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20th out of 1,479 books
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1,467 voters
Fatal Shadows (Adrien English #1)
by
Josh Lanyon (Goodreads Author)
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 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 suc...more
Someone'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 suc...more
Paperback, 232 pages
Published
May 1st 2007
by MLR Press
(first published 2000)
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I'm surprised by how much I liked this. It was slow and it dragged a little and the mystery was a bit sloppy and the villain was meh and Adrien's inner monologue could be irritating—if you let it.
But still, I can't describe how much I loved the writing. I now understand why some people claim they would read the telephone directory if a certain author wrote it. Well, when it comes to m/m crime/mystery/romantic suspense, I'll read whatever Lanyon writes.
And, by the way, Detective Riordan! Oh, Dete...more
But still, I can't describe how much I loved the writing. I now understand why some people claim they would read the telephone directory if a certain author wrote it. Well, when it comes to m/m crime/mystery/romantic suspense, I'll read whatever Lanyon writes.
And, by the way, Detective Riordan! Oh, Dete...more
30 likes · like · see review
view all 80 comments
Five stars for being effortless and entertaining, slyly funny and utterly charming. This is true comfort reading.
Adrien is our amusing gay antihero, a simple guy who owns a bookstore that specializes in mystery novels. He's also a murder suspect. Policemen Chan and Riordan arrive on page one to question Adrien about the murder of his childhood friend and employee.
The mystery isn't terribly complicated yet it's still engaging. I was never certain of the identity of the killer and once it was re...more
Adrien is our amusing gay antihero, a simple guy who owns a bookstore that specializes in mystery novels. He's also a murder suspect. Policemen Chan and Riordan arrive on page one to question Adrien about the murder of his childhood friend and employee.
The mystery isn't terribly complicated yet it's still engaging. I was never certain of the identity of the killer and once it was re...more
23 likes · like · see review
The Adrien English series is a must read if you love your m/m. In fact Josh Lanyon should be in your library somewhere. Ok it's more of a slow burner than some but that's what makes it so enjoyable. I love the way these two guys dance around each other all the way through the series. Great underlying murder mystery and I say winner and keeper. Magic!
12 likes · like · see review
Wish they'd sort the capacity out.
Mar 22, 2013
Jon
added 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 in a tightl...more
Josh Lanyon spins a simple tale of innocence, of childhood secrets and lies in a tightl...more
I simply plowed through this in one sitting last night. Couldn't stop myself, even if I tried.
I loved Adrien. His whole personality just spoke to me, and I knew we would/could instantly be friends.
The bookstore setting, the mystery writers get-togethers, the wild and ott friends, his loopy, free spirited mom, all the smart dry humor sprinkled throughout...I loved it all. However, I did guess who the killer was earlier than I had hoped, but it was still a really fun, engaging read and did not d...more
I loved Adrien. His whole personality just spoke to me, and I knew we would/could instantly be friends.
The bookstore setting, the mystery writers get-togethers, the wild and ott friends, his loopy, free spirited mom, all the smart dry humor sprinkled throughout...I loved it all. However, I did guess who the killer was earlier than I had hoped, but it was still a really fun, engaging read and did not d...more
5 likes · like · see review
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 culmination it mad...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 culmination it mad...more
Jul 06, 2012
Laura
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Laura by:
Read-along with Christina & Angela
Welcome to my world, “Adrien-with-an-e” English! With a quiet, intelligent, lonely, witty-with-a-dash-of-smartass charm, Josh Lanyon’s introduction to the Adrien English Mystery series stole my heart and smiles. Pour me a cup of tea or hell…Adrien’s Ovaltine with a shot of whisky brew! I’m hooked! :D
This crime mystery hits close to home and heart for bookstore owner, author, and amateur sleuth, Adrien English when one of his oldest friends is found brutally murdered in a Los Angeles alley. From...more
This crime mystery hits close to home and heart for bookstore owner, author, and amateur sleuth, Adrien English when one of his oldest friends is found brutally murdered in a Los Angeles alley. From...more
8 likes · like · see review
So pleased I finally picked this up (thanks for the push Anna) I finished it in one sitting, and was very tempted to start the next straight away.
I’ll be honest and say I’m not reading this series for the murder mysteries thing, I’m reading (and reviewing) it for the (hopefully) romantic relationship development between Adrien English and Jake Riordaan.
I find that these murder mysteries leave me confused and frowny faced (not good for the wrinkles ya know) distracted and bored. I’m about as lat...more
10 likes · like · see review
This will be short.
