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Murder in Pastel
"The path that leads from the back of my cottage to Adam's lies through a meadow thick with poppies and lupine. Beyond Adam's cottage this same path disappears into the woods where Cosmo Bari, my father, disappeared one soft summer's eve ten years ago..."
Ten years ago Cosmo Bari vanished, and with him, his legendary masterpiece, The Virgin in Pastel. Since that day no one in the seaside art colony of Steeple Hill has heard from the eccentric painter.
Surrounded by an extended family of Cosmo's colorful compatriots, mystery writer Kyle Bari believes he has come to terms with being abandoned by his famous father, until the day Adam MacKinnon arrives with his new lover, the beautiful but poisonous, Brett. Brett has an unerring instinct for other people's weak spots; soon the quiet colony is seething with hostility and suspicion as Brett hints he knows something about the missing artist.
Kyle doesn't take Brett seriously until the long lost The Virgin in Pastel is discovered hidden in an antique dresser. A few days later the painting has vanished again--and Brett is dead. Murdered...
*NOTE - This book is written by Josh Lanyon. The rest of the books by this author name (Colin Dunne) are written by another mystery writer. Josh no longer uses this alias for an other book except this one.
Ten years ago Cosmo Bari vanished, and with him, his legendary masterpiece, The Virgin in Pastel. Since that day no one in the seaside art colony of Steeple Hill has heard from the eccentric painter.
Surrounded by an extended family of Cosmo's colorful compatriots, mystery writer Kyle Bari believes he has come to terms with being abandoned by his famous father, until the day Adam MacKinnon arrives with his new lover, the beautiful but poisonous, Brett. Brett has an unerring instinct for other people's weak spots; soon the quiet colony is seething with hostility and suspicion as Brett hints he knows something about the missing artist.
Kyle doesn't take Brett seriously until the long lost The Virgin in Pastel is discovered hidden in an antique dresser. A few days later the painting has vanished again--and Brett is dead. Murdered...
*NOTE - This book is written by Josh Lanyon. The rest of the books by this author name (Colin Dunne) are written by another mystery writer. Josh no longer uses this alias for an other book except this one.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2000
28 people are currently reading
445 people want to read
About the author
Josh Lanyon
223 books5,419 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
September 17, 2015
3.5 stars. Review posted September 17, 2015.
Murder in Pastel is a good and quick read in vintage Lanyon style. It's actually not a brand-new story because Lanyon mentioned in the Author's Note that he wrote it around the time Fatal Shadows was born. It revealed undeniable similarities to AE but I can honestly say that I didn't mind. I just enjoy Lanyon's voice and writing. Well, I guess he's my comfort zone and my chocolate box all at once because he manages effortlessly to put me back on the right track after having read some not so good books, to put it mildly.
"This is a regular murder epidemic you've got going. You think the sheriff is going to buy it?"
Fast paced, focused on the mystery and totally light on the "romance", Lanyon incorporated an eclectic cast of characters who served equally as suspects and an extra flavor. Kyle's sleuthing started off a bit maladroit, though he managed to ramp up his performance over the course of time. I questioned a couple of his moves, but enjoyed the mystery and, as per usual, Lanyon's wit and his black humor put quite a few smiles on my face. The way Lanyon creates atmosphere through the weather (esp. rain) or the setting in general is very appealing to me. It feels like meeting another character and those little important details make his stories richer.
"How bad's your heart anyway?" After an astonished moment I said, "Well, I washed out of NASA. I'm okay for normal living."
Murder in Pastel is on the shorter side of the spectrum and that probably didn't help to develop the (lacking) romance. Likewise, it didn't really detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.
Bold, pretentious, obnoxious and somewhat malicious Brett, who didn't forfeit a chance to point out that he was Adam's lover, served his purpose as the unlikable fifth wheel. Despite all those negative attributes, I couldn't shake off the impression that he was also very insecure and probably afraid that Adam would abandon him eventually. To me, he seemed to be very much concerned about Kyle and Adam's mutual attraction. It goes without saying that I didn't like Brett's attention-whore attitude in general and his character in particular. However, looking at the way he grew up (he was abused in foster care), I should have cut him some slack, but his background didn't give him carte blanche to act so selfishly and disdainfully.
Again, Murder in Pastel was extremely light on the romance and didn't really wow me in that department. Thus I can't say anything about Adam and Kyle as a couple. I sure would have liked much more relationship development.
Bottom line
A famous painting, murder and a very generous helping hand of mayhem and very good writing made for a diverting reading experience.
#11 can be added as a satisfying and solid read to my book shelves because, as hoped for, Lanyon delivered.
Recommended read.
***********************
Pre-reading Murder in Pastel:
I just checked out the last ten books I'd been reading. Seven were crap, one was good and two were great. Let's see if I can add another great one. Lanyon usually delivers.
Murder in Pastel is a good and quick read in vintage Lanyon style. It's actually not a brand-new story because Lanyon mentioned in the Author's Note that he wrote it around the time Fatal Shadows was born. It revealed undeniable similarities to AE but I can honestly say that I didn't mind. I just enjoy Lanyon's voice and writing. Well, I guess he's my comfort zone and my chocolate box all at once because he manages effortlessly to put me back on the right track after having read some not so good books, to put it mildly.
"This is a regular murder epidemic you've got going. You think the sheriff is going to buy it?"
Fast paced, focused on the mystery and totally light on the "romance", Lanyon incorporated an eclectic cast of characters who served equally as suspects and an extra flavor. Kyle's sleuthing started off a bit maladroit, though he managed to ramp up his performance over the course of time. I questioned a couple of his moves, but enjoyed the mystery and, as per usual, Lanyon's wit and his black humor put quite a few smiles on my face. The way Lanyon creates atmosphere through the weather (esp. rain) or the setting in general is very appealing to me. It feels like meeting another character and those little important details make his stories richer.
"How bad's your heart anyway?" After an astonished moment I said, "Well, I washed out of NASA. I'm okay for normal living."
Murder in Pastel is on the shorter side of the spectrum and that probably didn't help to develop the (lacking) romance. Likewise, it didn't really detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.
Bold, pretentious, obnoxious and somewhat malicious Brett, who didn't forfeit a chance to point out that he was Adam's lover, served his purpose as the unlikable fifth wheel. Despite all those negative attributes, I couldn't shake off the impression that he was also very insecure and probably afraid that Adam would abandon him eventually. To me, he seemed to be very much concerned about Kyle and Adam's mutual attraction. It goes without saying that I didn't like Brett's attention-whore attitude in general and his character in particular. However, looking at the way he grew up (he was abused in foster care), I should have cut him some slack, but his background didn't give him carte blanche to act so selfishly and disdainfully.
