This spring I read my first book by Miss Hall and I knew then it wouldn’t be the last. When I saw the blurb for the second book in the Oddities series, my interest was piqued. Months later, I finally got around to reading the first book in the series- Murder Once Seen- and it was definitely worth the wait.

I found the characters in Murder Once Seen incredibly interesting with a good amount of depth and room to grow as individuals. I liked that while Elliot is certainly in a bad position as a rent boy struggling to earn enough to stay clothed, protected, and fed, he wasn’t dependent on Derwin. Even better, as much as there was a lot of room for Elliot to improve his personal situation, there was also plenty of opportunity for Derwin to face his own underlying problems. So often in these hurt/comfort plots, the character growth feels lopsided. I was happy both Elliot and Derwin got an equal amount of concentration in the plotline and that their individual journeys and emotions weren’t glazed over. Including both characters’ sides and experiences invested me in the characters and left me eager to see how their relationship progressed. The physical chemistry between Elliot and Derwin was also fantastic. Both parties are involved in the BDSM scene before meeting, and while that is an important aspect of their connection considering how it correlates to Derwin’s abilities, it wasn’t a main focus of the book or romance. Instead, the emotional connection drove the romance, and with it being new and tentative for a good part of the book, I can’t wait to see what the next book will have in store for these two.

While the romance aspect of the book was fantastic, the suspense and action scenes were what really caught my attention. Between the action and mystery undercurrent, I was engaged throughout the book, wondering what Elliot and Derwin would uncover next. I don’t read a ton of urban fantasy, but Miss Hall’s City of Nis and its extraordinary inhabitants were easy to get lost in. Although there wasn’t a ton of world building, especially regarding the demonic creatures the city tries to protect its inhabitants against, I never felt like the plot, suspense, or action scenes were lacking in detail. Rather, the idea of the city and beasts combined with the oddities’ powers kept things very interesting without losing me in the details. I think fans of romantic suspense looking for something a bit different will really love this book. I know I’m eager to start the next one.

I really love fantasy books ALOT. And then add LGBTQ in it and I am a big puddle of goop.
But this one didnt work out as well for me as i wished it would

Derwin is a bounty hunter. He spends his time hunting fugitives wanted by the police and hunting for demons. Derwin lives in the city of Nis and demons exist in this world, but the real challenge for Dermot is not the demons or the fugitives, but the loss of his boyfriend Grady.

Grady was killed two years ago in an attack at their home and Derwin has not come to terms with finding his boyfriend on the floor of the apartment. The police investigation has yielded nothing and Derwin still is just left with questions and grief.

So Derwin uses his hunting to help him deal with the pain of his loss and he explores BDSM clubs to help him deal with his pain and to replenish his energy for the hunt. Derwin is an oddity. He is able to run at high speeds and he feeds on the pain of others and so he gets energy from BDSM. He finds solace in these clubs and one night he finds Elliott.

Elliott is also an oddity. He is able to see the past by touching objects. He hides these powers, fearful of what the government will do to him if he is ever discovered.

These powers have cost him his family and his dreams and he lives beneath the radar of the authorities, selling sex and finding support from his Madam. When he meets Derwin he is deeply attracted to him and when Derwin rescues him he realises there is something good but impossible between them.

When Derwin realised that Elliott is also an oddity he asks him to help him find Grady's murderer. As they work together they find that there might be something between them, but only if both men can overcome the difficulties of their pasts and the challenges of the present, but first the two of them must work together to solve Grady's murder

This is the first time that I'm reading anything by this author and I thought that this was a good story with an interesting world.

The story has characters which drew me into their lives and their world. I particularly enjoyed the different powers and a world that is dangerous and different. I really like urban fancy and paranormal stories and this draws on both those genres.

I thought the pace of the story was good and held my attention through out. I did think the sex scenes were a bit boring and so so. They felt obligatory and I don't think they really add much to the story. I think when you have been reading this genre as long as I have, sex scenes have been done to death. Having said that some readers might enjoy them and they didn't spoil my enjoyment of the story.

I enjoyed the way the story portrays the emotions of the characters and weaves this into the interesting world. Although I didn't think the mystery was strong enough this is the opening book for a series. Every aspect of the book comes together and makes this a really solid story with good writing. Definitely an author I will be following.

