In From the Cold: The I Spy Stories

I Spy Something, Volume 1

By: Josh Lanyon

Narrated by: Alexander J. Masters

I Spy Something Bloody

Espionage was always a game, but now British spy Mark Hardwicke wants to retire and settle down with ex-lover Dr. Stephen Thorpe - if Stephen will have him.

Unfortunately, Stephen has other plans - and so do the terrorists who want Mark dead.

I Spy Something Wicked

It's All Hallow's Eve and Mark Hardwicke's past has come back to haunt him. The Old Man needs Mark to go on one last mission to the wild, lonely hills of Afghanistan - a mission Mark knows he can't survive. Even if he does make it back, Stephen has made it very clear Mark is out of second chances. Should Mark place his lover and his own happiness before duty undefined?

I Spy Something Christmas

Nothing says Christmas like a bullet with your name on it. Mark is used to death and danger. Stephen will never be okay with violence - or Mark's attitude toward it. Like the holidays weren't tough enough on a romance.

©2013 Josh Lanyon (P)2013 Josh Lanyon

Very satisfying listen

Alexander J. Masters does a very nice job of narrating.
His interpretation of Mark starts by portraying the lack of emotion one would expect from a spy dealing in lies, then shows Mark's psychological healing by bringing emotion into Mark's voice.
Josh Lanyon's characters are never flat, they make tough decisions in a realistic fashion.
I preferred listening to this collection rather than reading them.
Highly recommended.

A Keeper!

This collection of I Spy stories, In From The Cold has been in my audio library wishlist for a few years and thank goodness I rediscovered it. This is a classic Josh Lanyon mm romantic story told through the eyes of an emotionally and physically traumatized British spy. Mark is a young man in years but old in the ways of war, lies, and betrayal. His experience as a spy almost cripple his ability to trust and love without fear of loss or abandonment. Mark regrets leaving Steven behind 10 years ago when Mark went on “one more” mission for the British government, a mission that led to more and ultimately almost to the end of a possible romantic relationship with Steven.
The narrator is marvelous! Perfect nuances for the myriad of conversations and inner dialogues. I recommend this book to all readers who enjoy this genre.

a little slow, but a fun guilty indulgence

There was something off about the pacing in this book- well, it's partially that it's not actually a book, but rather a series of short stories. Still, the narrator's slow, slow, slow drawl, the long and thoughtful pauses, the flashbacks, the exposition re-hashing things that were covered in the previous short... I found it hard to stay interested in what should have been a much more compelling story.

Now for the good; MAN OH MAN is this fun, when it's at the good parts. An emotionally indulgent love story that actually made my eyes burn in sympathy for the poor hero, maybe lacking little nuance yeah but WHATEVER this is basically porn! I really liked both main characters and the dynamic between them was hot and fun and I'm going to look for more by this author for sure.

I Spy series by Josh Lanyon

Mark is a loner, a cold British intelligence operative who longs to retire but struggles with loyalties to his boss mentor. Stephen is a small town doctor, the last of several generations of southern small town gentry.
This is a series of short stories progressing the arc of Marks journey to break free from his old life, and start anew with older established Stephen. Marks past continually comes back to cause drama and complications.
I did enjoy this short book, because Josh Lanyon always turns out a good story, but its not my favorite. I found Mark to be a hard character to like, his iceberg personality never really thawed, and his repeated discision to keep information from Stephen to protect got annoying, not sympathetic.
Still a nice short listen.
Loved narrator Alexander Masters performance. Characters voices were different and distinguishable. Well done.

I spy something... beautiful

Three stories involving an English spy and an American doctor. Really interesting and emotionally deep. Strong thinking about life, love and what being in a relationship involves. The narration by Alexander Masters is perfect.