Again, Murder in Pastel was extremely light on the romance and didn't really wow me in that department. Thus I can't say anything about Adam and Kyle as a couple. I sure would have liked much more relationship development.
Bottom line
A famous painting, murder and a very generous helping hand of mayhem and very good writing made for a diverting reading experience.
#11 can be added as a satisfying and solid read to my book shelves because, as hoped for, Lanyon delivered.
Recommended read.
***********************
Pre-reading Murder in Pastel:
I just checked out the last ten books I'd been reading. Seven were crap, one was good and two were great. Let's see if I can add another great one. Lanyon usually delivers.
December 30, 2025
I wanted to read this book because Kyle and Adam appear in the author's latest release, Kill Your Darlings, and I was interested in their story. I wish I hadn't picked this up.
So Adam is Kyle's teenage crush (not his ex-lover as the blurb states), and he is older than Kyle. They haven't seen each other for ten years, and now Adam is back in town with his lover Brett. That's the label that Brett insists on. Why the author decided to write a character like Brett is beyond me. He is a despicable human being who hits on every single person he meets, even though he is in a relationship with Adam. This also includes Kyle. There is some kissing and groping between them, which Kyle stops, but later we find out that they are half brothers and Brett knew that. Ew! Even though I thought that Brett was awful, I didn't like what happens to him halfway through.
I can safely say that the romance didn't work for me at all. Romance where? For half the book Adam is with Brett. The moment someone kills Brett, Adam jumps into bed with Kyle. What follows is pages and pages of miscommunication. I felt zero connection and zero chemistry between them. I didn't like Adam. Later on in the story, he says that he has always known about Kyle's crush, but Kyle was a teenager then. How Brett reminded him of Kyle. He also says that he loved Brett and he would never have left him, but he knew that Brett would eventually leave him. And he wanted Brett and Kyle to be friends. How does this make any sense? How is it romantic? Made me sick.
The mystery part, Kyle's missing father and the missing painting, was interesting in theory. However, the plot is a complete mess. I can't even be bothered to go into details of everything that happens and why.
I've tried to find something that would make this an ok read for me, meaning two stars, but I couldn't. There's nothing I liked here - not the poorly developed characters, not the mystery plot and not the so-called romance. Even the audiobook wasn't the best. The narrator's voice for Kyle was good, but I didn't like the voices he gave all the other characters. He made them sound as weird as this whole story.
Apparently, the author used a lot of ideas and Kyle's characteristics for writing Adrien English later on. I can see that, but since I love AE, I'll try to forget about that.
So Adam is Kyle's teenage crush (not his ex-lover as the blurb states), and he is older than Kyle. They haven't seen each other for ten years, and now Adam is back in town with his lover Brett. That's the label that Brett insists on. Why the author decided to write a character like Brett is beyond me. He is a despicable human being who hits on every single person he meets, even though he is in a relationship with Adam. This also includes Kyle. There is some kissing and groping between them, which Kyle stops, but later we find out that they are half brothers and Brett knew that. Ew! Even though I thought that Brett was awful, I didn't like what happens to him halfway through.
I can safely say that the romance didn't work for me at all. Romance where? For half the book Adam is with Brett. The moment someone kills Brett, Adam jumps into bed with Kyle. What follows is pages and pages of miscommunication. I felt zero connection and zero chemistry between them. I didn't like Adam. Later on in the story, he says that he has always known about Kyle's crush, but Kyle was a teenager then. How Brett reminded him of Kyle. He also says that he loved Brett and he would never have left him, but he knew that Brett would eventually leave him. And he wanted Brett and Kyle to be friends. How does this make any sense? How is it romantic? Made me sick.
The mystery part, Kyle's missing father and the missing painting, was interesting in theory. However, the plot is a complete mess. I can't even be bothered to go into details of everything that happens and why.
I've tried to find something that would make this an ok read for me, meaning two stars, but I couldn't. There's nothing I liked here - not the poorly developed characters, not the mystery plot and not the so-called romance. Even the audiobook wasn't the best. The narrator's voice for Kyle was good, but I didn't like the voices he gave all the other characters. He made them sound as weird as this whole story.
Apparently, the author used a lot of ideas and Kyle's characteristics for writing Adrien English later on. I can see that, but since I love AE, I'll try to forget about that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2016
Written October 6, 2015
3.8 Stars - Another solid good JL mystery with a dash of tender romance
There was a "new" Josh Lanyon novel to read. Of course I wanted it. New or new — according to the author is this novel written a few years ago. One of his/hers own favorites that first was published by another pen-name and now finally edited and published once again. Thanks Mr/Ms Lanyon! Appreciated.
Newly written or nor —whatever similarities to other JL's books / MC's, as I know other mentions here— I sincerely enjoyed.
*********************************************
A seaside art colony of "Steeple Hill"...
Murder in Pastel is a about the since ten years missing famous artist Cosmo's now adult son, the mystery writer Kyle Bari. Kyle is maybe living a bit boring drama- free life in his fathers old sea house but he has two books published and is overall quite satisfied. Then returns the man Kyle admired and loved already as a boy and teen, Adam MacKinnon. A by now smart, goodlooking and quite successful artist.
This book is also about Brett Hansen, Adam's very young stunning beautiful, but also moody, crazy and dangerous scheming, lover (partner) and the rest of the "old gang" still spending their time at this small seaside art colony. ~ But is the admired Cosmo really dead? What about that famous (oil) painting 'Virgin in Pastel'? Who fancy who? What about Brett? Why is he asking so many questions? Who sleeps with...
*********************************************
I've a weak spot, for writers writing about writers. Ms/Mr Lanyon does it so amusing good. His/hers struggling mystery sleuth aka novel writer characters are the very best to spend reading-time with. Remember Adrien English from Fatal Shadows? Or Griffin L Hadley from Stranger on the Shore or lovely Christopher Holmes from Somebody Killed His Editor? — All very like-able and interesting main characters. Here in this book we get a new favorite one. Kyle Bari is just adorable cute, charming sweet and boyish innocent. Loved him.
