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Thomas Lynch #1
Idyll Threats
Clean-cut Thomas Lynch is police chief of Idyll, Connecticut, where serious crimes can be counted on one hand --until Cecilia North is found murdered on the town's golf course. By chance, Chief Lynch met her mere hours before she was killed. The case should be a slam dunk. But there's a problem. If he tells his detectives about meeting the victim, he'll reveal his greatest secret--he's gay.
So Lynch works angles of the case on his own. Without the aid of fellow detectives, he is forced to seek help from unlikely allies--a Goth teen and a UFO-obsessed conspiracy theorist. Meanwhile, he must contend with pressure from the mayor to solve the crime before the town's biggest tourist event opens, all the while coping with the suspicions of his men, casual homophobia, and difficult memories of his partner's recent death.
During the investigation, Lynch realizes that small town Idyll isn't safe, especially for a man with secrets that threaten the thing that he loves most--his job.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
So Lynch works angles of the case on his own. Without the aid of fellow detectives, he is forced to seek help from unlikely allies--a Goth teen and a UFO-obsessed conspiracy theorist. Meanwhile, he must contend with pressure from the mayor to solve the crime before the town's biggest tourist event opens, all the while coping with the suspicions of his men, casual homophobia, and difficult memories of his partner's recent death.
During the investigation, Lynch realizes that small town Idyll isn't safe, especially for a man with secrets that threaten the thing that he loves most--his job.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
290 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2015
30 people are currently reading
1138 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Gayle
6 books136 followersStephanie Gayle is the author of Idyll Threats, Idyll Fears, and Idyll Hands (Seventh Street Books) and My Summer of Southern Discomfort (William Morrow.) She's been twice nominated for a Pushcart prize for her short fiction, which has appeared in Kenyon Review Online, Potomac Review, and Minnetonka Review. She created the popular reading series, Craft on Draft, in Boston.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
December 24, 2022
The Idyll, Connecticut police really don't know much about working a murder. They mostly deal with traffic citations and occasional criminal misconduct. Thomas Lynch could help if he admits that he had an encounter with the victim just hours before she was killed. The problem is if he tells his detectives about their meeting, he’ll reveal his biggest secret...he’s gay. Lynch works the case alone, which wins him no friends in the Police Department. Thomas is a man trying to reconcile his passion for police work with his sexuality. The department is rife with casual homophobia and if he comes out it could easily cost him his job. To further complicate matters he's dealing with his former partner’s death while he was in the police department in New York City. This combination of fear and grief has Lynch in a bind, not knowing which way to go.... but he knows that he can’t let his personal issues interfere with the murder case. The mystery is intriguing, and the pace is good. There is a bit of humor and some romance. Stephanie Gayle has created an appealing and likeable character in Thomas Lynch. It was actually his character, more than the story that kept me reading.
February 27, 2016
An absolutely wonderful story told in an unusual writing style. Very bold, brief, and concise. Well developed, beautifully flawed characters that took me awhile to warm up to. Solid murder mystery. I can't wait to see what else this author writes. Highly recommended.
June 7, 2017
3.5 stars
Thomas Lynch is the new Chief of Police at sleepy town of Idyll, Connecticut, whose town-name is so apt with the number of serious crimes that happen. In fact, the last murder there happened seven years ago. Then a body of a local girl found at golf course; and this is where the complication happens: Lynch is probably the last person who sees the victim. However, Lynch cannot say anything about that because it will bring his secret to light -- that he is gay.
And in Idyll, in 1997, homosexuality is not exactly welcomed with open arms. Even few of Lynch's detectives sometimes talk those homophobic slurs. So no, Lynch cannot tell his detectives about where he sees the girl last. He just needs to work around that fact to find the murdered.
I got this book after I read a passionate review over at The Novel Approach Reviews. As a kid who grew up reading Agatha Christie, I am always up for good mystery novel. Also, the closeted Chief of Police as protagonist can be a plus point for yours truly.
First of all, please note that this is a murder mystery novel, not an M/M mystery romance. So anyone who is looking for romance featuring a gay chief of police needs to look elsewhere.
Personally, I thought the crime was good. It was slightly slow pace because the core of the investigation is the plain 'old detective works -- it's 1997, don't expect high technology to help these detectives! They go door-to-door to find witness. They try to find evidences on crime scene that might help uncover clues (it doesn't help that because murders are so rare, the newer detectives end up ruining the crime scene). Plus of course, that gut of being a detective.
And all of these are interspersed with the day-to-day responsibilities of being a chief at Idyll, like being involved (unwittingly) with Idyll Days committee review or is forced to look for patrol supervisor. But I got the hang of the pace after a while and I couldn't put it down afterwards.
I also liked the reminiscing moments that Lynch has about his previous cop partner back in New York, who died after being shot by a drug dealer. It's part of the major reason why Lynch moves to Idyll, and for me, it helps understanding his character a bit more.
All in all, it is a nice introduction to the series. I might check out the sequel later this September. Especially because at the end of this book and I wonder how THAT affects the relationship with his detectives.
