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I Spy #1-3
In From the Cold: The I Spy Stories
THE I SPY STORIES -- I SPY SOMETHING BLOODY Espionage was always a game, but now British spy Mark Hardwicke wants to retire and settle down with ex-lover Dr. Stephen Thorpe -- if Stephen will have him. Unfortunately, Stephen has other plans -- and so do the terrorists who want Mark dead.
I SPY SOMETHING WICKED It's All Hallow's Eve and Mark Hardwicke's past has come back to haunt him. The Old Man needs Mark to go on one last mission to the wild, lonely hills of Afghanistan -- a mission Mark knows he can't survive. Even if he does make it back, Stephen has made it very clear Mark is out of second chances. Should Mark place his lover and his own happiness before duty?
I SPY SOMETHING CHRISTMAS Nothing says Christmas like a bullet with your name on it. Mark is used to death and danger. Stephen will never be okay with violence -- or Mark's attitude toward it. Like the holidays weren't tough enough on a romance.
I SPY SOMETHING WICKED It's All Hallow's Eve and Mark Hardwicke's past has come back to haunt him. The Old Man needs Mark to go on one last mission to the wild, lonely hills of Afghanistan -- a mission Mark knows he can't survive. Even if he does make it back, Stephen has made it very clear Mark is out of second chances. Should Mark place his lover and his own happiness before duty?
I SPY SOMETHING CHRISTMAS Nothing says Christmas like a bullet with your name on it. Mark is used to death and danger. Stephen will never be okay with violence -- or Mark's attitude toward it. Like the holidays weren't tough enough on a romance.
276 pages, Paperback
First published December 24, 2012
17 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Josh Lanyon
201 books5,399 followersAuthor of 100+ titles of Gay Mystery and M/M Romance, Josh Lanyon has built her literary legacy on twisty mystery, kickass adventure, and unapologetic man-on-man romance.
Her work has been translated into twelve languages. The FBI thriller Fair Game was the first Male/Male title to be published by Italy’s Harlequin Mondadori and Stranger on the Shore (Harper Collins Italia) was the first M/M title to be published in print. In 2016 Fatal Shadows placed #5 in Japan’s annual Boy Love novel list (the first and only title by a foreign author to place on the list). The Adrien English series was awarded the All-Time Favorite Couple by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group. In 2019, Fatal Shadows became the first LGBTQ mobile game created by Moments: Choose Your Story.
She’s an EPIC Award winner, a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist (twice for Gay Mystery), an Edgar nominee, and the first ever recipient of the Goodreads All Time Favorite M/M Author award.
Josh is married and lives in Southern California with her irascible husband, two adorable dogs, a small garden, and an ever-expanding library of vintage mystery destined to eventually crush them all beneath its weight.
Find other Josh Lanyon titles at www.joshlanyon.com
Follow Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
Her work has been translated into twelve languages. The FBI thriller Fair Game was the first Male/Male title to be published by Italy’s Harlequin Mondadori and Stranger on the Shore (Harper Collins Italia) was the first M/M title to be published in print. In 2016 Fatal Shadows placed #5 in Japan’s annual Boy Love novel list (the first and only title by a foreign author to place on the list). The Adrien English series was awarded the All-Time Favorite Couple by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group. In 2019, Fatal Shadows became the first LGBTQ mobile game created by Moments: Choose Your Story.
She’s an EPIC Award winner, a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist (twice for Gay Mystery), an Edgar nominee, and the first ever recipient of the Goodreads All Time Favorite M/M Author award.
Josh is married and lives in Southern California with her irascible husband, two adorable dogs, a small garden, and an ever-expanding library of vintage mystery destined to eventually crush them all beneath its weight.
Find other Josh Lanyon titles at www.joshlanyon.com
Follow Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
November 19, 2021
I could write a review of this book or I could write a rant. The review would be one paragraph. The rant would be 17 paragraphs with subheaders, bullet points, photographs, links to Google Maps, and possibly a bit of foaming at the mouth. Which would you prefer?
Okay, the votes are tallied, the people have spoken, and the answer is... you want the review! All right then, here we go:
I have a weakness for second-chance romances, and Josh Lanyon has written some of the best. I was drawn right into Mark & Stephen's story, which plays out over the three shorts collected into this single volume. I am NOT a fan of age-gap romance, but I did appreciate that Josh accomplished something other authors often don't: making apparent the maturity gap between the two guys. Overall this book was a mixed bag for me even without the rant-inducing stuff.
End of review.
But I'm afraid something's going to bust if I don't let out just a little bit of rant. Just a tiny bit. I promise. (Famous last words, right?) You can bail out now if you like, and who could blame you.
So: The geography fail in these stories is epic. I've never seen anything so — so — so wrong. It took me three tries to read the book because I kept getting derailed by an early scene that's laughably inaccurate. But I did manage to persevere on my third try, thinking once I got past that initial scene, things would settle.
