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Five Dead Herrings

Quest Investigations, Book 1

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Five Dead Herrings

By: E.J. Russell
Narrated by: Greg Boudreaux
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About this listen

Something’s definitely fishy about this case….

On my last stakeout for Quest Investigations, I nearly got clotheslined by a grove of angry dryads. I expected my bosses to reprimand me, but instead they handed me my first solo assignment. Me! Matt Steinitz, the only human on the Quest roster!

Okay, so the mission isn’t exactly demanding. Obviously, the bosses wanted to give me something they think I can’t screw up. I’m determined to show them what I can do, however, so I dive right in with no complaints.

At first glance, it looks as simple as baiting a hook: A selkie’s almost-ex-husband is vandalizing his boat with unwanted deliveries of deceased sea life. All I have to do is document the scene, tell the ex to cease and desist, and present the bill for property damages. Boom. Mission accomplished, another Quest success, and as a bonus, I get to keep my job.

But then things get…complicated. Suspicious undercurrents muddy up my oh-so-easy case. Nothing is as clear as it should be. And the biggest complication? My inappropriate attraction to the client, who may not be as blameless as he claims.

Turns out those dead herrings aren’t the only things that stink about this situation.

Dammit.

Five Dead Herrings is the first in the Quest Investigations M/M paranormal mystery series, a spinoff of E.J. Russell’s Mythmatched paranormal rom-com story world. It contains no on-page sex or violence, and although there is a romantic subplot, it is not a romance.

©2021 E.J. Russell (P)2022 E.J. Russell
Fiction Literature & Fiction Mystery Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Private Investigators Romance Detective Paranormal Fantasy Boss
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While thrilled to be working with the supernatural detective agency, Quest Investigations, paparazzo Matt Steinitz is fully aware that being human has a lot of limitations when dealing with the supe community. He is excited to be tasked with his own case, one involving Lochlan, a glowering selkie whose soon-to-be ex-husband is leaving dead herrings in inconvenient places that stink up his boat, thereby threatening his livelihood. The case seems straightforward but soon Matt is tangling with high-handed mages, thieving ferret shifters, and angry dryads—why can’t life ever be simple?

This is classic EJ Russell territory: a light-hearted slow-burn supernatural romantic imbroglio with a convoy of amusing characters and some magical action. In this series, she also focuses on mysteries with Matt and Lochlan as recurring characters with the romance lurking in the background of each case. I found this story fun and entertaining, Matt always seems to find himself in an embarrassing situation or needs to get himself out of trouble. And yet, he’s highly resourceful and clever, able to compensate for his lack of magical abilities. I’m going to enjoy this series! 🎧 Greg Boudreaux is so versatile and he always narrates light-hearted magical stories perfectly. He’s good at leaning into the playful humour, peppering his narration with extra tone or creature-specific voices and accents.

Light-hearted, romantic supernatural PI series!

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I really loved this. An extension in the e j Russell universe looking at the human perspective. Also love the narrator. Very fun and would recommend

Fun tale of an Ernest investigator who is better than he thinks

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Great storyline with a great twist. Easy listening as always with Greg Boudreaux as narrator.

Great story

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