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The Dark Horse #1-2
Dark Horse, White Knight: Two Novellas
The Dark Horse
Paul Hammond is dead. That’s what tough and sexy LAPD Detective Daniel Moran tells his lover, Hollywood actor Sean Fairchild—and Sean wants to believe him, but what about those threatening postcards in Hammond’s handwriting? What about the fact that he’s seeing Hammond everywhere he goes? Yes, Sean’s had some emotional problems in the past, but that was a long time ago and he’s not imagining things, so why is Dan looking at him that way?
The White Knight
It’s a Hollywood cliché: the hot and handsome bodyguard. But in the case of LAPD Detective Daniel Moran, it’s all true. Dan is everything Sean ever wanted in a leading man, but Dan’s kind of an old-fashioned guy. It’s his job to keep Sean safe and in one piece—happy is someone else’s problem.
**These stories have been previously published and can be purchased separately.
Paul Hammond is dead. That’s what tough and sexy LAPD Detective Daniel Moran tells his lover, Hollywood actor Sean Fairchild—and Sean wants to believe him, but what about those threatening postcards in Hammond’s handwriting? What about the fact that he’s seeing Hammond everywhere he goes? Yes, Sean’s had some emotional problems in the past, but that was a long time ago and he’s not imagining things, so why is Dan looking at him that way?
The White Knight
It’s a Hollywood cliché: the hot and handsome bodyguard. But in the case of LAPD Detective Daniel Moran, it’s all true. Dan is everything Sean ever wanted in a leading man, but Dan’s kind of an old-fashioned guy. It’s his job to keep Sean safe and in one piece—happy is someone else’s problem.
**These stories have been previously published and can be purchased separately.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2015
8 people are currently reading
426 people want to read
About the author
Josh Lanyon
223 books5,416 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 33 reviews
January 21, 2023
This was a bit all over the place.
In the Dark Horse we get the middle part of the story. When the story starts, Sean and Dan have been officially together for a week. I think the author usually does this type of stories really well, but it didn't work for me here. Maybe because the relationship was too new.
White Knight follows two timelines, one where the events take place before Dark Horse, so we get some sense of the beginnings of their relationship, and the second timeline happens after the events in Dark Horse. It took an effort to follow this story. It would switch the timelines within one chapter, which was confusing at times. When the story started, I couldn't tell right away when the second timeline was taking place, because we didn't get much information from the characters since Sean had amnesia. Sort of. Both timelines come together towards the end, but the events from book one are skipped.
Since the story was told in this way, I found it hard to connect to the characters and their relationship. Personally, I found Sean's character too damsel-y and Dan treated him as such. There was also some type of relationship drama in all the timelines. The mysteries in both stories were quite simple.
I listened to the audiobook for this one and, while the narration was enjoyable, the sound quality wasn't the best.
In the Dark Horse we get the middle part of the story. When the story starts, Sean and Dan have been officially together for a week. I think the author usually does this type of stories really well, but it didn't work for me here. Maybe because the relationship was too new.
White Knight follows two timelines, one where the events take place before Dark Horse, so we get some sense of the beginnings of their relationship, and the second timeline happens after the events in Dark Horse. It took an effort to follow this story. It would switch the timelines within one chapter, which was confusing at times. When the story started, I couldn't tell right away when the second timeline was taking place, because we didn't get much information from the characters since Sean had amnesia. Sort of. Both timelines come together towards the end, but the events from book one are skipped.
Since the story was told in this way, I found it hard to connect to the characters and their relationship. Personally, I found Sean's character too damsel-y and Dan treated him as such. There was also some type of relationship drama in all the timelines. The mysteries in both stories were quite simple.
I listened to the audiobook for this one and, while the narration was enjoyable, the sound quality wasn't the best.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2024
Audiobook - 4stars
Dark Horse - 4 stars. I ended up liking it a lot. The story flowed so well. Loved Dan and Sean.
