Title: The Truth of Yesterday
Author: Josh Aterovis
Cover Design: Josh Aterovis
Buy Link: Buy Link The Truth of Yesterday
Publisher: P.D. Publishing, Inc.
Genre: Murder Mystery, Paranormal, Contemporary M/M, YA
Length: Novel (376 paperback pages)
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
A guest review by Buda
Summary Review: The fourth Killian Kendall mystery is a worthy continuation of a fun and energetic series.
The Blurb:
“We like to think of life as a story – complete with a nice, neat beginning, middle, and end. Real life is seldom that orderly. We often forget just how powerful the past can be. After all, it’s over and done with, so how can the past affect the present? The truth is, while it may be over, it is seldom done. The past has a way of twisting our perception, our feelings, and even our reality. Things we thought long behind us can suddenly be very much before us.”
Killian is thrilled when his first real case takes him on a surveillance trip to Washington D.C. – and with his boyfriend Micah, no less. When Micah takes him out to celebrate the successful resolution of his case, Micah’s past comes back to haunt them in a big way. Killian is stunned by what he learns, and even more shocked to hear about the murder of Micah’s former lover, Paul. The truth threatens to tear them apart, but at the same time, Killian finds himself drawn to find Paul’s killer. Meanwhile, Judy has asked him to investigate an old friend, Jake, whose behavior has changed radically over the last few months. She is worried he may be involved in something dangerous…and she has no idea how right she is. Entering into the perilous and often grim world of male escorts, Killian discovers that things are seldom what they seem and everyone has a past. The truth of yesterday becomes a lie tomorrow.
The Review:
When I first selected this book to review, I had no idea it was part of a series. I read the first two chapters and immediately emailed Wave, wondering just what I had missed. Thankfully, she sent me the three previous books so I could catch up completely. My first thought was, “The last thing I need is another series to follow!” Now, having read all four books, I definitely have another series to follow–and I couldn’t be happier about it! Killian Kendall is just that much fun, Josh Aterovis’s writing is just that good. The first book in the series, Bleeding Hearts, was reviewed by Kris here. All Things Lost, book three, was reviewed here. Somehow book two, Reap the Whirlwind (my personal favorite), was missed. These are definitely not designed to be stand alone reads, so do yourself the favor of starting from the beginning.
Killian Kendall is finally eighteen. He graduated high school in All Things Lost and has started college at Pemberton University. He’s still working for Shane Novak, the private investigator, and finally has his own case to work, following a suspected cheating husband. Kill has learned a lot from Novak and their relationship is fun to watch. While in the course of his investigation, Killian discovers the possibly-cheating husband will be taking a business trip to Washington DC. Novak will only let him go if Killian’s boyfriend, Micah Gerber, who went to college in DC, accompanies him. Micah is very much against the idea, but eventually relents. In DC, Killian continues his investigation to awkward and hilarious ends, but he learns something about Micah’s past that challenges their relationship.
As in the previous books, several story threads weave around Killian. He is a very busy guy. Not only does he have to face the revelations about Micah’s past, but Micah asks Killian to investigate the murder of Micah’s ex-boyfriend, Paul. Killian is reluctant, not only because Paul lived in DC, but eventually he sees this as a way to learn more about Micah’s past and, hopefully, help him come to terms with it. Judy, the woman who keeps after Killian to learn about his Gifts, asks his help in finding out just what is going on with her troubled nephew, Jake. On top of all this, Amalie, the ghostly resident of Killian’s adoptive fathers’ bed and breakfast, has apparently not found the peace they all hoped they’d helped her find in All Things Lost. Now Amalie is making appearances to Adam and Steve’s guests, freaking them out and straining the men’s relationship. Killian, who has been steadfastly avoiding learning more about his Gifts, may be the only one who can help Adam and Steve save their relationship and their fledgling business.
