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Sono i ruggenti anni Venti. Le gonne si accorciano, il crimine dilaga e l’alcol è più difficile da trovare che mai.
Il Proibizionismo ha colpito anche la sonnolenta cittadina di Little Egypt, dove il giornalista David Flynn è arrivato per scrivere un articolo sulla strage di Herrin. Ma quella non è l’unica storia che si racconta in città.
Julian Devereux, medium e spiritualista, sostiene di poter parlare con i morti — e si fa pagare profumatamente per farlo.
Flynn ha fiuto per i ciarlatani, e per lui Devereux è fasullo quanto una banconota da tre dollari.
E ha ragione.
Ma quando Julian comincia ad avere visioni sempre più orribili — immagini vivide di un serial killer in azione — l’unica persona a cui può chiedere aiuto è proprio il cinico e disincantato David Flynn.
Il Proibizionismo ha colpito anche la sonnolenta cittadina di Little Egypt, dove il giornalista David Flynn è arrivato per scrivere un articolo sulla strage di Herrin. Ma quella non è l’unica storia che si racconta in città.
Julian Devereux, medium e spiritualista, sostiene di poter parlare con i morti — e si fa pagare profumatamente per farlo.
Flynn ha fiuto per i ciarlatani, e per lui Devereux è fasullo quanto una banconota da tre dollari.
E ha ragione.
Ma quando Julian comincia ad avere visioni sempre più orribili — immagini vivide di un serial killer in azione — l’unica persona a cui può chiedere aiuto è proprio il cinico e disincantato David Flynn.
159 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Josh Lanyon
182 books5,481 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 170 reviews
September 2, 2010
We are always, as authors, being advised by Those That Know that to get a book sold and to capture the reader, you need a killer first line. And this book certainly has one:
It sets the scene and intrigues, without being trying too hard. And yet – although this hints at much, this isn’t really even the main plot of this clever, convoluted novella.
This is (embarrassingly) the first book I’ve read of Lanyon’s. My reasons–or excuses–are simple: People generally clamour to review his books for the site before I even know they are out, and with the amount of books I have to read I’m happy to let others cover it. But I found that no-one had picked this one up and I did it myself.
I have to say, I’m impressed, although–having heard my friends’ praise that shouldn’t have surprised me. Lanyon writes very well in a direct, but descriptive manner. The tone reminded me a little of Chandler, with the touches of description and personal opinion, shuttered away behind a tough guy veneer.
It would be entirely wrong to try and tag a label on this book. It is a standalone, but it is to published in The Mysterious anthology (along with Laura Baumbach and Alex Beecroft) and that’s a good way to label it, if labelling is necessary: mysterious. That being said, with it not exactly being a romance and it not being exactly a paranormal – it IS a great whodunnit, with a great cast of characters all of whom could be the guilty party.
What I particularly liked, though, was the way that this didn’t go at all the way I expected. We meet a couple of guys that the protagonists tags with his gaydar, and without spoiling too much I thought things would go otherwise than they did. While I didn’t feel feel ever very close to Flynn–and I think this was deliberate because he’d shut himself off from just about everyone due to the war, and his job, and losses he’d suffered–I fell almost instantly in love with Julian, the spiritualist. “A sissy, if ever he’d seen one” thinks Flynn, and he’s right.
I loved how Flynn disliked Julian – and the reasons why he disliked him. He’s coloured by prejudice against spiritualism, and he hates that Julian is effeminate–because it reflects something in himself that he isn’t able to show openly, something that he’s learned to be disgusted in himself. I loved their first private encounter, and when more was learned about Julian, it made me sad to see Flynn treat him like that.
I think my main complaint about the book would be a purely personal one, and that’s one I’ve often stated with novellas, that this has more than enough material in it to be a full-sized novel, and it short changes itself by being the size it is. It might be this aspect, the pure distillation of so many facets and ideas that made me a little confused at times, and I would rather have meandered along those Illinois byways for a happy 80,000 words without a complaint. Because of the size (42,000 words)
I felt the characterisation was sometimes a bit rushed, we are whizzed around the introductions for everyone in the boarding house for example, the other gay relationship Flynn forms is picked up and dropped rather too abruptly too. There’s so many themes here, the debunking–or not–of spiritualism, antiquated methods of medicine, mine safety, unions, prohibition, and much more. With a novel to play in, Lanyon could have wallowed in the intimate talks with all the other inmates of the hostel, layered the tension, laid more red herrings. But I can’t mark the book down because of what I’d like it to have been!
On the negative side: the cover is pretty misleading, as it looks like naked men in the trenches, which is so not what the book is about–and the blurb within the book itself could have done with an editor. There are two(!) typos in it–and I really hate these jokey warnings Samhain do. Warning: This novella contains phony spiritualists, cynical newspapermen, labor disputes, illicit love affairs, high-calorie southern cooking, and more than fifty-percent humidity! But that’s probably just me being curmudgeonly, I’m sure loads of readers love this touch. To me it smacks of fanfiction (from where these warnings seem to have come) and lessens the worth of the book. It makes it sound like a comedy, and it’s anything but that, and it doesn’t do the book the justice it deserves.
But if you haven’t read this novella, then I strongly recommend it, it was exactly “my kind of book” with enough difference from many other books to keep me reading and reading. I’ll certainly be trying other books of Lanyon’s now on the strength of this.
The body of the third girl was found Tuesday morning in the woods a few miles outside Murphysboro.
It sets the scene and intrigues, without being trying too hard. And yet – although this hints at much, this isn’t really even the main plot of this clever, convoluted novella.
This is (embarrassingly) the first book I’ve read of Lanyon’s. My reasons–or excuses–are simple: People generally clamour to review his books for the site before I even know they are out, and with the amount of books I have to read I’m happy to let others cover it. But I found that no-one had picked this one up and I did it myself.