Thomas Lynch is the new Chief of Police at sleepy town of Idyll, Connecticut, whose town-name is so apt with the number of serious crimes that happen. In fact, the last murder there happened seven years ago. Then a body of a local girl found at golf course; and this is where the complication happens: Lynch is probably the last person who sees the victim. However, Lynch cannot say anything about that because it will bring his secret to light -- that he is gay.
And in Idyll, in 1997, homosexuality is not exactly welcomed with open arms. Even few of Lynch's detectives sometimes talk those homophobic slurs. So no, Lynch cannot tell his detectives about where he sees the girl last. He just needs to work around that fact to find the murdered.
I got this book after I read a passionate review over at The Novel Approach Reviews. As a kid who grew up reading Agatha Christie, I am always up for good mystery novel. Also, the closeted Chief of Police as protagonist can be a plus point for yours truly.
First of all, please note that this is a murder mystery novel, not an M/M mystery romance. So anyone who is looking for romance featuring a gay chief of police needs to look elsewhere.
Personally, I thought the crime was good. It was slightly slow pace because the core of the investigation is the plain 'old detective works -- it's 1997, don't expect high technology to help these detectives! They go door-to-door to find witness. They try to find evidences on crime scene that might help uncover clues (it doesn't help that because murders are so rare, the newer detectives end up ruining the crime scene). Plus of course, that gut of being a detective.
And all of these are interspersed with the day-to-day responsibilities of being a chief at Idyll, like being involved (unwittingly) with Idyll Days committee review or is forced to look for patrol supervisor. But I got the hang of the pace after a while and I couldn't put it down afterwards.
I also liked the reminiscing moments that Lynch has about his previous cop partner back in New York, who died after being shot by a drug dealer. It's part of the major reason why Lynch moves to Idyll, and for me, it helps understanding his character a bit more.
All in all, it is a nice introduction to the series. I might check out the sequel later this September. Especially because at the end of this book and I wonder how THAT affects the relationship with his detectives.
July 20, 2015
I read a lot of mysteries but I rarely enjoy them as much as I enjoyed IDYLL THREATS. It can be wearing to spend time with jaded, self-destructive cops with a dark past. I tend to avoid that type of main character since it's become such a tired trope. Thomas Lynch isn't just different because he's gay (and partially closeted), but that certainly has a lot to do with it. Lynch's move from big city to small town cop life after a tragedy is another trope I've seen plenty of times before, but the Idyll PD feels like a real unit, with distinct personalities and characters.
That's really what's so great about this book. Everyone in it seems like a fully-formed person from the moment you encounter them. Lynch is so wrapped up in his job as a cop that he doesn't spend too much time wondering why he doesn't put real effort into the rest of his life, yes another trope, but there's something about Gayle's touch that keeps Lynch feeling like a person you recognize instead of falling into cliche.
If this is the first of a series of Lynch novels, I will be extremely happy. Gayle really nailed it with this novel and I'm excited to read more.
That's really what's so great about this book. Everyone in it seems like a fully-formed person from the moment you encounter them. Lynch is so wrapped up in his job as a cop that he doesn't spend too much time wondering why he doesn't put real effort into the rest of his life, yes another trope, but there's something about Gayle's touch that keeps Lynch feeling like a person you recognize instead of falling into cliche.
If this is the first of a series of Lynch novels, I will be extremely happy. Gayle really nailed it with this novel and I'm excited to read more.
May 26, 2025
It's nice to read books you already own and come away more than satisfied. Honestly I forget why or when I buy things so periodically (lately) I go through my shelves and sometimes am pleasantly surprised. This was such an occasion.
I don't know if this is tagged as M/M but it's not. Not a romance at all. It's a small town mystery with a satisfyingly complex protagonist who's a bit of a fish-out-of-water for various reasons. He's new in town, having recently relocated from NYC, where he grew up, he's dealing with the loss of his former work partner, and he's gay. Closeted. Not to his family, who have no issue with his sexuality, but to the outside world. This is 1997.
The mystery was interesting and so was going on the ride of having Thomas Lynch crawl out of his self-imposed shell. There's an inkling of a possible future romantic interest but the author smartly doesn't get too much in the weeds on that front. Our MC has plenty to deal with in terms of getting to really know his co-workers, become a unit, learn to navigate town politics , and the murder.
Downside is now I'll have to get the next books in the series and read them. Hardships never end.
I don't know if this is tagged as M/M but it's not. Not a romance at all. It's a small town mystery with a satisfyingly complex protagonist who's a bit of a fish-out-of-water for various reasons. He's new in town, having recently relocated from NYC, where he grew up, he's dealing with the loss of his former work partner, and he's gay. Closeted. Not to his family, who have no issue with his sexuality, but to the outside world. This is 1997.
The mystery was interesting and so was going on the ride of having Thomas Lynch crawl out of his self-imposed shell. There's an inkling of a possible future romantic interest but the author smartly doesn't get too much in the weeds on that front. Our MC has plenty to deal with in terms of getting to really know his co-workers, become a unit, learn to navigate town politics , and the murder.
Downside is now I'll have to get the next books in the series and read them. Hardships never end.
December 10, 2024
I’m not sure what made me pick this book off the shelf, but I’m so happy I did. I found a new series!
