Customer Reviews

Somebody Killed His Editor: Holmes & Moriarity, Book 1

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Somebody Killed His Editor opens with lots of danger and 'atmosphere'. Armed with his new wardrobe which consists of silk Calvin Klein's underwear and designer outerwear purchased on the advice of his agent Rachel to revamp his frumpy look and writing career, our hero Christopher Holmes (is this a take on Holmes of Sherlock Holmes fame?) is on his way to a writers' conference in Northern California. After abandoning his disabled car close to his destination, he's caught in the driving rain on a bridge that is breaking up and he doesn't know if he will get to safety before it and he fall into the raging torrent below. He barely makes it to the other side in time in his impractical but fashionable Bruno Magli boots. Exhausted, he stops to change his new boots which are ruined, and just when he's congratulating himself on escaping death by the slimmest of margins he comes across the body of a woman who has obviously been murdered, and worse, he gets the feeling that someone is watching him. He rushes out of there as fast as his feet can make it in their uncomfortable new shoes to find the location of the lodge where he and the other authors are supposed to be staying.

When he arrives at his destination, if Christopher thought that at least there would be some relief and good times he's mistaken, because the first attendees he sees other than his agent are his new editor who has him in his sights, Steven "Satan" Krass, and former cop and now best selling author, J.X. Moriarity. Christopher and J.X. had a 'past', having met ten years ago when they had a brief fling but had not seen each other again until the fateful weekend. How the tables have turned in terms of Christopher's and J.X.'s fortunes! When they met all those years ago Christopher was a successful author and J.X was a cop - now Kit (as J.X calls him) is on the outside looking in, a has-been, while J.X. is on top of his game, one of the best selling authors in his field.

In Josh Lanyon's mysteries there are always many suspects who have both motive and opportunity to commit murder and the task of figuring out whodunit is usually not too difficult although he's getting a lot better lately. In Somebody Killed His Editor, to add complexity to the story the main character is the prime suspect. The murder victim is Peaches Sadler, a best selling author who was one of Christopher's biggest critics - strike 1. Just when it seems there's a chance to reignite his stalled writing career, the next victim, Krass, publicly humiliates him; the following morning Christopher finds Krass's body, another murder victim - strike 2. Christopher is soon in the 'protective' custody of J.X. who is the chief investigator of the crime based solely on his past career as a police officer and his take charge attitude. Of the supporting characters, Holmes' agent Rachel and her sidekick and client Espie have a colourful past together which makes for some interesting moments in the book, as their past actions are suspicious and not always above board. Most of the other characters have enough in their former relationships with either victim for them to be considered credible suspects, and figuring out who has the most to gain by murder was an enjoyable task for me.

In typical Lanyon fashion the sex in the book is not the focus of the story nor is there a lot of it and if you read too quickly you might miss a good part of the action :) but what there is turns out to be tender and loving with great dialogue. In terms of the characterizations, neither protag is physically overwhelming although J.X. is certainly charming, charismatic, handsome and successful; Christopher Holmes' character would not set anyone's pulse racing since he's ordinary looking, small statured, middle aged, with no redeeming over the top physical attributes but he's smart, as are most of the author's protags.

The weather is a very important "character" and ambiance in this book as it sets the stage for most of the action. There's nothing like forced togetherness to bring out the worst in people, and in Somebody Killed His Editor this is all too true. Human beings when they know that they can't physically escape immediately from an unpleasant situation tend to act irrationally and drink to excess when under stress, which lowers their inhibitions and they say things that get them into trouble or killed which is the situation here. Many authors of murder mysteries use inclement weather to their advantage and Josh Lanyon manages to squeeze every ounce of tension and danger out of the havoc caused by the storm that trapped 50+ people with no means of egress or ingress.

The prose and dialogue are as wonderful and funny as we have come to expect from this author and here are a few examples -

"Maybe this isn't such a good idea," I said as he stepped out of his jeans--and I don't think Superman ever shed his clothes as fast or looked as gorgeous naked. "The sex is nice, but we seem to singe our eyebrows on the afterglow."
I arched up against him, fingers sinking into his back muscles. "That's...nice," I got out.J.X. raised his head. "Nice?" "Nice is highly underrated."

"The problem with murder was that it was contagious. Like eating potato chips, it was hard to stop at one ...."

Somebody Killed His Editor is the first book in a new series by Josh Lanyon - Holmes and Moriarity. Maybe lightning will strike twice and H & M will take the place of the Adrien English series in terms of fan appeal. Book 1 is an excellent start and I'm looking forward to the new adventures of our intrepid pair of authors, turned detectives. One of the keys for any successful series is that even though the plots are very important, readers have to love the characters and be invested in them and I think that Lanyon made brilliant choices in Christopher and J.X.who have great chemistry together. It also doesn't hurt that the sex between them is emotional, funny and hot. Somebody Killed His Editor reminds me in some ways of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, complete with dramatic denouement scene.

