I’m usually very resistant to take on an entire series for review, but starting out with the latest installment is SO out of my comfort zone, thank goodness Lena Diaz writes incredibly intriguing books!  Ashes, Ashes, They all Fall Dead, book 3 in the Nursery Rhyme series, was so thrilling, I propose to think outside the box more often.  In fact, I intend to retrace my steps and start at the beginning.  I will delight in every delicious detail of suspense Ms. Diaz supplies.  Oh, yeah…I’m a fan (of alliteration, too!).

“I’ll give you one week, seven days, to prove this isn’t a hoax and develop at least one solid lead – and I do mean solid, like granite.  If at the end of the week you can’t convince me this isn’t a hoax, then you agree to drop this and never bring the letters up again.”

The 3 year hunt for a serial arsonist has resulted in unsolved, cold cases.  A fierce determination to bring closure to families and a niggling, unswerving desire to decipher the taunting, sing-song nursery rhyme “Ashes, ashes…” (included in letters found at the crime scenes) forces Special Agent Tessa James of the FBI to work alongside P.I./consultant, Matt Buchanan.  Ms. Diaz had me swooning pretty early on over the physical attraction and seductive banter between Matt and Tessa (their 6 year age difference was a modern-day nod), but once they displayed their expertise, their unique abilities contributing/flowing seamlessly together, you recognize their compatibility.  These two worked together before on the “Simon Says Die” investigation (Top of my To-Be-Read list!) and the bickering didn’t bode well for this current assignment.  But differences (denials of attraction) aside, two heads are better than one to track a killer. 

Matt’s customized software and state-of-the-art equipment, that gives Quantico a run for their money (add genius innovator right after swoon-worthy), begins to transmit more data than ever and they hit the ground running.  When Tessa’s own name pops up as a match from partial fingerprints found on the most recent letter, the investigation (and Tessa’s back story) goes into overdrive.  As does their attraction for one another.  Matt silently fantasizes during a pause in their research:

If she’d just get past her silly hang-up about their age difference and let that luscious hair of hers down out of the tight braid she wore, he could show her the advantages of making love with a younger, more energetic, enthusiastic man.  There was something to be said for stamina in the bedroom.           

I know you’re swooning.  I swooned just now in solidarity!  🙂  I thoroughly enjoyed being a fly on the wall during their investigation/brainstorm sessions; two brilliant minds collaborating to bring resolution to the murders. Of course believing myself to be Tessa, particularly during flirtier, more sensuous moments made a great book even more delicious! 

The scenes provided by Ms. Diaz to depict an arsonist’s compulsion were disturbingly fascinating.  Comparing living room wooden floor planks to matchsticks waiting to be lit…*shudders* This, and more, is what will grip you in Ashes, Ashes…An underground enclosure had me gasping in oxygen with empathetic gulps!  The overwhelming darkness pervading every possible angle…Ms. Diaz’s descriptive writing thrills the senses.

I hope you can tell I really enjoyed this book.  Ms. Diaz’s website referred to this book as her “newest” and “third installment”.  Do you think that means there’s more to come?  I’ll despair if she planned to end the series here! 

Ms. Diaz even interspersed Star Wars references throughout the book for a little levity!  I’m obsessed.  🙂    Get ready to readjust your mountain of TBR – this one deserves to be devoured!

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Author