I have to say, I’m impressed, although–having heard my friends’ praise that shouldn’t have surprised me. Lanyon writes very well in a direct, but descriptive manner. The tone reminded me a little of Chandler, with the touches of description and personal opinion, shuttered away behind a tough guy veneer.
It would be entirely wrong to try and tag a label on this book. It is a standalone, but it is to published in The Mysterious anthology (along with Laura Baumbach and Alex Beecroft) and that’s a good way to label it, if labelling is necessary: mysterious. That being said, with it not exactly being a romance and it not being exactly a paranormal – it IS a great whodunnit, with a great cast of characters all of whom could be the guilty party.
What I particularly liked, though, was the way that this didn’t go at all the way I expected. We meet a couple of guys that the protagonists tags with his gaydar, and without spoiling too much I thought things would go otherwise than they did. While I didn’t feel feel ever very close to Flynn–and I think this was deliberate because he’d shut himself off from just about everyone due to the war, and his job, and losses he’d suffered–I fell almost instantly in love with Julian, the spiritualist. “A sissy, if ever he’d seen one” thinks Flynn, and he’s right.
I loved how Flynn disliked Julian – and the reasons why he disliked him. He’s coloured by prejudice against spiritualism, and he hates that Julian is effeminate–because it reflects something in himself that he isn’t able to show openly, something that he’s learned to be disgusted in himself. I loved their first private encounter, and when more was learned about Julian, it made me sad to see Flynn treat him like that.
I think my main complaint about the book would be a purely personal one, and that’s one I’ve often stated with novellas, that this has more than enough material in it to be a full-sized novel, and it short changes itself by being the size it is. It might be this aspect, the pure distillation of so many facets and ideas that made me a little confused at times, and I would rather have meandered along those Illinois byways for a happy 80,000 words without a complaint. Because of the size (42,000 words)
I felt the characterisation was sometimes a bit rushed, we are whizzed around the introductions for everyone in the boarding house for example, the other gay relationship Flynn forms is picked up and dropped rather too abruptly too. There’s so many themes here, the debunking–or not–of spiritualism, antiquated methods of medicine, mine safety, unions, prohibition, and much more. With a novel to play in, Lanyon could have wallowed in the intimate talks with all the other inmates of the hostel, layered the tension, laid more red herrings. But I can’t mark the book down because of what I’d like it to have been!
On the negative side: the cover is pretty misleading, as it looks like naked men in the trenches, which is so not what the book is about–and the blurb within the book itself could have done with an editor. There are two(!) typos in it–and I really hate these jokey warnings Samhain do. Warning: This novella contains phony spiritualists, cynical newspapermen, labor disputes, illicit love affairs, high-calorie southern cooking, and more than fifty-percent humidity! But that’s probably just me being curmudgeonly, I’m sure loads of readers love this touch. To me it smacks of fanfiction (from where these warnings seem to have come) and lessens the worth of the book. It makes it sound like a comedy, and it’s anything but that, and it doesn’t do the book the justice it deserves.
But if you haven’t read this novella, then I strongly recommend it, it was exactly “my kind of book” with enough difference from many other books to keep me reading and reading. I’ll certainly be trying other books of Lanyon’s now on the strength of this.
December 3, 2020
Interesting, intricate classic Josh Lanyon. I was completely surprised (and confused) by the abrupt ending. Audio nicely performed by Max Miller.
May 29, 2016
Josh Lanyon, as always, delivers. That's what I have grown to expect of his books and that's what he does with this.
The clash of an effeminate and a manly homosexual man during the roaring twenties, a background quite meticulously researched and a gentle ghost story--all perfectly meshed into this wonderful tale.
My only criticism, which has become a regular one for some of the best authors I read, is its short length. I wanted to stay with Julian and David for the length of a novel.
The clash of an effeminate and a manly homosexual man during the roaring twenties, a background quite meticulously researched and a gentle ghost story--all perfectly meshed into this wonderful tale.
My only criticism, which has become a regular one for some of the best authors I read, is its short length. I wanted to stay with Julian and David for the length of a novel.
November 28, 2014
2.5
I would have probably liked this more if it had been a bit longer.
Such as it is, you don't get to know much about these characters and you don't really get to like them as you should with the exception of Julian. I like even the idea of Julian. The thing is, that blurb sounds more mysterious and action-packed than the actual story. The 'authentic, bloodstained visions of a serial killer' sounds more interesting than what you get in the story. But, that's just my opinion. A lot of people didn't find anything wrong with it.
David Flynn is writing a follow-up story on the Herrin Massacre a year later. At least that was his plan until a completely different story inserts itself.
Overall, it is an ok story with promising characters and I am rating this based on that promise. Julian is especially interesting. I just wish you got to see him more in the end of the story.
I would have probably liked this more if it had been a bit longer.
Such as it is, you don't get to know much about these characters and you don't really get to like them as you should with the exception of Julian. I like even the idea of Julian. The thing is, that blurb sounds more mysterious and action-packed than the actual story. The 'authentic, bloodstained visions of a serial killer' sounds more interesting than what you get in the story. But, that's just my opinion. A lot of people didn't find anything wrong with it.
David Flynn is writing a follow-up story on the Herrin Massacre a year later. At least that was his plan until a completely different story inserts itself.
Overall, it is an ok story with promising characters and I am rating this based on that promise. Julian is especially interesting. I just wish you got to see him more in the end of the story.
July 28, 2017
I was enjoying this then it became half baked and it was cooking well so slight disappointment there but I enjoyed this whilst it was cooking so........
October 5, 2023
There was a great buildup to this paranormal murder mystery. But then, it ended so abruptly! I would have loved a coda or epilogue for this short set in 1923.
