This ended up being my favorite book in the series. I loved these two together and the story around them was super entertaining.


**ARC provided through Netgalley**

Having enjoyed the first two Plumber’s Mate Mysteries a great deal, I was happy to jump into Heat Trap fairly soon after finishing the second story. And while the half-year interim in the timeline is plenty long in some ways, certain aspects of Tom’s life appear not to have progressed much at all. Granted, Tom was dealt a tremendous shock at the end of Relief Valve, but I was left feeling uncertain at times as this narrative unfolded.

Tom continues to be a likable character, even though I was disappointed by some of his reactions, especially towards Phil. The two have been together for more than six months at this point, during which time they’ve exchanged both house keys and “I love you’s,” and are making plans for the near future. Rather than appearing more solid, however, it felt as if Tom’s faith in him was too easily shaken when tensions began to escalate, resulting in him keeping Phil at a distance in the process.

Phil, on the other hand, I liked more than ever. While I was initially skeptical of his interest in Tom—his seeming lack of regret over his earlier treatment of Tom being a sore spot—his affections in Heat Trap are indisputable. He has the anxious, yet hopeful demeanor of someone who has already put his heart on the line unreservedly, and I couldn’t help but be firmly in Phil’s camp for most of the story.

Happily, some of my other favorites are back, and better than I remembered. Darren and Gary, in particular, are delightful in their pre-wedding bliss, and I honestly would have been glad to see them turn up in even more scenes. Tom’s sister, Cherry, is also a more constant presence in his life now, and was a lot of fun when she popped up. The mystery in Heat Trap involves some noteworthy characters from Tom’s preferred pub, “The Devil’s Dyke,” and it was nice to gain more insight into their roles, as well.

Overall, I had mixed feelings about Heat Trap. While I don’t think it shows Tom in an especially favorable light at times, I was thrilled with the way things seemed to be going for him and Phil by the end of the story. The mystery itself was likewise interesting, although it felt secondary to the relationship struggles Tom is trying to come to terms with. Regardless, this has been a wonderful series so far, and I’m very eager to see what’s in store for everyone in the final two stories.

Unlike the previous title in The Plumber’s Mate series, Heat Trap is not as humorous. The secrets that came out thanks to his dearly departed Auntie Lol, have serious repercussions on Tom’s life that he’s not quite wanting to deal with. Mainly, the truth about his parents, or more likely his mom’s dark secret. Oopsie!

If you were curious about the Devil’s Dyke and Harry, you're about to get your questions answered. Barmaid Marianne’s ex shows up and it is really easy to hate the jerk. His name is Grant Carey (WTH!) and is quite the slimy guy who just won’t accept things are over between them. Don’t get in his way because this guy has real sneaky ways of getting revenge. That is until he turns up dead in the Dyke’s basement. And there is your murder/mystery in this book. Who killed the slimy guy and ummm…does anybody really care, because I sure don’t.

In the meantime, it’s time for wedding bells to be rung. No not Tom and Phil’s, more like Gary and Darren and all the wedding plans to go with it. Gary is such a diva, but you have to love him for it. The newlyweds aren’t the only ones with good news. Seems Dave’s swimmers have done their job and there’s soon to be a bouncing baby Southgate junior. WTG Dave!

Good thing someone has good things happening for them because the plumber and his mate seem to have quite a bit of friction between them. Doubts, secrets, and suspicions drive an unhealthy wedge between my two favorite guys. And then…and then… Happy birthday Tom! Phil comes through with his surprises. Those melt you heart surprises that have you sighing and give you a WHAT?! cliffy that has me tossing my Kindle. Bring on the next book because I can't wait to see what happens next.


I received this book from The JeepDiva with the express purpose of an honest review. The opinions, contents, and rating of this review are solely mine

reviewed by Jac

3.5 - 4 Stars... Gotta admit, I may have liked this one a little less than the others, but Tom made me mad... and he has rarely done that... *sigh*

I've really liked this series, but if I had to rank them, Heat Trap would be my least favorite so far. Up until this book, I've loved Tom. He's a funny guy who doesn't take himself too seriously. I've actually liked him more than Phil, who I have to admit is growing on me. So much so that Tom's lack of trust in him in Heat Trap really bothered me.

Beyond that, the mystery was fun to try to figure out and there were some twists and turns that kept me guessing. Tom's family was kind of annoying, but they had their reasons - it didn't help me warm up to them though. And no, Tom's attitude didn't help either. Gah! So, yeah... pretty much everything I disliked about Heat Trap wraps itself back around to Tom's attitude.

Thankfully, things turned themselves around by the end and Tom made it back into my good graces. I have high hopes for Blow Down, the next book in The Plumber's Mate Mysteries.

I received Heat Trap in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this title. The author clearly wants to express how bad domestic violence is and that sometimes the police are prevented from helping in domestic violence situations but really all I got was that vigilantism is good. There was sort of necessary relationship drama but only in the sense that the author hadn't dealt with any of the building a relationship on screen and so the characters had to have an on screen emotional explosion in order for the reader to believe it when their relationship grew.

