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E. J. Russell
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Five Dead Herrings: M/M Paranormal Mystery (Quest Investigations Book 1) Kindle Edition

by E.J. Russell (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 489 ratings

Something’s definitely fishy about this case…

On my last stakeout for Quest Investigations, I nearly got clotheslined by a grove of angry dryads. I expected my bosses to reprimand me, but instead they handed me my first solo assignment. Me! Matt Steinitz, the only human on the Quest roster!

Okay, so the mission isn’t exactly demanding. Obviously, the bosses wanted to give me something they think I can’t screw up. I’m determined to show them what I can do, however, so I dive right in with no complaints.

At first glance, it looks as simple as baiting a hook: A selkie’s almost-ex-husband is vandalizing his boat with unwanted deliveries of deceased sea life. All I have to do is document the scene, tell the ex to cease and desist, and present the bill for property damages. Boom. Mission accomplished, another Quest success, and as a bonus, I get to keep my job.

But then things get…complicated. Suspicious undercurrents muddy up my oh-so-easy case. Nothing is as clear as it should be. And the biggest complication? My inappropriate attraction to the client, who may not be as blameless as he claims.

Turns out those dead herrings aren’t the only things that stink about this situation.

Dammit.

Five Dead Herrings is the first in the Quest Investigations M/M paranormal mystery series, a spinoff of E.J. Russell’s Mythmatched paranormal rom-com story world. It contains no on-page sex or violence, and although there is a romantic subplot, it is not a romance.

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  1. Book 1 of 4
    Quest Investigations
  2. Print length
    210 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    September 4, 2021
  6. File size
    2.2 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 4 books in this series.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

E.J. Russell (she/her), author of the award-winning Mythmatched paranormal romance series, writes LGBTQ+ romance and mystery in a rainbow of flavors. Count on high snark, low angst, and happy endings.

Reality? Eh, not so much.

She's married to Curmudgeonly Husband, a man who cares even less about sports than she does. Luckily, C.H. also loves to cook, or all three of their children (Lovely Daughter and Darling Sons A and B) would have survived on nothing but Cheerios, beef jerky, and Satsuma mandarins (the extent of E.J.'s culinary skill set).

E.J. also writes traditional cozy mystery as Nelle Heran. She lives in rural Oregon, enjoys visits from her wonderful adult children, and indulges in good books, red wine, and the occasional hyperbole.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09D29DSLB
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Reality Optional Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 4, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.2 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 210 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1947033320
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 4 ‏ : ‎ Quest Investigations
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 489 ratings

About the author

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E. J. Russell

E. J. Russell

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Subscribe to E.J.'s newsletter and never miss a new release or exclusive story! Sign up here: https://ejr.pub/news-from-ej

Multi-Rainbow Award winner E.J. Russell holds a BA and an MFA in theater, so naturally she spent three decades as a financial manager, database designer, and business intelligence consultant (as one does). She’s married to Curmudgeonly Husband, a man who cares even less about sports than she does. Luckily, C.H. also loves to cook, or all three of their children (Lovely Daughter and Darling Sons A and B) would have survived on nothing but Cheerios, beef jerky, and satsuma mandarins (the extent of E.J.’s culinary skill set).

E.J.'s book, The Druid Next Door, was a 2018 RITA® finalist. She lives in rural Oregon, enjoys visits from her wonderful adult children, and indulges in good books, red wine, and the occasional hyperbole.

Join E.J.'s Facebook reader group, Reality Optional, at https://ejr.pub/fb-group. You can also find her online at https://ejrussell.com, on Instagram as @ej_russell_author, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/E.J.Russell.author, and on Twitter as @EJ_Russell.

E.J.'s books:

Mythmatched Universe

Fae Out of Water trilogy

Cutie and the Beast

The Druid Next Door

Bad Boy's Bard

Supernatural Selection trilogy

Single White Incubus

Vampire with Benefits

Demon on the Down-Low

Howling on Hold

Witch Under Wraps

Possession in Session (subscribers only)

Cursed is the Worst

Quest Investigations series

Five Dead Herrings

The Hound of the Burgervilles

The Lady Under the Lake

Death on Denial

Enchanted Occasions Universe

Best Beast

Nudging Fate

Devouring Flame

Legend Tripping Universe

Stumptown Spirits

Wolf's Clothing

Art Medium Universe

The Artist's Touch

Tested in Fire

Art Medium: The Complete Collection

Royal Powers Shared World

Duking It Out

Duke the Hall

King's Ex

Magic Emporium Shared World

Purgatory Playhouse

Contemporary Romantic Comedies

Clickbait

Mystic Man

For a Good Time, Call...