July 16, 2021
Very good and interesting paranormal, murder mystery , historical romance, short story set in the 1920, even the very abrupt ending didn't affect my enjoyment.
Julian and David couldn't be more different in personality, background, professionally yet that's the thing with attraction, one can't help who ones like/love.
By the way , if you want to know - like I did - what's going on with David and Julian one year after the events at the end of their book ; get Merry Christmas Darling (Holidays Codas) . It's worth it.
Max Miller narration was spot on .
4h 3 minutes
Listened to the audiobook through Hoopla .
Julian and David couldn't be more different in personality, background, professionally yet that's the thing with attraction, one can't help who ones like/love.
By the way , if you want to know - like I did - what's going on with David and Julian one year after the events at the end of their book ; get Merry Christmas Darling (Holidays Codas) . It's worth it.
Max Miller narration was spot on .
4h 3 minutes
Listened to the audiobook through Hoopla .
October 7, 2015
Herrin, Southern Illinois. Location of the tragic (and real) Herrin Massacre in 1922 where union miners brutally murdered 20 strikebreaking non-union miners in a cry of outrage over the terrible working conditions in the mines.
David Flynn, journalist for the New York based newspaper The Atlantic Monthly, is traveling to Herrin one year after the tragedy to write a mood piece about the people of Herrin and the aftermath of the massacre. The story is not his only reason to return to 'Little Egypt'. His former mentor, award winning journalist Gus Gulling, who devoted his professional life to supporting the labor union, had passed away recently and David so far neglected to express his condolences personally to Gus' widow Amy, who runs a boarding house in Herrin.
So it is Amy's boarding house where most of this novella takes place. David is not the only guest there, as Amy is also providing board and lodging to the following mysteriously exotic group of people:
Mr Devereux, an elderly expert on spiritualism who frequently publishes articles in his field of expertise.
Julian Devereux, Mr Devereux' 26 year old grand-son, a talented medium, who performs in seance shows at local theaters, traveling all over the country with his grandfather, 'speaking' to the spirits of the dead and allowing his audience to take 'dark farewells' to their beloved ones who have gone before them.
Mrs Hoyt, an elderly lady who lost her son in World War 1.
Joan Hoyt, a repressed young lady who lives with her mother, being fascinated with all things supernatural.
Doctor Pearson, an elderly physician.
Casey Lee, a young handsome traveling salesman, selling medicine and cosmetics all over the country.
David, a skeptic who has his own emotional baggage to carry - he lost his lover Paul in World War 1, does not believe in the spiritual mambo-jambo that the Devereux men are rubbing under his nose. Julian's shows are as fake as they come, with Julian telling trustful strangers the silliest things, coloring them as 'messages from the dead'. David dislikes Julian immediately and even more so when he notices that the young, sleek man takes a liking to David, trying to seduce him rather aggressively. David is gay true enough, but Julian is definitely not his type. He prefers men like Casey: strong, broad-shouldered and blonde - just like Paul. Casey, the young sales man and var veteran is a repressed homosexual who does accept David's advances with enough alcohol to go with them, but his character puts David off pretty quickly, leaving nothing but the dull ache of missing Paul and a strange fascination with the spiritualist kid Julian whose mesmerizing eyes don't leave David's mind.
During one of his shows, Julian suddenly speaks to a spirit of a recently deceased girl whose murdered body is found right after the performance. The people of Herrin are shocked and appalled by Julian's supernatural powers. As she was not the first unusual murder in the area the police are suspecting a serial killer on the loose. Can Julian convince the spirit of the murdered woman to reveal the name of the killer? What is Julian's own secret that he keeps from David, even as their friendship progresses? And what is it that Julian wants to tell David about Paul?
I am absolutely in love with this novella. It's like a play with only a small group of actors within the boarding house. It's a typical whodunnit mystery with supernatural elements strewn in. And as you can imagine, one of these people *is* the insane murderer. The way to finding the truth could cost David more than he is willing to give after falling for the handsome Julian who is so unlike Paul that it took him some time to realize what the mysterious medium actually means to him.
And boy, did that story end abruptly or what? I would love to know what happens next, because the actual plot in this novella is only the beginning of a challenging life ahead.
5 stars!
David Flynn, journalist for the New York based newspaper The Atlantic Monthly, is traveling to Herrin one year after the tragedy to write a mood piece about the people of Herrin and the aftermath of the massacre. The story is not his only reason to return to 'Little Egypt'. His former mentor, award winning journalist Gus Gulling, who devoted his professional life to supporting the labor union, had passed away recently and David so far neglected to express his condolences personally to Gus' widow Amy, who runs a boarding house in Herrin.
So it is Amy's boarding house where most of this novella takes place. David is not the only guest there, as Amy is also providing board and lodging to the following mysteriously exotic group of people:
Mr Devereux, an elderly expert on spiritualism who frequently publishes articles in his field of expertise.
Julian Devereux, Mr Devereux' 26 year old grand-son, a talented medium, who performs in seance shows at local theaters, traveling all over the country with his grandfather, 'speaking' to the spirits of the dead and allowing his audience to take 'dark farewells' to their beloved ones who have gone before them.
Mrs Hoyt, an elderly lady who lost her son in World War 1.
Joan Hoyt, a repressed young lady who lives with her mother, being fascinated with all things supernatural.
Doctor Pearson, an elderly physician.
Casey Lee, a young handsome traveling salesman, selling medicine and cosmetics all over the country.
