Customer Reviews

Death of a Pirate King

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The story opens with a bang, or more accurately with a crash as Adrien is once again up to his neck in another murder. At a dinner party with Hollywood movers and shakers to which he has been invited by actor Paul Kane, he has the misfortune to sit next to the murder victim just before he keels over face first into his bowl of vichyssoise. To make matters worse who should be heading up the investigation into this high profile murder but his old nemesis and former lover Jake Riordan. Déjà vu for Adrien.

Adrien is in a quandary as he is being pressured by Paul who is one of the numerous murder suspects, to investigate the murder unofficially. Although our amateur sleuth doesn't like Paul because of his past association with Jake, he doesn't have much choice but to acquiesce if he wants his book to be made into a movie. To complicate things further Guy, his partner of almost 2 years since he broke things off with Jake, makes new demands of Adrien who isn't sure what he wants.

In the fourth book in the series Josh Lanyon really excels because he has written more than another great murder mystery starring his two flawed protagonists. This time, in addition to an action-packed story he writes from the heart about their personal relationship and struggles in a way he hasn't before. Jake and Adrien have both evolved over the past 2 years and Jake, perhaps because of his recent family tragedy, while he has not undergone a personality transplant he is different and a few sharp edges have been softened. Adrien seems tougher and more demanding of those close to him and he tells them exactly what he wants but he is still foolhardy and daring.

The book is a tour de force of the entire series from several perspectives. The author's eloquence is more evident here than in either of the previous books as he paints pictures of the characters so drolly with a few succinct phrases that you can see them with your mind's eye. He also has a rare talent for using humour, even on the most solemn or dangerous occasion, and he had me doubled up with laughter when he described the mourners at the victim's funeral using one liners and 'zingers' that appear to come from a totally warped mind.

While the author uses humour effectively in this book, there is much more that's different. There are nuances in characterizations which would indicate that subtle changes have emerged in Josh Lanyon's writing style for this series since book 3, The Hell You Say. In DOAPK the passion between the two protags in certain scenes is so transparent and moving that sometimes it felt as if Adrien's wonky heart couldn't take any more. Fans will experience a full range of emotions when they read this book - from shock to pleasure to devastation and anger as well as a host of others as they ride the roller coaster with Adrien and Jake, and some may feel that Jake got his comeuppance. It seemed to me, particularly during the latter third of the book, that the personal relationship on occasion took center stage over the murder investigation because of the huge personal issues at stake.

There are so many "moments" in this book that it's difficult to decide on a quote from all of the excellent material but there was one scene that was unbearably poignant and Josh describes it as "sweet in the way crack must feel hitting the bloodstream of an addict after years of staying clean".

Fans who have waited 2 years to find out what happens next after the end of THYS which created such a firestorm will not be disappointed in this very revealing and complex story. Is Jake a kinder, gentler and more loving person and does he redeem himself after THYS? Does Guy get his fondest wish? You will have to read the book to find out.

Do I think this book is Josh Lanyon's best work to date? To use baseball parlance, he doesn't just hit this one out the park, he clears the bases. Death of a Pirate King in my opinion is deserving of more than 5 stars however that is the highest rating on amazon.

Death of a Pirate King is not to be missed whether or not you're a fan of the writer or the Adrien English series but in my opinion this is not a standalone story although you can read it as such. To really enjoy and appreciate this gem it should be read in order with the other AE books. Buy this book!

I'm not going to post spoilers. To do so would be a crime.

However, what I can say is that this is the book where Josh Lanyon hits his stride... and it's a full out run.

Death of a Pirate King is a seriously good, enthralling story. If you've not read the others, you can start here but honestly, this book really represents Lanyon's peak in a story arc that has been building over the previous books. Oh, and there's a murder mystery too.

Once again, Lanyon has provided a keen insight into the mind of Adrien English and the often oddly constructed life that he leads. While burdened with a new step-family and the possible filming of his book, Adrien once again finds himself in the middle of a murder. Detective Jake (I'm a Jerk) Riordan appears and the world gets complicated once again.

I strongly suggest getting this book. Not just because I've been a fan of Lanyon's since the very beginning of his novels but because his novels have made me a fan.

In the words of millions: Highly recommended. A+ writer and all around great story.

I read Fatal Shadows (Book 1) and A Dangerous Thing (Book 2) in 2002, spent 4 years wondering what on earth has happened to one very talented writer named Josh Lanyon and was very pleased indeed when Josh's writings reappeared in 2006.