Alas, things did not settle. I'm going to compress those 17 paragraphs, pics, maps, etc into just a single example. It goes something like this:
"My flight out of the major international airport an hour's drive away doesn't leave until afternoon. So let's get up before dawn to drive to the smaller airport 4 hours away so I can catch a connecting flight to the major airport from there."
"Sounds like a good idea to me!"
Hey, I did it! No maps, no bullet points, no foam. And if you're not familiar with the story's setting in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, you'll have an entirely different reading experience than I did. A much less annoying one, I assure you. So please proceed accordingly.
Okay, the votes are tallied, the people have spoken, and the answer is... you want the review! All right then, here we go:
I have a weakness for second-chance romances, and Josh Lanyon has written some of the best. I was drawn right into Mark & Stephen's story, which plays out over the three shorts collected into this single volume. I am NOT a fan of age-gap romance, but I did appreciate that Josh accomplished something other authors often don't: making apparent the maturity gap between the two guys. Overall this book was a mixed bag for me even without the rant-inducing stuff.
End of review.
But I'm afraid something's going to bust if I don't let out just a little bit of rant. Just a tiny bit. I promise. (Famous last words, right?) You can bail out now if you like, and who could blame you.
So: The geography fail in these stories is epic. I've never seen anything so — so — so wrong. It took me three tries to read the book because I kept getting derailed by an early scene that's laughably inaccurate. But I did manage to persevere on my third try, thinking once I got past that initial scene, things would settle.
Alas, things did not settle. I'm going to compress those 17 paragraphs, pics, maps, etc into just a single example. It goes something like this:
"My flight out of the major international airport an hour's drive away doesn't leave until afternoon. So let's get up before dawn to drive to the smaller airport 4 hours away so I can catch a connecting flight to the major airport from there."
"Sounds like a good idea to me!"
⟣⟡⟢
Hey, I did it! No maps, no bullet points, no foam. And if you're not familiar with the story's setting in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, you'll have an entirely different reading experience than I did. A much less annoying one, I assure you. So please proceed accordingly.
December 16, 2023
3.5 stars. The first half, I Spy Something Bloody, was a solid 4. This was the first story I've read of Lanyon's besides Adrien English, and I was reminded of how well she can write interpersonal tension. A second-chance romance with an especially flawed POV character, and I was engaged in every word of it.
The other two shorter volumes, I was a bit less so. 3 stars to both of those. They had elements I liked and ones that I didn't, but ultimately I felt a lot of the angst was a bit contrived. It wasn't that I didn't believe the specific issues that the couple ran into, relationship-wise, but IDK. Something was missing. And I don't think the author maintained tension effectively after the couple got together.
Having said that, I still recommend the series, and especially volume 1 (which can be read as a standalone).
Thanks, buddy readers! Your company and chats are the best, no matter the story. Ele Rosa Shile Teal
The other two shorter volumes, I was a bit less so. 3 stars to both of those. They had elements I liked and ones that I didn't, but ultimately I felt a lot of the angst was a bit contrived. It wasn't that I didn't believe the specific issues that the couple ran into, relationship-wise, but IDK. Something was missing. And I don't think the author maintained tension effectively after the couple got together.
Having said that, I still recommend the series, and especially volume 1 (which can be read as a standalone).
Thanks, buddy readers! Your company and chats are the best, no matter the story. Ele Rosa Shile Teal
January 7, 2022
4.5 🌟 I kept this series(set of three short novellas) pending for someday in the future when I am in the mood for some light and super quick mystery by JL. Surprise!!!! This is at least a light-year away from anything 'light'. Moreover, my habit of starting a new book without even reading the blurb, once again came back to bite me.🤭🤭
Initially, I thought it's going to be another JL book with an asshole ex because Dr Stephen in the first few scenes completely fits the bill. But, nooo, we start getting peeks into their past through Mark's dreams and Flashbacks. And, I just couldn't hate Stephen anymore because it was pretty clear that no one was to be blamed for the pain and angst of their relationship.
1. I spy something bloody- 110 pages- 4 🌟
An age-gap, super angsty-Second Chance romance without any mystery plot.
The angst was painful to read but I would have given it a 4 star even if it was a standalone novella.
2. I spy something wicked- 50 pages-3.5 🌟
No mystery plot, but some relationship development.
This short further brings out Mark's insecurities. I like reading age-gap relationships, here we have a 20+age difference but Stephens maturity perfectly justifies the age gap.
3. I spy something Christmas- 54 pages-3 🌟
Not so much Christmasy but has a mystery plot.
The angst continued, at least from Mark's POV however, Stephen as book boyfriend is greatttt.
The beauty of the story was heightened ten hold by the audiobook narration by Alexander Masters.
P.S- Like most of JL's books, once again we get an MC who is in the habit of reading and quoting his favorite author. This time it was Dickens...
