Shadowy Solutions Series by Nicky James

An embarrassing mishap with a lightbulb lands Toronto Police Department records clerk Tallus Domingo in the arms of Diem Krause, a surly ex-cop turned private investigator—literally. In search of his usual informant within the department, Diem wasn't prepared to end up with a handful of Tallus, but that was who he got. Diem's case is complicated, but his relationship with his old employer is more so, so he's not inclined to accept help from someone he doesn't know... moreAn embarrassing mishap with a lightbulb lands Toronto Police Department records clerk Tallus Domingo in the arms of Diem Krause, a surly ex-cop turned private investigator—literally. In search of his usual informant within the department, Diem wasn't prepared to end up with a handful of Tallus, but that was who he got. Diem's case is complicated, but his relationship with his old employer is more so, so he's not inclined to accept help from someone he doesn't know. But Tallus won't be disregarded. He won't be cast aside. Tallus's dreams of investigative work push him and Diem together. Can this unlikely pair work amicably to solve Diem's case? Will their evident attraction to one another get in the way? less

The last thing Diem Krause wanted to do was ask for Tallus’s help. The too-hot-for-his-own-good records clerk was so far outside Diem’s league that he became tongue-tied in his presence. Six months ago, after an embarrassingly unimpressive exchange in the bedroom that accentuated Diem’s flaws, he swore never to go near the sultry man again... moreThe last thing Diem Krause wanted to do was ask for Tallus’s help. The too-hot-for-his-own-good records clerk was so far outside Diem’s league that he became tongue-tied in his presence. Six months ago, after an embarrassingly unimpressive exchange in the bedroom that accentuated Diem’s flaws, he swore never to go near the sultry man again. When a new case lands on Diem’s desk, one involving a dead, allegedly unfaithful husband, Diem exhausts every means of investigation until he has no choice but to seek out the man he swore never to see again. Tallus has skills Diem doesn’t. In addition to being confident and sociable, Tallus can act and help him get answers. But inviting Tallus into his case means relinquishing control, and Diem hates not being in control. Not only is the Toronto Police Department’s records clerk fanatical about investigative work, but he also has a thing for making Diem uncomfortable and pushing his boundaries. When the case takes a dark and dangerous turn, the two spend far too many long nights trying to puzzle things out. Tallus’s flirty, suggestive behavior is going to get them in trouble, and the last thing Diem wants is to end up in bed with him again. It was a disaster the first time, and Diem doesn’t want to revisit the shame. Will Diem be able to resist Tallus’s charm? Can the two work together to solve the unusual case without crossing lines? Diem isn’t so sure. He doesn’t want a partner. He doesn’t need a lover. But with Tallus Domingo, he somehow ends up with both. less

It’s not a real case, he’s not my boyfriend, and we aren’t partners. Three lies I told myself for survival. After ten months of shamefully stalking and showing up randomly on Tallus’s doorstep at midnight (for reasons), the sinfully hot records clerk decided he’d had enough of my games. In fact, he went out of his way to bring me the most ridiculous case (it was not a case) on the planet as an excuse to push me over the line (he wanted a date)... moreIt’s not a real case, he’s not my boyfriend, and we aren’t partners. Three lies I told myself for survival. After ten months of shamefully stalking and showing up randomly on Tallus’s doorstep at midnight (for reasons), the sinfully hot records clerk decided he’d had enough of my games. In fact, he went out of his way to bring me the most ridiculous case (it was not a case) on the planet as an excuse to push me over the line (he wanted a date). Our arrangement (hooking up) didn’t suit him any longer. Could I say no? Of course not (this was Tallus). Five days, I told him. Five days to prove his silly theory, then we were done. Little did I know, Tallus had a deadline of his own. Investigating a mind-controlling-murdering psychic was hard enough (because it was not a thing), but resisting Tallus’s charm was the real challenge. It turned out, I was wrong about a few things. The case might be a case after all. Tallus had potential as a partner. And after all was said and done…. I wasn’t sure I could let him go. less

