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A review by cspoe
Night Watch by Josh Lanyon
5.0
I love a well-written short story. They should be stellar for the length the author chose and appreciated as such. There's no cutting corners simply because of page count either. In fact, every word is all the more impactful, because readers need a sense of character development, plot completion, and—as far as romance is concerned—at least a tickle in our hearts that love is on the horizon and everything will be okay.
That's why I read every short story that Josh Lanyon writes. Because, boy howdy, does she get it. Night Watch is one of her darker, more grisly, and bleaker stories, with a plot as serious as they come for something just over forty pages. Parker Davidson, an investigative reporter, is on his way to a safe house after news breaks that his psychopathic ex-boyfriend has escaped a maximum security prison and Parker is certain that Ricky is going to find him and finish the job he failed at three years ago: stabbing Parker to death. Except he's not alone. Lt. Henry Stagge with the LAPD is playing bodyguard until Ricky is apprehended.
And Parker just can't understand why. Why the LAPD would bother after he rubbed a few too many cops the wrong way with his articles. Why Henry would volunteer for babysitting someone who couldn't see from the beginning that Ricky was bad news. Why Parker deserves the protection and affection that Henry so easily offers. None of it makes sense to him, and he's certain he's going to die. Die or die trying to shoot Ricky himself.
I love this book. I've read it three or four times. It's a gentle incline, never over-the-top, and a completely believable plot from start to finish. Parker's attitude and shift overnight is so well done—that emotional break he hits with Henry there, offering support, was beautiful. And Henry. My God. That's how you write a love interest. Charming, compelling, a bit of a hardass, with absolutely fantastic dialogue. My heart is certain that these two kept in touch, dated, and have gotten their second chances at love and life.
This is a book you need to read. Whether in between longer titles are as a quick indulgence before bed. Enjoy.
That's why I read every short story that Josh Lanyon writes. Because, boy howdy, does she get it. Night Watch is one of her darker, more grisly, and bleaker stories, with a plot as serious as they come for something just over forty pages. Parker Davidson, an investigative reporter, is on his way to a safe house after news breaks that his psychopathic ex-boyfriend has escaped a maximum security prison and Parker is certain that Ricky is going to find him and finish the job he failed at three years ago: stabbing Parker to death. Except he's not alone. Lt. Henry Stagge with the LAPD is playing bodyguard until Ricky is apprehended.
And Parker just can't understand why. Why the LAPD would bother after he rubbed a few too many cops the wrong way with his articles. Why Henry would volunteer for babysitting someone who couldn't see from the beginning that Ricky was bad news. Why Parker deserves the protection and affection that Henry so easily offers. None of it makes sense to him, and he's certain he's going to die. Die or die trying to shoot Ricky himself.
I love this book. I've read it three or four times. It's a gentle incline, never over-the-top, and a completely believable plot from start to finish. Parker's attitude and shift overnight is so well done—that emotional break he hits with Henry there, offering support, was beautiful. And Henry. My God. That's how you write a love interest. Charming, compelling, a bit of a hardass, with absolutely fantastic dialogue. My heart is certain that these two kept in touch, dated, and have gotten their second chances at love and life.
This is a book you need to read. Whether in between longer titles are as a quick indulgence before bed. Enjoy.