Not the very highest JL class in my opinion but for sure more than good enough. For once I liked the crime part and these secondary (life) stories more than the main romance part (didn't feel it that much). To be honest, this is more a mystery novel with a dash of romantic parts than a smexy steamy M/M romance. There is hot stuff and sweet kisses but just enough to make us romantic smut ladies a bit happy and satisfied.
Recommended for (hardcore) JL lovers and all admirers of good M/M novels.
*********************************************
I LIKE - beach and sleuth stories
3.8 Stars - Another solid good JL mystery with a dash of tender romance
There was a "new" Josh Lanyon novel to read. Of course I wanted it. New or new — according to the author is this novel written a few years ago. One of his/hers own favorites that first was published by another pen-name and now finally edited and published once again. Thanks Mr/Ms Lanyon! Appreciated.
Newly written or nor —whatever similarities to other JL's books / MC's, as I know other mentions here— I sincerely enjoyed.
*********************************************
A seaside art colony of "Steeple Hill"...
Murder in Pastel is a about the since ten years missing famous artist Cosmo's now adult son, the mystery writer Kyle Bari. Kyle is maybe living a bit boring drama- free life in his fathers old sea house but he has two books published and is overall quite satisfied. Then returns the man Kyle admired and loved already as a boy and teen, Adam MacKinnon. A by now smart, goodlooking and quite successful artist.
‘I appreciated his malicious sense of humor (when it wasn’t aimed at me), and he had certainly livened things up. But he was dangerous. Dangerous in the way of beautiful wild things. You could admire his beauty, but you couldn’t trust him.’
This book is also about Brett Hansen, Adam's very young stunning beautiful, but also moody, crazy and dangerous scheming, lover (partner) and the rest of the "old gang" still spending their time at this small seaside art colony. ~ But is the admired Cosmo really dead? What about that famous (oil) painting 'Virgin in Pastel'? Who fancy who? What about Brett? Why is he asking so many questions? Who sleeps with...
*********************************************
I've a weak spot, for writers writing about writers. Ms/Mr Lanyon does it so amusing good. His/hers struggling mystery sleuth aka novel writer characters are the very best to spend reading-time with. Remember Adrien English from Fatal Shadows? Or Griffin L Hadley from Stranger on the Shore or lovely Christopher Holmes from Somebody Killed His Editor? — All very like-able and interesting main characters. Here in this book we get a new favorite one. Kyle Bari is just adorable cute, charming sweet and boyish innocent. Loved him.
‘Thursday was a slow day for sleuthing. A slow day for writing too, and I was getting paid for that.’
...
’Still, I struggled on improving my typing skills if nothing else, knowing in my heart most of what I was writing was destined for the delete key.’
Not the very highest JL class in my opinion but for sure more than good enough. For once I liked the crime part and these secondary (life) stories more than the main romance part (didn't feel it that much). To be honest, this is more a mystery novel with a dash of romantic parts than a smexy steamy M/M romance. There is hot stuff and sweet kisses but just enough to make us romantic smut ladies a bit happy and satisfied.
Recommended for (hardcore) JL lovers and all admirers of good M/M novels.
*********************************************
I LIKE - beach and sleuth stories
October 21, 2015
3.5*
Well, the book bugged the shit out of me in parts but I ended up really liking it. I'd say that if you like Lanyon, you'll like this book and if you haven't read any Lanyon, it's a good place to start. (And why the fuck haven't you read any Lanyon?) The feel of the book, the tone, the atmosphere, the humor, the characters, it's the essence of all that is Lanyon.
Anyway, to touch briefly on the plot: Kyle is a writer, his father was a famous artist who disappeared 10 years ago and now Kyle's childhood crush, [oh my god, I've already forgotten his name! Aaron? No.] Adam, has reappeared in his life along with Adam's boyfriend, Brett. Kyle finds this very upsetting.
Okay, fine, he's not that upset. I just really wanted to use that gif.
The thing I love most about Lanyon's books is this book's biggest weakness. Some mystery novels make me nuts because they seem to exist in a world without novels or movies. Every clue is overlooked because they've never seen a Hitchcock movie or read Agatha Christie. Dumbasses. However, in Lanyon's world the characters have read every mystery novel in existence. They've even read Lanyon's books (Fatal Shadows gets a mention here). That works well in Lanyon's other books, where the characters seem a little more naturally suspicious, but in this book Kyle was either stupid or naive. He didn't notice SHIT. He just thought, hey, that's odd, oh well, might as well go for another dip in the ocean.
Dear Meme Creator, "goddamn" has TWO Ds. Please check your spelling when taking the lord's name in vain. Thank you.
How can a guy who's read so many mystery novels, as well WRITING THEM for fuck's sake, not see that there's something very fishy going on? I don't buy it. I read a lot of mystery novels and I'm completely paranoid. Every time my neighbor does something super nice for me it just further convinces me the guy is a serial killer. It's always the nice ones! Anyway, poor Kyle does get a clue about half way through the book and thank jaysus for that.
My other complaint is Kyle's love interest Adam. (By the way, there's no cheating going on.) Brett is total diva, shit disturbing, asshole. It's amusing in a book (for a few chapters) but in real life I'd only be able to take behavior like his for about 2 minutes. And Adam has lived with it for TWO FREAKIN' YEARS. I can only guess that part of him does enjoy the role of care taker and/or likes to be tortured. If I were Kyle I'd feel weird about that. Kyle doesn't need a nurse/daddy/victim. By the end I wasn't totally appeased, but I did have a better understanding of what Adam saw in Brett and I felt like Adam was ready to love Kyle. And vice versa.
So is it the best mystery? Non. Is it the best romance? Nein. But is it Lanyon and is that good? Si.
**Thank you for the BR, Otila, Sofia & Therese!**
September 13, 2015
4.5 stars.
Lanyon is the only author I put all my work aside for, always.
Written around the same time as Fatal Shadows. Lanyon mentions at the end that it wasn't meant to be published, originally, but he decided to publish it anyway. It shares a lot of motifs and themes as Fatal Shadows, but it still read like a separate Lanyon to me.
Greatly enjoyed. Best writer ever.
Lanyon is the only author I put all my work aside for, always.
Written around the same time as Fatal Shadows. Lanyon mentions at the end that it wasn't meant to be published, originally, but he decided to publish it anyway. It shares a lot of motifs and themes as Fatal Shadows, but it still read like a separate Lanyon to me.
Greatly enjoyed. Best writer ever.
November 21, 2015
Is not knowing worse than knowing?
