Marrow

 

Blurb

Forensic anthropologist Dr. Jack Sorensen is the perfect serial killer. In the bright lights of his public persona he’s a respected, methodical scientist, a leader in the field of human decomposition. But in his shadowed secret life he’s a ruthless and elusive killer, unseen by the authorities who have failed to follow his faint trail of destruction. Cold, brilliant and cruel, Jack wants nothing more than to keep his life captured in his vise-like grip of control. And Jack Sorensen never makes mistakes…

…until he underestimates Dr. Kyrie Roth.

Wildlife biologist Kyrie is the enemy Jack never noticed, another murderer in his midst. In his territory.  A killer with cunning and stealth, and she knows all his darkest secrets, even the pieces of a past he might have forgotten. Kyrie has created the perfect habitat for her favourite research subject, but she’s finally had enough of being ignored by the beast that lives at Jack’s core. Pushed past her breaking point, Kyrie has decided to do whatever it takes to make Jack suffer. But when Kyrie’s traumatic past descends on her broken oasis, the only person who can help Kyrie banish her painful shadows might just be her greatest enemy.

Can Jack and Kyrie set aside their battle and survive a world built to hunt them? Or will they kill each other first?

Tropes & Trigger Warnings 

Grumpy x Sunshine, Morally dark, breath play, temperature play, impact play, somnophilia, rough sex,  Graphic physical violence, torture & murder, Decaying and dismembered bodies, Explicit language, Death of a sick or injured wild animal, Parental death; loss of close family members, Parental neglect and physical abuse, Chronic illness of a loved one, Untreated PTSD including flashbacks, Medical procedures and bodily trauma / hospital settings

My Review 

When I picked up Marrow I was expecting a thriller with a dark twist. What I found was a tale that left me both enthralled and exasperated. This story of two murderers, each brilliant in their own right, weaving through a cat-and-mouse game, kept me hooked even as one character in particular drove me up the wall.

Dr. Jack Sorensen, the forensic anthropologist with a shadowy secret life as a serial killer, is a character whose cold, calculating demeanor is as fascinating as it is chilling. He's meticulous, brilliant, and utterly ruthless—a perfect MMC. Sorensen's dual life is portrayed with an expert's touch, making his moments of control and precision almost enviable, in a dark, twisted way.

Enter Dr. Kyrie Roth, the wildlife biologist who is as bubbly as she is deadly. And here’s where the book tested my patience. Kyrie's character is designed to be quirky, fun, and a counterbalance to Jack's grumpy, methodical nature. However, she drove me nuts. Her childish temper tantrums, especially over Jack not remembering their first meeting or bowing to her grant-winning glory, felt over-the-top. She bulldozes anyone in her way without a second thought because, apparently, she’s just that lovable.

Kyrie’s not just messing with Jack’s university career; she’s blackmailing him and trying to frame him for her own crimes. She risks exposing all his dark secrets simply because he didn’t fall at her feet. What a self-centered, infuriating woman! Her sense of entitlement and her manipulative tendencies made it difficult to root for her, even knowing she had her own traumatic past. The irony of siding with a serial killer over another murderer is not lost on me, but Kyrie’s antics made it hard to sympathize with her.

Despite my frustrations with Kyrie, I couldn't deny the compelling nature of their dynamic. The banter between Jack and Kyrie, their chemistry, and the constant tension of their interactions kept me turning the pages. The storyline itself was intriguing, weaving a complex web of deception, secrets, and survival. The authors did a commendable job of balancing the darkness of their characters with moments of genuine tension and suspense.

By the end of the book, I found myself begrudgingly impressed. While Kyrie’s character was a significant detraction for me, the overall narrative and the challenge these two characters posed to each other were undeniably gripping. The book managed to deliver a satisfying conclusion that tied up the twisted relationship between Jack and Kyrie in a way that felt fitting.

In summary, Marrow is a book that I would recommend to fans of dark thrillers and morally complex characters. If you enjoy the bubbly and carefree versus meticulous and strict dynamic, this book will likely be a hit for you. For me, while it didn't completely meet my expectations, it was still an entertaining read with plenty of twists and turns to keep me engaged. Just be prepared for Kyrie’s antics—they might either charm you or, like me, drive you a bit crazy.