If you are looking for a book full of British humor, look no farther (or further as those in the UK would say.) This series, and in particular this book is stocked full of humor—most of it subtle and understated—but laugh-out-loud moments abound!

Very possibly the end of the series (God, I hope not!) this story picks up the romance where book four left off and finds Tom and his fiancé, Phil, now living together. Phil finally got sick of Tom procrastinating about making room for him and just packed up his belongings and moved in. A bit miffed at first, Tom is happy now—especially due to the sleeping (or not sleeping) arrangements.

In this installment, our heroes find themselves on the hunt for the estranged ex of one of Darren’s friends—a woman who did little-people porn with him. Unfortunately, not long after they find him, he’s found murdered and the hunt is on to find out who killed him. Would it have happened if Tom and Phil hadn’t located him? They aim to find out. Another murder occurs before the truth finally comes out, and along the way a few trips to A&E spice up the tale. There’s a ton of humor—honestly, this author is one of my favorites. I’ve come to appreciate British witticisms and have even learned an entire new vocabulary by reading this and other British authors’ authentic terminology. I very definitely appreciate an author who writes a story set in the UK in UK English.

There’s also a wonderful, sweet event at the end of the story—the wedding we’ve all been waiting for. And though it’s not stated that this is the end of the series, it could be. I, for one, would like more. I see no reason why Tom and Phil can’t get involved in a mystery while honeymooning in Italy, or when they return home. It’s a pleasure just to be in their presence.

It must be evident by now that I highly recommend this book, and in fact, if you haven’t read any of the stories yet, by all means start with <i>Pressure Head</i> and get ready for an adventure.

Reviewed for Netgalley
Mild Spoiler
I love this book! Oh, that ending. Was anyone else just a soppy sap after that? Okay, I think this is a fairly mild spoiler because Phil and Tom have been engaged for a while now, but they finally get married in Lock Nut!!! I thought their wedding was perfect, and I hope their honeymoon is void of bodies, assaults, and criminals. Tom and Phil deserve some drama-free, crime-free, psychic-insight free time together.

It’s safe to say that the books in this series are distinctly formulaic: Someone gets killed, Tom and Phil work together to solve the murder, the killer is never a character significant to the overall series, and all ends well. It’s a formula that usually works, but I had a bit of trouble investing in the actual crime and investigation in Lock Nut. Personally, I did not care for the family around which the murder and subsequent investigation revolved. The characters were too undeveloped and just clichéd enough to not hold my interest. I already disliked Darren and throwing in his female equivalent didn’t do the story any favors.

Fortunately, the normal cast of characters did hold my interest. I really liked Tom and Phil’s relationship in this book. Merrow did a wonderful job of showing how different Tom and Phil are, but also showing how their differing personalities work together to make their relationship united, equal, and balanced. Lock Nut, more than any prior Plumber’s Mate book, explored that relationship and set asides some concerns and worries for both sides of the lovely couple.

After their blissful nuptials, I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for my favorite plumber and private investigator.

3.5* I normally love this author's tales, but this one was a little too waffly at times, a little bit too much Miss Marple.

I was so happy to hear that Riptide had picked up this series, and it's been a pretty long wait for this book, the 5th in the series, which does have to be read in order.

It's another decent tale, but it did go on quite a bit in some very English ways that I think perhaps non-Brits might struggle a little with. It has the trademark humour and wit that this author and Tom Paretski are known for, and it's a decent read with more than one HEA in it. I'm not sure if it's the end of the series, as this ticked all the right HEA boxes for me, but I think there could be more tales for this couple.

As to the storyline? There's a lot more going on that it seems at first glance and the synopsis doesn't prepare you for the cast of characters, but it did feel the tiniest bit busy and convoluted, though it ended well.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Riptide Publishing, for my reading pleasure.