“Trial” (Appearances Trilogy #1) by Etienne— Starting Over

Amos ♦ May 20, 2012 ♦ 1 Comment

Etienne. “Trial” (Appearances Trilogy #1) , Dreamspinner Press, 2012.

Starting Over

Amos Lassen

I always look forward to a new book by Etienne and I was lucky this week in that I got books 1 and 2of his new “Appearances Trilogy”. “Trial” (Book 1) begins the story of Charles Barnett, an attorney who feels that he will never find happiness again. His partner died three years ago and no man has attracted him. However, there is a sudden change when he receives a new case. His client, Philip d’Autremont, is the same groups as is Charles but they have never spoken much less met. Once they have, both men realize that each is falling in love with the other. There is only one problem—Philip is on trial for murder and the district attorney who is homophobic and ambitious wants Philip convicted.

Etienne crosses genres with this book that is a mystery and a romance rolled into one. Unlike other books by the author this is a dialog driven novel and lots of build up (and lots of sex). Despite a few negative reviews, this is s tender story. Philip needed Charles because his name had to be cleared and Charles needed Philip to show him that life was meant to be lived. Etienne is a master of description and while some may complain that there is too much, I maintain that what is here is just fine. Etienne also spends time on looking at what it means to be a couple. More than that is the fact that the story is well-written and the two main characters become endearing. The sex that is here (as always with Etienne) is not graphic and if you have read other books by the author, you have met the main characters in other stories. Now we get their story and as we read about them we read about the nature of relationships.