A review by patelyne
Back In The Hunt: A Nelson & MacIlwraith Mystery by K. Sterling

5.0

Nelson and MacIlwraith are back!

Bryn, more than meets the eye medic, is running home from work after his shift when he comes across a man in distress. When he sees him being attacked by bird like phantoms, he springs into action as his spectral hound self and saves him. 

But when it’s been days and he still won’t wake up, his brother in law Fletcher - aka medical examiner Bixley - convinces him, along with his brother, to pay a visit to Nox and Nelson for help.

Of course they, along with Merlin, are able to help and we get to properly meet Everly  - A changeling, one who was depressed, lonely and so confused why his life was so complicated because he thought he was human. 

Bryn is also wonderful - extremely protective to where he’ll even deny himself what he wants to be sure Everly will end up the best him he can be. 

Together they have this magical sweet insta-love-like connection.

As precious a cinnamon roll as Everly is, it’s not all sweetness, there’s also a flip side to the coin. The anti Everly is a bit of nightmare fuel wrapped up in a child’s body, and he’s not alone.

The mystery solving group is now on the case to find out what’s been happening to all the other changelings and stop Abhartach - self made ‘vampire’ who feeds souls magic - before things get worse.

There’s investigation and adventure, both in the ‘Nothing’ - the spirit world - and the real world. Even the experts learning new things. 

There’s also tension with some arguing that Nox, now that he has come into his power,  isn’t doing enough in the world. 

I loved getting to catch up with the characters from the Moon Mysteries Trilogy again. Nelson and Nox, of course, but also former TA Tony, Howard from Bippity Boppity Books, and Merlin. Oh Merlin. He is always so … himself. And I love that for him! 

We also meet Ronan, a merrow, who opens things up for a continuing mystery (that I can’t wait to hear more about!) 

I loved it all, but I don’t think I can explain how very much I loved Everly in particular 

Thanks to the author for the arc, I always enjoy reading these stories So Very Much!