Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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I Spy
Adding as to read ASAP!As usual, wonderful review Manu!
You deserve my hot (or creepy? he is sort of scary :-D ) applause gif
I presume you read the sequel I Spy Something Wicked as well? Highly recommended, too, despite the cover pic.
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Anyhoo... I was truly moved with Mark's struggle, his regret of the things that happened in the past and his strong emotions toward Stephen. While reading, I remember especially well the dreadful (and long lasting!!!) feeling when I actually thought that Stephen wouldn't take Mark back. Like always with his characters, Josh made Mark and Stephen feel so very real and their relationship so utterly and wonderfully complex. And the encounters between Mark and Stephen's new boyfriend Brent... oh excuse me... Bryce, were hilarious and extremely entertaining! I was practically rolling on the floor with laughter at the time!
The moment I finished the book I pushed the button and bought I Spy Something Wicked, because I just HAD TO know more about Mark and Stephen! So... The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks got me curious about Josh's work, but I Spy Something Bloody was the one that got me totally hooked! This kind of slow torture (that Josh delivers in shape of Mark and Stephen, Adrien and Jake, Swift and Max...) is the perfect kind of torture for me!
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I have to say I wasn't too fond of the cover of
either. Oh, well... the story rocked!
Johanna wrote: "Liade wrote: "I presume you read the sequel I Spy Something Wicked as well? Highly recommended, too, despite the cover pic."I have to say I wasn't too fond of the cover of the [bookcover:I Spy So..."
Apparently it was a generic cover for several short stories, but even so, dear oh dear...
Bookwatcher wrote: "Adding as to read ASAP!As usual, wonderful review Manu!
You deserve my hot (or creepy? he is sort of scary :-D ) applause gif"
You know that that gif is my ultimate goal, lol
Johanna wrote: "This kind of slow torture (that Josh delivers in shape of Mark and Stephen, Adrien and Jake, Swift and Max...) is the perfect kind of torture for me!"
Absolutely, it's like having a hand squeeze your heart in your chest. I love that sensation!
Liade wrote: "I presume you read the sequel I Spy Something Wicked as well? Highly recommended, too, despite the cover pic."
Not yet! I'm keeping it for the dark moments of Josh's sabbatical ;)
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Emanuela wrote: "Absolutely, it's like having a hand squeeze your heart in your chest. I love that sensation!"
So does that make us masochists? *grin*
That's my preference when I read, lol
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As usual, wonderful review Manu!
You deserve my hot (or creepy? he is sort of scary :-D ) applause gif"
That is one sinister looking gif.
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http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006...
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I have to say I wasn't too fond of the cover of [bookcover:I Spy Someth..."
You guys probably won't like the new cover much better, although LC did a great job with the clown picture I foisted on her.
LC, next time you probably need to tell me no. :-D
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Hey, why haven't we talked about this yet!
As a punishment you all get my unbiased (ha ha ha) review. I read it cover to back and suffered and I'm ..."
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, not a lighthearted story, you're right. What humor there is is pretty dark.
Josh wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Liade wrote: "I presume you read the sequel I Spy Something Wicked as well? Highly recommended, too, despite the cover pic."I have to say I wasn't too fond of the cover of [book..."
Wow. How to create a cover diametrically opposite to the book it's covering. And is the cover connected to any new one for [book:I Spy Something Bloody|4416044] "shudders in anticipation"??
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I have to say I wasn't too fond of the c..."
I guess so. I have to admit readers have been pretty unenthusiastic about that one. It was totally my decision too, I want to make that clear. :-D
But I thought it sort of captured the bleak humor of the situation -- and the fact that it starts out in a fun house?
Yes?
No.
Oh well. Live and learn!
Josh wrote: "I guess so. I have to admit readers have been pretty unenthusiastic about that one. It was totally my decision too, I want to make that clear. :-D But I thought it sort of captured the bleak humor of the situation -- and the fact that it starts out in a fun house?
Yes?
No.
Oh well. Live and learn!"
As I said, there ought to be a strong connection to I Spy Something Bloody. Should we actually be afraid that that is the case???
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But I thought it sort of captured the bleak humor of the situation -- and the fact that it starts out in a fun house..."
You go, Josh! I think it's admirable that you take part in creating the covers of your books! Good for you. ;)
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..."
OWWWWW.
Ouch.
That hurt. :-P
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..."
Thank you, Johanna. YOU are very kind. :-D
Josh wrote: "Liade wrote: "As I said, there ought to be a strong connection to I Spy Something Bloody. Should we actually be afraid that that is the case??? ..."
OWWWWW.
Ouch.
That hurt. :-P"
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..."