Idyll Threats by Stephanie Gayle gives readers a peek inside a small-town police station full of politics, humor, tension, and secrets. There are always secrets.
“We carry so much with us on this job.”
Meet Thomas Lynch, an ex-New York City homicide detective, attempting to settle into the small community of Idyll, Connecticut in 1997. He’s the new Chief of Police with a murder to solve and detectives to win over. As the outsider with no one to trust in town, Lynch decides to keep his biggest secret under wraps--Thomas is gay. But can he or should he keep it secret?
On top of everything going on at work, Lynch is trying to come to terms with the death of his former NYPD partner. He's running from it actually. Lynch is a big, grumpy guy running from his pain and regret. But no matter how far you run, the ghosts always seem to find you. Even in Connecticut! Idyll has a few things to run from too. Like mean secretaries and neighbors with “lawn plans”. Haha…It’s a lot for this big city guy. And I love him. Ms. Gayle brings him to life with strong, straight-to-the-point lines and chapters.
For me, Ms. Gayle shines at writing the ups and downs of an investigation. There’s a lot of pressure (the glitter stress ball scene cracked me up!) and waiting and frustration. Bit by bit the case comes together with door to door interviews, tech reports, luck, and gossip. The different personalities on the force both add and detract from the investigation as well. Is it bad to say that I had fun with this murder? I did though. I loved the squad room chemistry. Each and every character brought something to the table. The jokes, tension, and adrenaline all felt very realistic. I can’t wait to see where things go next.
I’m hooked! Highly recommended.
Idyll Threats by Stephanie Gayle gives readers a peek inside a small-town police station full of politics, humor, tension, and secrets. There are always secrets.
“We carry so much with us on this job.”
Meet Thomas Lynch, an ex-New York City homicide detective, attempting to settle into the small community of Idyll, Connecticut in 1997. He’s the new Chief of Police with a murder to solve and detectives to win over. As the outsider with no one to trust in town, Lynch decides to keep his biggest secret under wraps--Thomas is gay. But can he or should he keep it secret?
On top of everything going on at work, Lynch is trying to come to terms with the death of his former NYPD partner. He's running from it actually. Lynch is a big, grumpy guy running from his pain and regret. But no matter how far you run, the ghosts always seem to find you. Even in Connecticut! Idyll has a few things to run from too. Like mean secretaries and neighbors with “lawn plans”. Haha…It’s a lot for this big city guy. And I love him. Ms. Gayle brings him to life with strong, straight-to-the-point lines and chapters.
For me, Ms. Gayle shines at writing the ups and downs of an investigation. There’s a lot of pressure (the glitter stress ball scene cracked me up!) and waiting and frustration. Bit by bit the case comes together with door to door interviews, tech reports, luck, and gossip. The different personalities on the force both add and detract from the investigation as well. Is it bad to say that I had fun with this murder? I did though. I loved the squad room chemistry. Each and every character brought something to the table. The jokes, tension, and adrenaline all felt very realistic. I can’t wait to see where things go next.
I’m hooked! Highly recommended.
June 3, 2017
Hmmm. I'm not sure about this - it was a good crime novel but the M/M factor really was non existent. I was obviously expecting something different so felt disappointed at the end.
February 22, 2019
The sample was interesting enough that I bought the book. Now let's hope it stays that way:)
Finished - and yes, this was awesome! On to the next one.
Finished - and yes, this was awesome! On to the next one.
June 13, 2017
Thomas Lynch is the new police chief in Idyll, Connecticut, a town that is quiet and safe. When a murdered girl is found on the golf course, Thomas begins the investigation.
Thomas transferred to Idyll from the big city after his partner was killed. Rick was not only his police partner, but his life partner. Thomas is gay and is trying to hide this from the town and his colleagues. It is with this in mind that I found it hard to suspend belief when he stops a speeding car in order to ticket the driver and ends up in a sexual dalliance with him. During this dalliance, they see the girl prior to her murder but Thomas can't say anything if he wants to remain closeted. Additionally, Thomas's actions are unethical and probably illegal, opening himself up to potential blackmail and the necessity of lying.
There are multiple suspects and as Thomas attempts to solve the crime, I didn't feel that vested in the outcome. I am a supporter of LGBTQ rights and am a bit of an activist but I was bothered by how many times and how many ways the author felt she had to remind us that her protagonist was gay. I wanted to say 'enough already'. Thomas's sexual preference took up too much of the story. 3.5
Thomas transferred to Idyll from the big city after his partner was killed. Rick was not only his police partner, but his life partner. Thomas is gay and is trying to hide this from the town and his colleagues. It is with this in mind that I found it hard to suspend belief when he stops a speeding car in order to ticket the driver and ends up in a sexual dalliance with him. During this dalliance, they see the girl prior to her murder but Thomas can't say anything if he wants to remain closeted. Additionally, Thomas's actions are unethical and probably illegal, opening himself up to potential blackmail and the necessity of lying.