Initially, I thought it's going to be another JL book with an asshole ex because Dr Stephen in the first few scenes completely fits the bill. But, nooo, we start getting peeks into their past through Mark's dreams and Flashbacks. And, I just couldn't hate Stephen anymore because it was pretty clear that no one was to be blamed for the pain and angst of their relationship.
1. I spy something bloody- 110 pages- 4 🌟
An age-gap, super angsty-Second Chance romance without any mystery plot.
The angst was painful to read but I would have given it a 4 star even if it was a standalone novella.
2. I spy something wicked- 50 pages-3.5 🌟
No mystery plot, but some relationship development.
This short further brings out Mark's insecurities. I like reading age-gap relationships, here we have a 20+age difference but Stephens maturity perfectly justifies the age gap.
3. I spy something Christmas- 54 pages-3 🌟
Not so much Christmasy but has a mystery plot.
The angst continued, at least from Mark's POV however, Stephen as book boyfriend is greatttt.
The beauty of the story was heightened ten hold by the audiobook narration by Alexander Masters.
P.S- Like most of JL's books, once again we get an MC who is in the habit of reading and quoting his favorite author. This time it was Dickens...
June 1, 2024
Story; 3.5 stars overall for the three stories
Audio: 4 stars!
I liked the first story “I spy something bloody “ the most. 4 stars to that. It had a little angst, action and suspense in good measure with a nice build up to the climax.
The second novella, “l spy something wicked” was my least favorite.. (3 stars)nothing really happened except a lot of contrived relationship drama.
The third novella “l spy something Christmas “ was average (3.5 stars) there was again more relationship drama and a repeat of the same insecurities between the two MCs. In fact I felt that they may be better off by separating, that’s how frustrating it felt. Nevertheless the suspense towards the end was interesting, I also liked the resolution, and with some romance thrown in; it made up for some of earlier frustrations.
The narrator was good; Mark’s English accent wasn’t quite authentic; but the others voices sounded different 👍🏻
This is probably not JL’s best.. but worth trying on audio. 👍🏻👍🏻
Audio: 4 stars!
I liked the first story “I spy something bloody “ the most. 4 stars to that. It had a little angst, action and suspense in good measure with a nice build up to the climax.
The second novella, “l spy something wicked” was my least favorite.. (3 stars)nothing really happened except a lot of contrived relationship drama.
The third novella “l spy something Christmas “ was average (3.5 stars) there was again more relationship drama and a repeat of the same insecurities between the two MCs. In fact I felt that they may be better off by separating, that’s how frustrating it felt. Nevertheless the suspense towards the end was interesting, I also liked the resolution, and with some romance thrown in; it made up for some of earlier frustrations.
The narrator was good; Mark’s English accent wasn’t quite authentic; but the others voices sounded different 👍🏻
This is probably not JL’s best.. but worth trying on audio. 👍🏻👍🏻
September 29, 2019
I Spy Something Bloody - 4 stars
I Spy Something Wicked - 3.5 stars
I Spy Something Christmas - 3 stars
I Spy Something Wicked - 3.5 stars
I Spy Something Christmas - 3 stars
November 19, 2014
Written November 11, 2014
3.8 Stars - Three novellas about a new still shaky spy & doctor relationship, - crises, heat, tenderness - very nicely told
Book #1-3
Three novellas —about the British spy Mark Hardwicke who wants to retire and settle down with his American ex-lover Dr. Stephen Thorpe— in one single audiobook for the whole "I Spy" series by Josh Lanyon.
Seven hours audio listening narrated by Alexander J. Masters.
***********************************************************
See my reviews for each novella:
#1 - I Spy Something Bloody (3.8 stars) - 3:30 hrs - ★★★★
#2 - I Spy Something Wicked (4.2 stars) - 1:45 hrs - ★★★★
#3 - I Spy Something Christmas (3.5 stars) - 1:45 hrs - ★★★
3H rating - Heart, Heat and Humor - as my friend Are-R* says.
I LIKE - not JL's best but absolutely 'good enough'
3.8 Stars - Three novellas about a new still shaky spy & doctor relationship, - crises, heat, tenderness - very nicely told
Book #1-3
Three novellas —about the British spy Mark Hardwicke who wants to retire and settle down with his American ex-lover Dr. Stephen Thorpe— in one single audiobook for the whole "I Spy" series by Josh Lanyon.
Seven hours audio listening narrated by Alexander J. Masters.
***********************************************************
See my reviews for each novella:
#1 - I Spy Something Bloody (3.8 stars) - 3:30 hrs - ★★★★
#2 - I Spy Something Wicked (4.2 stars) - 1:45 hrs - ★★★★
#3 - I Spy Something Christmas (3.5 stars) - 1:45 hrs - ★★★
3H rating - Heart, Heat and Humor - as my friend Are-R* says.
