The previous book ended with Adrien in the hospital after being shot. This book starts about three weeks after he also undergoes the open heart surgery he needed to have. He is depressed, emotionally detached from everything that is happening around him, though he cares about Jake, and even after everything Jake did for him he is holding him at an arms length which was frankly exhausting.. The relationship with Guy is STILL not really resolved though it should have been, and the unexpected appearance of Mel (his "mythological" ex) was totally unnecessary. Why did we need the whole "gang" for Adrien to make up his mind that the one he wants and needs is Jake?!
The mystery was all over the place and too much out of date - finally the remains of a man who disappeared from the hotel (which is now Adrien's book store) in the 50s is found during renovations and so Adrien has one last chance for a bit of sleuthing, even with Jake's (sort of) approval / help. I didn't like how it ended and what was implied, I didn't like the fact that more could have gotten wrong were the story ended and we don't get to read about it and see there is no harm done to both Adrien and Jake and I also didn't appreciate how things were left with the cop who was antagonizing both Adrien and Jake.
Yeah we finally get the long awaited HEA for Jake and Adrien, and I liked how it was played out (though it was WAY too slow), I think the things that needed to be said WERE said, but I would have appreciated a little bit more of them together as a couple.
It was better than the first 3 novels, not as good as the previous one was. I think if I would recommend this series it would be just the last two, but I'm not sure I will.. Yeah the writing is STILL superb, I love how witty it is, and yet everything else seems to be lacking. The mystery, the romance and the lack of conclusion in too many fronts. I wish it would have been "more" and it simply wasn't. A nice enough read, but I won't ever read it again. Also I'm not sure about other books by Josh, no more amateur sleuthing for me that's for sure!
Additional Details: Kindle Ebook, 307 pages, 27-31 October 2015 / On GoodReads
ABOUT THIS SERIES
Adrien English is a MM Romantic Suspense series by Josh Lanyon.
The series follows Adrien who is a mystery book store owners as well as
a new writer. Adrien stumbles on crimes too often and since he IS
writing mystery and he IS a very curious guy he also finds himself smack
in the middle of it, and probably accused of the crime himself..
In the first book we are introduced to Jake Riordan a police detective that slowly becomes Adrien's love interest. It doesn't go well at first with Jake being more closeted than a closet can offer.. and yet he sees something in Adrien he can't put aside and so he struggles with his identity and desires and tries to give a true chance to him and Adrien.
The series contains 5 full novels (yet quite short ones) each of a new mystery with an ongoing relationship buildup between Adrien and Jake.
Though this is a well known and generally appreciated series I can't say I truly enjoyed it. For me the suspense was a bit too amateur-ish and the romance was VERY lacking. We get the HEA in the end, but I'm not sure I would have invested in the series knowing what I do know. I should say that the writing is witty and very enjoyable! In one word - Superb! So if you're into amateur sleuthing and not very much into romance it would be right down your ally. The only book I truly recommend is the forth one, but be advised you won't get a HEA but maybe a promise to one. So guess maybe the 4th+5th is the better bet.
Books:
1. Fatal Shadows (Published 1 May 2000) ★★★★
2. A Dangerous Thing (Published 1 November 2001) ★★★½
3. The Hell You Say (Published 6 March 2006) ★★★
4. Death of a Pirate King (Published 13 September 2008) ★★★★
5. The Dark Tide (Published1 December 2009) ★★★
In the first book we are introduced to Jake Riordan a police detective that slowly becomes Adrien's love interest. It doesn't go well at first with Jake being more closeted than a closet can offer.. and yet he sees something in Adrien he can't put aside and so he struggles with his identity and desires and tries to give a true chance to him and Adrien.
The series contains 5 full novels (yet quite short ones) each of a new mystery with an ongoing relationship buildup between Adrien and Jake.
Though this is a well known and generally appreciated series I can't say I truly enjoyed it. For me the suspense was a bit too amateur-ish and the romance was VERY lacking. We get the HEA in the end, but I'm not sure I would have invested in the series knowing what I do know. I should say that the writing is witty and very enjoyable! In one word - Superb! So if you're into amateur sleuthing and not very much into romance it would be right down your ally. The only book I truly recommend is the forth one, but be advised you won't get a HEA but maybe a promise to one. So guess maybe the 4th+5th is the better bet.
Books:
1. Fatal Shadows (Published 1 May 2000) ★★★★
2. A Dangerous Thing (Published 1 November 2001) ★★★½
3. The Hell You Say (Published 6 March 2006) ★★★
4. Death of a Pirate King (Published 13 September 2008) ★★★★
5. The Dark Tide (Published1 December 2009) ★★★
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