Monkey Wrench by Xara X. Xanakas
A Were Menagerie Story
Dreamspinner Press
Paranormal M/M
ISBN: 978-1-61372-757-7
Reviewed by Lisa

Working undercover at local raves to catch a dealer whose drugs force a shift in werecreatures, officer Aaron Thorne gets more action than he bargained on. The spider monkey were is offered a variety of drugs at each rave though so far his team hasn’t managed to find the culprit or figure out exactly which new drug is to blame.

On his down time Aaron’s begun dating the uncle of one of the Little League kids he coaches. Gerry Stafford is a fox, for real and in looks to Aaron’s way of thinking. Before they find time for a proper date however something awful and nasty happens which nearly destroys Aaron.

Slowly healing, at least outwardly, Aaron accepts an innocuous date with Gerry and runs into a man who makes his pulse race and his heart pound. Whatever this feeling is he doesn’t want it to ever end. His timing could be better, like when he’s not on a date with another man. Yikes.

Told in 1st person point of view, powerful emotional issues are explored in detail in Monkey Wrench. Stretching his wings as an adult and officer, Aaron’s self image is badly damaged when he’s unable to stop his attacker. Self guilt and a gamut of other emotions are examined here, the difficulties every survivor of assault feels. Aaron’s near rape is hard to swallow, yet the love and outpouring of devotion from his friends soothes those negatives. The two men in his life, the new guy and the mystery man add another layer to an intense, potent tale. Monkey Wrench isn’t an easy story to read, it’s a fiery, spirited tale of redemption.