From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

The Larton Chronicles

James Anson

Start date: December 1, 2011

Finish date: December 31, 2011

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

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Book of the Month Club

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What Members Thought

Nov 23, 2012 Meep rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourite

Re-read, still found this an enjoyable diversion. Also currently watching a lot of The Professionals and seeing the gruff manner, occasional charm, the drinking and the strong connection that's spurred fanfic.
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I love this book, it's not flawless but it is highly engaging. There's no plot in the sense of intrique, it's a gentle read of two characters bickering and squabbling affectionately through their ever after.

The first third of the book comes across as fast paced as it's nearly al Re-read, still found this an enjoyable diversion. Also currently watching a lot of The Professionals and seeing the gruff manner, occasional charm, the drinking and the strong connection that's spurred fanfic.
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I love this book, it's not flawless but it is highly engaging. There's no plot in the sense of intrique, it's a gentle read of two characters bickering and squabbling affectionately through their ever after.

The first third of the book comes across as fast paced as it's nearly all dialogue with very little filler information, apparently this was originally a fanfic for 'The Professionals' which would definitely explain that. Later on it's like Anson relaxes and the pacing evens out more.

Romance is in the reactions to a careless word and the attention given when either fall to injury or illness, possibly too subtle for some readers tastes but to me it felt deeper than all the quick lust filled stories out there, I believed in the feelings between these two, they felt real. The main characters are a curmudgeon ex-policeman and a carefree horse-mad soldier. There's a bias to the narration, I think both would be equally hard to live with, and yet they compliment each other nicely. We never learn their ages but I'd place them as late-thirties to mid-forties at the introduction. There's also a wealthy of village personalities to add background colour. And Amos the cat.

On a negative the timeline is not always clear, the book spans a number of years (about ten) but it's changes to employment, the garden, the pets, that indicate this. Also it's hard to place the decade the book is set in. Being Rural Britain it's cut off in many ways, so has a timeless element.

Indoor plumbing and electricity a familiar presence but not automatically an outlet in rooms would suggest mid 1920-30's, they have a tv so 50's, 'The Proffessionals' was late 70's, there's a mention of saying 'Hi De Hi' which immediately made me think of the 80's tv show. Towards the end there's mention of now having a home computer which to me would indicate the 90's. It depends how much such details bother you, for me it's just idle speculation.

It's probably not a book that'll appeal to everyone, yet I think fans of the old British cosies will love this and the subtlety is such that it doesn't need to be restricted to m/m readers. I really hope to see more books from Anson, perhaps one with an actual mystery plot, and it would be a bonus if these characters popped up in it. ...more

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Dec 05, 2011 John rated it really liked it

Shelves: gay, fiction, mm-romance

What a pleasure. Witty, funny and wry. It's the story of an acerbic former London policeman relocated to a rural England to write and his life with a horse-crazed Irish soldier. Robert and Michael are surrounded by a village full of quirky characters who are just a little bit mad. Everyone is forever nattering at each other, yet the reader gradually comes to realise that it's all done with a deep affection. That love and affection, both between Robert and Michael and among their friends and fami ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Apr 14, 2018 Ng rated it really liked it

Shelves: recommended, 2018-reads, 2018-sh

This book is a lovely, laid-back, slice of life-romance about two men, Robert and Michael. I had heard so much about this book (the fanfic version with the same name) in the Pros fandom and finally got a chance to read it.
Robert is a bad tempered, ex-policeman turned writer/novelist and wants to get away from noise and pollution of London. He ends up moving to a small village in Larton. The village has different characters, each with his/her own quirks. The other MC is Michael, Robert's neighbo ...more

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Sep 17, 2011 Tamela rated it really liked it

Shelves: m-m, humerous, love-romance, adult-fiction, mid-size, recommended

I have to say I love growly Robert. His character is just such a piece of work, he makes me laugh almost everytime he opens his mouth :) And to see him paired up with horse mad Michael. Sometimes I wonder how he deals, but they are both actually pretty well made for each other.

I disliked Agnes, all the way through the book practically, and then towards the end you really get to meet her and understand her a bit.

I loved the way life just rolls on in Larton, come hell or blizzard or tumbles on the ...more

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