Historical

Silent Sin

Holiday Shorts

The Probability of Mistletoe

An Everyday Hero

A Swants Soiree

Christmas Kisses (box set)

Monster Till Midnight

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
489 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story engaging, with one describing it as a brilliant detective tale. Moreover, they enjoy it as a fun read, and appreciate the well-developed characters, with one review noting how they interact with each other. Additionally, customers like the romance element, with one mentioning its light romantic undertone.

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Story qualityFun readCharacter developmentRomance
9 customers mention "Story quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, finding it interesting and good fun, with one customer describing it as a brilliant detective story.

"...The mystery was good and kept me guessing what was going on. The audiobook was narrated by Greg Boudreaux who did a fantastic job...." Read more

"...Anyway, the story itself is good fun. The series centres around Quest Investigations and the case that is a bit fishy (sorry, couldn't resist)...." Read more

"...I recommend reading the other series. The stories are interesting, and the characters are cute. Reading them in order would give the most enjoyment...." Read more

"...It just makes it far more interesting and intriguing. I'm on to book two I can't wait to see what happens." Read more

8 customers mention "Fun read"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a fun read, with one describing it as a lively romp.

"...Overall, it's a really fun, cozy mystery. Looking forward to the next book." Read more

"...Supernatural Selection, and Mythmatched series, this new series is a real treat, getting to read about Matt finally finding someone, as well as..." Read more

"This was a lively romp that really was sweet and funny...." Read more

"...abruptly which is why I didn't give it 5 stars but overall it was quite enjoyable and I can't wait to read the rest of the series." Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one mentioning how the old and new characters interact with each other.

"...All the characters were great. EJ Russell writes fun and engaging characters that are dynamic...." Read more

"...The stories are interesting, and the characters are cute. Reading them in order would give the most enjoyment...." Read more

"Good read with a tricky puzzle and a collection of bizarre characters. Untangled at the end, but with a to be continued thread." Read more

"I love how this series begins with the same characters that I enjoyed and just takes off running!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Romance"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book, with one mentioning its light romantic undertone and another describing it as sweet and cute.

"...This book also is mystery focused with a light romantic undertone that I suspect gets stronger as the series progresses...." Read more

"This was a lively romp that really was sweet and funny...." Read more

"so cute..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • L.D.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Fishy Mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Five Dead Herrings is the first book in the Quest Investigations series. This series is set within Mythmatched universe and I feel that it reads better if you are already familiar with the universe. However, it can be read very easily as a standalone. This book also is mystery focused with a light romantic undertone that I suspect gets stronger as the series progresses.

    Matt is an aspiring supernatural investigator who has one problem: he’s human. This puts the odds against him, but he’s a resilient guy who’s willing to put the hard work in. I really enjoyed his character and it was easy to cheer him on. All the characters were great. EJ Russell writes fun and engaging characters that are dynamic. The mystery was good and kept me guessing what was going on.

    The audiobook was narrated by Greg Boudreaux who did a fantastic job. Greg has such a lovely and versatile voice that is perfect for narrations. I really enjoyed listening to the story. The audiobook production was well done.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Dee Slate
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good start to a new spinoff series.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is a sort of spinoff of the Mythmatched and Fae Out of Water series. It could work as a standalone, but you get more out of it if you're already familiar with the characters from the 2 series.
    Anyway, the story itself is good fun. The series centres around Quest Investigations and the case that is a bit fishy (sorry, couldn't resist).
    Matt, (aka Hugh Mann) is given a case to investigate - involving Lachlan and his missing and estranged husband. Only, there's more to the case than meets the eye.
    Both Lachlan and Matt develop something, but until Lachlan can sort somethings out, they cannot act on their budding affection.
    Overall, it's a really fun, cozy mystery. Looking forward to the next book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Poemi
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Spin-off
    Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    After reading all the Fae Out of Water, Supernatural Selection, and Mythmatched series, this new series is a real treat, getting to read about Matt finally finding someone, as well as old and new characters interacting with each other. As some other reviewers mention, this probably leads to some confusion for people who haven’t read the other books. Also, I would think it’s not quite as enjoyable without knowing the characters and their back stories already. I recommend reading the other series. The stories are interesting, and the characters are cute. Reading them in order would give the most enjoyment. And don’t forget to subscribe to the author’s newsletter on her site to get the first story in the Mythmatched series for free, as it’s not available for purchase. I can’t wait until the rest of this series comes out!
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  • Sherry M.
    3.0 out of 5 stars For fans of the Mythmatched universe; 3.5 stars
    Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2021
    This is the author’s first foray into cozy mystery territory, with mixed results.

    I don’t think the book really works as a standalone, but that’s kind of why I wanted to read it. Having read all the other novels set in the Mythmatched universe, I appreciated the opportunity to catch up with those characters. However, I imagine that anyone who hadn’t read the rest of the books would have felt lost with all the references to people and happenings that were unfamiliar to them.

