Fatal Shadows (The Adrien English Mysteries, #1) in Q&A with Josh Lanyon

Sep 09, 2010 Emanuela ~plastic duck~ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: action-crime-suspense, favorites, glbt, rainbow-gay

I'm reviewing this book after re-reading it. This series is my all-time favorite, so don't expect an unbiased opinion.

What captivated me the first time I read it was the voice of the narrator, Adrien. I don't know how to explain it, but I was amazed at how very there he was for me. Listening to him was like slipping into his skin, even if he does nothing to win the sympathies of the reader. He is sometimes cynical and he has an unforgiving sense of humor with which he deals with what surrounds h I'm reviewing this book after re-reading it. This series is my all-time favorite, so don't expect an unbiased opinion.

What captivated me the first time I read it was the voice of the narrator, Adrien. I don't know how to explain it, but I was amazed at how very there he was for me. Listening to him was like slipping into his skin, even if he does nothing to win the sympathies of the reader. He is sometimes cynical and he has an unforgiving sense of humor with which he deals with what surrounds him and himself, but there are moments when he can't help connecting at some level with some of the people he meets. (view spoiler)

What also fueled my imagination and my passion was Jake Riordan. His physical presence is overwhelming and it made an impression because Adrien was able to convey it perfectly. What I love about re-reads is that I already know everything about the characters, so it was funny and also moving to see the signs of Jake's initial - and maybe reluctant, but very maybe - attraction to Adrien. Jake is intimidating, but Jake and Adrien are strangely comfortable with each other since the beginning. They get on each other's nerves, but it's the classical symptom of frustration when you can quite grasp what's happening to you, and you want more, and you don't even know why, and you shouldn't.

At the end, as a romance reader, you don't really get what you were waiting for, but for me it was so much better, because I subscribe to Oscar Wilde's thought: "This suspense is terrible. I hope it will last." The final dialogue between the two of them is the sweetest promise the author could do to his readers and my parched romance side drank it like the last drop of water in the desert. Oh.My.God. Did I really write that? Ok. Sorry but. I love this book. ...more

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Aug 29, 2011 Leanne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, mm, keeper-shelf, crime, thriller, hero-i-adore

I can't believe it's taken me this long to read something by Josh Lanyon.
And after Fatal Shadows has just blown me away he's become an instant favourite.

The story, the first in the Adrien English series, is written in first person. And as an earlier reviewer wrote... there's something about Adrien.... It's hard not to fall completely in love with him.
I love that he's flawed (he has a heart condition), somewhat of a loner and has a wonderfully sharp wit...that his gorgeous old book store (of ga ...more

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Oct 27, 2010 Calathea rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, mystery-suspense-thriller, contemporary, favorites, audiobook, pi-cops-law-enforcement, romance, ae-challenge

Got the audiobook yesterday (after having re-read the book what feels like a thousand times), only took a break for sleep and finished a couple of hours ago. How is it that I still find new things in there, new aspects to be considered, new favorite lines? No question I love the book like I did before, but interesting, fascinating how different it feels when being read aloud, how emphasis, accents and pronounciation change perception.
I want to give another 5 stars on top of the 5 I've already ra ...more

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Nov 17, 2010 Celine rated it really liked it

Shelves: e-book, m-m

Good start to a new series, can't wait till i get the next one in my hands, hurry up mailman!

Adrien stills has to grow a little on me, in the first half of the book he felt a little floppy/lightboned but towards the end we get to see his backbone, he stands his ground with Riordan and i'm pretty sure things will only get better!

really well written, this story just flows so naturally... a dream to read ...more

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Aug 24, 2010 S.J.D. Peterson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: suspense-mystery-m-m, reviewed

I love Adrien English. This is the first book I read of Josh Lanyon's and I am now a huge fan!! Adrien is charming and witty and one of the most lovable characters I have ever encountered. I am writing this review after having completed the series and the only thing I can say negative about it was that it ended. LOVE IT One of those series that you will want to read over and over. ...more

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