodthirsty ruthless actions. However they feel heartache, are sucker-punched by betrayal and, given the chance, they love deeply and forever.
Phenomenal writing skills are yet again shown here by a very talented author who skilfully describes multiple character’s POVs in a gripping storyline that had WTF twists and had me staying awake til silly o’clock in the morning mentally chanting “just one more chapter” over and over.. and over again until there weren’t any chapters left. The intricate and intense web that J.J. McAvoy weaves has no-stop riveting action, compelling drama, lots of feels and some clever reveals as she tempts and taunts you with endless possibilities. Wyatt didn’t know that love was right there under his roof – he was so wrapped up in Ethan’s heartache and subsequent meltdown as well as controlling the fallout.. but, when Helen drunkenly admits her feelings one night, her revelations heat up this cold-blooded Mafia’s feelings.
Worth a credit? OMG yes.. it delivered so much more than I anticipated (even if it was my least favorite book in the series). Joel Froomkin’s narration was on-point, on fire and on another level from a lot of other narrators.. he WAS each an every individual character.. he made them multi-dimensional.. he brought the tension, the mood and the feels.. and he made this story utterly gripping, unstoppable and created a 5 star-worthy audiobook.