David, a skeptic who has his own emotional baggage to carry - he lost his lover Paul in World War 1, does not believe in the spiritual mambo-jambo that the Devereux men are rubbing under his nose. Julian's shows are as fake as they come, with Julian telling trustful strangers the silliest things, coloring them as 'messages from the dead'. David dislikes Julian immediately and even more so when he notices that the young, sleek man takes a liking to David, trying to seduce him rather aggressively. David is gay true enough, but Julian is definitely not his type. He prefers men like Casey: strong, broad-shouldered and blonde - just like Paul. Casey, the young sales man and var veteran is a repressed homosexual who does accept David's advances with enough alcohol to go with them, but his character puts David off pretty quickly, leaving nothing but the dull ache of missing Paul and a strange fascination with the spiritualist kid Julian whose mesmerizing eyes don't leave David's mind.
During one of his shows, Julian suddenly speaks to a spirit of a recently deceased girl whose murdered body is found right after the performance. The people of Herrin are shocked and appalled by Julian's supernatural powers. As she was not the first unusual murder in the area the police are suspecting a serial killer on the loose. Can Julian convince the spirit of the murdered woman to reveal the name of the killer? What is Julian's own secret that he keeps from David, even as their friendship progresses? And what is it that Julian wants to tell David about Paul?
I am absolutely in love with this novella. It's like a play with only a small group of actors within the boarding house. It's a typical whodunnit mystery with supernatural elements strewn in. And as you can imagine, one of these people *is* the insane murderer. The way to finding the truth could cost David more than he is willing to give after falling for the handsome Julian who is so unlike Paul that it took him some time to realize what the mysterious medium actually means to him.
And boy, did that story end abruptly or what? I would love to know what happens next, because the actual plot in this novella is only the beginning of a challenging life ahead.
5 stars!
October 22, 2021
3.75 stars
This was an interesting story that held my attention throughout. It has a feeling of a slower moving story but at the same time it moves at a quick pace.
David Flynn is actually quite a boring character even though the story is told from his POV. He is grieving the loss of friends and family as well as his lover from his time in the war. He is a reporter who travels to Illinois for a story. While there he stays with the wife of an old friend and professor at her boarding house. There are a number of other boarders one of them being a medium, Julian Devereux.
Julian is the interesting character of the book since he can see and hear spirits and passes on their messages to loved ones. Unfortunately he is under his grandfathers control and even though a connection forms between him & Flynn the grandfather stands in their way.
I enjoyed how this story unfolded. It was the perfect length even though, in true Lanyon fashion, the ending is very abrupt. This ending, however, is not hard to interpret. If this book was expanded I don’t think it would have worked as well for me. The mystery is on the outer edges of the developing relationship and the reason for why Flynn is in town. It’s not a mystery Flynn is trying to solve, he just happens to be wrapped up in its resolution. This is the novella that Josh Lanyon does best and after reading so much of her work I could appreciate the story.
This was an interesting story that held my attention throughout. It has a feeling of a slower moving story but at the same time it moves at a quick pace.
David Flynn is actually quite a boring character even though the story is told from his POV. He is grieving the loss of friends and family as well as his lover from his time in the war. He is a reporter who travels to Illinois for a story. While there he stays with the wife of an old friend and professor at her boarding house. There are a number of other boarders one of them being a medium, Julian Devereux.
Julian is the interesting character of the book since he can see and hear spirits and passes on their messages to loved ones. Unfortunately he is under his grandfathers control and even though a connection forms between him & Flynn the grandfather stands in their way.
I enjoyed how this story unfolded. It was the perfect length even though, in true Lanyon fashion, the ending is very abrupt. This ending, however, is not hard to interpret. If this book was expanded I don’t think it would have worked as well for me. The mystery is on the outer edges of the developing relationship and the reason for why Flynn is in town. It’s not a mystery Flynn is trying to solve, he just happens to be wrapped up in its resolution. This is the novella that Josh Lanyon does best and after reading so much of her work I could appreciate the story.
August 22, 2022
3.5 🌟 This is more of a historical romance than a mystery. The story is from Flynn's POV, who is visiting a small coal town in Illinois, a year after the Herren Massacre to write a story about it. I felt awful for knowing nothing about the incident. So, I decided to refer to my fav website on history.
The book has a haunting quality. It's maybe because of the backdrop of the massacre, WWI and other brutal murders being committed in the town. Though, it may also represent Flynn's jaded view of love and humanity. Or it may be because I was feeling super low.😂😂
I think the book has a good balance of paranormal, historical and romance elements though the ending is abrupt. Thankfully I found the Christmas special in the holiday coda and it works as an epilogue.
The book has a haunting quality. It's maybe because of the backdrop of the massacre, WWI and other brutal murders being committed in the town. Though, it may also represent Flynn's jaded view of love and humanity. Or it may be because I was feeling super low.😂😂
I think the book has a good balance of paranormal, historical and romance elements though the ending is abrupt. Thankfully I found the Christmas special in the holiday coda and it works as an epilogue.
February 7, 2011
Loved the book, especially the supernatural part. And the fact that Julian was not the author's typical hero, Julian was namely - as he was called in the book (it was the 20s, don't forget!) - a "pansy" which didn't sit well with Flynn, the other main character, at least at first.
One thing that I didn't like, though, was the abrupt ending. I expected an epilogue, at least.
One thing that I didn't like, though, was the abrupt ending. I expected an epilogue, at least.
December 3, 2014
Well, that was an odd ending.
3.5 stars!
3.5 stars!