I just finished DOAPK and am simply overwhelmed. This 4th book in this amazing series is the best to-date: plot-wise, emotional content-wise and character development-wise. There is so much at stake here for the characters.

A writer/bookshop owner and amateur sleuth, Adrien English is my top favorite gay character in the murder/mystery world. His romance with one closeted cop hunk, Jake, is filled with so much heartache and pain, its outcome bringing a lump to my throat in "To Hell You Say" (Book 3) and this emotional roller coaster ride continues and escalates in DOAPK. Tightly paced, DOAPK have you on the edge as Adrien tries to solve a murder while plagued by ill health, and a tumultuous love life. There is some breathing space with warm and funny moments, provided by interaction with his newly extended family, one stray kitten, and of course Lisa, his caring and "know what is best for you" mother.

The crime is layered with intrigue and suspense and will please any mystery lover. However it is the intensely emotional struggles between Adrien and Jake which I love most and hold me spellbound, the dynamics of their relationship made all the more complex by Adrien's involvement with Guy since Adrien broke off with Jake and the introduction of one manipulative and sinister character, Paul Kane.
Josh really breathes life into Adrien and Jake in DOAPK, their stirring exchanges memorable and resonating deeply long after I finished.

Adrien is such an endearing character, his vulnerability and plight striking a chord. As for Jake, this complex hunk may just have redeemed himself by the end of DOAPK.

If you are new to this series, this 4th book could be read as a stand alone but do not do that. You do not know what you are missing! Start with book 1 and you are in for a great time solving intriguing crimes with one very endearing and resourceful sleuth named Adrien with his emotional ups and downs which simply tug at your heart strings. Bravo Josh and I hope you are not serious about ending this series with Book 5 (one ardent fan's plea).

Josh Lanyon outdoes himself with his latest effort. Death of a Pirate King rocked me good. Adrien takes us on a roller coaster of emotion, from elation to sarcasm, and bungee jump in-between. When a book can make my heart pound, bring me to tears, make me laugh, and hold my breath for fear of what the next passage might bring, it has hit the mark...dead center. I know it was superb for the simple fact I called my boyfriend to tell him I love him after I read the book. Life is too short not to grab all that is good, and like Adrien, if you have to sift through the muck and mire to get there, eventuality is worth every bit of blood, sweat, and tears. Do yourself a favor, order all of Josh's books in this series and treat yourself to characters who are all to real. From beginning to end, I don't think I've read a better series.

This is the kind of book that you would read it at one go because you simply couldn't put it down and while reading it, you're dreading the ending closing in because you don't want it to be finished.

And of course, after you finished it, you'd ask "when's the next book coming out, please?"

Book 4 from the the brilliant Adrien English mystery series, "Death of a Pirate King" can be read as a stand-alone mystery novel, but readers who have read the previous 3 books first would have a bigger emotional ride out of it. It is because those readers will be more invested in the characters, and characterization - that's one of Josh Lanyon's strongest points.

So, if you haven't read any previous book from the series, you can start still with this one, and I am sure you'll go back and all of them afterwards.

While the romance element in this book is strong, the mystery itself never takes a back seat. The brilliant thing about Lanyone's writing (and his plot) is that he make these two elements go hand in hand together. And the mystery is not solved until the readers finally see the true colours of the characters. The sex scene is never just there for the sake of it, it says so much about the characters and the impact of their actions.

Needless to say, I cannot recommend this book higher.

First, I would strongly advise that anyone new to the series start at the beginning. These books really do build on each other. Themes and characters develop over several volumes and, while the plot of any one book can stand alone, the real strength here is in the series as a whole.

That said, Death of a Pirate King was exactly what I had been waiting to read after the intense ending of the third book,(The Hell You Say). Though the action takes place two years later, emotions are still raw when Adrien English,(bookseller, author and amateur sleuth) finds himself caught up in yet another homicide investigation and once again facing Jake Riordan(his ex-lover, now a married police lieutenant).

Other reviewers have already noted that there are quite a few cathartic and emotionally powerful scenes--and there are-- but they don't come at a cost to the plot. Instead the two are interwoven so skillfully that the resolution to the mystery absolutely requires the emotional interplay of the characters.

