Short Stories: 2007 – 2013 (2015) Josh Lanyon This is a short story collection (obviously, from the name) but to be clear, these aren’t mysteries like most of her longer works I’ve read. It wasn’t a bad thing, just different. Perfect Day A Limited Engagement In Sunshine or In Shadow The French Have a Word […]
All the World’s an Undead Stage (2018) Angel Martinez The conclusion to the Offbeat Crimes series (or at least the story arc of who has been targeting Precinct 77) concludes with us going back to Carrington and Erasmus, who are happy enough together, although neither has said the “L” word yet. “Did you skip lunch […]
Jackalopes and Woofen-Poofs (2017) Angel Martinez Alex and the rest of the 77th are dealing with the fall out from the last book, when Kash destroyed the magical working that was creating the attack dust bunnies. Jason’s work is fine, but his family remains a big problem. Paul took five uncomfortable seconds to pounce. “You […]
Feral Dust Bunnies (2017) Angel Martinez I’m glad I purchased this book with the previous, because otherwise I might have ended the series there and that would have been a shame, because this story was great. Alex Wolf is an officer in Precinct #77. Like the others, he’s strange. Weird. When he was little, he […]
Skim Blood and Savage Verse (2017) Angel Martinez I’m glad the series didn’t start here, because I wouldn’t have read any of the other books. Carrington Loveless is the senior member of the 77th precinct–part of a group of paranormal police officers seen as broken by the “regular” paranormal law enforcement. And their office is […]
The Ghost Had an Early Check-Out (2018) Josh Lanyon Nick and Perry have moved to L.A. where Nick works as a PI and Perry is going to art school. It’s while Nick is out on a case and Perry is sketching when Perry meets Horace Daly, who is seemingly being haunted–except that Perry interrupts three […]
The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks (2011/2016) Josh Lanyon First off, I had a really hard time figuring out just when this book was set. It was first published in 2011, but re-written in 2016, but was definitely not set in 2016. The characters all seem to rely upon land lines and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell […]
Fair Chance (2017) Josh Lanyon Elliot Mills and Tucker Lance are settling into something akin to domestic bliss. Things are still uncomfortable with Roland, after they put his father’s good friend and old radical partner in jail for murder. Elliot must have looked fairly horror-struck because Tucker laughed. “Listen, your father gets caught up in […]
Fair Play (2014) Josh Lanyon Elliot and Tucker are mostly settled down, although they still have the trial stemming from the last case to deal with. Tucker reached over, finding Elliot’s hand, bringing it to his mouth and kissing his knuckles. “Can we not talk serial killers before bed?” When Elliot gets a call in […]
Fair Game (2010) Josh Lanyon Elliot Mills loved being in the FBI–until a shootout left him unfit for anything but a desk job. The pain after his knee replacement had been excruciating, beyond anything he’d imagined or previously experienced, barring the original experience of getting kneecapped. Yes, I did shudder when I read that. Now […]
So This is Christmas (2016) Josh Lanyon Adrien and Jake have returned early from Christmas in London with Adrien’s mother and her husband. Adrien goes to work, only to discover the store not open, and his (step) sister in bed with his Angus, his employee. “Anyway, you think Angus is going to sue me for […]
The Dark Tide (2011) Josh Lanyon When last we saw our heroes, Adrien was in the hospital recovering both from being shot, and from heart valve replacement surgery. It’s three weeks later and he’s finally home above his bookstore, but all is not well: someone keeps breaking into his store, a skeleton is discovered in […]
Death of a Pirate King (2011) Josh Lanyon It’s been two years since Jake walked away from Adrien. During that time, Adrien has been involved with Guy–who is pushing him for more in their relationships–and discovered that he actually enjoys (most of) his new family. Even if he does often find them overwhelming. He’s also […]
The Hell You Say (2011) Josh Lanyon Adrien’s assistant is in trouble. He’s been getting threatening phone call of an occult nature–bad enough that Adrien gives him some money and tells him to leave town. Meanwhile, Jake is involved in a case that might involve the occult, and is irritated that Adrien sent Angus away […]
A Dangerous Thing (2002/2012) Josh Lanyon Adrien English is tired of Jake Riordan canceling their dates–not that Jake would admit they were dates, since he’s deep in the closet. Swell. He preferred humiliating strange men in costume to kissing a man he knew. And presumably liked. So Adrien heads to the ranch he inherited from […]
Fatal Shadows (2000/2012) Josh Lanyon Adrien English’s morning is not off to a good start–the police at his door, informing him of the death of his employee and friend Robert Hersey. “What makes you think he wasn’t mugged?” “Fourteen stab wounds to his upper body and face.” I felt the blood drain out of my […]
The Pill Bugs of Time (2016) Angel Martinez This is the second half of Kyle and Vikash’s story, told from Vikash’s POV. Why are these two characters fun? Because they are ridiculously geeky–and proud of it. “Should get an Odo bucket,” Vikash murmured. “A what?” Kyle chuckled into his coffee. “Seriously, Carr? You never watched […]