I LIKE - not JL's best but absolutely 'good enough'
August 29, 2018
I Spy Something Bloody - 3.5 stars. For some reason, I thought both these guys were spies, not just the one. And he's British, which I also wasn't expecting. The narrator did a great job with the story and the various accents and characters, though he sounded a bit more refined than I think Mark should have sounded. The story is classic Lanyon, another of his reunited lovers stories, but with spies.
I Spy Something Wicked - 4.5 stars. I wasn't expecting this one to become to introspective and such an endearing examination of this complicated relationship. I loved Mark's epiphany that he doesn't have to go on this mission if he doesn't want to. It was a real ah-ha! moment for the character. The ending felt a little abrupt though.
I Spy Something Christmas - 3.5 stars. This was a nice little follow up/possible conclusion to Mark and Stephen's story. There's a little mystery, the conclusion of which was nicely wrapped up. Mark's really settled into his life with Stephen, and it was fun to see Stephen being so protective of Mark, though he doesn't really need it. Except he kind of does. ;) There's also a brief mention of "To Dickens With Love", which I haven't read.
I Spy Something Wicked - 4.5 stars. I wasn't expecting this one to become to introspective and such an endearing examination of this complicated relationship. I loved Mark's epiphany that he doesn't have to go on this mission if he doesn't want to. It was a real ah-ha! moment for the character. The ending felt a little abrupt though.
I Spy Something Christmas - 3.5 stars. This was a nice little follow up/possible conclusion to Mark and Stephen's story. There's a little mystery, the conclusion of which was nicely wrapped up. Mark's really settled into his life with Stephen, and it was fun to see Stephen being so protective of Mark, though he doesn't really need it. Except he kind of does. ;) There's also a brief mention of "To Dickens With Love", which I haven't read.
November 8, 2013
An intensely emotional read/listen about a young, broken, disillusioned spy who has to ask his much older ex (he's fifty) for help. This is hurt comfort to the nth degree. The ex is a doctor. An extremely angry and betrayed doctor. He helps heal John but clearly doesn’t want him in his life anymore. His new boyfriend says he’s moved on. And ohhh, this leads to the sorts of deliciously sweet, tense, angsty bits that Lanyon does so well.
This was a near perfect narration. Alexander J Masters read Mark with sensitivity, slowly revealing the vulnerability and warmth beneath his seemingly cold, emotionless exterior.
If you’ve not tried a Lanyon audio book this would be a fine place to start.
This was a near perfect narration. Alexander J Masters read Mark with sensitivity, slowly revealing the vulnerability and warmth beneath his seemingly cold, emotionless exterior.
If you’ve not tried a Lanyon audio book this would be a fine place to start.
September 29, 2019
I got this one on my mail as a member of de GRRC. It was a lovely December surprise. I decided to start this one because Mrs. Lanyon writing never fails for me. I liked the story despite wanting to smack Mark on the head from time to time.
Want to read
February 1, 2015AWESOME Audible deal until 2/7/15! Get this audiobook for only $4.95!
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November 4, 2018
re-read November 2018
December 2017
~ 4.5 stars ~
December 2017
~ 4.5 stars ~
February 19, 2013
I love omnibus editions, especially when they're stories I've had to put off b/c they're e-books. So when Josh Lanyon put out the I-Spy stories in an omnibus, I was ordering it the second it became available.
Mark Hardwicke is a British special agent who wants to retire. He hopes that his lover, doctor Stephen Thorpe, will welcome him with open arms, but as Stephen heard the promise to quit except for "one last mission" over the past 2 years, he's moved on. In "I Spy Something Bloody," Stephen only allows Mark to stay with him because he's injured and basically begs. As Mark recovers, he watches Stephen and his new life -- quiet country doctor with a quiet life and a quiet relationship with a milquetoast of a man. Stephen refuses to believe that Mark truly means it, that he wants out of his old life, that the quiet life is what he really wants. Mark is on the verge of giving up on Stephen when a threat from his soon-to-be-old-life changes things forever.
"I Spy Something Wicked" is short, but for all that, it packs a powerful emotional punch. Mark is settling into his new life when another agent comes to him with a request from the Old Man -- his boss from his spy days. To salvage the Old Man's political career, Mark is being asked to go on one last mission to Afghanistan. Never mind that he's out of practice, that his network in country doesn't exist anymore, the Old Man needs him, his country needs him. Will he go? Will he risk his life and the fragile peace he's achieved?
"I Spy Something Christmas" is a marvelous vignette, in which once again, Mark's dangerous past comes back to haunt him and Stephen. Out of the blue, someone is trying to kill Mark, and for once, he has no idea who or why.
Having these three stories together is marvelous -- it's the arc of a relationship, from broken to happy ever after, with all the natural bumps along the way to the sweet reward.
