There is an amazing series out there in the literary world that you are not reading by Josh Lanyon:
1. Fatal Shadows
2. A Dangerous Thing
3. The Hell You say
4. Death of a Pirate King
5. Untitled, scheduled for 2009 (rumored to be last book in the series *cries*)
What can I say about this series without sounding like a total fangirl. First of all, I don’t want to give too much away because I find it so much more enjoyable when you start a book if you really don’t know what is going to come at you. But I will say – Adrien English is a bookstore owner, writer of murder mysteries, has a weak heart, and finds himself tangled up in murder investigations in each of the books. In the first book Fatal Shadows, we are introduced to Jake Riordan, lead homicide detective, and Adrien’s love interest throughout the series. However, it is a very complicated love interest…Jake is in the closet – like, way, way in the closet while Adrien is openly gay. Jake has feelings for Adrien, but his fear of being discovered by coworkers and family, puts quite a strain on any type of relationship that could exist.
Adrien is one of the most likable characters I have ever read. He is intelligent, witty, makes fun of himself…just when you want to throttle Jake for being…Jake, Josh Lanyon will write this amazingly compassionate scene that will rip your heart out. I laughed out loud more than any other series I can think of…and I think I went through, and am still going through such emotional turmoil I don’t know if I can stand it! I need book five now :) I have gone from dying to have Jake and Adrien together, to wanting to give Jake a little slap, to wanting to punch Jake in the face as hard as I can, and all at the same time, wanting to give him a hug and tell him all will be OK.
On top of all of that, there is a murder mystery to figure out in each book and a cast of supporting characters that will keep you quite amused. I must admit Jean and Ted are my favorites:) They are a married couple who are writing their first murder mystery book together and their lead character, Avery Oxford is quite similar to Adrien English – much to his dismay. Jean is very observant of anything and everything Adrien does:)
Luckily, Josh Lanyon has written several other books, which can be found at his website and they can hold me over until December gets here.