There are multiple suspects and as Thomas attempts to solve the crime, I didn't feel that vested in the outcome. I am a supporter of LGBTQ rights and am a bit of an activist but I was bothered by how many times and how many ways the author felt she had to remind us that her protagonist was gay. I wanted to say 'enough already'. Thomas's sexual preference took up too much of the story. 3.5
did-not-finish
September 24, 2015Why did the MC have to be randomly hooking up (in a shack no less) with some total stranger he'd just met when he saw the would-be victim? Why couldn't he have simply been on a "date" with another man? It would have had the exact same effect on the plot. All gay guys aren't slutty, sex-crazed heathens running around sucking off strangers and I hate that this is such an acceptable norm in gay-themed literature. Plus, he's new a police chief! In a small town. One would think he'd be a bit smarter.
March 16, 2015
A compelling murder mystery introducing a fascinating new detective: Thomas Lynch, a closeted gay man on a small town (Idyll, CT) police force. The twists and turns of his murder investigation are compulsively page-turning, while Lynch's personal story made me want to slow down and savor every word. Stephanie Gayle is an impressive new talent in this genre (her first novel, The Summer of My Southern Discomfort, is a great non-mystery read).
December 28, 2020
This was a great crime fiction, great plot and very interesting characters, twist and turns and hard to put down. It doesn't happen very often that I really enjoy crime novels, like I do with this. It was just a great experience and I need to read the other books very soon. Highly recommend this series!
May 26, 2017
Sometimes you read a book that makes you want to throw all the confetti and tell people to just go read it. Idyll Threats is that book. Written in a contemporary noir style, in the voice of Chief of Police Thomas Lynch, this novel is a top-notch mystery that not only strings readers along on the investigation of Cecilia North’s murder but also in the revelation of Thomas as a man who’s hiding much of himself from the citizens of Idyll, Connecticut.
The year is 1997 and not much in Idyll is idyllic. If you need a reminder of how far we’ve come in the last twenty years, this book will serve as just that. This is a time before we held a world of information in the palm of our hand–cell phones were not the norm, nor were they smart, and it was crazy to recall a time not so long ago when Google didn’t provide instant answers, and pay phones were still prevalent. We’re also reminded of the social climate of the time—forty-four year old Tom is in the closet and has no intention of revealing that he’s gay, not to his men at the station or the town at large. He relies on clandestine one-offs with strangers to scratch the itch to connect with someone. And that’s the thing that leads to a wealth of problems for Tom when being in the wrong place at the wrong time complicates an already complicated investigation. Idyll Threats isn’t a Coming Out story, though. In fact, it’s almost the opposite. This is the story of a man who’s torn between self-preservation and his sworn duty to protect and to serve in a time when being out was the exception rather than the rule, especially in small town America. It’s the story of Tom’s basest fear, of having his most private self exposed if he comes forward and admits he saw the victim of a coldblooded murder mere hours before she died. Because to do so would raise questions about why he was there, and risk the revelation of who he was with. He’s already run once. To run again would be too much, and the consequence would be the end of his career in law enforcement.
Seven months after leaving his job as a homicide detective with the NYPD, after his partner was shot in a bust gone wrong, Tom is still swamped with guilt over all the things he didn’t do to save Rick’s life. It’s another of the many things Tom hasn’t shared with the guys on the Idyll force, and it’s the defense mechanism he uses to keep them, and everyone else, from getting too close (the lack of fraternity with his men is evident and causes a tangible discomfort throughout the story). Tom’s memories of Rick are so heartwrenching, and there’s one passage in particular that had me in tears, so kudos to the author for not only writing an outstanding mystery but then creating an emotional connection between the reader and her narrator. I loved the deep point of view for that very reason.
The police procedural in this novel is the perfect mix of frustration, false leads, a suspect who looks good for the crime, and an unexpected revelation when Tom finally brings all the pieces together to solve the puzzle, something he resolved to do himself because it meant he could do it without exposing the identities of gay men in the community, himself included. Tom is smart, but not in an implausible way; the story doesn’t ask readers to suspend disbelief, nor does the investigation take unbelievable leaps of logic to progress the storyline.
And then, finally, enough is enough–sometimes a man can only hold in just so much before the pressure means he needs to unshackle himself from the lies by omission.
Idyll Threats is excellent, right up there among some of the best I’ve read in the genre; the story of a Chief of Police who happens to be gay, and how that part of the whole of himself affects and informs his role in the place he can’t call home. And yet, is the only place he has to be. The reveals parsed out through the story about who Tom is, where he came from, and how he got to be where he is, are as much a part of the mystery as the murder itself. The solving of the crime and the capturing of the killer is just fantastic and came together in a way that was shocking as well as believable. Gayle’s prose drew me in with little to no effort, and her characters are imperfect and real.
