SECOND READ
I liked it a bit more than first time. so I'm upping my rating


FIRST READ
3,5 stars

A truly enjoyable tributary "novelthology" ( )

I did not want this book to be over. I drug my proverbial heels, but finally I have reached the end, and I envy those of you who will begin it next. It has some serious creepiness, particularly around how Simon became what he is. But it is so very good. Intensely emotional without a lot of sweetness. Unique. Weird. Intriguing. So good. ( )

I didn't expect this to be so good as it was ( )

This is a collection of short stories centering around Robert and Simon, the adoptive fathers of Sam and past residents of the house prominent in [b:Spectred Isle|35118935|Spectred Isle (Green Men, #1)|K.J. Charles|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498437700l/35118935._SX50_.jpg|56433653]. They can be read in either order though, as I read Isle first.
It opens with Robert having newly acquired a mansion from some relative that ends up being haunted. Simon, an occultist (see: ghost hunter but with powers rather than EMF receivers), is hired to help. The ghost ends up having some rather personal "unfinished business" that leads to Simon and Robert getting intimate. The rest of the stories take place with spans of time in between from Robert's, who was previously a journalist, point of view as chronicler. It's very [b:The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes|3590|The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes|Arthur Conan Doyle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1164045516l/3590._SY75_.jpg|1222101] and even takes place in the same London, as the Diogenes Club and "the fat man" are mentioned and interacted with. No appearance of Sherlock and Watson, unfortunately.

I really enjoy this world and find that the first (and looking like only) Green Men book and this collection of short pre-qual stories aren't enough to satisfy. I hope the author hasn't completely dropped them. ( )

These characters really grew on me as their story and relationship developed and deepened. I feel more attached to them than I would expect from just a series of short stories. Especially with plenty of mystery and action and magic taking up considerable page space as well. Many of their magical cases are grounded in legend or folktales, and it helps lend them a feeling of truth or something like it, rather than just random magical nonsense. I'm pleased to have read it. ( )