OWWWWW.
Ouch.
That hurt..."
Aw. :-D
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Yes, it does. And I do love the scary clown face although I accept that I am alone in my love.
You guys make me want to see that cover, now! :)
Blaine wrote: "You guys make me want to see that cover, now! :)"
Liade wrote: "Blaine wrote: "You guys make me want to see that cover, now! :)""
Thanks, Liade :)
How did I miss that?
I love it! It's so deliciously cheeky and creepy at the same time ...
Ummm... it's a very striking cover, but if I didn't know better I would be expecting some sort of Steven King-esque horror story... involving psychopathic murdering clowns. :-/ Although it's a good cover, I don't think it represents the overall tone, theme and genre of the story inside. But maybe I'm being too unimaginative... at least it's more interesting than the two naked torsos type cover.
For me it's purely the colouring, not the clown. This is a dark story, like I Spy Something Bloody and those cheerful summery colours (despite the undeniable creepiness) jar in the worst way. But that is just my very personal opinion.
I don't want to make Josh feel even more alone, but I agree with Meraehl and Lia. It is a very good cover, but not for this book.
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:-P
Lisa wrote: "I'm really scared of clowns...."Me too! I have always the impression that laughter could turn to cruelty in an instant (like that cover testifies, I think).
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I recently re-read the I Spy books and they might just maybe be my favorites. I say that til I re-read the Holmes & Moriarity books this weekend, then something else next, but still.
Stephen is like a real-life great guy (as opposed to a fictional one... work with me here) and Mark just makes my heart hurt with his love and need for Stephen, but ONLY Stephen. With everyone else, he's a stone killer. I don't know, there's just something about the two of them that resonates more deeply with me, possibly even more than Adrien and Jake (did I just blaspheme?).
After ISSW, I don't know if we'll hear from them again, but I sure hope so.
Just, ummmm, no more clowns, right?
Stephen is like a real-life great guy (as opposed to a fictional one... work with me here) and Mark just makes my heart hurt with his love and need for Stephen, but ONLY Stephen. With everyone else, he's a stone killer. I don't know, there's just something about the two of them that resonates more deeply with me, possibly even more than Adrien and Jake (did I just blaspheme?).
After ISSW, I don't know if we'll hear from them again, but I sure hope so.
Just, ummmm, no more clowns, right?
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So you don't want that story where I send Mark and Stephen to the circus? ;-P
Josh wrote: "Just, ummmm, no more clowns, right? So you don't want that story where I send Mark and Stephen to the circus? ;-P"
Clown is a terrorist. Yes, it might work *nods*
But Josh, really, I'd buy your grocery list. And your groceries too.
Josh wrote: "So you don't want that story where I send Mark and Stephen to the circus? ;-P"
Well, now that you say that, I guess I'll take what I can get, y'know? :)
Well, now that you say that, I guess I'll take what I can get, y'know? :)
Saw this and thought of you, Josh.
"To me, clowns aren't funny. In fact, they're kinda scary. I've wondered where this started, and I think it goes back to the time I went to the circus and a clown killed my dad." — Jack Handey
"To me, clowns aren't funny. In fact, they're kinda scary. I've wondered where this started, and I think it goes back to the time I went to the circus and a clown killed my dad." — Jack Handey
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"To me, clowns aren't funny. In fact, they're kinda scary. I've wondered where this started, and I think it goes back to the time I went to the circus and a clow..."
LOL.
Too. Damn. Funny.
Cris S. wrote: "Saw this and thought of you, Josh."To me, clowns aren't funny. In fact, they're kinda scary. I've wondered where this started, and I think it goes back to the time I went to the circus and a clow..."
Almost choking with laughter!
Just finished reading both ISSB and ISSW, and I must say I loved the writing, conflict, characterisation... and yet Mark is such a difficult character for me to like and root for, but I admit in ISSW I could see some character growth and he more than redeemed himself in my eyes. And Stephen too admitted he probably shouldn't have (view spoiler)
I was moved that even a near-perfect guy like Stephen showed and recognised some weaknesses in himself.
I don't dislike the clown cover in ISSW, Josh, but maybe like Liade I think the colours might be too bright for the dark subject matter... but who's to say book content and cover always have to go hand in hand? It's a pretty striking cover and made me even more curious about the book itself :)
I re-read this story today. I wish I could write..... the image of this mad-clown added depth and power to the imagery in the story. He was kind of peeking over my shoulder as I read. I had forgotten the halloween timing. The masks and distortions Mark was struggling with. Then, that conflicted song... Where are the Clowns? I think the image it's self is a conflict. Is it a symbol of joy or madness? What is the mask hiding? Is it friend or foe?
