Adrien English Mystery Series #1 Someone's out to get Los Angeles bookseller Adrien English. His best friend has been viciously murdered, now he's ...
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Feb 22, 2009
Shawn
rated it: 
Even though I am not fond of first person, there is just something about Adrien. Not to mention, I love myteries and detectives. Josh makes you instantly like Adrien, too, which is good since it is a series.
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Jan 30, 2008
LdDurham
rated it: 
Fatal Shadows is, in no uncertain terms, wonderful. I say this with complete and open enthusiasm.
I started reading Fatal Shadows without even looking at the small synopsis Loose Id gives. I didn’t need to; I knew I was going to buy it and read it. And actually, I am glad I did it that way because without knowing about the “hot and handsome LAPD detective Jake Riordan” I can tell you that the romance built so subtly, the attraction ignited so smoothly and naturally, that at its culmin More...
I started reading Fatal Shadows without even looking at the small synopsis Loose Id gives. I didn’t need to; I knew I was going to buy it and read it. And actually, I am glad I did it that way because without knowing about the “hot and handsome LAPD detective Jake Riordan” I can tell you that the romance built so subtly, the attraction ignited so smoothly and naturally, that at its culmin More...
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Dec 14, 2008
Jon
rated it:
This is the first book about amateur sleuth Adrien English. About 222 pages in large print, author Josh Lanyon introduces the reader to a bookstore owner, aspiring writer who's one-time best friend turned employee is brutally murdered in the back alley outside his home. It's up to English to connect the dots, to discover the connection between the death of his friend and dark threats he's been getting of late.
Josh Lanyon spins a simple tale of innocence, of childhood secrets and lies More...
Josh Lanyon spins a simple tale of innocence, of childhood secrets and lies More...
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Aug 05, 2007
Kati
rated it:
This book is the first one in the Adrien English Mysteries and I must say that it's my favorite one. There are three books out in the series so far but I didn't read the first one until now because it was sold out.
What I liked most about this book was the relationship between Adrien and Jake. In the later books, Jake turns into a real bastard because he is so afraid of being outed as a gay. But here, it's obvious that he really cares for Adrien.
And I love Adrien, the ma More...
What I liked most about this book was the relationship between Adrien and Jake. In the later books, Jake turns into a real bastard because he is so afraid of being outed as a gay. But here, it's obvious that he really cares for Adrien.
And I love Adrien, the ma More...
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Apr 03, 2011
Alicia
rated it:
Fatal Shadows was a quirky, highly enjoyable whodunnit with a lovable, well-drawn protag, Adrien English. Adrien, who is awesomely bookish (and also has great taste in movies), plays the standard role of amateur sleuth but he does it with just the right combination of intelligence, wit, and vulnerability, so that he is neither too stupid, like the dumb blonde in a horror movie, nor too omnisciently brilliant, somehow solving the entire mystery using the clue of a half-eaten bacon cheeseburger o
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Jan 13, 2012
Moss
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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6 comments
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Aug 17, 2011
Karyn
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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May 14, 2011
X5-494
rated it:
First book of the Adrien English Series.
I don’t think that I can love any Josh Lanyon book more than ’The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks’ – plot- and character-wise – but I still love the way Josh Lanyon writes – whatever it is.
Fatal Shadows is no exception.
Adrien English, the main character, is exceptionally well written. And way more patient and lenient, than I’ll ever be. If the police had treated me the way it had treated Adrien, I’d have sued their sorry asse More...
I don’t think that I can love any Josh Lanyon book more than ’The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks’ – plot- and character-wise – but I still love the way Josh Lanyon writes – whatever it is.
Fatal Shadows is no exception.
Adrien English, the main character, is exceptionally well written. And way more patient and lenient, than I’ll ever be. If the police had treated me the way it had treated Adrien, I’d have sued their sorry asse More...
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Dec 23, 2009
shartyrant
rated it: 
I was introduced to this author's work by a friend who loves his writing so she bought me the whole slew to try as she knows I love mysteries.
I should post a warning for those who are offended by male/male relationships. There is some of that and there is violence in this book (obviously). If either disturbs you, then pass on it with no harm or foul to anyone.
