Erryn reviews Death on Denial (Quest Investigations Book 4) by E.J. Russell. The ebook was released March 27, 2022 and is 228 pages. The audiobook was narrated by Greg Boudreaux. It was released January 25, 2023 is 5hrs and 45min. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Why I read this book: I’m loving this series!
DOA becomes BRB when this client goes MIA….
When I agreed to accompany my selkie boyfriend on a private boat trip, I didn’t realize the invitation included a swim. In the Pacific. In November. Naked. And I certainly didn’t expect to have our swim derailed the instant I got in the water—holy crap, that’s c-c-cold—by a literal boatload of selkie clan leaders.
Climbing out of the water in front of them—did I mention naked? Yeah, way to make a brilliant first impression. Then things get worse: I get served. Not in the metaphorical sense, either. Nope, I’m being sued.
By Death.
Well, not Death precisely, but an Ankou—a Celtic psychopomp who escorts the departed to their final destinations. This guy is miffed that his workload has increased exponentially, which he blames on my actions in Sheol on an earlier case. I’m not about to take the heat when eons of shady demon shenanigans finally come home to roost, but here at Quest Investigations, we aid any and all supernatural folk in need—especially if they’ll drop their specious lawsuits against the agency’s lone human.
When the Ankou skips out on us, though, all hell breaks loose. Because without anyone to lead them on, the dearly departed become nearly departed and stick around to party hearty. Now it’s not just the selkie leaders complicating my love life—it’s the ex-living as well.
And when one of the ex-living decides not to remain ex? Things get really complicated, not to mention deadly.
Dammit.
Death on Denial is the fourth in the Quest Investigations M/M mystery series, a spinoff of E.J. Russell’s Mythmatched paranormal rom-com story world. It contains no explicit sex or violence, and although there is a romantic subplot, it is not a romance. The series is best listened to in order.
Book Links: Audible | Amazon | Add to Goodreads
My Review:
I was just re-reading the blurb and it says this isn’t a romance. Funny, I see it as such. I love that Matthew (Hugh) and Lachlan are, like, a couple. And that they’re about to swim together in the Pacific Ocean in November. And that they’re rudely interrupted. By a whole pile of people. These books have a lot of humor in them and this opening scene is a nod to the comedic genius of E.J. Hitting all the right notes is great as we meet more interesting characters. Like the suffragette who wants to fight for equal rights for women. Funny, in 2023, we still need her.
So Matt’s got a problem on his hands – he’s being sued. By Death. Who doesn’t want to do his job. Things get complicated, but people are being hurt because the asshat won’t get up off his duff. But Matt’s willing to do whatever it takes to fix the problem.
Of course, Jordan the werewolf and the entire Quest crew get involved. Some are put in danger and my heart was in my throat.
In the end, good prevails over evil. The dead are escorted. Matt and Lachlan get their happily ever after. Or, at least, happy for now.
Finally, I have to mention Greg Boudreaux. He does such a great job with this series that I’ve enjoyed it thoroughly. So glad I’ve listened to all of them.
My Rating:
10/10 Pots of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 5/5 Stars
Website | Facebook | Twitter: @ej_russell | Goodreads
E.J. Russell–grace, mother of three, recovering actor–writes romance in a rainbow of flavors. Count on high snark, low angst and happy endings.
Reality?
Eh, not so much.
She’s married to Curmudgeonly Husband, a man who cares even less about sports than she does. Luckily, C.H. also loves to cook, or all three of their children (Lovely Daughter and Darling Sons A and 
would have survived on nothing but Cheerios, beef jerky, and Satsuma mandarins (the extent of E.J.’s culinary skill set).
E.J. lives in rural Oregon, enjoys visits from her wonderful adult children, and indulges in good books, red wine, and the occasional hyperbole.
Rainbow Gold Reviews 