The Boy with the Painful Tattoo

Holmes & Moriarity, Book 3

By: Josh Lanyon

Narrated by: Kevin R. Free

Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

It's moving day at Chez Holmes. Somehow, against Kit's better instincts, he and J.X. are setting up house together. But while J.X. is off at a writing conference, Kit unpacks a crate that should contain either old books or new china.

It doesn't. Within the mounds of Styrofoam popcorn is a dead body. A very dead body. There goes the neighborhood.

©2014 Josh Lanyon (P)2014 Josh Lanyon

Christopher Holmes solves another wacky mystery

Somehow Christopher Holmes always gets himself stuck in mixed up mysteries with odd characters. It is as if there is this fiendish hand (perhaps the author's?) directing his fate that gets him involved with criminally minded people against his will. These lunatic characters refuse to let Kit (Christopher) live his life, now with J.X. in San Francisco, in peace and contentment.

Due to delivery van mix ups, it is nearly morning when J.X. and Kit move into a beautiful house in the Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. J.X. has to leave to attend an authors conference and Kit, whose writing career is in rubble, refused to attend with J.X. and be humiliated. So, he stays home at the new (old) house to unpack and wait for more deliveries of new furniture.

Kit makes a trip to the hardware store where a fan, who met Kit at the same conference where Kit and J.X. originally met and fell in love, recognizes Kit and immediately becomes an annoying pest. Jerry Knight. There is something creepy about Jerry from the start.

When Kit gets back to the house, he starts unpacking boxes and putting stuff away. Searching for his own china settings, Kit goes down to the basement. He finds his china packing box but, instead of china, it contains a dead body. (It is the fiendish hand of fate I wrote about. It has it in for Kit. Always tossing dead bodies in his path.) Thus begins another week or two of hellish events for Kit Holmes. They do not even stop after J.X. gets back from his authors conference. Kit is bedevilled by multiple (five!) lunatic characters in this book. He manages to survive but the whole mess puts a strain on Kit and J.X.'s new life together.

How come Kit has to do all the "heavy lifting" in these mysteries while J.X. hangs around looking unbearably handsome and annoyed or bossy??? Really, J.X. is the ex cop and best selling author; but Kit is the real detective even if he writes cozy mysteries about Mr. Pinkerton, a cat.

Cameos by Adrien English and his lover Jake, as well as Rachel Ving (on multiple annoying phone calls) and new neighbor Emmaline and her cat Pinky.

Fun. Highly recommended.

Josh & Kevin combo works well!

What can you say about Josh's amazing story-telling skills that haven't already been said? And if course, a great story needs a great narrator. I love Kevin's rendition of Kit!
Can't wait for book 4!

Wonderful story, great voice

What made the experience of listening to The Boy with the Painful Tattoo the most enjoyable?

The narrator, Mr. Free, is really a great narrator. He gave so much character to each character, so much emotion and virility to each one. Each person in the book had a distinct and well-cast voice. Loved it!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Definitely Christopher. All his issues and his humor make him perfect.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were so many, but the arrival at the Dew Drop Inn was so freakin' funny. I had tears in my eyes and had to pause the story until I could get myself under control so I could hear the rest.

Loved it!

I love this series, and this one was the best of the best! For me it got a lot of laughs and there were enough twists to hold my attention, can't wait to see what Lanyon comes up with next.

Very enjoyable

I have listened to all 3 Holmes & Moriarity books back to back and they were very enjoyable. I liked the mystery in this one. Kit & JX's relationship was better and I actually did not think Kit was as annoying in this one. I think it was because he finally confirmed and admitted to his feelings for JX.

An overall satisfying series from one of my favorite authors, Josh Lanyon. I also enjoyed the narration by Kevin R. Free as I thought he did a great job with Kit. I was not the biggest fan of his JX though.

Hilarious

This story made me laugh out loud and kept me engaged for its entirety.

Kevin R. Free performance was on point. He brings Kit and JX to LIFE.

Great story. Great narration.

I have a long list of things that I enjoy about Josh Lanyon's books. This book reminded me of another one on my list. The Easter eggs scattered around in just about every story. Every time I read/listen to a book I find another one. I especially enjoy the references to past works. I suspect that if I am a bit more attentive, I will find subtle clues to future works.
I always appreciate a writer who is clever enough to hold onto ideas and incorporate them into later works.

The references to mystery and crime, tv and books always brings me a bit of joy from Scooby Doo to Sherlock Holmes. The references are often subtle. I don't always find them in the first read, but they show just how much the author appreciates a good mystery and how well they know the genre. This particular series often feels like a parody of every mystery plot ever told. I am enjoying every word.

I don't know why it works, but it works

Kit is frustrating as hell. JX is charming and adorable as usual. The pair's chemistry seems to only work when there's a dead body involved. But in spite of everything, Josh pulled it again. It's funny and witty. There's an honesty about Josh's work on gay relationships that just pulls you right in, no matter how absurd. I just don't like Kit, he reminds me too much of myself.

One Of My Favorites!

This is easily one of the most enjoyable murder mysteries I've had! My only regret is the fact that there isn't a book 4 (yet).

Kit is a hard pill to take.

Though I have never been let down by Josh Lanyon's ability to put together a good story, I have to say I really find the Kit character hard to take. 4 hours in and i was really tired of the whining and angst. By the end of the book I was really pushing myself to finish. Beyond that the story is well paced and thought out. I've read most of Mr. Lanyon's work and have never been disappointed. I just don't like Kit as a character.