Unstable Connections by Nicky James

Unstable Connections by Nicky James

Narrated by Nick J. Russo

Nicky James’ Valor and Doyle Mysteries series has got better and better with each book, a trend continued by the latest – Unstable Connections – which is saying something considering the high quality of the first two books in the series! The stories revolve around the opposites-attract relationship between two Toronto-based detectives, Quaid Valor of the Missing Persons Unit and Aslan Doyle who works Homicide. Over the course of two books, we’ve watched them argue, flirt, and generally get under each others’ skin, the unwanted pull of mutual attraction between them slowly morphing from an itch to be (almost begrudgingly) scratched into a genuine connection that, by the end of Elusive Relations has become impossible to ignore or deny.

As this is a same-couple series in which the development of the central relationship is ongoing, there are spoilers for the earlier books in this review.

At the end of Elusive Relations, Quaid and Aslan had agreed to stop trying to pretend that simply hooking-up every so often was enough for them, and that they’d give an actual relationship a try. They know it’s not going to be easy, especially as Quaid’s ex did a number on him, severely trashing his self-confidence and making it hard for him to allow himself to be vulnerable and emotionally open. He fears being seen as clingy and needy, traits which are bound to drive Aslan away, and is clearly just waiting for it to happen. Aslan knows this about him, knows that deep down, Quaid is searching for the kind of closeness and security he’s never experienced in his own family life, and is determined to show him, in every way possible, that he’s in it for the long haul and that he believes Quaid is absolutely worth whatever it takes to convince him of that.

Unfortunately however, when Unstable Connections opens around a month later, they haven’t had much time to enjoy their new-found togetherness. At the end of the previous book, the author dropped a bombshell when eight-year-old Lily Vacari, who had been missing for four months, suddenly reappeared, and was carrying the backpack Quaid’s sister Juniper had been carrying on the day she was abducted thirty years earlier. Unsurprisingly this hit Quaid very hard and has sent him into overdrive to the point of obsession. He’s hardly sleeping or eating and is to be found at his desk more often than not, and his colleagues are becoming increasingly concerned. Quaid’s partner Eden is the one who finally calls Aslan for help, but Aslan isn’t sure what exactly she wants him to do – Quaid is a grown man and Aslan isn’t his keeper; he does what he can to support him, encouraging him to eat and sleep, providing a pleasurable distraction in bed whenever he can, but he’s not about to start telling Quaid what he should and shouldn’t be doing, especially when it comes to Juniper.

However, Aslan does manage to drag Quaid home on this particular day – Quaid’s birthday – so he can take a nap before getting ready for dinner with his dad. At the restaurant, things start a little awkwardly; Aslan knows his reputation as the department playboy is bound to make Abraham Valor suspect that he’s going to break Quaid’s heart, but after some initial frostiness, things settle and they’re talking easily and enjoying their meal when a phone call brings their evening to an abrupt halt. Another missing girl has turned up unexpectedly in the same location as Lily – and there’s no way Quaid isn’t going back into work to find out more. Before long, it becomes clear that the three disappearances – Juniper three decades ago, Lily, and now Evelyn, are all linked. The questions is – how?

Well, I’m not saying, but the author takes us on a real rollercoaster ride of emotion as Quaid and his friends and colleagues slowly begin to piece together the full picture by combining the new information coming to light with everything Quaid has discovered over painstaking years of research into his sister’s case. His search for the truth about what happened to Juniper has been

the main driving force in his life and career, but the new developments are pushing him dangerously close to his limits – personal and professional. He’s already in hot water with his boss, who is this close to pulling him off the case, and he’s neglecting Aslan, who is trying to be the strong support Quaid needs while also struggling with his own ever increasing workload. The pressure both of them are under is palpable and the author does a terrific job of building the tension throughout the story; there’s little let up and even when they do get some alone time, there’s a constant sense of unease rumbling in the background as Quaid starts allowing his insecurities to get the better of him. Luckily for him, Aslan is firmly in his corner and knows nuch this case means to Quaid, but it’s hard for him to watch his boyfriend running himself ragged and see what it’s doing to his mental health. The case is also revealing just how many of Quaid’s insecurities can be traced back to Juniper’s disappearance, how his fears of abandonment and desire for emotional closeness all stem from being forgotten in the aftermath of her abduction and the breakdown of his family when his mother walked out a few months later. Aslan knows how fragile Quaid is and is determined to be there for him however he can – but then he’s blindsided by something that has the potential to destroy everything he’s been working for.