Kyle Bari is minding his business when the past comes back knocking on his door.
Starts innocent and congenial, then suddenly Peyton Place is not a friendly place anymore. It all starts when you have a group of friends, very close knit, almost incestutous, and suddenly one of you brings a new person into the fold. Except they don't fit, blend or compliment. They aren't the sand that makes an oyster; they're a poison that pricks until your friendship starts to fester.
Let's just say that the consequences send shockwaves through the artist community of Steeple Hill. Everyone is at each others throats and trust is a luxury none can afford. When the second death occurs, Kyle is worried and rightfully so.
The author's note at the end explains that this story was written at the same time as Fatal Shadows and it shows. This is almost like a twist of the kaleidoscope, imagine Adrien with a slightly different upbringing and setting. Not actually sure if I like Kyle more as I like his situation. But, the trajectory of future stories would be limited and not have the horsepower of Adrien English series.
Overall, a diverting mystery of murder and suspicion in an idyllic colony.
Kyle Bari is minding his business when the past comes back knocking on his door.
Starts innocent and congenial, then suddenly Peyton Place is not a friendly place anymore. It all starts when you have a group of friends, very close knit, almost incestutous, and suddenly one of you brings a new person into the fold. Except they don't fit, blend or compliment. They aren't the sand that makes an oyster; they're a poison that pricks until your friendship starts to fester.
Let's just say that the consequences send shockwaves through the artist community of Steeple Hill. Everyone is at each others throats and trust is a luxury none can afford. When the second death occurs, Kyle is worried and rightfully so.
The author's note at the end explains that this story was written at the same time as Fatal Shadows and it shows. This is almost like a twist of the kaleidoscope, imagine Adrien with a slightly different upbringing and setting. Not actually sure if I like Kyle more as I like his situation. But, the trajectory of future stories would be limited and not have the horsepower of Adrien English series.
Overall, a diverting mystery of murder and suspicion in an idyllic colony.
October 17, 2015
The setting for this one reminded me very much of Agatha Christie's mysteries where there is an obnoxious Drama Queen or King who pinches and scratches at every one of the cast and then things go on nicely from there ........
So as far as the setting goes I'm good, I like Christie so I liked this.
I did have slight problems with the character building and the relationships because these felt a bit strange, unfleshed unliked the Lanyon's I'm accustomed to. I was reading in the notes that JL wrote this one at the same time as Fatal Shadows and this is easily seen, there are similarities. I find I like Fatal Shadows better though.
14th Oct 2015 BR - with Rosa, Otila & Therese - great as usual :D
November 27, 2015
2.5 stars
To say that I have conflicted feelings about this book would be an understatement.
Let me be blunt: I didn't like either Kyle Bari, the MC, or Adam MacKinnon, the love interest. And I especially didn't like Brett, the conniving shit-stirrer.
Both Kyle and Adam are weak. They are weak-willed, and let Brett and others walk all over them. In a way, I suppose the two were meant for each other. Though I didn't really understand that attraction, as a lot of the romance hinges on whatever Kyle and Adam felt for each other so many years ago. This is one of those cases where you're just supposed to accept that the characters feel something for each other and just go with the flow.
If I could use one word to describe this book, it would be 'dysfunctional'. Dysfunctional relationships, a dysfunctional town, and dysfunctional families. I'm a fan of books set in small towns, but 'Murder in Pastel' was a PSA of what happens when the people living in small towns become bitter and turn on the easiest targets - their families and neighbours.
And yet, I still genuinely enjoyed this book. No one does family drama like Josh Lanyon. I stay as far away from drama, especially other people's drama, as I can in real life. Yet when I read a Lanyon book, I eat up every single scandalous morsel. So the 'dysfunctional' worked for me. It's like a soap opera, but much better.
Hell, I even developed a grudging respect for Brett. It takes talent to be able to single-highhandedly destroy a community.
The mystery, as I know to expect from this author, was very entertaining. The twists and turns kept me guessing throughout. Around the 75% some of the pieces began clicking, though the outcome wasn't exactly what I'd expected.
So, 2.5 stars. The characters in this book are wholly unlikable, but I guess that makes them more realistic in some sense. I'd have liked for the romance to be more fleshed out, and the characters just more palatable. In any case, I'm rounding up for the sheer entertainment of the drama.
Review copy provided through NetGalley.
To say that I have conflicted feelings about this book would be an understatement.
Let me be blunt: I didn't like either Kyle Bari, the MC, or Adam MacKinnon, the love interest. And I especially didn't like Brett, the conniving shit-stirrer.
Both Kyle and Adam are weak. They are weak-willed, and let Brett and others walk all over them. In a way, I suppose the two were meant for each other. Though I didn't really understand that attraction, as a lot of the romance hinges on whatever Kyle and Adam felt for each other so many years ago. This is one of those cases where you're just supposed to accept that the characters feel something for each other and just go with the flow.
If I could use one word to describe this book, it would be 'dysfunctional'. Dysfunctional relationships, a dysfunctional town, and dysfunctional families. I'm a fan of books set in small towns, but 'Murder in Pastel' was a PSA of what happens when the people living in small towns become bitter and turn on the easiest targets - their families and neighbours.
And yet, I still genuinely enjoyed this book. No one does family drama like Josh Lanyon. I stay as far away from drama, especially other people's drama, as I can in real life. Yet when I read a Lanyon book, I eat up every single scandalous morsel. So the 'dysfunctional' worked for me. It's like a soap opera, but much better.
Hell, I even developed a grudging respect for Brett. It takes talent to be able to single-highhandedly destroy a community.
The mystery, as I know to expect from this author, was very entertaining. The twists and turns kept me guessing throughout. Around the 75% some of the pieces began clicking, though the outcome wasn't exactly what I'd expected.
So, 2.5 stars. The characters in this book are wholly unlikable, but I guess that makes them more realistic in some sense. I'd have liked for the romance to be more fleshed out, and the characters just more palatable. In any case, I'm rounding up for the sheer entertainment of the drama.
Review copy provided through NetGalley.
October 4, 2015
Murder and secrets!
I really, really enjoyed this and I don't have much to say beyond that.
I loved the setting of the story in the artists colony and small seaside town.
I enjoyed the mystery that surrounded the disappearance of the painting, and the disappearance of the artist Cosmo Bari.
I loved the different relationships in the story: the obvious support all the artists had for one another, the underlying professional jealousy, the unrequited love between Kyle and Adam, the mystery and hurt between Kyle's father and grandfather, the irritating small town sheriff, the way in which the towns people regarded the artist colony and so on.