December 26, 2021
3.5 rounded up
I haven't read a ton of Lanyon over the past year or two just because their output has been slower (zero shade!) and I've read a lot of their backlog. But my library recently got in a bunch of their ebooks that I hadn't read yet, hence the sudden back-to-back reviews. Most of these books I've been reading have been short stories/novellas, which I think has made the issues I have with Lanyon's work in general even more stark and frustrating. Namely, the endings. I know, I know, I keep going on about it, but it just really, really sucks when the worst part of a novel is the ending, because it leaves you with a sense of dissatisfaction. And Lanyon's work is SO good otherwise, that it's hard for me to just write them off. They really know how to totally immerse you in a setting and a time & place--in this book, 1920s in the Midwest--and to give you a great sense for characters even in very short works. Everything about this was tense and gripping and engaging, and then the mystery is wrapped up in two pages and the book is just... over. And what KILLS me, is that wrapping things up in a more satisfactory way wouldn't take a ton of effort/words. Literally one more chapter, not even a long one, and you're golden. I don't get it. And I'm somebody who doesn't generally enjoy super saccharine, tied-in-a-bow epilogues. I enjoy a bit of open-endedness, but these books don't feel purposefully open-ended. Every time it feels like Lanyon ran up to their deadline, needed to submit the book ASAP, and just... stopped writing. For me, it doesn't feel intentional, it feels rushed and lazy.
So, sorry, friends! I'm probably gonna keep reading Lanyon, because the good parts are good, and I do think their full-length novels are generally slightly better in this aspect. But I'm also gonna keep complaining about the same issues, because even though I *know* it's likely gonna be a problem going into it, it still does detract from my enjoyment, and even knowing that ahead of time doesn't mean I can just ignore it/not mention it when it happens.
I haven't read a ton of Lanyon over the past year or two just because their output has been slower (zero shade!) and I've read a lot of their backlog. But my library recently got in a bunch of their ebooks that I hadn't read yet, hence the sudden back-to-back reviews. Most of these books I've been reading have been short stories/novellas, which I think has made the issues I have with Lanyon's work in general even more stark and frustrating. Namely, the endings. I know, I know, I keep going on about it, but it just really, really sucks when the worst part of a novel is the ending, because it leaves you with a sense of dissatisfaction. And Lanyon's work is SO good otherwise, that it's hard for me to just write them off. They really know how to totally immerse you in a setting and a time & place--in this book, 1920s in the Midwest--and to give you a great sense for characters even in very short works. Everything about this was tense and gripping and engaging, and then the mystery is wrapped up in two pages and the book is just... over. And what KILLS me, is that wrapping things up in a more satisfactory way wouldn't take a ton of effort/words. Literally one more chapter, not even a long one, and you're golden. I don't get it. And I'm somebody who doesn't generally enjoy super saccharine, tied-in-a-bow epilogues. I enjoy a bit of open-endedness, but these books don't feel purposefully open-ended. Every time it feels like Lanyon ran up to their deadline, needed to submit the book ASAP, and just... stopped writing. For me, it doesn't feel intentional, it feels rushed and lazy.
So, sorry, friends! I'm probably gonna keep reading Lanyon, because the good parts are good, and I do think their full-length novels are generally slightly better in this aspect. But I'm also gonna keep complaining about the same issues, because even though I *know* it's likely gonna be a problem going into it, it still does detract from my enjoyment, and even knowing that ahead of time doesn't mean I can just ignore it/not mention it when it happens.
January 4, 2011
I really wanted to like this book, being a fan of Lanyon, but it just didn't do it for me. As always, Lanyon introduced great mystery aspects to his M/M novel, and amazing characterization. I enjoyed the progression of Julian and Flynn's relationship, it was a true journey however, I felt like there should have been... more to the story.
For example, Julian's big revalation of his "disease" went over my head. I was still a bit confused about WHAT exactly this disease meant for the character and his "visions." Did it mean the visions weren't real? That it was a side affect of the visions?
And the revelation of the killer was also disappointing. Not the actual answer, for I was happy it didn't turn out to be Casey Lee, but when the climax of the story came, no answers came with it. Just some madman who the characters knew? Really? Nothing like how it could possibly tie in wiht Julian and Flynn's relationship, escape to act as a way to kill off Julian's angered grandfather. (Nice out of that corner.) Then once the villian has been revealed, and Flynn captures him, the novel ends. Just like that, I was shocked. There should have been more! Does Flynn and Julian get what they want? How does Julian take the unmasking of the murderer? The whole thing just made Julian seem very uninvolved with the story. Espcially since we don't see how young Julian handles the after affects. To me what happens after the murderer is captured is just as important to the rest of the story. I need motivation, I need justice, I need more of happy ending then just "We found him!"
Love love love Lanyon, but did not love this.
For example, Julian's big revalation of his "disease" went over my head. I was still a bit confused about WHAT exactly this disease meant for the character and his "visions." Did it mean the visions weren't real? That it was a side affect of the visions?
And the revelation of the killer was also disappointing. Not the actual answer, for I was happy it didn't turn out to be Casey Lee, but when the climax of the story came, no answers came with it. Just some madman who the characters knew? Really? Nothing like how it could possibly tie in wiht Julian and Flynn's relationship, escape to act as a way to kill off Julian's angered grandfather. (Nice out of that corner.) Then once the villian has been revealed, and Flynn captures him, the novel ends. Just like that, I was shocked. There should have been more! Does Flynn and Julian get what they want? How does Julian take the unmasking of the murderer? The whole thing just made Julian seem very uninvolved with the story. Espcially since we don't see how young Julian handles the after affects. To me what happens after the murderer is captured is just as important to the rest of the story. I need motivation, I need justice, I need more of happy ending then just "We found him!"
Love love love Lanyon, but did not love this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2013
I'm really conflicted about rating this three or four stars. It has all the hallmarks of an excellent Josh Lanyon read: interesting characters, intensity, romance, mystery, tender moments, add to that a genuinely interesting historical setting and it's pretty much perfection. But, and this really is the blowie in the ointment, it stopped so abruptly I felt like I had fallen off a cliff. Having finally recovered I'm going to take a star off because, really, there is no excuse for braking so hard your readers get whiplash. Great story, pity about the en....
