Death by Misfortune by A.M. Riley
MLR Press
Erotic M/M Suspense
ISBN 978-1-60820-072-6
Reviewed by Nannette




Homicide Detective Bill Turner is called in to investigate the death of celebrity fortuneteller Sylvie Black. Ms. Black wrote a tell-all book that was going to be made into a movie. Then renowned director James Griffen is killed as well, leaving the prime suspect, Becket Russell holding the bag. When things start falling apart, Becket’s assistant Jeremy Reilly steps up to the plate, willing to do anything to save his mentor, even if it means risking his life.

Death by Misfortune is based in the surreal world of Hollywood where no one can be trusted and everyone has their own agenda. Anything can and usually does happen. It’s an unexpectedly awesome story in terms of romance. Unexpected because I thought the romance was going to be between Bill and Jeremy and later because I wasn’t sure either of them would get a happy ending. Bill has an angst-filled relationship with his devoted boyfriend Christopher, Jeremy’s hero worship for Becket might be badly misplaced and cost him more than his pride, and then there’s the reporter who can’t stay out of anyone’s life.  Between those tumultuous relationships is a compelling storyline that kept me expecting the unexpected and a mystery that kept me guessing until the end. Jeremy, Becket, and Bill are complex characters who evolve steadily throughout the story and take several surprising twists and turns along the way. Death by Misfortune is an expertly penned story with terrific characterization and a well-developed and riveting plot proving once again why I love reading A.M. Riley’s work.