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kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Third and last in the All's Fair LGBT detective mystery series and revolving around two men involved in law enforcement and in love in Seattle, Washington.
My Take
The things serial killers will do. I wonder if Corian was really all that great of an artist if he had to use bodies to create his sculpture?
It's a twitchy sort of story, as Lanyon uses third person simple subjective point-of-view, with Elliot's worries about Tucker pulling at him. All the worries of a person who loves and yet feels that lack of security. A former FBI agent who knows the realities and chafes at the restrictions. And between Sheba's missing owner and Tucker, Elliot can't resist going tracking, hunting for something, anything. Good thing.
That same POV gives us the inside view on the love between Tucker and Elliot…we should all be so lucky.
There are multiple battles in this: trying to get Corian to talk; Tucker wanting Elliot off the case, period; the possible offer from SAC Montgomery; the slaps from other law enforcement agents because Elliot isn't an agent anymore; MacAuley's lame "hunting"; and, Elliot's too-forgiving father all keep things on edge.
There's a bit of self-analysis as Elliot tries to decide where his heart really lies. Of course, we all know what he'll choose.
The action does keep me hopping…or is that hoping? But the worst of it? This is the last of it; I want more stories about Tucker and Elliot! They're compassionate men who are passionate about their work, and that Roland, lol. Oh, boy, he's much more forgiving than I could be, and I did appreciate that remark about approaching the dairies, *more laughter*
The Story
It's a game of cat-and-mouse, as the Sculptor taunts Elliot with clues about the men he murdered. Yet more taunts that leave Elliot bewildered, until Tucker doesn't come home.
It's chance, pure chance and a compassionate heart that breaks the case.
The Characters
Professor Elliot Mills retired from the FBI after a debilitating injury and now teaches courses that revolve around the Civil War at Puget Sound University as a non-tenured professor. Special Agent Tucker Lance is his life partner and former FBI partner who now heads the Sculptor case. The two live on Goose Island.
The revolutionary Professor Roland Mills is Elliot's father and also a teacher at Puget Sound. Oscar Nobb is one of his father's revolutionary pals for whom Roland wants Elliot's help (Fair Play, 2). Tom Baker was Nobby's defense attorney.
Tova is Tucker's birth mother and a born-again Christian; she lives in Wyoming with her conservative car salesman husband, Ed.
The FBI office in…
…Seattle is led by Special-Agent-in-Charge (SAC) Theresa Montgomery who wants Elliot on the case as a consultant. Special Agent Kelli Yamiguchi isn't sure about this. Unit Chief Sam Kennedy is a legendary profiler.
Tacoma PD
Detective Pine is with Homicide. Detective Upson is Pine's partner and seems to be a witness for Nobby. There may be a romance starting up between Upson and Rollie. Detective Fallis is in charge of the double-murder and the kidnapping cases.
The FBI and the Tacoma PD are part of a multiagency task force that includes Pierce County Prosecutor John Marquessi; Chief Caleb Woll with the Black Diamond PD who has his own secrets; and, the much-married Deputy Sheriff Jack Dannon with the King's County Sheriff's Department who has quite the reputation.
Puget Sound University
Elliot has an office in Hanby Hall. Donna is the history department secretary. Tip Wilkins and Linda Markowitz are students in some of his classes. Charlotte Oppenheimer is the president of the university. Anne Gold teaches art history. Jordan Perigee is an art student.
Will MacAuley is a conservative crank and right-wing radio commentator/blogger who'd love to get Elliot in his bed. Torrin Barro had a minor police record and worked as a full-time creamologist for Freeze Frame.
Andrew Corian was the Sculptor, a serial killer whom Elliot and Tucker caught in Fair Game, 1. Eddie and Gina Hope are Corian's nearest neighbors, besides Connie Foster who is a mite quick with a shotgun. Honoria Sallis is Corian's ex-wife. Arvon Jamieson is a very expensive lawyer. Ellen and Odell Haysbert had been Corian's foster parents. Krayle had been the Haysberts' son who died. Tamir Flurry is a guard at the prison and a former student of Corian's. Green Garden Landscaping is a gardening service.
Corian's victims included Douglas Watterson (his best friend, Mather, is in the same prison as Corian).
