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Holmes & Moriarity #2
All She Wrote
Giving screwball mystery a whole deadly new meaning.
A murderous fall down icy stairs is nearly the death of Anna Hitchcock, the much-beloved American Agatha Christie and Christopher Holmes's former mentor. Anna's plea for him to host her annual winter writing retreat touches all Kit's sore spots: traveling, teaching writing classes, and separation from his new lover, J.X. Moriarity.
For J.X., Kit's cancellation of yet another romantic weekend is the death knell of a relationship that has been limping along for months. But that's just as well, right? Kit isn't ready for anything serious and besides, Kit owes Anna far too much to refuse.
Faster than you can say Miss Marple wears boxer shorts, Kit is snooping around Anna's elegant, snowbound mansion in the Berkshires for clues as to who's trying to kill her. A tough task with six amateur sleuths underfoot, six budding writers with a tangled web of dark undercurrents running among them.
Slowly, Kit gets the uneasy feeling that the secret may lie between the pages of someone's fictional past. Unfortunately, a clever killer is one step ahead. And it may be too late for J.X. to ride to the rescue.
Warning: Contains one irascible, forty-year-old mystery writer who desperately needs to get laid, one exasperated thirty-something ex-cop only too happy to oblige, an isolated country manor that needs the thermostat cranked up, various assorted aspiring and perspiring authors, and a merciless killer who may have read one too many mystery novels.
A murderous fall down icy stairs is nearly the death of Anna Hitchcock, the much-beloved American Agatha Christie and Christopher Holmes's former mentor. Anna's plea for him to host her annual winter writing retreat touches all Kit's sore spots: traveling, teaching writing classes, and separation from his new lover, J.X. Moriarity.
For J.X., Kit's cancellation of yet another romantic weekend is the death knell of a relationship that has been limping along for months. But that's just as well, right? Kit isn't ready for anything serious and besides, Kit owes Anna far too much to refuse.
Faster than you can say Miss Marple wears boxer shorts, Kit is snooping around Anna's elegant, snowbound mansion in the Berkshires for clues as to who's trying to kill her. A tough task with six amateur sleuths underfoot, six budding writers with a tangled web of dark undercurrents running among them.
Slowly, Kit gets the uneasy feeling that the secret may lie between the pages of someone's fictional past. Unfortunately, a clever killer is one step ahead. And it may be too late for J.X. to ride to the rescue.
Warning: Contains one irascible, forty-year-old mystery writer who desperately needs to get laid, one exasperated thirty-something ex-cop only too happy to oblige, an isolated country manor that needs the thermostat cranked up, various assorted aspiring and perspiring authors, and a merciless killer who may have read one too many mystery novels.
173 pages, ebook
First published December 28, 2010
113 people are currently reading
1287 people want to read
About the author
Josh Lanyon
221 books5,416 followersAuthor 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 532 reviews
October 20, 2014
4 stars. Review completed October 20, 2014
Christopher (Kit) Holmes receives a cry for help from his former mentor Anna Hitchcock, also known as the American Agatha Christie. Anna's phone call comes in quite handy because Kit has a hard time dealing with the budding romance between him and fellow author J.X. Moriarity. It's been three months since their scary adventure at the Blue Heron Lodge and he's more than ready to take a break. But...wait. Taking a break from what exactly? J.X. isn't the type to push Kit into doing something he's neither willing nor ready for. Still, Kit seems to be close to a panic attack when he thinks about committing himself to yet another relationship that might not end well for him. So he takes the coward's way out and heads off to the wintry Berkshires to play amateur sleuth once again.
I was off to a good start when, somewhere after the 20 % mark, I felt myself hitting a patch of boredom. However, I'm very glad to say that the story really turned into something riveting when J.X. entered the picture at %. I'm even happier to say that J.X. was so very, very present in this book once he made his appearance. I loved seeing Kit and J.X. interacting together and the way J.X. handled Kit as a person but also his mental barriers and hang-ups was more than noteworthy. As I see it, J.X. is the right guy for Kit. My favorite book of this series remains The Boy with the Painful Tattoo, yet All She Wrote is my favorite in regards to J.X.'s character. Plus, I think the smexin' was better than in book #1 and #3. Holy wow. They steamed up the bedroom verrrrry nicely, if I may say so.
Kit is so incredibly hung up on the age difference but as I see it, five years shouldn't be a big deal.
"You're using those five years to try and distance yourself from me."
"I don't think I am. It is a difference."
"Kit, you're forty. You look thirty. You act…well, never mind. You're carrying on like you think you're seventy."
Was I? I guess it was no secret I'd been unpleasantly startled to find myself suddenly hitting the big 4-0. You'd have thought the previous thirty-nine years were sufficient warning.
On the other hand, I can see why it's an issue for Kit. His ex-partner dumped him for a younger man; his career is, to say it nicely, in limbo. Meaning, his self-confidence is shot to s@it. He's afraid of losing yet another lover to a younger and sexier rival. But I seriously doubt that J.X. would head off to greener pastures. This may sound naïve and clichéd but In my book, he's the real deal, a great guy with many wonderful characteristics; once committed, he will do everything to make it last for a lifetime. Since I read the series out of order (I started with book #3), I really do know there remains plenty of work to be done between these two men. I was also wondering why Kit doesn't start to write a gay mystery series. With all due respect, his old and quirky spinster sleuth, Miss Butterwith, should retire. I believe in Kit. He can reinvent himself as an author but he must have the courage to give it a serious try. Come on, Kit, you have to chance it! Come out of your shell and show the world how good you are.
As you might imagine, J.X. is much better at scraping damsels in distress off the carpeting than yours truly. Even not counting the
He scooped up Victoria practically before she hit the ground, well within the five-second rule. If she'd been a potato chip, he could have still eaten her. Not something I particularly wanted to contemplate.
I won't say anything specific about the plot because it's a bit tricky and I don't want to spoil it for you. Suffice it to say that the range of suspects is quite vast once again. Yet someone stood out for me in a negative way.
It took me longer than I thought to figure out what was going on regarding the mystery. So when I realized who the culprit was I can't tell you how darn outraged
furious
upset
resentful
angry
and appalled I was.
I'm open to suggestions. Thank you.
Victim-wise, this second installment was the most dramatic and painful, at least for me because the author made me really care for those who died.
Written in Lanyon's trademark witty voice (there should be a copyright for Kit's distinctive and deadpan humor), the plot proved to be totally engaging once I was past my short passage of boredom. I love this couple very much and can't wait to see what kind of scheming Josh has in store for them in the future. After having read all three books in the series, I'm more than ready to confirm that Holmes & Moriarity has been promoted to my favorite series by Josh Lanyon. More please.
Recommended read.
My ranking
The Boy with the Painful Tattoo 5 stars
All She Wrote 4 stars
Somebody Killed His Editor 4 stars
If I have to choose between All She Wrote and Somebody Killed His Editor then I will gladly take All She Wrote due to J.X.'s presence. <333
Christopher (Kit) Holmes receives a cry for help from his former mentor Anna Hitchcock, also known as the American Agatha Christie. Anna's phone call comes in quite handy because Kit has a hard time dealing with the budding romance between him and fellow author J.X. Moriarity. It's been three months since their scary adventure at the Blue Heron Lodge and he's more than ready to take a break. But...wait. Taking a break from what exactly? J.X. isn't the type to push Kit into doing something he's neither willing nor ready for. Still, Kit seems to be close to a panic attack when he thinks about committing himself to yet another relationship that might not end well for him. So he takes the coward's way out and heads off to the wintry Berkshires to play amateur sleuth once again.
