All She Wrote (Holmes & Moriarity #2) in Q&A with Josh Lanyon

Aug 11, 2013 Chris, the Dalek King rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arts-and-letters, mc-pairing-mm, favorites, uniforms-and-private-dicks, contemporary, murder-and-mystery, owned-ebook-or-audio, kindle-loaned-r

"Nobody ever said being a master detective was easy."

Somebody is trying to kill Anna Hitchcock...so naturally the first thing she does is call in her old student, Christopher Holmes, to help solve the mystery. Christopher, having just had his iffy-relationship with the brilliant, younger, startling handsome writer J.X. Moriarity called to a halt, is rather eager to see his old mentor again. Even if he has to once again suffer through transport hell to get to her. He's not brokenhearted--nope, no "Nobody ever said being a master detective was easy."

Somebody is trying to kill Anna Hitchcock...so naturally the first thing she does is call in her old student, Christopher Holmes, to help solve the mystery. Christopher, having just had his iffy-relationship with the brilliant, younger, startling handsome writer J.X. Moriarity called to a halt, is rather eager to see his old mentor again. Even if he has to once again suffer through transport hell to get to her. He's not brokenhearted--nope, not at all--and even if he is not entirely sure how to go about finding this would-be-killer, well this will give him time to--not get over, after all there is nothing to get over, right?--but get some perspective on just why he and incredibly well-received and published J.X., were never going to work anyways. He just didn't expect that nearly everyone in sight would be a suspect, have a motive, or be harboring some dark past.

But what is a plethora of suspects, motives, and would-be murder weapons against the mighty detective...er, author of an aging English spinster-detective with a trusty cat? Well, it's a right mess actually, but that is not going to stop Christopher Holmes from getting to the bottom of this attempted author-cide. Plus, he sorta, kinda, figured out that whole mess with the editor and the ax, right?

"As my agent Rachel kept reminding me, platform is everything in publishing these days, and my wobbly new platform was apparently that of amateur sleuth. Which was still an improvement over my previous platform of crotchety reclusive has-been. That platform had more closely resembled a scaffold.

When death comes knocking, or barreling in with the force of out-of-control car, and J.X. comes calling, Christopher is going to have to use all his resources--and a few of his maybe-boyfriend's as well--if he hopes to figure out just who is plotting, before everyone gets planted, six feet under.

I really liked the first book in this series, Somebody Killed His Editor, but I have waited a long time to read the sequel--mainly because I was afraid that after the lovely plot of the first book, the second wouldn't be nearly as good. I was a fool. This book is probably even better than the first, taking the reader through a veritable maze of plots, counter-plots, finger-pointing, and one god-almighty final twist so cold-heartedly brilliant, that I think I may have fallen a little in love with Josh Lanyon (I do love a man with a wonderfully devious mind).

What should have bugged me--the whole mystery writer turned amateur sleuth--never really did. Maybe it was because Christopher seemed to be perfectly aware that he really wasn't a real detective. Or it could be that I will endure quite a bit in order to read a story with his perfectly balanced wit. Whatever the reason, I love Christopher Holmes as reluctant detective. He seems perfect for the role; and with his boyfriend/lover/something along to help keep his feet on the ground--as well the rest of him in the land of the living--there always seems like there is a chance that he might actually stumble upon the answer to the whole plot.

I love this series and am probably going to have to pre-order The Boy with the Painful Tattoo, which comes out in December. The pair work so well together--even though Christopher still has a ways to go to stop second guessing everything about them--and I am sure the next mystery will be just as twisty, and just as thrilling as the last two.

This story hits about everything I want out a detective story, so I am giving it 5 stars. Read when you need some mystery, crave pithy humor, and never-ever want to trust anyone ever again. ...more

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Oct 24, 2011 Johanna rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, m-m, favorites, mystery, josh-lanyon

Let me tell you why I think Josh Lanyon is an extremely proficient writer. He makes me fall in love with a man, who is insecure, stubborn, narrow-minded and in the middle of his mid-life crisis. This man doesn't want to commit himself to a relationship or doesn't even want to think about commitment. He is truly scared about being loved (too much) and he doesn't have a clue how to talk about his feelings. He wants to sleep in his own bed with his own pillow and when he wakes up, he isn't a mornin ...more

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Apr 04, 2011 Josephine Myles rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, romance, contemporary, mystery, comedy

*4.5 stars*

Like the first in the series, All She Wrote is an amusing look at the murky world of writer's egos, and Lanyon has fun playing with the country house mystery trope. The relationship between Kit and J.X. develops in a satisfying way, but I wasn't quite so enamoured with the way the murder mystery was wrapped up, which rather distanced Kit from the eventual unveiling. However, it's definitely recommended if you enjoyed the first in the series, and I'm looking forward to the next instalm ...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Meggie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-police-mystery, m-m-romance-romance

At the beginning of the second part in "Holmes & Moriarity" series, Christopher's insecurity with his new lover J.X. Moriarity, leaves both MC's with harsh words and broken hearts. But at least J.X. didn't allow Kit's insecurity to win over his own need. A deeper wish to develop a serious even real relationship with Kit even if Kit isn't prepared to take that step.
I liked J.X. in this book for many reasons, but meanly because he was really patient with Kit, we could even feel J.X's true emotion ...more

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Aug 07, 2011 Jane rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I have read many of Lanyon's murder mysteries and I am continually endeared and taken with the variety of characters that make up the list of suspects!

But I always love reading about the love interest. He makes them so different, so difficult to be together. He gives them a ying and yang that I find touching, frustrating and totally enjoyable to read about........as well as the murder mystery!

HIS CHARACTERS AND LOVE INTEREST MAKE HIS BOOKS A HIT!

I loved this story because it was almost corny in ...more

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Feb 28, 2012 Cynthia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I just adore Josh Lanyon's books...I loved Adrien and Jake in the Adrien English series and I may love Christopher and J.X. just as much. Christopher (so clever) makes me laugh out loud while I'm reading and J.X. is SUCH a keeper...hope Christopher continues to realize that. ...more

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Feb 04, 2011 k_b rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Finally writing in a couple of thoughts.

4.5-5 stars.
This book was engaging, and the characters were likable. I didn't know who the murderer was until he/she/it/whatever was revealed, but I don't read mystery novels often.
This book isn't 5 stars due solely to my personal quibbles with some character deaths -- but keep in mind, it's personal quibbles. I highly recommend this book to anybody who's read the original. ...more

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Nov 26, 2012 WickedVerbatim rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: men-s-men, mystery

Loved it! I am in love with JX and the growing relationship between him and Christopher. Excellent snark, innuendo, red herrings. Snappy mystery with a delicious romance. Please tell me the next one in the series is on its way!

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