Mark Hardwicke is a British special agent who wants to retire. He hopes that his lover, doctor Stephen Thorpe, will welcome him with open arms, but as Stephen heard the promise to quit except for "one last mission" over the past 2 years, he's moved on. In "I Spy Something Bloody," Stephen only allows Mark to stay with him because he's injured and basically begs. As Mark recovers, he watches Stephen and his new life -- quiet country doctor with a quiet life and a quiet relationship with a milquetoast of a man. Stephen refuses to believe that Mark truly means it, that he wants out of his old life, that the quiet life is what he really wants. Mark is on the verge of giving up on Stephen when a threat from his soon-to-be-old-life changes things forever.
"I Spy Something Wicked" is short, but for all that, it packs a powerful emotional punch. Mark is settling into his new life when another agent comes to him with a request from the Old Man -- his boss from his spy days. To salvage the Old Man's political career, Mark is being asked to go on one last mission to Afghanistan. Never mind that he's out of practice, that his network in country doesn't exist anymore, the Old Man needs him, his country needs him. Will he go? Will he risk his life and the fragile peace he's achieved?
"I Spy Something Christmas" is a marvelous vignette, in which once again, Mark's dangerous past comes back to haunt him and Stephen. Out of the blue, someone is trying to kill Mark, and for once, he has no idea who or why.
Having these three stories together is marvelous -- it's the arc of a relationship, from broken to happy ever after, with all the natural bumps along the way to the sweet reward.
November 21, 2014
Three connected novellas about the British spy trying to get out of the game and settle down with his rightfully mistrustful ex, the American country doctor.
This audiobook narrator has an . . . interesting grasp of accents, let's just leave it at that. I mention that because this whole series is done in a fake accent, in the stylistic sense. Lanyon is playing around with some of the more obvious clichés of the spy genre: the love of classic literature, a hero with a quotation for every occasion and a complete inability to not take himself way too seriously, etc. And it all has that ring of the narrator's put-on accents – paper thin to the point where I'd just rather he . . . didn't.
Perfectly serviceable, though, if you want bite-sized chunks of angsty domesticity punctuated by brief bouts of violence.
This audiobook narrator has an . . . interesting grasp of accents, let's just leave it at that. I mention that because this whole series is done in a fake accent, in the stylistic sense. Lanyon is playing around with some of the more obvious clichés of the spy genre: the love of classic literature, a hero with a quotation for every occasion and a complete inability to not take himself way too seriously, etc. And it all has that ring of the narrator's put-on accents – paper thin to the point where I'd just rather he . . . didn't.
Perfectly serviceable, though, if you want bite-sized chunks of angsty domesticity punctuated by brief bouts of violence.
February 1, 2014
Excellent series to listen to! Took me a little bit to get used to the pacing and British accent in the poetic, soliloquy style, but glad I stuck it out...I was so worried about the choices Marc was going to make....edge of my seat.
As always, another highly recommended listen. Josh picks awesome narrators.
As always, another highly recommended listen. Josh picks awesome narrators.
January 30, 2017
4 Stars
Stories 1 & 3 were really interesting. 2 was weird because it didn't fit the pattern in either of the others (felt more like a coda). That said, I would really really like more of this series - maybe ones that slot in before the first book? The characters are interesting and their dynamic is different than most of the pairings I've read about in JL's books.
Stories 1 & 3 were really interesting. 2 was weird because it didn't fit the pattern in either of the others (felt more like a coda). That said, I would really really like more of this series - maybe ones that slot in before the first book? The characters are interesting and their dynamic is different than most of the pairings I've read about in JL's books.
August 16, 2020
I bought and reviewed all three stories individually a few years ago, but I noticed the new cover and felt compelled to add it to GR.
November 23, 2021
You know you're safe with Lanyon. There won't be any duff lines, any sudden changes of characterisation halfway through, or outrageous plot points that make you want to throw the book across the room. Enough information will be held back to make you think as you read, the characters will be richly textured and intelligent, worldly men. You won't have to deal with many of the issues that plague the M/M genre in terms of the books being written by and aimed at those who barely know what gay men are or who have never left their awful hometowns.
The I Spy novellas are enjoyable without being masterpieces. They're well-written without being well-plotted. I enjoyed them as a hit of Lanyon rather than on their own merits (while I wait for the final Holmes and Moriarty and Art Murder books to be released).
I felt little for Stephen and only marginally more for Mark.
Some thoughts;
Other reviewers have mentioned the very odd geography that Lanyon partakes in for book 1. I've never been to Virginia so I can't verify any of it but Dulles to Shenandoah Valley Airport is a two-hour drive, which then they seem to drive halfway back to DC to go to Stephen's house. Then, when Mark leaves they say they're going to drive to Norfolk, which is...on the other side of the state...so that Mark can get a connecting flight to Dulles. Eh? is this a mistake in geography or some counter-espionage plot point that wasn't very clear?
Couldn't say I had many thoughts on novellas 2 and 3, tbh. Other than I enjoyed the mockery of Bryce/Bryan/Brent.
The villain reveal in novella 3 was weak, with the reader left in the dark until the end.
