Nelly S. (on semi-hiatus)'s Reviews > Skeletons in the Closet

3.5 stars

cw: past childhood abuse, anxiety, depression, gun violence, mentions of suicide (case), alcoholism (secondary character)

I really feel conflicted about this series so far. What do you do when you love one character and yet feel ambivalent about his romantic interest? Especially if said romantic interest often acts flippant and insensitive? And yet there are great things well. The angst is perfectly done. The depictions of anxiety and depression ring true. The characterization is great. One secondary character is a real hoot (shout out to Kitty)!

Let’s start with Diem, whom I love—every single bit of his awkward, lumbering, angry, scarred (both physically and psychologically) and antisocial self. If I was rating this book solely based on him it would have been 4 stars, but alas there’s also Tallus and the mystery as well. Diem is a PI and former detective working on a case that requires information from the police records department, where Tallus works as a records clerk. Tallus is a flamboyant, pushy, and self-absorbed flirt. But he also has his good moments when he is insightful and empathetic, especially towards the end.

What I don’t like, however, is how much Tallus toys with Diem. Tallus feeds on the fact that Diem is absolutely mesmerized by him and cannot resist him. He loves attention and aggressively pursues and seduces Diem several times even though Diem makes it clear that he’s uncomfortable with the situation and struggles with any type of physical contact. The context behind this is that Diem grew up with an alcoholic father who physically abused him. He suffers from profound feelings of worthlessness, anger, and guilt. Because of his severe anxiety and depression, any type of social interaction is an uphill battle for him. Therefore, Diem finds it difficult to communicate with others and express himself. And yet Tallus continually makes of fun of him for being uncommunicative. But since Tallus comes from an abusive background himself I would expect more sensitivity from him. So although Tallus can be kind, I can’t get past the constant teasing and self-absorption.

The mystery didn’t do much for me. I could either take it or leave it. I was only interested in it to the extent that it brought Tallus and Diem together and how it allows us to see their relationship develop.