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Shadow of the Templar #2
Double Down
"Hypothetically, I was wondering how you'd feel about working on the side of the good guys. On a purely contractual and highly erratic basis, mind you." Little did Simon suspect the explosive consequences that would arise from his offer.
Because now Jeremy Archer has a another thief with skills and abilities eerily similar to Jeremy's own. When this mysterious double falls afoul of Simon and his team, Simon asks for Jeremy's help, because who better to catch Jeremy Archer than... Jeremy Archer?
If Jeremy Archer is anything, however, he's unpredictable--and there's more at stake here than Simon could have imagined. Because in the halls of the FBI 'double' has another meaning...
The second book in the Shadow of the Templar series, newly revised and updated for the trade paperback edition!
Because now Jeremy Archer has a another thief with skills and abilities eerily similar to Jeremy's own. When this mysterious double falls afoul of Simon and his team, Simon asks for Jeremy's help, because who better to catch Jeremy Archer than... Jeremy Archer?
If Jeremy Archer is anything, however, he's unpredictable--and there's more at stake here than Simon could have imagined. Because in the halls of the FBI 'double' has another meaning...
The second book in the Shadow of the Templar series, newly revised and updated for the trade paperback edition!
344 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 29, 2009
25 people are currently reading
419 people want to read
About the author
M. Chandler
50Ìýbooks216ÌýfollowersM. Chandler is a lady of a certain age, currently wandering around the Seattle area. Whenever she manages to make her way home, she writes action-oriented fiction that tends to be heavy on the gay themes.
She has , , and, God help us, .
She has , , and, God help us, .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
March 8, 2013
I'm just going to make a few quick bullet points.
Negatives:
1. Too much stuff going on there seemed to be a plot within a plot.
2. Too long. The story dragged so much especially in the middle and Holy God at the end.
3. Simon needs to quit the homophobic slurs towards Jeremy.
4. Simon beating up Jeremy because Jeremy was right. Sure dick.
Positives:
1. Jeremy Archer. Enough said.
I'm dreading the next book because of some of the reviews. I like Simon's team but I don't want to read about their personal lives. (Unless it is adorable Nate).
Negatives:
1. Too much stuff going on there seemed to be a plot within a plot.
2. Too long. The story dragged so much especially in the middle and Holy God at the end.
3. Simon needs to quit the homophobic slurs towards Jeremy.
4. Simon beating up Jeremy because Jeremy was right. Sure dick.
Positives:
1. Jeremy Archer. Enough said.
I'm dreading the next book because of some of the reviews. I like Simon's team but I don't want to read about their personal lives. (Unless it is adorable Nate).
March 1, 2014
In this installment of the series, we (and Simon) learn more about Jeremy's back-story, about his youth and development of his skills, and the people he grew up with. We also get a lot more of the other members of Simon's FBI team, and how they work together.
The tone is light and observational, even when there are dark undercurrents or events happening. Much of the emotional density has to be read between the lines, picked up from little gestures and assumptions. I prefer this to wallowing in the emotions, but occasionally found it a little spare. I like to think Simon has more investment than he is admitting to, and I imagine the past affects Jeremy much more than he is willing to show. But I'd have liked just a little more access to their feelings and thoughts.
If I were reading this purely as a romance, I'd probably be pretty frustrated here. The romantic pace is glacial. We spend a fair bit of time with characters other than the two MCs. But as a thriller, with an interesting supporting cast, good banter, and a plot that kept me guessing, I really enjoyed this and got pulled along into the series. I do hope the romance develops, and I suspect I'm going to want to smack Simon sometime soon. We'll see.
Recommended to fans of action/thriller/mystery stories with added romance, but not those looking to dive into a relationship as the primary focus.
The tone is light and observational, even when there are dark undercurrents or events happening. Much of the emotional density has to be read between the lines, picked up from little gestures and assumptions. I prefer this to wallowing in the emotions, but occasionally found it a little spare. I like to think Simon has more investment than he is admitting to, and I imagine the past affects Jeremy much more than he is willing to show. But I'd have liked just a little more access to their feelings and thoughts.
If I were reading this purely as a romance, I'd probably be pretty frustrated here. The romantic pace is glacial. We spend a fair bit of time with characters other than the two MCs. But as a thriller, with an interesting supporting cast, good banter, and a plot that kept me guessing, I really enjoyed this and got pulled along into the series. I do hope the romance develops, and I suspect I'm going to want to smack Simon sometime soon. We'll see.
Recommended to fans of action/thriller/mystery stories with added romance, but not those looking to dive into a relationship as the primary focus.
May 31, 2017
3.5 stars
There was one continuous theme that really didn't sit well with me while reading this (use of a homophobic slur) and it's part of the reason why I didn't give this a higher rating. Also some parts dragged and made the pacing weird.
The reason I didn't give this a lower rating is because I still had a fun time reading this - and Jeremy. I'm very conflicted on recommending this because obviously the slurs bothered me. Read at your own risk, I guess.
There was one continuous theme that really didn't sit well with me while reading this (use of a homophobic slur) and it's part of the reason why I didn't give this a higher rating. Also some parts dragged and made the pacing weird.
The reason I didn't give this a lower rating is because I still had a fun time reading this - and Jeremy. I'm very conflicted on recommending this because obviously the slurs bothered me. Read at your own risk, I guess.
March 28, 2015
2.5 stars
I read book one, , some time ago and really liked it, loved the interaction between Simon Drake and his FBI team, loved his thorny attraction to Jeremy Archer, the jewel thief they were hunting. The slow-burn flirting leading to off-page hip bumping. I remember it being fun. And intriguing� the only hinted at sex between two guys whose careers had always come first.
But boy, did I have to push myself through most of this one. It’s very slow going� all the charming nattering amongst Simon’s team now seems overdone and comes off as juvenile and mundane. All the description of each and every trivial action and reaction makes for some very dry reading. It’s a very, very slow build up to the real action in the piece which doesn’t coalesce until about two-thirds into the story (good god!!!) I almost gave up. Twice. That remembered charm wasn't there, and I found Simon irritating and so closed off and distant. He just seemed like a dick for much of this. I kept wondering what was up with all the negativity. I kept wondering if I should reread book one to see if it would hold up.
As usual it’s when the main characters, Simon and Jeremy, are together that the story keeps interest. They are so unconventional. Agent versus criminal. I really want to see where they’ll go with this off again/on again thing they have� not a relationship, they’re not even fuck buddies, their lives don’t intersect in any normal sense. When Simon hires Jeremy as a ‘consultant� they fall effortlessly back into their booty call. Jeremy is called upon to help the FBI nab a very dangerous hi-tech gadget thief being employed by a big bad Russian mafioso. A thief with much the same MO as Jeremy Archer. Someone who may have figured large in Jeremy’s past. The plot device teaches us a lot more about that past, too. It warms us up to Jeremy, where he comes from, and what made him who he is.
Not so for Simon. There’s just no warming up to him for much of this book.
Double Down illustrates that in Simon’s eyes, a G-man having feelings for a known criminal is just not done. Heck, even acknowledging the whole guy on guy thing is a stretch. There is no talk of being gay, or of love, or of any kind of connection other than the purely physical. So, there is no real romance. The sex is fade to black, always. There is verbal sparring and flirting, but always with Simon there is that edge of distance. One senses a softness lurking in Jeremy, perhaps a wish for more, but he is constantly put in his place.
