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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Book of the Month Club

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What Members Thought

Feb 17, 2016 Otila rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites-mm, favorite-author

I think I can safely say that this book will be in my favorites for 2016. I loved both the mystery and the romance.

The mystery was fast paced, really well plotted and not at all predictable. It kept me guessing all the way to the end and I did not see it coming.

The slow-build attraction between Sean and Kennedy is great. Kennedy is your typical Lanyon Alpha jerk who wants nothing to do with the young agent assigned to “babysit” him. I liked that Jason wouldn’t take his bullshit.

"I’ve been ask

...more

44 likes · Like · see review

Mar 03, 2016 Irina rated it really liked it

Shelves: gay, romance, adult, series-to-finish, mystery, josh-lanyon, sofia-rec, br-stas

So we have a brand new JL series with a brand new super hot FBI couple and a great mystery. What's not to like!

There's one complaint though - how can I possibly wait until 2017 now??? I miss Sam and Jason already. ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Jun 20, 2016 Grace rated it really liked it

Shelves: mm-smut, mm-romance, mm-law-enforcement-military

Really enjoyable read! Which is generally to be expected with Lanyon, but given this is in the same 'verse as Winter Kill, one of the few books by this author I really didn't like, I was a little nervous.

But the mystery was engaging, the characters were interesting, and I really enjoyed the dynamic and interplay between Sam and Jason. And, to my surprise, the ending didn't totally feel like a steel door in the face, i.e. it didn't seem as abrupt as the usual endings by Lanyon.

What's knocking off ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 22, 2016 Marge rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, mystery, m-m, favorite-author, suspense, stars-5

Great characters, a good mystery, and I eagerly anticipate future books in this series.

2 likes · Like · see review

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

1 like · Like · see review

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!