A Dangerous Thing

An Adrien English Mystery, Book 2

By: Josh Lanyon

Narrated by: Chris Patton

Suffering from writer's block and frustrated with his tentative relationship with hot but closeted LAPD Homicide Detective Jake Riordan, gay bookseller and mystery writer Adrien English travels to northern California where he finds a body in his front drive. By the time the sheriffs arrive the body has disappeared, and Adrien once again finds himself playing amateur sleuth. But when the game turns deadly, Adrien turns to Jake. Jake may be confused about some things, but keeping his lover alive is not one of them - no matter what the cost.

©2012 Josh Lanyon (P)2013 Josh Lanyon

Number 2: Very Enjoyable...

Number two in the series and I must admit that the mystery plot was a bit less obvious than the first book and the budding relationship between Adrien and Jake was tantalizing, to say the least. The twinge of jealousy from Jake was a welcomed surprise and certainly opened the door for hope. On a side note, I have been more careful checking my mailbox since reading this story! Another great tale by Josh Lanyon and again Chris Patton’s narration was excellent and added to the story. Looking forward to reading the next in the series! Recommend!!

Story good, yet beware of the prurient interest

This is a well-plotted story. It moves along in a contrived, written for the movies pace. The mind of the author is inventive, and the scenes it describes are full, and complete. The reader/listener feels part of the plot.

But perhaps I can complain about the explicit nature of some descriptions. I felt, while listening, that I was meant to enjoy this, and to feel more connected with the characters as a result, but I only felt that the author was pushing this too far, and that it was too much information,and put into the book as a hook for shock value.

Some subtlety would be welcome here. I love the characters, and would want to hear more from them.

Another winner!

Loved it. Great narration! Josh Lanyon is the only author I've listend to in the last 3 months. Can't wait to finish all of his books.

AMAZING narration is what made the story!

I enjoyed listening to the narration and Chris Patton is probably why I keep coming back to listen to this story over and over. I love this series! I really do but what keeps it from being the BEST ever is the fact that the conflict between Adrien and Jake are left open in some sense and there just isn't enough closure in the scenes. Lanyon leaves too much unsaid and it seems a rug is pulled over some of the resentment that Adrien feels towards Jake and essentially, he "allows" Jake's behavior to just simply be. I often wondered if the writer's opinion of man on man kissing became apparent in the scene between Jake and Adrien when Jake told Adrien that he could see all his pores up close "unlike the soft skin of a girls". There just wasn't any closure to alleviate the insult and it was frustrating as hell. The first time scene which is a big milestone for the two is turned into some sort of joke with the use of sunscreen as lubricant. Suncreen? Really? After all the amazing and heavy heart-string tugs of angst these two go through, this is the comfort the anticipating readers are finally rewarded with- a Forest Gump type of offer to "f**k", sunscreen lubricant, and the clumsy bumping of heads. This story has so much more potential on top of how great it is already. I wished Lanyon would go back and clarify or add additional details so that so much isn't left up the imaginations of the readers. Other than the non-closure issues, the story is really, really good b/c I seem to keep coming back to listen; despite its short comings.

Continuing to love this series!

"Aren't you the guy who told me a cop's gut instinct is one of his best tools?"
"You're not a cop, baby. You're a bookseller. You don't have a gut instinct. You have knack for nearly getting yourself killed."

I love the blend of quick wit and humour with the intrigue of the murder mystery. But as good as the mystery is, of course I'm really only reading to see to the evolution of the relationship between Adrien and Jake.

I adore Adrien! He's the sort of guy I would love to have as a friend and as a friend, I want him to be happy. His admission (to himself) of love for Jake is painful because we know loving Jake won't be easy. Oh, but the first kiss with Jake - just beautiful!

I have been continuing to 'read' this series by listening to the audio version......Chris Patton does a stellar job of narrating this series. I loved the way he voiced Adrien - his inflection, his tone, the quality of his voice - and the sexy, gruffness of Jake is perfect!

A dangerous thing - definitely recommended

I was lucky enough to win a copy of this and I have spent the last couple of driving trips listening to the story. I was so lucky.
Firstly, I have all of Josh's books both as ebooks and in print as well. I'm now going to add audio books to my collection. When driving long distances listening to an ebook is a great way to pass the time. The story is interesting and Chris Patton does a great job at narrator.
I can't recommend this author, this story or this format highly enough.

And with that, I'm a Josh Lanyon fan.

The second in the Adrien English series is definitely a great book. I've got a couple of his books in my library - good thing, because these are the types of stories you end up going back to.
I've really begun to appreciate Lanyon's style, primarily because he doesn't have an overt style. Seamlessly he adapts to the narrative, each book unique in it's own way. I listened to this book right after "Come Onto These Yellow Sands" expecting the same, and it took me a little time to adjust to the style of the first Adrien English book. Both books are excellent - this man has literary chops!
Oh, and incase you missed it, the hottest sex scene bar none.

Engaging

The narrator is quite good, although I prefer it when the voices are more different. The story is engaging, although I didn't find it as original as the first book in the series. The character of Adrian, from whose POV the story is told, is likable and worthy of respect. I have no idea though, what it is he sees in Jake. It's not that Jake is unlikable, is more that at this point a) we still don't know much about him. He's like a well developed side character--still fairly 2 dimensional. B) He either doesn't get Adrien like we do, is a total player douchecanoe, is in complete denial about Everything, or some mix of the above. Consequently, it's hard to ship A and J. That means the book has to stand on its own as a mystery in a series of mysteries...and it does.

Working Vacations are murder

Can a change of venue stop a case of writers block? Adrien sure hopes so, but the first thing that greets him at his ranch is a dead body, that then disappears. The local police think he's a over excitable fellow, there are strangers on his land, saying that he gave them permission to dig there, his property caretaker is nowhere to be found, there is cannabis growing in his hills, and stories of ancient guardians seeking vengeance. After an accident finds him waking up in the hospital, Jake's there to help him uncover the truth and get to the bottom of it all. But who can write with all these distractions?

Best series ever

I love this slow burn romance/mystery series so much. I’ll never get sick of listening to it