This is what I find most interesting in the story� this mostly-push-just-a-little pull� how, when disaster strikes, will these two react to it and each other. How the walls start to come down. How the banter develops some sweetness to it� The gadget thief thing is interesting too but he doesn't get much on-page time, turns into a caricature, really .
If the first two-thirds of the book was a two-star meh fest, the last third saved it for me. The great action scenes and Simon and Jeremy’s increased closeness—while never directly addressed� are sweet. Four stars for that.
“Simon paused to consider this. “I’m starving,� he said, surprised. “Jesus. I could eat a horse.�
Jeremy smiled a bit. “I’m reasonably sure that won’t be necessary. I know you Americans are a touch backwards, but…�
“But we’re not French.� Simon finished for him. “Americans don’t actually eat horses. They’re fucking icons over here. It’d be like eating a, a bald eagle or something.�
November 23, 2011
I was pretty disappointed by the second novel. So much that I'm postponing reading further. As I mentioned in my frequent status updates, the story veered off from what I was expecting. I could barely give it a 2 star rating.
I guess I just couldn't really appreciate the humor in the story or the portrayal of the characters to really be lured by the story. I found myelf rolling my eyes a lot and sighing in defeat whenever I came upon a bad passage in the book (and there were plenty). I felt the plot had a lot of potential that was never really used and from my pov, the end result was just average.
I guess I just couldn't really appreciate the humor in the story or the portrayal of the characters to really be lured by the story. I found myelf rolling my eyes a lot and sighing in defeat whenever I came upon a bad passage in the book (and there were plenty). I felt the plot had a lot of potential that was never really used and from my pov, the end result was just average.
June 13, 2011
Another entertaining installment in the Shadow of the Templar series. It was still non-stop hilarity with these guys and their funny one-liners. I was either laughing so hard or holding my breath during the suspenseful moments. Templar's team are definitely a funny, silly bunch.
I really like the fact we see Simon as he's working and get the step by step explanation on what his actions for each job is going to be, how they are going to catch a thief and all that. It's kind of refreshing because most of the books that have a government agent in them don't really talk about the job and take us through them and it was great learning more about Jeremy and his background.
I will say that while this is an action series, there's not much romance. In fact, many people might not like Simon because of how he treats Jeremy. I say this because he doesn't do anything sappy and express his love for Jeremy or something equally romantic, he's just his usual arrogant, 'let's make fun of and mock the other guy', Simon and if I had to guess, I'd say he treats Jeremy the way he does because it's a defense mechanism to not get too attached to Jeremy and vice versa... and also because he doesn't want to make his teammates suspicious of anything happening between him and Jeremy so he puts on the 'verbal' abuse quite thick. Still, some people may not understand that and just think he's an asshole. All the same, I've given fair warning.
Overall, I'm loving this series so far. Simon and Jeremy and their odd relationship are some of my favorite characters. Their constant bantering and innuendos were highly amusing to me and I can't wait to read the next one. Absolutely recommended!
I really like the fact we see Simon as he's working and get the step by step explanation on what his actions for each job is going to be, how they are going to catch a thief and all that. It's kind of refreshing because most of the books that have a government agent in them don't really talk about the job and take us through them and it was great learning more about Jeremy and his background.
I will say that while this is an action series, there's not much romance. In fact, many people might not like Simon because of how he treats Jeremy. I say this because he doesn't do anything sappy and express his love for Jeremy or something equally romantic, he's just his usual arrogant, 'let's make fun of and mock the other guy', Simon and if I had to guess, I'd say he treats Jeremy the way he does because it's a defense mechanism to not get too attached to Jeremy and vice versa... and also because he doesn't want to make his teammates suspicious of anything happening between him and Jeremy so he puts on the 'verbal' abuse quite thick. Still, some people may not understand that and just think he's an asshole. All the same, I've given fair warning.
Overall, I'm loving this series so far. Simon and Jeremy and their odd relationship are some of my favorite characters. Their constant bantering and innuendos were highly amusing to me and I can't wait to read the next one. Absolutely recommended!
January 9, 2012
I really enjoyed the second installment of this series. was full of fun banter, had a good mystery plot and gave a little more insight into the relationship between Simon and Jeremy. Again, if this weren't a series I would be disappointed with how slow they are progressing but since I know I get more I am just caught up, hook line and sinker. I like this series because so much attn is paid to the dynamics of the whole team and mechanics of spy/thief/mystery bits. If you took the romance out you would still have a complete story, not nearly as good of one but I appreciate reading stories with romances instead of romance stories every once in awhile. For now I give this 4 stars. If it reaches that pinnacle of "re-readability" in future it could be bumped to 5 stars. We shall see. I can't wait to read the next book! =)
March 10, 2011
This second installment starts off well and in keeping with the author's description (claim?) that SotT is an action series. We're taken into a heist-in-progress and into the opening chapter where Simon and his team are debriefed on their next case. Following their fuckfest weekend, Simon is back at work and Jeremy has taken off for parts unknown. When Simon and his team hit on the fact that the thief they are after is strikingly similar to Jeremy, Simon calls his intermittent lover and offers him a consultancy job on the team, to the horror and objection of his team members who, of course, don't know their boss is sleeping (now and then) with the 'enemy'.
I enjoyed the first half of Double Down and, to my surprise, found that the incessant bantering between the members, despite the childish overtones, did not irritate me. Nonetheless, I would have liked to have it cut down by half because I found the time spent on this slowed the book down considerably. If this series is meant to be an action-oriented one, Double Down would have been that if some of the banter had been left out in favor of more action sequences. There's a lot of build-up towards catching the copycat thief then a surprisingly anti-climactic end. However, there's an explanation for that though you'll have to wade through all the banter between everyone, and especially between Simon and Dorothy Langridge when they meet in the Arboretum, in order not to miss it. The repartees between this hard-nosed CIA operative and Simon are good but that post-op secret meeting they had was one instance when the bantering needed to have been dispensed with. The info divulged here was significant and I was exasperated to have to read through the relevant chapters twice and some portions more than twice just to mentally filter out the extraneous banter to get to the relevant stuff. There's also important things going on in Jeremy that I wanted to dwell on (the copycat thief was someone significant in his past) but this, too, was overwhelmed by the noise that just never let up from page to page!
Anyway, the suspense kicks in from the time Simon and Langridge meet and the following chapters - until our guys get to NYC - are the best part of the book.
MAJOR WARNING!!!MAJOR WARNING!!!MAJOR WARNING!!!
There is a Lacuna that occurs in the middle of Chapter 13. Read this, by all means, but do NOT read the author's comment at the end of this lacuna as it contains a major spoiler. I don't normally mind spoilers but this was one that I wish I didn't come across. It was totally unnecessary of the author to give that info away and I can only put it down to her uncontrollable need to justify and defend her decision not to write the sex scenes into the main story that she didn't realize this particular spoiler served no purpose.
Anyway, back to the book...
