#4 in the acclaimed Adrien English Mystery Series by award winning author Josh Lanyon. Gay bookseller and reluctant amateur sleuth Adrien English's...
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Jul 18, 2011
Ares
rated it: 
When Adrien dies, his grave will say: "Here lies the most unfortunate motherfucker ever lived in this city."
He's just got a terrible life: No permanent bf, friends getting murdered, slept with a serial killer, heart condition, a mother that seriously needs to have some pills, annoying police always on his ass, always wrapped up in crime....and I can go on...
Whatever god watching over this man...have mercy...lol
He's just got a terrible life: No permanent bf, friends getting murdered, slept with a serial killer, heart condition, a mother that seriously needs to have some pills, annoying police always on his ass, always wrapped up in crime....and I can go on...
Whatever god watching over this man...have mercy...lol
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Aug 06, 2011
Angel
rated it:
Thank goodness. After The Hell You Say I was concerned, but with this book both Josh and Adrien hit their rhythm once again.
The mystery in this one isn't the real mystery. If you take an Occam's razor approach, there's really only one solution. But it's a matter of motivations - the why's and how's that matter more than the who.
It's also about coming to grips with some hard realities. Both Jake and Adrien have some tough issues to face. Jake has to finally come to grips More...
The mystery in this one isn't the real mystery. If you take an Occam's razor approach, there's really only one solution. But it's a matter of motivations - the why's and how's that matter more than the who.
It's also about coming to grips with some hard realities. Both Jake and Adrien have some tough issues to face. Jake has to finally come to grips More...
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Nov 08, 2008
Kati
rated it:
Josh Lanyon at his best. The 4th installment in the Adrien English Mysteries is also the best one so far! I was happy to see more of Jake Riordan who's not the bastard he used to be anymore - that made me quite happy - and also more of Adrien's nutty family. And also for someone who likes hurt/comfort, this was perfect!
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Nov 05, 2011
Mel
rated it: 
4 minus- yes, I'm a nitpicker
In this fourth book of the Adrien English Mysteries, Adrien gets dragged in yet another murder case. A case which his ex lover Jake is handling. Seeing Jake after two years rattles Adrien more than he likes to admit. And as the mystery unfolds, the emotions run high. Anger, pain, cynicism, distrust... all sprinkled with a little bit of drama.
I liked this installment a lot. I loved the first 85%. The mystery plot was engaging, the romance plot More...
In this fourth book of the Adrien English Mysteries, Adrien gets dragged in yet another murder case. A case which his ex lover Jake is handling. Seeing Jake after two years rattles Adrien more than he likes to admit. And as the mystery unfolds, the emotions run high. Anger, pain, cynicism, distrust... all sprinkled with a little bit of drama.
I liked this installment a lot. I loved the first 85%. The mystery plot was engaging, the romance plot More...
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Mar 23, 2011
Endless
rated it: 
The mystery was not much of a mystery for me 'cos i had the "who dunnit" figured out...so that didn't hold my attention. And even towards the end i can't bring myself to like Jake even a little bit...
I'm not writing a whole lot 'cos i don't want to include spoilers, 'cos for people like me the spoiler tag doesn't work - i still click on it to read it...and manage to ruin the book before reading it :-\
I'm going on to the 5th 'cos I've heard a lot of praise for it More...
I'm not writing a whole lot 'cos i don't want to include spoilers, 'cos for people like me the spoiler tag doesn't work - i still click on it to read it...and manage to ruin the book before reading it :-\
I'm going on to the 5th 'cos I've heard a lot of praise for it More...
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Feb 23, 2010
I must confess... is it the right thing to do since this is a mystery, isn't it? The naked truth is that I haven't read the first three books in the Adrien English mystery series!... Wow, the world is still up? the earth is not crashed down? There is not really a reason, I have all the books, I bought them when they were finally available in ebook format and I have heard only positive things on them, but... actually I never had enough patience to start reading something that I knew needs to be r
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Oct 07, 2008
Kerry
rated it:
The worst thing about this book is that now I have to wait another year (or two, but I hope not) to read the next book in the series.
This book follows along in the life of Adrien, about two years after the last book is set. Adrien has changed and grown, and we get to see how the other people in his life have changed and grown. Jake makes a reappearance in Adrien's life, with predictably mixed feelings on Adrien's part.
The previous book left a lot of things unresolved, and More...
