Death of a Pirate King

The Adrien English Mysteries #4

by Josh Lanyon

Gay bookseller and reluctant amateur sleuth Adrien English's writing career is suddenly taking off. His first novel, Murder Will Out, has been optioned by notorious Hollywood actor Paul Kane.

But when murder makes an appearance at a dinner party, who should be called in but Adrien's former lover, handsome closeted detective Jake Riordan, now a Lieutenant with LAPD -- which may just drive Adrien's new boyfriend, sexy UCLA professor Guy Snowden, to commit a murder of his own.

Genres: Mystery, M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Crime, LGBT, Audiobook

248 pages, Paperback

First published September 13, 2008

About the author

Author of 100+ titles of Gay Mystery and M/M Romance, Josh Lanyon has built her literary legacy on twisty mystery, kickass adventure, and unapologetic man-on-man romance.

Her work has been translated into twelve languages. The FBI thriller Fair Game was the first Male/Male title to be published by Italy’s Harlequin Mondadori and Stranger on the Shore (Harper Collins Italia) was the first M/M title to be published in print. In 2016 Fatal Shadows placed #5 in Japan’s annual Boy Love novel list (the first and only title by a foreign author to place on the list). The Adrien English series was awarded the All-Time Favorite Couple by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group. In 2019, Fatal Shadows became the first LGBTQ mobile game created by Moments: Choose Your Story.

She’s an EPIC Award winner, a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist (twice for Gay Mystery), an Edgar nominee, and the first ever recipient of the Goodreads All Time Favorite M/M Author award.

Josh is married and lives in Southern California with her irascible husband, two adorable dogs, a small garden, and an ever-expanding library of vintage mystery destined to eventually crush them all beneath its weight.


Find other Josh Lanyon titles at www.joshlanyon.com
Follow Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

Reviews

[Snjez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read 2/2023. I've forgotten how great Lisa is, and Adrien's whole family, really. I love his relationship with Emma. It's so endearing.

Re-read 7/2021: Loved it. And at this point I love Jake, too. I enjoyed this even more this time around. 4.5 stars rounded up.

Original review:
Well, this was a very frustrating and emotional read. But in a good way.

I honestly can't decide how I felt about Jake in this one. I liked how much he has grown as a character since book 1. I loved how different he was with Adrien, the moments between them were amazing. But at the same time he had no right to ask for anything. And I really hated one particular thing we learned about him. I didn't understand that and it bothered me more than anything else.

There are no doubts about how I felt about Adrien – I loved him. I actually really liked his sarcastic and snarky side. I could totally relate. Unlike Jake, I don't blame him for anything.

As with previous books in this series, the writing was wonderful and the audio version was fantastic. The mystery plot was pretty good, but I don't think the resolution was entirely believable.

[Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread/listen - April - 2023

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Reread/listen - July 2021

Gaaaaaahhh!!!

**************************************
5++++++ stars for this 3rd buddy re-read

Buddy- Reading this series is the best experience ever. Discussing the story, getting different readers POVs , is the best therapy session ever.

Thank you to my buddy readers: Elena, Linda, Moony, Rosa, Teal and elusive Xia for the experience. So much fun.



I never knew how much i needed to buddy read this series, until we started reading it.

Jake/ James, i am no longer angry at you... maybe a little disappointed but the anger is slowly melting away. Baby steps! Baby steps!



*****************************************


4.5 Frustrating stars for the story

Chris Patton gets 10 stars for the narration. He was born to narrate this series.

Warning Possible Spoilers and Rant!

This is one of the most frustrating series i have ever read. I keep reading it because it makes my blood boil and that high is sooo good.

JL is a very talented mystery writer. The mystery alone kept me glued.

I loved

- Adrien with an E, this guy is the best, He is funny, intelligent and a very good Amateur Sleuth. He will forever be one of my favorites.

-The Mystery as usual was engaging. I found myself entertained again.

- Adrien and Emma's relationship, He is a great big brother.

It had taken some doing, but I had finally persuaded Lisa to agree to riding lessons for my youngest stepsis, Emma. I drove Em down to Griffith Park and the Paddock Riding Club to watch her go through her paces. The kid was a natural -- even more of a horse nut than I’d been at her age --Next, I planned on getting Em her own horse.

-The writing flowed from page to page, and the chemistry between Jake and Adrien is one for the history books. No matter how much i dislike Jake, i have to admit they do have a strong chemistry that can be felt off page.

My frustration

JAKE! JAKE! I dislike him with a passion. He is an asshole, one of those assholes you want to root for one minute, then the next minute you want to shoot him dead. I need to get this off my chest. I was so angry at Jake when we learn that he had been carrying on a relationship with Paul while sleeping with Adrien and Kate more so bareback, resulting in Kate's pregnancy. That was a shitty thing to do. I felt sorry for Kate, she knew nothing, at least Adrien was aware there was a Kate.

“I feel like I need to ask: what exactly is your relationship to Jake?”
Kane’s brows drew together. “I thought you knew. Jake and I have been lovers for about five years.”
I didn’t say a word.
Apparently I didn’t need to.
He said awkwardly, “I don’t know why I thought you realized.” His sensual mouth pulled into a little grimace. “I knew about you.”

Agggrrhhhh! i wanted to punch Jake. I wanted to shake him and tell him to make up his mind, and also drag him out of the closet. He is the sluttiest slut. I know he somehow redeems himself but at the moment i still don't like him.

Ok! Phew! got that one out. Jake is still on my shit-list. His name underlined in red. He will be there for a long time.

“What’s his name"
“Uh…John Tomkins.”




*********************************************
Original Review:

This was an emotional roller coaster.. The chemistry and sexual tension between Adrien and Jake is off the charts.
I really felt sorry for Jake but i am glad he kind of redeemed himself...

Adrien is a darling.. I hope the next book doesn't leave me emotionally drained.

[Baba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review completed January 29, 2013*****Loved it--my favorite book in this series!



Death of a Pirate King is the fourth book in the Adrien English series. Adrien is recovering from pneumonia. It's been about two years since our bookstore owner, part-time writer, and amateur sleuth had last been involved in a murder investigation. Adrien loves to write books but it's not enough to make a living at it. That being said, Adrien did achieve a success though. He sold a book that he wrote to the movies. In the context of this pleasant occasion, Adrien attends a Hollywood party at Paul Kane's which is not quite his scene until Porter Jones, a Hollywood producer, collapses. Shortly after it's evident that Jones has been murdered.

Adrien starts to ask questions in behalf of actor Paul Kane. Circumstances--in the form of the murder investigation--bring Jake across Adrien's path again. Jake got married to Kate Keegan, a policewoman because he got her pregnant. Meanwhile though, Kate lost the baby and Jake is not happy with their relationship. For once Jake appreciates Adrien's efforts at solving a murder mystery because Adrien is good at talking to people. He is easy to talk to and people end up telling him all kinds of interesting things. They like and trust him. Although both Adrien and Jake try to act as normal as possible the atmosphere is pretty strained when they meet…

I felt petty and mean-spirited--especially since he was the leanest I'd ever known him. All hard muscle and bone. All sharp edges and bite--except he wasn't biting.

