Tramps and Thieves

4.5 Stars ~ Ah Rook, you should have known that stepping back into your former “alleged” criminal ways would have you staring at a dead body and the cops questioning you about his murder. It's nice to see that things haven't changed all that much in the world of ‘Murder and Mayhem’. Rook is still getting into trouble and his boyfriend, Detective Dante Montoya, is still helping him solve the mystery and get his butt out of the fire. What can I expect? Dante does love Rook’s… assets… yeah, that's the word I'm looking for. *grins*

This time Rook was found standing over his dead cousin Harold’s body after breaking in to steal back the Maltese Falcon statue that Harold stole from him. As usual, this doesn't look good for Rook. It was nice, however, to see Alex and James again with Alex being his normal adorable self. Now Rook and Dante need to figure out who killed Harold, who is trying to kill Rook, all while keeping the detective off Rook’s back. It's basically everyday life with two of my favorite characters. Oh, but don't think there isn't some great heat going on, along with some interpersonal reflections on both Rook and Dante’s part. That, too, is par for the course with these two strong-willed, stubborn men.

I loved getting to see and hear more from Hank Camden, Dante’s partner. I absolutely adore that man. The fact that he's Bobby’s former partner - if you don't know this reference then you haven't read enough Rhys Ford - and he's loyal beyond belief, not to mention being slightly clueless on things not related to the job, just endears him to me even more. A fabulously sultry, and exotic, blonde bombshell of a secondary character by the name of Sadonna Swann was incredible, and I enjoyed every moment she was on page. And, as always, watching Rook and his grandpa Archie interact was an entertainment all on its own.

This author never ceases to amaze me with the plots she constructs. I'm always last to know who the killer is and why, because I'm so engrossed in the story, and the characters, that I forget to try to figure it out. Lazy of me, I know. As usual, I was completely blown away by the reveal and the ending rocked. I can't begin to imagine where else the author might take me in this world but I'm definitely along for the ride.

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews

Tramps and Thieves is book 2 in the series about Rook and Dante, it could probably be read as a standalone as Rhys recaps the relevant high points of the previous book during this one but it would be a better idea to read book 1 before embarking on this one.
I've got a soft spot for Rook, despite his prickly exterior he has a very soft heart. As he fights to prove his innocence in this book he does it again without throwing anyone under the bus.
His relationship with Dante continues to grow and deepen, but Rook has to fight against the effects of the prejudice he has felt his whole life, as it is impacting his current relationship.
The mystery plot is woven in amid the romantic aspects of this story and it is only as we get to the end part of the story that I started to have an inkling of whom the culprit could possibly be.
I enjoyed Rook and Dante's continuing story and I'm hoping there is another book for them.

Tramps and Thieves picks up a few months after the conclusion of Murder and Mayhem, the first book in the series. This is definitely a book that will feel incomplete if read as a standalone as it’s a continuation of Dante and Rook’s romance. Once again, the imagery Miss Ford uses impressed me and I found myself more than happy to slip back into this romantic suspense set in Los Angeles, wherein a cop and reformed thief fall in love.

The second book had a bit of a different start for me. As in the first book, the story opens with Rook finding himself in the precarious position of having a dead body linked to him. Though the set-up was similar, it didn’t draw me in quite as quickly as the mystery in Murder and Mayhem. The suspense steadily built, just at a slower pace, but I again found myself surprised by some of the reveals.

While I wasn’t as intrigued with the mystery element at first, I immediately noticed a change in approach to the relationship. In the first book, Rook and Dante’s relationship was just beginning, and the minimal emotional development happening on page left me disappointed. Tramps and Thieves offered all I missed in the first book, and then some. The second book focuses on the relationship deepening, examining the men’s feelings for one another and their struggle over how to label what they’re building. I really liked how the author used the established personalities of Rook and Dante to explore their emotional chemistry. Though they waded through similar feelings of love and uncertainty, the concerns were framed uniquely to their experiences, staying true to their individual voices and adding more depth to the characters and romance. As in the first book, the physical chemistry between Rook and Dante was blistering and there were a fair number of scorching scenes; but I was incredibly happy to see that physical chemistry align with an emotional chemistry in the second book to deliver a wonderful love story.

I think fans of romantic suspense will enjoy both of these books which deliver on multiple fronts- excellent characters, humor, fantastic dialogue, lively action, intrigue, sexiness, and a really strong emotional connection that deepens over the course of the two novels. I’m not sure if this is the end of the series, but I certainly wouldn’t mind revisiting this colorful cast of characters in the future.

*Reviewed for Alpha Book Club*

I loved Dante & Rook before Tramps and Thieves, but I love them more now. I have to say, I really love mysteries by Rhys Ford. I never solve them anyway, but I have fun making guesses. And this time I was partly right. I love getting to know everyone just that much better, like Archie. I don’t know if I could handle him for a grandfather, but he’d sure keep me on my toes. I liked that the story was so much more than a mystery, although the bodies dropping was pretty high, I loved the story of Rook & Dante the best. It was such a fast-paced ride, I know that I’ll need to reread to catch all the details that I missed in my rush to get to the next part. I like when a new series starts, but maybe I think the middle is the most interesting, where we get to see the meat and bones of the characters. I would definitely recommend Tramps and Thieves and of course, if you haven’t you need to read the first, Murder and Mayhem too!

This is a great follow-up to "Murder and Mayhem". Rhys knows how to paint a scene and keep you on the edge of your seat, while weaving a mystery that keeps you guessing. I am loving the growth that Rook is experiencing with Dante on the relationship front; with his grandfather, Archie, a despotic tyrant; and with his cousin, Alex, an unfamiliar brotherhood. He is learning to trust and believe in friendship and family. This book had me hooked from the beginning and I hope to see many more in the series.