    Although the book’s description says it’s not a romance, it’s more of a romance than I’m used to for a first novel in a cozy mystery series. Most of the time the eventual love interests just make eyes at each other if they aren’t butting heads in the initial volume. Here, Lachlan is actively pursuing Matt by the end of the story, and Matt is open to the idea of being caught.

    For me, the romance subplot and Matt’s life as an ancillary part of the supe community were more interesting than the mystery itself. I wasn’t really invested in the investigation, which is probably a good thing, since Matt isn’t particularly good at it. Getting inside Matt’s head, seeing him interact with other characters and find someone to possibly replace Ted in his affections was what really kept me reading.

    Fans of Russell’s Mythmatched series should try this book, but general cozy mystery fans might not want to start here.

    This review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy; all opinions are my own.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • iamltr
    4.0 out of 5 stars Cute...
    Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This was a lively romp that really was sweet and funny. Keep in mind that this was a spin off so go read the first books so that you know who all the people were. I did not read those books and still enjoyed it, but it would have helped to know the info.

    Hugh man was funny but I would have loved to know more of the backstory of the selfie king.

    Also, I did not realize that this was not a romance and that it was a sweet story. That was my fault, I did not read the entire blurb but I still liked it.
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  • Dale
    5.0 out of 5 stars This was fun to read. A human in the supernatural world.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    For Matthew life has got to be really tough, he's in love with a bear shifter. The only trouble is the bear shifter is getting married to another supernatural. So for Matthew life is tough. Of course his job with quest investigations doesn't make it any easier. It just makes it far more interesting and intriguing. I'm on to book two I can't wait to see what happens.
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  • BookWyrm
    4.0 out of 5 stars Confusing, but fun
    Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This was an amusing cozy mystery with just a touch of romance to it. While considered a new spin off series (most recently after the Mythmatched books), it doesn’t stand well on its own as I think the assorted characters and history won’t make much sense without background. I enjoyed getting into Matt’s head with this story and learning more of what made him tick. His self confidence and worth both need a lot of work (along with his judgement at times) and it will be fun to follow along. Lachlan was tough to warm up to and his judgement seemed even more suspect than Matt’s. The whole thing makes for an interesting starting place for the new series and I’m intrigued to see where it goes from here.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Ashley Burgess
    5.0 out of 5 stars so cute
    Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I was hesitant with this book at first, it’s not my usual genre, but once I got through the first few chapters I couldn’t put it down! It’s a very quick read, so if you’ve got a couple hours and could do with some mystery and wholesome gay romance then this is for you!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • K.H.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Furs and skins
    Reviewed in Canada on October 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this first book in a new series!

    This series is set within the multi universe of many of Russell's books, though it can be read in its own. However, having read other books it has many characters from across the different series' and it stars Matt (Hugh) from Single White Incubus. Being the only human to have a pivotal role in any of the books it is great to.see how he is now doing in the paranormal world and watch him find a place that truly suits him!

    This book is sort of a cosy mystery in the best of ways. It truly is all about the investigation that Matt is doing and all that it leads him through. There are a few investigations and lots of odd clues, unusual suspects, paranormal hijinks, and eager werewolf kids. Things interconnect in the craziest of ways that also make perfect sense and what starts off as a small case ends up way bigger than expected. It was a story that was amusing, intriguing, and even a little bit heart wrenching as Matt continues to try to get over his misunderstood crush from that first book. The ending wraps up this case but leaves it open for the journey that the characters involved will take, which is more than just Matt but also the people he relied on in the way. This promises to continue to be a fun series that takes a paranormal twist on the old gumshoe type of story.
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  • Mark Lucas-Taylor
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Dead Herrings
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A fun, sometimes frothy detective noir style adventure set in the Mythmatched world. Matt Steinitz a.k.a Hugh Mann, (an inside joke at Quest supernatural detective agency) is tasked with assisting Lachlan Brodie, a selkie, solve the conundrum of who and why is boat is being targeted with dead fish. What follows is a seemingly convoluted investigation that leaves Matt confused not only about the case but also about his feelings towards the big gruff selkie.
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  • Sue
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun new mm magical series
    Reviewed in Canada on September 5, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Hugh/Matt, the only human at Quest Investigations is back actually investigating something rather than taking pictures although it’s more like he stumbles around from situation to situation. Many other characters from the Mythmatched series make appearances in this delightful book although the focus is on Quest Investigations. Like many of us Matt always wanted to know if the supernatural world was real. Well now he submerged in it and it’s a hoot to read. I really hope that this series goes on for a long time. Very enjoyable.
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  • sarah mitcham
    4.0 out of 5 stars Something Stinks.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    MM, Paranormal Mystery, Romantic Subplot. Easy to read story with an intriguing plot with lots of twists and great Characters. I found it to be an enjoyable read with some humour and wit. Spin off series.
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