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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
WELCOME TO A NEW GAY LA SLEUTH!, August 19, 2001
According to the cover of this book FATAL SHADOWS is the first in a new series of Los Angeles murder mysteries featuring Adrien English. Mr. English, who has "heart problems" both physical (tremors) and emotional (near celibacy), owns a small Pasadena book store which has the largest collection of gay and gothic mysteries in Los Angeles. The mystery begins with him becoming the chief suspect in the brutal murder of his life long friend and temporary employee, Robert Hersey. Naturally, (and isn't this always the case) one of the detectives gives him heart tremors (in more ways than one). Soon he finds out that other friends and former classmates are being killed or are already dead. It's obvious that he is the next one on the killer's stab list. Thinking that the police are more interested in proving he is the killer rather than discovering who really is, he sets out to unmask the murderer himself. Adrien, his lifestyle and his world provide interesting possibilities for a new mystery series. I enjoyed Lanyon's witty writing very much and I look forward to future books. However, the author is not well served by the sloppy editing and/or production of the book. I was annoyed by what seemed to be strange typos until I realized that the non-words were really parts of two other words that had been joined together leaving out several lines of the story. It seems that someone should be proofreading the galleys a little closer if they want this series to get off the ground. Actually, I'm my own worst proofreader, so I usually have a friend do it.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Move Over, Hansen and Nava, Here Comes Lanyon, May 22, 2002
This is a hugely entertaining first book in a proposed new mystery series set in L.A. The mystery surrounding the brutal murder of a young gay man is deftly and cleanly handled. What makes the book really go is the narrator, Adrien English, whose best friend and erstwhile lover (sort of) Robert has been stabbed to death in a Los Angeles alley. Adrien finds himself implicated in the crime, but, worse, he's being stalked himself by the person who likely killed his buddy. Adrien is a wonderful character and narrator, a real person, unlike some protagonists of more
established and touted series. He's funny without being mean and smart as a tack. This is a smart book, well-paced, sweet, and suspenseful too. What more could one ask for? Well, the second installment. I can't wait for A DANGEROUS THING!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
In my top five percent..., December 24, 2001
Josh Lannyon writes in an even, unpretentious, relaxed style. There is very good character development, ingenuity of plot, believability, dialogue, and pacing. I read mystery 90 minutes per day, year in and year out, and I can say that "Fatal Shadows" rates easily in my top five percent. In-context humor is also important to my enjoyment. It demonstrates to me that the author has done careful in-depth thinking about his manuscript; it demonstrates his skill and his love of his work. Consider these: "...isn't this too much of a coincidence?" ... I thrust the `In Sympathy' card at Riordan. He read it. Turned it over. Handed it to Chan. Said gravely, "It's not a Hallmark." I poured some brandy in my Ovaltine. Not bad. Next round I poured some Ovaltine in my brandy. "How's the heart?" "Takes a licking, keeps on ticking." "...I hadn't had a date in six months." "But --?" "No butts." He laughed. After a second it clicked and I laughed too. "Not on the first date anyway," agreed Bruce. I look forward to the second in this series.
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