"(…) You know what these writing weekends can be like otherwise."
Only too well. Like a slumber party on steroids.
I was off to a good start when, somewhere after the 20 % mark, I felt myself hitting a patch of boredom. However, I'm very glad to say that the story really turned into something riveting when J.X. entered the picture at %. I'm even happier to say that J.X. was so very, very present in this book once he made his appearance. I loved seeing Kit and J.X. interacting together and the way J.X. handled Kit as a person but also his mental barriers and hang-ups was more than noteworthy. As I see it, J.X. is the right guy for Kit. My favorite book of this series remains The Boy with the Painful Tattoo, yet All She Wrote is my favorite in regards to J.X.'s character. Plus, I think the smexin' was better than in book #1 and #3. Holy wow. They steamed up the bedroom verrrrry nicely, if I may say so.
Kit is so incredibly hung up on the age difference but as I see it, five years shouldn't be a big deal.
"You're using those five years to try and distance yourself from me."
"I don't think I am. It is a difference."
"Kit, you're forty. You look thirty. You act…well, never mind. You're carrying on like you think you're seventy."
Was I? I guess it was no secret I'd been unpleasantly startled to find myself suddenly hitting the big 4-0. You'd have thought the previous thirty-nine years were sufficient warning.
On the other hand, I can see why it's an issue for Kit. His ex-partner dumped him for a younger man; his career is, to say it nicely, in limbo. Meaning, his self-confidence is shot to s@it. He's afraid of losing yet another lover to a younger and sexier rival. But I seriously doubt that J.X. would head off to greener pastures. This may sound naïve and clichéd but In my book, he's the real deal, a great guy with many wonderful characteristics; once committed, he will do everything to make it last for a lifetime. Since I read the series out of order (I started with book #3), I really do know there remains plenty of work to be done between these two men. I was also wondering why Kit doesn't start to write a gay mystery series. With all due respect, his old and quirky spinster sleuth, Miss Butterwith, should retire. I believe in Kit. He can reinvent himself as an author but he must have the courage to give it a serious try. Come on, Kit, you have to chance it! Come out of your shell and show the world how good you are.
As you might imagine, J.X. is much better at scraping damsels in distress off the carpeting than yours truly. Even not counting the
He scooped up Victoria practically before she hit the ground, well within the five-second rule. If she'd been a potato chip, he could have still eaten her. Not something I particularly wanted to contemplate.
I won't say anything specific about the plot because it's a bit tricky and I don't want to spoil it for you. Suffice it to say that the range of suspects is quite vast once again. Yet someone stood out for me in a negative way.
It took me longer than I thought to figure out what was going on regarding the mystery. So when I realized who the culprit was I can't tell you how darn outraged
furious
upset
resentful
angry
and appalled I was.
I'm open to suggestions. Thank you.
Victim-wise, this second installment was the most dramatic and painful, at least for me because the author made me really care for those who died.
Written in Lanyon's trademark witty voice (there should be a copyright for Kit's distinctive and deadpan humor), the plot proved to be totally engaging once I was past my short passage of boredom. I love this couple very much and can't wait to see what kind of scheming Josh has in store for them in the future. After having read all three books in the series, I'm more than ready to confirm that Holmes & Moriarity has been promoted to my favorite series by Josh Lanyon. More please.
Recommended read.
My ranking
The Boy with the Painful Tattoo 5 stars
All She Wrote 4 stars
Somebody Killed His Editor 4 stars
If I have to choose between All She Wrote and Somebody Killed His Editor then I will gladly take All She Wrote due to J.X.'s presence. <333
November 8, 2020
Audiobook and Story - 4.35 stars
I enjoyed this one more than i did book 1. I got to know Kit and JX better.
It was a little bit more romantic and hot, i enjoyed the case too.
Onto book 3.
I enjoyed this one more than i did book 1. I got to know Kit and JX better.
It was a little bit more romantic and hot, i enjoyed the case too.
Onto book 3.
August 16, 2015
What keeps J.X. coming back for more was more of a mystery to me than the plot of All She Wrote.
It's not hard to grasp that J.X. is from the same mold as Jake from the Adrien English mysteries, which makes it all the more frustrating that he remains one-dimensional. And worse, 2 books into this series and I'm still unsure what exactly he sees in Kit? The latter is whiny and obnoxious in a way that is caricaturesque rather than your typical human being with charming quirks and flaws. Where Jake and Adrien's chemistry and love blew my mind, here Kit seemingly accepts J.X's affections with a sense of entitlement, and J.X appears to be simply slipping in and out of the story to provide bland sex and assistance. All this against the backdrop of a somewhat dowdy atmosphere, true to the kind of grandma whodunits Kit writes and is ridiculed for.
So it pains me to give this Lanyon only 2 stars, but since I gave the first more or less unfulfilling book in this series a hopeful 4 stars, I don't feel particularly bad. I already got book 3, but think this is where it ends for me.
Also, Cheryl wore it better.
It's not hard to grasp that J.X. is from the same mold as Jake from the Adrien English mysteries, which makes it all the more frustrating that he remains one-dimensional. And worse, 2 books into this series and I'm still unsure what exactly he sees in Kit? The latter is whiny and obnoxious in a way that is caricaturesque rather than your typical human being with charming quirks and flaws. Where Jake and Adrien's chemistry and love blew my mind, here Kit seemingly accepts J.X's affections with a sense of entitlement, and J.X appears to be simply slipping in and out of the story to provide bland sex and assistance. All this against the backdrop of a somewhat dowdy atmosphere, true to the kind of grandma whodunits Kit writes and is ridiculed for.
So it pains me to give this Lanyon only 2 stars, but since I gave the first more or less unfulfilling book in this series a hopeful 4 stars, I don't feel particularly bad. I already got book 3, but think this is where it ends for me.
Also, Cheryl wore it better.
February 25, 2021
Well, I liked this one a lot more than book 1. In All She Wrote I can actually feel the connection between Kit and JX, which I didn’t in the first book plus, I didn’t even like JX in the book 1. They were an actual couple in this one and I loved the back and forth between the two of them. Of course, Kit had plenty of snark, but I think it was because of insecurities, especially about his age.
The mystery part of the book had me guessing once again. Of course, I was wrong because the author has ways of throwing you off and it had me thinking it could be someone else. As in the first book, there are plenty of characters to keep track off.
Loved it and can’t wait for the next one!
The mystery part of the book had me guessing once again. Of course, I was wrong because the author has ways of throwing you off and it had me thinking it could be someone else. As in the first book, there are plenty of characters to keep track off.
Loved it and can’t wait for the next one!