And Brett. I enjoyed this obnoxious and irritating character who had a way of offending everyone and manipulating them, and yet at the same time amusing and befriending people. I thought his character was just so deliciously complex and the kind of character that makes a mystery come alive.
And I enjoyed the mystery and the dark, slightly gothic feel to the story with it's beach setting and nearby cemetery, dark woods and past secrets.
I really enjoy a good murder mystery and particularly those with a romance and this had both. Of course I enjoy Josh Lanyon's writing and this is another one to add to my pile of great JL reads.
I really, really enjoyed this and I don't have much to say beyond that.
I loved the setting of the story in the artists colony and small seaside town.
I enjoyed the mystery that surrounded the disappearance of the painting, and the disappearance of the artist Cosmo Bari.
I loved the different relationships in the story: the obvious support all the artists had for one another, the underlying professional jealousy, the unrequited love between Kyle and Adam, the mystery and hurt between Kyle's father and grandfather, the irritating small town sheriff, the way in which the towns people regarded the artist colony and so on.
And Brett. I enjoyed this obnoxious and irritating character who had a way of offending everyone and manipulating them, and yet at the same time amusing and befriending people. I thought his character was just so deliciously complex and the kind of character that makes a mystery come alive.
And I enjoyed the mystery and the dark, slightly gothic feel to the story with it's beach setting and nearby cemetery, dark woods and past secrets.
I really enjoy a good murder mystery and particularly those with a romance and this had both. Of course I enjoy Josh Lanyon's writing and this is another one to add to my pile of great JL reads.
September 14, 2015
As many reviews have already stated, this is classic Lanyon and that my reader friends, is always a good thing.
The authors note at the end made me grin like a fool and yeah, this belongs in the Lanyon catalog and I'm thankful and giddy it was properly shared.
Though this does have a bit of the Adrien Englishy feel etc., I read this as a separate story of a very lonely boy, or boys, simply searching for the place they belong.
Brett, ugh, you were a douche but now, I'm kinda sorry I felt that way. Not totally sorry, but yeah. You know?
Kyle, I feel you my brother in the land of malfunctioning hearts and unrequited love. You told a wonderful story and you need a shit ton of daily hugs for the rest of your life.
Adam, you pissed me off and I am not sure I am over that yet but... yeah. You were kinda confused by your feelings and yet you ultimately did the right thing and how hard was that for you?
So... this was good. This was like a warm Lanyon hug with a teasing ass grope. Totally worth it.
The authors note at the end made me grin like a fool and yeah, this belongs in the Lanyon catalog and I'm thankful and giddy it was properly shared.
Though this does have a bit of the Adrien Englishy feel etc., I read this as a separate story of a very lonely boy, or boys, simply searching for the place they belong.
Brett, ugh, you were a douche but now, I'm kinda sorry I felt that way. Not totally sorry, but yeah. You know?
Kyle, I feel you my brother in the land of malfunctioning hearts and unrequited love. You told a wonderful story and you need a shit ton of daily hugs for the rest of your life.
Adam, you pissed me off and I am not sure I am over that yet but... yeah. You were kinda confused by your feelings and yet you ultimately did the right thing and how hard was that for you?
So... this was good. This was like a warm Lanyon hug with a teasing ass grope. Totally worth it.
March 21, 2022
Just when I thought, I have read every annoying ex available in a JL book, I got to meet Brett. Damn!! I wanted him to die from the very first page. The mystery was okayish but the plot was so fucked up....
June 11, 2018
Overall book rating: 1
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 2
AND
I said Jefferson Blythe was my least favourite Lanyon. I was wrong.
This is! What the ever loving .... whatever?
I H.A.T.E.D. BRETT!!!!
I have a tab for most disliked characters and Bret just might have fought his way into the top 2.
And I’m sorry to say, but because of the fact that Adam likes/loves/dates this guy I don’t like Adam that much either. I lost respect for him for letting someone so malicious and destructive run free between people he once counted as friends and people he cared about.
Because of the fact that I lost respect for Adam from early on in the story, I pretty much lost what little was left when he... MAJOR SPOILER!!!!
I finished this book, although it was clear to me within the first few chapters that I should have just put it down and moved on. I was waiting for something to change my mind? Or maybe I just wanted to know what happened to Cosmo?
Either way, this is the first book of this author I’m truly sorry I read. To each his own, but I didn’t like it one bit. I strongly disliked the characters. Even Kyle got on my nerves in the end.
Brett? What was there to like about that guy? And can someone please tell me why anyone would put up with something like him?? I would have put my fist to his pretty face within the first 24 hours if I was Kyle.
The fact that Kyle put up with this dirt bag also didn't give me a great impression of him as a character. Why didn't he just walk away? But no, lets stay for the "Party" lets see how much this A-HOLE can humiliate and use me before I decide that enough is enough? Where is Kyle's self respect????
I have little to no sympathy for Brett. He had no redeeming qualities and I can't forgive Adam for actually having the audacity of asking Kyle to be Brett's "friend"! He lost every last bit of good points in my book by then
This book was not something I enjoyed, it just made me really angry I’m sorry to say.
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 2
AND
I said Jefferson Blythe was my least favourite Lanyon. I was wrong.
This is! What the ever loving .... whatever?
I H.A.T.E.D. BRETT!!!!
I have a tab for most disliked characters and Bret just might have fought his way into the top 2.
And I’m sorry to say, but because of the fact that Adam likes/loves/dates this guy I don’t like Adam that much either. I lost respect for him for letting someone so malicious and destructive run free between people he once counted as friends and people he cared about.
Because of the fact that I lost respect for Adam from early on in the story, I pretty much lost what little was left when he... MAJOR SPOILER!!!!
I finished this book, although it was clear to me within the first few chapters that I should have just put it down and moved on. I was waiting for something to change my mind? Or maybe I just wanted to know what happened to Cosmo?
Either way, this is the first book of this author I’m truly sorry I read. To each his own, but I didn’t like it one bit. I strongly disliked the characters. Even Kyle got on my nerves in the end.
Brett? What was there to like about that guy? And can someone please tell me why anyone would put up with something like him?? I would have put my fist to his pretty face within the first 24 hours if I was Kyle.
The fact that Kyle put up with this dirt bag also didn't give me a great impression of him as a character. Why didn't he just walk away? But no, lets stay for the "Party" lets see how much this A-HOLE can humiliate and use me before I decide that enough is enough? Where is Kyle's self respect????