Other than that they have all the classic Lanyon tropes: age gaps, rich guy/not so rich guy, macho guy/not so macho guy, cultured men in privileged worlds (not a criticism), slightly cringy ethnic minority characters (definitely a criticism), British characters all over the show with a near consistent correct hit rate of accuracy on cultural references, a well-detailed locality.
Definite Le Carre atmosphere.
The I Spy novellas are enjoyable without being masterpieces. They're well-written without being well-plotted. I enjoyed them as a hit of Lanyon rather than on their own merits (while I wait for the final Holmes and Moriarty and Art Murder books to be released).
I felt little for Stephen and only marginally more for Mark.
Some thoughts;
Other reviewers have mentioned the very odd geography that Lanyon partakes in for book 1. I've never been to Virginia so I can't verify any of it but Dulles to Shenandoah Valley Airport is a two-hour drive, which then they seem to drive halfway back to DC to go to Stephen's house. Then, when Mark leaves they say they're going to drive to Norfolk, which is...on the other side of the state...so that Mark can get a connecting flight to Dulles. Eh? is this a mistake in geography or some counter-espionage plot point that wasn't very clear?
Couldn't say I had many thoughts on novellas 2 and 3, tbh. Other than I enjoyed the mockery of Bryce/Bryan/Brent.
The villain reveal in novella 3 was weak, with the reader left in the dark until the end.
Other than that they have all the classic Lanyon tropes: age gaps, rich guy/not so rich guy, macho guy/not so macho guy, cultured men in privileged worlds (not a criticism), slightly cringy ethnic minority characters (definitely a criticism), British characters all over the show with a near consistent correct hit rate of accuracy on cultural references, a well-detailed locality.
Definite Le Carre atmosphere.
February 2, 2018
I loved it. Complicated relationship and all.
September 8, 2017
D'aww. It's cute.
I'm reviewing all three together, because they're small.
These are three shorts about the same couple at various points in cementing their relationship with one another. All three are told from Mark's point of view, and Mark is kind of a bastard and I love that.
Mark is a former spy, and I like that he isn't just a super hero that saves the day over and over again because of his supr speshl spy skilz. He does have skills, but (like what actually happens in real life) most just don't apply to civilian life, and so it's sort of like you have no power here.
One thing that Josh Lanyon always does so well is conflict. To the point where sometimes in her stories I'm like, could we maybe just have a nice night without getting into a fight??? I would have liked to have seen some of the nicer softer moments in between the books instead of just getting the highlight reel of All Their Best Fights, Some Sex, and then a Squishy Ending.
All in all, they were three short stories that would have been fairly meh, but I really enjoyed Mark's particular brand of neuroses and so I went with four instead of three stars.
I'm reviewing all three together, because they're small.
These are three shorts about the same couple at various points in cementing their relationship with one another. All three are told from Mark's point of view, and Mark is kind of a bastard and I love that.
Mark is a former spy, and I like that he isn't just a super hero that saves the day over and over again because of his supr speshl spy skilz. He does have skills, but (like what actually happens in real life) most just don't apply to civilian life, and so it's sort of like you have no power here.
One thing that Josh Lanyon always does so well is conflict. To the point where sometimes in her stories I'm like, could we maybe just have a nice night without getting into a fight??? I would have liked to have seen some of the nicer softer moments in between the books instead of just getting the highlight reel of All Their Best Fights, Some Sex, and then a Squishy Ending.
All in all, they were three short stories that would have been fairly meh, but I really enjoyed Mark's particular brand of neuroses and so I went with four instead of three stars.
February 13, 2020
Mark is a loner, a cold British intelligence operative who longs to retire but struggles with loyalties to his boss mentor. Stephen is a small town doctor, the last of several generations of southern small town gentry.
This is a series of short stories progressing the arc of Marks journey to break free from his old life, and start anew with older established Stephen. Marks past continually comes back to cause drama and complications.
I did enjoy this short book, because Josh Lanyon always turns out a good story, but its not my favorite. I found Mark to be a hard character to like, his iceberg personality never really thawed, and his repeated discision to keep information from Stephen to protect got annoying, not sympathetic.
Still a nice short listen.
Loved narrator Alexander Masters performance. Characters voices were different and distinguishable. Well done.
This is a series of short stories progressing the arc of Marks journey to break free from his old life, and start anew with older established Stephen. Marks past continually comes back to cause drama and complications.
I did enjoy this short book, because Josh Lanyon always turns out a good story, but its not my favorite. I found Mark to be a hard character to like, his iceberg personality never really thawed, and his repeated discision to keep information from Stephen to protect got annoying, not sympathetic.
Still a nice short listen.
Loved narrator Alexander Masters performance. Characters voices were different and distinguishable. Well done.
June 26, 2015
Second listen. Mediocre narrator. Wonderful story.