Sheba is a lost Doberman pinscher in the wrong place for some, the right place for others. Todd Rice is the absent owner who works at BP Cherry Point Refinery. Dr. Mueller with Maple Valley Veterinary Hospital is the vet to whom Elliot takes Sheba. Dianne and Carli are teenagers working at a day care center. The house on Todd's right is owned by a retired couple, Matthew and Jaime Howard.
Steven Roche is a former neighbor of Elliot's. Ira Kane was the man who shot Elliot's knee out at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Adam is Tucker's ex.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a lot of dark blues with a cloud-covered, moonlit sky and a horizon of fir trees behind the boys, dark-haired, dark jackets, the pale flesh of their faces and hands popping against all that dark. The author's name is in the center and right justified in white at the top while the title is in a gradation of white to blue to purple at the bottom left. Do wish authors would slap on the series information, sigh…
The title is all Elliot asks for, a Fair Chance to find his lover.
My Take
The things serial killers will do. I wonder if Corian was really all that great of an artist if he had to use bodies to create his sculpture?
It's a twitchy sort of story, as Lanyon uses third person simple subjective point-of-view, with Elliot's worries about Tucker pulling at him. All the worries of a person who loves and yet feels that lack of security. A former FBI agent who knows the realities and chafes at the restrictions. And between Sheba's missing owner and Tucker, Elliot can't resist going tracking, hunting for something, anything. Good thing.
That same POV gives us the inside view on the love between Tucker and Elliot…we should all be so lucky.
There are multiple battles in this: trying to get Corian to talk; Tucker wanting Elliot off the case, period; the possible offer from SAC Montgomery; the slaps from other law enforcement agents because Elliot isn't an agent anymore; MacAuley's lame "hunting"; and, Elliot's too-forgiving father all keep things on edge.
There's a bit of self-analysis as Elliot tries to decide where his heart really lies. Of course, we all know what he'll choose.
Oh, boy…and Tip isn't the only idiot:Lanyon tosses out all sorts of red herrings, making me suspicious of everyone. Of course, he also does an easy job of making me despise MacAuley. What an idiot!?! That man is too arrogant for words. Even I can see that his idea of a "fun" party is dangerous! WTF is he thinking??
"…listening to Loggers linebacker Tip Wilkins earnestly explain why football practice was more important than writing an essay on 'ancient history', i.e., the Dred Scott decision…"
The action does keep me hopping…or is that hoping? But the worst of it? This is the last of it; I want more stories about Tucker and Elliot! They're compassionate men who are passionate about their work, and that Roland, lol. Oh, boy, he's much more forgiving than I could be, and I did appreciate that remark about approaching the dairies, *more laughter*
The Story
It's a game of cat-and-mouse, as the Sculptor taunts Elliot with clues about the men he murdered. Yet more taunts that leave Elliot bewildered, until Tucker doesn't come home.
It's chance, pure chance and a compassionate heart that breaks the case.
The Characters
Professor Elliot Mills retired from the FBI after a debilitating injury and now teaches courses that revolve around the Civil War at Puget Sound University as a non-tenured professor. Special Agent Tucker Lance is his life partner and former FBI partner who now heads the Sculptor case. The two live on Goose Island.
The revolutionary Professor Roland Mills is Elliot's father and also a teacher at Puget Sound. Oscar Nobb is one of his father's revolutionary pals for whom Roland wants Elliot's help (Fair Play, 2). Tom Baker was Nobby's defense attorney.
Tova is Tucker's birth mother and a born-again Christian; she lives in Wyoming with her conservative car salesman husband, Ed.
The FBI office in…
…Seattle is led by Special-Agent-in-Charge (SAC) Theresa Montgomery who wants Elliot on the case as a consultant. Special Agent Kelli Yamiguchi isn't sure about this. Unit Chief Sam Kennedy is a legendary profiler.
Tacoma PD
Detective Pine is with Homicide. Detective Upson is Pine's partner and seems to be a witness for Nobby. There may be a romance starting up between Upson and Rollie. Detective Fallis is in charge of the double-murder and the kidnapping cases.