If you’re a mystery fan, I can’t recommend this book enough, and can’t tell you how excited I am for the release of Idyll Fears in September.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
The year is 1997 and not much in Idyll is idyllic. If you need a reminder of how far we’ve come in the last twenty years, this book will serve as just that. This is a time before we held a world of information in the palm of our hand–cell phones were not the norm, nor were they smart, and it was crazy to recall a time not so long ago when Google didn’t provide instant answers, and pay phones were still prevalent. We’re also reminded of the social climate of the time—forty-four year old Tom is in the closet and has no intention of revealing that he’s gay, not to his men at the station or the town at large. He relies on clandestine one-offs with strangers to scratch the itch to connect with someone. And that’s the thing that leads to a wealth of problems for Tom when being in the wrong place at the wrong time complicates an already complicated investigation. Idyll Threats isn’t a Coming Out story, though. In fact, it’s almost the opposite. This is the story of a man who’s torn between self-preservation and his sworn duty to protect and to serve in a time when being out was the exception rather than the rule, especially in small town America. It’s the story of Tom’s basest fear, of having his most private self exposed if he comes forward and admits he saw the victim of a coldblooded murder mere hours before she died. Because to do so would raise questions about why he was there, and risk the revelation of who he was with. He’s already run once. To run again would be too much, and the consequence would be the end of his career in law enforcement.
Seven months after leaving his job as a homicide detective with the NYPD, after his partner was shot in a bust gone wrong, Tom is still swamped with guilt over all the things he didn’t do to save Rick’s life. It’s another of the many things Tom hasn’t shared with the guys on the Idyll force, and it’s the defense mechanism he uses to keep them, and everyone else, from getting too close (the lack of fraternity with his men is evident and causes a tangible discomfort throughout the story). Tom’s memories of Rick are so heartwrenching, and there’s one passage in particular that had me in tears, so kudos to the author for not only writing an outstanding mystery but then creating an emotional connection between the reader and her narrator. I loved the deep point of view for that very reason.
The police procedural in this novel is the perfect mix of frustration, false leads, a suspect who looks good for the crime, and an unexpected revelation when Tom finally brings all the pieces together to solve the puzzle, something he resolved to do himself because it meant he could do it without exposing the identities of gay men in the community, himself included. Tom is smart, but not in an implausible way; the story doesn’t ask readers to suspend disbelief, nor does the investigation take unbelievable leaps of logic to progress the storyline.
And then, finally, enough is enough–sometimes a man can only hold in just so much before the pressure means he needs to unshackle himself from the lies by omission.
Idyll Threats is excellent, right up there among some of the best I’ve read in the genre; the story of a Chief of Police who happens to be gay, and how that part of the whole of himself affects and informs his role in the place he can’t call home. And yet, is the only place he has to be. The reveals parsed out through the story about who Tom is, where he came from, and how he got to be where he is, are as much a part of the mystery as the murder itself. The solving of the crime and the capturing of the killer is just fantastic and came together in a way that was shocking as well as believable. Gayle’s prose drew me in with little to no effort, and her characters are imperfect and real.
If you’re a mystery fan, I can’t recommend this book enough, and can’t tell you how excited I am for the release of Idyll Fears in September.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
September 30, 2015
I don't normally veer toward crime thrillers, but this one easily breaks those boundaries and becomes a smart page turner and a true character study in the person of Police Chief Thomas Lynch. The book wrestles with some dark and true issues, running along at a clipped, sharp space. And it can be funny too. Highly recommended.
December 22, 2015
I love Chief Lynch! He's my favorite new detective. I hope Idyll Threats is the first of many Chief Lynch murder mysteries.
August 19, 2015
What a fantastic read. You can't not love Chief Lynch--he's sharp, dry, laconic, and sensitive. A former NYPD cop who lands in the small Connecticut town of Idyll, he's not only a big fish in a little pond, he's also a complete fish out of water. What's I found particularly compelling about Lynch is that he grapples with the machismo expectations of both his gender and profession, while wrestling to stay in the closet about his sexuality. All the while attempting to solve the biggest murder case Idyll has ever seen--a case that would have been a slam dunk if it didn't mean outing himself in the process.
I loved this book's smart humor; the pages really flew by. IDYLL THREATS is such a smart and thoughtful take on the police procedural--Gayle injects a new life into the hardboiled genre and truly makes it her own.
I loved this book's smart humor; the pages really flew by. IDYLL THREATS is such a smart and thoughtful take on the police procedural--Gayle injects a new life into the hardboiled genre and truly makes it her own.
May 29, 2021
I liked this writing style and the voice of our narrating MC. Already ordered the other two books in the series.
September 8, 2017
Thomas Lynch is the new police chief in the town of Idyll. The biggest case to come to this town in ages is a murder... and Lynch met the victim mere hours before she died. He's trying to find a way to get people to the cabin where he met her at without disclosing that he was there. Telling them that would reveal the fact that he's gay and he's not ready to come out.
This book deals with homophobia, small town mentality, loss, hope and murder. Phew! Lynch is flawed but likeable. I was a bit taken aback at the beginning of the book... would someone in his position really hook up with a guy he pulled over for speeding in some random shack off the side of the road?? Knowing this could jeopardize his career? Um... probably not.. but hey, this is fiction after all right? I found his character to be extremely human and couldn't imagine what it's like to work in a field where you felt the need to hide your true self because the men you work with are continuously making derogatory comments.
This isn't one of those OMG, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED and THAT'S WHO KILLED HER kind of books, but it's extremely well done in its reveal. The author excels in plot and character development. Throw in a dash or three of humor and it's a fun murder mystery that keeps you turning the pages. First in the series, I'm off to read book two, Idyll Fears now!! After the ending of this book, I'm so curious about what is going to happen to Lynch now!
