Customer Reviews

Fair Game

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Enjoyed every moment of this book, as other reviewer had said, mystery is solid (I was so so happy to be fooled about the identity of the villain) and characters are well drawn and likeable. And I really loved the ending, loved that writer allowed a bit more warm and content feel than he does in some of his other books, often he leaves a lot to imagination and it is good, but I enjoyed hearing characters actually say on page what I wanted them to say to each other.

"Fair Game" is another winner from Josh Lanyon. It's a well-crafted and action-packed mystery of course, involving the disappearance first, of a student of college professor Elliot MiIls, and then other young men from the college campus where he teaches courses in History and Film. Mills has a history of his own, as a former ambitious "hotshot FBI agent" who retired from the Bureau after a receiving crippling gunshot wound. When asked by the parents of his missing student to act as their "consultant" in dealing with the FBI, Mills finds himself dealing with the formidable, handsome Agent Tucker Lance, with whom he has a personal history. Because of the nature and outcome of their past association, neither man is at all happy to have to work with one another.

The college setting, which Lanyon renders in characteristically believable detail,
allows him to take some fun satirical jabs at pretentious academic and artistic gobbledegook, not to mention the behavior of vapid young coeds trying to butter up the professor. As in Lanyon's other stories, someone is always cooking, in this case a delicious saute of mushrooms in butter. Before too long, someone should be able to compile a Josh Lanyon cookbook.

Will Elliot and Tucker find a way to cooperate without constantly making each other angry because of the unresolved issues in their mutual past? Will Elliot survive the increasing violent anonymous threats he receives? Lanyon skillfully ratchets up the suspense in both areas.

For those readers new to Lanyon, this writer creates exciting physical action sequences as good or better as anything in the Jason Bourne series. And the bedroom action is pretty exciting as well. But Lanyon also touches on a theme he has investigated in his other work, notably the Adrien English series and also in his muy caliente, muy apasionado "Mexican Heat." How can two strong-willed males get past anger, pride, and misunderstanding to find a balanced relationship? In "Fair Game," Lanyon suggests the recipe includes a dash of humility, as well as trust and love. Don't wait another minute to read this excellent story.

Elliot Mills is a former FBI agent who is now a college professor after a terrible knee injury while on duty took him away from the job that he loved. The injury also took him away from his lover and FBI agent Tucker Lance. Their affair might have been a brief one, but it was a passionate one that appears to have ended badly. When boys start going missing on campus, Elliot can't help himself with being drawn into the cases at the request of his father and the campus president. Little did Elliot know when he agreed to help that it would force him into close contact with Tucker.

In Fair Game, I believe Josh Lanyon does exactly what he does best - provides an interesting and fast paced mystery with well-rounded character development for all the major players and then still manages to throw in the heat and emotion amongst Elliot and Tucker that always give the reader a little hope things will work out for the two of them without the their relationship casting a shadow over the mystery plot. The pain and loneliness Elliot feels from the loss of his beloved job, his lover, and the way he has had to come to grips with a debilitating injury just oozes right off the pages. The mystery surrounding the missing boys is not one that the reader immediately figures out what is going on - it unfolds slowly but is still kept interesting. And best of all, each character has their own uniqueness and own voice which keeps the story fresh.

What I really liked about this book aside from the well written mystery that kept the pages turning is the way you see the communication between Elliot and Tucker start to blossom. It was clear that so much had been unsaid in the time since Elliot's injury that when the two men slowly start to open up to each other and not be afraid to communicate it's a beautiful thing.

If you have not read a Josh Lanyon book before, I think Fair Game would be a great way to start. It is a stand alone book (I would love another!), fast paced, and I think gives a good example of what one should expect from a Lanyon book.

Favorite Quote:
"It was dark."
"I'd know you in the dark, Tucker."
Tucker's eyes flashed up to meet Elliot's. He said curtly, "Yeah, I'd know you too."

4.5 Stars! This was my first book by mystery writer Josh Lanyon. I can now see why he is considered to be at the top of his field and has won numerous awards.

The mystery begins immediately when a student goes missing. And then another. As a former FBI agent, Elliot becomes involved as a liaison between the university and the FBI agent working the case. Interestingly enough, said FBI agent turns out to be Elliot's former lover, Tucker.

Lanyon proceeds to dangle possible suspects and motives. I was sure I knew the "whodunit," and was wrong. I love it when an author can do that!

Mystery aside, I also really enjoyed the romance between Elliot and Tucker. They had a previous relationship that ended abruptly. Working closely together on the missing student case gives them a second chance to see how and why they went wrong. I love how Lanyon uses dialogue to really get inside his characters heads.

I probably would have liked to see more of Elliot and Tuckers romance, but that's just me! Very enjoyable book, which I highly recommend!!