The FBI and the Tacoma PD are part of a multiagency task force that includes Pierce County Prosecutor John Marquessi; Chief Caleb Woll with the Black Diamond PD who has his own secrets; and, the much-married Deputy Sheriff Jack Dannon with the King's County Sheriff's Department who has quite the reputation.
Puget Sound University
Elliot has an office in Hanby Hall. Donna is the history department secretary. Tip Wilkins and Linda Markowitz are students in some of his classes. Charlotte Oppenheimer is the president of the university. Anne Gold teaches art history. Jordan Perigee is an art student.
Will MacAuley is a conservative crank and right-wing radio commentator/blogger who'd love to get Elliot in his bed. Torrin Barro had a minor police record and worked as a full-time creamologist for Freeze Frame.
Andrew Corian was the Sculptor, a serial killer whom Elliot and Tucker caught in Fair Game, 1. Eddie and Gina Hope are Corian's nearest neighbors, besides Connie Foster who is a mite quick with a shotgun. Honoria Sallis is Corian's ex-wife. Arvon Jamieson is a very expensive lawyer. Ellen and Odell Haysbert had been Corian's foster parents. Krayle had been the Haysberts' son who died. Tamir Flurry is a guard at the prison and a former student of Corian's. Green Garden Landscaping is a gardening service.
Corian's victims included Douglas Watterson (his best friend, Mather, is in the same prison as Corian).
Sheba is a lost Doberman pinscher in the wrong place for some, the right place for others. Todd Rice is the absent owner who works at BP Cherry Point Refinery. Dr. Mueller with Maple Valley Veterinary Hospital is the vet to whom Elliot takes Sheba. Dianne and Carli are teenagers working at a day care center. The house on Todd's right is owned by a retired couple, Matthew and Jaime Howard.
Steven Roche is a former neighbor of Elliot's. Ira Kane was the man who shot Elliot's knee out at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Adam is Tucker's ex.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a lot of dark blues with a cloud-covered, moonlit sky and a horizon of fir trees behind the boys, dark-haired, dark jackets, the pale flesh of their faces and hands popping against all that dark. The author's name is in the center and right justified in white at the top while the title is in a gradation of white to blue to purple at the bottom left. Do wish authors would slap on the series information, sigh…
The title is all Elliot asks for, a Fair Chance to find his lover.
gillianw's review
4.0
https://justlovereviews.com/2017/03/01/fair-chance-josh-lanyon/#more-19667
4 stars
Full confession: I am a Josh Laynon fangirl.
However, I have a caveat: I’m not the type of fangirl who will 5 star ++++ every single, damn book Lanyon has in her impressive library simply because it has her name on it, so this one still had to work at impressing me.
I’m happy to say that it did.
To be honest, I did go back and re-read the first two books when I learned this one was being released because it’s been a few years since I read them and I wanted to re-familiarize myself with the characters and the events before reading the third installment. I’m glad I did because the events in book two directly relate to the plot of book three so if you haven’t read the first two books, stop here before you spoiler yourself.
Fair Chance has us happily reunited with ex-FBI agent turned professor, Elliot Mills and his sexy, alpha boyfriend, special agent Tucker Lance. I’m happy to report that they are still together and still doing well, despite Tucker having to occasionally reign in his alpha male tendencies where Elliot is concerned (except in the bedroom where it’s perfectly acceptable *wink*).
Once again, Elliot is being drawn back into FBI territory despite having retired due to his injury several years prior. This, of course, is a continual source of conflict between Tucker and Elliot, with Tucker wanting to protect Elliot from the kind of injury that forced him to retire in the first place. However, being the grown-ass men they are, things get discussed and if not resolved, then at least agree to disagree until they have to time to sort things out. This is one of the things I love about Lanyon’s characters; they aren’t children, prone to fits of rage over things that could easily be discussed. They are men who talk, who apologize, who care enough to listen and learn from their mistakes.
Since the big plot point is revealed in the blurb (why??), I can confirm that Tucker does indeed get kidnapped, possibly by an accomplice to The Sculptor, the serial killer whom Elliot and Tucker nabbed in book two. Not content to sit back and let the FBI investigate (and despite repeated warnings not to get involved), Elliot feels he has no choice but to find Tucker on his own and determine if the killer they originally thought was working alone, did indeed have someone working with him and is intent on carrying on with his murder spree.