October 15, 2016
Written August 12, 2014
4.3 Stars - Subtle, witty, ironic, and so damn charming...and our hero is irresistible
Book #2
Woot, I like this kind of stories. These seven hours passed quickly. Once again, nicely done with a good mystery plot. And remain calm; it was much more like a romance with smexy heat this time.
***********************************************
I was surprisingly pleased about #1 - Somebody Killed His Editor (4.5 stars), the first in this Holmes & Moriarity series.
It was an genuine whodunit. Like a classic British mystery with a lot of funny and eccentric characters.. Everything happened in a closed circuit, in a solitary place (a lodge in the forest) and with that classic traditional grand (chatty) ending.
As I wrote in my review after finishing book #1: "....as listening to old-fashioned well-made "radio theater" and I enjoyed every minute. All these funny and interesting characters had different chatty voices and all these witty jokes actually reached my ears."
***********************************************
I came to adore Christopher Kit Holmes already in the first book. He is now high up on my favorite Gay-Guy top 10 list.
Kit Holmes is a sweet mystery writer (maybe on his way down from the bestselling list). A nearly 40 years old gay "no-tough-badass-hero" kind.
When Holmes was visiting a writers conference (book #1) got he quite unlikely a possibility to a second chance romance with the man he never forgot, J.X. Moriarity.
Moriarity is a sexy, gorgeous, handsome man whom Holmes shared a very intense weekend with long (years) ago. Then a young cop who nowadays is a bestselling 35 years old novelist.
***********************************************
When we last left them had Holmes and Moriarity after some secretly smexy meetings and a lot of mysteries (several deaths) in an isolated lodge during a storm started a kind of lovers relationship. Now three months later is it once again back to their everyday life.
Holmes lives in Los Angeles and his new lover as far away as San Francisco. Could it really be more than a short second-chance affair or a steamy hot "fling"? ...and then is it the "age thing".
***********************************************
...It is winter and Holmes has too catch a flight to Connecticut and cancel a weekend with his lover...again.
Anna Hitchkock is an old friend and a very reputable, well-known and successful older writer who many years ago was Kit's mentor and professor. Anna feels threatened and wants to him to come to her big estate in Connecticut to help her with a weekend with seminars for promising new writers.
The plot thickens fast and once again is Holmes involved and has to solve real murders and mysteries. —A future amateur sleuth?— However, the real stuff is more difficult to solve than than the tricky intrigues he usually writes to his older Brittish female heroine Ms B in his (whodunit) novels. ~ Luckily is J.X. Moriarity soon there to help.
As the last time is the crime mystery death and murder among jealousy writers, mighty publishers, and curious young debutants. An masterfully described very interesting "Writers World".
**********************************************
Even if the crime plot is very good and cleverly written is course (yes, yes, yes!!) the best parts the once about the feelings between these two men.
Holmes fear commitments, promises, true feelings and all happy thoughts about a future. He has age complex, low self esteem and thinks he anyway will be dumped and left after a while.
Moriarity presses on and he wants much more from Holmes and for them. ~ And MORE he gets. Yum, it was some cozy goodie moments this time. Very tender and with a sense of authenticity and reality.
***********************************************
Awwww... I'm soooo happy about these books (audiobooks). This kind of romance story works so good for me. ~ Want much much more. And lucky me, book #3 The Boy with the Painful Tattoo is hopefully here now in October.
I LIKE - old-fashioned and outdated? ~ yes this is my thing
*******
~ These audiobooks are narrated by Kevin R. Free in a simply fantastic way. Highly recommended to listening to. ~
The Holmes & Moriarity series by the talented Mr Josh Lanyon:
4.3 Stars - Subtle, witty, ironic, and so damn charming...and our hero is irresistible
Book #2
Woot, I like this kind of stories. These seven hours passed quickly. Once again, nicely done with a good mystery plot. And remain calm; it was much more like a romance with smexy heat this time.
***********************************************
I was surprisingly pleased about #1 - Somebody Killed His Editor (4.5 stars), the first in this Holmes & Moriarity series.
It was an genuine whodunit. Like a classic British mystery with a lot of funny and eccentric characters.. Everything happened in a closed circuit, in a solitary place (a lodge in the forest) and with that classic traditional grand (chatty) ending.
As I wrote in my review after finishing book #1: "....as listening to old-fashioned well-made "radio theater" and I enjoyed every minute. All these funny and interesting characters had different chatty voices and all these witty jokes actually reached my ears."
***********************************************
I came to adore Christopher Kit Holmes already in the first book. He is now high up on my favorite Gay-Guy top 10 list.
‘Not as intolerable as being dead, in my opinion, but I'm very fond of me. I would miss me a lot.’
Kit Holmes is a sweet mystery writer (maybe on his way down from the bestselling list). A nearly 40 years old gay "no-tough-badass-hero" kind.
When Holmes was visiting a writers conference (book #1) got he quite unlikely a possibility to a second chance romance with the man he never forgot, J.X. Moriarity.
Moriarity is a sexy, gorgeous, handsome man whom Holmes shared a very intense weekend with long (years) ago. Then a young cop who nowadays is a bestselling 35 years old novelist.
‘To find them all in one package...well, perhaps better not to dwell on his package in my fragile state.’
***********************************************
When we last left them had Holmes and Moriarity after some secretly smexy meetings and a lot of mysteries (several deaths) in an isolated lodge during a storm started a kind of lovers relationship. Now three months later is it once again back to their everyday life.
Holmes lives in Los Angeles and his new lover as far away as San Francisco. Could it really be more than a short second-chance affair or a steamy hot "fling"? ...and then is it the "age thing".
“Kit, you're forty. You look thirty. You act...well, never mind. You're carrying on like you think you're seventy”
***********************************************
...It is winter and Holmes has too catch a flight to Connecticut and cancel a weekend with his lover...again.
Anna Hitchkock is an old friend and a very reputable, well-known and successful older writer who many years ago was Kit's mentor and professor. Anna feels threatened and wants to him to come to her big estate in Connecticut to help her with a weekend with seminars for promising new writers.
The plot thickens fast and once again is Holmes involved and has to solve real murders and mysteries. —A future amateur sleuth?— However, the real stuff is more difficult to solve than than the tricky intrigues he usually writes to his older Brittish female heroine Ms B in his (whodunit) novels. ~ Luckily is J.X. Moriarity soon there to help.
As the last time is the crime mystery death and murder among jealousy writers, mighty publishers, and curious young debutants. An masterfully described very interesting "Writers World".
**********************************************
Even if the crime plot is very good and cleverly written is course (yes, yes, yes!!) the best parts the once about the feelings between these two men.
Holmes fear commitments, promises, true feelings and all happy thoughts about a future. He has age complex, low self esteem and thinks he anyway will be dumped and left after a while.
‘When I get back to L.A. I'm going to buy myself a Blackberry and a slew of French-cuffed shirts. Possibly a nipple ring.’
Moriarity presses on and he wants much more from Holmes and for them. ~ And MORE he gets. Yum, it was some cozy goodie moments this time. Very tender and with a sense of authenticity and reality.
***********************************************
Awwww... I'm soooo happy about these books (audiobooks). This kind of romance story works so good for me. ~ Want much much more. And lucky me, book #3 The Boy with the Painful Tattoo is hopefully here now in October.