May 16, 2013
Great read--left a star off for the abrupt ending, which drove me nuts.
August 11, 2026
Avevo grandi aspettative su questo libro e purtroppo devo dire che non tutte sono state soddisfatte.
Il libro è ambientato negli anni ‘20, post Prima Guerra Mondiale, negli anni del Proibizionismo. Più precisamente in una cittadina rurale di minatori.
David Flynn, giornalista, tornato dalla guerra riprende in mano il suo lavoro e va proprio in questa cittadina dove una volta viveva il suo mentore, ora venuto a mancare, e viene ospitato alla locanda dalla moglie di quest’ultimo.
Il motivo per cui è andato lì è di scrivere un articolo su una strage avvenuta un anno prima.
La locanda ospita persone di tutti i tipi: una signora molto rigida assieme alla figlia, un anziano medico, un venditore porta a porta sempre nel campo medico e un giovane spiritualista con il nonno.
Il ragazzo, Julian, si esibisce (costretto dal nonno) in giro per il Paese, di città in città, con spettacoli in cui comunica con i morti.
David crede sia un truffatore, eppure ne è attratto.
Nel frattempo in varie città e paesini vengono uccise delle donne e tutti hanno paura.
Sulla trama non dirò altro per non fare troppi spoiler perciò passiamo ai personaggi.
Ho trovato sia i protagonisti che gli altri personaggi che gli ruotano attorno ben delineati.
David è piuttosto cinico e disilluso dopo essere tornato dalla guerra, mentre Julian, che avrebbe tutti i motivi per essere come David visto la vita che conduce, è speranzoso, si concede di sognare ancora e si meraviglia delle cose belle intorno a lui.
Essere una persona queer in quegli anni voleva dire stare nascosti, guardarsi sempre le spalle, per non rischiare di finire uccisi o in manicomio. Non è semplice vivere così.
La storia ha del potenziale, ma ho riscontrato alcuni difetti.
La lettura risulta macchinosa e la “voce” della Lanyon è pressoché inesistente. Quando hai letto quasi tutto ciò che è stato tradotto di un’autrice riconoscere la voce è automatico.
Una scena intima l’ho trovata ben poco coinvolgente e, a mio parere, questo è dovuto al linguaggio usato.
E in ultimo il finale. Letteralmente tagliato con l’accetta sia per la parte gialla che per quella romance. Non so nemmeno se definirlo romance questo libro.
Da parte mia si prende tre stelle di valutazione, ma sono molto risicate. La Lanyon ci ha abituato a ben altro in passato e nell’ultimo periodo mi ritrovo spesso delusa.
Sunshine
Il libro è ambientato negli anni ‘20, post Prima Guerra Mondiale, negli anni del Proibizionismo. Più precisamente in una cittadina rurale di minatori.
David Flynn, giornalista, tornato dalla guerra riprende in mano il suo lavoro e va proprio in questa cittadina dove una volta viveva il suo mentore, ora venuto a mancare, e viene ospitato alla locanda dalla moglie di quest’ultimo.
Il motivo per cui è andato lì è di scrivere un articolo su una strage avvenuta un anno prima.
La locanda ospita persone di tutti i tipi: una signora molto rigida assieme alla figlia, un anziano medico, un venditore porta a porta sempre nel campo medico e un giovane spiritualista con il nonno.
Il ragazzo, Julian, si esibisce (costretto dal nonno) in giro per il Paese, di città in città, con spettacoli in cui comunica con i morti.
David crede sia un truffatore, eppure ne è attratto.
Nel frattempo in varie città e paesini vengono uccise delle donne e tutti hanno paura.
Sulla trama non dirò altro per non fare troppi spoiler perciò passiamo ai personaggi.
Ho trovato sia i protagonisti che gli altri personaggi che gli ruotano attorno ben delineati.
David è piuttosto cinico e disilluso dopo essere tornato dalla guerra, mentre Julian, che avrebbe tutti i motivi per essere come David visto la vita che conduce, è speranzoso, si concede di sognare ancora e si meraviglia delle cose belle intorno a lui.
Essere una persona queer in quegli anni voleva dire stare nascosti, guardarsi sempre le spalle, per non rischiare di finire uccisi o in manicomio. Non è semplice vivere così.
La storia ha del potenziale, ma ho riscontrato alcuni difetti.
La lettura risulta macchinosa e la “voce” della Lanyon è pressoché inesistente. Quando hai letto quasi tutto ciò che è stato tradotto di un’autrice riconoscere la voce è automatico.
Una scena intima l’ho trovata ben poco coinvolgente e, a mio parere, questo è dovuto al linguaggio usato.
E in ultimo il finale. Letteralmente tagliato con l’accetta sia per la parte gialla che per quella romance. Non so nemmeno se definirlo romance questo libro.
Da parte mia si prende tre stelle di valutazione, ma sono molto risicate. La Lanyon ci ha abituato a ben altro in passato e nell’ultimo periodo mi ritrovo spesso delusa.
Sunshine
March 23, 2026
In appena 150 pagine, Josh Lanyon, con maestria ed efficacia, intreccia suspense, paranormale e amore, mentre ci fa compiere un salto nel tempo, nell’America rurale del sud dei primi anni 20, raccontandocela attraverso atmosfere, pensieri e costumi, e immergendoci in quella società che appare, al contempo, lontanissima da noi, ma anche orribilmente simile. E mentre gli scontri sindacali e di classe riecheggiano drammatici tra queste pagine, mentre la voglia di giustizia miete le sue vittime e crea i suoi incubi, l’autrice annoda le fila di efferati fatti di cronaca, con una storia d'amore in erba, e (forse, o forse no) già condannata, con la mania dello spiritismo, che in quegli anni imperversava, e con l’incredibile, ma solo per noi del mondo di oggi, visione della malattia e dell’omosessualità. Ne viene fuori un romanzo potente, affilato, che lascia poco al romanticismo e tantissimo al pensiero critico e alle riflessioni.
