Wasn’t a fan. Couldn’t get past the first couple of chapters. I usually finish a book no matter what but couldn’t get into this at all. Character development just wasn’t there.

I'm happy to report that 'High Time' keeps up the standard set by 'Good Boys', the first book in the series. The crime story takes centre stage in this story, but we still see how things are going in Paul's relationship and friendships and find out more about Tim's family, given that they are involved in the old case the Detectives are now caught up in investigating. Will be looking out for book 3!

Thankyou to NetGalley, NineStar Press and the author, Keelan Ellis, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of High Time in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
I thought this book provided a good, quick read. The characters were real and engaging and the storyline was well written.

I really liked Good Boys, so I wasn't surprised that I enjoyed High Time just as much. I mentioned in my review of the first book in the Solomon Mysteries series that one of the things that pulled me in was the fact that I was familiar with the area that the book took place. Baltimore isn't far from where I grew up. Things got even more interesting for me in High Time when Paul and Tim end up close to where I currently live. That's not the only reason I like this series though, just an added bonus. ;)

Paul's a great detective, but his personal life is a mess. His best friend is dating his partner, he's friends with someone who is admittedly attracted to him, he's still friends with his ex and he has no idea how to be in a relationship - even though he really cares about Owen. Things get really complicated when the current case he's working on hits way too close to those near and dear to Tim.

For the record, I got as aggravated with Paul in High Time as Owen did - and he's not the only one who called him out on his actions. Speaking of which, the supporting characters pretty much make this series for me. The mystery wasn't bad either ;)

Then, there was the location. Since I'm familiar with the area that Tim and Paul traveled to, I picked up on a couple of things that a lot of readers won't. Still, the accuracy was pretty good and recognizing landmarks was kinda fun. I also learned some things about some sneaky ways that officials collect info...

I'm pretty sure that there's more to come and I can't wait to see what's next for the Solomon Mysteries.

4 stars

Excellent followup to Good Boys. Love the characters and the fact that the series is set in Baltimore. Can hardly wait for book 3.

Clever title.... great story. I hadn't read the first book but had no trouble getting right in and being fully hooked on this book. I liked that it had gay characters where their sexually didn't 'have' to be the overwhelming focus of the book. The plot is solid, believable and engaging. I also liked that though the case was really interesting, it wasn't an 'over the top' drama. The personal connections to the case added a lot in intrigue to the story. I hope Ellis continues this Paul Solomon series-- I, for one, anticipate the next adventure.

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

*~~*ARC kindly provided to me for an honest review *~~*

- Review to come

Review originally posted on my blog with added content on Mikku-chan / A world full of words

Detective Paul Solomon and his partner Detective Tim Cullen are called in to investigate the finding of bones .. really old bones.

Identity of the deceased comes easy, but it's the personal connection to Cullen that's the problem. Solomon and Cullen have to sift through years of lies and coverups to get to the truth of what happened 25 years ago, when this victim went missing.

This is an engaging mystery with twists and turns galore. Lots of suspects .... but who can the detectives trust to tell the truth?

The detectives are likeable characters, although they both have issues in their lives. Solomon's professional and personal life collide as an old friend threatens his new relationship. Cullen must find a balance between professional responsibility and his family.

I look forward to more adventures for these seasoned detectives.

Many thanks to the author / NineStar Press / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

High time is the thrilling sequel in the 'Solomon series' by Keelan Ellis. Following the character from 'Good Boys' Paul 'Solomon' is awoken to a call about the discovery of bones in a Baltimore park. This discovery reopens a case from 30 years ago, this is no ordinary case though as it has close ties to his partner on the force, Tim who finds he is a conflict of interest.

I really enjoyed reading this, the story was intense and thrilling. The mystery behind who killed Penny had you tossing to-and-fro about whodunnit and the relationships between all characters were tested and pushed to their limits at times. From page 1 to the end, I was hooked and finished reading in one sitting.