I LIKE - old-fashioned and outdated? ~ yes this is my thing
*******
~ These audiobooks are narrated by Kevin R. Free in a simply fantastic way. Highly recommended to listening to. ~
The Holmes & Moriarity series by the talented Mr Josh Lanyon:
October 31, 2017
Okay, it's Josh Lanyon, so for me 3-stars is about where I fall with all her books.
I *liked* this one... sort of. It grew on me over time, as did the first in the series. I'm not a big fan of mysteries, but I liked it. It kept me on my toes.
I know I keep reading Lanyon though I'm not particularly a fan, but I spend my own money on them and I keep hoping for more 4 and 5 star reads. This one wasn't quite there, but I think it was still money well spent.
August 12, 2024
“Anyone who wasn't half-stoned on pain meds would have instantly realized what a really bad idea this plan was, but since that didn't include me, I didn't worry about it.”
After finished my loved Adrien English series by the same author, I was anxious to dive into another similar series. She writes series I'm not as interested in trying, so this seems the closest fit. While I enjoyed the first, it didn't endear me as much as Adrien's series. The second book is better. While still not as good to me as Adrien English's cozy bookstore, I love it.
The humor, the writing, the main character - much like Adrien, he's a perfectly flawed lead. Kit is a fun and relatable lead because he, much like Adrien, delves in realistic self-doubts and insecurities. Both of them are loner characters. I love the author writes two series with writers who don't wholly get ample respect around every corner. While Adrien was just starting out, Kit has been languishing for years with safe, dependable, and somewhat formulaic series adventures of an elderly spinster (Ms. Butterwith) and her cat. There's humor in this direction and writing jabs, publishing woes. That Lanyon shows these sides of the writer's life that's not glamorized or unrealistic is a delight.
The boyfriend role with J.X. is charming and well-done. Not all in the bedroom is perfect and again the age thing is brought up with realistic insecurities. The romance is more sure this time with non-angst hesitation. I adored it and look forward to more of this pair's adventures. Their differences in personality play off each other well when "investigating."
The humor is the best part but the mystery setting gives a lot of fun ambience to suit the genre. I didn't guess the villain and that ending - whoosh - nice finale to the finale. We don't get red herring misdirections but we get plausible suspects, we get turns of events that may or may not be a coincidence in the making, we get interesting dynamics between the characters that keep them more than thin paper people donning ink or pixels.
It's a clever enough mystery but the humor with the writing style and the excellent characterization is where the charm really wins.
Fortunately there are two more adventures in this series.
After finished my loved Adrien English series by the same author, I was anxious to dive into another similar series. She writes series I'm not as interested in trying, so this seems the closest fit. While I enjoyed the first, it didn't endear me as much as Adrien's series. The second book is better. While still not as good to me as Adrien English's cozy bookstore, I love it.
The humor, the writing, the main character - much like Adrien, he's a perfectly flawed lead. Kit is a fun and relatable lead because he, much like Adrien, delves in realistic self-doubts and insecurities. Both of them are loner characters. I love the author writes two series with writers who don't wholly get ample respect around every corner. While Adrien was just starting out, Kit has been languishing for years with safe, dependable, and somewhat formulaic series adventures of an elderly spinster (Ms. Butterwith) and her cat. There's humor in this direction and writing jabs, publishing woes. That Lanyon shows these sides of the writer's life that's not glamorized or unrealistic is a delight.
The boyfriend role with J.X. is charming and well-done. Not all in the bedroom is perfect and again the age thing is brought up with realistic insecurities. The romance is more sure this time with non-angst hesitation. I adored it and look forward to more of this pair's adventures. Their differences in personality play off each other well when "investigating."
The humor is the best part but the mystery setting gives a lot of fun ambience to suit the genre. I didn't guess the villain and that ending - whoosh - nice finale to the finale. We don't get red herring misdirections but we get plausible suspects, we get turns of events that may or may not be a coincidence in the making, we get interesting dynamics between the characters that keep them more than thin paper people donning ink or pixels.
It's a clever enough mystery but the humor with the writing style and the excellent characterization is where the charm really wins.
Fortunately there are two more adventures in this series.
May 2, 2025
22.04.2025 - Re-Read - Because I miss Josh Lanyon
----------------------------------
Well Hell!!! What was that??????
Simone you evil woman! You done changed a“not-so-big-lover-of-mystery” reader into a Lanyon fan!!!
I can’t even say anything at this moment. Review to follow. WOW…just…yeah. Brilliant
Overall book rating: 4.5
Audio Book: Kevin R. Free: 4.5
Book Cover: 2
In keeping with the theme of my previous review we’ll stick with to drunken dancing I think.
Let me just say this : I really had a ball with this one. It had more!! More JX, More Christopher in depth and more ENDING. For some reason this one just made me feel like the above mentioned gif in the end.
Christopher aka Kit is still a very “odd” character for me but in a good way? He keeps me guessing because he is so NOT my usual type. I think that’s one of the things that make me enjoy this actually.
In the beginning I was thinking he reminds me of Jory from Mary Calmes (a Matter of time), but NO NO NO he sooooo lacks any form of tact and courage. I oddly think he is one of the most “real” characters I’ve ever read.
The dancing above is not only for the ending but also for getting more of JX. And their relationship in general.
This one made me a all round happy girl. On to the next one!
----------------------------------
Well Hell!!! What was that??????
Simone you evil woman! You done changed a“not-so-big-lover-of-mystery” reader into a Lanyon fan!!!
I can’t even say anything at this moment. Review to follow. WOW…just…yeah. Brilliant
Overall book rating: 4.5
Audio Book: Kevin R. Free: 4.5
Book Cover: 2
In keeping with the theme of my previous review we’ll stick with to drunken dancing I think.
Let me just say this : I really had a ball with this one. It had more!! More JX, More Christopher in depth and more ENDING. For some reason this one just made me feel like the above mentioned gif in the end.
Christopher aka Kit is still a very “odd” character for me but in a good way? He keeps me guessing because he is so NOT my usual type. I think that’s one of the things that make me enjoy this actually.
In the beginning I was thinking he reminds me of Jory from Mary Calmes (a Matter of time), but NO NO NO he sooooo lacks any form of tact and courage. I oddly think he is one of the most “real” characters I’ve ever read.
The dancing above is not only for the ending but also for getting more of JX. And their relationship in general.
This one made me a all round happy girl. On to the next one!
October 29, 2019
The cozy mystery aspect was cute. I like the idea of mystery writers and how they might construct an actual murder and mystify it.
The relationship between the two was okay but didn't really give me an feelings or make me care if they stayed together.
The relationship between the two was okay but didn't really give me an feelings or make me care if they stayed together.
September 21, 2024
4 Stars
I’ll be honest. I didn’t cozy up to Christopher immediately in Somebody Killed His Editor. However, this time around I was fully engaged and appreciated his insecurities, his self deprecating humor, and his warring desires between trying to build something with his renewed lover JX or to call it quits due to his fatalistic expectations.
