
The Face in the Water
Iron on Iron, Book 1
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Narrated by:
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J.F. Harding
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By:
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Gregory Ashe
Come to Missouri! See the sights! Solve a murder!
When Teancum Leon, a wildlife veterinarian, and his husband, semi-reformed conman Jeremiah Berger, go to a conference in central Missouri, they’re expecting a short and uneventful trip. Tean will present a paper, attend a few panels, and network (under duress). Jem is looking forward to unlimited poolside drinks, some well-deserved couple time, and peace and quiet.
Instead, they find themselves drawn into a frantic search after the head of the association goes missing. Worse, Tean’s friend from grad school is arrested—and charged with murder.
Their investigation takes them face-to-face with a fervent conspiracist, a band of wildlife traffickers, the owner of a big cat sanctuary, and more. But the real killer doesn’t want to be found, and they’ll do anything to stop Tean and Jem from learning the truth. Lucky for them, they’ve got a reluctant group of allies. Not so lucky for them? Their allies are…well, characters.
©2023 Gregory Ashe (P)2023 Gregory AsheListeners also enjoyed...




















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Major props to JF Harding for being able to bring all of these characters to life, this is no small feat. What continually amazes me about Harding is his ability to create not only unique voices, but also different cadences to his characters. He remains my favorite narrator.
So, coming having come out of the H&S closet, I admit I was a bit concerned that my next dose of Theo, Auggie, Jem and Tean was going to come with Emery and John Henry (and more). My concern, I believe, was initially well founded. After the opening chapters setting up Jem and Tean in the wilds of central Missouri, suddenly there were six additional characters in the mix. There was a long period of time trying to fit all the pieces together. I struggled with a lot of "Blond man" "Tall man" The other bearded man" "the young man" until everyone was formally introduced. A lot of time is spent establishing character idiosyncratic behaviors, which felt for a time like divas in concert where each one needed a minute in the spotlight to remind the audience just who this crazy guy is and why we love him so. The pacing felt very off - especially as this is being peppered in around what becomes a Jem and Tean focused story.
Fortunately, the plot finds its footing and the story flows much better. When allowed to just be, Jem and Tean are, well Jem and Tean in the best way. Ashe remains very true to Tean's voice, as well as Jem's. How they communicate, along with their outlooks make them unique in Ashe's world - especially compared with this group. J&T have always felt quite grounded, their comic relief characters are more subtle - Hannah for example. Funny, dry, a little off, but not a cartoon. There isn't a foul mouthed Fer-like character in their realm. I had to roll with the what felt like very disruptive moments when North and/or Shaw, or Emery would tear the fabric of J&T's energy. I will acknowledge that over the course of the book I came to enjoy John Henry's interactions with Jem, and especially Tean. Auggie had some fun moments, but hopefully the next book will offer more insights into his and Theo's relationship. I kept wondering why Auggie was working what seemed to be publicity for this convention.
An area I struggled with was the timeline, it could have been made a bit clearer. In final book of The First Quarto, John Henry seemed to be at the point where he was separated from his wife, but not yet working with Emery. As that book took place in 2017, Auggie who had just turned 22, should now be about 28, two-ish years younger than Jem. It seemed odd that Auggie was consistently referred to as looking so young, but he is essentially Jem's age. When asked about their relationship, Tean explains that he and Jem have been together about three years, are married and are fostering children (this is discussed early in the book, so it doesn't feel like a spoiler). That seems really fast for a period of no more that 18 months.
So what worked for me? The case was very, very Jem and Tean. The twists and turns felt very much of their universe, there is an especially fun part at rescue sanctuary that would have fit in any of their prior titles. Jem still works his magic, and it really propels the whole story. There is a part of one of Jem's grifts that is really amazing, I won't say more as you need to experience it, and the aftermath as it unfolds. I also appreciated that Theo and Auggie seemed to settled into something solid, as mentioned before I am eager to see what we learn of them in the next installment. I still have fingers crossed that Jem and Tean, and also Theo and Auggie will have their own books/series again, I can't imagine Ammon was at all happy about that wedding!
I think fans of Hazard and Somerset, and also North and Shaw will likely delight in seeing their faves collide in this book, and Ashe has cleverly laid the groundwork for the next book without it feeling gratuitous. Overall a solid recommendation for any fan of Gregory Ashe.
It took awhile, but I eventually got the rhythm
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Back in Missouri
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J. F Harding did a great job bringing the characters to life.
Many thanks to the author for this complementary audiobook.
Loved this ensemble
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Let me tell you I already loved Jem and Tean, but this book…. THIS BOOK!!! Very infrequently do we get to see large time jumps after a series is over, but this book provides a three year time jump after the end of Jem and Tean’s series and the way they’ve grown as a couple and as a family I absolutely beautiful.
I joked that this was like the Jimmy Timmy Power Hour of our childhood - and it really was! Getting to see the four main couples of the Hazardverse come together to joke, bumble around and (finally) solve a mystery was hilarious, heartwarming and occasionally frustrating (in the way only Gregory Ashe books can make you want to throttle his characters while also give them a hug)
I’m so beyond excited to read the next book and I’m now binge reading Auggie and Theo’s series for the next book!
I am already in love with this series
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Fair warning, this series encompasses an overarching mystery and this book does end in a cliffhanger. But good news! All the books in the Iron on Iron series are now out.
Content notes include illegal animal trade, violence, and murder/graphic deaths.
This first book takes place in Missouri, almost 3 years after we last see Tean and Jem in The Same End. I wouldn’t say I like Tean and Jem the least out of all the characters, but they have had the least amount of books and no crossovers with the rest of the cast before this point. Not counting the short stories, we’ve had 3 full-length books about Tean and Jem, 4 for August and Theo, 7 for North and Shaw, and 16 for Hazard and Somerset.