This book follows along in the life of Adrien, about two years after the last book is set. Adrien has changed and grown, and we get to see how the other people in his life have changed and grown. Jake makes a reappearance in Adrien's life, with predictably mixed feelings on Adrien's part.
The previous book left a lot of things unresolved, and More...
Dec 20, 2011
Yvonne
rated it:
3.5 starsI liked this one better than the previous book but still the mystery started on a shaky note. A person dies of an apparent heart attack and you call the police and they immediately act like they're conducting a criminal investigation? Not very believable at all. A toxicology or autopsy would have had to be done to determine cause of death before the police would even be involved and if it looked liked natural cause none of that would have been requested. Added to this was the fact
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Jul 08, 2011
Trix
rated it:
I was pleasantly surprised the fourth installment. And thank God I started reading the series at a later date otherwise the suspense would have been right down cruel.
I was a bit surprised to see the story pick up 2 years after the events in The Hell You Say because I held a small ray of hope that things could be mended between Jake and Adrien. A hope that died a slow death throughout the first half of the book. Things seemed settled and closed: Adrien was steadily seeing Guy while Ja More...
I was a bit surprised to see the story pick up 2 years after the events in The Hell You Say because I held a small ray of hope that things could be mended between Jake and Adrien. A hope that died a slow death throughout the first half of the book. Things seemed settled and closed: Adrien was steadily seeing Guy while Ja More...
Apr 07, 2011
ALPHAreader
rated it:
This is the fourth book in Josh Lanyon’s ‘Adrien English’ series.
Two years have passed since the events in ‘The Hell You Say’ and a lot has changed. Adrien and the UCLA occult professor, Guy Snowden, are an item – with Guy pushing for more in the way of holy matrimony. Adrien has gotten used to his extended step family and even, dare say, loves them. Especially his fourteen-year-old steps-sister, Emma, who he shares a love of horses with. Adrien’s heart murmur has gotten worse and open More...
Two years have passed since the events in ‘The Hell You Say’ and a lot has changed. Adrien and the UCLA occult professor, Guy Snowden, are an item – with Guy pushing for more in the way of holy matrimony. Adrien has gotten used to his extended step family and even, dare say, loves them. Especially his fourteen-year-old steps-sister, Emma, who he shares a love of horses with. Adrien’s heart murmur has gotten worse and open More...
Nov 28, 2010
Indigene
rated it:
Adrien English has finally received some recognition for his writing and his book “Murder Will Out” has been optioned by Hollywood actor Paul Kane. As a result, Adrien finds himself at a Tinseltown luncheon with all sorts of Hollywood types. Not his usual crowd, but because there are plans to turn his book into a movie he’s making a concerted effort. During the luncheon, Adrien is seated next to movie financier Porter Jones and forced to endure Porter’s self-absorbed conversation on deep-sea fis
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Aug 29, 2010
Luna
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jul 11, 2011
Paola
rated it:
A wonderful follow-up to the acclaimed The Hell You Say, I really can’t praise it enough.
Two years after the end of the previous book, Adrien is dragged again into a new investigation, or rather, persuaded to carry out some discreet questioning by one of the people present at the dinner party where a murder was perpetrated, and this time LAPD – or rather Lt Jake Riordan himself – even encourages Adrien in his sleuthing efforts. Adrien’s first book has been optioned to be made into a More...
Two years after the end of the previous book, Adrien is dragged again into a new investigation, or rather, persuaded to carry out some discreet questioning by one of the people present at the dinner party where a murder was perpetrated, and this time LAPD – or rather Lt Jake Riordan himself – even encourages Adrien in his sleuthing efforts. Adrien’s first book has been optioned to be made into a More...
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Jun 06, 2010
Nikki
rated it:
A warning, upfront: this review contains a short quotation from the book, from a sex scene.
I care so much about Adrien and Jake that, at this point, the mystery could fly right out of the window, for all I care. That there still is a mystery, and that it's used well to bring the characters together and apart, impresses me. The fact that Adrien's heart condition is treated consistently is great, too.
The emotional development in this book definitely eclipsed the mystery for More...
I care so much about Adrien and Jake that, at this point, the mystery could fly right out of the window, for all I care. That there still is a mystery, and that it's used well to bring the characters together and apart, impresses me. The fact that Adrien's heart condition is treated consistently is great, too.
The emotional development in this book definitely eclipsed the mystery for More...