I have little to no sympathy for Brett. He had no redeeming qualities and I can't forgive Adam for actually having the audacity of asking Kyle to be Brett's "friend"! He lost every last bit of good points in my book by then
This book was not something I enjoyed, it just made me really angry I’m sorry to say.
September 13, 2015
Stayed up from 2-5am reading this...! Classical Lanyon and I enjoyed every moment of it. Lanyon mentioned he wrote this when he was writing Fatal Shadows. I definitely felt there were many familiar plot elements from this one that showed up in his later stories, more than usual. I was most reminded of Lovers and Other Strangers. For me, it wasn't a bad thing, though. And it probably stuck out to me bc I reread his stories so often. I liked recognizing how this or that showed up again in one of his other stories.
I was all set to give this 5 stars but I couldn't stop feeling some qualms over Those lingering questions slightly marred the for me, but besides that, I still really enjoyed the romance. I'm a sucker for childhood crushes type stories. In the end, surprised and happy this was released so suddenly. :)
I was all set to give this 5 stars but I couldn't stop feeling some qualms over Those lingering questions slightly marred the for me, but besides that, I still really enjoyed the romance. I'm a sucker for childhood crushes type stories. In the end, surprised and happy this was released so suddenly. :)
September 14, 2015
A twisting whodunnit by the master of crime. I was left feeling sad for the MC as he seemed to lose everything - even as he gained what he, perhaps, most wanted? As Lanyon usually writes wonderful stories about couples he has already established, would I be wrong to hope for more from Kyle and Adam?
September 17, 2015
Classic Lanyon, as they say.
(No really, classic. The best.)
As I shared with a friend while reading:
I love how Lanyon gives EVERYBODY the motive.
It's a game of Clue:
It was the professor in the parlor with the candlestick.
Does it get any better than that?!?
(No really, classic. The best.)
As I shared with a friend while reading:
I love how Lanyon gives EVERYBODY the motive.
It's a game of Clue:
It was the professor in the parlor with the candlestick.
Does it get any better than that?!?
September 13, 2015
Loved it. Vintage Josh.
December 29, 2025
Audio: 4 stars
Story: 3 stars
I didn’t have very high expectations for this book, despite it being written by Josh Lanyon, one of my favorite authors, largely because I had already read several mixed reviews. Still, I wasn’t prepared for the level of dislike I felt toward both one of the victims, Brett, and one of the MCs, Adam. Their personalities made it difficult for me to feel invested in their fates.
The only real saving grace was Kyle, who felt like a classic JL protagonist—shy, insecure, and struggling with low self-esteem, yet genuinely kind and approachable. Unfortunately, most of the supporting cast felt uninteresting and underdeveloped, existing mainly to muddy the waters. Without them, it would have been fairly obvious who the killer was.
That said, the mystery itself—combining the cold case from years ago with a string of new murders—was intriguing, and the overall reveal was engaging. However, I was left feeling that several loose ends remained unresolved, particularly concerning the multiple attempts on Brett’s life, which never felt fully explained.
Overall, this is not JL’s strongest work by any measure. Fans of her writing may still want to give it a try, but I’d recommend doing so with tempered expectations—if only to better appreciate just how exceptional the Adrien English series truly is.
Story: 3 stars
I didn’t have very high expectations for this book, despite it being written by Josh Lanyon, one of my favorite authors, largely because I had already read several mixed reviews. Still, I wasn’t prepared for the level of dislike I felt toward both one of the victims, Brett, and one of the MCs, Adam. Their personalities made it difficult for me to feel invested in their fates.
The only real saving grace was Kyle, who felt like a classic JL protagonist—shy, insecure, and struggling with low self-esteem, yet genuinely kind and approachable. Unfortunately, most of the supporting cast felt uninteresting and underdeveloped, existing mainly to muddy the waters. Without them, it would have been fairly obvious who the killer was.
That said, the mystery itself—combining the cold case from years ago with a string of new murders—was intriguing, and the overall reveal was engaging. However, I was left feeling that several loose ends remained unresolved, particularly concerning the multiple attempts on Brett’s life, which never felt fully explained.
Overall, this is not JL’s strongest work by any measure. Fans of her writing may still want to give it a try, but I’d recommend doing so with tempered expectations—if only to better appreciate just how exceptional the Adrien English series truly is.
August 10, 2016
Why I really enjoyed Murder in Pastel - beside the writing that has never been disputed - is the scenery and the atmosphere of Steeple Hill, a small seaside artist's colony.
But we have also a complicated mystery here: a disappeared painter, a disappeared canvas(it happened twice!), more than one dead body along the story and enigmatic family's secrets.
It was spectacular how the author managed almost every single person in Steeple Hill to have skeletons in their cupboard. I couldn't guess until the very end WHO DID WHAT and WHY.
And because I have a weak spot for writers as MCs, I liked the romance part as a matter of course.
A very JOSH LANYON's novel. IMO.
**Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
This review has been crossed posted to Gay Book Reviews.
October 30, 2015
If I'd read this one and not known it was Josh Lanyon, I'd have picked up on its similarities to Adrian English straight away. Both Adrian and Kyle (the MC in this novel) have had rheumatic fever as a child which has left them with damaged hearts. However, I didn't enjoy this as much as I love the better known series. Adrian English's world is much more amusing than this one. This was a story that might have been penned by an author who has become a little jaded, and this flat tone coloured the whole tone of the novel. Even the inevitable romance resolution seemed more bitter sweet than totally joyous. The novel is certainly well plotted. It's engaging and very worth reading. My world just hasn't been rocked by this one, as the best of Josh's work can do.
October 25, 2020
Wow, amazing! The perfect Lanyon protagonist, a fascinating and complex mystery, and absolutely beautifully written.
I'm sorry I waited so long to finally listen to this audiobook. Tristan Wright does a lovely job, especially with Kyle. Wright captures the intricacies of Kyle's character, and makes the most of the emotional moments. Really nice.
I'm sorry I waited so long to finally listen to this audiobook. Tristan Wright does a lovely job, especially with Kyle. Wright captures the intricacies of Kyle's character, and makes the most of the emotional moments. Really nice.
August 21, 2019
Well, that didn't really work for me, mainly because I kept picturing the story as a French movie from the seventies with either a young Alain Delon or Helmut Berger in the role of the seducer (brittle beauty but highly unlikeable). As for the rest of the cast - eh, didn't like them either. Having nobody to root for makes it always really difficult for me to get into the story.
