Every Breath
by Ellie Marney
Summary:
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.
Review:
This is an impressive and well-written mystery that grips you from the start and doesn’t let go until the very last page. It may not be especially mind-blowing or unpredictable in its reveal, but the wonderful cast of characters makes up for that.
When Rachel Watts and James Mycroft go to the zoo, they’re shocked to find the murdered body of a man known as “Homeless Dave.” When it soon becomes clear that the police aren’t going to be any help solving the case, Rachel and James decide to take matters into their own hands and try to find the murderer themselves.
Rachel is a well-written and relatable protagonist. She may be a bit on the quiet side, but she is extremely intelligent and observant, and is always there for her friends.
Mycroft is complex and realistic. He’s got a tragic backstory, but he’s also got a charm that constantly radiates off of him.
Mycroft and Rachel have absolutely wonderful chemistry. They start out the book as friends, but it’s clear there’s something more to their dynamic than that, and it’s absolutely wonderful watching their relationship progress throughout the story.
The supporting characters also have their own amount of depth and backstory. The characterization of Rachel’s friends Mai and Gus, as well as her brother Mike, was especially superb and noteworthy.
The mystery itself is where I felt the story was a bit lacking. I wasn’t completely mind-blown or surprised when the culprit was revealed, and I wish there were simply more red herrings as to their identity so the reveal could come as a bit more of a surprise.
The story takes a little while to really get going, but once you’re fully invested in the story, you won’t be able to put it down. I have not seen Sherlock Holmes, so I can’t say how this does as a retelling of that story, but on its own this is a strong beginning to what is sure to be an amazing series.
I know you said you weren’t blown away by the culprit and whatnot, but that’s great you still really loved the story…especially the characters! I do want to check this series out. It sounds great!
Thanks Lauren. Definitely do give it a try though!
Ooh Mycroft and Watson? That’s certainly an interesting combination! I wonder if Holmes has a little cameo in their investigation…? Either way, this sounds like an exciting book! It seems like there’s a bunch of Sherlock Holmes retellings becoming prominent in YA fiction. Not that I’m complaining. 😉
Haha…I don’t remember there being any mention of Sherlock, but I’m sure he’s probably got a cameo somewhere in there. 😉
This is the first time I heard of this book, but it already piques my interest after reading your review! I love the idea of finding the murderer 😀 The characters sound really amazing here, and it’s good to hear they were quite likable. Mycroft sounds like a very unusual name though 😛
Too bad that the ending wasn’t quite mindblowing. But nonetheless, I’m looking forward to this! Thanks for the awesome review, Zoe! 😀
Definitely give it a try Jillian, especially if you’re a mystery fan. 🙂
I’ve read so many good reviews about this series! Since I love Sherlock Holmes and mystery, I probably should read it soon. Also, Mycroft and Rachel sounds very adorable <3 Anyway, great review, Zoe!
If you’re a Sherlock fan and a mystery lover, you’re going to love this one Tiffany. 🙂
I’m so glad you liked this! I was surprised at how much I did — because to be honest despite the fact that I love Sherlock Holmes the story didn’t sound that appealing to me. And I found the rest of the series to be just as good 🙂 Lovely review!
I’m glad to hear you liked it too Kara! And you’re making me excited to see what happens in the rest of the series! 😉
Well it’s too bad since you say that you didn’t really get into the mystery that much. That’s always sad since it’s technically supposed to be a mystery. But.. ROMANCE. So everything is okay. It will be okay. hehe
Haha! Definitely don’t go in expecting a mind-blowing revelation at the end, but it still is very well-done.
THIS IS MY FAVOURITE BOOK OF EEEEEEEVER. OMG!!! *THROWS CONFETTI ALL OVER IT* I also adored it because of all the Australianness. I read like 90% American fiction, so to read something that felt so homey and realistic and actually SPOT ON in Australianness for once?!?? It was basically like reading something written in my backyard. If that makes sense. xD
And the characters…afjdksalfd I ADORED THEM SO MUCH. Particularly my tragic little darling, Mycroft. And Rachel was entirely epic too. I love how the next book she starts off doing Roller Derby. 😉 HEHHHH.
ANYWAY. Love.
