“Too hot. Too smouldering. Too wrong. You shouldn’t fancy him. This man was in trouble. He needed Hector’s help. Not his lust.” – Thom Collins, Show No Mercy
SHOW No Mercy, Thom Collins‘ standalone Gay/Queer Romance Thriller, encapsulates the quintessential elements of the Noir Genre, weaving a sexy, atmospheric tale steeped in intrigue, violence, and moral ambiguity. Collins appears to have set out to do this very thing; well, he can take pride in knowing he accomplished it.
This is a dark and chilling neo-cinematic novella that immerses the reader within a dread-filled atmosphere; it’s a haunting, fast-paced narrative with sinister themes, pushing the tension and threat level even further than what he’s delivered before with his excellent Jagged Shores series.
After a disastrous blind date leaves him feeling disheartened and defeated, Hector resolves to hang up his proverbial dating gloves for good. However, in a serendipitous moment, everything shifts when his gaze lands on a strikingly handsome man across the dimly lit bar. The soft glow of amber lights dances around the man’s figure, accentuating his chiselled jaw and expressive eyes. Intrigued by an almost magnetic pull, Hector approaches him.
As they exchange pleasantries, Hector quickly senses an underlying sadness beneath Callum’s endearing veneer; there’s a weight to him. There’s also an immediate chemistry between the two men.
This sudden attack thrusts Hector into an adrenaline-fueled vortex of danger and moral conflict, dragging him down a path laden with vengeance and retaliation. Torn between fear and an unwavering resolve, Hector grapples with the gravity of his choice to aid Callum. Is he truly willing to risk his life for a man he barely knows?
In all his Gay Romance Thriller work, Collins excels at skillfully unwrapping the layers of his characters’ personalities, quirks, and emotions, particularly with his male romantic protagonists. Some aspects are immediately apparent, while others unfold more gradually. Here, Hector and Callum’s relationship deepens after the initial attack, characterized by shared vulnerability and a fierce determination to protect each other.
Collins gives his protagonists backstories and relationships outside this new, blossoming one between them that are integral to the plot—or just interesting, making a character more well-rounded. That’s cool, too. This element allows the reader to connect more easily and care about the repercussions of choices and actions, especially in short fiction like Show No Mercy, where space for character essence and exploration/growth is limited.
Traits such as empathy, courage, dependability, and especially trust reveal themselves in moments that advance the plot, whether in scenes of romance, tension or violence. And they do so fluidly, organically. That said, if the instant attraction trope isn’t your cup of tea, consider this your heads-up! For me, though, the explosive chemistry propels this work, setting the tone and upping the threat to our lovers and the consequences for them as they move through the danger.
As they process and navigate the threat before them, the obstacles they face
together only deepen Hector and Callum’s connection, transforming their initial attraction into something more intense: a genuine intimacy and earnest connection forged in the fires of desperation and peril. One or both of them could break under this stress, and I won’t reveal whether that happens or not, but it’s an exciting ride filled with unpredictable moments you feel you’re experiencing alongside them in real-time!
Show No Mercy is a whirlwind narrative filled with intense action, heart-pounding moments, and unexpected twists. It explores dark and violent themes, immersing the reader in a world where danger lurks around every corner. At the same time, it successfully weaves in a believable and compelling romance. Gay sex? Collins’ delivers the goods (no pun intended) along with leaning towards the Noir aspect of smouldering desire and atmosphere, all presented in a modern and gritty style.
