The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks

By: Josh Lanyon

Narrated by: Max Miller

Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

His romantic weekend in ruins, shy 20-something artist Perry Foster learns that things can always get worse when he returns home from San Francisco to find a dead body in his bathtub. A dead body in a very ugly sportscoat - and matching socks. The dead man is a stranger to Perry, but that's not much of a comfort; how did a strange dead man get in a locked flat at the isolated Alton Estate in the wilds of the 'Northeast Kingdom' of Vermont? Perry turns to help from 'tall, dark and hostile' former navy SEAL Nick Reno - but is Reno all that he seems?

**This title contains gay erotic content**

©2008 - 2013 MLR Press (P)2012 Josh Lanyon

Super spooky and subtly romantic

Any additional comments?

Series/Standalone: standalone
Genre/sub-genre: mystery/romance
Book Format: audio
HEA/HFN: yes
Relatable characters: yes
Abuse/Rape: no
Violence: yes, but minor
Ratio of sex/plot: equal
Well written/editor needed: well written
Would I re-read?: YES
Personal thoughts: I would love to know more about these characters after this story takes place. I love this book because of the heavy mystery plot, and the fact that the romance is subtle, but there. I love the two MCs, and the whole 3-D cast of interesting characters that go along with them. The narrator does a fantastic job getting everything right.

It was Colonel Mustard in the...

What did you like best about this story?

A classic “CLUE” game whodunit very well written. The relationship between Perry and Nick grows into something unexpected. For Perry, I thought it was a coming of age – reaffirming his manhood and adulthood all in one. For Nick, letting go and embracing who he is, what he wants and eventually what warms his heart to complete him.

Any additional comments?

At first Perry seems somewhat fragile but he is not – just a little naive and inexperienced but in all reality he is just young. Nick on the other hand – X- Navy Seal has been there; done that and has very little patience for anyone let alone a mystery.

I love the “target practice” scene – ANY questions ??? LOL

A very touching romantic story

Good mystery, had some issues with the narration

Any additional comments?

*** 3,5 stars ***

Got to love another mystery by Josh Lanyon! I listened to the audio edition by Max Miller, and found it just okay. He did different voices for all the characters, I just didn't find them interesting. Nick's voice was a bit too monotone, and he had very little inflection (is that the term) when speaking. The narrator also narrated in a way that made words like "drip" sound like "dreep". I don't know how to explain it, and this is probably going to sound weird, but it sounded like his jaw was "loose", or "hanging" when he spoke. Just like with the word "dreep". He drew out words like that making them sound weird. He also made a "sh"-sound for some "s"-sounds, but I don't have any examples of that.

So yeah, the narration wasn't the best I've heard. I probably should have switched to reading instead maybe? Great mystery, though. I do like Lanyon's opposites attracts main characters. I'm happy for Nick and Perry. :)

Great blend of chemistry, humor, mayhem, & heart

Original Review June 2014:
I enjoyed the characters real well. Perry isn't the typical hero and yet with the help of fellow boarder, Nick Reno, that's exactly what he becomes. Not only do they solve an intriguing mystery together but they also find something in each other that they really weren't looking for and definitely weren't expecting.

Some people just find a way of burrowing their way into your hearts and Josh Lanyon has an amazing way of repeatedly bringing us characters that do just that, and this book is chock full of them.

Overall Duology Review
Original Audiobook Review July 2023:
It's been 9 years since I originally read Yellow Socks and 4-1/2 since Early Check-Out, you'd think everything would be brand new after that long . . . it wasn't! Sometimes I wished my memory wasn't so good when it comes to reading and viewing as I miss that adrenaline rush you can only get from the first time but for me, knowing the work doesn't lessen the enjoyment, never has. Well this duology(though I do wish there were more than just the two) is just as entertaining in audio as it was in reading.

Not a lot I can say(or will say😉) about the plots that wasn't already covered in my original reviews so I'll just make a few comments on narration. I tend to enjoy audios of series more when it's the same narrator but different voice performers happen for a variety of reasons and life happens, certainly not something that ruins a series for me though I know it bothers some so that's why I mention it.

Who did Perry & Nick better, Max Miller or Michael Pauley? Hard to say. Miller might have a slight edge but for me that is much more likely to be the case simply because he brought the characters to life first, similar to the way I prefer an the first actor in a series who gets recast later on, neither is necessarily better than the other just who we meet first. As for this duology there was only a few days between listens but Miller was still first and therefore slightly more fitting. Pauley does the pair wonderfully and personally I chalk the difference in nuances to Perry and Nick growing, individually and as a pair, we all change over time and I look at different narrations in that way as well, making Pauley also very well suited when bringing life to the zany mayhem that the men find themselves facing.

As it was with the original discovering of the men and their mysteries, the blend of chemistry, humor, mayhem, and romance is spot on and never boring. Certainly won't be years before I visit this pair again.

Hardly a Ghost Story

Perhaps not a true ghost story, but it is a great story. And it is both entertaining and thought provoking since it is a "who done it" type of story. It is also a decent piece of gay fiction that pairs unlikely lovers in a unique setting. I liked it a lot.

Wow!

What made the experience of listening to The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks the most enjoyable?

I've read the book, and just could not get into it. With the audio, Perry & Nick just came to life!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks?

Perry discovering the body in the bath tub to start with, but I don't want to give away any thing for the next reader or listener.

What about Max Miller’s performance did you like?

To begin with, Max did a great job with Perry & Nick's voices. Could actually visualize them in my mind. Also did a great job with the secondary voices.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Did kind of tense up on the more suspenseful parts and had a couple of aaaaah moments.

Any additional comments?

I would highly recommend, especially if you had a little trouble with the book. If you loved the book, then this will be a really special treat!

Loved it

The reader took a little to get used to, but I've noticed that's the case for me with most books I listen to. But once I was into it I loved it. This is one of my favorite books and being able to listen to it while doing other things is absolutely wonderful!

Not what I anticipated.

Would you listen to The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks again? Why?

No, once I got to the middle of this book, it took a turn to homosexual sex. I finally stopped listening when I felt it was getting too graphic.

What was most disappointing about Josh Lanyon’s story?

The most disappointing part for me was when the relationship between the older male and the younger male turned sexual. I just wasn't expecting that turn, otherwise I was finding the tale interesting.

What does Max Miller bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Not sure.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, it caused me to stop listening. Also, it made me very sleepy (I drive a truck for a living).

Any additional comments?

None, I believe I covered everythig.

didn't see the gay content warning before buying,

Bought the book based on an Audible recommendation. I didn't realize it was from the gay fiction section. The synopsis made the mystery aspect sound intriguing, but didn't mention the gay part. If you read many mysteries you will be way ahead of the story.
Although Perry is revealed to be gay early on, the slow developing romance with Nick was not mentioned. I'm sure those who were actually seeking a gay love story will find this book more appealing. I was looking for an off beat mystery.
I'm not going to trash the book as it just wasn't for me, but sounds like others missed the explicit gay sex warning too. This happened to me once before with another book that featured explicit straight sex. If those scenes had been in a movie it would have had a XXX rating. Not a prude but not looking for explicit sex in my listening.
Audible should do a better job with warning buyers of graphic sex content. I will now look closer as I'm sure by buying this book I will now see more recommendations for gay themed books

Generic bodice-ripper read in a monotone

This story is one of a million generic tell-by-the-numbers bodice-ripper. The only difference is it sounds like it's being read by Kermit the Frog. All voices are read in a monotone - even the yelling. The characters are flat and formulaic, the plot utterly predictable. Overall, I found it silly....just silly. And that was not what I was looking for.