The Killian Kendall Mysteries have all sucked me right in and not let go until the last page. Kill is refreshingly honest and still more than a little innocent, mostly untainted by his past bad experiences. Here he meets Christina, who will be guiding him around DC as he investigates Paul’s death:
I gave a purely mental sigh and approached her. As soon as she saw me moving in her direction, she locked a pair of steely gray eyes on me. “Are you Killian?” she asked in a low voice as soon as I was close enough to hear her.
I nodded. “You must be Christina.”
“You can call me Chris.”
“Hi, Chris.” I smiled my biggest smile, but her sober expression didn’t waver. “I’m impressed you recognized me.”
“Well, your boss said to watch for a pretty little blond boy. He didn’t mention you were gay, but if he had, it would have made it even easier.”
I blinked in surprise. “I’m gay?” I repeated stupidly.
She blinked back at me. “You didn’t know?”
The paranormal element is ramped up quite a lot in this installment. Judy and Seth, Killian’s dead friend and Adam’s son, both try repeatedly to convince Killian he needs to get a handle on his Gifts. It isn’t until Killian experiences something new and entirely frightening that he agrees they’re right. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what happens with these Gifts in future installments of the series.
The Truth of Yesterday is a fun, energetic ride with enough twists and turns to keep you interested, and enough humor to keep you entertained. I have very much enjoyed getting to know Killian and his world and I’m sure you will, too. Highly recommended.
oh goody – another new series to read – should I read them in order?
Hi, Minnie! It’s a great series. You should for sure read them in order. There is a definite sequence to the events. If you skip around, you’ll miss something. Thanks for the comments. I hope you love Killian!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this book Buda. LOL. I knew you would get sucked in and thanks for another great review. Isn’t Killian wonderful?
I noticed that Reap the Whirlwind is your favourite, the only KK book that hasn’t been reviewed here. Hmmmm…. is there another review coming up? I would love your take on this story. Think about it. 🙂
Wave, so often when I request a book based on the blurb alone, it turns out not to be what I thought it would be. Sometimes that’s a good thing, sometimes not so much. This time, it was so much more than I could have asked for. I absolutely adore Killian. He’s gone through so much in the series, yet remains at the core a sweet, optimistic kid/guy. But beyond Kill, there are others that I really root for and want to know more about, like Judy and Jake. I really want to know more about Seth and The Rules. And, of course, who wouldn’t want a brother like Kane (speaking as someone without a brother) or dads like Adam and Steve? (The Adam-and-Steve thing made me roll my eyes the first time, but hey, I got over it quickly.)
As for Reap the Whirlwind, you know I’m an angst whore–sorry, The King of Angst–so that book was perfect for me. Some of the issues it dealt with are near and not so dear to my heart. I’d love to review it. It might take a couple of weeks, though. You have my schedule pretty filled out.
Buda, too funny, I ordered this book two days ago, knowing that I have All things lost and have not read it yet. I think I really will enjoy it. Thanks for the review.
Sirius, that’s wonderful! You’ve read the first two then? What did you think of them? Thanks for the comment. I hope you get to revisit Killian and the Gang soon!
Hi Buda, oh sorry, no I have not read the first two books, but I have the third one and now fourth one lol. I sometimes do tend to start series in the middle 🙂
This site is sooooo bad for my wallet. *sigh*. I’ve found the first 2 books in ebook format but can’t find 3 or 4. The stories sound great and can’t wait to start reading them (in order of course!).
Aww, sorry about the wallet, Laura. I don’t believe the last two books are available in ebook yet. It seems the publisher is slow to make that happen. Josh Aterovis has the print books available at his site. I think he even has a deal on autographed copies. You might check it out. Thanks for the comment. Hope you love the series as much as I do!