Somehow Christopher finds himself embroiled in the dramatic life of his long time mentor, Anna Hitchcock, who asks him to covertly discover who might be trying to kill her. Of course, this puts Christopher in mortal danger and in the mindset that he just might not be ready to completely let his relationship with JX fall to the wayside. As JX comes to his aid and the two try to figure out who could possibly want Anna dead, they uncover some surprising and horrifying secrets.
As usual, Lanyon delivers on the smart writing. Here the mystery is quite convoluted but well thought out, assigning motive and means to all characters involved, keeping everyone, including this reader, on their toes. Throw in some romantic proclamations, more revelations, and hopefully the future impetus to kick Christopher’s ass in gear regarding JX. Of course, I look forward to reading more about this duo as they progress in their feelings and find themselves in the various ludicrous situations they just can’t seem to avoid. That doesn’t necessarily benefit them, but it sure does make for some fine entertainment, and I look forward to it.
I’ll be honest. I didn’t cozy up to Christopher immediately in Somebody Killed His Editor. However, this time around I was fully engaged and appreciated his insecurities, his self deprecating humor, and his warring desires between trying to build something with his renewed lover JX or to call it quits due to his fatalistic expectations.
Somehow Christopher finds himself embroiled in the dramatic life of his long time mentor, Anna Hitchcock, who asks him to covertly discover who might be trying to kill her. Of course, this puts Christopher in mortal danger and in the mindset that he just might not be ready to completely let his relationship with JX fall to the wayside. As JX comes to his aid and the two try to figure out who could possibly want Anna dead, they uncover some surprising and horrifying secrets.
As usual, Lanyon delivers on the smart writing. Here the mystery is quite convoluted but well thought out, assigning motive and means to all characters involved, keeping everyone, including this reader, on their toes. Throw in some romantic proclamations, more revelations, and hopefully the future impetus to kick Christopher’s ass in gear regarding JX. Of course, I look forward to reading more about this duo as they progress in their feelings and find themselves in the various ludicrous situations they just can’t seem to avoid. That doesn’t necessarily benefit them, but it sure does make for some fine entertainment, and I look forward to it.
July 14, 2015
4.25 stars
So, I still loved this but not as much as I loved the first book in the series. The writing was smart and the mystery was good but I was missing some of the witty banter and snark that was in the first one. This one focuses a lot more on the relationship between Kit and J.X., which is still a bit volatile but not nearly as much as in book one. Still, I highly recommend this and will be reading book three post haste.
August 16, 2017
4 Stars
I may be a total newbie when it comes to the works of Josh Lanyon, but I can already appreciate the impressiveness of the writing itself.
When comparing this to the first story (Somebody Killed His Editor) I think I preferred this one for the relationship development, but preferred the first one for the mystery component.
Although, this may not be Lanyon's most loved series - give me time, I'm settling myself in before meeting Adrien and Jake - I'm still enjoying the heck out of the dynamic between Christopher Holmes and J.X. Moriarity, and the compelling whodunit mysteries they keep finding themselves mixed up in.
I may be a total newbie when it comes to the works of Josh Lanyon, but I can already appreciate the impressiveness of the writing itself.
When comparing this to the first story (Somebody Killed His Editor) I think I preferred this one for the relationship development, but preferred the first one for the mystery component.
Although, this may not be Lanyon's most loved series - give me time, I'm settling myself in before meeting Adrien and Jake - I'm still enjoying the heck out of the dynamic between Christopher Holmes and J.X. Moriarity, and the compelling whodunit mysteries they keep finding themselves mixed up in.
April 1, 2018
***4.5 ❤***
Still a favorite and I really loved the audioversion!
Still a favorite and I really loved the audioversion!
July 27, 2021
I had high hopes for this second book in the series, and I’m happy to report this not only lived up to expectations but exceeded them.
The murder mystery was all I expected from Josh Lanyon. I was guessing and second guessing all the way. I admit at the end I was a little concerned that the ending was not going to work, but I really should have had more faith, the ending turned out to be perfect lol.
My main reason for loving this book so much though is J.X. He has become my dream man lol. He is seriously perfect in my opinion. The way he acts and treats Kit is so lovely. He is a rugged and no nonsense kind of guy, but with Kit he is caring and romantic and the love he feels for Kit just shines through. I admit I love the way he tries to manage Kit in certain scenes, he is just adorable.
Kit is a lovely guy but his hang ups, especially about age cause him to behave like a bit of a jerk sometimes. But underneath you just can’t help rooting for him, and his powers of deduction rival The Mister Holmes himself.
Now for the major shocker for me, the sex scenes. Most people that know me, know I have issues with sex scenes and I skim or even skip over them. Not this time. I was reading every word. They were beautifully handled, and were such an important part of the story. Maybe the main reason they worked for me though was the fact they felt more like Love scenes than Sex scenes. I swear J.X. had me swooning with his declaration of Love. Perfect.
OK I have to add my one little niggle/peeve OK rant over lol.
Overall this is a wonderful, romantic, exciting and mysterious read, despite my peeve lol.
ETA Loved it just as much second time around, although I was impatient at the beginning waiting for JX to turn up lol.
ETA J X is still one of my favorite guys. When he used the L word my heart just melted
ETA Still a JX and Kit fan
ETA See above
The murder mystery was all I expected from Josh Lanyon. I was guessing and second guessing all the way. I admit at the end I was a little concerned that the ending was not going to work, but I really should have had more faith, the ending turned out to be perfect lol.
My main reason for loving this book so much though is J.X. He has become my dream man lol. He is seriously perfect in my opinion. The way he acts and treats Kit is so lovely. He is a rugged and no nonsense kind of guy, but with Kit he is caring and romantic and the love he feels for Kit just shines through. I admit I love the way he tries to manage Kit in certain scenes, he is just adorable.
Kit is a lovely guy but his hang ups, especially about age cause him to behave like a bit of a jerk sometimes. But underneath you just can’t help rooting for him, and his powers of deduction rival The Mister Holmes himself.
Now for the major shocker for me, the sex scenes. Most people that know me, know I have issues with sex scenes and I skim or even skip over them. Not this time. I was reading every word. They were beautifully handled, and were such an important part of the story. Maybe the main reason they worked for me though was the fact they felt more like Love scenes than Sex scenes. I swear J.X. had me swooning with his declaration of Love. Perfect.
OK I have to add my one little niggle/peeve OK rant over lol.
Overall this is a wonderful, romantic, exciting and mysterious read, despite my peeve lol.
ETA Loved it just as much second time around, although I was impatient at the beginning waiting for JX to turn up lol.
ETA J X is still one of my favorite guys. When he used the L word my heart just melted
ETA Still a JX and Kit fan
ETA See above
April 3, 2020
I love Kit and JX - what a pair. I think I've now bought 90% of Mr. Lanyon's books (I've purchased both audible version and kindle). JX must have the patience of a saint but I think he realizes that Kit is worth the wait. Kit is one of those people that is a tempest in a tea cup - everything swirls around him...and its not always his fault. The stories are told from Kit's point of view and some of his snarky comments had me chuckling many a time in this series of books. I think my favorite Lanyon pairing is Jake and Adrienne but when I need a laugh I get out the Holmes and Moriarity books. I do hope Mr. Lanyon goes further into the relationship of JX and his ex-wife (who hasn't quite caught up with that fact) - or rather Kit's involvement with JX's nephew and the ex...the tension and humor when Kit has to deal with them is wicked. I was very happy to hear JX stand up for Kit at one point when dealing with the ex.