September 12, 2016
故事3星，Mark你也太能作了。。。不过我听的是有声书，所以因为Alexander Masters再加一星，他的声音把Josh Lanyon的故事提高了一个档次。
2016-9-12:五星给narrator~
2016-9-12:五星给narrator~
January 27, 2016
As a collection this rounds up to 5 stars. Loved Marc and Stephen's deepening relationship very much.
February 21, 2016
Excellent narration of a wonderful series.
March 31, 2022
The excellent narration by Alexander Masters is why I rated this trilogy of novellas 4 stars. He is definitely going on my list of favorite narrators. The main couple, Mark and Stephen, both have distinct accents. Mark is British and Stephen is from the American South. I think he pulled off both of their accents extremely well. In general, he was very good at giving all of the characters unique voices, and that helped to make the stories more immersive for me.
Based on the writing alone, I would probably rate the I Spy series 3 stars. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge Josh Lanyon fan and have read a lot of their books. Some of them I have loved and some I thought were just okay. When authors are as prolific as Lanyon, I think it is wrong to expect every book they write is going to be excellent. But when Lanyon's books are good, they are really really good. This series kind of fell in the middle for me. I didn't love it, but I also thought it was better than okay.
The second book was my favorite of the three novellas. It was called I Spy Something Wicked and I would have rated that one 4 stars based on story alone. The plot and romance were the most engaging for me in that book. I wasn't as crazy about the first story, I Spy Something Bloody, and probably would have rated that one 3 stars. Something about it was off for me. Maybe it was the pacing. I am not sure. But I definitely connected more with Mark and Stephen in the second book. The last story, I Spy Something Christmas, was shorter than the other two. It did wrap things up in a satisfying way, but felt more like an epilogue than an actual story.
Maybe this series would have worked better as one long book instead of being split up into novellas. Parts of it felt too rushed, and that could be why I did not connect with Mark and Stephen as much as some of Lanyon's other couples. I also recently listened to the Holmes and Moriarity series and enjoyed those stories a lot more. And that definitely had to do with the fact that the characters had more room to grow.
Even if this this isn't my favorite Lanyon, I still think it is worth listening to for the narration. It brings the characters to life, and I especially loved Mark's sexy British accent. I cannot comment about how well the stories work when being read since I have not consumed them in that format. But still think they are probably more fleshed out with the narration.
Based on the writing alone, I would probably rate the I Spy series 3 stars. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge Josh Lanyon fan and have read a lot of their books. Some of them I have loved and some I thought were just okay. When authors are as prolific as Lanyon, I think it is wrong to expect every book they write is going to be excellent. But when Lanyon's books are good, they are really really good. This series kind of fell in the middle for me. I didn't love it, but I also thought it was better than okay.
The second book was my favorite of the three novellas. It was called I Spy Something Wicked and I would have rated that one 4 stars based on story alone. The plot and romance were the most engaging for me in that book. I wasn't as crazy about the first story, I Spy Something Bloody, and probably would have rated that one 3 stars. Something about it was off for me. Maybe it was the pacing. I am not sure. But I definitely connected more with Mark and Stephen in the second book. The last story, I Spy Something Christmas, was shorter than the other two. It did wrap things up in a satisfying way, but felt more like an epilogue than an actual story.
Maybe this series would have worked better as one long book instead of being split up into novellas. Parts of it felt too rushed, and that could be why I did not connect with Mark and Stephen as much as some of Lanyon's other couples. I also recently listened to the Holmes and Moriarity series and enjoyed those stories a lot more. And that definitely had to do with the fact that the characters had more room to grow.
Even if this this isn't my favorite Lanyon, I still think it is worth listening to for the narration. It brings the characters to life, and I especially loved Mark's sexy British accent. I cannot comment about how well the stories work when being read since I have not consumed them in that format. But still think they are probably more fleshed out with the narration.
February 12, 2022
This is three stories in one.
It is very well written and this story did have me hooked. All stories are a little different so I want to write about each. The one thing I didn't like was that I thought it was going to an action book that just happens to have all gay characters but it really wasn't that.
The first one was good but it was mostly alot of back and fourth talking and remembering the good times and who was at fault for having the relationship fall apart. We didn't get any action until the end when we have the world of the spy collide with the world of his personal life. There were alot of steamy scenes between the spy and the doctor and tension that eventually erupted. And the ending was well written, we got a happy ending.
The second part felt unfinished. We now see the characters together and they are trying to fall into a pattern. They are a couple but their are still a couple doubts and insecurities with both characters. This was a good story and again I was very involved in the relationship and characters butbthe conflict didn't do it for me. For them it was big, it had to do with deciding to stay or leave but I felt like it needed something more.
The third part was my favorite, only complaint is that it could be longer. It starts out with a mystery, someone gets shot. And we are trying to find out who it is, this one's again causes stress in the relationship because the life of a spy is gone but with Mark being shot it makes Stephen wonder if he has put it in the pass. We do have some conflict and gets resolved in a very believable way. So then now we have to find out who shot Mark. When we do it's someone from the pass but not someone bad. We get a good ending.