After the meeting at the Arboretum, and the suspense sequences following, the book switches focus over to Jeremy and Simon. Simon has descended into a deep funk following the events of the last chapter and spends days holed up in his apartment, not really eating or sleeping and not bathing either. As we, the reader has come to expect, Jeremy turns up to rescue Simon from his depression and from here the book changes from an action-romance to straight-up contemporary romance but minus the sex! It got really long here and while I can understand the need, perhaps, to show a side of their relationship that isn't all 'flash-bang-ka-boom-fuck', it was just way too long. Jeremy whisks Simon off to New York after Simon is suspended pending an investigation into the recent incident (to understate it) and while Jeremy succeeds in lifting the cloud of depression off Simon, their relationship has taken several steps back instead of forward. This would have added some depth to the love that's developing (albeit grudgingly and unacknowledged probably till death do us part!) between the two men but it was too frickin' long and when they part ways after that long no-sex weekend, it's the Epilogue!
...and it's an epilogue that would have been better off as part of the next book as it is all about Nate and so made the last portion of the story terribly disjointed. I would have preferred that Double Down ended with more insight into Simon and Jeremy's relationship. After all, I'd been made to read through 100 reader-pages of their NY trip, more bantering, withholding of natural relations (or should that be 'unnatural'?) because, you know - stuff is happening inside the two men that they don't want to talk about. So yeah, 100 pages of Jeremy and Simon in NY after the mission but no sex. So that's enough to get me grumbling and muttering so when it all ends with this odd little epilogue, I am not a happy fan. Having started Book 3 and read the opening chapter, I'll say that a better ending would be Jeremy and Simon saying goodbye, leaving their tenuous affair on a cliffhanger. Instead, I was pulled out of the story by this non sequitur of an epilogue.
Again, the weak part of the book is that the sex scenes were side stories you have to get out of the book to read. I didn't, don't and can't, buy the author's rationalization that leaving those scenes out improved the book. It was a dumb idea. IMO, they would have made the series so much better. As it is, the series suffers from being undecided whether it's an action story or a light, contemporary MM romance despite the author's claim to the former. There's not enough action to make it an action series and leaving out the sex scenes made the sexual chemistry between Jeremy and Simon pointless. If the bantering had been sacrificed instead, I'd have gotten more action sequences and if the sex scenes were left in, that would have heightened the tension all round. I would have had a ball watching Simon struggle - and fail - to handle keeping Jeremy at arm's (cock's) length, getting extremely twitchy because of he can't and Jeremy, irrepressible as always, continuing to bait Simon - and winning. Every damn time.
I am sufficiently exasperated this time to give what could easily have been a strong 5 stars a mere 3. Not because Double Down is bad but because I'm annoyed with the author. She explains (somewhere) that she loves banter. I enjoy that, too, but in this case, M. Chandler was being indulgent and as a result, spoilt what would have been a great follow-up to The Morning Star.
3 stars from me but I still highly recommend that you read it to the end and then go on to Book 3. I've been assured that the plot gets better and the team members become more three-dimensional.
I enjoyed the first half of Double Down and, to my surprise, found that the incessant bantering between the members, despite the childish overtones, did not irritate me. Nonetheless, I would have liked to have it cut down by half because I found the time spent on this slowed the book down considerably. If this series is meant to be an action-oriented one, Double Down would have been that if some of the banter had been left out in favor of more action sequences. There's a lot of build-up towards catching the copycat thief then a surprisingly anti-climactic end. However, there's an explanation for that though you'll have to wade through all the banter between everyone, and especially between Simon and Dorothy Langridge when they meet in the Arboretum, in order not to miss it. The repartees between this hard-nosed CIA operative and Simon are good but that post-op secret meeting they had was one instance when the bantering needed to have been dispensed with. The info divulged here was significant and I was exasperated to have to read through the relevant chapters twice and some portions more than twice just to mentally filter out the extraneous banter to get to the relevant stuff. There's also important things going on in Jeremy that I wanted to dwell on (the copycat thief was someone significant in his past) but this, too, was overwhelmed by the noise that just never let up from page to page!
Anyway, the suspense kicks in from the time Simon and Langridge meet and the following chapters - until our guys get to NYC - are the best part of the book.
MAJOR WARNING!!!MAJOR WARNING!!!MAJOR WARNING!!!
There is a Lacuna that occurs in the middle of Chapter 13. Read this, by all means, but do NOT read the author's comment at the end of this lacuna as it contains a major spoiler. I don't normally mind spoilers but this was one that I wish I didn't come across. It was totally unnecessary of the author to give that info away and I can only put it down to her uncontrollable need to justify and defend her decision not to write the sex scenes into the main story that she didn't realize this particular spoiler served no purpose.
Anyway, back to the book...
After the meeting at the Arboretum, and the suspense sequences following, the book switches focus over to Jeremy and Simon. Simon has descended into a deep funk following the events of the last chapter and spends days holed up in his apartment, not really eating or sleeping and not bathing either. As we, the reader has come to expect, Jeremy turns up to rescue Simon from his depression and from here the book changes from an action-romance to straight-up contemporary romance but minus the sex! It got really long here and while I can understand the need, perhaps, to show a side of their relationship that isn't all 'flash-bang-ka-boom-fuck', it was just way too long. Jeremy whisks Simon off to New York after Simon is suspended pending an investigation into the recent incident (to understate it) and while Jeremy succeeds in lifting the cloud of depression off Simon, their relationship has taken several steps back instead of forward. This would have added some depth to the love that's developing (albeit grudgingly and unacknowledged probably till death do us part!) between the two men but it was too frickin' long and when they part ways after that long no-sex weekend, it's the Epilogue!
...and it's an epilogue that would have been better off as part of the next book as it is all about Nate and so made the last portion of the story terribly disjointed. I would have preferred that Double Down ended with more insight into Simon and Jeremy's relationship. After all, I'd been made to read through 100 reader-pages of their NY trip, more bantering, withholding of natural relations (or should that be 'unnatural'?) because, you know - stuff is happening inside the two men that they don't want to talk about. So yeah, 100 pages of Jeremy and Simon in NY after the mission but no sex. So that's enough to get me grumbling and muttering so when it all ends with this odd little epilogue, I am not a happy fan. Having started Book 3 and read the opening chapter, I'll say that a better ending would be Jeremy and Simon saying goodbye, leaving their tenuous affair on a cliffhanger. Instead, I was pulled out of the story by this non sequitur of an epilogue.
Again, the weak part of the book is that the sex scenes were side stories you have to get out of the book to read. I didn't, don't and can't, buy the author's rationalization that leaving those scenes out improved the book. It was a dumb idea. IMO, they would have made the series so much better. As it is, the series suffers from being undecided whether it's an action story or a light, contemporary MM romance despite the author's claim to the former. There's not enough action to make it an action series and leaving out the sex scenes made the sexual chemistry between Jeremy and Simon pointless. If the bantering had been sacrificed instead, I'd have gotten more action sequences and if the sex scenes were left in, that would have heightened the tension all round. I would have had a ball watching Simon struggle - and fail - to handle keeping Jeremy at arm's (cock's) length, getting extremely twitchy because of he can't and Jeremy, irrepressible as always, continuing to bait Simon - and winning. Every damn time.