*****

"Oh, yeah," Jake said drily. "How is Captain Crunch?"
"He's fine. He's back teaching at UCLA."
"So I heard. Because no college education is complete without a course in Applied Hokum."
"It can't be all Police Science and SS Interrogation Techniques."
"Speaking of which, remember to let me know before you talk to anyone--assuming you decide to continue."
"Roger wilco."
He sighed and rang off.

*****

Uh, hey," I said. "It's Adrien. English."
There was a pause and he said, "I haven't forgotten your voice. Let alone your last name."

The relationship between Adrien and his lover Guy is anything but perfect either. Guy feels that Adrien is keeping him at a distance, and his unwillingness to commit, to take their relationship to the next level exacerbated the situation. Moreover, Guy is so not pleased to see Jake again. Guy knows that Adrien never got over Jake, and he despised everything that Jake represented.

As always Lanyon's writing is very eloquent and I truly adore his sharp wit. Also, he has a talent of lighting up a dangerous situation by throwing in a funny one-liner. Finally we see more of Jake and Adrien together. I was so angry with Jake in book 3, and I'm glad that he gradually redeemed himself in DoaPK. There is no doubt about it, it is an emotional roller coaster ride from start to finish, but a ride I took on gladly.



My very favorite part of the story...

And for once I had nothing to say. Jake's mouth found mine, his lips molding hot and soft to my own. His tongue tentatively tested the seal of my lips; I parted them and he pushed inside. It was startlingly sweet and achingly familiar, like finding harbor. Like I had been waiting decades for this, traveling leagues, Odysseus sailing at long last into the blue crystal waters of Ithaca--and never considering the trouble ahead.
(…)
He tasted dark and bittersweet, like my memories--only more intense. My heart pounded hard, blood drumming away in my ears, like spring's freshet after the ice began to break. I kissed him with all the hardness and hunger in me--let him feel it all: my anger and grief and frustration. When we finally broke apart Jake didn't look shocked; he looked…predatory. Hot. Ravenous. Forty days in the wilderness and--well, not paradise at the end of it--maybe steak dinner with all the trimmings. His eyes glittered.

(…)

And the taste of him…the flavor of him…Horrifyingly, unbearably sweet--sweet in the way crack must feel hitting the bloodstream of an addict after years of staying clean.

This part alone deserved five stars.

Ah, it was so intense, utterly emotional as well as beautiful. It hurt. It hurt so much. Sheesh, I was afraid it would be too much for Adrien's weak heart. Let's face it, it was almost too much for my own heart after all. :)

While Jake wants them to pick up where they left off, Adrien is not willing and refuses because Jake is still deeply closeted and married. In fact, he doesn't want to be friends either.

"You know what the hell this was, Jake. This was us saying good-bye properly."

Another interesting aspect of this story is Adrien's heart condition. When Adrien was sixteen he caught rheumatic fever and it left the valves of his heart damaged, the mitral valve in particular. In Death of a Pirate King Adrien's health deteriorates quickly. He needs surgery ASAP.

You will discover a great cast of vivid and well-drawn secondary characters in this story. At first I thought it was pretty clear who murdered Jones but Lanyon did a great job lining up plenty of suspects, and I really enjoyed this journey of unraveling the villain. Also, I found it intriguing to see the murderer’s background and his twisted motives. Viewed in this light I thought the mystery was very solid and made me turn the pages. Plus, there is another aspect of this story that helped to establish Death of a Pirate King among my favorite Lanyon reads: the emotionally intense, painful, and very authentic struggles between Jake and Adrien. Throughout the whole story it is obvious that both of them still have feelings for each other. Feelings they have yet to explore.

He said steadily, "I've asked Kate for a divorce. I told her the truth. All of it. Everything."
I gritted my jaw hard.
"I talked to my family. I told them that I'm homosexual."
My jaw ached but I still couldn't prevent moisture from leaking out beneath my lashes and itching its way down my face.
He said, "Does that still mean anything to you?"
I opened my eyes. Saw his expression through the prism of unshed tears, and took a deep, unsteady breath.
"Yeah," I said. "It means something."

Death of a Pirate King is the very best book in this series so far, and I believe it is worthy of a five-star-rating. You will experience a full range of feelings while reading this story. From pain, sadness, and frustration to relief and hope . It was a thoroughly enjoyable read--mainly because Adrien and Jake made a rather huge step in the right direction that will allow them to come together in The Dark Tide.

We all know that Adrien is a rather sarcastic and snarky character but in a tempered and likable way. However, in DoaPK he displays his anger and resentment very openly. There is no holding back anymore and we see the mean-spirited side of Adrien, mainly because Jake’s rejection hurt him badly but his heart condition gives him a huge fright as well. Simply put, Adrien is in very bad mood. On the bright side, Jake underwent a believable and very important change of behavior. His fits of anger are barely there and he seems to be more reserved; you will see a gentler and softer side of Jake and he is more prone to show his feelings. In fact, I really think that I have to cut him some slack. After all it’s no mean feat for someone so deeply closeted, and Jake really wanted to do the right thing eventually.

Once again Josh Lanyon delivered a great and all around compelling story.

"I still dream about you."

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 4 out of 5]

**3.5 stars**

For most of my friends, this was their favorite book in the series. However, for me, it was just too much drama for this mama.

If I want to see train wreck, dysfunctional relationships with little emotional satisfaction I'll tune into my real life friends' relationship problems, thankyouverymuch.

In my opinion, it was too little too late, Jake.



And let me get this straight, Jake- I'm supposed to swoon over the scraps of yourself that you finally, under duress, give Adrien?? Yeah, I don't think so...

As usual, the mystery was excellent and the audiobook narration was excellent, which is why I rounded up to 4 stars. The series is still maddeningly addictive so I MUST continue to the 5th book, but I have to say, I'll be happy to say goodbye to the crapfest that is Jakrien (<--- just made that up!).

I guess I'm just not a big fan of this "romance". I want both of these guys to be happy but I feel like the entire relationship is a never-ending uphill battle.



Catch all of you after book 5...

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book turned me into a quivering cry baby. I cried because of a blow-job in The Hell you Say and now I cried some more during the love scenes in Death of a Pirate King.

Something must be wrong with me.

Or something is very right with Josh Lanyon.

The last book that actually made my eyes water was GWTW. And let’s face it, that one is SUPPOSED to make you cry. Lanyon is something else. Nothing indicates that he carefully steers you towards the eye of an emotional tornado. His books are not your typical tear jerker material either. They are mysteries, for God’s sake! An endless stream of possible suspects passes by, one more suspicious than the other. And the mystery element in this one was rather compelling too, thanks to a few quirky and nasty characters. I guess what I’m trying to say is: the focus is NOT even on the MCs and their struggle to resist an attraction that cannot be.

And yet here we have Adrien English, the bookshop owner with his dodgy heart, his dry sense of humor and his obnoxious mother, who still treats him like a little boy. And Jake Riordan, that tough, hot and handsome Detective, who unfortunately is buried so deep in the closet he didn’t know where to look for himself, as Adrien accurately puts it.