In the first book in The Solomon Mysteries, we got a lot of character development and humorous give-and-take between Detective Paul Solomon and his partner Tim Cullen and the mystery, while interesting, was definitely secondary. Here in "High Time," the mystery is front-and-center and it is particularly compelling because Tim Cullen's sister Kathleen and her husband Jordan are involved in the mystery.

The plot kept my interest throughout and I like the way the mystery slowly unfolds and deepens as new clues are unearthed and new interpretation is given to the known facts of the case. It seems everyone had a different idea of what the victim Penny was like, and I find it poignant we think we know what is going on in someone's life, but we only see the surface and are often unaware of their true situation. I would give the murder/mystery aspect of "High Times" 5 stars.

Where the story works less successfully for me is in the relationship between Paul and his boyfriend of four months, Owen. There is an attraction between the two (FYI - there is no on-page sex) but they are still in the uncertain stage. They haven't met each other's friends, Paul is still keeping Owen at arm's length from his life, there is conflict about Paul's friendship with David and Andy, and the miscommunication between the two seems a bit manufactured and hastily added onto the mystery component. Finally, the ending is a bit hurried, in connection with the murder/mystery as well as Paul and Owen, but I look forward to the next book in the series, seeing how the relationship deepens and grows and what mystery awaits Detectives Solomon and Cullen. 4 stars.

3.5 stars


The first book in The Solomon Mysteries Series was a pleasant surprise for me, it is why I was looking forward to reading the second book, High Time.

Paul Solomon, an openly gay Homicide detective, and his partner, Tim Cullen, a straight divorced father of a single daughter are very professional as homicide unit cops, but they are also closed friends and care about each others. They seem to enjoy each other's company immensely, and there's plenty of banter among them.

It is not long ago since I finished the first book. I remember that I liked the mystery part, though, strangely enough, I don't remember what it was about. What this book surprised me with was so-called real life-part. You know, the one about friends, ex- and actual lovers, families and all ups and downs on these matters. Good Boys was not a book about a complicated mystery, but in the first place a book about complicated relationships. Exactly like in a RL. And because I found the main two characters extremely likable and their backgrounds very interesting, I enjoyed the whole story a lot.

The second book I'll remember because of the mystery. Not that the mystery in the first book was not that good, but the case here is more serious - because Tim's family is involved -and the investigation that Tim and Paul are busy with is also very time-consuming. Our detectives devote themselves totally to it, there are not plenty of free space for private pleasure or heated banter. There are not so many funny situations/conversations comparing to the first book, and it is what I missed immensely.

Still a good read, and I'm already looking forward to the next sequel. Besides, Paul has to clear many things with his boyfriend. If only...

This time Paul Solomon is called to solve a 25 year old mystery when they find the remains of a girl that went missing and never heard from again. Back then everyone thought that she run away for a better life, away from her family but things are not what they seem to be.

The girl was his partners sister best friend, so this takes a difficult turn for Paul’s partner Tim. The detectives that questioned everyone then did not do a good job, they had already assumed that Tim’s sister hid something to what happened to the girl and that she was covering for her to leave. So the case didn’t go far.

Paul and Tim are on the hunt for people that may or may not be alive after so long, or left but at least they find clues that lead them to uncover things people hid.

I loved the mystery! I liked how they went about it and the leads they followed. Paul’s love life took a backseat and it was very little.

My rating is so low because I got angry with how Paul treated Owen. He was so indifferent, not thinking of him at all. At one point his friends asked him why didn’t he invite Owen over for dinner and he was like “oh he’d ruin our fun” or something along those lines. I saw red. I could not feel their connection at all. I felt more his and David’s connection than anything else… I didn’t know what to think. He made me so angry because I don’t think he fell in love with him at all.

The epilogue was so fast, I expected more but maybe we’ll see more? In a next book?

So that’s my only issue. Overall it was very good! I enjoyed it plenty and I hope we see more.