Overview
Adrien English Mystery Series #1Someone's out to get Los Angeles bookseller Adrien English. His best friend has been viciously murdered, now he's getting weird phone calls and sinister gifts from a mysterious "admirer." The cops think he's trying to divert suspicion from himself-with the exception of sexy and homophobic homicide detective Jake Riordan. Is Riordan really such a great detective--or does he have a few secrets of his own? Is his offer to help Adrien on the level or is he out to nail his favorite suspect -- to the wall?
Synopsis
Bookseller and aspiring mystery writer Adrien English fears life is imitating art when his best friend and employee is found stabbed to death; the only clue, a chess pawn clutched in the dead man's hand. Is hunky but cynical LAPD homicide detective Riordan offering his main suspect a chance to clear himself--or enough rope to hang? Only sympathetic BOYTIMES reporter Bruce Green seems to believe Adrien's claim of innocence. Is a serial killer stalking LA's gay community? Has Adrien been reading too much Raymond Chandler, or is he next on the killer's list?
International Gay & Lesbian Review
This is a briskly paced, smoothly written first novel. The prose is crisp and clean, the narration wryly humorous. Adrien is a likable protagonist with his nervous loyalties to his nutty band of friends, most of them fellow mystery writers.
Editorials
Library Journal
Lanyon's Adrien English mystery series follows a Los Angeles bookstore owner and his on-and-off-again relationship with closeted homicide detective Jake Riordan. This work begins with the death of Adrien's childhood friend and recent employee. Initially a suspect, Adrien might actually be the next target. Though perhaps more a mystery novel than a romance, this series is popular with M/M readers. Lanyon was also a 2007 Lambda Literary award finalist for the third book in the series, Hell You Say. — "Bodice Rippers Without the Bodice", Booksmack!, 12/16/10.International Gay & Lesbian Review
This is a briskly paced, smoothly written first novel. The prose is crisp and clean, the narration wryly humorous. Adrien is a likable protagonist with his nervous loyalties to his nutty band of friends, most of them fellow mystery writers.Maddy Van Hertbruggen
Even though this is a gay mystery, the sexuality angle is not in your face. It's a mystery about people who care about one another and how evil can live and fester before it manifests itself. The narrative flows smoothly; the characters are well developed. And the ending was absolutely perfect.—AboutMystery.com
Marian Hussenbux
Josh Lanyon writes spare, fluent prose and the dialogue rings true. The plot is quite involving and readers will be intrigued by a budding relationship which, amateur sleuth that I am, I suspect may develop in future books of the series.—I Love A Mystery