This is my favorite novel in the Adrien English mystery series. It's the first novel where I got the sense that Jake Riordan might actually be coming around to seeing Adrien as something other than an object to wipe off the bottom of his shoe. *Spoiler: Jake went on to become my favorite MC as the series progressed; at the end, I wanted him to hook-up with me.*
This was, also, the one mystery in the series that I genuinely enjoyed throughout, and one which I wasn't able to figu...more
This is my favorite novel in the Adrien English mystery series. It's the first novel where I got the sense that Jake Riordan might actually be coming around to seeing Adrien as something other than an object to wipe off the bottom of his shoe. *Spoiler: Jake went on to become my favorite MC as the series progressed; at the end, I wanted him to hook-up with me.*
This was, also, the one mystery in the series that I genuinely enjoyed throughout, and one which I wasn't able to figu...more
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 main protagonist too. I wo...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 main protagonist too. I wo...more
3 likes · like · see review
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 old book store (of ga...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 old book store (of ga...more
3 likes · like · see review
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 or...more
1 like · like · see review
3.5 Stars
Solid update on the classic California mystery with roots in the Brandstetter series by Joseph Hansen as well as a nod to the British (the latter, however, being much more overtly riffed on by Lanyon in the Holmes and Moriarity series).
The book (and possibly the series, but I shall withhold judgement until further in) loses some serious points for me personally due to the unwelcome trope of the not only closeted but also overtly homophobic cop/love interest. Not really an issue for me i...more
Solid update on the classic California mystery with roots in the Brandstetter series by Joseph Hansen as well as a nod to the British (the latter, however, being much more overtly riffed on by Lanyon in the Holmes and Moriarity series).
The book (and possibly the series, but I shall withhold judgement until further in) loses some serious points for me personally due to the unwelcome trope of the not only closeted but also overtly homophobic cop/love interest. Not really an issue for me i...more
The Adrien English Mysteries have been on my radar for such a long time that I decided to finally take the plunge. Though FATAL SHADOWS isn’t the first of Lanyon’s work I’ve read, it is the first full-length one and it wholly consumed me the whole time I was reading it. I could do nothing else but read this book in a single sitting and after I was done, I was still thinking about it, which prompted me to rush out and get book two. It’s like crack!
Adrien English is a gay bookseller by day and a...more
4 likes · like · see review
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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1 like · like · see review
I was recommended this series by a friend and I really enjoyed it. I don't read many male authors, but made the exception because this book had come so highly recommended. I'm glad I chose to listen to the reccers.
I can honestly say that without a doubt this is one of the more enjoyable gay storylines I've read. The author isn't afraid to deal with some tough issues as well as be realistic about them. The characters are likable without there being an over abundance of flowery language, it also d...more
I can honestly say that without a doubt this is one of the more enjoyable gay storylines I've read. The author isn't afraid to deal with some tough issues as well as be realistic about them. The characters are likable without there being an over abundance of flowery language, it also d...more
First, I know the covers are awful but this is a good amateur sleuth series, made even more interesting by the fact that the hero, Adrien, writes mysteries himself and often bemoans that clues don't just fall into his lap in every other chapter the way they do with his favourite fictional detective from the 1920s.
I think it's worth saying here that this is a series of five books and in my opinion the mysteries start getting really interesting from book 3.
Before that, I read this one and A Dange...more
I think it's worth saying here that this is a series of five books and in my opinion the mysteries start getting really interesting from book 3.
Before that, I read this one and A Dange...more
i think i can't give any book a perfect score, i dunno i feel bad if i give them 5 stars so i will just settle for 4 stars instead.
firstly, i find this very similar to mary calmes' a matter of time series although jory was not a writer or whatever but a DIVA, i love his diva-ish character there. but the two distinct difference was josh laynon in my opinion is way better than mary calmes. and the plot was more stable compared to her book. but the other difference was i like sam kage more compared...more
firstly, i find this very similar to mary calmes' a matter of time series although jory was not a writer or whatever but a DIVA, i love his diva-ish character there. but the two distinct difference was josh laynon in my opinion is way better than mary calmes. and the plot was more stable compared to her book. but the other difference was i like sam kage more compared...more
I like to keep my mysteries and romances separate, because rare is a book that brings both those together without sacrificing one. In this case, the mystery was lackluster (though, okay, the romance was barely there, either, but it's a series so the romance will grow), but the author unraveled it in a way that wasn't groan worthy until the end, but that was for other reasons than it being obvious. Sure, it was evident once (view spoiler)...more
SlasherReader: I couldn't put the series down. I spent all day at work trying to figure out what was going to happen--which was much better than thinking about work. Up and to this point I haven't been disappointed with any of Lanyon's works. There was one that I did not find as engaging as some of the others but for the most part I've enjoyed his works. The Adrien English Series was no acceptation to this rule as you have probably already figured out. :)
I started reading this series based on a...more
I started reading this series based on a...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
So, I enjoyed this book; I thought parts of it were very well done, though I had the murder suspect pinned almost immediately, and the mystery wasn't terribly interesting to me. The romance aspects are definitely very mild in this first installation, which is okay as I enjoy a slow burn. (There was one part towards the end where I really scratched my head--it seemed like such a bizarre occurrence, but I was willing to overlook it). Anyway, I was about to get ready to DL the second book when I, s...more
I enjoyed it a lot. Though, being the little sook I am, I was actually pretty creeped out by the whole mystery and everything, even though I had a pretty clear idea of who was the actual criminal relatively early on during the book. It maayyy be because I was reading it at night, the only light visible being my phone light which I was using to read.