But together...these two are larger than the paper and ink they’re condemned too! They are so fucking brilliant together that I longed along with Adrien for Jake. And it crushed my heart when bad things happened to my favorite amateur sleuth, when there seemed no way past that feeling of betrayal and everything looked bleak…

But then, finally, those love scenes! Those amazingly tender and spectacularly hot love scenes. That are not only written so gently, but are about "my boys"! And I just couldn’t help but cry some more. I don’t hate Jake, I understand his struggles. Although I keep yelling "What the hell Jake!" every time I discover something else I wish Adrien had never found out about..

But it would be madness to hate someone who makes love like that.

Wouldn’t it?

He tasted dark and bittersweet, like my memories - only more intense. My heart pounded hard, blood drumming away in my ears, like spring's freshet after the ice began to break. I kissed him with all the hardness and hunger in me - let him feel it all: my anger and grief and frustration. When we finally broke apart he didn't look shocked: he looked...predatory."

[Rosa, really · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josh Lanyon is an evil bastard who enjoys torturing innocent readers everywhere. He needs to be added to the Evil Overlord list for many reasons, most of all for the creation of that creature, Paul Fucking Kane. Kane truly is the fruit of the devil. (And yeah, Lanyon, that means you’re the devil.)

But first: Hey, Paul!



A double-handed fuck you very much!

P.S. YOU’RE KILLING ME, LANYON.

In other words, I have never enjoyed angsting over a book so much.

Adrien and the Pirate King

This is the second book in this series I presumed to know exactly what was going to happen & how I would react to it (The Hell You Say), only to find myself completely flabbergasted. Evil or not, the appearance of Paul Vane is a stroke of genius.

Kane’s brows drew together. “I thought you knew. Jake and I have been lovers for about five years.”

I’m sorry, did that asshole just say five years? When Jake & Adrien met three years ago?

He said awkwardly, “I don’t know why I thought you realized.” His sensual mouth pulled into a little grimace. “I knew about you.”

Again, me, flabbergasted. Adrien, however, is decimated:

And I thought maybe I didn’t need to worry about my heart anymore because it had stopped beating a couple of seconds earlier, and I was still sitting there living and breathing – though admittedly I wasn’t feeling much of anything.

“No,” I said. “I didn’t know.”

This is where Lanyon kidney punches both Adrien & his readers. Maybe we could accept the fact that Jake has a girlfriend – that seemed like the natural result of his “internalized homophobia.” But to be fucking another guy on the side – to possibly consider that man a lover – it’s the ultimate betrayal. Adrien now questions everything about his relationship with Jake. Was Adrien really Jake’s first kiss with a man? Was it really the first time he caressed another man, instead of applying a paddle? (Also, not to digress but when in the name of all god’s cherubim & seraphim did Jake find time to fuck another guy? He’s a homicide detective with a girlfriend and a boyfriend, plus friends & family. As Adrien says, “What was his secret? Did he get vitamin B shots?”) Adrien trusted Jake, opened himself up to him in way he never did with anyone. But now he’s left with the fear that he was just a stopgap; a vanilla waylay before Jake retuns to Spankytown.

Meanwhile the reader is left with the possibility that Adrien & Jake are so far apart, they may never get together. How can Adrien ever trust Jake again? How can we ever trust him?

Paul’s very character is a betrayal. He’s not just the other man; he’s an actor famous for playing a pirate on screen. He’s fucking Errol Flynn! Adrien loves pirates & pirate movies. In Fatal Shadows he watches The Crimson Pirate. In A Dangerous Thing he & Jake watch Captain Blood. In The Hell You Say it’s Pirates of the Caribbean. At one point Jake asks Adrien,

"What is it with you and pirates?"
"I don’t know. My deep and abiding love of the ocean, I guess."

The ocean is nice, but I think his love of pirates has more to do with how he views himself. Adrien defines himself as a quiet man, weakened by his heart condition. He’s also heartbroken & lonely in spite or because of his chosen isolation. When he’s not writing books, he’s living through them. In the movies pirates are bold men who live free, beholden to no one, loving who they want, when they want. They may risk life & limb, but no one will ever break their heart.

While reading this book I frequently wondered if the "Pirate King" refers to Paul or Adrien? Paul is the obvious answer. Like a pirate, Paul is handsome, strong & fearless. Adrien himself says of Paul:

…[Y]ou expected arrogance from pirate kings. And ruthlessness. And daring. Kane had them all – along with a slew of other gifts from the gods.

He’s everything Adrien would like to be and everything that makes him insecure. He’s a not just the “bad guy,” he’s what Adrien, with his looks & moneyed background, might have been had he never suffered from rheumatic fever as a young man. No wonder he thinks Jake would prefer Paul over him.

But the title “Death of a Pirate King” has less to do with the fall of Paul Kane & more to do with the death of Adrien. It’s the death of that part of him that yearns to be the pirate king. To be fearless. The part that pushes him to take action, to go out & solve murders. The part that believes that for all Jake’s internalized homophobia, for all Jake’s denials (“It’s not because of your health…”), his rejection did have something to do with Adrien’s dodgy heart. It’s that all-consuming part of him that lives in fear of own death. But in the end those fears don’t matter – Adrien can let them go in the face of his actual, and more immediate, death. It doesn’t matter if Jakes chooses him or Paul or his homophobia; it doesn’t matter if he never leaves his bookstore again or if he ever gets involved in another murder. It doesn’t matter that he may not be the man he thinks he should be. He can let his pirate king go, because being alive is what counts.

I think getting shot, followed by a heart operation, will lead to a lot of growth in Adrien’s character. I’m especially interested to see if he’s as driven to solve murders. And I really want to know what the HELL is going to happen between him & Jake.

Jake, the Dumbass

Jake, that beautiful, miserable son of a bitch…. I still want to hit him over the head – gently, so as not to cause too much brain damage -- with an iron skillet. I also want some answers: when, precisely, did he take a break from fucking around with Paul? If it was a couple of months into Adrien & Jake’s relationship, before they started “sleeping” together, then I can forgive it. That’s very big of me, I know, but I think I may be missing the point. Of course Jake fucked around, of course he cheated Adrien & himself: it was the best possible way to hide from his feelings.

Jake: “You’re going to find this funny. I had no idea how much I would miss you. […] I wanted to do the right thing. I wanted to have a real marriage. I knew things would have to change between us. I just…didn’t expect to lose everything. I didn’t intend to lose your friendship. Maybe that seems pretty dense.”

It wasn’t until Jake lost Adrien, his lover, but most importantly his best friend & the only person he could be honest with, that he finally realized he had something to lose. Something more important than the lies covering his sexual identity.

One thing we do have to thank Paul Vane for is the effect he has on Jake. Adrien can talk all he wants about Jake’s “cancerous deception,” but it’s Paul who provides the actual proof. He puts Jake in the same position as Adrien was in Fatal Shadows: he’s trusted the wrong man, he’s been betrayed by a friend. In Jake’s case he’s been blackmailed by a friend. Paul’s blackmailing, his assumption that Jake would cover up (and take part in) his crimes was the brick wall Jake could not pass. He chooses Adrien’s life over his own deception and with that he makes a relationship with Adrien possible again (we’ll have to see if he wins back his trust, though). Without Paul’s actions who knows what would’ve happened?

