I think this is part of where this story lacks. This is why I like dual POV, as you get to know the characters deeper than you can with singular POV. Phil on the other hand even though I am two books in is still a bit of a mystery. This is written from his POV so we really get to know him well. Tom s character for me was just s great as he has been in the first one.

In the first book of this series we met Tom and Phil, this story takes place immediately where it left off. Sometimes humor in books is hard to do but this author manages to get the prefect balance between humor and serious. J.L Merrow is a funny writer, I love that he can make me laugh as well as create a serious plot. This series must be read in order to understand plot and character interactions. This is the second installment of the “Plumber’s Mate” series and I enjoyed it just as much as I enjoyed the first book Pressure Head. And with the poisoner hiding a dark secret, Phil’s terrified Tom could have been the target all along. Phil’s fighting against the clock to solve the case before somebody ends up dead. Could it be her new fiancé, Gregory, a cathedral canon with an unfortunate manner and a taste for taxidermy? Or someone from her old writers’ circle, which she left after a row? Or could the attack be connected to her work as a barrister? Meanwhile, Tom’s honorary auntie’s left him a gag gift from beyond the grave that could be more significant than anyone knows. Tom’s left reeling and not knowing who to suspect. Then Tom’s prickly older sister, Cherry, is poisoned at her own engagement party. Tom’s friends and family are convinced the former bully isn’t good enough for him, and they’re not shy about saying so. The relationship between Tom Paretski, a cheeky plumber with a gift for finding hidden things, and PI Phil Morrison may only be a few weeks old, but already it’s under attack.

If you dig up the past, be prepared for some dirt to stick. Genre(s): M/M Contemporary Romance, M/M Thriller/Suspense Romance

Relief Valve by J.L. Merrow