“My first thought was, “The last thing I need is another series to follow!”” Do you read minds now??? 😆
Looks like an interesting book and series. Need to have a look :computer:
Thank you for your review 😎
Hi, Helena! I’m sure you’re following as many series as I am. It gets crazy after a while. I mean, there’s Ty & Zane, Kit & JX, Dan & Caesar, the Coda boys, the list goes on! And now there’s Killian. I don’t think you’ll regret it if you give Killian a try. Thanks for the comment! 🙂
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! It’s finally out!!! *jumps exitedly up and down* :biglove:
Thanks for the review, though I’m not going to read it just yet 😉 This is one of those books I want to read without having any info!!
Absolutely not a problem, Larissa! I’ve done the same thing a few times. It’s great to see a Killian Kendall fan! I hope you enjoy the new book. Please let me know what you think. 🙂
I really can’t wait to read this. unfortunately I have to wait a week before I order it, because I’m moving. Not fair!! But it will make the book even more sweet and hopefully I can read it in the garden!!
Will do!!!
Buda-
Great review somehow I missed this series.. Now to bad for my wallet I will have to check it out 🙂 I have been looking for something different read. Are all of these books available in e-book format ?? Looks like Wave is hinting for you to review missed book – hope you consider it !
Hi, Duhaunt! These books are definitely not your usual fair. The romantic relationship is not the center of the book, and there is a rather large core cast of characters, which I found very refreshing. I believe only the first two books are available in ebook format. Hopefully Josh or Wave will correct me if I’m wrong.
I’m definitely going to think about reviewing Reap the Whirlwind. If you’ve read it by then, I hope you’ll share your thoughts. Thanks for the comment!
I enjoyed Bleeding Hearts when it recently became e-available. I just checked and saw that both that and Reap the Whirlwind are e-available at ARe.
Buda – I have to confess I just skimmed your review, to avoid any potential spoilers. Your enthusiasm for Reap the Whirlwind sent me over to ARe to check for it, so, thanks!
Hi, Cary. Thanks for the comment! You realize you can only hold me responsible for Reap the Whirlwind if you love it, right? 😉 I hope you enjoy the rest of the series if you continue with it.
This just sounds so good, Buda. I think I’m going to add it to the list. Thank you for another great series. 😀
Thanks, Patty, I think you’ll like young Master Killian. 🙂
It’s Mothering Sunday in the UK, I have chocolate gingers to eat and now a whole new series to read. Life is good.
Thanks Buda
Enjoy, Raine! Thanks for the comment. Chocolate gingers? I’ll have to hunt for some of those. Sounds delish!
So I should read these in order, huh Boo? 😕 Well that horse is already long out of the barn! I read “Reap the Whirlwind” when it was first published without realizing that it was part of a series. By the time I caught on, (yeah I know – not too swift) I was too wrapped up in the story to care. I agree RTW was a really great book. It was my favorite too. 😆
Great job on the review of the latest installment. You’re really enticing me. I suppose I could go back and read the prequels, but maybe I’ll just continue from where I started. I never seem to stay between the lines anyway.
Oh, TJ, my love. :love2: I knew you were trouble from the get go. A series is meant to be read in order. (Gotta get Christian to upload a whip.) Have you read the rest then? Because Reap the Whirlwind is only tangential to Killian’s story. But dear god, does it pack a punch, eh? Wow.
Thank you for the kind words, sweets. And you know I like it best when you color outside the lines. Keep doing what you’re so good at. :censorship:
:whip: 😉
Christian, you are my favorite admin ever! How ever will I thank you? :sex4:
Did I read the others? Well that would make sense, but why would I do something that made sense? 😉
I’m starting to wonder about you Buda boy. First it was being tied up, now whips! :whip:
Christian you shouldn’t encourage him – he’s incorrigible. 🙂
Aww, Teej. You know how much I love you, even when you’re illogical. 😉 Besides, wasn’t I the last one tied up? I think it’s your turn again. :whip:
Ah, shit, a m/m detective/crime series I haven’t read? Can’t believe they exist!
Hey, saga! Thanks for the comment. This isn’t really the traditional m/m detective series. I think that’s why it’s so refreshing. I hope you enjoy getting to know Killian & Company!