'You need me to be your Watson.'

'You need me to be your Watson.'

• Oct 14, 2015

Every Breath by Ellie Marney

Release Date: October 14, 2014 (US)
Publisher: Tundra Books
Pages: 353 pages
Source & Format: Won from Lisa; Hardcover
Series: Every #1
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Summary (from Goodreads)

When James Mycroft drags Rachel Watts off on a night mission to the Melbourne Zoo, the last thing she expects to find is the mutilated body of Homeless Dave, one of Mycroft's numerous eccentric friends. But Mycroft's passion for forensics leads him to realize that something about the scene isn't right -- and he wants Watts to help him investigate the murder. 

While Watts battles her attraction to bad-boy Mycroft, he's busy getting himself expelled and clashing with the police, becoming murder suspect number one. When Watts and Mycroft unknowingly reveal too much to the cold-blooded killer, they find themselves in the lion's den -- literally. A trip to the zoo will never have quite the same meaning to Rachel Watts again...

Thoughts on Every Breath

You want me to convince you to read Every Breath? THIS IS A THING I WILL DO. Let's begin.

1. The Sherlock!
I've never read any Sherlock Holmes (HUSH), so I can't compare this to the original. I can, however, compare it to the movies and the TV show (which someone should have told me to watch sooner. YOU ALL FAILED ME HERE.). Here's what all three of these things have in common:

• A MURDER MYSTERY
• An eccentric genius with questionable social skills
• A loyal sidekick with endless amounts of patience
• Lots of sass and sarcasm

Here's what the book has that every other Sherlock adaptation was clearly missing: KISSING. Other than the main characters and the fact that it's a mystery, I don't know if there are other nods to the inspiration... but there might be! Why don't you pick it up for yourself and find out?

2. The setting.

Every Breath is set in Australia, which added so much to the story. I loved the slang (even when I didn't always know what it meant!) and the way the setting played into the story. I could imagine myself there with Watts and Mycroft, which made it all the more frustrating when I looked and realized NOPE STILL SITTING AT HOME.

3. The sleuthing.

I don't read a lot of thrillers or mysteries, but I do occasionally find myself drawn to the genre. I don't like unnecessary gore/violence or stories that make me scared out of my mind, so Every Breath was the perfect mystery for me. It's a little dark and definitely foreboding, but I never felt like I needed to look over my shoulder or turn on all the lights. However, it is gripping and left me guessing until the end. I had SUSPICIONS, but I will not tell you if I was right. It's not the most complicated mystery, but it was an enjoyable one. Plus, I loved watching Watts and Mycroft work things out, even when it got them into trouble.

4. The swooning.

If you like sparks and sexual tension and slow burn and surprise kissing, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. I loved the friendship between Watts and Mycroft. I love how Watts has seen Mycroft at his most vulnerable and isn't scared away. They butt heads sometimes, but they're there for each other when it counts. If a brooding, eccentric genius doesn't sound like your type, just wait until you meet Mycroft. And I have a feeling you'll love Watts from the very first page. They're great individually, but TOGETHER THEY ARE MAGIC.

So Quotable
"You don't have to pretend with me, you know." He reaches out and tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. His expression is so open and honest I feel it like a sucker punch. "I used to pretend, all the time, so I can spot it a mile away. If you're feeling shit, then just say so. I don't need to know the reason, it might be none of my business—"

"I'm feeling shit."