Overall, I found it a VERY quick read. I read it in 45 minutes. The lead character is a writer who writes mysteries. Unfortunately, he b More...
I should post a warning for those who are offended by male/male relationships. There is some of that and there is violence in this book (obviously). If either disturbs you, then pass on it with no harm or foul to anyone.
Overall, I found it a VERY quick read. I read it in 45 minutes. The lead character is a writer who writes mysteries. Unfortunately, he b More...
Oct 19, 2009
Lori
rated it:
What a pleasantly surprising gem of a mystery book. I am honestly not normally a fan of mystery books. Actually, I usually get into them when I read them, but for some reason I never steer toward them. The onlhy reason I really picked this up was because I had a some free money for some publishing company and this book had good reviews. I don't know. I was impulse book buying. Anyway, I'm glad I did.
What I liked about this story...
Well, the hero is a total hottie. Not like he' More...
What I liked about this story...
Well, the hero is a total hottie. Not like he' More...
May 27, 2011
Bee
rated it:
Adrien English is a bookstore owner, crime novel writer and as of lately...part time sleuth. He lives in the same ancient building as his bookstore resides in and leeds a quiet and lonely life, until his friend and employee is brutally murdered.
Adrien quickly becomes the police's prime suspect. As if that wasn't enough the press is dogging him for an interview, the members of his writing critique partner group are watching his every move and analyzing him as a character and also, it s More...
Adrien quickly becomes the police's prime suspect. As if that wasn't enough the press is dogging him for an interview, the members of his writing critique partner group are watching his every move and analyzing him as a character and also, it s More...
Mar 21, 2011
Heather C
rated it:
1st Read
I really like this one. It's a classic who-done-it with a m/m twist. I figured out who the killer was at about 75%, but had an idea early on.
Complaint: frequently I found myself re-reading a converstion because I would get confused about who was speak what
2nd read
Didn't have the speaker problem that I did about. hmm
I loved this story more than I did the 1st time I read it.
I plan to reread the other 4 books very soon.
I really like this one. It's a classic who-done-it with a m/m twist. I figured out who the killer was at about 75%, but had an idea early on.
Complaint: frequently I found myself re-reading a converstion because I would get confused about who was speak what
2nd read
Didn't have the speaker problem that I did about. hmm
I loved this story more than I did the 1st time I read it.
I plan to reread the other 4 books very soon.
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Dec 17, 2011
Contrarius
rated it:
I've spent most of the last week reading several mystery/romance novellas in the "gay" subgenre, written by Josh Lanyon (of which the Adrien English series have been my favorites). Romance is not my usual sort of reading material, but obviously I have become at least temporarily fascinated by this guy's work. This review, therefore, should be interpreted as a brief overview of his books as a whole rather than a specific analysis of Fatal Shadows alone.
IMNSHO Lanyon is a tal More...
IMNSHO Lanyon is a tal More...
Aug 23, 2010
Luna
rated it:
Before I start with my blabber, I just wanted to say that I have enjoyed reading this first book of the Adrien English Mysteries, and I'm looking forward for more.
My reading habbits don't include detective stories.
It's just not something I enjoy.
But I still decided to give this one a try, because it seemed to include an actual plot and interesting characters. I wasn't in the mood for more senseless smut with idiots f**king.
(I also liked the fact it's written by a m More...
My reading habbits don't include detective stories.
It's just not something I enjoy.
But I still decided to give this one a try, because it seemed to include an actual plot and interesting characters. I wasn't in the mood for more senseless smut with idiots f**king.
(I also liked the fact it's written by a m More...
Jun 25, 2010
Book One of the Adrien English Mysteries. Adrian English owns a book store in LA, and one day the police show up to tell him that his co-worker and high school friend Robert has been murdered, and so far they only have one suspect: Him. Can he convince the cops he's innocent, and find out who the real killer is?
I'm going to be completely honest: I picked up this book because the hero's name was Adrien. But I ended up being pleasantly surprised. I'm not usually a big fan of mysteries, b More...
I'm going to be completely honest: I picked up this book because the hero's name was Adrien. But I ended up being pleasantly surprised. I'm not usually a big fan of mysteries, b More...