Guy, the Not Jake

As for Guy, I sympathize with him, I really do. But that doesn’t stop me for seriously disliking him for completely shallow reasons: I dislike that he refers to Adrien as “lover” (pass the toilet paper, lover!), I dislike his long hair, and I hate his fake British accent – a.) he was born in Seattle and b.) hey, I spent a year in Italy 10 years ago, but I don’t go around saying Si, si! Va bene! Arrrrrevederci!” I also hate his Renaissance shirts with the leather ties, though this may be because I live near Portland, Oregon. It’s an absolute mecca for people who dress like every day is a Renaissance Faire -- or perhaps they think they’re Gandalf the Grey (if they have a staff – and a lot do). But I especially hate Guy for not being Jake. Guy may be sweet & supportive, he may be a good guy, but he doesn’t make Adrien feel safe. Guy doesn’t cause any friction, he doesn’t rub Adrien so raw he’s forced to make changes, forced to look at himself in a different way. He doesn’t cause any growth. Unfortunately, I actually started to like Guy in that final scene with Adrien. He realized that for Adrien he would always be the stopgap. He showed that he's definitely a gentleman who knows how to bow out gracefully. (I still hate his shirts, though.)

I love this book. I love this series. I especially love that Lanyon will not allow his heroes, or his readers, an easy resolution. I also love that this review is over so I can read The Dark Tide.

[Lau ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say good things come to those who wait.

[slight spoilers for romance development]

Two years have passed since book three and Adrien ends up in yet another murder investigation. The guy he had been trying to ignore for the last dozen minutes has dropped dead right next to him, after drinking from the cup Adrien had handled him. Which turns out it had been poisoned, making him a prime suspect of Lieutenant Jake Riordan’s new case. Because of course.


They both stared at me.
Two or three murder investigations ago I might have panicked.


I read the two-year gap and felt miserable, but I have to admit it was the best choice the author could have made. It gave the characters time to process their loss, to realize they have been wanting the wrong thing all along. There were so many feelings, so much pain and betrayal and resentment. It broke me how Adrien went from hoping the impossible to believing he was another mark in the bed. How visible was the pain in Jake’s quiet words, still in love with the man he gave up following what he thought were his dreams.


I’m someone who hates drama and loves cheesy couples, but it was so well-done I could only see beauty in their despair. I felt both proud and sick when Adrien stands up and says no. I felt vindicated when Jake realized that the life he had always wanted didn’t shine as he thought it would. Also, I know they were never exclusive but I've never felt so cheated- so it was kinda sweet seeing Jake feeling miserable.


“Listen, I know you think I’m an asshole-I am an asshole- but this is for your protection.” this is so Jake I can’t


Overall, if you felt sad/furious/betrayed after reading book three and are hesitant to keep going, do it. This book delivers everything you’ve been dying to see romance-wise and there's always Adrien to enlighten the day.


The expression on his face dried my derision. There was a time in my life I’d have given a couple of years to see that look on Jake’s face.


PS: I don’t want to add quotes because of spoilers, but for those who read the book: the scene about ‘discussing parameters’ *chef’s kiss* I’ve reread it so many times I know it by heart.





↬The Adrien English Mysteries
1. Fatal Shadows: 4.5 stars
2. A Dangerous Thing: 4 stars
3. The Hell You Say: 3.75 stars
4. Death of a Pirate King: 4.5 stars
5. The Dark Tide: 5 stars
6. So This Is Christmas: 5 stars

[~Mindy Lynn~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 *****

POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD.. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!!

This is definitely my favorite in this series. I absolutely loved the mystery and all that chaos that was surrounding Adrien.

THE DRAMA!!!! It was strong in this one and instead of rolling my eyes and being annoyed with it, I reveled in it. I really liked that it was a dinner mystery type of story.

As much as JL frustrates me with these characters and their choices, I also have much love for the fact that none of them have it easy. They are all flawed and nothing comes easy and life isn't all rainbows and glitter. It's murder, heartbreak, illness, with family drama thrown in. I know not all of us experience some of this (the murder part) but the majority of it we all deal with in our daily lives. So I guess what I am saying is I like that the JL keeps it as real as she possibly can.

Adrien is in a new relationship with the hottie professor, Guy. But while attending a dinner party to discuss his first book becoming a movie one the host literally falls dead into his soup. Now we all know who shows up. Jake. It's a bit of shock when they lay eyes on each other. It's been a couple years since the men have seen each other and of course what brings them back into each others lives is a murder mystery.

This is also where we meet Paul Kane. Paul Kane was the perfect villain. He's gorgeous, charming, famous, rich, and manipulative. He was the complete opposite of Adrien and they moved around each other like a game of chess. I was completely entranced with their dance.

Jake and Adrien.... Adrien and Jake... I know I'm too emotionally involved when I am stressed out and feel so much for the characters that I start dreaming about them. What a nutter, I know. I want them together but then I don't. I want Adrien to tell Jake to fuck off and have Jake grovel for Adrien's forgiveness. Then on the other hand I want them together so bad that any little nod to each other is good enough. Ugh! It's such a fucked up rollercoaster JL puts you on with these two. But I can't deny I enjoy every moment of the ride.

The ending was awesome and makes you desperately want the next.

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️&#x1f3a7;&#x1f4da; Addict ON HIATUS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 3.5 Stars

I think the issue I'm having with this series is that it's an older one, and the mindset is so dated it's annoying me.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been DYING to write a review on this book, even though I probably posted a status update on every single page anyway.


Jesus, I LOVED this book!! 

Every Adrien English book is absolutely amazing, both from the mystery and the romance side, but with 'Death of a Pirate King' the characters have matured and finally reached a stage where they are able to discuss things and be brave enough to risk something by addressing things directly. God knows, Adrien and Jake are not exactly natural communicators...

Anyway, what happens here?



Two years have passed since Adrien and Jake split up so Jake could marry and have the family (and hetero-normality) he always wanted. Adrien is heart-broken, but he still has Guy, the elderly boyfriend he met in book three (who didn't turn out to be a lunatic Satanist, at least..). I never liked Guy much, but Adrien is looking for a steady, reliable guy (no pun intended) in his life and this is exactly what Guy is offering. His only flaw is: He isn't Jake. And whether Adrien is willing to admit it or not, no one can fill the void Jake left in his life.

Adrien's first mystery novel finally got published and Hollywood even expressed interest in turning the plot into a movie. While attending a typical Hollywood party where Adrien meets the actors, screenwriters and producers of his possibly soon-to-be movie, the guy next to him drops dead. Literally. Like...into his soup. 

Damn. Adrien is probably refraining from rolling his eyes at that moment, but he is right that stumbling over four dead bodies in three years is a bit much for an Average Joe like him. And what shitty luck that it was Adrien (of all people) who handed the dead guy his last (lethal) drink. 

When the police show up, Adrien finds himself face to face with an old friend he wasn't able to forget: Lieutenant Jake Riordan, who has a special interest in this particular case and the people involved, for some reason protecting Adrien against his colleagues. 

When the party host, Hollywood actor Paul Kane, asks Adrien to use his private investigating skills to ask a couple of questions as an unassuming outsider (instead of the police), Adrien gets suspicious. But even more suspicious is the fact, that Jake encourages him to do it. Wouldn't the guy rather put him in prison than have him interfere with yet another of Jake's homicide cases?!

So Adrien finds himself among a couple of Hollywood starlets who have more than their share of skeletons in the closet, trying to find out who might have a motive for killing the poor soup guy.  