~ 4.5 Stars ~

I have had the great joy or reviewing the first two books in the Plumber’s Mate series, Pressure Head and Relief Valve, and was so excited to continue on my journey with Tom and Phil as well as their extended family and friends. I have made it pretty clear in prior reviews that I adore Tom, and that didn’t change one little bit in this next installment. His dry wit, the banter, the places his mind goes even when faced with adversity—I want a Tom in my life.

I have also mentioned my weeble-wobbling when it comes to Phil. I like Phil but he frustrates me. He is an enigma in a lot of ways. Even though it’s exasperating, Phil’s more reserved and mysterious personality creates a delightful and delicious tension for the romantic portion of the plot. In Heat Trap I found myself more on Team Phil, though it’s subtle (I mean, he didn’t do a one-eighty or anything). There are changes in his behavior, and I am starting to fall under his spell as some of his layers are peeled back just slightly enough to catch glimpses to his heart. Tom and Phil’s progression as a couple becomes more solid and really did it for me here.

Though there was another mystery to solve which leads to some pretty bizarre and even creepy situations, it wasn’t quite up to the level of the first two books. It was a little easier for me to figure it out and the resolution was expected for me. Even so, I still had a blast reading as Tom and Phil stumble along uncovering clues, but it wasn’t quite as complex and didn’t have me scratching my head while parsing out the clues.

Fitting with the prior installments the secondary characters are realized and add just the right amount of humor, perspective and realism. Gary and Tom’s relationship is one of my favorites to read. Because of how they communicate and love each other for all their oddities, their friendship is tangible and just plain believable; it remains consistent and strong as ever. The familial relationships really got to me in this one. After the way the last book ended, I expected there to be some hard times a’comin, and I wasn’t wrong. There were some interesting dynamics and feelings explored, some uncomfortable conversations had, and a lot more questions. I really appreciated the evolution and changes in Cherry and Tom’s relationship. It was understated, but I was able to see her various sides and their complex bond, which had intrigued me already. There had been evident love between the two, but there was also distance and apparent indifference, creating a complicated relationship. When some truth bombs are dropped, and answers start surfacing, it all starts to make more sense and, in turn, some of that remoteness is removed, changing and strengthening their sibling-bond.

I love this series and this is a great addition. If you haven’t read the prior books and enjoy a good mystery/romance with quirky characters and packed with humor, I recommend getting Pressure Head and starting it right away. If you have already fallen in love with the wonderful world and eccentric characters, like me, my guess is you are going to love this one, too.

Sweltering heat, stalker exes, family secrets, and the troubling past resurfaces in this latest of The Plumber’s Mate Mysteries.

Heat Trap is the third book in the series and works best read in order as the series has a personal and romance arc that is ongoing through the series.

Dramatic, hot-headed, snarky, yet charming Tom Paretski is your every day joe plumber with a not so every day psychic gift. Tom can find things that are hidden- lost jewelry, lost letters, and, unfortunately, the lost body now and again. This gift is what usually gets him into trouble- the murdering and dangerous kind of trouble, that is. Tom is the sole narrator for his adventures with brooding PI boyfriend Phil, dazzling and flamboyant best mate Gary, crusty copper friend Dave, and other assorted and quirky family and friends around his Hertfordshire country community.

Heat Trap takes place about six month after the events of Relief Valve, book two. The first two books in the series lean strongly on the mystery element with Tom’s personal affairs weaving through it. Heat Trap is different. The author introduces the body finding in the prologue and then steps back to show the reader how things came to this point. I think the prologue was a good tool for letting the reader know that there will eventually be a murder, but first, there are relationship and family issues for Tom to sort out in his usual touchy and sometimes temperamental way that eventually finds him figuring it out and doing the right thing because he’s a kind, decent guy at heart.

Tom’s really facing a lot of deep and messy emotional issues in this story and I thought it was well-done showing his struggles and then growth from it. For the case, there are the elements of domestic abuse, mostly emotional, which is so hard to pinpoint to authorities and the perp is a pro at gaslighting so that Marianne and many others including Phil and Tom have little recourse when Grant is threatening them. In his personal life, Tom must come to terms with the fact that the man he grew up calling dad isn’t his birth dad and his mum had an affair. How can he go on as usual? What’s the story with his birth dad? Why didn’t he want me and should I want to find him? He can’t seem to find his footing with all that swirling in his head. And, then there is Phil’s past secret that is revealed at the worst of times and pushes Tom too far after everything else.

That said, the book is not heavy and dreary because the reader still gets the benefit of Tom’s cheeky and hilarious (at times, hostile) wit in his mental monologues and interactions with his friends and family. There are the usual funny plumber situations, over the top occasions with his buddy Gary, awkward family dinners, and of course the bedroom and otherwise acrimonious to amorous antics with Phil.

There are some dragging moments as Tom makes his rounds and it doesn’t seem like much is really moving forward, but overall, I enjoyed the balance of the plot elements. The mystery wasn’t that complex and the focus was on Tom’s life more than the murder, but it wasn’t an obvious whodunnit either.