Lime Gelatin and Other Monsters (2016) Angel Martinez Kyle Monroe has been a cop at the 77th precinct for several months, when he is assigned a new partner: the extremely stoic and handsome Vikash Soren. He wants to dislike Vikash, but instead falls for him–which is a terrible idea, since they’re partners. This is a […]
In Other Words… Murder (2018) Josh Lanyon The fourth Holmes & Moriarity book finds the two settled into the new home and starting to talk about more serious matters–like a fancy vacation that might possibly be a honeymoon. Unfortunately, Christopher’s stalker from the previous book is causing trouble, and a body has been found in […]
The Boy with the Painful Tattoo (2014/2018) Josh Lanyon Christopher Holmes has decided to take the next bog step–he and JX are moving in together. JX found a house and Christopher has moved up to San Francisco. Unfortunately, JX has to immediately head off to a convention, and when Christopher starts to unpack he finds […]
All She Wrote (2010/2017) Josh Lanyon Christopher has canceled his weekend with X.J. to go help his mentor, who had a fall and needs help with her writing retreat–and discovering who is trying to kill her. I wouldn’t exactly pronounce the silence dead, as I shoved the stack of papers aside and pulled my laptop […]
Somebody Killed His Editor (2009/2016) Josh Lanyon Christopher Holmes has spent the past 16 years writing his beloved heroine, Miss Butterwith, but sales are flat, and his editor has strong-armed him into coming to a conference in an attempt to help his career (and see if he can stay with his current publishing house). “This […]
Murder Takes the High Road (2018) Josh Lanyon Two years ago, Librarian Carter Matheson bought tickets for himself and his boyfriend for the Tour to Die For, a bus trip through Scotland visiting many of the places that appeared in Dame Vanessa Rayburn’s books. But now Carter and Trevor are split, and Carter refused to […]
Another Place in Time (2014) by Tamara Allen, Joanna Chambers, K.J. Charles, Kaje Harper, Jordan L. Hawk, Aleksandr Voinov This is an anthology of historical M/M romances. “Office Romance” by Tamara Allen “Introducing Mr. Winterbourne” by Joanna Chambers “The Ruin of Gabriel Ashleigh” by K.J. Charles “Unfair in Love and War” by Kaje Harper “Carousel” […]
Hexbreaker (2016) Jordan L. Hawk Tom Halloran is a cop hiding a past that would get him thrown in jail–if not executed. Cicero is a familiar without a witch, and his time to remain in that state with the MWP is growing short, which means he may need to accept any witch or find his […]
Mr. Winterbourne’s Christmas (2018) Joanna Chambers Set in England in 1823 Lysander Winterbourne has spent the last year and a half being Adam Freeman’s estate manager, and although both are happy with the situation, neither truly knows how the other feels, and thus fearing an inevitable end, is unable to let the other know how […]
Any Old Diamonds (2019) K.J. Charles (Lilywhite Boys) Set in England in 1895. Lord Alexander Pyne-ffoulkes–who goes by Alec Pyne–desperately wants revenge upon his father. So he hires the Lilywhite Boys to steal the diamond parvane his father is planning to give his second wife on their 20th anniversary. But Jerry Crozier knows far more […]
Think of England (2014) K.J. Charles Set in England in 1904 Archie Curtis lost three of the fingers on his right hand as well as much of his company when a delivery of guns proved tragically defective. “It was a damned business. My company lost as many men in two minutes’ practice firing than in […]
Lies Sleeping (2018) Ben Aaronovitch This is the seventh Rivers of London novel. And it’s set in 2014, because the story moved slower than real publishing time. You can read this if you haven’t read the novella or comics, but if you haven’t read the previous books? Forget it. The story opens with the following […]
The Hanging Tree, Audio Edition (2017) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith Now I’m all caught up on Peter Grant and ready to read the newest book. One of Lady Ty’s daughters has gotten into trouble, and she has called Peter to ask for his help in solving a problem. “Peter,” said Lady Ty, “Nightingale […]
The Furthest Station, Audio Edition (2017) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith This actually comes after The Hanging Tree, but I ended up reading it prior, and it didn’t matter. This is a novella that features Abigail as much as it does Peter, which I really enjoyed, since I love little bits, like this conversation […]
Foxglove Summer, Audio Edition (2014) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith The fifth Rivers of London book. Lesley is gone. Peter is a mess, but doesn’t realize it. So Nightingale sends him out to the country. If I’d been about four ranks higher up the hierarchy I’d have regarded it as an opportunity to realize […]
Midnight Riot, Audio Edition (2011/2012) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith I finished all the Nightside books that I own, and instead of buying the next book (none of them are available at my library) I decided to re-listen to the Rivers of London series, since there is a new book. I do love this […]