White Knight - 3 stars. Hmmmm.. Confused about this one. Was it really necessary?
Dark Horse - 4 stars. I ended up liking it a lot. The story flowed so well. Loved Dan and Sean.
White Knight - 3 stars. Hmmmm.. Confused about this one. Was it really necessary?
October 25, 2016
Written November 23, 2015
3.3 Stars - Good enough Lanyon M/M mystery, but not mesmerizing interesting or captivating great
Two books, The Dark Horse and the prequel / sequel The White Knight together as one audiobook. My favorite M/M writer, the man (woman) who knows how to write entertaining good M/M mysteries, Josh Lanyon.
...I other words, this should be a huge smash hit for me
But, honestly, I didn't "feel" for it that much.
I listened to the 7:47 hrs audiobook narrated by Derrick McClain.
*********************************************
Nothing to complain about, absolutely good enough with a pretty good narrator, but nevertheless I wasn't fully enchanted or addicted. A day later and I honestly find it hard to re-tell the storyline / plot. It was a lot of back and forward in time —confusing sometimes— and our main character never really found their way to my heart. To be fair and true a day later; I didn't really care in the end.
Talk, talk, talk and some makeup sex.
More misunderstandings, more of a very insecure main character and brakes up, even more uncertainty and talk, talk, talk. Honestly kind of depressing.
The crime parts wasn't exciting or very "new" but not bad. Well written by Lanyon as always but not that terrific told this time. I'm not a fan of changes of time back and forth in every chapters. (I mostly prefer A to Z stories.) But, but.. maybe was it "just me" this time. (Or?)
*********************************************
The first novella was better. Maybe should I stopped there!?
# A bit more than three stars for The Dark Horse.
# Just nearly three stars for The White Knight.
Recommended? — I assume most hardcore JL fans much enough enjoy both the story itself and this well done audio edition.
I LIKE - well enough
3.3 Stars - Good enough Lanyon M/M mystery, but not mesmerizing interesting or captivating great
Two books, The Dark Horse and the prequel / sequel The White Knight together as one audiobook. My favorite M/M writer, the man (woman) who knows how to write entertaining good M/M mysteries, Josh Lanyon.
...I other words, this should be a huge smash hit for me
But, honestly, I didn't "feel" for it that much.
I listened to the 7:47 hrs audiobook narrated by Derrick McClain.
*********************************************
Nothing to complain about, absolutely good enough with a pretty good narrator, but nevertheless I wasn't fully enchanted or addicted. A day later and I honestly find it hard to re-tell the storyline / plot. It was a lot of back and forward in time —confusing sometimes— and our main character never really found their way to my heart. To be fair and true a day later; I didn't really care in the end.
« “The Dark Horse Paul Hammond is dead.
That’s what tough and sexy LAPD Detective Daniel Moran tells his lover, Hollywood actor Sean Fairchild.” »
Talk, talk, talk and some makeup sex.
More misunderstandings, more of a very insecure main character and brakes up, even more uncertainty and talk, talk, talk. Honestly kind of depressing.
The crime parts wasn't exciting or very "new" but not bad. Well written by Lanyon as always but not that terrific told this time. I'm not a fan of changes of time back and forth in every chapters. (I mostly prefer A to Z stories.) But, but.. maybe was it "just me" this time. (Or?)
*********************************************
The first novella was better. Maybe should I stopped there!?
# A bit more than three stars for The Dark Horse.
# Just nearly three stars for The White Knight.
Recommended? — I assume most hardcore JL fans much enough enjoy both the story itself and this well done audio edition.
