From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

Come Unto These Yellow Sands

Josh Lanyon

Start date: May 1, 2013

Finish date: May 31, 2013

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

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What Members Thought

Mar 10, 2011 Ami rated it really liked it

Shelves: mm-mystery-suspense-thriller

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. What can I say, Josh Lanyon is one of my favorite authors in this genre. He rarely disappoints ... and this book is a well-written one. Borrowing a theme of "Choose Your Own Adventure", this story, in a sense it's about choices and consequences.

Literary professor, Sebastian Shadrach Swift or just plain "Swift", is facing that when he helps a student, Tad, (who comes to him bruised and beaten), who later becomes a prime suspect of a murder of Tad's own father. Tad disappears (which prompts polic What can I say, Josh Lanyon is one of my favorite authors in this genre. He rarely disappoints ... and this book is a well-written one. Borrowing a theme of "Choose Your Own Adventure", this story, in a sense it's about choices and consequences.

Literary professor, Sebastian Shadrach Swift or just plain "Swift", is facing that when he helps a student, Tad, (who comes to him bruised and beaten), who later becomes a prime suspect of a murder of Tad's own father. Tad disappears (which prompts police to think that he is guilty) and Swift decides NOT to tell his lover, Chief Police Max Prescott, about him trying to help Tad. The story rolls from there -- and in between solving the murder, the story is also about Swift and Max's relationship.

Mystery-wise, I think it's pretty solid. I don't even check the last page to try to find out the killer (yay me!) Yes, you can all scold me, but I'm a book peeker. I'm like Billy Crystal in "When Harry Met Sally", if I die, at least I know the end of a book! But this one, I manage NOT to peek, because I sort of wanting to feel the CYOA theme as well. Just like Swift

Character-wise, I am so used to Josh's stories of strangers and ex-lovers. So, having Max and Swift in a (sort of) relationship brings a level of intimacy that is stronger Josh's other books. Love the (can I say ordinary?) scenes of Swift cooking for Max, or even the scenes in the beginning, of waking up together in the morning. Love the nickname that they both use to each other ("Chief" for Max and "Teach" for Swift)

I love Max, even if he is really harsh to Swift, but I think it comes to his being a cop. In a way, this brings Max to his own CYOA, whether he chooses to trust Swift and analyzes why Swift decides to keep the info from him (despite them being together), or should he takes a stern-way to uphold the law. Swift is endearing, being an ex-addict brings a vulnerability to his character, which sets up for a tender scene when he asks Max to keep him company just so that he doesn't fall into the dark side once again

All in all, a very satisfying story ... ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

Apr 11, 2015 Susinok rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Second listen-through of this favorite book of mine, and I liked it much better this go-around.

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 14, 2011 Minh rated it really liked it

Josh Lanyon has this brilliant ability to create multi-layered characters who make me take a step back and wonder whether or not I should be rooting for them. Despite how I feel personally about the characters I'm still pulled into their story and just need to know what is about to happen to them.

Sebastian is definitely high on my list of Josh Lanyon characters and I'd be more than pleased if a sequel (or two!) were announced just revolving around him. He's a Professor of Poetry who's found him ...more

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Apr 04, 2013 Susinok rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, mystery, contemporary, glbt

A wonderful relationship story plus a great mystery that kept me guessing until the end.

Merged review:

Audiobook version. Wonderful.

5 likes · Like · see review

Aug 13, 2015 ReviewerLarissa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: lgbtq-stories, contemporary-romance

Loved it! I actually liked it better than I thought I would. But then this author keeps surprising me.

First read in 2015
Listened to the audiobook in 2017

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 25, 2011 Julia rated it really liked it

Shelves: m-m, cop-pi-spy, favorites, teachers

I'm not surprised to have another Josh Lanyon title land on my favorites shelf. This was a great little mystery and a wonderful romance. I'd love to see this turn into a series or at least have a follow up because the end had me going, "That's it?!" Great read, left me wanting more. ...more

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Aug 08, 2011 Dina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, romantic-suspense, to-review, ebook

Mr. Lanyon has done it again.

I'm not even surprised anymore at how much I love his stories. I absolutely worship the pen he writes with.

Full review to come... ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 07, 2012 JPerceval rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, lgbtq-romance, 2013-vacation-stash

Gorgeous, evocative, intriguing, witty, and wry -- all the things readers expect of Josh Lanyon are here in Swift & Max's relationship and the small-town murder intrigue. Could not put it down; finished it in less than a day. Definitely going on my keeper shelf and will re-read at will.

Full review to come. ...more

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