The Dark Farewell in Q&A with Josh Lanyon

Oct 02, 2014 JR rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, broken-men, favorites, mystery

This story takes place in the prohibition era. It involves David Flynn a newspaper man who comes to Little Egypt to write a story involving a massacre of miners. Instead David becomes involved with a clairvoyant, Julian Devereux. He considers Julian a fake, fleecing his audiences for money. David soon learns that Julian may not be a fake.

A wonderful, sexy mystery set in the Roaring Twenties. A fun fascinating read.

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Jun 21, 2010 Merith rated it it was amazing

Late last year, Josh announced his release schedule for 2010, and The Dark Farewell ignited instant interest. Who doesn't like spooky stories with a touch of ESP? Josh's announcement hooked me; the publisher's tagline reeled me in: "Don't talk to strangers, young man-especially the dead ones."

While on the surface, The Dark Farewell is different from Josh's well-known stories, but there are correlations. Farewell feels as though elements from `Snowball's Chance in Hell', `The Ghost Wore Yellow So Late last year, Josh announced his release schedule for 2010, and The Dark Farewell ignited instant interest. Who doesn't like spooky stories with a touch of ESP? Josh's announcement hooked me; the publisher's tagline reeled me in: "Don't talk to strangers, young man-especially the dead ones."

While on the surface, The Dark Farewell is different from Josh's well-known stories, but there are correlations. Farewell feels as though elements from `Snowball's Chance in Hell', `The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks', and `In a Dark Wood' were mixed together though it is uniquely different from anything else he's written. From the war-embittered veteran to the spiritualist charlatan, the paranormal aspect and the absolute necessity of keeping certain proclivities quiet, The Dark Farewell pulls together a sharp bit of writing that tells not one but two dark tales.

David Flynn travels to Herrin to write an aftermath piece about an event that took place the year before. What David finds is not so much the fallout from the mob induced murders, but the isolated attitudes the murders invoked upon the county. Amy describes the collective disposition best in an attempt to help David understand. The more David delves for some hint of remorse, the more David becomes distracted and loses interest in the story.

Even as he draws ever closer to his destination, David reads of the recent rash of murders. He has been clued in on the ritualistic nature of the torture and killings, and shuts it away as he'd seen enough killing in the war. But, as his primary story wanes, the murders and information issued from Julian offers David a new story. And as this story develops, so does his attraction in Julian.

Julian Devereux is and isn't what he seems at first glance: he is both a fraud and a genuine clairvoyant with minimal control over his talent. He knows things no one else should know and hears voices no one else can hear. Julian is also keeping a secret; one his grandfather welds to maintain tight control of him.

Allowing Julian to jolt him out of his personal detachment, David finds himself intrigued and wanting more from him. Any potential future they might have is sidelined by the murders, by Julian's secret and Julian's grandfather. The story comes to a head with a warning from the beyond, a threat at forced commitment and ruination, and the next death in the air.

The Dark Farewell is a mystery, but not; is a ghost story, but not; is a romance but not really. It will draw you in and keep you reading from page one to the end.
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Mar 08, 2010 Kari Gregg rated it it was amazing

Shelves: glbt

An historical set in 1922, this is a fascinating glimpse into an era not typically covered in historicals. Loved the characters. Ending felt too abrupt, though. Rushed. Left feeling like the story wasn't quite finished. Otherwise, an excellent read. Vintage Josh Lanyon (metaphorically and literally considering this is a reissue from part of a long-ago anthology) & with Lanyon, you can never go wrong. ...more

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Apr 19, 2010 J.L. Merrow rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed this. A great sense of place and period, and an appealingly vulnerable love-interest.
The ending seemed a little abrupt, but this is partly because the publisher's tacked on another 40 or so pages of excerpts, when I was expecting more story! ...more

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Jul 22, 2010 Murphy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: josh-lanyon, gay-mystery, gay-romantic-suspense, annabeth-albert

I started out not liking some characters and got to love the main characters a lot. Josh Lanyon always satisfies my reading needs! It is why I re-read so many of her books every year.

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