Audiobook Review: Fish Out of Water (Fish Out of Water #1) by Amy Lane

PI Jackson Rivers grew up on the mean streets of Del Paso Heights—and he doesn’t trust cops, even though he was one. When the man he thinks of as his brother is accused of killing a police officer in an obviously doctored crime, Jackson will move heaven and earth to keep Kaden and his family safe.

Defense attorney Ellery Cramer grew up with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth, but that hasn’t stopped him from crushing on street-smart, swaggering Jackson Rivers for the past six years. But when Jackson asks for his help defending Kaden Cameron, Ellery is out of his depth—and not just with guarded, prickly Jackson. Kaden wasn’t just framed, he was framed by crooked cops, and the conspiracy goes higher than Ellery dares reach—and deep into Jackson’s troubled past.

Both men are soon enmeshed in the mystery of who killed the cop in the minimart, and engaged in a race against time to clear Kaden’s name. But when the mystery is solved and the bullets stop flying, they’ll have to deal with their personal complications… and an attraction that’s spiraled out of control.

Listening Length: 9 hours and 20 minutes
Narrator: Greg Tremblay

Reviewer: Annika

You might know this about me (or not) but I’m not really a fan of Amy Lane's. She’s written a couple of good books, but for the most part I don’t really like them. They mostly end up on the okay scale and are books that I could really do without. But I picked this book up – I’m a sucker for mysteries and romantic suspense and just couldn’t resist. So colour me very surprised the first time I picked up Fish Out of Water and not only liked it but I loved it. Maybe even worshipped it a little. I was hooked from the first to last word and just couldn't put the book down. So here we are, some 2.5 years later and at least a couple of re-reads, or in this case listen later, and I’m as in love with this book now as I was the first time around.

Jackson Rivers lost all faith in the system eight years ago when he was almost killed by a crooked cop. Now he’s working as a PI for a law office, but he’s still haunted by past evens and trust don’t come easy – or at all. When his brother is (falsely) arrested for killing a cop, Jackson knows things are about to get hairy again and that they need all the help they can get if they want to clear Kaden’s name. Ellery Cramer believes in justice, believes in the system. So when he’s asked to take on a case to defend a man accused of killing a cop he’s reluctant. But he’s persuaded to takes a look, and then he takes a closer one and realises there were far more going on than the arresting officers want to him to know.

This book’s main focus is the mystery. The romance between Jackson and Ellery is secondary. It’s there but never the main focus of the book, nor does it end with a happily ever after, rather a start of sorts. And it’s fitting with the characters; Jackson is so jaded and mistrustful that anything more would have been unbelievable. They are so different, but they still fit in some weird way, they are right for each other. I love them together.

Greg Tremblay is an outstanding narrator! He hits every word, every note and flicker of emotion just right. It’s almost like magic. It’s always such a joy to listen to his performances. It’s effortless on the listener’s part as he has so many distinct voices for the different characters that it’s easy to follow along. You never have to wonder who’s speaking, you just know. All of this is the reason of why I never tire of his books, I can listen to him days on end.

The story is not over when the book ends, there’s no major cliffhanger, nor is it finished, and I couldn’t be happier about that, I haven’t gotten enough of these guys just yet. Fish Out of Water is definitely worth the read! And a re-read or two for that matter ;)

A copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.