Paladin

An excellent start to a much anticipated new book. I certainly want to read more of this adventure. I'm still open regarding how to deal with Sam and his goons. Greg now knows he could have to modify and adapt their plans as things develop.

A great chapter showing the love they have for each other. Mike is so supportive and level headed. Just what Jamie needs. Is Morris-Walker really changing or is it just a case of it being political convenient.

A wonderful chapter and it captures the mood of the time regarding gays (Poofters as we were called then) and a community (not just family) expectation that all children would grow up, get married and have children. "Love" was used loosely. Loved the reference to Liberace even if his chandelier didn't get a mention. Gay relationships then tended to consist of brief, furtive and secretive experiences. I left high school a year before Phil started and in a different country but so much of this story resonates with me. As an aside, a friend of mine had a son who disowned him because he came out as gay. The son refused to have anything to do with him even when he was seriously ill and dying. After my friend's death his son challenged the will, expecting to be the sole beneficiary. I hope Phil's son doesn't end up like that.

Another interesting chapter. Some quick thinking by Mac in explaining why he had 3 dogs and why Bailey couldn't be trained at the same place as the 3 "dogs". Devin is taking more risks when transitioning to rescue someone. Maybe staying short could be an advantage if he going to keep doing this. Pity they can't transition into ghosts and turn next door into a haunted house.

We've see that bullets and Tasers don't work against the entity (or entities). Other than calling in Ghost Busters Jamie needs to know more about the 'who' and the 'why' in the hope that it will provide a 'how' to neutralize them. Interesting that something as low tech as a a knife seems to work. Considering the official response to Jamie's first encounter with the entity, I completely understand him wanting to create "alternate facts" to explain what happened. Did love the humour in this wonderfully written chapter.

This story introduces Ken, a NYC homicide detective who attends a weekend pool party, only to find himself on the list of murder victims. Will he work out who the killer is before he's next on the list? There's only one way to find out and that is to read this intriguing and entertaining murder mystery.

A truly intriguing murder mystery. Thanks @chris191070 for keeping us entertained and interested in the the outcome. I'm really looking forward to more stories involving Ken.

Thanks @Cane23 for reading and responding.

Wow, what a chapter. So well written and leading to a great conclusion (I almost said climax ). It's informative but still contains mysteries. Like Maggie's scars. We are still to find out why Mike's mother is in hospital and yet the girls seem to know more than we do. Helping the girls choose their clothes is obviously a common occurrence. Something of a gay friend thing. First time for Liam but it seems Mike was not truthful. So they will talk tomorrow. Can't wait.

Yes @drsawzall and @chris191070, the guys are moving towards a new phase of their relationship with lots of changes. Will it all be smooth sailing?

I can't give spoilers @Summerabbacat, you'll just have to keep reading to find out what they do with the apartment or apartments and how they respond to the "no pressure" encouragement to get get married. I love the grandparents' emotional blackmail; No pressure but do it before we die. Like that could be tomorrow.

It can be when you have the assets and stumble across property that is not in demand.

Where do I start @Summerabbacat? Chris and Andre are committed to and support each other and are prepared to take the risk. Hmm what to do with the apartments? They, well Chris, still has the Townhouse which will have a spare bedroom when he moves to the shop. Do they need to move? Noah? He's just a real estate agent who might pop up again in the story. And after all your comments you have them married in the next couple of weeks. Really!

Thanks @CincyKris. They do have to get the adjoining property first before they decide what to do with the apartments. Having Skye and beau live there would certainly make babysitting easier. All will be revealed.

We were motivated so we spent time each night from Wednesday to Friday checking online for somewhere suitable for me to run my business. Then we spent most of the weekend visiting Real Estate Agents and looking at possible places. There were a couple of possible places but nothing that actually grabbed us as ideal. Sunday night we were exhausted but determined to get our heads around what we liked about the places we’d seen and what we didn’t like about them. We ended up with a list of wha

Yes @Bill W I'm having a bad dream, however I think I've found the answer to my question. “Ok, then JTT it is, but maybe you should talk to your dad and see if he’ll let you increase your height to 5’ 9” (175 cm) or 5‘ 10” (178 cm), and then you’ll be the same height as him, Gramps, and Pops. You’ll only be an inch (2.5 cm) shorter than me, so it will probably make you feel better about yourself and less conspicuous about your height as well.” “Yeah, that‘s a really good idea and I’ll do it when I go home for the holidays. He might let me grow and inch over Christmas break and a couple more inches (5 cm) over Spring Break or the summer.”

A delightful chapter @Bill W showing the boys in a routine of classes, study, transition and forming friendships. I like being reminded that there is always danger in being another animal apart from ms busybody neighbour. When is Devin going to start growing taller (other than during sex).

Like some others my first "experience" was at age 12. It started with a couple of other boys my age who lived in the same street. It started with comparing to see who started growing hair first and of course comparing size. It didn't take much for that to become jerking each other off. It continued for some years. There was come convenient bushland around where we lived. I loved this chapter @Ronyx. Phil is relaxing into telling his story and having Colin also relate some experiences is terrific. I'm looking forward to this cross generational interplay. One post WWII and the other 21st Century. I feel sorry for Colin having such an unpleasant first experience and hope talking about it helps.

What a delightful chapter @lawfulneutralmage. It progresses the story with a degree of humour that is only possible when danger is not immediately present. Testing the car knowing "The Minister" wasn't wearing a seat belt and would be tossed around in the backseat was a wonderful example.

One question Ken didn't ask Larry was "did Norm have a key to Monte's apartment?"

The plot thickens and the murder count rises. The mysterious Norm is like the Scarlet Pimpernel, as is the murderer. Are they one and same? Another well written and intriguing chapter.

Thank you @Anton_Cloche for encouraging me to have a look at house prices in Ettalong. Yes in that location they are currently in the $!m range. That doesn't mean that Lachlan paid anywhere near that much when he bought it 25 years ago. Beau and Andre grew up in the house. The intended back story is that Lachlan bought the house after getting married and as a builder he has been able to maintain and improve the house over the years. Good thing capital gains tax does not apply when you sell the house you're living in. Having bought it so long ago it still has a large yard which makes it a great place for a party.

I agree with all the positive comments about this chapter. It is engaging and informative. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. With Jamie and Mike the forced absence has made the relationship stronger.

Yes @Ivor Slipper he did perform the way a baby could be expected to behave, including the vomit. All entertaining enough when you're on the outside looking in. I liked that even doting dad Beau was prepared to admit that looking after little Willie was a handful.

A great chapter with more murders and a reducing number of victims. We know who's next, but how? Love the story.