What a great kickoff to a thriller/mystery series! I definitely want to see more of Colin Buxton and, hopefully, his theater producer boyfriend, Lee.
About the Book
A remote Scottish island… secrets waiting to destroy… a gruesome killing
What actor could refuse the invitation to rehearse a new play on an exclusive private island?
Two aging actors well past their prime
A young hot-shot whose career is on the up
A jaded ingénue battling the industry
But before a line is uttered, the production’s leading man is brutally murdered. And when the fiercest storm in a century cuts the island off from the mainland, all hell breaks loose.
Colin Buxton, a police officer taking a break with his producer boyfriend, is caught off guard, and without back-up, must untangle a web of lies and deceit before the killer strikes again.
And, as the blurring of personal and professional lives threatens to derail an already fraught investigation, Colin asks:
Is the key to solving the murder buried in the past?
Who can he trust to tell the truth?
And might his own partner be implicated?
In this gripping murder mystery, bestselling author CC Gilmartin weaves a dark tale of suspense and revenge that will keep you guessing until the end.
All Mine Enemies is the first book in the Colin Buxton investigative crime series. If you like complex characters and psychological twists, then you’ll love CC Gilmartin’s page-turning debut.
Perfect for fans of Matt Brolly, Ann Cleeves, CL Taylor, JD Kirk, and Andrew Raymond.
My Thoughts
Despite Colin being a cop, this had the feel of a cozy because he was a young rookie, so he was still learning the ropes, and in this particular story, he was stranded in a situation where he didn’t have any backup and had to figure out everything on his own with very few people to trust.
It’s refreshing to see an LGBTQplus character take the lead of a detective series and to include the real-life struggles that would face them in such a position. Excellent, real representation in an entertaining format, and some surprises along the way as well. But what’s equally impressive is our young, vibrant, gay detective is almost boring compared to the zany cast of characters he’s forced to contend with when his vacation goes horribly wrong. This cast, along with Colin’s experience level, elevated the cozy feel.
I really enjoyed the setting. While it took place on an entire island, it took the essence of a locked-room mystery because of spoilers!!! The action didn’t cease, and the author did a great job of building tension between the characters and using flashbacks and the weather to weave more in and out.
Despite mostly being actors, all of the characters were distinct and identifiable. I often have a hard time keeping up with a lot of characters, but this had just the right amount to be interesting but not confusing. The mystery was well thought out and presented. I was tricked by the twists and turns right up until the end. I figured out one here and there but didn’t figure everything out until the big reveal.
I’m so grateful to the authors and LBT for including me on this tour! Can’t wait to read the next one!
Who’s It For?
If you enjoy a good thriller/cozy crossover, I believe you’ll enjoy this. I don’t know if that’s what this is technically, but as a pretty avid reader of both, I give it my stamp of approval! It’s got elements of both and kept me on the edge of my seat, wanting more until the end. I needed to know who did it, and I was invested in what was happening to the characters. I, personally, can’t ask for more out of a cozy or a thriller.
Content Warnings: Drug Abuse/Addiction, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Sexual Harassment/Assault, Allusions to incest, Suicidal Attempt, Homophobia, Sexism, Classism, Violence
About the Author
We’re Chris Deans and Colin Thomas Begg, the bestselling writing duo behind the pen name CC Gilmartin.
Scots-born, we’ve lived in London, Sydney, Berlin, and Barcelona but now call Glasgow home. With diverse backgrounds, we’ve come together to share our passion for crime fiction and suspense. The stories we create have dark secrets at their heart. Love, denial, and betrayal drive, and sometimes destroy, our characters. We’re also inspired by the Scottish landscape and the great cities we’ve been lucky enough to live in.
Want to know more about our books? Join the CC Gilmartin Readers Club at https://www.ccgilmartin.com/book-club and receive a FREE Colin Buxton story, plus regular updates on our writing and travels.
Amazon US: https://a.co/d/9EVHuvY
Amazon UK: https://bookshop.org/a/25511/9781739136208
Bookshop US: https://bookshop.org/a/25511/9781739136208
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62355284-all-mine-enemies
Author’s Website: https://www.ccgilmartin.com/
As a Bookshop.org (US) Affiliate, I may earn on qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org purchases support local, independent bookshops. My chosen affiliate bookshop is Tubby & Coo’s Traveling Bookshop, a local, queer-owned bookshop in New Orleans.
Published by Amorina Carlton. Award-winning American author, Amorina Carlton, is currently working on her first novel. You can find more about her published work and works in progress on the home page. She also serves as the PR/Marketing Lead for Ravens and Roses Publishing, and reviews books, mostly by other indie authors, here and on Bookstagram.