Tean and Jem’s life takes place in Tooele, Utah (right outside Salt Lake City) so what brings them to Missouri? Tean is at a work conference (he’s a wildlife vet) and Jem has tagged along. There’s been some developments since we’ve last seen them and they’ve expanded their family, but Scipio (Tean’s dog) is still very much alive so I loved hearing that.
There’s a few lighthearted moments in this book, but it is overall pretty tense. Tean and Jem don’t know the other guys and the other guys are rightfully suspicious of them. People are missing, Tean’s friend has been taken by police for questioning, and Jem has gone back to his old ways. And in the middle of it all, there’s people possibly involved in the illegal sale of animals. There’s a lot going on.
Tean and Jem’s series is what I consider the darkest books out of all the couple’s books? I think that continues here as well. The tone of this series is a bit of a shift if the last published series you’ve read is the third Hazard and Somerset story arc. I really liked seeing all the characters interact in this crossover, but I think I like everyone’s individual stories more in their own series?
One big issue is the audiobook narration. J.F. Harding does Tean and Jem’s books as well as Auggie and Theo’s so their voices are what I’m used to when listening to their stories. He does an acceptable job with Hazard and Somers’ voice. And North isn’t too off either. But the voice he gives Shaw is BAD and I really didn’t like it. I generally like J.F. Harding and I think overall he did a good job, and it won’t be a problem if you’re only going into this series without an attachment to each couple’s individual audio narration. But when voices are different from what you’re used to, it does stick out like a sore thumb unfortunately.
One unpleasant character showed up in this book and I was NOT expecting to ever see him. He’s the new police chief in Auburn, Missouri and I don’t trust him one bit. If he winds up getting locked away by the end of the series, then good riddance. This character has only been previously mentioned in the Hazard and Somerset books, but has never shown up before.
I think the mystery aspect of this book is very intriguing and definitely kept me on my toes because like most Gregory Ashe books and why I love reading his mystery books, is that I have no idea where we’re going to go. I was surprised at every turn.
It was interesting to see how Tean and Jem observe the other characters and what they make of them. It’s so different from how I know them. I can see from an outsider’s perspective how North and Shaw and their antics can be annoying and how Hazard and Somers might seem a bit rough and maybe a little odd for a couple. Jem’s distrust of Theo and what Tean and Jem think overall about Auggie and Theo’s relationship is on point from an outside view I think. They all seem like they have issues they need to work through that’ll take place in the next book with Auggie and Theo starring as the leads.
Tean and Jem have their own relationship issues in this book, mostly from Jem feeling like he doesn’t measure up to Tean and his peers. Jem only learned how to read in the past few years with Tean’s help but that doesn’t mean Jem isn’t super intelligent by his own right. Jem has the street smarts and definitely knows how to fight. But a wildlife conference has him out of his depths, as I’m sure anyone would be in the same situation.
I tried to piece together all the ages of the characters at the start of this story so here’s what I’ve worked out. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong. I think Tean is the oldest at 39, Jem is 30, Auggie is the youngest at 24, Theo is 34, North and Shaw are 28, and Hazard and Somers are 36. The Iron on Iron series takes place in an alternate 2020 universe (where the world didn’t shut down).
I think if you’re already a fan of Gregory Ashe’s books, even if you haven’t read every couple’s books, you’ll still like this one. I think the only story arc you’ll really get spoilers from is Hazard and Somerset in the third story arc with Arrows in the Hand. If you’ve never read any Gregory Ashe books, maybe this is a good place to jump in and see which couple you like more and can start their books after finishing this series.
I thought this book was good at introducing all the guys to one another and kick off a mystery, and the audiobook narration was really good. I’m just glad to read about all the guys again, and now I can’t wait to read the next book and find out what happens.
Great start to an ambitious crossover series
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It just happens that Hazard and John Henry are at the conference as guests, North and Shaw are at the conference to investigate the aforementioned missing person, and Auggie is there with his husband Theo in order to handle social media for the event. Three couples from three other series written by this author. And even though I just listened to a book in Theo and Auggie’s world a week or so ago, it was so awesome to see them all converge and put their heads together to solve the case. It was also a little crazy. Shaw is as over the top as always and North is cranky. John Henry tries to keep peace, and Hazard is brusque.
Though Tean and Jem are well established in their relationship together, this trip also causes some feelings of inadequacy. Jem slips a little and tries to con someone and suddenly the whole group is caught up in a murder investigation. So much happens and while I enjoyed the mystery, the interactions between the characters was what had me sucked in. A “bad guy” is found and taken care of at the end of this story though he seems to be just a link in a chain of bad guys and it appears that Jem and Tean are going to be staying in Wahredua with Hazard, John Henry, Auggie, and Theo until they can get to the bottom of the larger mystery that will feature throughout the series.
I am excited to see that we will get a book in each of the couples perspective, and Jem and Tean will be side characters going forward. I do wish that I had just a little bit more of them alone also. They are such an intriguing and complex couple. I think this series will please any fan of mysteries and fans of this author. Last but not least is the narration by J.F. Harding. He is a really good narrator and brought life to this story. I have to wonder with the other couples if their original narrators will narrate their books. If not, I am pleased with the narration.
Such an awesome cast of characters
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Not a surprise…it’s amazing
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Getting to know the gang
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I think the biggest adjustment for me is orienting myself to JF Harding’s interpretation of H and S since I listened to their all their many audiobooks. Harding is one of my favorite narrators so I didn’t have too much trouble. I didn’t listen to North and Shaw’s novels (though I did visually read them) so I didn’t have any concerns there.
This book is a solid Ashe mystery and I’m excited for the next one. Only question is, can I wait for the audiobook?😜
It’s like a family reunion!
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Amazing start
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