Hotshot defense attorney James Scott isn’t afraid of following his gut instinct. Even when his gut tells him that the man everybody knows is guilty is not only innocent, but a victim himself. A notorious media darling, he’s got an irresistible charm that always seems to undermine his strategic mind. Homicide detective Owen Duke dislikes him before they meet. Duke doesn’t have time for gut feelings—he lives by logic and evidence. And all the evidence tells him that Scott’s client, Hector Young, is guilty of the cold-blooded murder of a young ballerina.
Scott is willing to risk his reputation and his career on the kid’s innocence. Relentless, he convinces Duke to dig beneath the surface of the case. What’s supposed to be an open-and-shut case quickly becomes a quagmire of lies, murder, and rotting corruption. Suddenly, instead of being a thorn in Duke’s side, James Scott is the only person in San Francisco the detective can trust. And the two of them are the only people who can find the truth in time to save the life of an innocent man…
Why I bought it:
I think (?) I bought this during an ARe sale. Seems to be a common theme with me. *coughbookslutcough*
Dislike/like (ending on a high note):
Dislike~ More of a warning~ You learn relatively early who the baddie is likely to be. This can be hit or miss with me as I generally prefer to find out ‘whodunnit’ myself or at the end of the book. It worked in this instance because the authors – yep, it’s two authors, one pseud – continued to lead the reader through the discovery of clues, motives, etc, etc. Good pacing and advancement of plot, imo.
Like~ This may seem very simple, but I really liked the fact that Duke was out as a cop. It made such a refreshing change from the usual conflict that comes with this theme; that is, the cop is closeted and inevitably found out, blah, blah. It meant the focus could be on the mystery/suspense. Since I’m a fan of this genre it made for total win in my book. 🙂
Dislike~ More of a warning~ The guys don’t actually get in the sack until a fair way into the book. Me, I liked that. It left more time to concentrate on the development of the characters, their relationship and the mystery side of things. There’s more to life than pron, you know. 😉
Like~ The ending of Pas de Deux is a bit unusual with none of the ‘we couldn’t have solved the crime without our twu wuv’, which you might ordinarily expect in an m/m romance of this type. This was yet another change from the standard themes and tropes of the genre and, again, hit my happy reader buttons.
So, what I think: This is the best work I’ve read by this author team to date. If you’re into romantic suspense as I am, I would definitely suggest you give it a go. I really enjoyed it.
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‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to.Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 
I agree with all your points. It's one of the duo's best stories and I really liked it, too.
I liked this one lots, too. Hmm. Might have to add it to the reread pile.
Hmm. Let me get on the bandwagon, I really liked this one too. I like that there wasn't the forced antagonism either, sort of the “because of who we are we have to hate each other”. Both really wanted the truth.
I don't mind knowing who the baddie is but then I like Law & Order Criminal Intent which is based on that. You see them following the clues and can they figure it out, even though you know what they don't. Just kind of observing them do it rather than living through it with them.
Oh heck. I'm not on the bandwagon cos I didn't like this one very much. In fact this is what I said in my review – which gave 3.75 stars at Wave's blog.
Somtimes you read a book and it’s fantastic, other times it can be very poor but most often you read books that can only be described as ‘OK’. There may be nothing much wrong with the book, but it just didn’t claim your attention to any degree and is easy forgotten once you’ve finished it. For me Pas De Deux was one such book.
Oh well, it looks like our psychic link has broken again, Kris :).
I did like this one for the facts already mentioned and it is long, like 272 pages in pdf. I like!
Their newest at MLR is even better!
One question…
Do we get some heavy petting to tide us over before the s-e-x scene?
Smokin, I must be mad, I actually looked it up for you. Nothing until after page 100 (pdf).
You do have a one track mind
Lily: I glad that you thought it was one of this author team's best stories too. To be honest, they've been a little hit and miss with me in the past, but this one was just terrific.
Chris: Romantic suspense. We luvs et.
Tam: “I like that there wasn't the forced antagonism either, sort of the “because of who we are we have to hate each other”. Both really wanted the truth.”
That's a great point, Tam. Although there was some tension because they were on opposing sides, it was kept pretty professional and just added to the development of the characters and their relationship.
I like not knowing who the baddie is. I think I've grown up with too much Agatha Christie. LOL.
Jenre: “Oh well, it looks like our psychic link has broken again, Kris :).”
Darn. It's your fault this time since apparently I'm on the bandwagon. LOL.
We all know that sometimes books work more for some people than others so it's good to get different opinions. 😛
Ingrid: I liked the fact that it was long too. Felt like you could really sink your teeth into it. 🙂
“I must be mad, I actually looked it up for you.”
LOL. I looked it up to when I gave that warning in my tasting. Birds of a feather.
KC: “Do we get some heavy petting to tide us over before the s-e-x scene?”
Perve. 😉
Although it doesn't get hot and heavy a fair way into the book, you do get sexy tension with it. I like the slow build up to smexing so that really worked for me.
I've had this one in my TBR for awhile– think I might have to bump it now based on your review.
Richelle: You sure you trust me?? 😉
I haven't read this one, but I've read several from this writing team and the individuals. I've purposely stuck with the books that seem to have a lighter tone. I've very much enjoyed some of them, and some I've thought have been nice enough, but not exactly what I was expecting. I'll have to try this one if it isn't too heavy on the gore.
Emilie: Nope, no gore. 🙂 The other books I liked by the team was their paranormal Trick of Silver and its sequel. Their approach to the werewolf theme was unusual enough to keep my interest. Playing with tropes is good. *g*
Oh, I quite like the sound of this…and I love books that develop the relationship slowly 🙂
And YAh for being up-to-date!
Orannia: “I love books that develop the relationship slowly :)”
Me too. One of the reasons why I liked this one so much and, yes, hallelujah for being up to date. Bring on May… maybe… 😉
I am not a huge fan of this duo – but this sounds like something I need to try…
Mixed reaction – Love that…
Thank for the heads up..
E.H>
EH: I think I said that Jamie Craig was a bit hit and miss with me as well, but this one I did like very much. Definitely the best I've read for them to date.
“Mixed reaction – Love that…”
Do you get books which have had mixed reactions too? I get so intrigued by the variations of opinions that I often decide to read it myself. LOL.
Do you get books which have had mixed reactions too? I get so intrigued by the variations of opinions that I often decide to read it myself
Yup I do – The older I get I find I am either more finiky about minor issues or I choose the path of least resistance and just do a middle of the road attitude about things that drives other readers up the wall..
But I do like a book/author that brings out any sort of emotion or reaction from readers – Makes me always drag my arse and go re-visit a hit & miss author…
E.H>