April 24, 2015
This was a bit of a letdown. The mystery was predictable and not as fun as the first one. There was some progression in Holmes coming to terms with his break-up with David and his own personal hang-ups, but not enough for my liking. He still comes off as too insecure and petulant. Plus, I'm not completely convinced with J.X.'s feelings for Holmes.
I'm not ready to say good-bye to Holmes and J.X. yet. I'm still holding out hope that Holmes will focus a little more on his relationship with J.X, but for now I need a break from these two.
I'm not ready to say good-bye to Holmes and J.X. yet. I'm still holding out hope that Holmes will focus a little more on his relationship with J.X, but for now I need a break from these two.
November 12, 2019
I enjoyed this one even more than the first book. It had been a while since I listened to Somebody Killed His Editor, so I had sort of forgotten how much I did like it. I just really like Kit, neurotic and waspish as he is, he's still funny to me.
And I loved the way Kit is really trying to unknot himself enough to give J.X. a real chance. I most definitely loved J.X. here. I loved how protective and patient he was with Kit. Maybe he did get a bit overbearing at times *not that Kit doesn't snap that right back when he doesn't like it*, but God knows somebody needs to pull Kit back from the brink sometimes.
The narrator, Kevin R. Free, does an amazing job with the story. He has Kit down as a character so perfectly that I forget he isn't actually Christopher Holmes, mystery writer and amateur detective. <3 I'm really looking forward to the next!
And I loved the way Kit is really trying to unknot himself enough to give J.X. a real chance. I most definitely loved J.X. here. I loved how protective and patient he was with Kit. Maybe he did get a bit overbearing at times *not that Kit doesn't snap that right back when he doesn't like it*, but God knows somebody needs to pull Kit back from the brink sometimes.
The narrator, Kevin R. Free, does an amazing job with the story. He has Kit down as a character so perfectly that I forget he isn't actually Christopher Holmes, mystery writer and amateur detective. <3 I'm really looking forward to the next!
December 10, 2013
4.5 Stars
Yup, I was right. The Holmes and Moriarity series has the clout to surpass Adrien English for sure. Now don’t choke when I say this: It’s no longer just the romance arc that compels and captivates me – it’s the whole whodunit thing too!
I find myself thoroughly engrossed in the mystery and the whole process of deduction and elimination to the point where I was making side notes. Pfft …not that it did me any good in figuring out who the murderer was. I’m such a doofus, honestly, I think if Lanyon where to give me a character name I’m sure the second half would be Clouseau, but still …I wanted, no I needed to puzzle this mystery out.
I’ve never once felt quite this involved or anxious even. Lanyon sets up a bunch of crime writers as suspects of (possible) attempted murder; but each suspect is as incapable of actually committing the crime as the next. And then, just when you grasp that eureka moment Lanyon pitches another red herring! ! Gah …blast that man and his smarts!
So moving on to the romance *pause to rub hands gleefully* it’s still my favorite part.
Did Chris Holmes drive me nuts like I thought he would?
Yes and no, I mean it’s a two handed thing with Holmes. On one hand he entertains me with his grouchy, snarky wit and propensity to inappropriate humour when he’s nervous. On the other hand his self-deprecating issues make me want to strangle him and then call for an intervention. Then back on the other hand: seeing him war with himself by knocking down walls and frantically trying to build them up again is both liberating and vexing. I think that until he starts to truly believe in his own fine attributes he will continue to drive me a little nuts. It’s ironic and clear that the only person who has the power to show him the light is the one he is fighting.
JX is so extraordinarily perfect that I don’t blame Holmes for is insecure reluctance Jeez …who wouldn’t be cautious dating a gorgeous, suave, confident and successful guy like JX Moriarity? Having a man like JX confess love to you is like winning the lottery or accepting a marriage proposal from David flipping Gandy! The guy is godlike in looks, patience and caring …I could do love him forever. So, I can accept all of Holmes drama’s because I feel he IS trying to stop finding excuses to distance himself from JX, and that’s good enough for me – he comes a long way in this book and this makes me happy.
Now, I’m not usually one to comment on the sex beyond saying, it’s hot! But this deserves a special mention because Lanyon took my breath away here. It’s a surrender of power that is not a detail by any means. The sex scenes (apart from being hot – duh) allow us an intense intimate look at the power and vulnerability of this dynamic couple. Discovering Holmes while he finds himself yielding ground and scrambling to pull it back is almost too much for me to bear. But knowing that JX is the ultimate dynamo at interpreting Holmes needs is a gift and will bode well for the future. I hope. Oh God, I really do hope because these guys have me cheering for them big time. I love them together, I need them together …oh please Mr Lanyon be kind to them – to us!
There is no need to tell you that this is superbly written or that the atmosphere was tangible or that the new characters are brilliant and realistic. If you know Lanyon’s work it all goes without saying …the man is in a league of his own.
I haven’t enjoyed a series this much in a long time, but I’m holding back my half star because I think it’s going to get even better.
Yup, I was right. The Holmes and Moriarity series has the clout to surpass Adrien English for sure. Now don’t choke when I say this: It’s no longer just the romance arc that compels and captivates me – it’s the whole whodunit thing too!
I find myself thoroughly engrossed in the mystery and the whole process of deduction and elimination to the point where I was making side notes. Pfft …not that it did me any good in figuring out who the murderer was. I’m such a doofus, honestly, I think if Lanyon where to give me a character name I’m sure the second half would be Clouseau, but still …I wanted, no I needed to puzzle this mystery out.
I’ve never once felt quite this involved or anxious even. Lanyon sets up a bunch of crime writers as suspects of (possible) attempted murder; but each suspect is as incapable of actually committing the crime as the next. And then, just when you grasp that eureka moment Lanyon pitches another red herring! ! Gah …blast that man and his smarts!
So moving on to the romance *pause to rub hands gleefully* it’s still my favorite part.
Did Chris Holmes drive me nuts like I thought he would?
Yes and no, I mean it’s a two handed thing with Holmes. On one hand he entertains me with his grouchy, snarky wit and propensity to inappropriate humour when he’s nervous. On the other hand his self-deprecating issues make me want to strangle him and then call for an intervention. Then back on the other hand: seeing him war with himself by knocking down walls and frantically trying to build them up again is both liberating and vexing. I think that until he starts to truly believe in his own fine attributes he will continue to drive me a little nuts. It’s ironic and clear that the only person who has the power to show him the light is the one he is fighting.
JX is so extraordinarily perfect that I don’t blame Holmes for is insecure reluctance Jeez …who wouldn’t be cautious dating a gorgeous, suave, confident and successful guy like JX Moriarity? Having a man like JX confess love to you is like winning the lottery or accepting a marriage proposal from David flipping Gandy! The guy is godlike in looks, patience and caring …I could do love him forever. So, I can accept all of Holmes drama’s because I feel he IS trying to stop finding excuses to distance himself from JX, and that’s good enough for me – he comes a long way in this book and this makes me happy.