This is an excellent mystery with romance on the side. This is one of Josh's well plotted mysteries, well written and not obvious. The characters are engaging and real. There is enough romance to satisfy the romantics without swallowing the mystery.

Definitely one to read over again.

I am new to this "in your face" mystery paradigm. Starting with the first paragraph the reader is slammed into the story. You hold on for dear life, and the ride gets better with each page. Wow. 'Nuff said.

I have recently fallen into love with Josh Lanyon's work. His stories are well crafted and his characters and plot have amazing depth. This book had everything I was looking for in a great story. Amazing characters, a well designed murder mystery, and hot steamy sex. The scene where Tucker comes to Elliots rescue at the lake was nail biting. I was literally at work and I couldn't put the story down until I knew they were alright. Thank god I didn't get fired. I found absolutley nothing to dislike about this book and I must say that I wish for a sequel most desperatly. I would love to know how the main characters are dealing with their new found relationship.

Thank you Josh for another amazing story!

Injured while on duty, Elliott Mills lost more than his FBI career, but also his confidence, his social life and the budding relationship with fellow agent Tucker Lance. Now a history professor, Elliott lives a quiet life on the island, licking his wounds in solitude. Until a student from the university has gone missing and a family friend asks for his help - which also leads him to face Tucker again. Things ended angrily and unresolved between the two men, but as the missing person list grow longer, they have to find a way to work together.

Fair Game is novella length, but it reads like a full length romance mystery, it's well plotted and the characters go through changes and development. Mystery takes a prominent role in the story, the first half of the story, the romance part is almost like an undercurrent - it's subtle but readers can feel the vibration and the numbing pain of it - not unlike the old knee wound that Elliott sustained.

Characters wise, it's another prime example of Lanyon's characterization excellence. Elliott is very likable flawed main lead, while Tucker is just the perfect hard boiled lover who comes to rescue when Elliott needs it. They are perfect match in m/m romance, part of it because they have to work hard to make the relationship work. I'd admit I fall for Tucker's charm pretty much the moment he tries (Spolier) to kiss Elliott, he let his emotional guard down a little, allows readers to see through his agent poker face.

The mystery is top notch, there are intelligent false leads, a couple of clever hints and curves to throw off readers. A very intense and satisfying read.

4 1/2 Elliot is a former FBI agent, injured on the job, and now reluctantly working as history professor due to his bum knee. He doesn't realize just how much he misses his old life until he gets involved in a missing person investigation and finds himself consultant to the FBI and his ex-lover Tucker. Their relationship simply ended when Elliot was injured and neither has ever resolved it. Seeing each other is drudging up uncomfortable memories for Elliot, who insists the two had nothing in common anyway. Except sex. Mindblowing sex. Elliot really misses the sex. Tucker apparently was very good at it.

This is a mystery with solid writing and strong sense of place. The romance is there, slowly building in the background but it's first and foremost an intriguing murder mystery. I wasn't expecting that because I've probably been reading way too many m/m erotica novels. I've gotten comfy with the main focus being (often) 100% on the relationship, the sexing and the conflicts within that relationship. Fair Game follows its own path and was a nice surprise.

Tucker doesn't welcome Elliot's interference on the case and isn't at all shy about letting him know it. Working together is difficult for them; they have unresolved, unsaid stuff between them. Stuff neither wants to talk about. Both are resentful and have feelings of abandonment but talking would mean facing their feelings and these guys aren't the type to have a big emotional row.

Elliot and Tucker seem like men most of us know (albeit probably much better looking). They think like guys, they act like guys and it was such a nice change of pace for me, having read more than my fair share of books that featured gay men who were, ahem, so fem and saccharine sweet I felt as if I were reading a fairy tale or someone's idea of a dream man. Fair Game seemed less of a fantasy and more of a reality about two tough, stubborn men who have a connection and whether they're willing to admit it or not want each other but can't communicate. Instead they brood and let things simmer until it all spills out in the form of hot kisses and near sex. It was so real it was touching. Seriously, who doesn't know a man afraid to talk about what he's feeling and would much prefer to clam up and get naked?

I'm not a big mystery girl but this one never had me daydreaming or wishing I was reading something, anything, else. It was interesting; the characters well developed and there were more than enough suspects to keep me guessing and, yeah, the romance was lovely. If I didn't have so many other books to read right now and a crazy busy weekend I would snatch up the rest of Lanyon's work and hide away in my room until I'd read myself into a stupor.

And it will not be my last! This book kept my attention to the end. (Some may say this is not difficult, but hey!) The unsub was not even one I considered. Knew I had it nailed than oops! wrong! I also enjoyed that when sex took place it was timed perfectly for the story line. So many authors today seem compelled to add sex just for the sake of having sex. If you are looking for a great story line and characters, you will enjoy this read!