Smoke & Mirrors (7) (THIRDS) Paperback – July 8, 2016

Smoke & Mirrors was a mixed bag for me. The first 50 ish % sort of dragged, despite the story picking up with Dex’s kidnapping which was the big cliffhanger from the previous installment. Dex’s kidnapper and torturer is trying to get information – a file to be exact – that his mother Gina had in her possession the day she died. It seems Dex was right in his suspicions that his parents death was not an unfortunate accident but a good old fashioned hit. Once free of his abductor and attempting to settle back in at home; Dex struggles to process what the confirmation of this information really means to him. Sloane does his best to be supportive telling Dex “We’ll work through this together. Just keep talking to me. Don’t shut me out. Please.” Got that? Remember that. Because that will make you want to b!tch slap his whiny little a$$ all the more later on.Meanwhile as Dex is dealing with the aftermath of his abduction, he is also struggling to wrap his head around other more obvious changes he is undergoing as a result of his having been marked by Sloane. Well, more obvious that is – likely to everyone reading – but for some reason, not to Dex, or Sloane or any of their friends and family. There’s some domesticity, some trademark cutsey humor and arguably some hot Dex/Sloane sexcapades – it’s getting hard for me to say because sadly I think my interest in them is waning.Then the 55% mark came and my budding apathy was short circuited by intense anger. Short, non-spoilery version of the story – is Dex and Sloane find out some information about the past that affects them both – arguably more so Dex than Sloane – but “Mr. make it all about me Sloane ” has to have a meltdown and run off (i.e. read: pack his bag because “I vant to be alone” for an indiscernible amount of time) to “get his head straight”; and his reason for doing so is the most insultingly ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my entire life. Dex and I were filled with righteous indignation. “I’m losing count of your broken promises”, we yelled, “one of these days,…I can’t promise you I’ll be here when you get back”, we railed. Dex and I were simpatico. We were going out to lick our wounds and have beers; and we had a very satisfying wallow in our angst.Then somewhere around the 65% mark Dex starts spewing this “I told Sloane I’d understand if he needed time to himself and the moment he asks for it I get all bent out of shape about it - I have to apologize to him” bull hockey. And I try to explain to him that, “Nooooo, in a committed relationship “time to yourself” means going into another room, or planning a ski weekend with friends; not packing a bag for an indiscernible amount of time; and NOT when your partner is also in the middle of a crisis and NEEDS you”. Packing a bag and taking yourself off for an indiscernible amount of time is running like a whiny little witch (with a "B"). So clearly now Dex and I were at odds; but the emotional momentum carried me through to…75% when the mother or all conspiracy theories picks us up and careens us at blinding speed to the end – with all sorts of juicy tidbits, tying up of loose ends and a coincidence that seems a litttttle tooo coincidental. I liked Smoke and Mirrors but as series go I think we should consider wrapping this baby up in the near future so it can end on a high note.

Another great THIRDS read. Spoiler alert.This one starts with Dex waking up. He's dressed in a suit and even has a tie on. He's tied to a chair with Therian strength zip ties. He also has one hell of a headache and he wondering just what the hell is going on.That's when a well dressed man appears. A man who will torture him for info on files that his mom had. Files Dex knows nothing about.The man called Mr. Wolf is a Therian. He also likes Dex but is being paid to do a job. A job he has no problem doing. He injects Dex with something and that something makes Dex strong enough to break those Therian zip ties and attack Wolf. Dex escapes and has no idea where he is and no idea which way to go.Dex spots a few people out and he manages to bump into one of them and steal his phone. He calls Sloane a Sloane who is on his way.Once rescued Sharpe's and TIN get Dex to one of their buildings where doctors take over. Sloane is more than happy to see Dex and glad he's alive though his condition pisses him off big time.Dex though beaten badly is in pretty good shape and will be off for a week. Sloane will be with him for two days but then as squad leader he needs to be back at work. Dex knows something is going on. A something that got him kidnapped. He decides he's going to have to delve into the deaths of his parents. Deaths that it seems were murder. To do that he's going to have to delve into the past.So begins another damned fine read by Cochet.This one has Dex, Sloane, Ash, Cael, Tony Maddock, Sharpes, Wolf, Taylor, Hudson, Seb, Shultzon, a Shultzon with a story to tell, a Shultzon who is more than happy to tell that tale to Dex, a Dex who has a seizure, TIN operatives along with Sharpes who are there to take care of Dex, a Dex who has no memory of this seizure, a Dex who starts the long task of looking into his past, Ash, Sloane, Cael who start with the boxes packed in Dex's basement, boxes that lead to clues about his parents murder, clues that tell exactly what his mother and father were doing, a list of first Gen's, a Dex who is changing, a Dex who is taking on the Therian abilities, an Admiral who is a prime suspects, an Admiral who shoots Maddock, a Dex who kills this Admiral using Therian abilities and Dex Daley marrying his love as he and Sloane begin to work for TIN and do their best to take out the bad guys, protect those they love and stay alive.Five Stars.