All in all, this was another fabulous outing with a series that is addictive and something a little different. I can definitely recommend it to those who enjoy lighter mysteries blended with the country village life of an average joe with a strong sense of humor.

First off: look at this cover! Isn’t is an absolute beauty? It has mystery and flair. I love it! Okay now that we have that out of the way, the review can begin.

Heat Trap is the third book in JL Merrow’s Plumber’s Mate series, a murder/mystery series that is utterly British in its awesomeness. The third installment continues Tom Paretski’s story: his romance with PI Phil, the mysteries he is involved in and the relationship with his family. The story started in Pressure Head and continued in Relieve Valve. In Heat Trap things are heating up for both the mystery aspect of the story and Tom’s relationship with Phil

The characters
The author has this quirky cast of characters. Tom with his ability to find stuff. From a leaky pipe to a body. Phil, Tom's lover and who bullied Tom in high school but is now a private investigator with a drive to help people. Tom’s eccentric sister Cherry and fiance, the catholic canon Gregory and Tom’s friends who all have one thing or another that makes them fun to read about.

Like with the other books, I love how the author handles the characters, creates them. They are utterly normal, yet they are not and definitely not boring to read about

The mystery
In Heat Trap things are really heating up with this mystery. I liked how it was done. Compared to the first two books it was more intense, but it also get more personal and closer to home for Tom.

I wasn’t entirely happy with how the mystery concluded, but in a way it also fit. There is no plot whole or bad writing, but then you can’t always have this neatly wrapped up package.

The writing
Like the first two books the writing is flowing, solid and engaging and of course very British. You have to like this author’s particular brand of writing British slang, but - at least for me - it reads fine. I learn new words with every book I read by this author, but in such a way that it doesn’t take me finding a dictionary first.

The series
It’s clear that the series in ongoing. In Heat Trap you find little things that set up a next book. One in particular. So cute! Can’t wait to see how that pans out. No spoilers, but you’ll love it, I’m sure. I can't recommend reading the series out of order, because there are certain elements of the story that started in the first book and are ongoing. Like Tom’s mending relationship with his sister and finding out some family history stuff.

Recommendation
Fans of the series will love this installment. It’s lightly edited and as far as I could tell, there are no differences in the story itself (i.e. the story itself was not added on). In Heat Trap things get more up close and personal for Tom and I liked how the serie grows. So yes, the book is definitely recommended.

The Plumber's Mate Mysteries has certainly earned a place in my favourites after Heat Trap. I loved the previous installments, but this was something new; the setting continued to be authentic and the case mystery might have been most engaging yet, and it had all the characters I've grown to like a lot. However, Phil and Tom's relationship deepened, hit a rough patch, and then evolved in a way that made my heart flutter. Absolutely brilliant, I couldn't put the book down because I was so enthralled by it.

What I have come to love and what I think is the strong point of this series and its each individual story, is the great mix of solving a case mystery and dealing with Tom's every day life, especially his relationship with Phil. It feels so realistic with its ups and downs, and how they try to work through the problems - especially with Tom's family and friends not accepting Phil. It doesn't help that there were things from Phil's past surfacing and Tom had to question who's right and what can he live with. Tom also had to deal with the aftermath of the twist from Relief Valve, so he really don't catch a break. Still, Tom's so likable, witty and friendly, and it's easy to identify with his thoughts and anxieties. I've also grown to like Phil a lot; he's more reserved and cynical in a sense, but he really does carry his heart in his sleeve.

Heat Trap exceeded all my expectations and it was more page turning than any of the previous books. Stunning storyline with some drama and struggles that I loved - it's captivating and brilliant. I highly recommend picking up the series, it keeps getting better and better! I cannot wait for the next one!

I love this series, these characters, and this book. Plumber Tom Paretski and his ability to find things are back in Heat Trap, book 3 in J.L. Merrow’s The Plumber’s Mate Mysteries. Although, this time around, Tom probably wishes his gift hadn’t returned when it leads him to a not-so-fresh corpse in the cellar of his favorite pub. With boyfriend and P.I. Phil Morrison on the case, Tom tries his best to keep pub owner Harry and her newest barmaid out of the clink, but he’s got a lot to deal with without corpses. He’s still done nothing about the huge secret he found out six months prior, which is putting a real strain on his relationship with his parents, his family and friends are pressuring him to stop dating his former bully, and being attacked and possibly left for dead isn’t helping either.

I loved where Tom and Phil’s relationship is at in this book. Nothing is certain with those two, and it seems like everyone they’ve ever met wants to keep them from being together. Of course, they don’t help themselves with their lack of communication and honesty, but I like how their relationship is rocky and uncertain, and they are both at fault for that. Phil is too tight-mouthed and needs to be more forthcoming about his past, and Tom is too quick to anger and blame. In the end, differences get sorted, Phil does something absolutely lovely for Tom, and I may have had to wiped some, erm, sweat from my eyes.

The ending is one of those scenes that makes you feel all glowy and warm and itching for the fourth book, which gets published by Riptide Publishing in April. I can’t wait!