Oct 04, 2011
Alan
rated it:
Josh Lanyon has become one of my favorite authors and it's all thanks to this series.
I've read a lot of M/M book and sometimes the sex gets in the way of the plot. Fear not, this is NOT one of those books. Josh's writing style is so fluid and engrossing I kept reading until the sun came up (his books are the only ones that I go through in 2 days).
Like others have said, All the character are exceptionally well written. Adrien is not an alpha male but you can see the strength i More...
I've read a lot of M/M book and sometimes the sex gets in the way of the plot. Fear not, this is NOT one of those books. Josh's writing style is so fluid and engrossing I kept reading until the sun came up (his books are the only ones that I go through in 2 days).
Like others have said, All the character are exceptionally well written. Adrien is not an alpha male but you can see the strength i More...
Aug 29, 2011
Leanne
rated it:
I can't believe it's taken me this long to read something by Josh Lanyon.
And after Fatal Shadows has just blown me away he's become an instant favourite.
The story, the first in the Adrien English series, is written in first person. And as an earlier reviewer wrote... there's something about Adrien.... It's hard not to fall completely in love with him.
I love that he's flawed (he has a heart condition), somewhat of a loner and has a wonderfully sharp wit...that his gorgeous More...
And after Fatal Shadows has just blown me away he's become an instant favourite.
The story, the first in the Adrien English series, is written in first person. And as an earlier reviewer wrote... there's something about Adrien.... It's hard not to fall completely in love with him.
I love that he's flawed (he has a heart condition), somewhat of a loner and has a wonderfully sharp wit...that his gorgeous More...
May 13, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
Love! Love, love, love!
This is my first foray into the writing of Josh Lanyon, other than his collaborative writing on Mexican Heat with Laura Baumbach. It's now very easy to determine what parts of that book he influenced. I'm guessing he had an upper hand in the creation of Gabriel's character. Anyway, I digress...
This is one of those books that I had a very difficult time turning the lights out on last night. Adrien-with-an-e is a great character: Intelligent, witty, f More...
This is my first foray into the writing of Josh Lanyon, other than his collaborative writing on Mexican Heat with Laura Baumbach. It's now very easy to determine what parts of that book he influenced. I'm guessing he had an upper hand in the creation of Gabriel's character. Anyway, I digress...
This is one of those books that I had a very difficult time turning the lights out on last night. Adrien-with-an-e is a great character: Intelligent, witty, f More...
Oct 28, 2011
Byron
rated it:
.... Well I have to say this serious is.... BLOODY GOOD!!!
I guess it would be best to sum up the way I usually do...
Characters - This is a complex set of characters that builds through out the series. There is this constant growth through the series but let me tell you it doesn't mean you don't want to rant and rave at them every now and then.. In Fatal Shadows we meet the main characters for the series. And we feel like we know them by the end of the book. We don't always l More...
I guess it would be best to sum up the way I usually do...
Characters - This is a complex set of characters that builds through out the series. There is this constant growth through the series but let me tell you it doesn't mean you don't want to rant and rave at them every now and then.. In Fatal Shadows we meet the main characters for the series. And we feel like we know them by the end of the book. We don't always l More...
Sep 21, 2009
Kathy
rated it:
Relationships can be murder. Bookseller and mystery author Adrien English is looking for love in all the wrong places -- and, according to hot and handsome LAPD detective Jake Riordan, it's liable to get him killed.
Before reading the first two of Josh Lanyon's Adrien English mysteries I was already a fan of the man's work. The first of his books that I read was Dangerous Ground and it was gripping. The mystery in each of his stories is well crafted and I'm left wondering wh More...
Before reading the first two of Josh Lanyon's Adrien English mysteries I was already a fan of the man's work. The first of his books that I read was Dangerous Ground and it was gripping. The mystery in each of his stories is well crafted and I'm left wondering wh More...
Nov 13, 2008
Nancy
rated it:
A light, fast-paced and well-written mystery that was a lot of fun to read. I enjoyed the humorous touches, quirky characters, and the growing relationship between Adrien English, bookstore owner and writer, and handsome, closeted homicide detective, Jake Riordan.