This book deals with homophobia, small town mentality, loss, hope and murder. Phew! Lynch is flawed but likeable. I was a bit taken aback at the beginning of the book... would someone in his position really hook up with a guy he pulled over for speeding in some random shack off the side of the road?? Knowing this could jeopardize his career? Um... probably not.. but hey, this is fiction after all right? I found his character to be extremely human and couldn't imagine what it's like to work in a field where you felt the need to hide your true self because the men you work with are continuously making derogatory comments.
This isn't one of those OMG, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED and THAT'S WHO KILLED HER kind of books, but it's extremely well done in its reveal. The author excels in plot and character development. Throw in a dash or three of humor and it's a fun murder mystery that keeps you turning the pages. First in the series, I'm off to read book two, Idyll Fears now!! After the ending of this book, I'm so curious about what is going to happen to Lynch now!
October 30, 2017
A true crime thriller, with short words, straightforward sentence structures, vivid descriptions, factual details, and, above all, the protagonist’s dark humor... we don't get to see how Thomas Lynch, our anti-hero’s narrative voice, draws his conclusions, because that would take up valuable page space. Instead, Stephanie Gayle just assumes that we're sharp kids and we can follow along.
By talking to us as though we are already somehow familiar with her complex protagonist, Stephanie treats us like we already know him. In turn, we FEEL like we already know him, and keep getting closer as he gets closer to solving the crime.
I fully recommend Idyll Threats.
By talking to us as though we are already somehow familiar with her complex protagonist, Stephanie treats us like we already know him. In turn, we FEEL like we already know him, and keep getting closer as he gets closer to solving the crime.
I fully recommend Idyll Threats.
March 9, 2016
Excellent story with an engaging protagonist. Extremely well written. Hope to see more of Chief Lynch!
May 13, 2016
So I bought this book because I had a airplane flight coming up and just wanted something to pass the time, Sweet baby Jesus did I get my moneys worth!!!! This is possibly (if not definitely) the BEST novel I have ever read. It was sooooo good I really don't even begin to know how to write a review for it besides just saying: READ IT!!!! It was such a well written, developed and enjoyable book that I am currently on vacation in Miami and in between enjoying myself all I could think about was "When am I going to get back to my room so I can finish this book???"
The best part of Idyll Threats is Chief Thomas Lynch, I have NEVER EVER read a character I wanted to have coffee with more then this man, he is the best character, something about him just draws you in and makes you want to read. If you go through my book history it's super clear that I do not like books written in the first person it's just not a form of story telling I enjoy because I feel like you never get the whole/real story but with Lynch, if I could have his perspective on every book I read from now on I would be happy. He is a man that has a lot of flaws, regrets and baggage. He's far from perfect and what I appreciate about him is that he knows it and genuinely does his best to BE BETTER. I was blown away by his humor (there were lines in this book I would think about hours after reading them and couldn't stop smiling because they were so funny), intelligence and internal struggles to be the person he wants to be.
The world building that the author does is so engrossing it's like Idyll is magical, even though it's this small sleepy New England town I imagine it being this place so full of secrets and stories to tell that I just want to know all of them. The author paints such a clear and distinct picture I felt like I was living in Idyll and watching this story unfold, but she does it in such a beautiful and clear way that it never suffers from overwriting. I've read books where it seems like the author gets so wrapped up in making sure the reader can picture exactly what they want them to see that they lose the reader because the story becomes more focused on details than the journey. This is an issue this book never suffers from.
Overall, I could go on and on about how amazing and lovely this book was butI seriously don;t think I can do it justice, it's like trying to explain why you like rainbows or watching rain storms, somethings you just have to experience to appreciate.
A PLEA TO STEPHANIE GAYLE: PLEASE WRITE MORE THOMAS LYNCH NOVELS PLEASE DONT' LET THIS BE THE LAST/ONLY STORY I GET TO SHARE WITH THIS AWESOME CAST OF WELL-DEVELOPED CHARACTERS AND YOUR AMAZING MYSTERY WRITING!!!!! PLEASE!!!!
The best part of Idyll Threats is Chief Thomas Lynch, I have NEVER EVER read a character I wanted to have coffee with more then this man, he is the best character, something about him just draws you in and makes you want to read. If you go through my book history it's super clear that I do not like books written in the first person it's just not a form of story telling I enjoy because I feel like you never get the whole/real story but with Lynch, if I could have his perspective on every book I read from now on I would be happy. He is a man that has a lot of flaws, regrets and baggage. He's far from perfect and what I appreciate about him is that he knows it and genuinely does his best to BE BETTER. I was blown away by his humor (there were lines in this book I would think about hours after reading them and couldn't stop smiling because they were so funny), intelligence and internal struggles to be the person he wants to be.
The world building that the author does is so engrossing it's like Idyll is magical, even though it's this small sleepy New England town I imagine it being this place so full of secrets and stories to tell that I just want to know all of them. The author paints such a clear and distinct picture I felt like I was living in Idyll and watching this story unfold, but she does it in such a beautiful and clear way that it never suffers from overwriting. I've read books where it seems like the author gets so wrapped up in making sure the reader can picture exactly what they want them to see that they lose the reader because the story becomes more focused on details than the journey. This is an issue this book never suffers from.