I am sufficiently exasperated this time to give what could easily have been a strong 5 stars a mere 3. Not because Double Down is bad but because I'm annoyed with the author. She explains (somewhere) that she loves banter. I enjoy that, too, but in this case, M. Chandler was being indulgent and as a result, spoilt what would have been a great follow-up to The Morning Star.
3 stars from me but I still highly recommend that you read it to the end and then go on to Book 3. I've been assured that the plot gets better and the team members become more three-dimensional.
April 8, 2020
I loved the first one and I still love Jeremy. However this was took forever to get going and although I enjoy some snark this one was a bit OTT and the team seemed to act just a bit too immature. Once the actual case got rolling I really started to enjoy this one. Simon was a bit cold at times and I cringed a bit and felt bad for Jeremy but I loved when these two did let down their walls a little bit to be together. The identity of the mole was fairly obvious but it led to an interesting situation with Simon so no complaints. I'm looking forward to the 3rd book and to see more development between Simon and Jeremy.
April 23, 2018
3.5 Stars
October 16, 2024
Just keeps getting better and better 😱
March 6, 2012
Something is wrong with me for liking this book so much. Jaysez! Seriously though, this book is one big pile of messed up.I believe It honestly covers all the things that I despise in a character and yet you can't hate the bastard. What bastard might that be you ask?*Simon* Simon.. Simon... Simon!!! Omg poor Jeremy. I honestly havn't found a character in a long time that I could be this smitten with and feel so protective over or just plain involved with. Having found Jeremy I loathe the way he is treated by Simon and the way he let's himself be treated and all because he has self worth problems! Some people might say that Jeremy can't cope with being treated with tender affection and love that is unconditional, hell that is the author's own justification of why Jeremy let's Simon treat him the way he does, but no that is a big pile of bull poop!!! You know why? Because if Jeremy was consistently treated with love and care he would inevitably find himself, probably subconsciously, thinking that he deserves some if not all of it and then then he would become comfortable enough with the idea that he could maybe even reciprocate some of that love and care IN A HEALTHY WAY. It is just so lame that M.Chandler makes it seem like there isn't anything wrong with the way that Simon treats Jeremy. In fact if I didn't read the author's own comments on the book as I was reading the book itself I would have honestly considered the author to be promoting abusive relationships by not having Jeremy react more strongly to Simon's abusive treatment. Idk I honestly understand that the author was making a point on the fact that Jeremy thinks it's normal to be treated that way but still I had to cringe my way through some of the parts while gritting my teeth in distaste at Simon and his outright self-centered, inconsiderate, passive aggressive, demanding, rude, and confrontational behavior. Simon does have some redeeming qualities but as far as I am concerned not enough to make up for his crap qualities. I mean law abiding or not damn he is mean to Jeremy and always makes Jeremy feel inferior and hated. I almost couldn't enjoy the book because it was such an unhealthy relationship. At the same time I know that it is probably their whole dysfunctional relationship that made me like the book at all. Because I know it is realistic. That there ARE relationships that are just like Theirs. That is what I call the sad truth. Despite all their vicious interactions I still like them together. Man I am hopeless. I definitely recommend reading the first book in this series before reading this one and would definitely say this book is good enough to make me want to read the next book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2011
Very good m/m romantic suspense about a jewel thief who's hired by the FBI to help solve a string of industrial prototype heists by someone with a style eerily similar to his...
October 1, 2014
Fun--fast paced and you can't beat the price!!
November 1, 2017
I'll talk more about this series after reading the rest of the books. I will, however, say that I have mix feelings about it, but I enjoy it nevertheless.
August 28, 2016
1st read: 21-26/12/2011
_________
Re-read: 22/8/2016
_________
Re-read: 22/8/2016
March 11, 2017
God, how I love this series!
I've been reading this book for about a week now, pacing myself, because I'm sure I could've devoured it in two days, but I enjoyed it far too much to just speed through it. (I was reading the annotated version alongside it as well. It's spoilery as hell, but I really don't mind. I love reading about the background stuff and it's so rare that you can see the process of the author's thinking and writing!)
This installment was definitely tenser, with way more complicated feelings and betrayal. I could see the mole-thing miles ahead, but it really didn't detract from my enjoyment of the whole thing. I LOVE the banter and the team, and I love Jeremy with the team, and I adore Nate. Okay, so I sometimes could've hit Simon upside the head, true, but I still love his character to bits. His blow-up at Jeremy (both the first and the second) - while horrible to read - actually made a ton of sense and it was written particularly well. Fucking hell, was it intense. The last quarter of the book made me all happy, though, I really needed that after the explosion that was the whole mole-thing.
The writing was still lively and descriptive, without it turning into boring info-dumping. Some scenes were so well written, it was like watching TV; I can't even tell you just how impressed I'm by that. (Ooooh, and I so want a TV show of this!)
(I also read the half-chapters; you absolutely have to, if you want a little more steam, since the main story has almost no sex, just some fade-to-black scenes. I consider the half-chapters part of the book, so it's cool. I need my crazy-hot sex scenes, otherwise I'd really want to hit Simon more often.)
I've been reading this book for about a week now, pacing myself, because I'm sure I could've devoured it in two days, but I enjoyed it far too much to just speed through it. (I was reading the annotated version alongside it as well. It's spoilery as hell, but I really don't mind. I love reading about the background stuff and it's so rare that you can see the process of the author's thinking and writing!)
This installment was definitely tenser, with way more complicated feelings and betrayal. I could see the mole-thing miles ahead, but it really didn't detract from my enjoyment of the whole thing. I LOVE the banter and the team, and I love Jeremy with the team, and I adore Nate. Okay, so I sometimes could've hit Simon upside the head, true, but I still love his character to bits. His blow-up at Jeremy (both the first and the second) - while horrible to read - actually made a ton of sense and it was written particularly well. Fucking hell, was it intense. The last quarter of the book made me all happy, though, I really needed that after the explosion that was the whole mole-thing.
The writing was still lively and descriptive, without it turning into boring info-dumping. Some scenes were so well written, it was like watching TV; I can't even tell you just how impressed I'm by that. (Ooooh, and I so want a TV show of this!)
(I also read the half-chapters; you absolutely have to, if you want a little more steam, since the main story has almost no sex, just some fade-to-black scenes. I consider the half-chapters part of the book, so it's cool. I need my crazy-hot sex scenes, otherwise I'd really want to hit Simon more often.)
September 19, 2019
There is nothing that keeps me interested so much as bumbling main characters who refuse to acknowledge their importance to one another. Or when one of them does, and the other simply doesn't believe it.
"Of course, I might have chosen to keep your secret regardless of your threats, simply because I find myself rather oddly fond of you and wouldn't want to cause you undue trouble."
That and the high stakes and fast pace made me devour this in under two days, even though I was in another country supposed to be doing touristy stuff. Thank goodness for public transport and the ability to get around with my nose in my kindle.
"I don't suppose you'd believe me if I told you that I'd been worried about you."
"Of course, I might have chosen to keep your secret regardless of your threats, simply because I find myself rather oddly fond of you and wouldn't want to cause you undue trouble."
That and the high stakes and fast pace made me devour this in under two days, even though I was in another country supposed to be doing touristy stuff. Thank goodness for public transport and the ability to get around with my nose in my kindle.
"I don't suppose you'd believe me if I told you that I'd been worried about you."
