Book of the Week: A Dangerous Thing by Josh Lanyon

 This week's book of the week is "A Dangerous Thing," an LGBTQ themed mystery and the second in the "Adrien English Mysteries" by Josh Lanyon. I read the first book last month, and liked it so much that I got the second (there's also a third). Today's blog is how I enjoyed the book and a summary of it! 

I really liked this book and it's quirky characters. The mystery takes the main character, Adrien English out into a rural part of California and away from the L.A. bookstore he owns and manages. He learns a relative left him an old house on a lot of property that has a history some are trying to explore for their own gains. I love the way the author gets right into her stories, as by chapter 2, Adrien drives up to the old house in the country to find a corpse (who later disappears). 

The mystery unfolds and Adrien's somewhat lover, Jake, an L.A. Police officer struggling with his own feelings, drives out to help. There were times when I wanted to say to Jake, just be true to yourself!!

It's a great mystery, as are all of Josh Lanyon's books. Highly recommended for readers of Mysteries and LGBTQ themed stories.

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

(Book #2 in the The Adrien English Mysteries Series)

By Josh Lanyon

In this second LA-based adventure, bookseller Adrien English arrives at the Pine Shadow Ranch to find a corpse in his driveway. But by the time the unfriendly local sheriffs arrive, the body has disappeared.

Who are the mysterious strangers excavating on his land? And will he sort out his problems with LAPD Detective Jake Riordan, heavily into S/M sex but not so hot on relationships? Find out in this engrossing, slyly witty thriller.

Book of the week: "The Ghost Had an Early Checkout" by Josh Lanyon, Great LGBTQ Mystery

 I recently enjoyed the second book in a series by Josh Lanyon called "The Ghost Had an Early Checkout." It's the followup to "The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks," which I reviewed back in January 2025.  It features the same characters, an artist named Perry, who is partnered Nick, with an ex-Navy SEAL turned private investigator. Today's blog is my review of the "Early Checkout."

The characters, Nick and Perry are very likeable, and I could relate to both. I love the way the author portrays their relationship, with the anxieties, ups and downs. Since it's an MM book, there's a scene with romance, but the story mostly focuses on the interesting mystery. The author is masterful in presenting the various characters/suspects and it will keep you guessing. Another 5 star book by Josh Lanyon. Josh is truly one of my favorite authors. She knows how to write an MM mystery with great characters. 

ABOUT THE BOOK: Now living in Los Angeles with former Navy SEAL Nick Reno, artist Perry Foster comes to the rescue of elderly and eccentric Horace Daly, the legendary film star of such horror classics as Why Won’t You Die, My Darling?

Horace owns the famous, but now run-down, Hollywood hotel Angel’s Rest, rumored to be haunted. But as far as Perry can tell, the scariest thing about Angel’s Rest is the cast of crazy tenants—one of whom seems determined to bring down the final curtain on Horace—and anyone else who gets in the way.

A Good LGBTQ Mystery: The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks by Josh Lanyon

I've read several of Josh Lanyon's LGBTQ mysteries and have enjoyed every one of them. Josh (which is a pen name for the straight married woman who writes gay fiction) is an amazing author. The Ghost Who Wore Yellow Socks immediately brings you into the mystery with a 23-year-old gay artist named Perry, returning 1 week early from a trip to his apartment in a boarding house, only to find a corpse in his bathtub. The mystery deepens when the body disappears after he flees for help. The characters are interesting, particularly Nick, an ex-Navy Seal who lives on another floor. The boarding house is filled with eccentric characters, each with their own strange background stories.  Plus, there is some romance. It will keep you reading as it did to me! 5 Stars! 

(Photo: New cover) 

ABOUT THE BOOK: The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks by Josh Lanyon

SUMMARY: His romantic weekend in ruins, shy twenty-something artist Perry Foster

learns that things can always get worse when he returns home from San Francisco to find a dead body in his bathtub. A dead body in a very ugly sportscoat -- and matching socks. 

(Right: Older cover) 

The dead man is a stranger to Perry, but that's not much of a comfort; how did a strange dead man get in a locked flat at the isolated Alston Estate in the wilds of the "Northeast Kingdom" of Vermont? Perry turns to help from "tall, dark and hostile" former navy SEAL Nick Reno -- but is Reno all that he seems?

Great Short Mystery (M/M): Cards on the Table by Josh Lanyon

 Josh Lanyon is an author who has written over 100 titles - novels, short stories, etc. She's become famous (she's a woman, married to a man) who writes gay male/male novels- whether mystery, paranormal-tinged, romance, or adventure. I recently read her short book "Cards on the Table" and loved it. Lanyon is a great writer who paints a picture you can see in your mind, and immediately gets you interested in the characters. 

In short, a gay reporter named Tim is working on a book about a 50 plus year unsolved murder, and gets some threats as he gets too close and asks too many questions. His once on, now off, boyfriend happens to be a detective who lives in the upstairs apartment from him, and gets involved. There are great characterizations, and you can understand the reason why Tim behaves in a guarded, sometimes irritated manner (although I wanted to shout at him to cut it out!). 

There's a good mystery and some romance, too, so if you don't want to read about a gay relationship, know that upfront. I really enjoyed it, and look forward to reading more of her books. 

About the author

Author of 100+ titles of Gay Mystery and M/M Romance, Josh Lanyon has built a literary legacy on twisty mystery, kickass adventure, and unapologetic man-on-man romance.

Her work has been translated into twelve languages. The FBI thriller Fair Game was the first Male/Male title to be published by Italy’s Harlequin Mondadori and Stranger on the Shore (Harper Collins Italia) was the first M/M title to be published in print. In 2016 Fatal Shadows placed #5 in Japan’s annual Boy Love novel list (the first and only title by a foreign author to place on the list). The Adrien English series was awarded the All-Time Favorite Couple by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group. In 2019, Fatal Shadows became the first LGBTQ mobile game created by Moments: Choose Your Story.

Josh is an EPIC Award winner, a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist (twice for Gay Mystery), an Edgar nominee, and the first ever recipient of the Goodreads All Time Favorite M/M Author award.

Josh is married and lives in Southern California with her irascible husband, two adorable dogs, a small garden, and an ever-expanding library of vintage mystery destined to eventually crush them all beneath its weight.

Find other Josh Lanyon titles at www.joshlanyon.com