The mystery itself is really well done, but that’s no surprise given that this is Lanyon’s forte. There are false leads and red herrings, and while the plot isn’t overly complicated, it still manages to keep the reader entertained and engaged throughout.
I really loved Tucker and Elliot’s relationship in this book. You can see real growth between the two men since the first book, and the affection and respect between them is clearly obvious. I’m interested to see where they go from here, seeing as Elliot is opening himself up to the idea of returning to the FBI in some capacity, despite Tucker’s reservations.
Hopefully, we don’t have to wait too long.
I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
4 stars
Full confession: I am a Josh Laynon fangirl.
However, I have a caveat: I’m not the type of fangirl who will 5 star ++++ every single, damn book Lanyon has in her impressive library simply because it has her name on it, so this one still had to work at impressing me.
I’m happy to say that it did.
To be honest, I did go back and re-read the first two books when I learned this one was being released because it’s been a few years since I read them and I wanted to re-familiarize myself with the characters and the events before reading the third installment. I’m glad I did because the events in book two directly relate to the plot of book three so if you haven’t read the first two books, stop here before you spoiler yourself.
Fair Chance has us happily reunited with ex-FBI agent turned professor, Elliot Mills and his sexy, alpha boyfriend, special agent Tucker Lance. I’m happy to report that they are still together and still doing well, despite Tucker having to occasionally reign in his alpha male tendencies where Elliot is concerned (except in the bedroom where it’s perfectly acceptable *wink*).
Once again, Elliot is being drawn back into FBI territory despite having retired due to his injury several years prior. This, of course, is a continual source of conflict between Tucker and Elliot, with Tucker wanting to protect Elliot from the kind of injury that forced him to retire in the first place. However, being the grown-ass men they are, things get discussed and if not resolved, then at least agree to disagree until they have to time to sort things out. This is one of the things I love about Lanyon’s characters; they aren’t children, prone to fits of rage over things that could easily be discussed. They are men who talk, who apologize, who care enough to listen and learn from their mistakes.
Since the big plot point is revealed in the blurb (why??), I can confirm that Tucker does indeed get kidnapped, possibly by an accomplice to The Sculptor, the serial killer whom Elliot and Tucker nabbed in book two. Not content to sit back and let the FBI investigate (and despite repeated warnings not to get involved), Elliot feels he has no choice but to find Tucker on his own and determine if the killer they originally thought was working alone, did indeed have someone working with him and is intent on carrying on with his murder spree.
The mystery itself is really well done, but that’s no surprise given that this is Lanyon’s forte. There are false leads and red herrings, and while the plot isn’t overly complicated, it still manages to keep the reader entertained and engaged throughout.
I really loved Tucker and Elliot’s relationship in this book. You can see real growth between the two men since the first book, and the affection and respect between them is clearly obvious. I’m interested to see where they go from here, seeing as Elliot is opening himself up to the idea of returning to the FBI in some capacity, despite Tucker’s reservations.
Hopefully, we don’t have to wait too long.
I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
yazaleea's review
2.0
Whateverrr this one was disappointing. Everyone is obsessed with Elliot. A serial killer. A far right celeb with bdsm fantasies. Whatever. Elliot truly the main character of his own story. The romance was still not great, I wish it gave me more. The mystery wasn’t really engaging. Eh.
a_reader_obsessed's review
4.0
4 Steady Stars!
A really great series showcasing Lanyon’s knack for seamlessly weaving romance with mystery. This time around things get personal. Very personal.
As Elliot desperately races against time to figure out who’s helping an infamous serial killer exact revenge for his incarceration, what Elliot holds dear is shockingly stolen from him. Does he have the smarts and the fortitude to do the most important thing he’ll ever do?? Things seem hopeless, but thankfully this is fiction and luck is on his side.
Though I definitely missed the on page time between Tucker and Elliot due to various plot developments, what little we did get was intense and romantic and swoony. I’m still charmed over and over by how far these two have come and how secure they are in the other. I just love this duo, and I’m not-so-secretly hoping for further future stories.
Of note, this series is one of the smexiest of Lanyon’s works, and I’m so not complaining. Also, I’m deliriously happy to say that this ended very very satisfactorily, and if you’ve read many a previous Lanyon review from me, that’s quite the hard-to-come-by win.