How does Jake fit into this picture? As Adrien gets closer to solving the crime, he realizes that time might be running out for him (in several ways) before this case can be wrapped up.


This book was frigging amazing!!

I like mysteries, but this was just outstanding. Adrien and Jake are among the top three most powerful couples ever. 

Adrien, whose first person POV is telling the story, is a vulnerable guy, whose only fault is wanting to have love and a person in his life who is actually his. This wish, combined with his medical condition, have cost him every single relationship he's had in his life so far. Now at 35 and with his health deteriorating, he slowly comes to terms with never having what he's secretly yearning for. 

Doting lovingly on his young step-sister Emma, he goes through the motions of his life, trying to solve the death of a Hollywood producer while keeping Jake at arm's length in order not to get hurt again. 

You can imagine how that goes...


I absolutely adore Adrien. He's a wonderfully multi-layered, funny and yet deeply tragic character whose fate never leaves me cold. And worst of all: I can understand his attraction to the distant and aggressively closeted cop Jake, who wants to be close to Adrien and yet keeps hurting him over and over again.

I hate Jake. I want to run him through a meat grinder and chain him to a rock so an eagle may feast on his liver!!

And yet, I absolutely love the guy and his tiger eyes *sigh*. I wouldn't hesitate a second if Jake opened his arms to me. Adrien should certainly run in the opposite direction whenever Jake approaches him, but he isn't strong enough. How could he be? Jake is one of the most mesmerizing, charismatic characters I have ever read. And we don't even see him through his own POV.


The real quality of the narration is the fact that we learn things about Jake not by Jake telling Adrien what's going on in his life, but by Adrien learning things about Jake through other people. So even though Adrien just accepts these 'facts' as truths, there is the possibility that many things we take for granted about Jake are not true. So when it's Jake's turn to come clean and talk about things, it may go both ways: We either hate him for confirming what we believed to already know about him, or we float on cloud nine, happy that those nasty lies weren't true. Yeah, most of these 'rumours' about Jake are not good. Not good at all...

Jake is a rather shady character with questionable morals, no matter how good he is in bed. I would never EVER trust that guy completely. Still I understand how Adrien fell for him and can't just turn him down. 


The funny thing is: I *still* don't understand the motivation behind Jake. Unless he's got a super conservative (and I mean like Ku Klux Klan conservative) family or colleages who would put him to the cross for being gay, why all this insane pretense?? It's not like he's the only gay cop out there. Why hurt so many people just to keep his sexuality under wraps? 

I'm happy, though, that Jake seems to be actually in love with Adrien. He deserves to suffer. A lot ;-)

No, I love the guy. 

Man, you see what these characters do to me....

Too bad I already gave 5 stars to the previous three books, because if a book deserves 5 it's this. It is like a 10 star for me. There's hardly a book that entertained me more. 

Adrien <3 Jake

[Wendys Wycked Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read many times :P

It has been two years since Adrien and Jake parted ways. Now it seems they will come face to face once more since Adrien got himself mixed up in yet another murder investigation.

After the epic fail that is Jake, Adrien has tried to move on with his life...and he has been doing this with Guy, the professor dude we met in the previous book. I think Guy was oke guy but nothing special. Healthwise Adrien isn't doing really well... he is still recovering from a nasty pneumonia, which has put extra strain on his heart.



Professionally he is doing very well though. Adrien's book is about to be made into a movie, which is why he is attending a Hollywood party, thrown by non-other than famous actor "Paul Kane". Of course, Adrien attending said dinner party also means that someone has to drop dead. In this case, it's producer Porter Jones, who drops facedown into his soup.



Now where there is murder...there is also an asshole homicide detective ...

Jake has a reason to be the leading detective in this murder case though. Seems he knows Paul Kane better than expected... Now I didn't think I could hate Jake more than I already did, but this scene below proved me wrong.

Kane’s brows drew together. “I thought you knew. Jake and I have been lovers for about five years.”   He said awkwardly, “I don’t know why I thought you realized.” His sensual mouth pulled into a little grimace. “I knew about you.”

And I thought maybe I didn’t need to worry about my heart anymore because it had stopped beating a couple of seconds earlier, and I was still sitting there living and breathing – though admittedly I wasn’t feeling much of anything.

“No,” I said. “I didn’t know.”

Damn, but my freaking heart broke right along with Adrien's....



Jake, however, has come to realize that by losing Adrien, he not only lost his lover but also his friend. He is happy to reconnect with Adrien. I myself wanted him to stay far far away from Adrien !!



Adrien doesn't feel the same way though and he intends to stay away from Jake. This will prove to be kind of hard when Paul asks Adrien to do a little investigation into Porter's murder. Everyone knows Adrien is an amateur sleuth after all, and he is pretty good with people. The condition though, is that he keeps Jake updated on his every single move.

I loved this book so much, even though I still hated Jake with a passion and loathed Paul. In my honest opinion, these two deserved to be together. That's not quite what happens though. In the end, Jake does make some sacrifices for Adrien. I wouldn't have expected anything less though and to me, he has not redeemed himself, so I hope he brings his A-game in the next book !!



I need more groveling !!!!!!

[Lenore · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my review of The Hell You Say I said I considered it the best installment in the Adrien English series. And I meant it. It was better than the previous two books. But Death of a Pirate King? It beats them all. THIS is the best book in the series.

The mystery wasn't very much a mystery, but it was well executed, and besides, who cared about the whodunit when there Adrien and Jake were, meeting again after two years, sparks flying and tension and angst pouring off the pages in waves. I wouldn't have stopped reading if my life depended on it.

I know I still have to read book #5 (and I know we're talking Josh Lanyon here; the man not only knows damn well how to write, he also outdoes himself with every installment,) but I can't imagine how it can supersede the heights this installment manages.

Very, very well done, Mr Lanyon.

[Lisazj1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Audio reread/listen September 2021**

*sigh* Well, no matter what *I guess*, Jake still did the right thing in the end. LOL, I had forgotten just how snarky Adrien was here, or just how damn annoying Natalie was. It was like poor Adrien had a second "Lisa" in his life. God knows his own mother is enough.

But at least this time I know what's ahead. 🥰

And damn but Chris Patton's narration is perfection. 💕 *chef's kiss*

**First read September 2018**

This one was intense and painful in a lot of different ways. I’m not sure where Adrien will go from here.

Jake has redeemed himself somewhat by coming clean with everything but only after it seemed he really was going over to the dark side and giving up the only part of himself that was decent. What kind of man he’ll be from here out is what will count with me.

I have one must read before diving back in to see what happens for Adrien. Not gonna lie, I’m kind of worried. :(

[Moony Eliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update Nov 17, 2019: Read #2
This book is the reason to read the series. Fight me.

——————————
Fucking hell, this book was perfect. It's the only one in the series that was a full five stars for me. I was never tempted to skim the mystery bits, because that part of the plot was fascinating and had significant relevance to the relationship. I was WRUNG OUT in this one. Multiple times.

Non-spoiler review of The Adrien English Mysteries series:
A Tale of Two Genres. And also a cautionary tale about not throwing the baby out with the bathwater, from a reading perspective.

