Relief Valve

The Plumber's Mate Mysteries, Book 2

By: J. L. Merrow

Narrated by: Phillip Humphries

If you dig up the past, be prepared for some dirt to stick.

The relationship between Tom Paretski, a cheeky plumber with a gift for finding hidden things, and PI Phil Morrison may only be a few weeks old, but already it’s under attack. Tom’s friends and family are convinced the former bully isn’t good enough for him, and they’re not shy about saying so.

Then Tom’s prickly older sister, Cherry, is poisoned at her own engagement party. Tom’s left reeling and not knowing who to suspect. Could it be her new fiancé, Gregory, a cathedral canon with an unfortunate manner and a taste for taxidermy? Or someone from her old writers’ circle, which she left after a row? Or could the attack be connected to her work as a barrister? Meanwhile, Tom’s honorary auntie’s left him a gag gift from beyond the grave that could be more significant than anyone knows.

Phil’s fighting against the clock to solve the case before somebody ends up dead. And with the poisoner hiding a dark secret, Phil’s terrified Tom could have been the target all along.

Note: This is lightly edited version of a previously published novel.

©2018 JL Merrow (P)2020 Riptide Publishing

Fun story, original characters

I’ll read or listen to all of this series. It’s very good, but I save 5* for the exceptional. I wish I had better visual picture of Tim like hair color and style. Phil and Gregory are easier for me to imagine
Recommend this book!

One of my favorite mysteries

I've read this ebook at least two or three times. I'm THRILLED to have it in audio! In book #1's audio I wasn't 100% sold on some of the character voices, but now it's like listening to old friends. All new characters like Cherry and Greg are done very well. This is one of my favorite m/m series and I'm so excited to see it getting the audio treatment.

Lovely

A really fun cozy series (but with bullying triggers, be warned). I didn’t love the resolution of the bullying recovery in the first book, but it’s becoming increasingly clear the MCs are each very insular young men struggling to connect in the world. I don’t know how I’ve missed reading this series but I’m definitely enjoying it. The narration is top notch, as well.