Well, for me, it added another layer of experience to the reading. It became more than a story.
{No reply Josh- just wanted you to know.}
You've made excellent points, Reggie. I've recently finished both I Spy books and can see what you're saying about struggling with masks and distortions.
One of the most painful aspects of Mark's struggles for me was seeing how difficult it was for him to avoid the deceit and manipulation he'd been using in his job from bleeding into his personal life and his relationship with Stephen.
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These are great insights. To be perfectly honest, I'd forgotten about the song "Send in the Clowns."
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I've recently finished both I Spy books and can see what you're saying about struggling with masks and distortions.
One of the most painful aspects of Mark's..."
That's true too.
And now I'm stopping because one-handed typing is making me nuts. :-(
I Spy Something Christmas was incredible. I adore this couple and even if they're always struggling to make it better, even when it seems they might be dissatisfied in their relationship, there is this core of love and understanding. It's a beautiful story about trust, forgiveness, acceptance. BEAUTIFUL! if I say so myself ;)
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It really was lovely, wasn't it. I've always felt that these guys might be one of the most not-so-obvious couple of Josh's. Maybe I can't express myself clearly, but I'm sure you see what I mean. Their backgrounds are so different from each other, the way they think, the way they react to the problems. Still they love each other so much — and that is enough, nothing else matters in the end. I think that Manu said it well, when she wrote about acceptance.
Josh also always manages to surprise me by making me feel so strongly. For example I found it very touching when Mark went to see Bryce and while he watched Bryce's Christmas decorations and him being busy baking with his spatula and reindeer-patterned apron, Mark thought how well Stephen would have fitted in the picture:
There must be times—times like last night—when Stephen wished for something less complicated. More snicker doodles. Fewer bullets.
Those lines are so funny, they made me laugh out loud, but at the same time they are so heart-rending. And no doubt, at least partly true. I can easily imagine Stephen wishing something like that — even though that doesn't mean he would ever leave Mark for Bryce.
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Johanna wrote: "Oh, and what did you gals think about the second Christmas present Mark got from Stephen? I find it extreme cool when Josh does that [spoilers removed]!!!"Yes, I loved that one!
Johanna wrote: "Maybe I can't express myself clearly, but I'm sure you see what I mean."Yes, absolutely. I don't want to say that they're neglected by readers, but they're not as immediately impressive as other couples. On one hand, I wish we could read their story before we meet them in the first I Spy. The whole romantic ordeal ;) On the other hand, I like that I KNOW how they feel without all the interesting details, and seeing the effects of that first powerful and not witnessed attraction is engrossing, for lack of a better term.
Mark's feeling of inadequacy is also very powerful. In the end Stephen almost has to spell it out for him, what a love relationship is, not flowers and roses, but more like a sometimes bumpy ride with a great destination and interesting sights here and there.
Also I loved how unselfish Stephen is in bed.
I've shouted from the rooftops I'd love a Jake, but maybe I'd need a Stephen in my life ;)
Q&A with Josh Lanyon
Books mentioned in this topic
I Spy Something Bloody (other topics)I Spy Something Bloody (other topics)
The Road (other topics)
Something Like Summer (other topics)
I Spy Something Bloody (other topics)
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Hey, why haven't we talked about this yet!
As a punishment you all get my unbiased (ha ha ha) review. I read it cover to back and suffered and I'm very happy now!
Perfect.
The story of Mark and Stephen is told like the painting of a work of art: first the sketches and then, layer after layer, Mark tells us the whole story, in all its shades. Mark is desperately clinging to the hope of winning Stephen back just by being there, letting his regret and need pour out of him. It's a painful process, like the purging of a wound and it's something that forces Mark to bare his soul even in front of rejection. Stephen tries to be there for Mark, to let him heal his physical pains, but he is firm in his decision of not being involved again, too afraid of the hurt of a possible abandonment.
I liked the main couple. Mark is 29, Stephen is 50. Mark is a spy, he's been living in danger and deception, while Stephen is a doctor in a small hospital, a solid, quiet man. He's like a dream to Mark, a mirage, a promise. He is also compassionate, a man that feels deeply, he's generous. Their relationship, the glimpses of the past we get from Mark, is really precious and beautiful and it makes the reader hurt for the loss of it. It's not easy to side with Mark, because it seems his past decisions were selfish, sometimes he comes out as too needy, but, as I said before, his desperation is heartbreaking, so pure it's almost childish.
I don't know why I didn't read this book before, probably because the title sounded a bit too playful, so I was floored by the intensity of this story. Truly beautiful. Perfect.