I LIKE - well enough
June 15, 2022
Two novella length books that were early works of Josh Lanyon. It's been published as two stories in the same book and as single copies. It has been said that her later Adrien English series characters of Adrien and Jake were based on the characters of Daniel Moran and Sean Fairchild. I was a bit confused with exactly where she was going with the plot here. Not that it was bad but by the second book, The White Knight, I was beginning to wonder if Dan, who seemed to be very real in the first book, The Dark Horse might have been a figment of Sean's fragile but vivid imagination. Actually, the two books with the different POV's would have been better if they had been combined into one. The story was good after I finally got it sorted out, and I really liked the way it ended. I love Josh Lanyon's work, and this early one was worthy of 4 stars. I couldn't help but think of all the treasures she was going to turn out after this one.
January 6, 2019
Another one of my early Lanyon reads that I come back to when I need to feel as if I'm being welcomed home by old friends.
Dark Horse (read this first) is a great novella and an interesting departure from Lanyon's typical heroes. Sean isn't a man in uniform. He has no desire to BE a man in uniform. He's not the sort of individual who can bust open a door, gun at the ready, and take the bad guy out. He's a young man with a troubled and rough upbringing who is doing fairly well for himself as an actor in Hollywood. Sean is the sort of character that reminds folks of Lanyon's immense writing chops. He's a very emotional person, who is both unafraid and terrified of his struggles with anxiety and depression and immense feelings of inadequacy. He's profoundly young and HUMAN. And I think I understand him better, the older I get. Because we can all remember moments similar to Sean's, at least on some level.
He is counteracted by Dan, a larger-than-life hero. The love interest and, for all intents and purposes, the white knight that has a sometimes abrasive way of reminding Sean he has worth and is deserving of love. Dan isn't perfect, of course. He can be a bit domineering, his police personality spilling over into their personal lives, but again... the reason I come back to Lanyon over and over is because her characters are so perfectly flawed. So perfectly... real. They screw up and they try to do better next time.
Dark Horse is a great story about a stalker who everyone thought was dead, being back and coming after Sean. He's been aggressively stalked for over a year, and just when it seems to be over... Paul Hammond is back. White Knight, the sequel that also tip-toes the line of being a prequel, is very interesting in the way it's set up and delivered. It utilizes flashbacks-- filling in the holes left by Dark Horse to bring together a well rounded story flushed with suspense, danger, and the push and pull of two men struggling to figure out how to be in a relationship they both so desperately want.
A lovely paperback offers both novellas in one, and is a reminder that there is someone out there who loves us for simply being us.
Dark Horse (read this first) is a great novella and an interesting departure from Lanyon's typical heroes. Sean isn't a man in uniform. He has no desire to BE a man in uniform. He's not the sort of individual who can bust open a door, gun at the ready, and take the bad guy out. He's a young man with a troubled and rough upbringing who is doing fairly well for himself as an actor in Hollywood. Sean is the sort of character that reminds folks of Lanyon's immense writing chops. He's a very emotional person, who is both unafraid and terrified of his struggles with anxiety and depression and immense feelings of inadequacy. He's profoundly young and HUMAN. And I think I understand him better, the older I get. Because we can all remember moments similar to Sean's, at least on some level.
He is counteracted by Dan, a larger-than-life hero. The love interest and, for all intents and purposes, the white knight that has a sometimes abrasive way of reminding Sean he has worth and is deserving of love. Dan isn't perfect, of course. He can be a bit domineering, his police personality spilling over into their personal lives, but again... the reason I come back to Lanyon over and over is because her characters are so perfectly flawed. So perfectly... real. They screw up and they try to do better next time.
Dark Horse is a great story about a stalker who everyone thought was dead, being back and coming after Sean. He's been aggressively stalked for over a year, and just when it seems to be over... Paul Hammond is back. White Knight, the sequel that also tip-toes the line of being a prequel, is very interesting in the way it's set up and delivered. It utilizes flashbacks-- filling in the holes left by Dark Horse to bring together a well rounded story flushed with suspense, danger, and the push and pull of two men struggling to figure out how to be in a relationship they both so desperately want.
A lovely paperback offers both novellas in one, and is a reminder that there is someone out there who loves us for simply being us.