Faccio fatica a parlare di protagonisti, perché, se è vero che Flynn e Julian sono i personaggi principali, è altrettanto vero, a parer mio, che la reale protagonista è l’ambientazione, intesa come luogo e società. Detto questo, tutte le figure che si muovono sulla scena sono splendidamente delineate, animi e caratteri sono raccontati con pennellate decise e nette, resi reali e vividi.
Le pagine corrono, con un ritmo sostenuto che diviene affannoso sul finale, quando colpi di scena e rivelazioni sorprendono e scuotono.
Del finale,poi, potrei parlare per ore: soddisfacente o no? Chiuso o aperto? Cliffhanger o meno? Possibile che tutte le suddette scelte siano corrette allo stesso tempo? Per me sì, a voi la curiosità di svelare le vostre risposte sperimentando di persona la lettura.
Lo stile della Lanyon è pulito, intenso, coinvolgente. La traduzione un piccolo gioiello.
Hugs&kisses
Faccio fatica a parlare di protagonisti, perché, se è vero che Flynn e Julian sono i personaggi principali, è altrettanto vero, a parer mio, che la reale protagonista è l’ambientazione, intesa come luogo e società. Detto questo, tutte le figure che si muovono sulla scena sono splendidamente delineate, animi e caratteri sono raccontati con pennellate decise e nette, resi reali e vividi.
Le pagine corrono, con un ritmo sostenuto che diviene affannoso sul finale, quando colpi di scena e rivelazioni sorprendono e scuotono.
Del finale,poi, potrei parlare per ore: soddisfacente o no? Chiuso o aperto? Cliffhanger o meno? Possibile che tutte le suddette scelte siano corrette allo stesso tempo? Per me sì, a voi la curiosità di svelare le vostre risposte sperimentando di persona la lettura.
Lo stile della Lanyon è pulito, intenso, coinvolgente. La traduzione un piccolo gioiello.
Hugs&kisses
November 12, 2010
I've been meaning to read more of Josh Lanyon's work for a while. Wanted to grab something for my iPod tonight -- I was going to a gig where I knew I didn't care for the support band -- and ended up getting this from the Kindle store. It's quite a short book -- nine chapters -- and easy to read, though I felt weird about reading the sex scenes while leaning up against the barrier in front of the stage!
Not that it's all about the sex. There's the mystery, of course, in the background, and the supernatural elements, and the relationship which grows between Julian and David. I didn't like either of them much at first -- David is too closed off, and Julian too... flamboyant. But I got to like both of them, even in such a short space.
The mystery itself, I should've seen the end coming more clearly than I did. I got distracted by the misdirection! One part of the end is terribly convenient, really, removing a certain problem from the equation... and I do wish, in some ways, there was more of it, and it went on to show how Julian and David get on. Still, everything wraps up nicely.
There's a pretty good sense of place and time, too. It's not a setting that's particular familiar or resonant to me, being a Brit, although there are aspects that Britain and the US share -- the strikes the characters talked about, and the young war veterans...
Josh Lanyon is pretty good for light reading. I'm tempted to read more of his stuff when I'm on the train, on Saturday, but on the other hand, reading sexy stuff on the train... Hmmm!
Not that it's all about the sex. There's the mystery, of course, in the background, and the supernatural elements, and the relationship which grows between Julian and David. I didn't like either of them much at first -- David is too closed off, and Julian too... flamboyant. But I got to like both of them, even in such a short space.
The mystery itself, I should've seen the end coming more clearly than I did. I got distracted by the misdirection! One part of the end is terribly convenient, really, removing a certain problem from the equation... and I do wish, in some ways, there was more of it, and it went on to show how Julian and David get on. Still, everything wraps up nicely.
There's a pretty good sense of place and time, too. It's not a setting that's particular familiar or resonant to me, being a Brit, although there are aspects that Britain and the US share -- the strikes the characters talked about, and the young war veterans...
Josh Lanyon is pretty good for light reading. I'm tempted to read more of his stuff when I'm on the train, on Saturday, but on the other hand, reading sexy stuff on the train... Hmmm!
September 6, 2021
3.5 stars. I loved the details that made this murder mystery, set in Little Egypt, Illinois circa 1923, come alive. Prohibition is the law of the land, Yes We Have no Bananas is the hit of the day, and a breakfast of ham and eggs, hotcakes and coffee costs 35 cents.
Reporter David Flynn, still dealing with the aftermath of his service in WWI, comes to town to write a retrospective of the Herrin massacre, which occurred the year prior. At his boarding house, he meets Julian Devereaux, a traveling spiritualist / medium and it doesn't take a crystal ball to see that Julian is very attracted to David, and vice versa.
Throw in a series of murders in the area, a traveling salesman, a death in the boarding house, labor unrest, hot nights and cool jazz, add Josh Lanyon's impeccable writing, and The Dark Farewell is a good read ....... until the final chapter, which is far too rushed, and the abrupt ending which is positively criminal.
Reread in 2021: I liked this story better upon a second reading. Again, Lanyon shines with the historical setting and the fine art of giving the right amount of details rather than doing an info dump. Again, the final chapter is just way too rushed, but I like the way we are left with the beginning of an intriguing adventure with Julian and David. 4 stars.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Reporter David Flynn, still dealing with the aftermath of his service in WWI, comes to town to write a retrospective of the Herrin massacre, which occurred the year prior. At his boarding house, he meets Julian Devereaux, a traveling spiritualist / medium and it doesn't take a crystal ball to see that Julian is very attracted to David, and vice versa.
