Threshold by Jordan L. Hawk

 Introverted scholar Percival Endicott Whyborne wants nothing more than to live quietly with his lover, ex-Pinkerton detective Griffin Flaherty. Unfortunately, Whyborne's railroad tycoon father has other ideas, namely hiring Griffin to investigate mysterious events at a coal mine.

Whyborne, Griffin, and their friend Christine travel to Threshold Mountain, a place of dark legend even before the mine burrowed into its heart. A contingent of Pinkertons-including Griffin's ex-lover Elliot-already guard the mine. But Griffin knows better than anyone just how unprepared the detectives are to face the otherworldly forces threatening them.

Soon, Whyborne and Griffin are on the trail of mysterious disappearances, deadly accidents, and whispered secrets. Is Elliot an ally, or does he only want to rekindle his relationship with Griffin? And if so, how can Whyborne possibly hope to compete with the stunningly handsome Pinkerton-especially when Griffin is hiding secrets about his past?

For in a town where friends become enemies and horror lurks behind a human mask, Whyborne can't afford to trust anything-including his own heart.

In this, the 2^nd adventure in the Whyborne and Griffin series, Whyborne, Griffin, and their friend Christine travel to Threshold Mountain, at the bequest of Whyborne’s father, to ferret out what could possibly be an otherworldly problem.

If you read my other review, you know I loved Widdershins’ Whyborne & Griffin already. I was sold from the first. Hawk has such a way with characterization. Whyborne and Griffin are so well created, you know how each will react in any given instance. In this installment, they leave Widdershins in search of who-knows-what. For Whyborne’s father has an interest in this coal mine and threats of its workers going on strike would cut into his business interests – not that Whyborne or Griffin are interested in that kind of thing. But when a strange carving is stolen from Whyborne’s hands from two boys, their interest is too keyed up not to go.

Threshold is a dirty coal mining town with workers living in filth and coal dust settled everywhere. But as much as that bothers poor Whyborne, it’s the least of their worries. One of Griffin’s old lovers happens to head up the Pinkertons in town, much to Whyborne’s jealousy and renewed feelings that he is not worthy of his lover. Add in tales of the local yayhos and strange disappearances, and there is definitely something not-natural going on. The mountain that overlooks the tiny town of Threshold has a secret, one that will destroy the entire area if not stopped. In fact, it may not be able to be stopped at all. After all, the new moon is coming and these things like the dark.

As I love all of Hawk’s works, I did enjoy Threshold, but of the ones I’ve read so far, it’s my least favorite –considering I love them all, probably isn’t saying much – but it’s still worth 5 stars. Threshold is a fantastic book I would suggest to anyone. And everyone who might like M/M fiction. It’s got jealous lovers, yayhos, a cast of ladies of the night who think Whyborne is just the sweetest thing ever, an annoyed Christine – is there any other kind? – and even better? Whyborne stands his ground at the end against someone who has controlled him for a very long time.

Our boy’s growing up!

There are some nice erotic scenes, but since they are in public and their hotel room isn’t exactly sound proof, our two boys don’t get in as much alone time as I’d like – I don’t know who was more frustrated, me or them.

Addendum: The audiobook of Threshold

Narrator: Julian G. Simmons

Julian is definitely the voice of my favorite Whyborne. I personally suggest getting the whole series, in both book and audio formats. Then you can have them no matter where you are. Am I a fan? Hmmm. Yep, most definitely.

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