Now, I’m not usually one to comment on the sex beyond saying, it’s hot! But this deserves a special mention because Lanyon took my breath away here. It’s a surrender of power that is not a detail by any means. The sex scenes (apart from being hot – duh) allow us an intense intimate look at the power and vulnerability of this dynamic couple. Discovering Holmes while he finds himself yielding ground and scrambling to pull it back is almost too much for me to bear. But knowing that JX is the ultimate dynamo at interpreting Holmes needs is a gift and will bode well for the future. I hope. Oh God, I really do hope because these guys have me cheering for them big time. I love them together, I need them together …oh please Mr Lanyon be kind to them – to us!
There is no need to tell you that this is superbly written or that the atmosphere was tangible or that the new characters are brilliant and realistic. If you know Lanyon’s work it all goes without saying …the man is in a league of his own.
I haven’t enjoyed a series this much in a long time, but I’m holding back my half star because I think it’s going to get even better.
May 28, 2025
All She Wrote is such a great sequel! I love the way Josh Lanyon develops the relationship between Kit and J.X., I could really see a shift in both of them from Somebody Killed His Editor. J.X. was always a little alpha, but the way he interacts with Kit as you see how much J.X. wants a relationship is so well done. Kit grows so much in both of these books, it's fascinating to be along for the ride.
I listened to this as an audio book and Kevin R. Free is the narrator. Free does a great job with all the characters and it was fun to listen to him change the voices whilst narrating through Kit's POV. He does a great J.X. - so sexy.
What an excellent ending. I've already downloaded The Boy with the Painful Tattoo and since Free is the narrator for this book also, I can hardly wait to listen to it.
I listened to this as an audio book and Kevin R. Free is the narrator. Free does a great job with all the characters and it was fun to listen to him change the voices whilst narrating through Kit's POV. He does a great J.X. - so sexy.
What an excellent ending. I've already downloaded The Boy with the Painful Tattoo and since Free is the narrator for this book also, I can hardly wait to listen to it.
August 13, 2024
2024 re-listen. Just keeping track at this point, lol.
2023 audio
Still love it!
2020 audio
Bumped this to 5 stars. I really, really love this series. Highly recommend.
2019 Audio review
This was great! What can i say besides get it, read it, listen to it, love it. :D Highly recommend this and I am going to buy the next audio in the series. 4.5 stars.
Ebook review
I'll keep this short and say only that I am totally Josh Lanyon's servant forevermore! This is another great story with characters I wish I knew in real life. Where can I get me a J.X. Moriarity? Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am off to find the next book to see these two crazy men find their way.
2023 audio
Still love it!
2020 audio
Bumped this to 5 stars. I really, really love this series. Highly recommend.
2019 Audio review
This was great! What can i say besides get it, read it, listen to it, love it. :D Highly recommend this and I am going to buy the next audio in the series. 4.5 stars.
Ebook review
I'll keep this short and say only that I am totally Josh Lanyon's servant forevermore! This is another great story with characters I wish I knew in real life. Where can I get me a J.X. Moriarity? Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am off to find the next book to see these two crazy men find their way.
November 29, 2012
We find Kit and JX in another intrigue involving writers, when Kit is called to the rescue of an old friend.
I liked JX's successful attempts to make Kit come out of his shell and smiled fondly at Kit's inner antics. His biggest quality is his lucidity and it allowed him to grow up in this story.
I was captivated by the mystery and what I found truly interesting was how Kit's character development and the intrigue worked as opposite mirrors.
I can't wait to see him in another mystery!
May 25, 2023
Netvrdím, že je to majstrovské dielo, v ktorom nebojácny a odhodlaný detektív pátra po zákernom vrahovi. Netvrdím, že krv priam tečie po stránkach. Namiesto toho tvrdím, že Všechno, co napsala je príjemná oddychovka, ktorá vás po celý čas nepustí.
Tentokrát je dej príbehu zasadený do luxusného sídla v zasneženej krajine. Snehu až po kolená, mráz a cencúle dodávajú celej záhade tajomnejší šat.
Veď kde by sa lepšie plánovala vražda ako na rozľahlom pozemku plnom tmavých zákutí a zamrznutých chodníčkov? Nie každá nehoda je náhodná a niekedy ide o podlé konanie neznámeho záporáka.
Christopher prichádza do tohto sídla, aby pomohol svojej starej známej Anne odhaliť, kto sa jej snaží ublížiť. Zápletky sa preplietajú jedna cez druhú a motív Anne ublížiť ma každý a zároveň nikto.
Aj keď som vraha odhalila asi v polovici knihy, Christopherov humor ma bavil na každej jednej stránke. Okrem toho sa do príbehu opäť priplietol JX a na moju radosť, sa riešili aj vzťahové problémy, s ktorými sa vo svojom vnútri zaoberá nejeden z nás.
Kto by si mal knihu prečítať? Každý, kto rád číta queer príbehy, má rád trefný humor a nebojí sa zapliesť do vraždy.
Tentokrát je dej príbehu zasadený do luxusného sídla v zasneženej krajine. Snehu až po kolená, mráz a cencúle dodávajú celej záhade tajomnejší šat.
Veď kde by sa lepšie plánovala vražda ako na rozľahlom pozemku plnom tmavých zákutí a zamrznutých chodníčkov? Nie každá nehoda je náhodná a niekedy ide o podlé konanie neznámeho záporáka.
Christopher prichádza do tohto sídla, aby pomohol svojej starej známej Anne odhaliť, kto sa jej snaží ublížiť. Zápletky sa preplietajú jedna cez druhú a motív Anne ublížiť ma každý a zároveň nikto.
Aj keď som vraha odhalila asi v polovici knihy, Christopherov humor ma bavil na každej jednej stránke. Okrem toho sa do príbehu opäť priplietol JX a na moju radosť, sa riešili aj vzťahové problémy, s ktorými sa vo svojom vnútri zaoberá nejeden z nás.
Kto by si mal knihu prečítať? Každý, kto rád číta queer príbehy, má rád trefný humor a nebojí sa zapliesť do vraždy.
January 28, 2016
Really enjoyed this one...eventhough Christopher got on my nerves more than once. I understood were was coming from...but damn..stop the whining already ! J.X. Was lovely ;) I was also glad that that there was a bit more steam in this one. I liked the mystery and suspence, but I was a bit more invested in the romance part. I think book 1 was a bit funnier.
On to the last one :)
On to the last one :)
August 25, 2017
I cannot begin to tell you how much I loved this book. This is one of those times when I wish Goodreads would let us rate a book 6 stars, because this one would definitely deserve that extra star. All the wrote is now one of my top 3 favourite Josh Lanyon books. This book also reminded me just why Lanyon is my all time favourite M/M authors; that woman is a genius. She can write amazing mysteries and such realistic and strong characters. I have always liked that about her books.
I honestly wasn't expecting to like this book all that much, I actually put off reading it for months because I only gave the first book 3 stars.. so let's say I wasn't in any rush to read the sequel. Boy was I wrong doing so! All she wrote was amazing!!