Overall, I could go on and on about how amazing and lovely this book was butI seriously don;t think I can do it justice, it's like trying to explain why you like rainbows or watching rain storms, somethings you just have to experience to appreciate.
A PLEA TO STEPHANIE GAYLE: PLEASE WRITE MORE THOMAS LYNCH NOVELS PLEASE DONT' LET THIS BE THE LAST/ONLY STORY I GET TO SHARE WITH THIS AWESOME CAST OF WELL-DEVELOPED CHARACTERS AND YOUR AMAZING MYSTERY WRITING!!!!! PLEASE!!!!
August 5, 2017
Idyll Threats is a compelling, vivid, and suspenseful mystery, but it is also more than that. I love a good crime novel but I also love novels that delve into the mystery of the human soul. Told from the point of view of Thomas Lynch, the new police chief in the small town of Idyll, Idyll Threats is both. We learn right away that Lynch is a man with a secret- he is gay. As the novel unfolds Lynch struggles to keep his secret and solve the mystery of who killed Cecelia North because the two are intertwined. I loved that Lynch is not your typical police chief but a complex and mysterious man who you grow closer to as he gets closer to solving the crime. I also love the sharp glimpse we get of Idyll, a town that is at turns funny, but also frustrating in its small mindedness. I highly recommend this well-crafted and moving crime novel to anyone who loves a good mystery and a good story, and I look forward to more of Thomas Lynch.
October 26, 2015
Such a good detective novel!
The book takes place in a fictional but very realistic small New England town in 1997. The protagonist, a former NYPD detective, has just taken over as police chief and finds himself solving the murder of a young woman. He's running a police department, navigating small town politics, and fending off a young waitress, while trying to keep his homosexuality a secret from everyone. Keeping this secret could prove to be his undoing
It's lean and mean and moves fast.
If I had to list a con (which many will find a plus) is that the book does not meander into the mundane. While I understand a small town police chief investigating a murder doesn't get a lot of down time, I'd love to have toured more of Idyll. The good news for me is this is the beginning of a series, so I will eventually get to spend more time there.
The book takes place in a fictional but very realistic small New England town in 1997. The protagonist, a former NYPD detective, has just taken over as police chief and finds himself solving the murder of a young woman. He's running a police department, navigating small town politics, and fending off a young waitress, while trying to keep his homosexuality a secret from everyone. Keeping this secret could prove to be his undoing
It's lean and mean and moves fast.
If I had to list a con (which many will find a plus) is that the book does not meander into the mundane. While I understand a small town police chief investigating a murder doesn't get a lot of down time, I'd love to have toured more of Idyll. The good news for me is this is the beginning of a series, so I will eventually get to spend more time there.
June 3, 2017
I was scared to like this book. I've read many books about gay men by women authors and they have all gotten something wrong. They put in too much romance or they make all gay men sex addicts.
I was wary reading this. At the start of the book the Chief has a quickie and I was thinking "is she saying all gay men think about is sex???" and later the Chief says he doesn't think about women and I'm like "is she calling all gay men women-haters???"
It took me most of the book to get over this frankly and I need not have had my back up. The story is well done. I just kept telling myself that in 2017 there can be women and straight people in general who realize they being gay is a 360 degree design, not a cardboard cutout. This author clearly knows that.
Great story, very satisfying ending, well done.
I found this book by going to my library's ebook section and searching "gay".
I was wary reading this. At the start of the book the Chief has a quickie and I was thinking "is she saying all gay men think about is sex???" and later the Chief says he doesn't think about women and I'm like "is she calling all gay men women-haters???"
It took me most of the book to get over this frankly and I need not have had my back up. The story is well done. I just kept telling myself that in 2017 there can be women and straight people in general who realize they being gay is a 360 degree design, not a cardboard cutout. This author clearly knows that.
Great story, very satisfying ending, well done.
I found this book by going to my library's ebook section and searching "gay".
September 9, 2020
Wow! This was a fantastic book, truly excellent.
Thomas is a character so interesting; complex and in a very conflictive point in his life. And his need to hide his sexual orientation led him to make a mistake and he's paying for it a very high price. But he learns his lesson. He is in his way to healing and forgiving himself for the death of his partner.
The story is gritty and we soon learn that Idyll is not really idyllic, at least if you don't conform to the WASP ideal. And, as always happens in places like that, there are lots of people with secrets.
One of the things I love the most is the way in which we follow the police in their search for clues and suspects. Nobody is extraordinary, nobody has an IQ of a gazillion; all it's done by steady, dogged police work.
I'm so happy there are two more books in this series. I believe I've found a new favourite author :D
Thomas is a character so interesting; complex and in a very conflictive point in his life. And his need to hide his sexual orientation led him to make a mistake and he's paying for it a very high price. But he learns his lesson. He is in his way to healing and forgiving himself for the death of his partner.
The story is gritty and we soon learn that Idyll is not really idyllic, at least if you don't conform to the WASP ideal. And, as always happens in places like that, there are lots of people with secrets.
