Dead Man Walking: Cold Case Psychic Book 9, Pandora Pine

Tragedy led Ronan and his best friend, Tony to have a falling out and the release of a homegrown mafia leader brings them back together.  But their reunion is definitely not one of heartfelt apologies or peace, instead it's fraught with lashing out physically and verbally with promises of cutting ties forever.  Ronan's prepared to be just as stubborn right back if it means saving his best friend's life.  If there's anyone more stubborn than Ronan, though, it's his husband.  Tennyson's visions help to guide everyone's investigation but when a surprise entity shows up and tests all his loyalties and his marriage, it sets them all on a path that could end in betrayal, distrust, and hurt.  Fate isn't done testing everyone's resolve and inner strength if they can survive the threat of the past.

In Dead of Night I had a very difficult time with Tennyson's attitude toward Ronan regarding their future.  While we did get a bit of clarification there for his reasoning it still doesn't excuse the fact that he almost sacrificed his present in favor of the future...except to have what he knew would come to them, he needed Ronan.  His "can't see the forest for the trees" mentality isn't exactly fixed, though he does show his fierce loyalty to his husband when it counts here in Dead Man Walking.  Him telling someone off after being threatened was stunning as well as moving.  So while I don't think he's found balance and harmony in his emotional outbursts and ups and downs, I do think he's making progress and getting to a better place within himself.

Ronan continues to surprise me with his goodness and his heart as well as his increasingly level head.  While he still reacts in typical Ronan fashion at times, it's not nearly as volcanic and irrational as it was when we first met him.  He's much more in touch with rationality and his feelings than ever before and it allows him to deepen friendships, see reason, and to express himself.

The drama is big and the confrontation is just as tense as we've come to expect from this series.  Though I will say the position Tennyson, Carlie, and everyone else is put in is unreasonable and a bit disappointing.  I think that playing on threads of mistrust, self-doubt, and secrecy is an unfortunate way to move things along to the next big dramatic events of the series.  Adding that to the implication that these men are nothing more than adolescents carried away by their emotions and reactions rather than the maturity and life experience they've forged under incredible circumstances while surrounded by supportive, loving friends and family is disappointing to say the least.  There has to be a better way for the series to continue!  I mean, it's not out of the realm of possibility that Ronan could accept the choices made simply because he has made similar decisions and concessions in his profession; that beyond the initial surprise and justified hurt that he could accept and forgive.  Let's hope it's maturity, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding that reigns in Dead to the World.

So overall, the story was big and dramatic and pretty well done in terms of keeping the story's events cohesive and relevant to their individual situations and in relation to past events.  The relationship's dynamics between Tennyson and Ronan are getting back on track but still have a bit farther to go before I can trust that they're truly invested, that I won't worry about the external threats because they've both found balance on their own and harmony and unity together.  Moving forward from here I have my doubts about the creativity and intent in regards to what elements are being chosen to move the series along, but I haven't lost faith that we'll get something good, whatever the outcome.  I'm definitely excited for the next spin-off series focusing on Jude and Copeland in The Haunted Souls series.  So yeah, I liked the book but am not in love and am holding out hope for a better turn of events in Dead to the World.

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