Elle Keaton
Audiobook: Skin Game, book 3, narrated by Christian Leatherman.
Audiobook: Skin Game, book 3, narrated by Christian Leatherman.
4.75 / 5.0
(8) 8 total reviews
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Gabriel Karne is cautiously optimistic. Life seems to be settling down into a nice even keel.
It’s a new year and the former con artist has a permanent-for-now address. No more rickety sailboats and living out of go-bags for Gabriel Karne. No surprises. No dead bodies.
Romance-wise, he and Ranger Man are easing into being a couple. A lifetime of habits is hard to break for both of them, but they’re getting there.
Gabe even has a job. Will he regret agreeing to it? Probably but it’s almost legal, so baby steps.
Then a strange young woman claiming to be his long-lost daughter appears on his new doorstep, and she has some sketchy documentation to prove it. It’s not impossible, but Gabe wasn’t born yesterday, and Heidi Karne was his mother, after all.
And another damn letter—this one from a stranger—shows up. The author claims to be a friend of Heidi’s and to have some of his late mother’s belongings. Just great.
It's pretty clear that the past isn't done with him yet.
It will be fine. Everything will be fine.
Skin Game is the third installment in ex-grifter Gabriel Karne's pursuit of nearly-legal happiness among the denizens of Heartstone Island and features: small-town mystery, amateur sleuthing, found family, quirky side characters and questionable decisions.
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This is the third book in the series, and I have to say the books are just getting better and better. I’ll start with narrator Christian Leatherman. He’s incredibly talented and always delivers amazing performances, and this audio is no exception. He really takes Elle’s words to another level, and I enjoyed every moment of this.
Okay – so the story! Gabriel seems to have escaped his grifting past. Then a baby grifter shows up on his doorstep, and he’s confused. Not to be derailed, he partakes in a questionable venture and that goes sideways as well. Still, despite the scrape to the head, he moves forward on sorting out his life. Grappling with his past. God bless Casey the ranger man – and Gabe’s boyfriend – there to stand by his man.
Nothing is ever simple, though. Especially if your name is Gabriel Karne. This book had many twists and turns as he navigates his past and comes to terms with his present. Hell, he even (very occasionally) eyes the future.
The mystery was great, the characters were amazing, the love story was pure perfection, and I loved how everything was nearly wrapped up.
Until the epilogue. So more to come? God, I hope so.
Elle’s portrayal of the Pacific Northwest succeeds in making the land a character, and that added to the mood. So perfect. I can’t wait to see what’s next…
M/M
Crime/murder mystery
Suspense
Grumpy/less grumpy
Small island town
Age gap 10+ years
Established couple
Part 3
TBC
Arc audio review
Story = 4.5 stars
Narration = 5 stars
Not a standalone. Read the first 2 books before this. I really loved this book but I think book 2 was slightly better than this one. We finally get to see these 2 great men being an established couple and no longer fighting it. It was well worth the wait. This book is still fairly low steam and it is more plot focused like the previous 2 books were but we do get the light sprinkle of steam and it was just so great to see these 2 together finally for real.
Trouble continues to follow these 2 men as Gabe gets curios to find out who his mother really was. This book kept my interest from start to finish with many different events occurring. There wasn't a dull moment. I did find it a bit of a slower pace than the previous book but it was still very entertaining. There is a plot twist at the end that I could see coming from the start but maybe that's just me and others will find it more shocking. There was one scene that gave it away for me and I do think if that brief scene wasn't included it would have made the ending more shocking and interesting. Even still, the author had a brilliant idea to tie everything together. The last bit was definitely fast paced, thrilling and suspenseful but maybe the fact that I knew what was coming and the lesser body count made this just a pinch less exciting for me than a solid 5 stars.
I do still love both of the main characters, even more than before and I love their chemistry together. I was hoping to see a bit more romance. Not necessarily steam cause the focus was on the plot but more casual intimacy between them. Gabe claims to be a kisser/hugger/snuggler but we don"t really see that here. Hopefully we get more of that in the next book. As always the author contues to write great scenes with a great supporting cast of characters.
The narrator did a great job. He had a pleasant reading voice. He kept a good pace/flow. He expressed all the emotions well and gave all the characters including the side characters their own distinct voice that suited them all perfectly and made it easy to follow the story and brought the story to life.
MM
Dual POV
Murder mystery
Grumpy/sunshine
Established couple
Nicknames
Bi rep
Dog/cat Dad
Rating: 3.5/5 - this isn't a book I see myself re-reading but I enjoyed it and will continue the series
🌶️: 1/5 - there were a couple explicit intimate scenes
TLDR: I love the relationship dynamics. I'd read about this couple doing anything but they happen to be solving a mystery.
This is a solid murder mystery. If you like a mystery/crime procedural story with a focus couple, pick up this series. I absolutely love the grumpy sunshine dynamic in this book. The nicknames they have for each other are some of my absolute favorites! So good. The bisexual MC in this also has a criminal with a heart of gold vibe that I absolutely dig and gives his boyfriend an endless source of frustration. It's delicious.
The audiobook performance was good. Same narrator as the first two books. Good distinction between characters. It's always easy to identify the POV even with the single narrator.
Ultimately, I'd recommend this book to anyone who has read the first two books. You could jump in here but I think you’ll be missing a lot. This is a great mystery series. If you like mysteries and light spice romance, pick up this series.
Thank you to the author and Neon Rainbow Reviews for the advanced review copy of this audiobook. My opinions are my own.
This is book- 3 in the Subtle Deception series. I feel it needs read in order as there are ongoing mentions of Gabe's past and Gabe and Casey are together now. In the past books everywhere Gabe turns bodies would drop at his feet...here we have letters and people lying about who they are turning up like bad actors in a bad B movie. And can't have Gabriel and Casey with out bodies landing in thier paths.
All the characters are intriging, fun, witty and their is lots of action and oh let's not forget the twists. These books have so many twists I'm waiting for whiplash!
I have listened to the first three on audio I loved so much and will say if at all possible...listen. the narration is fabulous. I love all the voices and it just ups the books a notch.( I'm gonna admit I've read book four and waiting on the audio lol)
If you love sorta established couples, slow burn, suspense,mystery, snark, grumpy/ sunshine, meddling friends, secrets and just a fabulous read thats hard to put down grab this! Its on my top suspense series lists lol
Love, friendship, murder, mystery, kidnapping and a villain coming out of left field, it’s great to be back on Heartstone Island. Skin Game is Subtle Deceptions Book 3 and it’s a belter. I love Ms Elle Keaton’s writing, she always leaves you wanting more. A big shout out to the wonderful Mr Christian Leatherman and a big thank you, to Jamie, from BookFunnel, when I difficulty downloading the book, he was there with quick friendly advice.