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Jun 27, 2011
Paola
rated it:
I finished this book in one day (even got a sunburnt because I lay in the sun too long with it, I was so engrossed). I'd had high expectations from this first book in the AE series, and they were confirmed, even surpassed, because of the excellent balance of solid characterisation, elegant style, great character 'voice', including his humour, all within the context of a gripping thriller.
I usually prefer thriller novels told from just one character's POV because otherwise it's too distract More...
I usually prefer thriller novels told from just one character's POV because otherwise it's too distract More...
Aug 06, 2011
Kira
rated it:
I needed a series to read and decided to give this one a go. I ended up comparing it to Kaje Harper's sort-of-similar books, and I have to say I almost like Harper's more.
This one (and I'm reading the second one now, and can say the same about it so far) is extremely well-written, but something about the constant description is...almost annoying. I mean every single detail about the environment seems to be laid out and while I'm usually very taken by "seeing it in my head" More...
May 09, 2009
Matimate
rated it:
My friend Katikat considered this book as worth of reading so I picked it up. It had to be crime thing and it was however it had very transparent plot line and considered reader to be an idiot. I liked the "ich" form of narration. The main hero and narrator Adrian English was so obsessed with fact that he was gay, that he was repeating it over and over and over and over...God in heaven I think author had some issues with it as well. Adrien had a problem somebody murdered his friend in
More...
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May 23, 2009
Ami
rated it:
I finish this book within 2.5 hours because it is pretty engaging. Sure, it is classified as "gay mystery" because the hero and the victim (and the friends of the hero) are mainly from gay community. But the sexuality angle is not on blatant -- and that is something I cherish. The hero is very likeable and I'm truly intrigued with how he and the prospective-lover, a closeted cop (no less!) will pursue the possibility of their relationship.
All I'm saying that, it is such a More...
All I'm saying that, it is such a More...
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Apr 06, 2010
Kez
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'Fatal Shadows' was for me, a surprisingly good read. I'm not sure what I expected when I started it (probably purple prose and the like, having never read anything by Josh Lanyon before) but I never expected to like it as much as I did. And although I picked out the 'whodunit' pretty early on in the book I liked how the author kept throwing red herrings here and there to try and throw me off his tracks. As I can be, at times, pretty gullible, I should be shamed to say that he succeeded quite of
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Jan 18, 2011
Andrea
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 29, 2011
Alexandra
rated it:
I don't read a lot of mysteries; for no particular reason. I just never had a chance to get into them i guess. I picked this one because i wanted to give them a try.
I liked this book. It didn't have a lot of substance but it was still nice; a holiday read is what i'd describe it as. Something you read when you're on holiday when you want to read a book but don't want anything that'll make you think too hard. I was expecting it to have a bit more romance involved though.
I've More...
I liked this book. It didn't have a lot of substance but it was still nice; a holiday read is what i'd describe it as. Something you read when you're on holiday when you want to read a book but don't want anything that'll make you think too hard. I was expecting it to have a bit more romance involved though.
I've More...
Apr 08, 2011
Kathryn
rated it:
I've had this series for awhile now, in the wings for when I needed a light, quick, fun, feel-good read. All of those things ended up being true, and I could have easily rated this book 4 stars if the story had not been quite so predictable. I do not mind a certain amount of predictability in these types of comfy mystery reads, as I like the security, but it was slightly more than I prefer, even considering that the book is very well-written.
I loved Adrien. He is intelligent and witt More...
I loved Adrien. He is intelligent and witt More...
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Dec 07, 2011
Stacey
rated it:
Ok, let me just hop on the bus, take a seat and buy my pass good for an infinite amount of rides. I <3 Josh Lanyon. His writing is sleek. And I mean that in all the good ways.
I initially started this book and read about 10% of the way through and put it down for weeks. And then I started reading again on a plane and didn't want to shut my Kindle down, even if it meant there was a chance I could cause the plane to crash. Alright, that's a little overstated, but I loved how flawles More...
I initially started this book and read about 10% of the way through and put it down for weeks. And then I started reading again on a plane and didn't want to shut my Kindle down, even if it meant there was a chance I could cause the plane to crash. Alright, that's a little overstated, but I loved how flawles More...
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