Throw in a series of murders in the area, a traveling salesman, a death in the boarding house, labor unrest, hot nights and cool jazz, add Josh Lanyon's impeccable writing, and The Dark Farewell is a good read ....... until the final chapter, which is far too rushed, and the abrupt ending which is positively criminal.
Reread in 2021: I liked this story better upon a second reading. Again, Lanyon shines with the historical setting and the fine art of giving the right amount of details rather than doing an info dump. Again, the final chapter is just way too rushed, but I like the way we are left with the beginning of an intriguing adventure with Julian and David. 4 stars.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
September 3, 2014
This was better than the last two historical fiction books I read, but there are very few historical books I do like (the Whyborne & Griffin Series being one of the few I like)...that being said at least I was able to get through this one without wanting to claw my ears (I listened to the audiobook) out...except for a couple of parts.
*sighs* it seems like there has been a surge in the amount of historical and dystopian books and I am not particularly fond of it *sighs*
It's nothing personal, they just generally aren't my favourite...unless they are written really well.
*sighs* it seems like there has been a surge in the amount of historical and dystopian books and I am not particularly fond of it *sighs*
It's nothing personal, they just generally aren't my favourite...unless they are written really well.
November 10, 2024
As usual, Josh Lanyon writes a perfect mood setting historical. During prohibition in the south, reporter from New York,David Flynn meets a traveling spiritualist Julian. I really felt the connection with both characters, the mood of the south, and the chills from the serial killings. Caught by surprise with the culprit at the end. The only thing keeping this from being a five star read was the abrupt ending. I kept flipping the page saying "that's it?". I really wanted to know what happened to Flynn and Julian. I guess it's left to the readers imagination on how they fared.
March 6, 2010
I think this is the first time I find Josh Lanyon's novella as unfulfilling. I like the touch of ghost-like mystery here and I thought David and Julian as sweet. However, the ending is so abrupt, it feels like I'm staring on a book where the last pages have been ripped off. I feel that there are questions left unanswered; it makes me feel unsatisfied.
April 12, 2016
A great historical by JL. An audible version provided a haunting edge to it.
But I must add, had I not been used to JL's endings, I would've been frustrated :)
But I must add, had I not been used to JL's endings, I would've been frustrated :)
May 13, 2016
I know what to expect and yet, Lanyon has done it to me again. Abrupt, unfinished ending. Off to see if there is a sequel or coda.
July 14, 2018
Interesting concept, and I really liked the characters. I just wish it was longer, and the ending not so blunt.
March 17, 2026
RECENSIONE A CURA DI BARBARA
Unico!
Josh Lanyon, ancora una volta, riesce a regalarci una storia meravigliosa, una vicenda che unisce con perfetta cura mistero e sentimenti.
In “Un oscuro addio” ci regala uno spaccato degli anni ’20. Un periodo storico difficile di recessione post bellico e preconcetti. Ci trasporta in una realtà rurale americana assoggettata tra fede e violenza pronta a scorrere.
Viviamo in poche pagine uno spaccato emotivamente intenso, un tuffo al centro di una storia in cui tutto il resto è lievemente tratteggiato, quasi abbozzato perché non distolga l’attenzione da ciò che l’autrice vuole raccontarci.
Continua sul nostro blog!
Unico!
Josh Lanyon, ancora una volta, riesce a regalarci una storia meravigliosa, una vicenda che unisce con perfetta cura mistero e sentimenti.
In “Un oscuro addio” ci regala uno spaccato degli anni ’20. Un periodo storico difficile di recessione post bellico e preconcetti. Ci trasporta in una realtà rurale americana assoggettata tra fede e violenza pronta a scorrere.
Viviamo in poche pagine uno spaccato emotivamente intenso, un tuffo al centro di una storia in cui tutto il resto è lievemente tratteggiato, quasi abbozzato perché non distolga l’attenzione da ciò che l’autrice vuole raccontarci.
Continua sul nostro blog!
March 28, 2021
This wasn't one of my favorites from this author. A story after the war and pandemic of David going to do a year later story about the murdered scab miners. At a time when homosexual people were jailed and prohibition was in full swing. The story line wasn't great and while I liked the characters the story dragged.
March 2, 2026
I liked a lot about this but the ending is insanely rushed. Another ten pages alone could have worked wonders.
February 25, 2017
Julian looked like one of those French aristocrats from the time right before the people got tired of eating cake and started topping heads
This should have been a novel instead of a novella. And I don't mean that in the sense of 'I loved this and wanted more of it' but in the sense of 'There wasn't enough time to develop the plot, the characters, their relationships and the backstory enough in something that short'. And that's a shame because there was so much potential.
David, a reporter, travels to Illinois because he wants to do a follow-up story on the Herrin massacre a year after it happened. He's surprised when he finds out that pretty much everybody in town thinks the strike-breakers got what they deserved. Even the old friend that David is visiting more or less shrugs it off. When he asks her if her husband, another old friend of Davis who died a few years before the massacre, would have thought so as well she admits that he wouldn't. And that's it. They don't continue this discussion, David soon decides that he wants to write about the recent series of murders instead. The plotline goes nowhere and David could have just as well just gone on holidays there without ever bringing up the massacre.
The mystery isn't really a mystery. Not in the sense that anybody does any sleuthing. David just falls over a clue at the most convenient time to solve the murders and a problem about his relationship with Julian.
Now the relationship was better done than the rest (and felt much more genuine to me than some in the last few Lanyon books I read) but still felt a bit rushed and I wished they had talked about some issues that came up instead of leaving so much in the open at the end.
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