Copy provided by Riptide Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased

As a fantasy fan who'd been struggling lately, this book brought me back my faith in the genre. Loved every second of it, and the dynamics between the characters were the final touch. Loved everything about it, and genuinely can't wait for more.

Less fantasy than I was expecting, this is at its core a fairly basic M/M romance, albeit BDSM-tinged. A lot pornier than I expected, which is neither a good nor bad thing, just a statement of fact. I liked the characters, Derwin and Elliot, and them ending up together was satisfying even if the insta-love and ease at which they could build a future, particularly on Elliot's part on both counts, was unbelievable. The murder-mystery elements, which focused mainly on the solving of Derwin's previous boyfriend's murder, were a little repetitive and boring and I was nonplussed to have them largely unresolved at the end (potential series alert!). I also didn't understand why this had to be set in a fictional/future city, "Nis", because it does not figure at all. This could just as easily be, like, any California city of today, but with superpowered "Oddities" hanging around.

3.5ish stars.
I was provided a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this story, but the beginning of the book was a lot better than the middle and end. I WILL be reading the next book in the series because overall, the book was good (if predictable).

I think this series will shape up into a nice paranormal collection. JT Hall built a very interesting world, one that is nothing like ours. There are demons of all varieties and shapes, there are those with extra "powers" known as Oddities, and their abilities vary. Derwin is a bounty hunter who is an Oddity (super speed and strength); he recharges his batteries you could say by feeding on the pain of others. It certainly makes for an interesting dynamic because he likes pain freely given, which leads to BDSM. The sexual torture/pain of BDSM really gets Derwin going. I was so excited to read this and thought it would be a big part of the story.

When Derwin meets Elliot, sparks are immediate for both of them. Elliot is a rentboy and he wants out of that world but fears he can never get away, especially since he too is an Oddity (he can get visions off objects) and most people don't react well if they find out. Elliot likes pain - up to a point - but he's into the scene and those types of clients usually pay more for pain anyway. Derwin and Elliot's first time together is very hot and torturous; Derwin gets a real energy boost from their session. It has been a long time since Derwin has felt anything for another person; since his boyfriend (Grady) was killed 2 years ago, he's really kept to himself in that way.

When Elliot has a vision unexpectedly, Derwin learns that Elliot can help him find Grady's killer. What follows is a lot of action packed, demon hunting, investigating, vision getting, turf warring, kidnapping, insta-loving in less than a week, happy for nowing story. (I never claimed to be a poet.)

[What struck me as odd is that Derwin didn't do any of the investigating 2 years ago when Grady was killed. He didn't need Elliot to tell him anything. Derwin already knew that Grady's death was murder and that it could be possibly tied to Derwin's work as a bounty hunter. The cops supposedly looked into this one guy who Derwin caught (bounty hunter don't forget) but they couldn't get enough evidence to charge him. I found it hard to believe that Derwin wouldn't look into Grady's death. For me, it was a serious plot hole that Derwin waited 2 years, and for Elliot to have his "vision" before he questioned Grady's sister, her boyfriend, the co-workers, his old boss, and his best friend. Really? Derwin was shattered when Grady was murdered; he's a bad ass demon hunting bounty hunter. He's going to leave the investigating to the police? Hell no!!! (hide spoiler)]

I did have issues with how some of the story played out (predictable and contrived). I wish the story could have lived up to the potential of the beginning. The story ends with a Happy For Now, and there is another book being released, Fraud Twice Felt, no blurb yet. I look forward to reading it because despite the faults I found in this story (insta love), I liked the world Hall created here and I want to see what else happens with these two.

I recommend this story but with the warning that the plot has problems. Still, I look forward to book 2.

OMG I loved this book - when does the next one come out??? I need it now. I love the world that this story is set in. I love the "oddities". My heart broke for Derwin as he is still grieving the loss of his boyfriend Grady who was murdered in their home. Elliot and his issues especially his dealings with a gang boss who sees him as his property and a madam who seems to care for his "boys" & "girls", but not sure if she really cares that much for Elliot’s but for what he can do to keep her & her prostitutes safe. The story is about solving Grady's murder and watching Derwin & Elliot grow close. There are still plenty of issues still open at the end of the book & I can't wait until the next book to see where we go from here.