Have I already exhausted my cliché limit for this review? It’s going to get worse, because original thought isn’t my niche after I’ve just found a couple for my favorite couples of all time list.

They say Josh Lanyon is a mystery writer, but you aren’t going to be able to prove that by me. This woman is a relationship writer, and not just that — she’s among the BEST of those.

I’m not much of a mystery reader. But I’ve read my share, and when they work, they really work. The mysteries in the first 3 of these books were just in my fucking way. I was not engaged in them, and if I hadn’t been immediately captivated by the relationship between Adrien and Jake, I might have been tempted to set the whole series aside. Baby, meet bathwater.

However. Captivated is an understatement. Lanyon’s ability to create interpersonal tension — in every way except the predictable — is writing master class. I could c/p dozens of lines here to prove my point, but spoilers aren’t my style. Trust me or don’t. Or trust the bazillions of other people who’ve read this series in the last almost-20 years. ;)

Flawed, nuanced characters that you’ll need your 3D glasses for. JL made me experience the entire damn spectrum of emotion, and often using only a handful of words to do so.

I really don’t know what else to say, because if this isn’t already speaking your language, I can’t help. If we're friends, expect to be hearing things about this series for a long time. Both 1) while I try in vain to overcome the hangover that I'll have for at least a week, and 2) when I dive in for the scores of rereads that will happen in my lifetime.

Lastly, shout-out to my AMAZING buddy read partners. This was an incredible experience, full of spirited discussion, and fortunately it's showing no signs of stopping. Elena, Linda, Rosa, Shile, Teal, and Xia

[Bookwatcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adrien will have to convince Jake someone is not what appears
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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...

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all the old same problems to Adrien... BUT the mystery and the prose was (in my modest opinion) the best of the serie! It's certainly in my favorite shelf!

Loved it, can't wait any longer. I'm already starting the #5, and last, book of the serie.

[Dia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars

I loved this one much more than the previous book. I was really invested into the mystery here. As much as I resented Jake Riordan, my anger started to fade.
Again the writing was great! I was glued to the pages!! Couldn't put it down. I wanted more scenes with Adrien and Jake, and I am sad Jake didn't grovel... I hated him big time for what he did to Adrien and he's SO hard to read!!

Anyway, this series is pretty amazing but I just wished we'd get more romance. Looking forward to reading more. Hope Jake will redeem himself!

[Jilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this takes place 2 years after the last one, and Adrien still has the feels for the asshole who left him to go and play heterosexual married guy with a baby on the way.

Yeah, that always goes well for closeted gays. I'll just ask my brother's-lover's daughters how they feel about that.



Although, Adrien has moved on and has a boyfriend that we met in a previous book. But, I never really liked that guy too much either. He was described as having long gray hair that he ties back in a ponytail and that just doesn't do it for me. I like a silver fox as much as the next girl, but adding a ponytail ruins it. Also, he was described as having a fake British accent. Double Ick. Look, if you want a British guy, go and get one. I did. My husband has a real British accent, and yes, silver hair now. He's the real thing. And, if he ever tried to wear a ponytail, he would find it on his pillow the next morning ala The Godfather.


I should get a sword.

Anyway, some Hollywood jerk gets killed right next to Adrien and he finds himself in Jake's company again. Unlucky him. But, Jake has had a couple of tough years without Adrien and he's happy to have any chance to be around him. He actually welcomes Adrien into the investigation. Suddenly Jake is okay with being seen with Adrien.
My reaction:



The mystery was okay, but I was worried about Adrien's health the whole time. He had pneumonia and his heart is not doing so well. Him being put under a bunch of stress was stressful for me. I had anxiety-by-proxy. I needed to have a drink or three just to read it. You know, because I would never have had one if not for the stress or whatever.


But I'm sure my glue-sniffing days are over, so that's a win.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sigh.



I'm tired. This series is emotionally draining. I'm going to try and wrap this review up right quick because this book was so far my least favorite of the series.

I'm tired of this bullshit. I'm drained. I'm exhausted. And I'm starting to not care.
There were exciting parts, but too many of them were overshadowed by my blood lust.

Not looking at me, he growled, “Oh, go to hell.”
I raised my water in a toast. “Sure. I’ll follow the trail of bread crumbs you’re scattering.

Adrien, I love you, but smarten your shit up homie.
Guy, go fuck hot Harry because you'll have more luck on that basis.
Paul, what the fuck.
Jake, fuck you. On all accounts.

Shrugging out of the damaged shirt, Jake said roughly, “I still dream about you.”
“I have nightmares about you.” I dragged my T-shirt over my head, threw it aside.

[Ingie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written May 29, 2014

4.8 Stars - A stunning and very slowly told love tale -
so gripping and beautiful to experience

Book #4

Here we go again - another adventure with the gay bookseller and reluctant amateur sleuth Adrien English.
My fourth (of five) novel in this series in just a couples of days.

Death of a Pirate King starts two years after the last book ended. When we last met Adrien in book #3 - The Hell You Say (4 stars) It ended pretty sad and I was of course eager to know how it all would keep going.

Will Jake come to his senses and try a gay love life wholeheartedly? And will Adrien, if so, cope with this police hunk of man? Or have they both once again entangled themselves in some mysterious murder case before they get that far?

Seven and half audio books hours later...



My heart beats tumbles of happiness over this fantastically engaging and so d@mn slowly evolving love story.

This was, undoubtedly, the best part so far (one more to read) in my opinion. ~ I cried, laughed, sobbed, chuckled, mourned, forgave, became angry, shared their joy, felt sorrow and drank in every exchange of words between them.

***********************************************

Adrien English's writing career has taking off and his first novel has been optioned by a Hollywood actor Paul Kane. When a wealthy movie financier becomes murder poisoned at a party in Kane's house is Adrien's former lover, the very handsome closeted detective Jake Riordan (now a Lieutenant with LAPD) immediately on the spot to solve the case.

‘I thought again how odd it was to be on formal terms with someone you had once permitted to lick your ears.’

Adriens's and Jake's first meeting in a very long time, is both uncomfortable and also very painful when Adrien soon realizes that Jake has a secret "affair" with this famous, extremely beautiful and sexy frivolous, male actor Paul Kane.

Our dear bookstore owners life doesn't get easier when Adrien some days later is asked (almost forced) by Paul Kane to help out and look at the murder mystery by talking to a bunch of Hollywood people. In addition, has Adrien's new boyfriend, the sexy UCLA professor Guy Snowden, a quite hard time to fact that Adrien again is on speaking terms with Jake. Poor, poor sweet Guy, he is matchless when the sexy blonde alpha male's back.

***********************************************

Life rolls on and Adrien runs between his bookstore, meetings with the glamorous people, suspicious homicide detectives, family gatherings, health concerns, his friends' hopeless detective book manuscript, a cat who need housing, his three curious new sisters and the overprotective mom Lisa.

As if that wouldn't be enough for a tiny heart-sick hero, just recovered from pneumonia. There are a bunch of embarrassing encounters with his (never-forgotten) former lover, Jake Riordan. Nowadays married but mostly the same alluring creature to hunk. ~ Yeah it's such goodies as is the charm of book series.

‘I halted, mid-ripping open the cookies, and stared at him.
“Well, he’s pretty square,” I said. “I’m just a rectangular guy.” With latent triangular tendencies.’