December 9, 2021
Finally, DONE! I loved it but it was SO. FREAKING. LONG! Still, now I remember why I liked the first one so much. But I won't ever make this series a PIFM choice again.
March 4, 2014
Ok so I loved the first book in this series in all it’s snarky fantastic glory…and in no way did book two disappoint! In fact it took all my snark factors and then raised me some crazy fucked up shit that absolutely leveled me and my head is a whirling dervish of “did that just happen?� I’m head over heals in love with this series and I can’t wait to be back for more, and more, and more.
Simon’s got a new case dropped on his desk and somehow this string of robberies all seems to add up to one conclusion. Other than the industrial espionage/thievery aspects and well the dead bodies the MO of this thief seems a little too familiar. Putting it to his team and coming to the conclusion that they are all in agreement that while it’s ridiculously similar it can’t possibly be him, they come to the only conclusion that they can to catch this guy. Sometimes it takes a thief to catch a thief…calling in Jeremy Archer and paying his exorbitant fees seems like the only option available.
Oh the snark, the sarcasm, the one-liners! I am in heaven! I do adore the dialog in this particular series it’s just so much damn fun. I wondered what it would take for the FBI to shill out the money to hire Archer on again and apparently it seems to be his clone with a few less morals. I actually really enjoyed the build up in this one as the team goes about picking Archer’s brain about what and how exactly all of these previous robberies were committed. Jeremy does of course have intimate knowledge of this bad boy and his help is invaluable. I loved watching the team start to warm to him a little bit. I mean after all he did save their lives last time around.
God I love Simon and Jeremy together. I swear they live to piss each other off. Of course I’m starting to think Simon is completely oblivious to the fact that Jeremy’s feelings for him might not be quite as simple as he thinks. There’s quite a lot going on under the inscrutable man of British mystery air that Jeremy has polished to a T. If I had one complaint about his book in regards to these two though is that as much as I’m in love with them together I want a little hot and sexy action on the page please! The cut aways are damn frustrating. Guess I’m not going to get my kinky love action on in these books. Oh well, the characters and the story more than make up for it.
That being said this book just about broke my heart on top of making me crack up in repeated fashion throughout. The last quarter of this book was heart wrenching and yet gives more than a little window in the deeper feelings going on in Archer whether he owns up to them or not. I’m not going to go into any details even under spoiler tags because that’s just not really fair in this case, but suffice to say I read it all going, “No! No way! No! Tell me this isn’t going there?!?!?!? It can’t possible go there! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! *glass shattering crashing noises abounding* as my heart and brain just exploded and died.
I loved all the details in this story and the team working together to put together a plan of action was fabulous. Of course you knew that because their was a plan it was doomed to fail. First rule in story telling, if you tell me the plan ahead of time it sure as hell ain’t gonna work. If someone can name me a movie where that’s not the case I’d love to hear it. Well either it doesn’t or exist or if it does it’s so epically bad that no one talks about it. ;) Still I loved the plotting and planning and well Jeremy’s awesome teachings and all around fabulousness.
This book was equal parts brilliant and well brilliant. Normally with my reading schedule I’d be putting off reading the next book in favor of whatever is next for my challenges. I don’t know that I’ll be able to do that this time around. This is one case where I am absolutely cheering for the cop and his own personal criminal to find themselves together forever! This is White Collar in book form and I firmly expect to see my heroes traipsing off into the sunset together eventually. (It is of course the only thing missing from the tv show. Granted I adore El and Peter’s relationship so guess I’m not really rooting for him to suddenly declare his love for Neil in that case. That’s just a good old-fashioned bromance. Here though I’ve got the makings of true love and I want it!)
All in all it’s a fantastic freakin read and I loved it! Now I just need Simon to pull his head out of his ass and realize all the negative crap he spews at Jeremy when he’s frustrated is idiotic and hurtful and that they belong together. Stop denying your feelings already and wake up and smell the roses!
Simon’s got a new case dropped on his desk and somehow this string of robberies all seems to add up to one conclusion. Other than the industrial espionage/thievery aspects and well the dead bodies the MO of this thief seems a little too familiar. Putting it to his team and coming to the conclusion that they are all in agreement that while it’s ridiculously similar it can’t possibly be him, they come to the only conclusion that they can to catch this guy. Sometimes it takes a thief to catch a thief…calling in Jeremy Archer and paying his exorbitant fees seems like the only option available.
Oh the snark, the sarcasm, the one-liners! I am in heaven! I do adore the dialog in this particular series it’s just so much damn fun. I wondered what it would take for the FBI to shill out the money to hire Archer on again and apparently it seems to be his clone with a few less morals. I actually really enjoyed the build up in this one as the team goes about picking Archer’s brain about what and how exactly all of these previous robberies were committed. Jeremy does of course have intimate knowledge of this bad boy and his help is invaluable. I loved watching the team start to warm to him a little bit. I mean after all he did save their lives last time around.
God I love Simon and Jeremy together. I swear they live to piss each other off. Of course I’m starting to think Simon is completely oblivious to the fact that Jeremy’s feelings for him might not be quite as simple as he thinks. There’s quite a lot going on under the inscrutable man of British mystery air that Jeremy has polished to a T. If I had one complaint about his book in regards to these two though is that as much as I’m in love with them together I want a little hot and sexy action on the page please! The cut aways are damn frustrating. Guess I’m not going to get my kinky love action on in these books. Oh well, the characters and the story more than make up for it.
That being said this book just about broke my heart on top of making me crack up in repeated fashion throughout. The last quarter of this book was heart wrenching and yet gives more than a little window in the deeper feelings going on in Archer whether he owns up to them or not. I’m not going to go into any details even under spoiler tags because that’s just not really fair in this case, but suffice to say I read it all going, “No! No way! No! Tell me this isn’t going there?!?!?!? It can’t possible go there! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! *glass shattering crashing noises abounding* as my heart and brain just exploded and died.
I loved all the details in this story and the team working together to put together a plan of action was fabulous. Of course you knew that because their was a plan it was doomed to fail. First rule in story telling, if you tell me the plan ahead of time it sure as hell ain’t gonna work. If someone can name me a movie where that’s not the case I’d love to hear it. Well either it doesn’t or exist or if it does it’s so epically bad that no one talks about it. ;) Still I loved the plotting and planning and well Jeremy’s awesome teachings and all around fabulousness.
This book was equal parts brilliant and well brilliant. Normally with my reading schedule I’d be putting off reading the next book in favor of whatever is next for my challenges. I don’t know that I’ll be able to do that this time around. This is one case where I am absolutely cheering for the cop and his own personal criminal to find themselves together forever! This is White Collar in book form and I firmly expect to see my heroes traipsing off into the sunset together eventually. (It is of course the only thing missing from the tv show. Granted I adore El and Peter’s relationship so guess I’m not really rooting for him to suddenly declare his love for Neil in that case. That’s just a good old-fashioned bromance. Here though I’ve got the makings of true love and I want it!)
All in all it’s a fantastic freakin read and I loved it! Now I just need Simon to pull his head out of his ass and realize all the negative crap he spews at Jeremy when he’s frustrated is idiotic and hurtful and that they belong together. Stop denying your feelings already and wake up and smell the roses!
