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

Wonderful stand alone from Josh Lanyon

Would you consider the audio edition of The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks to be better than the print version?

Unknown

What did you like best about this story?

Perry's spirit and very dry sense of humor, and stone-cold Nicks unthawing the longer he was around Perry.

What about Max Miller’s performance did you like?

Fairly good narrator for this story. Would have liked a bit more lower range in his voice, especially for Nick.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I hope there is NEVER a movie made from this wonderful story. Hollywood NEVER gets it right unless the author is in complete control. And unless Josh becomes JK Rowling overnight... that's not going to happen. Leave it be.

Any additional comments?

A well written murder mystery surrounded by a love story. Well done!

Ghost?

Not much of a mystery and I don't care for the detailed sex scenes, but it was a sweet
Little love story.

One of Josh Lanyon's best

What did you love best about The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks?

The over all premise of the story. I so appreciate the how the relationship and sexual tension between the characters develops gradually with a growing love rather than a story where they jump in the sack in the first chapter. Makes it more real life and beautiful rather than just sexual and pornographic.

What other book might you compare The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks to and why?

I like all Lanyon's books! Gradually listening to everyone available on audible.

What about Max Miller’s performance did you like?

The change in his voice for characters is utterly amazing.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Pretty much over just a few days, while driving, and exercising.

Any additional comments?

I'm almost through Mr. Lanyon's whole library. Keep em coming Josh!!

Great murder mystery

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would totally recommend this book to friends as it is a good, old-fashioned (with a twist or two) murder mystery set in a crumbling mansion. The action (of all sorts!) proceeds at a nice pace, tension building to a great finish. The supporting characters add local color and this listener could really imagine himself at the scene of the action.

Which character – as performed by Max Miller – was your favorite?

I really liked Nick- everything you expect in a Navy Seal and more. Miller's acting (it's really more than just reading) is fantastic, accents and all. He captured the characters so well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have loved to listen to this book in one sitting. However, I mostly listened during my public transit/walking commute to work. The story/performance made my daily commute fly by for a few days!

Any additional comments?

I will definitely look up more books by Josh Layton!

Very enjoyable story and narration.

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

I have not read this book before, and the story was very entertaining. The narration of all the characters, even for the secondary characters with their East Coast accents was extremely well done.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved Perry. Such a sweetheart. I laughed when he turned down an offer of a beer because he had already brushed his teeth that evening.

What about Max Miller’s performance did you like?

Good voices, nice inflection and professional narration.

If you could rename The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks, what would you call it?

I like the name as it is. What kind of question is that?

Love the locked room mystery element.

This book has a fun classic locked room mystery element that meanders in it's telling and revelation. It feels like watching classic film noir or reading some of my favorite old dime-store novels.

I was not at all sure about the narrator at the beginning, but he grew on me. It is a performance and not the dry reading that it first threatens to be.

Lanyon books tend to have one or two *sexy* (but never graphic) scenes in them. He is not a go to author for erotica, but IS a go to author for entertainment, story, suspense and characters. Josh Lanyon has become a favorite author. Not favorite gay author or favorite m/m author ... just favorite author. I love the little details he includes, his character developments and the overall tone he manages to create with his words.

Well worth the time and credit.

It all started with a dead body in Perry’s tub…

Getting home from a heartbreaking trip to San Francisco the last thing Perry expected was to find a dead body in his room. In his bath tub to be specific. The body of a man he’s never seen before, a middle aged and heavy set man in need of a shave. Wearing a sports coat and mustard-coloured socks, and had a hole in his left shoe. That, as they say was only the beginning; because when ex-military Nick Reno goes into Perry’s room to investigate the body was gone. The only trace was a red stain in the bath tub and an old shoe on the floor. A shoe that later that night also vanishes without a trace.

The police and the other residents believe Perry’s making things up. And while Nick does believe Perry he does not want to get involved, but seeing the terror in Perry’s eyes he takes him in and lets him sleep on the couch. The next day they start to investigate and try to figure out what’s going on and which of the tenants committed the crime, where the body had gone to and how it vanished almost right in front of their eyes.

I loved the sense of place Lanyon created for this book. It was spooky, eerie even. It was great and I loved every moment of it! The whole book was great, the mystery of the vanishing body, the quirky tenants, the chemistry between Perry and Nick. I gobbled it all up with a happy and satisfied smile.

Max Miller did a really good job narrating this story. I enjoyed his voice in general, it had this nice and soothing tone that I just love. As far as portraying Perry and Nick he did really great. He captured Perry’s insecurities, his young personality and also the need to love, to be accepted – for someone to love him. At the same time Nick also came through clearly, his gruff-ness, wanting to be left alone to lick his wounds (don’t tell him that though, ’cause he might strangle you), yet managing to stay clear is always pushed aside for his (reluctant) need to help people in need. Miller also brings you that creepiness of the manor, the suspense looking for the killer, hiding from them.

I read this book a few years back – I just couldn’t resist the title. It was just too funny to pass up on. And with the release of the second book in this series, I just had to go back and listen to the first book. And I had a wonderful time listening too. Now I can’t wait to dive into the next one.

A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes.

Loved this story!

This was such a fun book! Loved it. I truly loved Max Miller's reading of this book. I started book two recently and was very disappointed at the new narrator. Max has a wonderful feel for the mood of the book and I loved his voices.

I loved all the varied characters in this book, but of course, I always love Josh's books.

Let the journey begin...

Where does The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

As far as skill, it was very skillfully written but I don't have the urge to listen to it a second time.

Would you ever listen to anything by Josh Lanyon again?

Yes.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Nick sees the ambulance.

Who was the most memorable character of The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks and why?

Perry. He's got a lot of heart.

Any additional comments?

The pace of the book was great, the story well done. The characters were real, very real in fact. The whole 'boy' with 'man' thing was starting to get creepy by the point when one is referred to as smelling of 'boy sweat', but otherwise, it was a good fun listen. The voice actor made the characters come to life and his wide range really did justice to the story. It has a lot of twists and turns that get wrapped up rather nicely. I'm glad I gave this one a shot after Darkling Thrush because it's a better book. I recommend it.

p.s. I believe this is a non American author, we don't call 'our room' 'our rooms', we don't say 'what was he doing in my rooms', or 'my apartments', 'she went to her rooms', yeah, that was a bit distracting but once you get past that, it was good.

Thoroughly enjoyable mystery/romance

Where does The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best I've listened to -- by far. The voice narration -- nay, voice acting -- was exceptional, vividly portraying each character, making them easily recognizable without any attribution. It was a little scary how good they were. Accents were good, even making different Vermonters recognizable.

The book itself is a great old atmospheric gothic tale, though more like the Hardy Boys than an overblown Gothic romance might imply. The atmosphere, descriptions and wry humor were all spot on. Just great stuff.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Perry, who was both a slightly fragile man and a really sarcastic bastard. A bit like Lanyon's Adrien English, but more artistic and painterly.

Which character – as performed by Max Miller – was your favorite?

Oh man, they were all good. Mrs Mac was both funny and scary. Nick was a great gruff, traditionally masculine voice (sexy!) and all the Vermont accents were spot-on. If pressed, I'd have to pick Nick.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

As if Perry didn't have enough problems, now he's got a dead body in his bathtub. At least, it was there, and now it's not. The cops aren't particularly getting called out in this weather. What is going on in that great old weird mansion? Is every one of his fellow renters crazy, or is it just the hunt for lost treasure making them act that way? Who keeps murdering people?