A really great series showcasing Lanyon’s knack for seamlessly weaving romance with mystery. This time around things get personal. Very personal.
As Elliot desperately races against time to figure out who’s helping an infamous serial killer exact revenge for his incarceration, what Elliot holds dear is shockingly stolen from him. Does he have the smarts and the fortitude to do the most important thing he’ll ever do?? Things seem hopeless, but thankfully this is fiction and luck is on his side.
Though I definitely missed the on page time between Tucker and Elliot due to various plot developments, what little we did get was intense and romantic and swoony. I’m still charmed over and over by how far these two have come and how secure they are in the other. I just love this duo, and I’m not-so-secretly hoping for further future stories.
Of note, this series is one of the smexiest of Lanyon’s works, and I’m so not complaining. Also, I’m deliriously happy to say that this ended very very satisfactorily, and if you’ve read many a previous Lanyon review from me, that’s quite the hard-to-come-by win.
jrv45's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
laura_katie_j's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
gryvon's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, Violence, Gun violence, Death, Stalking, Murder, and Kidnapping
Minor: Alcohol and Cursing
alicjaz's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bookish_notes's review
5.0
Well, this was a very excellent finale to the trilogy. Fair Chance is the third book to the All's Fair series and this book directly ties more into the events that take place in books one than book two. I do love this book the most of all three. The Sculptor lures Elliot back into his games. The Sculptor is a menacing serial killer who has tried to Elliot before. Now, his latest reveal is that he wasn't working alone and there may be someone who will take on his work.
This story is already much more intense than the last two, because not only is there an unknown serial killer possibly wandering around...but Tucker has gone missing as well.
Elliot has been unofficially working in the capacity of an FBI agent. He left the agency after getting shot in the knee and went on to become a history professor. His days as an agent were never far behind him as he had to locate the Sculptor and then solve the mystery of who was after his father. But now, Tucker is missing and he has very limited resources as a civilian and no longer has access to the databases, files, and personnel he once might have had.
And answers to be gained by convincing the Sculptor to talk is a dead-end when the serial killer winds up in a coma from a prison fight.
This is the kind of story that will leave you on the edge of your seat. This book is near impossible to put down because you can just feel the clock ticking to find Tucker. This book is intense, and I loved reading every second of it! This book is an incredible finale to close out Elliot and Tucker's story.
We only ever see this story from Elliot's perspective, so I would have liked to see Tucker's perspective at some point in the story, because in some ways he does remain a bit of a mystery even if I did come to love Tucker more in this story than in the previous two books. This is a solid ending that was lovely and suspenseful. Do I love it more than the Adrien English Mysteries? Maybe not as much, but only because we did get a few more books about Adrien and Jake. However, this series is still a very well-written story contained within three books and I would recommend this series for anyone who's looking for a good romantic suspense series!
This story is already much more intense than the last two, because not only is there an unknown serial killer possibly wandering around...but Tucker has gone missing as well.
Elliot has been unofficially working in the capacity of an FBI agent. He left the agency after getting shot in the knee and went on to become a history professor. His days as an agent were never far behind him as he had to locate the Sculptor and then solve the mystery of who was after his father. But now, Tucker is missing and he has very limited resources as a civilian and no longer has access to the databases, files, and personnel he once might have had.
And answers to be gained by convincing the Sculptor to talk is a dead-end when the serial killer winds up in a coma from a prison fight.
This is the kind of story that will leave you on the edge of your seat. This book is near impossible to put down because you can just feel the clock ticking to find Tucker. This book is intense, and I loved reading every second of it! This book is an incredible finale to close out Elliot and Tucker's story.
We only ever see this story from Elliot's perspective, so I would have liked to see Tucker's perspective at some point in the story, because in some ways he does remain a bit of a mystery even if I did come to love Tucker more in this story than in the previous two books. This is a solid ending that was lovely and suspenseful. Do I love it more than the Adrien English Mysteries? Maybe not as much, but only because we did get a few more books about Adrien and Jake. However, this series is still a very well-written story contained within three books and I would recommend this series for anyone who's looking for a good romantic suspense series!