Wanted, a Gentleman (2018) K.J. Charles Set in England in 1805. Theodore Swann runs the Matrimonial Advertiser, a paper for helping men and women find spouses. He also writes gothic novels under a pen name. Martin St. Vincent is a freed slave who has done well for himself after being granted his release at age […]
A Gentleman Never Keeps Score (2018) Cat Sebastian (Seducing the Sedgwicks) Set in London in 1817 Sam Fox is an ex-boxer and a Free Black–a pillar of his community who tries to help others as he was helped by this before him. Some black families, like Sam’s mother’s people, had been in England for centuries. […]
Band Sinister (2018) K.J. Charles Set in England in the 1800s. This is probably the sweetest KC Charles book I’ve read. It’s a M/M romance, and there is boinking, but there is less boinking than I’ve come to expect, and I absolutely adore the main characters. Guy Frisby and his sister Amanda live in seclusion. […]
The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy (2018) Mackenzi Lee Set in Europe and other locales in the 1700s. Oh this was FUN! The sequel to The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue follows Felicity Montague, a young woman who does not want to be a proper lady but instead wants more than anything to […]
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue (2017) Mackenzi Lee Set in Europe in the 1700s Henry “Monty” Montague is a rake. He was kicked out of Eton, is constantly in drunk, and is the despair of his parents. He is also in love with his best friend, Percy. In a last ditch attempt at […]
Unmasked by the Marquess (2018) Cat Sebastian (Regency Imposters) Set in Regency England, mostly London. Alistair, Marquess of Pembroke has been struggling to rebuild his fortunes after his father left the estates in ruin, spending much of his money on his mistress and the children he had with said mistress. He also wants to see […]
Spectred Isle (2017) K.J. Charles Set in London in 1923 Archaeologist Saul Lazenby was disgraced during the war, and the only work he has been able to find is working for a retired Major with an interest in finding historical places and items with supernatural significance. Saul believes none of this, but is glad for […]
Unfit to Print (2018) K.J. Charles Gil is the son of a wealthy man and that man’s housemaid, but unlike many, Mr Lawes claimed his son. Gil had spent his childhood here under his father’s carelessly affectionate eye. The old man might have played the fool, or the knave, with his housemaid, but he had […]
The Raven King, Audio Edition (2016) Maggie Stiefvater narrated by Will Patton Alas, I finally finished this story. We learn a lot about the psychics at 300 Foxway. They were so close to the situation that it was difficult to tell whether or not they were the situation. “I don’t believe in the concept of […]
The Ruin of Gabriel Ashleigh (2015) KJ Charles (Society of Gentlemen) Set in London in 1818. This is the prequel to the previous three books, a short story about two somewhat minor characters who appear in the other books: Gabriel Ashleigh, brother to Lord Maltravers, who is, at best, a knave. Gabriel has lost everything–literally […]
A Fashionable Indulgence (2016) KJ Charles (Society of Gentlemen) Set in London in 1819 As I continue to read backwards through this series, we come to the story of Justin and Harry. Harry’s father was disowned by his family, and took his wife’s name, Gordon. The family ended up on the continent when they were […]
A Seditious Affair (2016) KJ Charles (Society of Gentlemen) Set in London in 1819 This is the second book, in the series I am reading backwards. I read the first chapter a couple months ago, and put it down, because I wasn’t comfortable reading about BDSM. I mean, reading boinking passages in romance embarrasses me. […]
A Gentleman’s Position (2016) KJ Charles (Society of Gentlemen) Set in London in 1820 I am, apparently, reading this series backwards. I’d picked up the previous two books and read a few pages but wasn’t in the mood for them at the time. Richard is a younger son, an honorable man, and the one who […]
A Treacherous Curse (2018) Deanna Raybourn Set in London in 1888. The third Veronica Speedwell mystery finds Veronica and Stoker investigating the disappearance of an archeologist and a valuable Egyptian diadem. They get involved because the missing man is the husband of Stoker’s ex-wife–a woman who left him for dead and then completely destroyed his […]
Blue Lily, Lily Blue, Audio Version (2014) Maggie Stiefvater narrated by Will Patton I DON’T WANT THIS STORY TO END. I mean, SO MUCH LOVE. “Spruce Knob. Highest peak in West Virginia. Forty-five hundred feet or something like that?” “Highest peak in Virginia?” echoed Malory. “West,” said Gansey and Adam at the same time. “West […]
The Dream Thieves, Audio Edition (2013) Maggie Stiefvater narrated by Will Patton This is the book where Ronan breaks my heart. “And you, Ronan,” Niall said. He always said Ronan differently from other words. As if he had meant to say another word entirely — something like knife or poison or revenge — and then […]
Widdershins (2012) Jordan L. Hawk Set in Boston in the late 1800s. This is an historical supernatural M/M romance. One of the characters is neuroatypical, and the other is suffering from PTSD, so they both have issues to deal with, but I very much like the spin that puts on the story. (Damaged or atypical […]