May 29, 2011
Bee
rated it:
Fourth book in the Adrian English Mysteries series, and this one almost killed me. I'm not even exaggerating when I say that I had chest pains while reading this. There was so much heart ache and angst and my whole body reacted to the story.
Two years have passed since the last book and life has moved along for all the characters. <spoiler>Adrien is trying to live his life without Jake. He's working on expanding his bookstore and is steadily going out with Guy, but somehow he's More...
Two years have passed since the last book and life has moved along for all the characters. <spoiler>Adrien is trying to live his life without Jake. He's working on expanding his bookstore and is steadily going out with Guy, but somehow he's More...
Jun 02, 2011
Bookwatcher
rated it:
Adrien will have to convince Jake someone is not what appears
I loved this book and so far is the best of the serie in my view.
Jake is less asshole... but he is still an asshole and annoyed me a lot
Adrien is more sick...
Adrien's mother is more annoying...
and Adrien love life is a mess...
all the old same problems to Adrien... BUT the mystery and the prose was (in my modest opinion) the best of the More...
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May 19, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
I devoured Death of a Pirate King in a 12 hour reading marathon. Quite honestly, I don't know what else to say about these books that hasn't been said already.
It has been my great privilege to read the stories and watch these characters evolve through the course of the first four books. It hasn't always been easy, but it's been hugely rewarding.
This book picks up a full 2 years after the ending of The Hell You Say. I must admit that I was unexpectedly shaken by that laps More...
It has been my great privilege to read the stories and watch these characters evolve through the course of the first four books. It hasn't always been easy, but it's been hugely rewarding.
This book picks up a full 2 years after the ending of The Hell You Say. I must admit that I was unexpectedly shaken by that laps More...
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May 31, 2009
Montana
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Feb 26, 2011
Kate
rated it:
Oh man this book wrecked me. Full disclosure, I read this with a bottle of whiskey (what, that's a perfectly normal thing to do of a Friday night), so my sodden state may have contributed to my emotional reaction.
If I had one criticism of The Hell You Say it was that Adrien's reaction to <spoiler>his break-up with Jake was a made a little too understated because of Adrien's desire to keep a stiff upper lip. The same cannot be said of this instalment. My heart broke for Adrien abo More...
If I had one criticism of The Hell You Say it was that Adrien's reaction to <spoiler>his break-up with Jake was a made a little too understated because of Adrien's desire to keep a stiff upper lip. The same cannot be said of this instalment. My heart broke for Adrien abo More...
Mar 10, 2011
Sharon
rated it:
This was probably one of my favorite in the series. Why? well...that would be getting into spoiler territory. There is no need to review the story cause if you read the first in the series, you will be reading this one and the next (which is the last). So I will just tell you why I love this series. Jake and Adrien are perfect examples of non perfect people. I love them! Jake has a lot of haters, but I think he is just a product of his upbringing and it has left him quite damaged. He is *trying
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Dec 26, 2010
Lee
rated it:
I loved this story. I had to stop reading several times to calm down and/or wipe the tears from my eyes. It was funny, heart rending, interesting, and in some ways, infuriating still. At one moment, if the author had been in the room with me, I probably would have thrown my kindle at him. The relationship between Jake and Adrien doesn't seem like its ever going to be an easy one, but this addition to the series manages to shed quite a bit of light on Jake's character, makes him seem less of je
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Sep 21, 2009
Kathy
rated it:
With each Adrien English Mystery, Josh Lanyon illustrates just why he's become one of my newest favourite authors.
Hmmm, there may be some spoiler-ish comments below... if you
haven't read this book and are going to, be aware!
Death of a Pirate King was so wonderfully involving and engrossing and... just outstanding, that I couldn't bear to put it down.
I sincerely hope that Mr. Lanyon has more Adrien English Mysteries to come because I sure as heck More...
Hmmm, there may be some spoiler-ish comments below... if you
haven't read this book and are going to, be aware!
Death of a Pirate King was so wonderfully involving and engrossing and... just outstanding, that I couldn't bear to put it down.
I sincerely hope that Mr. Lanyon has more Adrien English Mysteries to come because I sure as heck More...
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Jan 12, 2011
Beanbag
rated it:
Oh Adrien! How many times can my heart break for you. I felt like throwing up a few times reading this book I was so emotional.
The mystery was great. Lanyon has referred to something a couple of times in the AE books. Adrien is a mystery writer and he often thinks to himself: "that only happens in mystery novels". Well, the solution to the mystery isn't really what happens in mystery novels. I was able to figure it out but not before Adrien did, and that's what I love More...