Other than that it's well crafted, even if the solution is maybe a tad too convoluted.
Other than that it's well crafted, even if the solution is maybe a tad too convoluted.
October 17, 2015
I guess the reading experience of this book was itself like the classic crime "slogan" for me; don't scratch the surface too much, since you might not like what is underneath...
It was a quick and entertaining, and it kept me quite busy while reading, but if I start thinking too much about certain things, it would probably be more of a 2 star read (however, the writing was very, very good!)
It was a quick and entertaining, and it kept me quite busy while reading, but if I start thinking too much about certain things, it would probably be more of a 2 star read (however, the writing was very, very good!)
April 30, 2025
The story was kind of a love triangle with an intriguing mystery on the side. This book was a suprice and a case of I thought I wouldn't like it but ended up loving it. 4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
October 24, 2021
Why did I wait for so long to pick up this book?
I LOVED it. It's different, and intriguing, and sad. It made me tear up a couple of times but I did love it though. Josh Lanyon is at her best in this one. Five stars for the story and five stars to Tristan Wright for the audio performance.
I LOVED it. It's different, and intriguing, and sad. It made me tear up a couple of times but I did love it though. Josh Lanyon is at her best in this one. Five stars for the story and five stars to Tristan Wright for the audio performance.
September 20, 2015
Kyle Bari lives and writes in the small seaside artist colony of Steeple Hill. Kyle believes he has come to grips with his father disappearing 10 years early. Kyle is sure his father walked away leaving everything and everyone behind. He is now a popular mystery writer, living quietly, surrounded by his surrogate family made up of Cosmos's compadres.
Kyle has closed himself to all feelings, till his first love reappears in Steeple Hill. Adam MacKinnon comes back with his new lover, Brett in tow. The new arrivals bring murder and mayhem to the sleepy seaside town with Kyle finding himself at the center of the brewing storm.
As I have come to expect from Josh Lanyon, this is a tightly written mystery with wonderful relationships. Kyle's journey to break down the walls he has erected because of his father's desertion, is poignant, painful and funny. Another great read from a master of mm mystery.
Kyle has closed himself to all feelings, till his first love reappears in Steeple Hill. Adam MacKinnon comes back with his new lover, Brett in tow. The new arrivals bring murder and mayhem to the sleepy seaside town with Kyle finding himself at the center of the brewing storm.
As I have come to expect from Josh Lanyon, this is a tightly written mystery with wonderful relationships. Kyle's journey to break down the walls he has erected because of his father's desertion, is poignant, painful and funny. Another great read from a master of mm mystery.
February 4, 2016
3.25 stars
As I was just saying, Ms. Lanyon is hit or miss for me and, sorry to say, but this one is closer to the miss side. The mystery was okay, but I was able to figure out a number of the secrets fairly early on. The romance, though, just plain didn't work for me. I didn't like the timing of when things started to happen between Kyle and Adam and I couldn't really feel the love between them.
As I was just saying, Ms. Lanyon is hit or miss for me and, sorry to say, but this one is closer to the miss side. The mystery was okay, but I was able to figure out a number of the secrets fairly early on. The romance, though, just plain didn't work for me. I didn't like the timing of when things started to happen between Kyle and Adam and I couldn't really feel the love between them.
September 18, 2015
Synopsis:
Ten years ago Cosmo Bari vanished, and with him, his legendary masterpiece, Virgin in Pastel. Since that day no one in the seaside art colony of Steeple Hill has heard from the eccentric painter.
Surrounded by an extended family of Cosmo’s colorful compatriots, mystery writer Kyle Bari believes he has come to terms with being abandoned by his famous father, until the day Adam MacKinnon arrives with his new lover, the beautiful but poisonous, Brett.
Brett has an unerring instinct for other people’s weak spots; soon the quiet colony is seething with hostility and suspicion as Brett hints he knows something about the missing artist...
My Thoughts:
This was definitely a classic Josh Lanyon tale. I had no idea it was being released and was surprised when I got to the end of the book that he had previously released it years ago under a different name. Even had I read it back then, I would have recognized it for one of Josh's books because his style is pretty distinctive. Josh says he wrote this at the same time that he was writing Fatal Shadows and it shows. Murder in Pastel was very reminiscent of Fatal Shadows, but still managed to be its own story. I didn't feel like the characters in the two books were copies of each other or that the story was a copy. They have similarities, but I feel that each can stand on its own.
I really liked Kyle. He was so dry witted. I wanted to wrap my hands around his throat and shake him a few times, but I enjoyed being in his head. He's a better person than I am, though. Despite everything Brett put everyone through, Kyle still liked him. How the fuck did that happen? Just because Adam basically forced them to befriend each other?
I couldn't stand Brett. His life sucked. I'm sorry for him. It doesn't excuse any of the things he did, though. Or any of the things he said. Once a certain revelation came to light (I had already suspected this, though), his asking so many questions about Kyle when he was younger made a lot of sense. So did his hostility toward Kyle. Likely, he felt Kyle got everything that Brett himself should have had. It didn't turn out that way and I'm sad for him because no one should have grown up like that, but he was still a douchetastic asshole and I kept wanting to kill him my damn self.
I liked Adam, but sometimes I want to smack him. Yeah, so he knows what Brett went through growing up. He didn't want to be another person who abandoned the guy. That does not mean he had to let Brett get away with everything that he did. He should have read him the riot act. At least once. I would have liked him to explain to Brett at least once that he can't treat people the way he does. I was also pissed at him that he talked Kyle into making friends with Brett. Adam was well aware of how Brett constantly picked at Kyle when it came to Adam and he was well aware of how Kyle felt about him. I just thought that was insensitive.
The other characters were pretty good as well. I thought they were a bit stupid for letting Brett screw with their community so damned much, though. Seriously. These were grown ass people and Brett was a douche out to punish the world and he fucked all of them up. *smh*
The mystery kept me intrigued because I never saw the killer coming. I had some idea about what Brett was doing in Steeple Hill and I guessed his connection early on, but I wasn't expecting all of the revelations that came out. That damn painting was the blame for all of it. Also, Cosmo not keeping it in his pants didn't help any.
