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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
A thrilling and suspenseful story that is sure to thrill Lanyon fans.
This is my first full novel by Josh Lanyon and it is clear why his books are so popular. The mystery is riveting and the romance was delicious.
The ending was a mixed bag for me though. I enjoyed the happy ending, but it was tempered by my skepticism that a decision like that works out for most people.
This is my first full novel by Josh Lanyon and it is clear why his books are so popular. The mystery is riveting and the romance was delicious.
The ending was a mixed bag for me though. I enjoyed the happy ending, but it was tempered by my skepticism that a decision like that works out for most people.
Entertaining, quick paced mystery with likeable characters set in the Oregon wilderness. Josh Lanyon's writing is clean and uncluttered in a book that is all too brief.
This review is for the audiobook. I read the story long ago, but I am a dedicated reviewer now. Favorite authors deserve reviews.
This story had an interesting mystery. The plot had enough layers and misdirection to keep the reader guessing. The romance had an antagonists to lovers feel to it. The story can be read as a standalone, but fans who read all of Josh Lanyon's books will find some Easter Eggs. I recommend reading at least the first book in the All's Fair and the Art of Murder series if you want to catch them. This book was published before the Mermaid Murders, but for me this story had more impact when I read it after The Mermaid Murders.
The narration by Gomez Pugh was performed well.
I recommend this story if you want a twisty murder mystery with a dash of romance.
This story had an interesting mystery. The plot had enough layers and misdirection to keep the reader guessing. The romance had an antagonists to lovers feel to it. The story can be read as a standalone, but fans who read all of Josh Lanyon's books will find some Easter Eggs. I recommend reading at least the first book in the All's Fair and the Art of Murder series if you want to catch them. This book was published before the Mermaid Murders, but for me this story had more impact when I read it after The Mermaid Murders.
The narration by Gomez Pugh was performed well.
I recommend this story if you want a twisty murder mystery with a dash of romance.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2023 Audiobook Review ----------
I have recently been revisiting book I read many years ago and loving it! This is another book that I enjoyed more the second time. I really enjoyed this one and glad I re-read it.
2016 Original Review ----------
I really liked this book and didn't mind the ending at all. I thought it was balanced and nicely paced ... excellent tension and an engaging mystery to go with it. I actually think this is my favourite Josh Lanyon mystery story ... and found it did not overshadow the MCs storyline as much as I found it did in some of her other books including the Adrien English series (which is an all time favorite series for me). Her writing is impeccable and sets a high standard for others to follow.
I have recently been revisiting book I read many years ago and loving it! This is another book that I enjoyed more the second time. I really enjoyed this one and glad I re-read it.
2016 Original Review ----------
I really liked this book and didn't mind the ending at all. I thought it was balanced and nicely paced ... excellent tension and an engaging mystery to go with it. I actually think this is my favourite Josh Lanyon mystery story ... and found it did not overshadow the MCs storyline as much as I found it did in some of her other books including the Adrien English series (which is an all time favorite series for me). Her writing is impeccable and sets a high standard for others to follow.
I think this was a tad too short to be really good, but I liked Adam and Rob and let's face it, I have this ridiculous thing for gay FBI agents so it doesn't take that much to make me happy. The case was actually really interesting, so it would have been nice if she'd taken a bit more time exploring it.
Rob is a deputy in a little village where the sheriff wonders about whether or not a body they found is the work of a serial killer.
Adam shows up with his partner in the FBI, and they determine it’s a murder that is 20 years old. Awhile later, there’s another murder, and this time so much more is going on that it’s a complicated investigation.
There’s a missing girl whose Mom is killed, then someone shooting at them while they’re searching for her, then another body shows up.
Of course, the two men realize the more time they spend together that something important is happening between them. They share facts and feelings, and they believe and save each other.
Adam concludes after one of their interviews that there are two serial killers, not one, they’re looking for, but it’s only with a photo Rob receives that the truth becomes clear.
Adam can be the cold hearted FBI agent, but also the sweet guy with Rob. In turn, Rob can be flirty and funny, but he’s brilliant and determined. My favourite character, though, is the sheriff, who’s both clever and sassy, and sees all.
Audiobook
Adam shows up with his partner in the FBI, and they determine it’s a murder that is 20 years old. Awhile later, there’s another murder, and this time so much more is going on that it’s a complicated investigation.
There’s a missing girl whose Mom is killed, then someone shooting at them while they’re searching for her, then another body shows up.
Of course, the two men realize the more time they spend together that something important is happening between them. They share facts and feelings, and they believe and save each other.
Adam concludes after one of their interviews that there are two serial killers, not one, they’re looking for, but it’s only with a photo Rob receives that the truth becomes clear.
Adam can be the cold hearted FBI agent, but also the sweet guy with Rob. In turn, Rob can be flirty and funny, but he’s brilliant and determined. My favourite character, though, is the sheriff, who’s both clever and sassy, and sees all.
Audiobook
The mystery was great, I mean, it's Josh Lanyon, of course the mystery was great. However, the romance aspect was sadly a bit lacking. I liked Adam and Rob, and thought they went well together, but we didn't really get enough time of them actually getting to know each other, just them working the case, and a bout of sex or two thrown in. And that epilogue, while satisfactory on a relationship basis, I supposed, was very out of left field, and just didn't feel true to the characters as we'd gotten to know them thus far. I mean, you don't just
Spoiler
give up your dream job for a guy you've basically only known a few days
It's no surprise that I'm a fan of gay romance novels, although this is more of an action/thriller gay romance novel, as with many of Josh Lanyon's books. And I liked it. The plot was a tiny bit predictable but the characters were nice — as was the setting. I have a hard time figuring out what more to say. The book was solid and had pretty much everything I expect out of a Josh Lanyon book, but that also makes it difficult to differentiate from the others. Not much stood out as memorable, but I did enjoy reading it.
So I recommend it for those of you who want to read a fairly uncomplicated yet entertaining gay romance novel with action, a serial killer, and a weird bird man (it makes sense in context, I promise).
So I recommend it for those of you who want to read a fairly uncomplicated yet entertaining gay romance novel with action, a serial killer, and a weird bird man (it makes sense in context, I promise).
Told in third person, this story follows Rob and Adam as they investigate multiple murders and possibly related disappearances in a small Oregon town. Rob was born in Portland but city life didn’t agree with him so he has made a home of this small Oregon town and polices it with friendliness and compassion. At times I found his lackadaisical attitude a bit annoying. While I can understand that he has to live among these suspects after the investigation, I felt he was giving too much slack to a lot of them.
I enjoyed Adam’s more straightforward contributions to the investigation though at times perhaps he was a little too opposite in his approach to the suspects. His current career dilemma added a sense of instability to the outcome of the relationship forming with Rob. The mystery had just the right amount of intrigue to keep me guessing. I was somewhat satisfied with the resolution of the case but a little disappointed in how the relationships issues were suddenly solved. I would have preferred a little different epilogue.
There was a cameo by Sam Kennedy reminding me that I need to finish The Art of Murder series.
I enjoyed Adam’s more straightforward contributions to the investigation though at times perhaps he was a little too opposite in his approach to the suspects. His current career dilemma added a sense of instability to the outcome of the relationship forming with Rob. The mystery had just the right amount of intrigue to keep me guessing. I was somewhat satisfied with the resolution of the case but a little disappointed in how the relationships issues were suddenly solved. I would have preferred a little different epilogue.
There was a cameo by Sam Kennedy reminding me that I need to finish The Art of Murder series.