September 29, 2017
4.2 Stars
Dark Horse: That was one hella fucked up instance of gas-lighting right there. Damn. Steve almost had me fooled...definitely took me longer than I expected to realize it, too. Other than that the book is pretty much what I expect from JL. Loved that the Cop (Dan) was out and proud and had really no hang-ups about his sexuality; it's a bit of a diversion from a lot of JL's other LEO MCs who tend to be closeted (at least for some of the tale).
White Knight: The back and forth time jump format of this was really confusing because I didn't read any reviews explaining the plot. I kept questioning if I accidentally listened to the second book first since it was heavy on the prequel details. But, then I really, really started to appreciate how those parts of story sort of followed Sean's memory loss and confusion; as he got better, his memory improved and the story cleared up. Kinda brilliant. The rest of the plot was almost fluff at that point, too, because I was so invested in how Dan & Sean worked through their problems...and it was so well done that I honestly worried there wouldn't be a HEA. BY FAR the better of the two stories.
Dark Horse: That was one hella fucked up instance of gas-lighting right there. Damn. Steve almost had me fooled...definitely took me longer than I expected to realize it, too. Other than that the book is pretty much what I expect from JL. Loved that the Cop (Dan) was out and proud and had really no hang-ups about his sexuality; it's a bit of a diversion from a lot of JL's other LEO MCs who tend to be closeted (at least for some of the tale).
White Knight: The back and forth time jump format of this was really confusing because I didn't read any reviews explaining the plot. I kept questioning if I accidentally listened to the second book first since it was heavy on the prequel details. But, then I really, really started to appreciate how those parts of story sort of followed Sean's memory loss and confusion; as he got better, his memory improved and the story cleared up. Kinda brilliant. The rest of the plot was almost fluff at that point, too, because I was so invested in how Dan & Sean worked through their problems...and it was so well done that I honestly worried there wouldn't be a HEA. BY FAR the better of the two stories.
December 24, 2021
Not bad. This was a little strange since we don't get the romance from the beginning of the relationship we're dropped in the middle and things are kind of confusing. I guessed who the killer was but still interesting. The 2nd book was weird and I didn't 100% get the point.
Anyway, not my fav by JL but I appreciate the work she put into it.
3 stars
4 stars audio
Anyway, not my fav by JL but I appreciate the work she put into it.
3 stars
4 stars audio
November 28, 2015
Very good as audiobook. Narrator is a great choice. Okay..listening to them back to back, I especially liked the second story, a filling in the blanks of sorts, with growth in the relationship. And the guilty pleasure. Of Taco Bell :)
July 30, 2022
I have definitely read it but do not remember when or anything else about it.
February 9, 2016
As I said in my status updates...an exercise in perseverance and frustration. Sean is a childish, unlikeable character. Why Dan would stay with him was beyond my comprehension. Two of my least favorite stories.
August 19, 2019
This author proves time and time again that he is the master. This was such a great read. I loved the characters and BRAVO to Josh Lanyon for such an accurate depiction of living with someone who has a history of mental illness.
June 12, 2021
Dark Horse - I was pretty sure who the villain was and I was right but I still enjoyed this one. Not a lot of romance but the characters are interesting and I really wanted more about the MC's.
White Knight - I enjoyed this one more than Dark Horse once I got past my confusion. I admit I was a bit lost and wondering if I someone listened to them in the wrong order when I started this one. However, once I figured out what was going on it worked really well. I'm not always a fan of flashbacks but paired with the bits of memory loss this worked to make the story more interesting and dynamic. I was so rooting for these two and although the mystery was good the romance is really what I enjoyed in this one (the opposite of Dark Horse).