Don't shoot me! I know it's horrible for your eyes. And it probably doesn't give the book much justice. But hey, I wanted to finish it.
Anyway, I can...more
Don't shoot me! I know it's horrible for your eyes. And it probably doesn't give the book much justice. But hey, I wanted to finish it.
Anyway, I can...more
This is a spoiler-free review of all five books in the Adrien English series. Short version: Superb mix of mystery and romance, fantastic writing, recommended buy.
I’d heard a lot of praise for Josh Lanyon’s prose, so I started the first book in the Adrien English series expecting something flowery. And, yes, when Lanyon waxes poetic his writing is vivid and visceral in a way that seems to bypass your eyes and just make images explode in your brain, but that’s not what’s remarkable about his writ...more
I’d heard a lot of praise for Josh Lanyon’s prose, so I started the first book in the Adrien English series expecting something flowery. And, yes, when Lanyon waxes poetic his writing is vivid and visceral in a way that seems to bypass your eyes and just make images explode in your brain, but that’s not what’s remarkable about his writ...more
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I am weak I know...I wanted to safe this for the holidays but after all the tragedy and drama in Elizabeth George and Friedrich Ani, which I read recently I needed something to cheer me up.
I was admittedly a bit worried before I had even started reading as I had just discuverd Lanyon's Holmes and Moriarity-series about a mystery-writer and an ex-cop, while Adrien English is about a bookseller/mystery-writer and a still-cop...I feared some character-recycling. As it turns out I needn't have worri...more
I was admittedly a bit worried before I had even started reading as I had just discuverd Lanyon's Holmes and Moriarity-series about a mystery-writer and an ex-cop, while Adrien English is about a bookseller/mystery-writer and a still-cop...I feared some character-recycling. As it turns out I needn't have worri...more
1 like · like · see review
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 asses to hell and back – or at least tri...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 asses to hell and back – or at least tri...more
2 likes · like · see review
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 be...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 be...more
I have to say I have spent way too much time agonizing over writing a review for this novel (and the entire series). Why? Because I want my review to be as perfectly written as I think this series is. I am a huge fan of romance and mystery -- no surprise if you see my book list--this series absolutely nailed it for me. Pretty sure I've read each one four or five times, everytime I love them even more.
In "Fatal Shadows" readers meet Adrien English, book seller and accidental detective, for the fi...more
In "Fatal Shadows" readers meet Adrien English, book seller and accidental detective, for the fi...more
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 seems like...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 seems like...more
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.
5 likes · like · see review
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q&A with Josh...: A Ghost of a Chance | 15 | 81 | Dec 28, 2012 05:24pm | |
| Goodreads Librari...: wrong book cover | 1 | 28 | Nov 25, 2012 02:31pm |
A distinct voice in gay fiction, multi-award-winning author JOSH LANYON has been writing gay mystery, adventure and romance for over a decade. In addition to numerous short stories, novellas, and novels, Josh is the author of the critically acclaimed Adrien English series, including The Hell You Say, winner of the 2006 USABookNews awards for GLBT Fiction. Josh is an Eppie Award winner and a three-...more
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“A pause followed my greeting. Then “We’re watching you ” whispered the voice on the other end.
“Yeah? Did you see what I did with my keys? ”
Silence. Then dial tone.
These younger demons. So easily discouraged.”
—
71 people liked it
“Yeah? Did you see what I did with my keys? ”
Silence. Then dial tone.
These younger demons. So easily discouraged.”
“He never lied to me. I just didn't ask the questions I didn't want to know the answers to.”
—
41 people liked it
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