January 29, 2013
Not as smooth as the first one although I still like it; this book is for fans of heavy banter between characters, for my taste there was too much of it though, to a point where it clouded the plot.
There's a better feel for the characters than in the first book and their seperate personalities are more defined, still little physical descriptions though. About mid-point Simon is said to have black hair and it suprised me as I'd been picturing him as fair, not a big concern; books are often better when you can visualise characters your own way, but for this book I think you need to read the character briefs on the website for the full picture aka Mike's racial heritage..
There's a new character Langridge and I loved her dryness. A wry abrasive character I could happily have read more of. She describes Templar and co. as a bunch of adolescents and unfortunately that comes across. The team don't have the feel of professionals, there's less action so it's the banter that takes over with the climax of the plot being almost a side angle. The reasoning explained but unsatisfying.
Jeremy is brought in to help again and the book might benefit from giving the characters feelings occasionally. The excuse for Jeremy seems thin this time around, he's getting paid a lot yet his role is undefined, there's no agreement as to what help he'll give until after he's involoved. From there it's all about Jerermy's gadgets and Jeremy's crazy spy skills - doesn't seem wise of him to be giving up secrets so easily and it highlights just how much he out-classes the crack FBI team.
Sex scenes are all off-page in the Lacunae. Not reading them means you miss seeing the dynamic between Simon and Jeremy develop. I could tell when it was time to dig through the Lacunae by jumps in the story, it feels like there's a chapter missing and I think reading without the 'extras' could be disjointed (though some of the sex scenes themselves are over-long). There's one little scene from a different pov that could have been skipped.
I'll avoid spoiler talk, but say I thought Simon's reaction to what is revealed is good. The impact is very well conveyed.
Niggle - Jeremy as a the quintessential Englishman points out a trianglar item on the breakfast tray and identifies it as a 'scone' to American Simon. As a Brit I must assure deluded yanks that proper Scones are round and should properly be eaten for tea with a generous helping of clotted cream. It's being used as a culture comparison so Jeremy by rights should have added a sardonic comment.
This seems somewhat negative overall but isn't intended as so. I like banter. With an edit the length could be cut to better balance the action but it's still an easily readable story. The team is likeable, Jeremy is classy and we get to learn more of him.
There's a better feel for the characters than in the first book and their seperate personalities are more defined, still little physical descriptions though. About mid-point Simon is said to have black hair and it suprised me as I'd been picturing him as fair, not a big concern; books are often better when you can visualise characters your own way, but for this book I think you need to read the character briefs on the website for the full picture aka Mike's racial heritage..
There's a new character Langridge and I loved her dryness. A wry abrasive character I could happily have read more of. She describes Templar and co. as a bunch of adolescents and unfortunately that comes across. The team don't have the feel of professionals, there's less action so it's the banter that takes over with the climax of the plot being almost a side angle. The reasoning explained but unsatisfying.
Jeremy is brought in to help again and the book might benefit from giving the characters feelings occasionally. The excuse for Jeremy seems thin this time around, he's getting paid a lot yet his role is undefined, there's no agreement as to what help he'll give until after he's involoved. From there it's all about Jerermy's gadgets and Jeremy's crazy spy skills - doesn't seem wise of him to be giving up secrets so easily and it highlights just how much he out-classes the crack FBI team.
Sex scenes are all off-page in the Lacunae. Not reading them means you miss seeing the dynamic between Simon and Jeremy develop. I could tell when it was time to dig through the Lacunae by jumps in the story, it feels like there's a chapter missing and I think reading without the 'extras' could be disjointed (though some of the sex scenes themselves are over-long). There's one little scene from a different pov that could have been skipped.
I'll avoid spoiler talk, but say I thought Simon's reaction to what is revealed is good. The impact is very well conveyed.
Niggle - Jeremy as a the quintessential Englishman points out a trianglar item on the breakfast tray and identifies it as a 'scone' to American Simon. As a Brit I must assure deluded yanks that proper Scones are round and should properly be eaten for tea with a generous helping of clotted cream. It's being used as a culture comparison so Jeremy by rights should have added a sardonic comment.
This seems somewhat negative overall but isn't intended as so. I like banter. With an edit the length could be cut to better balance the action but it's still an easily readable story. The team is likeable, Jeremy is classy and we get to learn more of him.
April 2, 2018
4,75 stars
I knew I liked this book going in to it, but I didn't remember just how much. I think it's a shame that this series is "just" a self-published one and it's not crossed more people's paths than it has. I'm pretty sure if Shadow's character was female, these would be some sort of best sellers (although some things would surely be different in the story line.)
It's hard to pinpoint what I love most about these, but in the end it probably boils down to the characters and their interactions. I especially like Nate and Johnny, but they all feel so real (if not completely realistic) that I just feel like I'm more invested in them than I probably should, considering they are all fictional. It makes it all the more difficult to read, knowing what's up a head for them.
The other thing that Chandler handles exceptionally, is tension. These books pull me in so completely because they are just so well written that you feel like you're living in the story. I just can't get over it.
These books somehow manage to have a bit of everything I usually look for in a good book (or most of everything). The dialogue is funny, the emotions are easy to empathize with, the characters are flawed but lovable, the plot moves forward with exceptional pacing and while the plot might not be mind blowing, it's well thought out and very entertaining.
I like that The Relationship isn't the leading plot line, while it is an interesting one. Simon's so messed up and Shadow's too good for him, but there's constant development and hope. I also appreciate the author's decision to fade most sex scenes out. I agree that in a book like this, sex scenes would detract from the plot, so it's good to leave it to the reader's imagination. (Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a good sex scene as much as the next person, but I think there are books better suited for those than these ones.)
I'm probably going to get into With a Bullet straight away, even though I'm simultaneously dreading it.
I knew I liked this book going in to it, but I didn't remember just how much. I think it's a shame that this series is "just" a self-published one and it's not crossed more people's paths than it has. I'm pretty sure if Shadow's character was female, these would be some sort of best sellers (although some things would surely be different in the story line.)
It's hard to pinpoint what I love most about these, but in the end it probably boils down to the characters and their interactions. I especially like Nate and Johnny, but they all feel so real (if not completely realistic) that I just feel like I'm more invested in them than I probably should, considering they are all fictional. It makes it all the more difficult to read, knowing what's up a head for them.
The other thing that Chandler handles exceptionally, is tension. These books pull me in so completely because they are just so well written that you feel like you're living in the story. I just can't get over it.
These books somehow manage to have a bit of everything I usually look for in a good book (or most of everything). The dialogue is funny, the emotions are easy to empathize with, the characters are flawed but lovable, the plot moves forward with exceptional pacing and while the plot might not be mind blowing, it's well thought out and very entertaining.
I like that The Relationship isn't the leading plot line, while it is an interesting one. Simon's so messed up and Shadow's too good for him, but there's constant development and hope. I also appreciate the author's decision to fade most sex scenes out. I agree that in a book like this, sex scenes would detract from the plot, so it's good to leave it to the reader's imagination. (Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a good sex scene as much as the next person, but I think there are books better suited for those than these ones.)
I'm probably going to get into With a Bullet straight away, even though I'm simultaneously dreading it.
