Scan barcode
rainjrop's review
2.0
Huh.
I did not like this.
After burning through about six or so Josh Lanyon books, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect, but I was wrong. The characters, Perry and Nick, and their relationship dynamic really didn't work for me. Particularly Nick's constant comments describing Perry as a doe-eyed Bambi, a baby, a boy, and a kid, especially when coupled with his own thoughts of cradle robbing. I get that Perry is a 23-year-old waifish twink, but Lanyon didn't have to rub my nose in it quite that much.
Nick spends most of the book thinking the worst of Perry and looking down at him with occasional bursts of surprise whenever Perry manages to put together a smart thought. Yay romance? It didn't feel like anything was pulling these two characters together other than Nick's reluctant protectiveness and Perry's need for a protector. The dynamic felt very lopsided and I had a hard time buying into any of their romantic feelings.
I'm also used to Lanyon sticking with one character's POV. This novel included both Nick and Perry's POVs which is fine. The problem is that instead of changing every chapter or after a break in the text, the POVs were mushed together, sometimes changing from paragraph to paragraph. At other times it seemed like the narration was third person omniscient. Not only were these mixing, ill-defined POVs odd, but it made it difficult to follow what was going on in spots.
Finally, the cast of characters weren't all that interesting, inspiring, or memorable. The house was supposed to be full of kooky personalities like the cast of Clue, but it just didn't work. There were too many names with some rarely mentioned and others blindly thrown at the reader as someone supposedly important. I didn't care about any of them - they all seemed like assholes. I mean, hell, the fact that the one old guy was was literally a joke. That's nasty as hell. And yet another reason why I didn't like Nick.
This novel was clearly set up as one of the mansion murder mysteries a la Clue and it just didn't work.
How disappointing.
I did not like this.
After burning through about six or so Josh Lanyon books, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect, but I was wrong. The characters, Perry and Nick, and their relationship dynamic really didn't work for me. Particularly Nick's constant comments describing Perry as a doe-eyed Bambi, a baby, a boy, and a kid, especially when coupled with his own thoughts of cradle robbing. I get that Perry is a 23-year-old waifish twink, but Lanyon didn't have to rub my nose in it quite that much.
Nick spends most of the book thinking the worst of Perry and looking down at him with occasional bursts of surprise whenever Perry manages to put together a smart thought. Yay romance? It didn't feel like anything was pulling these two characters together other than Nick's reluctant protectiveness and Perry's need for a protector. The dynamic felt very lopsided and I had a hard time buying into any of their romantic feelings.
I'm also used to Lanyon sticking with one character's POV. This novel included both Nick and Perry's POVs which is fine. The problem is that instead of changing every chapter or after a break in the text, the POVs were mushed together, sometimes changing from paragraph to paragraph. At other times it seemed like the narration was third person omniscient. Not only were these mixing, ill-defined POVs odd, but it made it difficult to follow what was going on in spots.
Finally, the cast of characters weren't all that interesting, inspiring, or memorable. The house was supposed to be full of kooky personalities like the cast of Clue, but it just didn't work. There were too many names with some rarely mentioned and others blindly thrown at the reader as someone supposedly important. I didn't care about any of them - they all seemed like assholes. I mean, hell, the fact that the one old guy was
Spoiler
creeping around in secret passages and peeping on Perry while he undressed and had personal timeThis novel was clearly set up as one of the mansion murder mysteries a la Clue and it just didn't work.
How disappointing.
cutenanya's review
3.0
Reading Josh Lanyon has always been a pleasant experience. Granted his murder mysteries don't have extremely completed plots, the interactions between the characters more than compensate. I also like the fact that his characters are usually intelligent and rarely have brainless damsels in distress. Unlike the Adrien English series or the Holmes & Moriarity series, this standlone has a different type of atmosphere. Our main character (for once) is not in the mystery writing business and he is a sweet, cute young man who can also be tough when he needs to. Perry & Nick can make a really adorable couple. It maybe a good thing (or bad) as Lanyon opts for an open ending so it's up to the readers to imagine where the future of the couple would be like. Knowing just how strong-spirited a young man Perry can be, I'm certain a bright romantic future will be ahead of him and Nick.
a_reader_obsessed's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
Ok - lets just say that this was classic Lanyon.
It's got dead bodies and multiple possible whodunits.
One main character is at the center of this mystery, while the other is of no surprise a PI in training.
The romance isn't overt (is it ever?) but then it comes out of nowhere and packs a punch.
In hindsight I needn't have worried. And I continue to fall for it every time - thinking I'll get a protracted ending - and then I don't. Obviously it has yet to stop me from reading more!
Ok - lets just say that this was classic Lanyon.
It's got dead bodies and multiple possible whodunits.
One main character is at the center of this mystery, while the other is of no surprise a PI in training.
The romance isn't overt (is it ever?) but then it comes out of nowhere and packs a punch.
In hindsight I needn't have worried. And I continue to fall for it every time - thinking I'll get a protracted ending - and then I don't. Obviously it has yet to stop me from reading more!
emilyexmas's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mathmagicalreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
nelsonseye's review
3.0
Not my favourite Josh Lanyon book, but I still enjoyed it. I think there might be a sequel planned/in the works.
rebeccabadger's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
liza5326's review
3.0
This was a mix of a ghost story, hidden treasure, and a murder mystery, with a tiny bit of romance thrown in. I really didn't feel any connection between the two MC's, but the mystery itself was fun. I was left guessing until the end, which is always a lot of fun for me, I just wasn't invested in the relationship aspect of the book, especially since it was pretty much nonexistent for most of the book.
missawn's review
3.0
I am really surprised that I did not love this book more. I am such a fan of [a:Josh Lanyon|359194|Josh Lanyon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1289326144p2/359194.jpg] and generally adore everything she writes. I had a tough time getting through this for a couple of reasons. For the same reason, I also struggled with [b:Murder Takes the High Road|25825973|Murder Takes the High Road|Josh Lanyon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1517094605s/25825973.jpg|45684369] -- an unusual lack of chemistry (for this author) and a whole bunch of oddball, busybodies orbiting around less than enticing mystery. Many of this author's books are distant relatives to each other -- in this book we find traces of Adrien and Jake (Adrien English Series) in Perry and Nick -- however, unlike with Adrien, I found Perry's insistence in meddling in murder more annoying and much less charming. The romance felt slightly odd and unbalanced. Nick was not particularly likable. Their relationship seemed to ignite suddenly out of what felt like a whiff of infatuation on Perry's part. I was not entirely comfortable with the scenario that was presented. And the mystery had even less appeal for me -- and in a way I am glad that there is a second book to help flush out some of the problematic aspects of the first book -- I also think that the author's writing has evolved considerably since this was written. She is masterfully sophisticated when it comes to establishing characters and connections that have a way of staying with you long after the book has ended. I am hoping that will happen in the next book?
thosemedalingkidsss's review
1.0
DNF @ 30%
Really not liking the f/q and r slurs happening in this. And Nick sucks so far
Really not liking the f/q and r slurs happening in this. And Nick sucks so far