Skin and Bone (2019) TA Moore (Digging Up Bones) Oh Cloister. You deserve to be treated well. Damnit. Cloister had been more than happy to make a fool of himself over Javi the last few months, up until he decided to see what would happen if he screwed everything up instead. He couldn’t even remember […]
Bone to Pick (2017) TA Moore (Digging Up Bones) Cloister Witte is a K9 deputy. He also has a problem with authority and recurring nightmares from his childhood. He was tanned the color of whiskey, and his hair was wet and honey streaked, dripping onto his shoulders. Ink scrawled up over his ribs, but the […]
How to Be a Normal Person (2015) TJ Klune This is a silly and utterly ridiculous story. It also had me laughing ridiculously on multiple occasions. The Internet was vast and had men with disproportionately large testicles. Gustavo Tiberius isn’t normal. He was not a firework. Or, if he was, he was those black snake […]
Scandal Never Sleeps (2015) Shayla Black and Lexi Blake Gabriel Bond is burying his best friend. Power and wealth has always been his, and he and his friends learned to wield that power from a young age. But that didn’t stop Mad from dying, and it isn’t going to stop someone from trying to frame […]
Reasonable Doubt (2018) Gregory Ashe Ugh again with the editing issues. Somers freaks out when he discovers a twelve minute phone call that Hazard will make a couple chapters later. Years ago my husband and I watched Fight Club and Snatch, and after that we joked about only watching a movie if Brad Pitt got […]
Mrs. Martin’s Incomparable Adventure (2019) Courtney Milan Set in England in 1867. Miss Violetta Beauchamps had worked for the same family her entire life, managing their properties. For decades, the reigning Toggerts had praised her diligence, her book-keeping, her careful work. The latest Mr. Toggert had promised her a pension if she worked for him […]
Guilt by Association (2018) Gregory Ashe Wow. Lots of things that irritated me in the previous book were fixed here with a vengeance. (H)e’d suffered from periods of severe headaches. Over the last six weeks, bruises and abrasions had healed; the gunshot wound to his shoulder and the deep slice across his palm had closed; […]
Pretty Pretty Boys (2017) Gregory Ashe Emery Hazard is given the choice of being fired or being sent home to join the Wahredua police force. Emery decides to take the opportunity to discover what really happened to his friend Jeff Langham, who died when they were in high school. Once, after escaping from his house, […]
The Matrimonial Advertisement (Parish Orphans of Devon) (2018) Mimi Matthews Set in England in 1859. Helena Reynolds has fled London. She’s in Devon responding to a matrimonial advertisement, but if this doesn’t work, she return to London. Justin Thornhill was a captain in the British army who served in India, and returned home physically scarred. […]
The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal (2013) K.J. Charles Set in England between 1894 and 1914. The Caldwell Ghost Butterflies Remember, Remember Silver Cakes and Ale Devils on Horseback An Eye for an Eye The Writing on the Wall Turn of the Century The End Simon Feximal helps the dead to rest. He doesn’t exorcise […]
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 […]
The Duke I Tempted (2018) Scarlett Peckham Set in England in 1753 To be honest, I’m still not quite sure how I feel about this story. It was compelling. I read it all in one go. But I don’t know quite what I think. Archie, The Duke of Westmead has worked hard to redeem not […]
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” […]
Sweet Revenge (2011) Andrea Penrose Set in London in 1813. Arianna Hadley is working in Lady Spenser’s kitchen as a chef, in the hopes to find information about the men who murdered her father. The Earl of Saybrook was invalided out of the Army, and seems to spend most of his days in misery, escaping […]
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 […]
Dark Angel (1994) Tracy Grant Set in Europe in 1813 Adam Durward was sent to England to live with his aunt when both of his parents were killed in India. Always an outsider, he still fell in love with the girl next door–Caroline. “You look like no Englishman,” he said. Adam stifled a groan. No, […]
A Dangerous Madness (2014) Michelle Diener Set in England in 1812. Miss Phoebe Hillier was bethrothed to Sheldrake at the insistence of both their families. But when Sheldrake breaks their engagement, she feels relief more than anything else. She had all but accepted the anger and the frustration as constant companions, but Sheldrake cutting her […]
Banquet of Lies (2013) Michelle Diener Set in London in 1812. This is my favorite book in this series–and I like the other two books quite well. Giselle Barrington has seen her father murdered for the secrets her carries. She manages to escape back to London, but does not know who she can turn to, […]
The Emperor’s Conspiracy (2012) Michelle Diener Set in England in 1811. Lord Edward Durnham works for the crown in secret, and has been asked to look into gold being smuggled to France. Edward is also somewhat of an ass. (W)hy is she staying with Miss Raven and not you?” Edward laughed. “Apparently I’ll figure it […]
A Dangerous Deceit (2017) Alissa Johnson Miss Jane Ballenger is a spinster and a recluse. This is due to the fact she has difficulty hearing, and so avoids going out in public. At one point, he related a story involving three turnips and a brick. She was fairly certain she had misheard that bit, but […]
A Gift for Guile (2016) Alissa Johnson Set in England in 1872 Esther Walker is the daughter of a famous thief and con artist. Although none of her family knows, she also helped her father, acting as his tiny thug, threatening people with the knives she was taught to throw. But the man everyone thinks […]
A Talent for Trickery (2015) Alissa Johnson Set in England in 1872 Owen Renderwell and his partners became famous as the Thief-Takers who rescued a kidnapped duchess, so they became private investigators, however, a series of thefts followed by a murder returns them to the criminals who assisted the government during that time. Charlotte Walker […]
The Confession of Brother Haluin (1988) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1143 Stephen and Maud are still battling over the English throne. It seemed that as often as either of them got within touch of the crown, fortune took fright at the prospect of being in the service of either, and hurriedly snatched the […]
Love In The Afternoon (2010) Lisa Kleypas Set in England in 1854. Beatrix is the youngest Hathaway sister, and the least tame of the family, preferring to spend most of her time with animals. But when a friend is going to dismiss a letter from a soldier without responding, Beatrix asks to reply in her […]
Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover (2014) Sarah MacLean Set in London in 1833. Lady Georgiana is returning to society, then years after she was ruined. She doesn’t hide her daughter, but she cannot stand the censure society heaps upon her child. Fathers’ sins never seemed to stick. It was the mother who bore […]
No Good Duke Goes Unpunished (2013) Sarah MacLean Set in London in 1831. William Harrow, Marquess of Chapin and heir to the dukedom of Lamont, known to the world now as Temple, the killer duke, is a partner in the Fallen Angel. Although there was no proof, it was believed that he killed his father’s […]