Fatal Shadows

by Josh Lanyon

Book Overview

Someone's out to get Los Angeles bookseller Adrien English. His best friend has been viciously murdered, now he's getting weird phone calls and sinister gifts from a mysterious "admirer." The cops... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0979311047
• ISBN13: 9780979311048
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: MLR Press
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Move Over, Hansen and Nava, Here Comes Lanyon

This is a hugely entertaining first book in a proposed new mystery series set in L.A. The mystery surrounding the brutal murder of a young gay man is deftly and cleanly handled. What makes the book really go is the narrator, Adrien English, whose best friend and erstwhile lover (sort of) Robert has been stabbed to death in a Los Angeles alley. Adrien finds himself implicated in the crime, but, worse, he's being stalked himself by the person who likely killed his buddy. Adrien is a wonderful character and narrator, a real person, unlike some protagonists of more established and touted series. He's funny without being mean and smart as a tack. This is a smart book, well-paced, sweet, and suspenseful too. What more could one ask for? Well, the second installment. I can't wait for A DANGEROUS THING!

In my top five percent...

Josh Lannyon writes in an even, unpretentious, relaxed style. There is very good character development, ingenuity of plot, believability, dialogue, and pacing.I read mystery 90 minutes per day, year in and year out, and I can say that "Fatal Shadows" rates easily in my top five percent. In-context humor is also important to my enjoyment. It demonstrates to me that the author has done careful in-depth thinking about his manuscript; it demonstrates his skill and his love of his work.Consider these:"...isn't this too much of a coincidence?" ... I thrust the `In Sympathy' card at Riordan. He read it. Turned it over. Handed it to Chan. Said gravely, "It's not a Hallmark."I poured some brandy in my Ovaltine. Not bad. Next round I poured some Ovaltine in my brandy."How's the heart?" "Takes a licking, keeps on ticking.""...I hadn't had a date in six months." "But --?" "No butts." He laughed. After a second it clicked and I laughed too. "Not on the first date anyway," agreed Bruce.I look forward to the second in this series.

WAY TO GO

I was very impressed with this book. It keeps you going all the time. From the time I picked this book up I couldn't put it down until I was done reading it. There was never a dull moment in this book. I am looking forward to the next book to see how these characters develop. I hope that Adrien and Riordan do something with this relationship and maybe work together in the next book.This book was fast pace and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I loved how it started right off with the murder and how Adrien developed from trying to survive to solving the mystery just to protect himself. I don't want to give to much away but I loved how he came from being defensive with the police to defending himself with the help of the police.I LOOK FORWARD TO HIS NEXT BOOK. I ALREADY HAVE IT ON HOLD AND AM JUST WAITING FOR ITS RELEASE. I AM VERY IMPRESSED WITH THIS BEING HIS FIRST BOOK.

Fast-paced, sometimes humorous, and always unpredictable

I usually don't like mystery novels, but I liked the idea of one involving gay characters and an intriguing metafictional slant: the mystery involves a mystery writer who owns a mystery bookstore. Like the levels of mystery, the guilt in this book also manifests itself in a variety of ways, other than the obvious question of who is guilty. None of the characters just happen to be gay; homosexuality and homophobia add to the complexity of the mystery, and the barriers to solving it. Lanyon creates believable, conflicted, and, in many cases, disturbing characters. The narrative is fast-paced, sometimes humorous, and always unpredictable.

Move over Hansen and Nava, here comes Lanyon

This is an auspicious beginning to a proposed new mystery series featuring Adrien English, a young California bookseller whose sedate, secure life is turned upside down when his best friend and employee Robert is brutally murdered. At first police suspect Adrien himself of the crime, but Adrien is too busy warding off the subtle (and not so subtle) attacks of a stalker. Then other friends and acquaintances of Adrien's turn up dead, and he realizes he's in a fight for his life.Adrien English is an engaging new narrator. He's smart without being overbearing and witty without straining for humor. Lanyon has set the mystery at a crisp pace, and the suspense builds accordingly. There's also a whiff of romance in the air. You will be hard-pressed to put this one down once you start it. I'm already panting for part two.