I Spy Something Bloody (I Spy, #1) in Q&A with Josh Lanyon

Nov 06, 2011 SueM rated it really liked it

Shelves: m-m, medical-doctors-nurses, age-difference, spy-assassin, ipad-kindle, lovers-friends-reunited, bingo-challenge

3.5 stars.
Despite loving Josh Lanyon's clear and understated style of writing, this is probably not one of my preferred novels. I often find Lanyon's novels too short to truly satisfy me, but generally it doesn't detract from the story. Unfortunately, in this particular novel, the lack of length did raise a few issues for me.

We are intoduced to the two main characters when Stephen receives a phone call from Mark, who is alone, in trouble and asking for help. From the conversation and from Mark's 3.5 stars.
Despite loving Josh Lanyon's clear and understated style of writing, this is probably not one of my preferred novels. I often find Lanyon's novels too short to truly satisfy me, but generally it doesn't detract from the story. Unfortunately, in this particular novel, the lack of length did raise a few issues for me.

We are intoduced to the two main characters when Stephen receives a phone call from Mark, who is alone, in trouble and asking for help. From the conversation and from Mark's thoughts, it is clear that Stephen is not a happy man when it comes to Mark. The reason behind Stephen's reactions is hinted at during the conversation, but it is only as the novel unfolds do we finally get a few more details as to what had happened in the past concerning these two very different men.

It is really the lack of details, both behind the estrangement and a few other areas, that I find an issue. A conversation that had taken place 4 months before the current story takes place seems to be a key turning point in their relationship, and while each character mentions segments of what was said, nothing is truly clear, leaving the reader somewhat confused. I also noticed at least a couple plot threads that seemed to be key to past and present circumstances yet they were left unresolved. As it happens, I am aware of at least one other stand alone novel in this series (I Spy Something Wicked) as well as a couple of even shorter stories available as part of a collection, where I suspect some of these issues are solved.

(view spoiler)

So in conclusion, even knowing that there were/are further novels in this series, the lack of details did detract from the story for me. I admit, this is probably not a problem for many readers, (and in Lanyon's other series it wasn't the case), but for some reason these really stood out for me this time. ...more

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Apr 03, 2012 Stephanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: josh-lanyon, ongoing-series, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I really enjoyed this short read. Stephen and Mark weave their way into your heart. You find yourself routing for them to be together. Love must conquer and it does.

If you have never read any of Josh's books. Please do so. Check out my lendable library. I'd be more than happy to recommend one and lend it you. His writing is incredible and I'm not just talking how he weaves a story/mystery---which he's best known for. It's his writing style. It leaves me breathless at times. I find myself judging I really enjoyed this short read. Stephen and Mark weave their way into your heart. You find yourself routing for them to be together. Love must conquer and it does.

If you have never read any of Josh's books. Please do so. Check out my lendable library. I'd be more than happy to recommend one and lend it you. His writing is incredible and I'm not just talking how he weaves a story/mystery---which he's best known for. It's his writing style. It leaves me breathless at times. I find myself judging other author's writing against his. And more often than not, I find theirs lacking, especially during the sex scenes. Here's a glimpse from this book:

"Shhh," he said, and I shhhhshed as his warm mouth found my throat, trailing moist kisses down to my collar bone and finally closing over my nipple right above the stiff taping around my ribs.

I sucked in a sharp breath, half pleasure, half pain as I made the mistake of arching against the feel of that mouth on puckered skin. Our cocks rubbed against each other, stiff and velvety and slick all at the same time.

The moving finger writes, I thought as Stephen's prick inked a salty message against my abdomen and groin. My own cock slid against his, penning an urgent answer.....

*************

That is just beautiful and elegantly written. It's not smut. And I love that. But don't get me wrong, I LOVE smut. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Just sometimes, I want something more. Something deeper and more profound between two characters. And Josh, he's just on a whole other level when it comes to writing sex scenes. Also, his stories are infused with pop culture and names that I've never heard of such as in this paragraph:

"He had a sumptuous collection of Asian and Middle Eastern art books and literature. But it was the Rubaiyat with those astonishing watercolors by Edmund Dulac that had first caught my attention, opening a doorway into another world."

*********

And at once, I will stop reading to get on my computer and google whomever/whatever he's mentioned. In this case, Edmund Dulac. So not only are his stories incredibly detailed, and beautifully written, you will find them "opening a doorway into another world." ...more

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Jan 28, 2011 J. Rosemary Moss rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m-romance, romance, lgbt, fiction, kindle, thriller, espionage, five-stars, josh-lanyon, favorites

I love Mark's determination to win back the man he wronged. I love his thing for older men in general--and for one Southern doctor in particular. I love his willingness to beg Stephen (said older, Southern doctor) for a place to heal after a disastrous mission in Afghanistan.

Most of all, I love the way Mark grows up over the course of this novella--but who am I kidding? I was rooting for him even when I couldn't think of a single good reason for Stephen to take him back.

...more

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