***********************************************

The crime adventure in Death of a Pirate King is quite good and exciting as always in these Lanyon books. The mystery topic this time, with a look at Hollywood and thoughts about movie people, were both fun and a bit scary at times.

A well thought out crime mystery, many suspected murderer, famous stars, a sailboat accident etc crime plot... but what the heck, I was most interested in what would happened in the romantic parts. And we got some really good stuff about a lot of importans issues this time. I finally got answer to some questions about what Jake felt and thought, then two years ago, and what he feels and thinks here and now.

That big clumsy (yet super attractive) male "tiger" is not an easy man to understand (...or gosh!, to live with. I feel deaply for his poor wife).

“Look, Paul. I appreciate what you’re telling me, but I gave Jake my word. Not to mention the fact, he’d throw my ass in jail if he found out I tried to go around him.”
“He wouldn’t, you know,” he said. “Jake’s a pussycat.”
Yeah, just a big old saber-toothed tiger.’

Meanwhile, is often Adrien kind of too afraid and proud (...so silly stupid) and doesn't take the chances he gets. He doesn't admit or saying loud what he feels and wants to Jake when the moments are there. He's obviously terrified to dare to try again a second time. I understand him, I really do, but I want so much that these two should get together. ~ I WANT that heavenly happy forever end.

***********************************************

As so often are certain parts of these MC’s hassles due to misunderstandings. But of course is their sad situation (I cried a lot reading the third book) for most part a result of Jake's fear of stepping out of that (straight) hard closed 'closet'. He hasn't an easy way to go and to take the big step —risk his police career, his marriage, wife and possibly future kids, homofobic friends and family etc— to try something very different and to allow himself a genuine and open relationship with Adrien.

‘We were locked onto each other as though we had just discovered this incredible thing you could do with two mouths pressing close and moist against each other. And the taste of him... Horrifyingly, unbearably sweet -- sweet in the way crack must feel hitting the bloodstream of an addict after years of staying clean.’

When you at last get a few yummy and smexy moments is it just so wonderful nice. Well written and so steaming hot. I was breathless. ~ Stunning freaking great!

***********************************************

Yep my dear friends; I also sailed off to the stars this time.

‘And then I sagged forward, utterly spent, emptied…light as air. I felt like I could have floated up and out…slipping through the open window and drifting away across the rooftops and satellite dishes and telephone wires…sailing away into the faintly smiling stars.’

I'm looking forward (with huge anticipation) to see (..or hear) what this new opening for a second chance leads to in the last and fifth installment (#5 - The Dark Tide). ~ Once again; If you like to solve mysteries in fiction novels and mix that with a heartbreaking "guys who loves guys" story, don't forget this series.

~ Even this time was I listening to the story, and once again was it an simply fantastic well done audio narration by the superb voice of Chris Patton (pic

)

***********************************************

Oh my! Josh Lanyon, you've written an unforgettable grand love story (...with some good crime stuff as well). Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I LIKE - just three words; Jolly Fu€$!ng Good!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
...highly recommended:

The Adrien English Mystery ~ Josh Lanyon's 5 part series



#1 - Fatal Shadows (4.3 stars)
#2 - A Dangerous Thing (4.3 stars)
#3 - The Hell You Say (4 stars)
#4 - Death of a Pirate King (4.8 stars)
#5 - The Dark Tide (4.7 stars)

...and don't miss the opportunity to listening to the audio books with the splendid narrator Chris Patton.

[LenaRibka · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book 4 of Adrien English Mystery seeries is the best sequel for me so far!

I join all 5 and 4 stars exciting reviews and confirm that for me EVERYTHING, really EVERYTHING in the book 4 was good:

*The plot.
*Adrien. (He was the best!!!)
*Jake.( I know, a lot of readers won't share my opinion. Though, LIKING doesn't mean UNDERSTANDING! And I LIKE him. But I swear by God, I didn't understand his behaviour in many situation!!!)
*And of course- the writing, as always.

Just a few words from myself:

Josh Lanyon knows how to write a good mystery, it cannot be denied.
But what I liked mostly in the book 4 was a very closed connection between mystery and romance.

If in the previous sequel I had the feeling these both very important parts had their own development, that they just run in parallel, then in Death of a Pirate King it was impossible to separate these two essential components of the story .

Was it a mysterious romance or romantic mystery? Both.
Together they were a single whole indivisible unit.

I lived through all possible kind of emotions and was rewarded at the end.
The fact that I stayed awake until the early hours of the morning speaks for itself - I JUST COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!!!

Excellent written. Highly recommended.

[Vanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: 4.5 stars
Audio: 5 stars

Oh Adrien! You are such a sap! 🙄 And Jake, 😱 I thought I couldn’t have a lower opinion of him since the last book; turns out I can.. 🤷‍♀️ But somehow over the course of the story, I ended up feeling sorry for him.. 🤔 I know! 😱 The best way to summarize his character is that he’s “grey”; not a hero or villain; but an imperfect character who’s trying in his own way.. 🤷‍♀️ I hope he redeems himself in the next book… it’ll never be enough if you ask me, but at least he’s taking some steps and his heart is in the right place. ❤️
The plot in this one (which picks up 2 years after the events from the previous book) was markedly improved, I almost knew who the bad guy was; but was never sure. The complex, symbiotic and somewhat shallow Hollywood lives was a perfect backdrop for this murder investigation and l liked how Adrien analyzed and pushed for answers.

What I loved however, was Adrien’s family and his interactions with his step sisters; ❤️ especially the youngest one🫶. I’m loving the family dynamics and so glad that he has someone besides Lisa to love and care for him. 😍 I didn’t feel sorry for Guy.. I mean, he was kinda insignificant in Adrien’s life. I think even he knew it 🤪

Good story, brilliant audio; all in all a stellar book. Highly recommended 👍🏻👍🏻for fans who almost gave up after book 3. I’m looking forward to the next one. 😍

[Zuzu · Rating 5 out of 5]

8/28/23 - upping to 5 stars.

9/29/21 - Reread. Upping to 4.5 stars
————
9% - You've got a little bit of an attitude, Mr. English, if you don't mind my saying so." "I don't mind."
-----
Good try, Jake, but I have long memory. LOL

[Anna (Bananas) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sexual tension between these two. Give them a few seconds alone and it's on.


And um...


hopefully photobucket doesn't delete this one

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the time I was 12% through this book I thought I could not hate any character more than I hated Jake Riordan. By about 35% the unthinkable happened and the ice around my heart began to crack just a little, but the ending of the book just floored me and finally put Jake on the fast track to redemption. It felt like everything came together in this book and the emotions felt real. We get to see a different side of both Adrien and Jake. Definitely my favorite of the series so far.

Potential book/series spoilers ahead:

Two years have passed since Adrien had last been involved in a murder investigation and since he had last seen or spoken to his ex-lover Jake. He has settled into a relationship with Guy and is expanding his bookstore. As all good things do, this period came to an end with the death of a potential backer for the film adaptation of Adrien's first novel. Of course, the death occurred while the man was sitting next to Adrien in a room full of Hollywood types that will potentially be involved in the project, and guess who shows up to investigate. Jake is now married and a Lieutenant in the LAPD. It is quickly apparent to Adrien that he is not the only one in the room who "knows" Jake. Actor Paul Kane's connection to Jake and the murder victim gets the ball rolling for Adrien to get back into the sleuthing business.