One of the things I love the most is the way in which we follow the police in their search for clues and suspects. Nobody is extraordinary, nobody has an IQ of a gazillion; all it's done by steady, dogged police work.
I'm so happy there are two more books in this series. I believe I've found a new favourite author :D
May 5, 2015
REVIEW: IDYLL THREATS by Stephanie Gayle
I really loved reading this novel, and I
hope for a long, long, long series. This is only early May and here is one of my personal Best of 2015. It's so easy to empathize and endure with the long-suffering protagonist, a New York City native and long-time NYPD detective, who has been the Chief of Police in seemingly bucolic (translate: racist and homophobic) Idyll, Connecticut. Very much in the closet, Lynch feels himself all alone, and additionally, disliked and distrusted because of his big-city background. Emotionally distraught, he is prone to bad choices with potential ugly consequences. This is a mystery I couldn't put down.
I really loved reading this novel, and I
hope for a long, long, long series. This is only early May and here is one of my personal Best of 2015. It's so easy to empathize and endure with the long-suffering protagonist, a New York City native and long-time NYPD detective, who has been the Chief of Police in seemingly bucolic (translate: racist and homophobic) Idyll, Connecticut. Very much in the closet, Lynch feels himself all alone, and additionally, disliked and distrusted because of his big-city background. Emotionally distraught, he is prone to bad choices with potential ugly consequences. This is a mystery I couldn't put down.
October 31, 2017
Read this in one day. This was SO SO GOOD! I just couldn't put it down. I don't even know what to say, just everything was amazing. The main character (who is gay, but it's not all he is and it's a challenge but not a sob story), the cop who is black and how he's dealt with people being prejudice against him in the town (but it's not all he is and isn't some sob story), the mystery itself (entertaining and fun to follow the clues), just an overall fun ready!
I'm definitely the next one in the series!
I'm definitely the next one in the series!
April 10, 2018
Wow, such a taut little murder mystery with a protagonist that felt like a genuinely unique voice. Thomas Lynch is walking a fine line as the Police Chief in the small town of Idyll, dealing with his own grief and demons while negotiating the realities of being not just being the new Chief, but a gay man negotiating the closet, the homophobic cop culture of his late 90's small precinct, and life in a small town where everyone knows your business. One of the most enjoyable reads I've read in a while.
November 14, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this! I hope it's the first of a long series.
September 8, 2017
Thanks to Prometheus Books for the copy in exchange for my honest review.
A murder in a small town of Connecticut should be a simple case for Police Chief Thomas Lynch, but it's not that simple. He can't admit to knowing the victim without giving up his deepest secret - he's gay. IDYLL THREATS is book one in the Thomas Lynch series and I loved this page turning murder mystery.
When local woman, Cecilia North, is found murdered on the town's golf course Thomas Lynch is on the case. As luck would have it, he had met her the night before the murder, but he can't reveal that information to his fellow detectives. He has to try to solve this on his own or he'll risk his deepest secret getting out, that he's gay. Living in the small town of Idyll, Connecticut he sees and hears the homophobia and is terrified to face that with his colleagues. Without having his fellow detectives on the case with him, he turns to a couple of unlikely allies. Teamed with UFO obsessed conspiracy theorist and a Goth teenager, Lynch is feeling the pressure from the mayor to solve this murder.
Gayle writes this completely from the perspective of Thomas Lynch. Something very different seeing things from his perspective and how the homophobia in the precinct affects him and why he chooses to do the investigation on his own. The character development is great - flawed characters that you grow to empathize with. The plot moves along at a good pace and I definitely binged on this one.
Overall, from her descriptions to the humor thrown in, I loved Gayle's writing style. The perspective of Thomas was unique and refreshing and the mystery was intriguing. Off to read book 2!
I give this 4.5/5 stars!
A murder in a small town of Connecticut should be a simple case for Police Chief Thomas Lynch, but it's not that simple. He can't admit to knowing the victim without giving up his deepest secret - he's gay. IDYLL THREATS is book one in the Thomas Lynch series and I loved this page turning murder mystery.
When local woman, Cecilia North, is found murdered on the town's golf course Thomas Lynch is on the case. As luck would have it, he had met her the night before the murder, but he can't reveal that information to his fellow detectives. He has to try to solve this on his own or he'll risk his deepest secret getting out, that he's gay. Living in the small town of Idyll, Connecticut he sees and hears the homophobia and is terrified to face that with his colleagues. Without having his fellow detectives on the case with him, he turns to a couple of unlikely allies. Teamed with UFO obsessed conspiracy theorist and a Goth teenager, Lynch is feeling the pressure from the mayor to solve this murder.
Gayle writes this completely from the perspective of Thomas Lynch. Something very different seeing things from his perspective and how the homophobia in the precinct affects him and why he chooses to do the investigation on his own. The character development is great - flawed characters that you grow to empathize with. The plot moves along at a good pace and I definitely binged on this one.
Overall, from her descriptions to the humor thrown in, I loved Gayle's writing style. The perspective of Thomas was unique and refreshing and the mystery was intriguing. Off to read book 2!
I give this 4.5/5 stars!
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