One case to save my career. One headstrong boyfriend I can’t function without. I’m doomed. Without solving a peculiar out-of-town case, Diem’s career is over. He can’t afford to live, let alone pay bills and run the business. The case involves a mostly dead teen and a small-town police department who are convinced the boy suffered an accident. All hope lies on the hunch of a grieving mother... moreOne case to save my career. One headstrong boyfriend I can’t function without. I’m doomed. Without solving a peculiar out-of-town case, Diem’s career is over. He can’t afford to live, let alone pay bills and run the business. The case involves a mostly dead teen and a small-town police department who are convinced the boy suffered an accident. All hope lies on the hunch of a grieving mother. Unable to handle such a delicate situation on his own and unwilling to go bust, Diem invites his boyfriend/almost-partner along to make sure his rough edges don’t cost them a payday. What he didn’t expect was a high school full of secrets and suspects, a bed-and-breakfast from hell with only one m*#@er f*#@ing bed, and danger around every corner because someone doesn’t want the truth to be unveiled. Diem can handle threats. Risking life and limb to get answers is part of the game. But as the mystery unfolds, he realizes there is one thing not worth jeopardizing for a case: Tallus. less

What would you do for love? On a balmy September evening, Tallus and Diem discover a man who has been attacked in an alley. Saving his life seems like the right thing to do. With his dying breath, the man thrusts an item upon the couple and makes one request. Get rid of it. The mysterious object proves to be valuable, and Tallus doesn’t want to part with it. Keeping it makes Diem uncomfortable in a way he can’t explain... moreWhat would you do for love? On a balmy September evening, Tallus and Diem discover a man who has been attacked in an alley. Saving his life seems like the right thing to do. With his dying breath, the man thrusts an item upon the couple and makes one request. Get rid of it. The mysterious object proves to be valuable, and Tallus doesn’t want to part with it. Keeping it makes Diem uncomfortable in a way he can’t explain. Tempers flare, but before they can come to an agreement, everything unravels. The item is more dangerous than either of them realized. Lies and secrets threaten to tear the couple apart as Diem is drawn into something dark and menacing. Keeping his hotheaded boyfriend safe proves to be almost impossible, but Diem’s been given a task, and he will not fail. If he does, he will lose everything. less

Diem never thought he would have a steady boyfriend and enough cases to keep his business in the green. He never thought his nana would live to be ninety-three. Life is, dare he say, good? He could do to drink less, and he still needs to quit smoking, but he’s getting there. He’s happy. In love... moreDiem never thought he would have a steady boyfriend and enough cases to keep his business in the green. He never thought his nana would live to be ninety-three. Life is, dare he say, good? He could do to drink less, and he still needs to quit smoking, but he’s getting there. He’s happy. In love. If he could manage his stress, life might even turn out to be… great? But then Tallus arranges dinner with his parents, where Diem faces questions about commitment and weddings and a weekend bonding trip with a stepfather he doesn’t know. And a resident of Nana’s nursing home ends up involved in a twisted version of a grandparent scheme, so Diem agrees to investigate. The police clearly aren’t doing their job. It’s all downhill from there. The case somehow leads to Diem figuratively adopting the most obnoxious teenager imaginable. A boy whose troubled life reflects Diem’s past. A boy who is deeply entwined in a con far more complex than he realizes. One misstep tips their hand. The hunter becomes the hunted. Diem and Tallus—and their unfortunate sidekick—are in a race against the clock, desperate to nail the person responsible before he skips the country… or seeks revenge. So much for reducing stress. Amidst the chaos, Diem finds himself bonding with his petulant rescue-teen. Diem is nobody’s role model, but the boy’s incessant questions open Diem’s mind and heart to things he never thought possible. Things that make him think that maybe life could be… amazing. *This is the fifth installment in the Shadowy Solution series. It is a same-couple mystery series with mental health rep, size difference, and a sassy vs surly dynamic. The series should be read in order for full enjoyment*. less