I knew before getting into the book that the second MC wasn't going to be in it for some time, so I was worried I'd get bored until then. It took 28% of the book for the second MC to get into the story, and not one moment was I bored 'till then...I would give a 4 stars fore the first 28% of the book. But when J.X. got into the book it suddenly went from 4 stars to5 6 in a few paragraphs. Christopher and J.X. are great together. I mean yes, Christopher has many insecurities (which are understandable), but he slowly worked through them, learned to trust J.X and to open up to him (figuratively and literally, eheh). I must say, this couple is probably the sweetest couple I have ever read about. I loved reading about all the little touches exchanged, everything J.X. told Christopher to make him trust him, etc. Maybe I'm a sap, but it was fucking adorable and I reread those passages multiple times. I loved them so much that they are now definitely one of my all time favourite m/m couples.
The mystery part was also great. Like I said, the book didn't focus on Christopher and J.X.'s relationship 'till 28% of the book, so until then it mainly focused on the mystery, and I liked that. I really got into the mystery, trying to figure out who was behind all of it. It was a really interesting book from the mystery aspect as well.
The only thing that I didn't quite like as much was the ending. I would have preferred to have one more chapter where we could see Christopher and J.X. have that "talk" they said they'd have. I mean I'm sure things ended up good for them, but I would have liked to see how things were for them back in L.A. So yeah, that's my only (really) small problem with the book.
I am definitely going to be rereading this book pretty soon. Hopefully, Lanyon will also decide to write a third book in the series... I'm crossing my fingers for that !
I honestly wasn't expecting to like this book all that much, I actually put off reading it for months because I only gave the first book 3 stars.. so let's say I wasn't in any rush to read the sequel. Boy was I wrong doing so! All she wrote was amazing!!
I knew before getting into the book that the second MC wasn't going to be in it for some time, so I was worried I'd get bored until then. It took 28% of the book for the second MC to get into the story, and not one moment was I bored 'till then...I would give a 4 stars fore the first 28% of the book. But when J.X. got into the book it suddenly went from 4 stars to
The mystery part was also great. Like I said, the book didn't focus on Christopher and J.X.'s relationship 'till 28% of the book, so until then it mainly focused on the mystery, and I liked that. I really got into the mystery, trying to figure out who was behind all of it. It was a really interesting book from the mystery aspect as well.
The only thing that I didn't quite like as much was the ending. I would have preferred to have one more chapter where we could see Christopher and J.X. have that "talk" they said they'd have. I mean I'm sure things ended up good for them, but I would have liked to see how things were for them back in L.A. So yeah, that's my only (really) small problem with the book.
I am definitely going to be rereading this book pretty soon. Hopefully, Lanyon will also decide to write a third book in the series... I'm crossing my fingers for that !
January 19, 2025
3rd re-read January 2025
March 15, 2024
I think this is my favorite Lanyon series. For the first time, I truly like the love interest! The mystery is well done (as to be expected), and I’ve really found myself invested in the relationship
December 31, 2010
Christopher "Kit" Holmes has been summoned by his old mentor to replace her in an amateur writers retreat. When Kit gets there, however, his mentor tells him that the real reason behind her request is to ask Kit to find who is responsible for the threat of her life. At first, Kit is a bit reluctant but after he is involved in a car accident and then a real dead body turns up, Kit wonders if the threats are real after all. Helping Kit is his gorgeous lover, J.X. who might not share the same view with him, but refuses to let Kit doing the "amateur sleuthing" by his own ...
This book starts with a build-up of the mystery, pretty much like book #1. We have Kit attending the writers circle, meeting with the amateur writers, trying to "learn" about them and guess who might want to kill his mentor, Anna. I have to say that the shaping up is pretty HILARIOUS ... especially thanks to reading what Kit thinks about the writing draft. I must've grinning and giggling several times -- and by the way, I find it amusing that Kit is bringing "Adrien English" series with him (nice insiders' joke, there, Josh!). After Kit is involved in a crash accident and J.X. coming to his side, the pace picks up, and the real murder happens, and I'm starting to guessing the real person responsible along with Kit ...
Mystery wise, it's nice, though I can see who is the person responsible like, halfway through the book. Romance wise, I enjoy the next phase of the relationship; reading how slowly Kit opens himself to the possibility of J.X., healing from his prior relationship with David. I like how J.X. treats Kit so that Kit can see the difference of him and David. Personally, I also enjoy the fact that this time, the main narrator is older than his lover (Adrien is younger than Jake, as well as several other narrators in Josh's other series) ...
It's a lovely addition to the series. Next, if there is another sequel, I wonder if Kit can start writing his great American literature and moves on from Miss Butterwith, since he is also in a different place in his life with J.X. at his side.
This book starts with a build-up of the mystery, pretty much like book #1. We have Kit attending the writers circle, meeting with the amateur writers, trying to "learn" about them and guess who might want to kill his mentor, Anna. I have to say that the shaping up is pretty HILARIOUS ... especially thanks to reading what Kit thinks about the writing draft. I must've grinning and giggling several times -- and by the way, I find it amusing that Kit is bringing "Adrien English" series with him (nice insiders' joke, there, Josh!). After Kit is involved in a crash accident and J.X. coming to his side, the pace picks up, and the real murder happens, and I'm starting to guessing the real person responsible along with Kit ...
Mystery wise, it's nice, though I can see who is the person responsible like, halfway through the book. Romance wise, I enjoy the next phase of the relationship; reading how slowly Kit opens himself to the possibility of J.X., healing from his prior relationship with David. I like how J.X. treats Kit so that Kit can see the difference of him and David. Personally, I also enjoy the fact that this time, the main narrator is older than his lover (Adrien is younger than Jake, as well as several other narrators in Josh's other series) ...
It's a lovely addition to the series. Next, if there is another sequel, I wonder if Kit can start writing his great American literature and moves on from Miss Butterwith, since he is also in a different place in his life with J.X. at his side.
September 5, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, and I am glad to see this series keeps getting better. I felt like I got a better understanding of Christopher in this book, and the fears and insecurities that are hampering his realtionship with J.X. I like J.X even more in this book, and it was nice to see him comfortable and in control, without being overbearing or controlling. The plot was great, and I enjoyed all the twists and turns the mystery took. The resolution was well done, and I can't wait to read the third one.
June 4, 2016
Another excellent m/m murder mystery with the dashing J.X. Moriarity flying in to rescue Christopher Holmes (Kit) from the consequences of his sleuthing. Some gorgeous love scenes in this.
'He smiled. Smiled right into my eyes with such unguarded warmth and affection that I felt winded. I couldn't remember the last time anyone had looked at me like that - anyone who wasn't J.X.
"Oh, it's you," I said, as though I'd only now noticed him curled around me.'
'He smiled. Smiled right into my eyes with such unguarded warmth and affection that I felt winded. I couldn't remember the last time anyone had looked at me like that - anyone who wasn't J.X.
"Oh, it's you," I said, as though I'd only now noticed him curled around me.'
March 11, 2015
4.25 stars. Enjoyed this one more than book one by quite a wide margin. Was so annoyed with Kit at the beginning and worried that JX wouldn't appear for a while, but once he did... I was a happy camper. Kit is growing on me (and his internal dialogue sometimes cracks me up) and JX is perfect... so glad to see their relationship progressing.
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