Quaid and Aslan are complex, flawed yet captivating characters, and the connection Nicky James has created between them is full of genuine affection with chemistry that leaps off the page. In addition, she’s written an amazing father/son relationship between the Valor men, one which, while rooted in affection, has foundered due to Abraham Valor’s guilt over his daughter’s disappearance, and the way his inability to deal with it has affected his relationship with his son really comes home to roost here. I also really enjoyed the supportive group of colleagues and friends who rally round – Eden and Torin (Quaid’s and Aslan’s work partners) Bright and Travolta (other MPU detectives) – and Quaid’s interactions with Ruiz, the department’s IT guru who, in the last book, came over as a bit of an arsehole, but who pulls out the stops and turns out to be a good guy in the end.

Nick J. Russo’s intelligent, engaged performances have matched these wonderful stories every step of the way. (There’s nothing worse than settling down to listen to an amazing story only to discover that the narrator doesn’t have the acting chops necessary to pull it off – which is absolutely NOT the case here!) The technical side of his performance – pacing, characterisation, differentiation – is excellent; the secondary characters are appropriately voiced and there’s no falsetto or screechiness to his female voices. I continue to enjoy and applaud Mr. Russo’s portrayal of the two leads; Quaid’s increasingly clipped delivery and strained tones very effectively convey that here is a man so tightly-wound that he could break at any moment, and he’s equally good when it comes to conveying Aslan’s despair and vulnerability in the latter chapters when things start to fall apart. Emotions run high throughout this story, and Mr. Russo hits every beat perfectly, skilfully rendering moments of tenderness and intimacy, anguish and heartbreak, anger and despair. Yet through the toughest of moments, he puts their emotional connection at the forefront, their deep affection for one another is obvious and he infuses their banter and teasing exchanges with warmth and good-humour.

Unstable Connections is gripping and gut-wrenching by turns; it’s heartbreaking to listen to characters we’ve come to know and care for going through such difficult times, but even when the chips are down, the connection, love and understanding Quaid and Aslan share are enough to pull them through. They’ve still got a way to go as a couple, but there’s every indication that they’ll get there, and I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for them in book four, Inevitable Disclosure, which is due for release at the end of January 2023 (with, hopefully, audio not long after). In the meantime, Unstable Connections is another un-put-downable entry in this brilliantly written and superbly narrated series, and merits the highest of recommendations.

Caz


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4 thoughts on “Unstable Connections by Nicky James

  1. Yes to everything. I love this series. I also can’t wait for the next book and audiobook. It’s one of the few series I know I will read immediately and then listen again as soon as the audiobook is released. In fact, along with C.S. Poe’s Momento Mori series, these books are complex enough that a second reading (or listening) once you know the basic plot allows for a deeper dive into the characters and the plot, and the overarching themes. It’s interesting that both this series and the Poe series are dealing with the aftermath of grief and how our society’s attitudes towards it are inadequate. There is also an underlying theme of addiction and recovery. In fact it’s interesting that both “Doyles” are recovering alcoholics that also deflect with a happy, easy going demeanor, while their counterparts come off as uptight and closed off. Both authors are skillfully using some similar devices to explore human behavior, but in very unique ways. Makes me wish they hadn’t come out at the same time so I’d have books of this quality to enjoy longer. Here’s hoping for more in the future.

    1. I just saw an FB post (I think?) saying the audio for book 4 should be out around the end of Feb.

      And yes to all that about both Doyles – they’re both fascinating, complex characters with similar issues but for very different reasons. I can’t wait to get stuck into the next book!

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