Magpie Rhyme Series by Louise Collins

The press nickname him “The Countdown Killer”, branding his victims with a number, but Chad knows him as Romeo. Captured by the killer he’s hunting, Chad’s situation seems dire, but Romeo doesn’t want to kill him because Chad doesn’t fit his pattern. Instead, he’s keeping Chad for two months, hiding him away where no one will find him, making sure Chad can’t reveal who he is. Romeo is not going to hurt Chad; he’s going to let him go—but only once he’s claimed number one... moreThe press nickname him “The Countdown Killer”, branding his victims with a number, but Chad knows him as Romeo. Captured by the killer he’s hunting, Chad’s situation seems dire, but Romeo doesn’t want to kill him because Chad doesn’t fit his pattern. Instead, he’s keeping Chad for two months, hiding him away where no one will find him, making sure Chad can’t reveal who he is. Romeo is not going to hurt Chad; he’s going to let him go—but only once he’s claimed number one. But in two months with only the killer for company, a bond begins to grow. They’re not detective and killer, but Chad and Romeo. It’s wrong, but in their messed-up situation, it feels right. Still, Chad is a detective, and his duty is to the public, to keep them safe. And if that means betraying the man he’s learned to rely on, then so be it…. less

Locked up in a maximum-security prison, Romeo’s highlight each week is a visit from Chad. Despite his friends, colleagues, and therapist all telling Chad to stop, he can’t, and he becomes the only joy in Romeo’s boring, bleak life. More than his need to kill, he needs Chad to live, but a Copycat killer has other ideas... moreLocked up in a maximum-security prison, Romeo’s highlight each week is a visit from Chad. Despite his friends, colleagues, and therapist all telling Chad to stop, he can’t, and he becomes the only joy in Romeo’s boring, bleak life. More than his need to kill, he needs Chad to live, but a Copycat killer has other ideas. At first flattered, Romeo relishes the new killer's triumphs, but as he countdown his victims, Romeo realizes the danger Chad’s in, not only from the killer, but from his colleagues, and even more alarmingly, himself. Romeo must do something drastic to reunite the Monster and the Magpie, but the Copycat is closing in on Chad fast, and he’s intent on doing the one thing Romeo couldn’t, concluding his countdown, and claiming number one…. Book One: One for Sorrow. Book Two: Two for Joy. less

If they can get through the first case, they’ll get through any—that’s what Chad tells himself. But juggling his career and his relationship isn’t easy. The monstrous part of Romeo gnaws away under the surface. His dark moments leave Chad uncomfortable, and when they accumulate into an attack, it leaves Chad shaken. A guilt-ridden Romeo disappears and Chad’s quest for a normal life falls apart around him... moreIf they can get through the first case, they’ll get through any—that’s what Chad tells himself. But juggling his career and his relationship isn’t easy. The monstrous part of Romeo gnaws away under the surface. His dark moments leave Chad uncomfortable, and when they accumulate into an attack, it leaves Chad shaken. A guilt-ridden Romeo disappears and Chad’s quest for a normal life falls apart around him. He needs Romeo, his monster, his savior and if that means turning his back on a normal life . .. so be it. less

The compromise is working. They’re happy…. Chad thinks. But when Romeo reveals his fantasy to Chad, their carefully crafted life comes undone. Romeo wants Chad to kill their next victim, but it’s a line he can’t cross, being the killer, not just enabling one. That’s a step into the grey that he’s not prepared to take. But what will happen if he tells Romeo no? Will he leave? Or worse, will he make Chad cross the line? There’s a killer on the loose, and they’ve kidnapped number four... moreThe compromise is working. They’re happy…. Chad thinks. But when Romeo reveals his fantasy to Chad, their carefully crafted life comes undone. Romeo wants Chad to kill their next victim, but it’s a line he can’t cross, being the killer, not just enabling one. That’s a step into the grey that he’s not prepared to take. But what will happen if he tells Romeo no? Will he leave? Or worse, will he make Chad cross the line? There’s a killer on the loose, and they’ve kidnapped number four. It’s a race against time to solve the case and save a life, but as the pieces come together, Chad realizes he has more in common with this killer than he ever thought possible…. less

He may be weeks from death, but Vincent still pulls an unwilling Chad into his game. If he agrees to meet with Vincent, he will cooperate in the search for the remains of Harriet Hastings, his missing victim. Chad is skeptical from the beginning, and believes Vincent is setting him up to fail with the eyes of the country watching. But Chad’s not alone in Vincent’s game... moreHe may be weeks from death, but Vincent still pulls an unwilling Chad into his game. If he agrees to meet with Vincent, he will cooperate in the search for the remains of Harriet Hastings, his missing victim. Chad is skeptical from the beginning, and believes Vincent is setting him up to fail with the eyes of the country watching. But Chad’s not alone in Vincent’s game. He has recruited two other players, Lucinda Hastings, Harriet’s sister, and retired Detective Inspector James Poole who Chad learns had a relationship with the missing girl. The clock is ticking on Vincent’s time, and he tells Chad a secret. He’s holding on to four words. Four words he’s saving until the end. Four words that will bring about Chad’s downfall…. less

The raven. It’s a bad omen. Chad calls it superstition, but Romeo knows it’s a warning specifically for him. He calls himself a god among men. That’s the feeling he gets when he kills, like he’s more than everyone else. But even gods have their weaknesses. Romeo only has one. The man that put a heart in his chest. The one that made it beat. But the Chad he clasps eyes with doesn’t recognize him anymore... moreThe raven. It’s a bad omen. Chad calls it superstition, but Romeo knows it’s a warning specifically for him. He calls himself a god among men. That’s the feeling he gets when he kills, like he’s more than everyone else. But even gods have their weaknesses. Romeo only has one. The man that put a heart in his chest. The one that made it beat. But the Chad he clasps eyes with doesn’t recognize him anymore. An accident cherry-picks Romeo from Chad’s memories and losing him is a pain he struggles to bear. He doesn’t want to be without Chad, he can’t be, which means he has to reunite the monster and the magpie by any means necessary. But his magpie has been keeping secrets. Unforgivable ones…. less