July 24, 2017
okay guys sit comfortably I'm going Full Rant here. The only good thing in this serie is Jeremy fucking Archer. Bless this beautiful freshly baked cinnamon roll. I love this boy okay? and IF I ever read the rest of this serie it's only because I want more of him.
Also, I despise Simon dickhead Drake with every inch of my body. He can go fuck himself up to Mars I wouldn't give a single shit. This dude needs to take a fucking look at himself before being all ''I'm the Good Guy and Jeremy is the Bad Bad Criminal''. Did I miss a thing or WHAT??? Seriously this guy is unsufferable. He acts like a spoiled child and speaks like he can says everything je wants as long as it sounds like a joke. His relationship with Jeremy was the most unbalanced one I ever suffered to read about. It made me so uneasy. I like angst but I draw the line at hate-fucking, that's just too fucked up. It's the exact example of relationship I pray to never have. Jeremy is doing everything for Simon and all Simon ever fucking does is whine and complain, or worse, hit and insult Jeremy. Fuck you Simon, fuck you and your selfish immature ass.
As for the plot, I was bored for more than half of the book and pissed for the rest.
Bye.
Also, I despise Simon dickhead Drake with every inch of my body. He can go fuck himself up to Mars I wouldn't give a single shit. This dude needs to take a fucking look at himself before being all ''I'm the Good Guy and Jeremy is the Bad Bad Criminal''. Did I miss a thing or WHAT??? Seriously this guy is unsufferable. He acts like a spoiled child and speaks like he can says everything je wants as long as it sounds like a joke. His relationship with Jeremy was the most unbalanced one I ever suffered to read about. It made me so uneasy. I like angst but I draw the line at hate-fucking, that's just too fucked up. It's the exact example of relationship I pray to never have. Jeremy is doing everything for Simon and all Simon ever fucking does is whine and complain, or worse, hit and insult Jeremy. Fuck you Simon, fuck you and your selfish immature ass.
As for the plot, I was bored for more than half of the book and pissed for the rest.
Bye.
March 6, 2014
This is the second of the books featuring FBI team leader Simon Drake aka Templar and international jewel theif Jeremy Archer aka Shadow (and a few other aliases). This time Jeremy is bought in officially to work with Simon's rather eccentric team whilst they investigate a series of thefts which, to all appreances could only have been carried out by Archer.
This is another enjoyable installment which shows their pair's relationship deepen - even though Simon is still denying anything is really going on. The action between the two is all of screen but it doesn't feel like anything is missing from the story... I am keeping going with the series
This is another enjoyable installment which shows their pair's relationship deepen - even though Simon is still denying anything is really going on. The action between the two is all of screen but it doesn't feel like anything is missing from the story... I am keeping going with the series
August 22, 2016
In which Angry Rich is Angry.
After a string of thefts with deadly conclusions, Team Templar find themselves on the trail of a thief with the same MO as one Jeremy Archer with the difference that they're not afraid to kill. Rather improbably, Jeremy is brought on as consultant to help them track down their new thief.
Russian mobsters, CIA agents, one very angry brother and a tragic conclusion reminds me how messy but almost how much I enjoyed there being actual stakes on the line.
After a string of thefts with deadly conclusions, Team Templar find themselves on the trail of a thief with the same MO as one Jeremy Archer with the difference that they're not afraid to kill. Rather improbably, Jeremy is brought on as consultant to help them track down their new thief.
Russian mobsters, CIA agents, one very angry brother and a tragic conclusion reminds me how messy but almost how much I enjoyed there being actual stakes on the line.
August 11, 2017
~ 4.5 Stars ~
I have a feeling I’m going to run out of ways to express how much I love this series before I get to the end of it. There are so many words floating around in my head right now, all of them one compliment after another to author M. Chandler’s storytelling prowess and the way she’s brought this cast of characters to full Technicolor life in my brain.
At the risk of repeating myself, I’m going to once again throw out the caution flag to the diehard romance readers: This is not a romance. It’s not even a slow burn romance. Snails probably mate faster than this, that’s how slow burn it isn’t, so please consider this if relationship heavy novels are your preference.
I’ll insert a second caution here as well: There are things that happen between Simon and Jeremy in this book that some readers will find objectionable, even if you’re willing to overlook the lack of a romantic story arc. For those readers, Simon’s actions will cross a line so intransigent that he could never, ever possibly be redeemed. He can be a real dick to Jeremy, for one, that’s inarguable, but a dubiously consensual sex scene is that line, and while one might argue extenuating circumstances, I won’t try because we all have a hard limit. So, yes, taken in or out of context, Simon doesn’t come off well in this installment. He isn’t always a likable guy, our Templar, and yet, unless I’m reading him wrong, something tells me he doth protest too much. His self-obtuseness comes across in the homophobic slurs he aims Jeremy’s way, and, as far as I’m concerned, they say more about Simon than they do about Jeremy. Denial, thy name is Simon? Know thyself, Simon. Really.
Jeremy, on the other hand—what can I say about our master con artist? He’s an enigma. He goes by at least a half-dozen aliases, and is still playing his cards somewhat close to the chest. We learn so much more about him in this book, though, some of those things I found rather heartbreaking, and yet, somehow, I feel as if we’ve barely scratched the surface of our Shadow’s story, not to mention his keen intellect and extraordinary skill. It’s interesting, in a sad way, to watch Jeremy take every verbal barb Simon throws his way as if he’s absorbing a punch, and has no interest whatsoever in allowing his enemy-with-benefits to know that perhaps he’s struck a sensitive spot. Jeremy is either the personification of grace, or he’s made of rubber bones and Teflon skin. I always get the feeling that there’s an “It’s okay, I’ve had worse� lurking behind Jeremy’s every smirk and wry retort, and I’m loving how Chandler has crafted her thief to be rather more amiable than her Feeb. Truth? Sometimes I just want to see Jeremy kick Simon’s ass.
The case Jeremy is called on to help Team Templar solve is fabulous, everything I would expect this author to deliver, with an unforeseen twist that does indeed give us a peek at a more personal side of Jeremy. More than a few laughs are peppered throughout the tension and danger as the team—and the one who, it’s made quite clear, is not part of the team and never will be ::coughsJeremycoughs::—square off against a copycat burglar who happens to be someone from Jeremy’s past. Jeremy’s nimble mind and expertise in this case are the epitome of this storyline’s brilliance. I loved every single moment I spent watching him calculate, hypothesize, and predict down to the second the moves the thief would make, and I’m so impressed by the way this author’s wordsmithing walks her readers through those scenes.
As in The Morning Star, book one in the Shadow of the Templar series, the banter between the entire cast feels so spontaneous and is spot-on. The quips, barbs, and dialogue don’t always advance the storyline, but it’s a revelation of the characters and their personalities, and, in the case of Team Templar, how intrinsic their camaraderie is to their success, even while Springheel, Honda, Texas, Specs and Specs Two are still somewhat vague in their overall development. They’re who they need to be in their designated roles, however, as it’s Simon and Jeremy who are driving this vehicle.
Explosive is what Double Down is, in a word. Not the pyrotechnic kind but the kind where things blow up figuratively, in such spectacular fashion, and then it all careens downhill from there when it’s revealed there’s a mole in the FBI who’s just exposed not only Jeremy to the enemy, but a CIA agent, Dorothy Langridge, as well. On a side note, I loved Langridge for routinely busting Simon’s chops and for being salty in general. Just when I thought I was safe from any more revelations, boom!, the next thing I knew I was becoming acquainted with some deeper feels. Will Team Templar survive this shockwave? Of course they will. There’s a book three.