The insight, wit and humor of Adrien's narrative voice is perfectly controlled here and deftly avoids both angst and melodrama, which is impressive since the stakes rise so very high in this book. For all the darkness and serious subjects dealt with --not just murder, but betrayal, self-deception,mortality and lust-- it never feels like a soapbox screed or a soap opera. Instead the story moves like a thrilling, wild ride, making you laugh and gasp as it carries you to the end in a sweeping rush.

I recommend it highly and can't wait to read the next volume.

For the devoted Adrien English fan this book is not to be missed for all the reasons we have come to expect from Josh Lanyon: searing emotional content; beautiful, often witty dialogue (especially internal); gripping suspense; and a damn good mystery. In this book, there's just more of all those great things as the author builds beautifully on the foundation of the previous books in the series. But for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with vibrant characterization and loving attention to detail Death of a Pirate King, is a gift. It's amazing how in this series modern LA, my city, feels like it has been suspended in time incorporating elements of 1940's era high Hollywood glamour as the story of the current guard of established LA money and their penchant for crime unfolds. The narrator is inspired as he plays his part to unravel the mystery that has once again taken over his life and picked open very painful wounds he has tried to ignore. The whole time he seems on a hair trigger, while he manages to keep his cards both personal and sleuthy very close to the vest. I defy you to avoid falling in love with Adrien English and this series!

I agree with Wedschilde and posting spoilers would be a crime. So I will do my best not to.

For those of you who have not read any in the series, do so now. These books really need to be read in order to really feel the impact of DoaPK. Josh Lanyon has crafted a masterful series, each book adding to the next, keeping the readers wanting more.
And we want more.

The characters we've grown to love, or hate as the case may be really shine in DoaPK. It is realistically written so we believe and feel for these characters, every step of the way. You'll find yourself yelling or cheering at certain scenes.

Adrien English, bookstore owner and writer, finds himself smack dab in the middle of another murder. His life is going well for him. His book is being optioned for a film, family life is going well, bookstore is being expanded, and his lover isn't going anywhere. Perfect.
But then the person sitting next to him at dinner drops dead. This forces him to have contact with Detective Jake Riordan. And his world turns upside down.

Murder, movie stars, pasts coming back to haunt, life altering events - what more could you ask for?

Josh Lanyon is truly a gifted and skilled writer, weaving a tale you will want to read again and again.

Bookstore owner/reluctant amateur sleuth Adrien English is back, again thrust into the middle of a murder mystery when a party guest he has been speaking with suddens keels over dead into his vichyssoise. The host of the party, dashing Hollywood actor Paul Kane, hires Adrien to do an independent investigation of the murder, since the police seem to think either Paul or Adrien to be the likely culprit. This puts Adrien back in touch with his ex, LAPD Lieutenant Jake Riordan, who apparently had been seeing the bisexual Kane, although Jake is now married. And Jake's reemergence in Adrien's life comes at the worst possible time, when Adrien is recovering from a recent illness, facing the likelihood of dangerous surgery, and under pressure for a commitment from his current lover, Guy Snowden. The investigation makes him privy to some dark secrets of the Hollywood elite, and a pawn in a deadly game of strategy and appearances.

I'm new to this series, and was quite impressed by the complexity yet "everyman" qualities the main character, his interactions with his family and friends, as well as the skillful way in which the author paints the layers of emotion that make the story come alive for the reader's enjoyment. It's no wonder that Lanyon has so many fans for these books, and can now count me among them. The book deserves its five vichyssoise-splashed stars out of five!

Death of a Pirate King is the fourth in the Adrien English Mysteries series by the wonderfully talented Josh Lanyon.

Adrien once again is confronted by death when a person with whom he was talking at a party suddenly keels over into his plate. And whom should come to investigate but homicide detective and former-boyfriend-turned-current-buttwipe Lieutenant Jake Riordan.

Adrien becomes one of the primary suspects when autopsy reveals that the cause of death is overdose of a heart medication mixed in a drink. A medication that Adrien takes in a drink that Adrien served the hapless man. Coincidence? Apparently cynical Lt. Riordan thinks not.

Sweet and snarky Adrien is caught up in another adventure of murder and intrigue, complicated by narcissistic actors, exasperating family members, and a super sexy ex-boyfriend who revs Adrien's engines like no other. Too bad he already has a new lover.

A highly recommended read for any fan of murder mysteries.

*Note: Although DOPK could be read as a stand alone, some areas are very nuanced, and would be better understood if the previous three books were read first.