This story is told from the 1st person POV, in Christopher's "voice," and I would urge those readers who don't like this technique to give it a try because Lanyon excels in this form of narration. This is a terrific story with great characters. I highly recommend it.

I am a Josh Lanyon reader. I fully admit this. I've been an avid reader of his for years.

Josh consistently hits the story and characters. That's the best way I can put it. I purchased this as a pre-order. I knew it was coming and said that I would finish another book prior to reading this one. So I did. Hit the last page of the other book and said... yeah, that was okay.

Then I read the first page of this one and thought, but damn, this really is a writer.

Josh creates people and places. There are questions and intrigue without it seeming forced. A bit of lightness and mystery blended into something that will keep you turning the page. Or in the Kindle's case, hitting the next page button.

I enjoy reading Holmes and Moriarity. I'm writing this review without even being at the halfway point because it's that good. A different relationship than Adrien and Jake. Also different from the other pairs that he's constructed but very engaging.

I like Christopher Holmes' human-ness. He's less sure of himself than he should be and Moriarity is definitely a good foil.

Very much looking forward to the second half of this book. Thanks Josh. Thanks for writing this.

Christopher Holmes is attending a writers' conference, trying to resurrect his writing career, when he stumbles on a dead body in the woods. The conference takes on an eerie quality now that the news is out and everyone is wondering who killed Peaches. Despite his efforts, Christopher's career is still sliding downhill and now he's wondering if he could be the next victim. To make matters worse, J.X. Moriarity is attending the conference, too. J.X. is an ex-cop turned writer. Christopher and J.X have a little history together and it's repeating itself. With a murderer on the loose, they may never get the chance to see what might have been.

Somebody Killed his Editor is a suspenseful and witty tale. Christopher and J.X. do a good job of tearing each other up emotionally, making their eventual reconciliation that much sweeter. Josh Lanyon's usual blend of intense romantic angst and a cast of colorful characters make Somebody Killed his Editor a real page-turner. What makes Somebody Killed his Editor a little different from Lanyon's previous books is the light-heartedness of the story. The suspense is high, but the investigation is often a lot of fun. Christopher made me laugh a lot. When I read a Josh Lanyon book, I prepare myself for hot guys, a dead body or three, and an unconventional romance. I usually cry before I get my happily-ever-after. And I look forward to it every time!


Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

From the beginning of the story, when Christopher Holmes crosses a rickety foot bridge that is rapidly being flooded by water, and worries more about his Bruno Magli boots than the very real possibility that he's going in the river, I knew that the story was not going to be the usual sleuth-aha!

Josh Lanyon has created two memorable characters in his depiction of fussy Christopher Holmes and hunky J. X. Moriarity. The men are former lovers unexpectedly reunited at a weekend retreat for writers. The secondary characters are equally well drawn to the point that I recognized several players as clones from my own world.

Moriarity, an ex-cop, has gone on to bestseller status. Holmes has fallen from bestseller status and is attending the festivities because his editor says he must suck up to a new publisher and land a contract for a new series (yet to be plotted or planned).

First let me say this: the story is fun. The author uses first person narrative, so we get to hear the grousing, grumblings, and yearnings of faltering author, Kit Holmes.

Second, the mystery--solving a double-murder that happens at the resort while all are stranded and cut off from civilization--is well plotted, offering plenty of clues without relying on coincidence or fortuitous happenings.

I felt the rekindling of romance between Moriarity and Holmes was sweet, but a little underdeveloped and rushed. Since this is Book 1 in a new Lanyon series, I look forward to more back story about the lovers break up, and will enjoy future adventures as they solve crimes together.

I highly recommend this book. It is cleanly edited, fun to read, and an interesting insider's tongue-in-cheek look at writing.
[...]

On page 280 (of 410) of the e-version of Somebody Killed His Editor, the latest gay mystery novel of author Josh Lanyon, I was finally SURE to know the murderer ... well, I was wrong in the end. But I could just as well have been right for the wide variety of suspects out there in a remote hotel in total wilderness all having believable and strong motives to - well, if not kill, so surely hate the killed persons. So I was enthralled till the end.

The book shows again how easily Josh Lanyon creates fascinating characters, and not only in his main protagonists. Those though were brilliant, Christopher, the writer in a career low and JX, the slightly younger ex-cop/writer both trying to keep each other from being killed out there. Their interaction - because of their former meeting, a one-weekend-stand ten years ago that left a lot bitter feelings with JX and some guilt with Christopher - is very emotional from the start, but also funny and last not least very sensual in the end.