Again three good stories but I did wish it had more action scenes. What saves it is that it's so well written and the characters feel very real, as a reader you really make a connection with them and their relationship.
It is very well written and this story did have me hooked. All stories are a little different so I want to write about each. The one thing I didn't like was that I thought it was going to an action book that just happens to have all gay characters but it really wasn't that.
The first one was good but it was mostly alot of back and fourth talking and remembering the good times and who was at fault for having the relationship fall apart. We didn't get any action until the end when we have the world of the spy collide with the world of his personal life. There were alot of steamy scenes between the spy and the doctor and tension that eventually erupted. And the ending was well written, we got a happy ending.
The second part felt unfinished. We now see the characters together and they are trying to fall into a pattern. They are a couple but their are still a couple doubts and insecurities with both characters. This was a good story and again I was very involved in the relationship and characters butbthe conflict didn't do it for me. For them it was big, it had to do with deciding to stay or leave but I felt like it needed something more.
The third part was my favorite, only complaint is that it could be longer. It starts out with a mystery, someone gets shot. And we are trying to find out who it is, this one's again causes stress in the relationship because the life of a spy is gone but with Mark being shot it makes Stephen wonder if he has put it in the pass. We do have some conflict and gets resolved in a very believable way. So then now we have to find out who shot Mark. When we do it's someone from the pass but not someone bad. We get a good ending.
Again three good stories but I did wish it had more action scenes. What saves it is that it's so well written and the characters feel very real, as a reader you really make a connection with them and their relationship.
December 13, 2017
I want to thank you, Ms. Lanyon, for sparking some memories with your three stories. You captured very well the feelings of someone who has been living an unusual lifestyle and then tries to settle into a "normal" routine. I had been overseas with my government's foreign service for 15 years, then came back to my hometown with 2 children in tow. Getting myself to working in "civilian" life, putting my children in the same school system I had grown up in; when my husband joined us 6 months later, getting him into legitimate work while he pursued US citizenship (though he is Canadian it still wasn't easy). There were many times when I asked myself if we were crazy to try to make the adjustment; I found myself nodding sympathetically when Mark anguished over what he was trying to do. It turned out to be a good decision - for me, my family, Mark, and Stephen. Thank you for a good and thoughtful read.
December 1, 2023
I enjoyed every one of these stories - so much pining and longing and suspense - I'm a sucker for all of it. And they weren't entirely predictable either - there were times that I really didn't know what the characters would do - I only knew that there would be a Happily Ever After or HFN because it's a romance and it's Josh Lanyon. It was like plot armor - but I really didn't know what would happen to bring it about each time they were faced with decisions and challenges. I'm giving it a 5-star with only a slight reservation, due to my occasional desire to smack Mark for reasons that are far too spoilery. I highly recommend these stories. Individually, each might be a 4-star, but the final scenes of the last story really clinched it, leading me to 5 stars overall for the set as a cohesive story of Mark and Stephen's romance.
Also, I loved the audio narration, absolutely loved it. I would very much like to listen to more of this narrator & will be looking up his work tout suite.
Also, I loved the audio narration, absolutely loved it. I would very much like to listen to more of this narrator & will be looking up his work tout suite.
November 13, 2023
Another nostalgia read. I have been doing that a lot recently. Revisiting the audiobooks of books I read years ago. For the most part, my reviews have stayed the same as they did with this book. I enjoyed it but it wasn't my favourite from this talented author. There was a lot of angst in these books and both MC were uncharacteristically insecure. Much of the drama revolved around their mutual fears of being abandoned by the other. This time round I felt a little uncomfortable with some borderline racism that I hadn't noticed before. Also, I was hoping (same as with the last read) that this would kick off my holiday season with a little Christmas cheer. Well the last book in this series, isn't the book for that (despite the title). There is still a lot to love and a charming read ... some nice chemistry too between two flawed but endearing MC.
November 23, 2018
I really liked these stories. full of angst, a may/december romance which at first seems it won't have a second chance to flourish. Mark is a British spy who just got completely burned-out and comes to his ex-lover, Stephen, an American Doctor in his fifty who gave up on him and is now dating another man, looking for help. Ready for Lanyon angst? :P
I love how they are so tentative around their relationship, how forgiveness is not forgetfulness, how wary is Stephen about John's commitment to this new, calm, bored life of them.
These stories have it all: angst, retrospection, suspense, raw emotions and very sensual moments.
The narration was truly amazing, the characters' emotions just there, pouring from his voice. Alexander Masters did a fantastic job.
I love how they are so tentative around their relationship, how forgiveness is not forgetfulness, how wary is Stephen about John's commitment to this new, calm, bored life of them.
These stories have it all: angst, retrospection, suspense, raw emotions and very sensual moments.
The narration was truly amazing, the characters' emotions just there, pouring from his voice. Alexander Masters did a fantastic job.
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