The mystery was great. Lanyon has referred to something a couple of times in the AE books. Adrien is a mystery writer and he often thinks to himself: "that only happens in mystery novels". Well, the solution to the mystery isn't really what happens in mystery novels. I was able to figure it out but not before Adrien did, and that's what I love More...
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Jan 01, 2012
Jennifer
rated it:
Well that was...Tidy! Everything all wrapped up in the end with a nice ribbon on it!
<spoiler> Through 4 books...All that angst and worry on Jake's part. All the secrets and lies. The complacency and ostrich like behavior from Adrien. Fixed! Jake's gonna leave the force, tells Kate all about it and asks for a divorce. He's gonna start a PI business...let me guess, Adrien will work for him?? What a pretty red ribbon that is!
I feel the most pain, ironically, for Kate. I can't More...
<spoiler> Through 4 books...All that angst and worry on Jake's part. All the secrets and lies. The complacency and ostrich like behavior from Adrien. Fixed! Jake's gonna leave the force, tells Kate all about it and asks for a divorce. He's gonna start a PI business...let me guess, Adrien will work for him?? What a pretty red ribbon that is!
I feel the most pain, ironically, for Kate. I can't More...
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Apr 18, 2010
amelia
rated it:
Another great book, where the pages virtually turn themselves!
I really love Adrien as a character, he is irrepressable despite his health problems and tenaciously curious. I don't know if I've said in my other reviews of these books but I don't usually empathise with the bottom in these relationships, I'm normally more interested in the top, which is a testament to the quality of Josh's writing, I think.
I enjoyed the love triangle between Adrien, Guy and Jake, but I think we More...
I really love Adrien as a character, he is irrepressable despite his health problems and tenaciously curious. I don't know if I've said in my other reviews of these books but I don't usually empathise with the bottom in these relationships, I'm normally more interested in the top, which is a testament to the quality of Josh's writing, I think.
I enjoyed the love triangle between Adrien, Guy and Jake, but I think we More...
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Apr 14, 2011
John
rated it:
I have to say, Death of a Pirate King was a surprise. There was rather more emotional complexity to the novel than I expected - sometimes giddy, sometimes melancholy - though not, I think overdone. As I have in the previous Adrien English mysteries, I find I'm easily engaged in the story and invested in the characters. Adrian's humor is, as before, hilarious. But this book, somehow, pushes those qualities just a little more. Edgier. That the evil we confront is more banal makes it that muc
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Oct 19, 2008
Fourth in the Adrien English mystery series. Adrien is dragged into investigating the death of a Hollywood movie producer by the charming and persuasive actor Paul Kane.
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Dec 30, 2011
Katie(babs)
rated it:
Another nice installment featuring Adrian, the amateur sleuth who always finds himself danger. I adore Adrian but... CAN'T STAND THAT DOUCHEY DETECTIVE JAKE!
I want to smack Jake and all the pushing and pulling and dickish moves he does to Adrian because he is afraid to be open with his sexuality. But then again the sex between these two is hot. Plus Jake looks like Russell Crowe when Crowe was hot.
Jake is an asshat and always be an asshat.
The ending is a WTF a More...
I want to smack Jake and all the pushing and pulling and dickish moves he does to Adrian because he is afraid to be open with his sexuality. But then again the sex between these two is hot. Plus Jake looks like Russell Crowe when Crowe was hot.
Jake is an asshat and always be an asshat.
The ending is a WTF a More...
Jan 09, 2011
J. Rosemary
rated it:
Adrien English finds himself smack in the middle of another murder mystery--only this time LAPD Lt. Jake Riordan is encouraging him to do some amateur sleuthing instead of threatening to throw his ass in jail for interfering. So Adrien has his hands full with his informal investigation, his new step sisters, his faltering relationship with Guy . . . and his lingering feelings for the still-closeted (and now married) Jake. Adrien and his sharp tongue are in top form here; don't plan on putting th
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Dec 21, 2011
L-D
rated it:
This series was completely stressful to me. I read this entire book feeling like a band was constricting around my chest. Jake is the detective and former love interest of the protagonist, bookstore owner Adrien English. In the last book, Jake left Adrien because Jake knocked up his girlfriend and wanted to have a "normal" life. So he married her and I (I mean Adrien) was devastated. But good riddance, right? Wrong. Jake is back in this book and he makes me madder than ever. T
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