I completely feel you. It must be great to read a book with a setting you can really relate to. 🙂
YAY! I’m so glad you liked this one, Zoe! I have to say that the next book is better in terms of getting into the action and mystery. I think it MIGHT be my favourite of the three of them, because it is also set in LONDON (which is fabulous).
I really do have to say that the chemistry between Rachel and Mycroft is on point. One of my favourite ships for sure.
I hope you love the next books, and cannot wait to see what you think of them 😀 <3
Ahh! Chiara, you’re making me so excited to see what happens next!
I can’t wait to read this one Zoe, I know heaps of Aussie bloggers rave about this series and they love it! It was great hearing your thoughts on the mystery though! Lovely review girl!
I have a feeling you’d probably like this a lot Jeann. 🙂 Thank you!
I was honestly hoping it would have that mind-blown effect when it was all revealed, so that’s a little bumming. I still do want to read this though, and I’m happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
I was too Lisa, but, oh well. It’s still entertaining and thrilling, which is what matters. 😉
I am so happy that you enjoyed this one! I have heard great things, but I keep wondering if it is something I’d enjoy. But when you said that the characters were great and have fabulous chemistry together… well, I might be sold 😉 Lovely review!
I have a feeling you’d really like this one Shannon! Thank you!
I’m not a huge fan of the cover (what can I say – I’m a shallow, shallow person), but I do love a good mystery, and if the characters were complex and well-written with great chemistry, I think I’ll give it a second thought^^ Great review!
Definitely do give it a try Chiri!
Ooh, a mystery!! I haven’t read one of these in the LONGEST time, so I just may pick up this one. Sorry to hear the mystery was lacking a bit, though. 🙁
Definitely do give this a try Julia Anne – it’s rather amazing!
Omg, is that Oz YA I see!! you are putting me to shame, I haven’t read this one yet *bad Melbournian* But what on earth is the MC doing in Melbourne Zoo? That place is so dull haha! I am glad to hear the book itself is exciting though!
SHAME AENTEE! Just kidding! (But really, you should give this a try!) And OMG…haha!
Ellie Marney does a great job rewriting the Sherlock characters as teens. I just love the relationship between Mycroft and Watts because they are so rooted into each other.
I agree. Such well-written character dynamics!
Everyone I know and talk to has loved this series. It literally sounds fantastic and your review makes me want it so bad. I’ll have to look into reading it soon. Thanks, Zoe! c:
Of course Kynndra!
I feel like YA mystery is a hard genre. This sounds like it was good even if the mystery wasn’t super surprising. Great review!
No, I completely agree. It’s definitely a hard genre. 🙂 Thanks Grace!
This sounds like an interesting book! I’m not generally a fan of mystery, and it’s been so long since I’ve read a mystery book – yet alone contemporary! I’m glad you enjoyed this one, great review! 😀
Definitely give this a try if you’re into mysteries Anissa!
I have been dying to read this book for a while now; don’t really know why I haven’t picked it up though. It looks wonderful, and I don’t know why, but I have a very weird fetish for books that combine both mystery and romance – the good kind. Wonderful review, Zo! I need to buy this already!
If you’re into books that combine mystery and romance, DEFINITELY give this a try Maddy!
Ah, yes, I liked the slowly developing romance, too. It’s such a refreshing change from all the insta-love in YA lit!
And I appreciated Rachel’s intellect as well – in the original Sherlock stories, Watson is more of a prop but Rachel is an integral part of the investigation.
I’ve never watched the original Sherlock, but that’s so interesting to know Kaja. It’s great that she was really able to develop Rachel and make her feel even more real than in the original stories. 🙂
YES. I LOVE THIS BOOK. I’m so glad it’s gotten such love from US/Canadian bloggers now that it’s published over the pond…MYCROFT IS JUST UGH. Just wait until you get your hands on book #2…I think it is my favourite of the three.
AHH. I’m so sad because my library doesn’t have book two, so I have to wait for an excuse to ask for it. 😉 ha.
Eek I’ve heard so much about the chemistry between Rachel and Mycroft, AND Ellie Marney has been on my reading list foreverrrr (trying to read more Aussie YA!) so I’m dying to finally get to this series!
Definitely give this a try if you’re looking for some good, high-quality Aussie literature Tiffany! 🙂