Double Down is fleshy and robust, much more so than The Morning Star, which is, itself, a fantastic book. It’s ridiculous to say that I’m excited each of these books gets longer as the series progresses—more doesn’t always mean better—but any time spent with this cast of characters has been well worth it so far. Plus, I have to see how and if Simon and Jeremy end up together. Before they throttle each other, obviously.
So, if you have a hankering for a fast-paced mystery/suspense/action/thriller/crime caper with some laugh-out-loud moments thrown in, M. Chandler has tossed us the perfect word salad.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
I have a feeling I’m going to run out of ways to express how much I love this series before I get to the end of it. There are so many words floating around in my head right now, all of them one compliment after another to author M. Chandler’s storytelling prowess and the way she’s brought this cast of characters to full Technicolor life in my brain.
At the risk of repeating myself, I’m going to once again throw out the caution flag to the diehard romance readers: This is not a romance. It’s not even a slow burn romance. Snails probably mate faster than this, that’s how slow burn it isn’t, so please consider this if relationship heavy novels are your preference.
I’ll insert a second caution here as well: There are things that happen between Simon and Jeremy in this book that some readers will find objectionable, even if you’re willing to overlook the lack of a romantic story arc. For those readers, Simon’s actions will cross a line so intransigent that he could never, ever possibly be redeemed. He can be a real dick to Jeremy, for one, that’s inarguable, but a dubiously consensual sex scene is that line, and while one might argue extenuating circumstances, I won’t try because we all have a hard limit. So, yes, taken in or out of context, Simon doesn’t come off well in this installment. He isn’t always a likable guy, our Templar, and yet, unless I’m reading him wrong, something tells me he doth protest too much. His self-obtuseness comes across in the homophobic slurs he aims Jeremy’s way, and, as far as I’m concerned, they say more about Simon than they do about Jeremy. Denial, thy name is Simon? Know thyself, Simon. Really.
Jeremy, on the other hand—what can I say about our master con artist? He’s an enigma. He goes by at least a half-dozen aliases, and is still playing his cards somewhat close to the chest. We learn so much more about him in this book, though, some of those things I found rather heartbreaking, and yet, somehow, I feel as if we’ve barely scratched the surface of our Shadow’s story, not to mention his keen intellect and extraordinary skill. It’s interesting, in a sad way, to watch Jeremy take every verbal barb Simon throws his way as if he’s absorbing a punch, and has no interest whatsoever in allowing his enemy-with-benefits to know that perhaps he’s struck a sensitive spot. Jeremy is either the personification of grace, or he’s made of rubber bones and Teflon skin. I always get the feeling that there’s an “It’s okay, I’ve had worse� lurking behind Jeremy’s every smirk and wry retort, and I’m loving how Chandler has crafted her thief to be rather more amiable than her Feeb. Truth? Sometimes I just want to see Jeremy kick Simon’s ass.
The case Jeremy is called on to help Team Templar solve is fabulous, everything I would expect this author to deliver, with an unforeseen twist that does indeed give us a peek at a more personal side of Jeremy. More than a few laughs are peppered throughout the tension and danger as the team—and the one who, it’s made quite clear, is not part of the team and never will be ::coughsJeremycoughs::—square off against a copycat burglar who happens to be someone from Jeremy’s past. Jeremy’s nimble mind and expertise in this case are the epitome of this storyline’s brilliance. I loved every single moment I spent watching him calculate, hypothesize, and predict down to the second the moves the thief would make, and I’m so impressed by the way this author’s wordsmithing walks her readers through those scenes.
As in The Morning Star, book one in the Shadow of the Templar series, the banter between the entire cast feels so spontaneous and is spot-on. The quips, barbs, and dialogue don’t always advance the storyline, but it’s a revelation of the characters and their personalities, and, in the case of Team Templar, how intrinsic their camaraderie is to their success, even while Springheel, Honda, Texas, Specs and Specs Two are still somewhat vague in their overall development. They’re who they need to be in their designated roles, however, as it’s Simon and Jeremy who are driving this vehicle.
Explosive is what Double Down is, in a word. Not the pyrotechnic kind but the kind where things blow up figuratively, in such spectacular fashion, and then it all careens downhill from there when it’s revealed there’s a mole in the FBI who’s just exposed not only Jeremy to the enemy, but a CIA agent, Dorothy Langridge, as well. On a side note, I loved Langridge for routinely busting Simon’s chops and for being salty in general. Just when I thought I was safe from any more revelations, boom!, the next thing I knew I was becoming acquainted with some deeper feels. Will Team Templar survive this shockwave? Of course they will. There’s a book three.
Double Down is fleshy and robust, much more so than The Morning Star, which is, itself, a fantastic book. It’s ridiculous to say that I’m excited each of these books gets longer as the series progresses—more doesn’t always mean better—but any time spent with this cast of characters has been well worth it so far. Plus, I have to see how and if Simon and Jeremy end up together. Before they throttle each other, obviously.
So, if you have a hankering for a fast-paced mystery/suspense/action/thriller/crime caper with some laugh-out-loud moments thrown in, M. Chandler has tossed us the perfect word salad.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
May 30, 2016
*reading it for the second time*
So, I never actually reviewed this book, but given the five-star rating, it's obvious that I loved it.
I loved everything about it. I loved the characters, the suspense, the plot, everything. And no matter how many times I read it, I will always love this book.
4.8 stars
So, I never actually reviewed this book, but given the five-star rating, it's obvious that I loved it.
I loved everything about it. I loved the characters, the suspense, the plot, everything. And no matter how many times I read it, I will always love this book.
4.8 stars
June 20, 2017
2.5 stars & an A for the feels.
Use of slurs.
The pacing was off, terribly boring in the middle. And Simon needs to be called out on his use of slurs towards Jeremy (and others). The books are a fun, cute read but I would not recommend them too much unless you're specifically looking for FBI / Cop stories.
Read it for Jeremy Archer alone.
Use of slurs.
The pacing was off, terribly boring in the middle. And Simon needs to be called out on his use of slurs towards Jeremy (and others). The books are a fun, cute read but I would not recommend them too much unless you're specifically looking for FBI / Cop stories.
Read it for Jeremy Archer alone.
March 10, 2022
I am so loving re reading on of my comfort favorites. So glad it has help up.
I love the chemistry between all the characters. The character growth is great. The humor is awesome. Fast paced and good plot. Simon and Jeremy’s relationship is so cute and infuriating at the same time.
Ready to start the next one.
I love the chemistry between all the characters. The character growth is great. The humor is awesome. Fast paced and good plot. Simon and Jeremy’s relationship is so cute and infuriating at the same time.
Ready to start the next one.
December 30, 2012
OH MY GOD THIS SERIES IS BEAUTIFUL. ABSOLUTELY AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL. WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE HOW BEAUTIFUL THIS SERIES IS. IT IS BEYOND THE REALM OF COHERENCY AND GOES INTO THE REALM OF INCOHERENT RAVINGS.
I think I'm in love...
I think I'm in love...
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