From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

The Mermaid Murders (The Art of Murder, #1)

Josh Lanyon

Start date: March 1, 2016

Finish date: March 31, 2016

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

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What Members Thought

Dec 02, 2022 Meep rated it really liked it

Shelves: promo-deals

Kindle-Sort-ReRead

Hmmm
While the writing is good, both mystery and romance can cause division.

The mystery.
I love mystery books. This was interesting and kept me reading. But. The bad guy was immediately obvious to me. The detecting was frustrating I felt obvious things took time to be asked, our FBI team weren't working together and we weren't in the expert's head.
I had niggles. So clever FBI sending an agent in without awareness of his connections!
The ending had a TSTL moment that was fully expe ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

May 19, 2017 Susana rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 4.5-5 stars
Although I'm a bit of a binge reader (I try to wait for the whole series to be completed before reading them, so I can read all the books on one go and save me the pain to wait for the next instalment of the series) I had read so many good things about The Mermaid Murders that I decided to go for it. I expected a good book and I was not disappointed. In fact, Josh Lanyon never lets me down. Here we find a thrilling mystery and a scorching romance… The murder of a young and beautiful g ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 09, 2017 Deanna rated it really liked it

Shelves: fav-authors, mystery, m-m, want-more, series, cops-feds-firefighters, mc-to-love

I loved the interaction between these two guys. Good story. Want more of these two.

3 likes · Like · see review

Nov 30, 2015 Pete W rated it really liked it

I finish this book pretty much in one day. I put off reading this for quite sometimes since I didn't felt like reading long story for a while. But once I start, I hardly put it down until the end. Even though it push me pass my bedtime.

I was confused when I start reading. Because I read West's situation as being similar to Darling's from

, (view spoiler) I finish this book pretty much in one day. I put off reading this for quite sometimes since I didn't felt like reading long story for a while. But once I start, I hardly put it down until the end. Even though it push me pass my bedtime.

I was confused when I start reading. Because I read West's situation as being similar to Darling's from

, (view spoiler)

The case itself was interesting. The way the story unfolded felt realistic and not like on TV show (of which was referenced plenty about how real life FBI works are not like in TV.) The way that the LEO had to follow all the viable leads regardless of how improbable it might be.

The MCs were interesting and show different facets of the LEO. West was from the art dept of FBI. Which meant that violent wasn't a regular thing in his line of work and it shows. In comparison to Kennedy, who basically lived the, what regular people would say, continuous nightmare of going from one crime scene to another. This is pretty much the opposite attract story, even though both of them were FBI agents.

I liked that sex didn't lead to love here. (view spoiler) Sure they felt strong connections (view spoiler)

I am looking forward to see how the MCs will work things out in the next book. If you like Josh Lanyon, this is the classic and more updated Lanyon style. You won't be disappointing. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

May 16, 2016 Kay Sachse rated it really liked it

Shelves: schwulenkrimis, ebooks

A nice read about two FBI agents who always have to look larger, bigger and hulkier than life. But there is some brain left for a good story. Great bedtime reading

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Mar 09, 2018 karlakolumna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-own, mm-crime-mystery-suspense, cops-agents-private-investigators

It's been ages since I've read a Lanyon book, and this one was exactly the book I was in the mood for. There are all the known and well-working Lanyon ingredients in this book and they sure as hell did not disappoint.
The price drop to 99 cents on amazon didn't hurt either.
Now, my fingers are itching really bad to hit that 1-click buy button of the next installment to see what's next for Jason West and Sam Kennedy
...more

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Apr 16, 2016 Bellbomb Bellbomb rated it really liked it

Shelves: josh-lanyon

When Senior Special Agent Kennedy made a brief appearance in Winter Kill, he struck me as unduly intimidating and somehow a bit older than his actual mid-40ish (which we only found out in this book). But I was quite intrigued to learn that he is an MC in The Mermaid Murders. And if I ever had any doubt whether he could grow on me in his own book, well, I was instantly sold from page 1. And about 20% into the book I was even like "Wait, where the hell did this hottie come from!?"

"Good," Kenne

"Good," Kennedy muttered. "This is good."

My sentiment exactly, Sir.

I like the fact the story is narrated through Jason's POV because we get to learn about Kennedy's personality and vulnerability along with Jason who is pretty much as clueless about his temporary partner as the readers are. Not that Jason doesn't have his own difficult past and current career struggles. It is why the chemistry works for me in spite of their age gap (Jason is 33). Although, Jason's observation regarding their age difference is pretty hilarious and cute.

Kennedy was old school, one of these lone-wolf type who no doubt preferred to "play his own hand" or whatever bullshit macho phrase his generation used to excuse not being a team player.

Personally I prefer understated but obviously-there romance in a novel that is plot driven, so I'm delighted with how Kennedy and Jason's relationship evolves. It makes me savor all the subtle hints of attraction in their gestures and conversations especially when the UST is resolved. Both MCs have integrity, are sharp-witted, clever, clumsy at times but still endearing (the last attribute mostly goes for Jason), and are just perfect both as work partners and as a potential couple. I'm definitely looking forward to see them solving more crimes and working out their complicated relationship in the next book. Hopefully there will be more than 2 books in the series!

"I would rather lose the case than lose you. And I don't say that to all my temporary partners."

"I'll bet you don't."

...more

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Jul 15, 2016 ΛNNΞ rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorite-books-of-2016

Classic Josh Lanyon!

The author is very good at what she does and produces books that are highly entertaining, consistently well written and just plain wonderful! This book is very similar to many of her other books -- a murder mystery combined with a lovely, tender romance between two strong, well fleshed out characters. Jason in this book reminds me of Adrien English (an all time favourite) both irresistibly pithy, gregarious and charming. I must admit the murder mystery was not the strongest p ...more

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Apr 06, 2018 Allison rated it liked it

Shelves: 2018

3.5 stars rounded down. I really enjoyed this even with the problems I found. It is very much an edge of the seat read, and kept me interested throughout.
There are definitely problems with the timeline, more than one, and I totally didn't buy the romance (they hate each other for over 50% of the book, have sex, and suddenly there's a soul deep connection that neither can deny even though they are still fighting more than anything), but I am interested in continuing the series if I can get them ...more

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