Relative Justice

Hazard and Somerset: Arrows in the Hand, Book 1

By: Gregory Ashe

Narrated by: Tristan James

An impossible son. An impossible murder.

The honeymoon is definitely over.

When Emery Hazard and his husband, John-Henry Somerset, arrive home from their honeymoon, they’re shocked (understatement of the year) to find a boy waiting for them on their doorstep. Colt, 15 and eager to pick a fight, claims to be Hazard’s son. It’s almost a relief, then, for Hazard and Somers to be called out to assist the Dore County Sheriff’s Department with what seems to be an impossible murder: a man has been found stabbed to death in a stretch of woods, and the only set of footprints in the soft ground belong to the victim.

The more Hazard and Somers learn about the dead man, the more confusing the case becomes. While searching his home, they discover a secure room from which several high-end computers have been stolen. A woman makes a daring theft as the house is being secured and escapes with valuable documents. The dead man’s neighbor, who found the body, is obviously lying about how she discovered him. And something very strange is going on with the victim’s sons, who are isolated at school and seem to have found their few friends through the youth group at a local church - and in a close relationship with the hip, young, attractive pastor.

An attempt on Colt’s life leaves Hazard’s (possible) son in the hospital. When Hazard and Somers learn that the attack came after Colt tried to investigate the murder on his own, they realize he is now in the killer’s crosshairs, and Hazard and Somers must race to uncover the truth. The results from the paternity test aren’t back yet, but father or not, Emery Hazard isn’t going to let anyone harm a child.

©2021 Gregory Ashe (P)2021 Gregory Ashe

Great story. Great narration.

I really hope that Gregory Ashe can keep writing this series for a very long time. Every new book seems to draw me even further into this world. I don't even like the Midwest. I escaped. I don't want to go back, but if I could visit Hazard and Somerset's corner of the world I might consider it. If Tristan James voices the tour, I might even take one of those touristy bus trips through the Ozarks.

The mystery is fascinating, the characters have very real personalities and problems. The settings are so vivid that I can easily imagine myself in Hazard and Somerset's house or out in the field observing the crime scene. The conflicts are real world problems that the characters deal with in insightful ways, and I have yet to predict the entire plot resolution.

Long story summarized, this is a great start to what promises to be my favorite series in the Hazard and Somerset universe, but I have made that declaration before...

Suspenseful but great!

I truly love every book in this series. Gregory Ashe is an amazing author and Tristan James is a great narrator. This one was full of suspense and I had to pause many times to get through it but it was well worth it!

Continued greatness

I’ve loved Gregory Ashe’s stories for years. This addition to the life and times of Hazard and Sommerset just gets better and better. I enjoy the detective story but love the characters. Their personalities grow and adjust and I wish I knew them in real life. The addition of Colt and Evie’s emerging personality are engaging. The narration is dry which is exactly right for Hazard and a wonderful counterpoint to Sommer. It highlights when the emotions start ramping up, especially when Hazard loses it! This fan was not disappointed and I look forward to the next installment of their story.

Garrrrhhhh!

This book twisted me up!

Here’s why:
Stubborn Hazard
Placating Somers
A kid as stubborn as Hazard
Colt
Colt
(The stubborn kid)

While I loved Hazard and Somerset (as always) throwing Colt in the mix didn’t work for me as much as a standard murder would have.

I know things are always in flux on the home front with they two men, but I’m looking forward to things settling down so we can get back to good old death and mayhem in Wahredua.

As always, a SENSATIONAL NARRATION!!

Another amazing addition!

Unlike so many others series, I'm 11+ books in and not showing any signs of loosing interest. Tristan James and Gregory Ashe are a dream team that I hope never breaks up!