I was glad that Kyle at least gets some confirmation that Cosmo wasn't as ambivalent towards him that he thought he was. He never doubted that his father would just walk away from him. Cosmo did pretty much create a pattern. Still, he cared about Kyle, he just wasn't all that great at making sure that Kyle knew that. I do think that Kyle alienated a lot of friends during his investigation, though. I understand why he thought each of them may have been the killer, but he pretty much dredged up all of their dirt even though Brett was the one that started all of that. I wouldn't mind seeing Kyle, Adam and the other Steeple Hill residents just to see if they were able to get their camaraderie back.
As with pretty much all of Josh's stories, I enjoyed reading this quite a bit and I'm pretty damned glad that he re-released it so that I got a chance to read it.
Ten years ago Cosmo Bari vanished, and with him, his legendary masterpiece, Virgin in Pastel. Since that day no one in the seaside art colony of Steeple Hill has heard from the eccentric painter.
Surrounded by an extended family of Cosmo’s colorful compatriots, mystery writer Kyle Bari believes he has come to terms with being abandoned by his famous father, until the day Adam MacKinnon arrives with his new lover, the beautiful but poisonous, Brett.
Brett has an unerring instinct for other people’s weak spots; soon the quiet colony is seething with hostility and suspicion as Brett hints he knows something about the missing artist...
My Thoughts:
This was definitely a classic Josh Lanyon tale. I had no idea it was being released and was surprised when I got to the end of the book that he had previously released it years ago under a different name. Even had I read it back then, I would have recognized it for one of Josh's books because his style is pretty distinctive. Josh says he wrote this at the same time that he was writing Fatal Shadows and it shows. Murder in Pastel was very reminiscent of Fatal Shadows, but still managed to be its own story. I didn't feel like the characters in the two books were copies of each other or that the story was a copy. They have similarities, but I feel that each can stand on its own.
I really liked Kyle. He was so dry witted. I wanted to wrap my hands around his throat and shake him a few times, but I enjoyed being in his head. He's a better person than I am, though. Despite everything Brett put everyone through, Kyle still liked him. How the fuck did that happen? Just because Adam basically forced them to befriend each other?
I couldn't stand Brett. His life sucked. I'm sorry for him. It doesn't excuse any of the things he did, though. Or any of the things he said. Once a certain revelation came to light (I had already suspected this, though), his asking so many questions about Kyle when he was younger made a lot of sense. So did his hostility toward Kyle. Likely, he felt Kyle got everything that Brett himself should have had. It didn't turn out that way and I'm sad for him because no one should have grown up like that, but he was still a douchetastic asshole and I kept wanting to kill him my damn self.
I liked Adam, but sometimes I want to smack him. Yeah, so he knows what Brett went through growing up. He didn't want to be another person who abandoned the guy. That does not mean he had to let Brett get away with everything that he did. He should have read him the riot act. At least once. I would have liked him to explain to Brett at least once that he can't treat people the way he does. I was also pissed at him that he talked Kyle into making friends with Brett. Adam was well aware of how Brett constantly picked at Kyle when it came to Adam and he was well aware of how Kyle felt about him. I just thought that was insensitive.
The other characters were pretty good as well. I thought they were a bit stupid for letting Brett screw with their community so damned much, though. Seriously. These were grown ass people and Brett was a douche out to punish the world and he fucked all of them up. *smh*
The mystery kept me intrigued because I never saw the killer coming. I had some idea about what Brett was doing in Steeple Hill and I guessed his connection early on, but I wasn't expecting all of the revelations that came out. That damn painting was the blame for all of it. Also, Cosmo not keeping it in his pants didn't help any.
I was glad that Kyle at least gets some confirmation that Cosmo wasn't as ambivalent towards him that he thought he was. He never doubted that his father would just walk away from him. Cosmo did pretty much create a pattern. Still, he cared about Kyle, he just wasn't all that great at making sure that Kyle knew that. I do think that Kyle alienated a lot of friends during his investigation, though. I understand why he thought each of them may have been the killer, but he pretty much dredged up all of their dirt even though Brett was the one that started all of that. I wouldn't mind seeing Kyle, Adam and the other Steeple Hill residents just to see if they were able to get their camaraderie back.
As with pretty much all of Josh's stories, I enjoyed reading this quite a bit and I'm pretty damned glad that he re-released it so that I got a chance to read it.
October 14, 2015
Gah
Reading a JL book is like wrapping yourself in your favourite blanket, curled up in your most comfiest lounger.
Its like sitting beside your SO and just feeling their warmth wrap all around you.
This book was good. It was soo soo much like the Adrien English series but it soo soo wasn't.
It was vastly different. But it was still the same JL.
Her written words have this hold on me, I get lost and I drown and then I get utterly depressed when I'm through cause then I'm just left with...... nothing.
I'm left with searching for a book that makes me feel the same way and it always fails in comparison and yah. that just sucks.
JL needs to put out a book a month. Ok maybe 2-3 for my drug need.
Gah
Mare~Slitsread
Reading a JL book is like wrapping yourself in your favourite blanket, curled up in your most comfiest lounger.
Its like sitting beside your SO and just feeling their warmth wrap all around you.
This book was good. It was soo soo much like the Adrien English series but it soo soo wasn't.
It was vastly different. But it was still the same JL.
Her written words have this hold on me, I get lost and I drown and then I get utterly depressed when I'm through cause then I'm just left with...... nothing.
I'm left with searching for a book that makes me feel the same way and it always fails in comparison and yah. that just sucks.
JL needs to put out a book a month. Ok maybe 2-3 for my drug need.
Gah
Mare~Slitsread
February 3, 2016
I have just discovered Josh Lanyon and I have had a lot of fun reading his books.
However this one -for me- missed its mark. It's been a while since I've read a book with more unlikeable characters. Brett... MY GOD what a malicious d-bag, and Adam and Kyle just pissed me off! I just... I cannot fathom this.
Oh well, I've pre-ordered the Mermaid Murders, so I'm not finished with Josh Lanyon, but yeah this book did not do it for me!
However this one -for me- missed its mark. It's been a while since I've read a book with more unlikeable characters. Brett... MY GOD what a malicious d-bag, and Adam and Kyle just pissed me off! I just... I cannot fathom this.
Oh well, I've pre-ordered the Mermaid Murders, so I'm not finished with Josh Lanyon, but yeah this book did not do it for me!
September 17, 2015
Classic Lanyon! Easily recognized characterization of some of Adrien with an 'e' in this lovely vintage mystery. And as always, the author had m guessing til the end! Bravo! Highly recommended :)
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