Wow, what a book. I am so used to Dex's contagious sense of humor that reading the THIRDS book without it was jarring. But there wasn't much fun in what kept happening to Sloane and Dex. Some things finally started making sense, secrets long forgotten were brought to light and I found that old sins cast long shadows.After Sloane and Dex reunite, things turn for the worse. A seemingly separate murder opens Pandora's Box. As Dex delves into past records, he finds out that there are those who will stop at nothing in order to further their agenda. Dex and Sloane's lives are at stake depending on the outcome of this case. But everything is not so simple. With Dr. Shultzon taunting Sloane, Dex finally has a chance to get the answers about why his parents were killed all those years ago. So with the help of Cael, Ash and Tony, Dex and Sloane finally uncover the truth about Gina Daley. It's heart-breaking but also in a way eerily prophetic.After many tribulations Sloane and Dex are finally safe and ready to start their life as a married TIN operatives. Who knows what life will bring or when it all will be take away. But they are determined to make the world a better place just like Dex's parents once tried to do. It was serious read this time around filled with many revelations and so much anguish. I loved it and can't wait to read more about my favorite THIRDS team! I highly recommend it.

Loved all of this series and its the only one that I pre order. Dex and Sloan are by far, the best and most vibrant characters I've read in this genre. I eagerly awaited the return of their story after enjoying the books for ash, and calvins stories. I was so eager to know what was going on with Dex, that I rushed through this book.It was good, not dull, and great to see all the gang back. However, I think it could have been longer, the end was rushed a bit and I felt there should have been more on the changes going on with Dex. I wanted to see more interaction between the whole team, especially them finding out about Dex. I won't spoil things by saying what happens to Dex because I enjoyed finding out. I suspected what was happening, but felt this author could have taken things further..felt a bit like I didn't get enough of everything and the epilogue felt a bit pointless.The progression and suspense of dex's condition was dramatic but the author didn't go far enough with it. I'm not sure whose story it is next..I suspect it's Seb's but I'm hoping it's Dex again, so we get more conclusion and detail of what's happening with him. Felt bit short changed with this instalment but I still enjoyed it.

First let me say I own and love all of Charlie Cochet’s books – No exceptions. But, my favourite series has to be the Thirds.Now I know the question everyone is asking is, What’s going on with Dex? Well, the answer is….I’m not going to tell you.:) You’ll have to buy the book and find out for yourself.I was lucky enough to win an ARC copy of this book and so got to read it early (I also have my own copy pre-ordered and by the time you read this I will be rereading it with joy).This book quickly became my favourite of the series. The emotion, the action, and the comedy, all keep you reading and on the edge of your seat. I went from crying, to laughing, to yelling, and back to crying again, over and over. You just think you know what is happening and something comes up that changes your mind. Although, I guarantee at one point you will be yelling ‘I know where it is’ at the top of your voice and the characters still won’t listen.This book has everything you would expect from a Thirds book and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Of course, if you haven’t read the rest of the series, I would first ask WHY? And then recommend you buy the whole series, and stock up on supplies, before settling down in a secluded area for a marathon read.Happy Reading :)

What a brilliant end to this story arc. It picks up straight after the last book and lots of loose ends are tied up. It's mainly about Dex and Sloane and some major developments in their relationship. There was one point where I just wanted to smack Sloane around the head, hard, but fortunately it was all sorted out quickly.The rest of the gang are involved too, Ash is amazing (the voice of reason, no less!), and they all gather to help Dex and Sloane. The author had intimated that there was going to be a massive change and she was neither kidding nor exaggerating. I don't want to give anything away, just know that it's ultimately a great story in a series that just keeps on improving. There's the usual humour, action and drama; and also lots and lots of feelings. Also, (rubs hands together) Hudson and Seb's story is set up. Can't wait! By the way this is not a standalone, the previous books need to be read for it to make sense.

I have read and loved every book in the series so far.. and I couldn't wait to dive into this bookSmoke & Mirrors is another HUGE 5 star read in this epic series..We catch back up with all the gang, but this book mainly focuses on Dex and SloaneSmoke & Mirrors has everything you have come to expect from this very talented author... action, suspense, a gripping plot, bad ass THIRDS and plenty of LoL moments..But most of all we get more of the amazing relationship we have come to love from the awesome Dexter Daley and Sloane Brodie 😍💜 (Sloane had me swooning so much 💜)Another AMAZING 5 star story.... from the MUST READ THIRDS series !!!!!P.s... I am dying to read Seb and Hudson's story 💜

I love, love, LOVE this series and this book was perfect!Dex and Sloane are my favourite characters and this book is mainly about them again, although the other characters get their space too, Dex is as adorable as ever, even whilst going through major changes, and Sloane is as grumpy and broody (with a side of nerdy.)Action packed, mystery laden, hysterical laughing, sobbing mess, edge of your seat screaming NOOOO perfection.If you haven't read all the THIRDS books, go forth and purchase! Grab yourself a large pack of Cheetos and a gigantic pile of gummy bears and get stuck in. You'll need to read the others before this one and you won't be disappointed.I was lucky enough to win an ARC of this book given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.