In the two years that have passed Adrien's health has declined, Jake is still locked in the closet and it appears that the time he has spent living his "normal" life has not been what he had hoped it would be. We learn that Adrien's backbone has made a showing finally and that although Jake attempted to contact him for about a year, Adrien resisted. While the mystery was not that complex, it provided an interesting way to get Jake and Adrien back working together and required Jake to face some serious issues regarding his life and career.

It was nice to see Adrien finally speaking up for himself to both Jake and his meddling family. What I really liked was that we finally got to hear some of Jake's side of things. Up until this point other than a few random comments or actions, Jake's feelings toward his relationship with Adrien had not been very clear. My feelings toward Jake's character definitely eased up a bit the more he interacted with Adrien.

Looking forward to what Josh Lanyon has in store for the next book after the emotion packed ending of this one.

[L-D · Rating 3 out of 5]

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. The only reason I could even make it through this book was because I had friends that told me not to quit and I would be happy at the end of the series. As I continued to read it, however, I kept asking myself, how the hell is this total dickwad Jake ever going to be able to redeem himself??

In this book Adrien is trying to move on from his disastrous affair with the closeted asshole ex-boyfriend, Jake. I know. Tell us how you really feel, L-D. Adrien is now dating stuffy weird professor Guy who kind of creeps me out a little. I think the point of introducing Guy to the storyline is for us to possibly decide that Jake is the lesser of two evils? Come on Adrien - have some self-esteem. You're supposedly hot and look like an old school movie star, right? Find a cute twink in a club or something. Maybe sell the bookstore and start fresh in another state. Wash your hands of this whole miserable life.

From a plot perspective we have murder, mystery, and mayhem in spades. Some new characters are introduced including Paul Kane, bi-sexual actor and murder suspect. Paul hires Adrien to privately investigate the murder at his dinner party which brings Adrien back in contact with extreme toolbag ex-boyfriend Jake.

I guess a review is not the place to rant and rave about character development. I did that enough on various buddy read threads. Did I enjoy this book? I guess in the same way you enjoy bungee jumping. You scream all the way down, maybe feel nauseous and puke in your mouth a bit, oh wait, I forgot - I HATE bungee jumping. And I still HATE Jake.

Should you read this book? Maybe if you have a slew of sadistic goodreads friends like I do who will peer pressure you into anything. I guess misery loves company. So "YES"! Definitely read this book!

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been two years since Jake and Adrien have seen each other and it takes another murder to throw them back together. Once again Adrien finds himself smack dab in the middle of the investigation. Understandably this reunion brings back old hurts and anger. His reactions more jaded and cautious as new, painful revelations come into play.

It seemed at times, I felt sorry for everyone. Sorry for Adrien for his inner turmoil. He was in a bit of denial for settling for Guy. Of course there's a little self loathing for still wanting a man who has hurt him so deeply. Despite that he just can't seem to stay away or say no for forever.

Sorry for Guy for knowing he can't measure up. Will never measure up. He witnesses helplessly as Adrien slips through his fingers.

And then there's Jake. He continues to hold steadfast to a dream that has become unattainable. He's still afraid to come out, understandably fearing great personal and professional loss. At the same time, he too, can't let go of the past. Funny how the saying "you can't have your cake and eat it too" was so appropriately applied to his delusions.

Of course the romantic in me swooned, while the cynic wanted to break furniture on a grand scale. Lanyon as always, is so succinct and sharp. Adrien's snark is more caustic and shrewd, hitting its target with precision. I wanted so much more between these two; I wanted pages of dialogue and proclamations. But that's not Adrien; that's definitely not Jake. So instead I got a forced grand gesture and in typical Lanyon fashion, an epic abrupt ending - and I'm still left reeling.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[h o l l i s · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, a mystery I actually liked.

Oh, and also, like, some interesting relationship stuff, too. I mean, for the first 40% I sent many many capslock-y screenshot messages to my buddy reader pal but after a certain point it became, well, the point of no return. I couldn't tear myself away to pee, much less text.

I'm not saying I forgive or feel he's redeemed himself but in this instalment Jake.. gave me pause. Sometimes. Again, see aforementioned capslocky messages full of rage, but otherwise? Pause. Consideration. He is still deeply, irrevocably, flawed (a phrase Moony has used from the get-go). But I think there were a few corners turned. He felt.. wiser, quieter, but still very much himself. I liked to see that bit of growth. Even if he was relentlessly stupid about one main big point in this particular story. But, again, he's Jake.

And, well, there's that ending.

Adrien has usually been my favourite part of all these books but never has that been truer than this one. I was living for him. His sassy, snarky, observations. His irritation. His rather unflinching honesty about himself.

This book was a turning point (I keep using variations of this phrase and I don't know why) for me. As it was foretold by all the friends who are fans. I still expect there to be something of a reckoning in the book to come, I still want certain things to be hashed out, brought to light, but. This was great.

Diving right back in because the chill (like the limit) does not exist.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was me while listening to the audiobook for 'Death of a Pirate King':



I wasn't sure how I felt about Adrien. I wasn't sure how I felt about Jake. I didn't know where the murder mystery was going.

And most importantly, I had no clue what to think about Adrien and Jake together. It also didn't help that this time around Adrien was just as irresponsible as Jake.

Yet those misgivings didn't matter at all, because I had no problem with sitting back and watching the shit-show unfold. Do I believe that Adrien and Jake should really be together? I'm not entirely sure, but I've still got hope.

I'm also glad that an issue that's made me uneasy since book 1 was finally addressed: as a cop, Jake Riordan's behaviour is highly unethical, if not worse. I suppose that's true of Jake in all spheres of his life, not just his work.

Was that a tad harsh? Good.

The audiobook narration was once again flawless. Chris Patton is a master. If you're looking for a series to listen to in audiobook, give this one a try.

Overall, I enjoyed book 4 in Adrien and Jake's dysfunctional saga. Some of the things that were revealed made me pretty angry, but others gave me hope that these two can eventually pull it off. On to the final book!

[CrabbyPatty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this in 2015, gave it 5 stars .... and no review. What.Was.I.Thinking?

2021: Still a gut-punch to read the final scenes of this book, and I continue to think this is the finest series Lanyon has written.

2020: Omigawd. I actually sat in a parking lot this afternoon to finish this book, set it down and had a bit of a cry. The thing that struck me in this second read is that Jake Riordan is not a good man .... but he is trying to be an honorable man. He gave up Adrien to have a "real marriage" and had the best of intentions but hasn't succeeded. Welcome to Life, friends. And as for Adrien, his heart is failing - both literally and metaphorically.

To me, the murder/mystery was just a vehicle to get Adrien and Jake together, and I spent a lot of time yelling at my Kindle - "no, no, it's not the wife .... no, no, it's not anyone else .... open your EYES!" But the raw emotion in the climatic scene was terrifying. Imagine being on the cusp of your own death and being grateful that you weren't dying alone .... and the final pages .... some of the finest writing Lanyon has done, IMHO.

5 stars again for "Death of the Pirate King."