The pairing constellation is in the same range Mr. Lanyon uses also with other mystery couples but I don't mind - they are favourites of mine and just plainly ideal for solving a mystery - they simply just complete each other with their different abilities and backgrounds. Not that I won't like to read a story with some totally other kinds of characters - okay, well, I am not a critic and I simply read everything from Josh Lanyon because it is so much fun. And this is the beginning of a new series. I am SO looking forward to it.

And I also recommend reading his stand-alone gay mystery The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks, which I like a lot because of its fantastic setting, an old, mysterious mansion turned into an apartment house, deep in the woods, complete with hidden passages and all that stuff, not to mention great supporting characters, AND because in that story the reader gets to know more about the thoughts, feelings and history of the cop- (or in this case army-) part of the sleuthing pair. I wish Mr. Lanyon would make that into a series too. Did I already say I am looking forward? To be precise, I am looking forward to EVERYthing Mr. Lanyon will write!

Not as good as Lanyon's other stuff. The main character is a little hard to like: he's cranky, misogynist, and alcoholic, without enough depth to make him an intriguing antihero. Not Lanyon's best, but a fun little read.

And yes, contrary to two star's reviewer opinion I find this book to be a breath of fresh air in m/m/gay romance/mystery subgenre mostly to Chris's characterization. Oh I read some good books in this genre with characters having their flaws, but such ordinary protagonist in the way he looks? I have read few if any books with those (in this genre of course). Yes, he does not spot the six pack. No, he is not balding though as far as I can remember.

But he has a rocking sense of humor, he appears to be a kind, intelligent person whom we meet when he is not at the most perfect stage of his career, and I had no problem believing that hot cop may fall for him and not forget him and want to renew their relationship.

Really enjoyed this one. Other reviewers went into plot and why it worked or not for them in great detail, I just want to say that I find this one to be not just funny, but hilarious, rarely I turned a page without at least giggling or often laughing out loud.

I don't know if I love this as much as I love Adrien English, but this is a charming, kind of gay Agatha Christie book. Christopher Holmes made a career as murder mystery writer who created an elderly English spinster who with the help of her cat (Mr Tompkins) solves mysteries. But now, not entirely surprisingly, his readership is dwindling, and his agent insists he comes out to some awful writers convention and meet with the shark-like new publishing editor and convince him of his new direction. But Christopher doesn't want to change directions, and things get worse when en route to the isolated place he bumps first into a corpse and then into J X Moriarty, an old flame that burnt badly...

I read this on the plane, that's how confident I am about Josh Lanyon, he's a sure bet for me. And it was funny and engaging and sexy, and I was happy to be with all the characters, but it's not especially deep or passionate. More of a romp than the Adrien English books were and I guess I miss their intensity though I will certainly buy the next book in this series.

This is Josh's new series and he has delivered one excellent narration by one very likable amateur sleuth named Kit Holmes. I love the vulnerability and stubborness in Josh's hero and Kit with his dry sense of humor and sometimes flair for the dramatics is just that. His writing career in a downward spiral, betrayed by his now ex-lover and no longer in his prime, Kit finds himself a loser. It could not get worse but it does when he becomes the prime suspect of murders in a writers conference and the only person whom he could rely on is a jilted week-end lover 10 years ago who still bear a grudge. This is of course the other half of Josh's new team, one handsome ex-cop turned successful novelist named Julian Xavier Moriarity who is supposedly straight and married. Josh has really breathe live into this 2 vibrant and appealing characters who easily grow on you.
The tightly paced plot is simply riveting as I find myself holding my breath frequently. All the more absorbing when you could easily put yourself in Kit's shoes and live out his fears, suspicion and pain in the suspenseful narration. A narration which is also delightful as it crackles with dry humor which have me laughing out aloud several times. And I love the mysterious setting of the lodge and its surroundings which seems forever shrouded in the non forgiving cold rain. The sinister atmosphere just grip you as everyone could be the killer. As for the supporting characters, they are a vibrant and interesting bunch, each one a distinct character and I could only marvel at the ease at which Josh draws each one out as he skillfully weaves him/her into his seamless story. And I am delighted with the romantic angle in the story as Kit and JX struggle with their feelings, their tense exchanges and bantering pleasing any M/M romance fan. This is top notch writing and I personally feel Josh has excelled himself in this one. Love it!

This new series about a gay duo investigating murders may grow into a masterpiece that rivals Josh Lanyon's Adrien English series.

Kit and JX are fun and appealing and deliciously working out their problems. I would buy the next one in the series sight unseen tomorrow. Josh can actually write in good english and has a delightful sense of humor while constructing a story that leaves one racing from page to page.