White Knight - I enjoyed this one more than Dark Horse once I got past my confusion. I admit I was a bit lost and wondering if I someone listened to them in the wrong order when I started this one. However, once I figured out what was going on it worked really well. I'm not always a fan of flashbacks but paired with the bits of memory loss this worked to make the story more interesting and dynamic. I was so rooting for these two and although the mystery was good the romance is really what I enjoyed in this one (the opposite of Dark Horse).
October 8, 2023
It's been quite a few years since I revisited this one, but I think it holds up well. Classic Lanyon is my favorite Lanyon.
As usual, though, for most audiobooks of this era, I find the production values to be . . . off. The performance is fine, but the audio quality is crap.
As usual, though, for most audiobooks of this era, I find the production values to be . . . off. The performance is fine, but the audio quality is crap.
December 3, 2016
The Dark House
I liked this book a lot. I was hesitant about Sean in the beginning with how skittish he was and how he seemed to tiptoe around his boyfriend and his agent. He mentally went out of his way to avoid confrontations. Not my favorite characteristic.
Then I learned that there was a large portion of story that had already played out. We (the reader) are joining this story right in the aftermath of a very horrific event in Sean's life. All that was before I learned of Sean's issues with intimacy. Well, not really intimacy. just the part where his back door is exposed to his boyfriend.
In the beginning, it's not completely clear where Sean's anxiety comes from.
I liked how the writer got deep into Sean's conscious when describing his anxiety during an early intimate scene. The words Sean used to describe Dan were not pretty, colorful, or romantic in anyway. It was clear he was hinging on a panic attack at the thought of Dan penetrating him, even though Sean was clearly making an effort. Dan also, made an effort to not pressure Sean in any way. You can clearly make out Sean is not only troubled by the childhood mess his parents made of him but also the mess the serial killer left behind as well.
I liked that when things where really stressful Sean showed some signs of strength by slightly resisting being smooth. It wasn't a big gesture but it showed signs of a little fight in him. That he wasn't quite ready to give up on his sanity.
Then Steve stared whispering doubt into Sean's ear and that right there stared to piss me off. While Dan had his over protective issues and to be honest it was understandable due to Sean's history. I just couldn't be annoyed with Dan and his methods.
In the end, Steve turned out to be a major ass wipe and the villain of the whole thing. But while the major plot was solved that left the smaller side plot of Sean's insecurities still playing into his personal life.
The final intimate scene between Dan and Sean was clearly different than earlier scene. Sean finally let down that awful wall he build around the most intimate part of his emotions an sex life.
White Knight
We catchup to Sean while he's on location shooting a movie. I movie what I honestly would't ming watching or a story I wouldn't mind reading. Sean is still dealing with some emotional baggage from his past. Dan is being as patient as possible but he is losing hold of it quickly.
After suffering from a fall and a mild concussion we track back in time to when the serial killer Hammond still stalked him and he had first met Dan.
It was a little shock to me to learn that Hammond was not the obsessed in-love with his victim type of stalker. Hammond says to Sean, "You're not queer, are you?"
The part 2 of this story was very character driven. We get more into what happened to Sean during this time. Which surprised me because why did the writer write this story in reverse. But it makes sense when you think about it. We analyze it with the stories in reverse. The writer wanted to be clear the the serial killer plot tool was just a tool. Now, Sean has distance between that event and still in a mental state to have flash backs and deeply examine his reactions and Dan reactions.
I was concerned for a while that Dan was not going to trust Sean to be on his own and I was a little resentful towards Dan's little resistance against Sean's independence.
I was completely pleased with the fact that the hiccup in their relationship was natural and ordinary compared to what Sean had gone through in his past. It's natural for them to experience a gap between them when there is actual distance. But what Sean was ultimately worried about was the invisible distance created if sudden illness does occur.
Definitely will read again. It's a sweet story.
I liked this book a lot. I was hesitant about Sean in the beginning with how skittish he was and how he seemed to tiptoe around his boyfriend and his agent. He mentally went out of his way to avoid confrontations. Not my favorite characteristic.
Then I learned that there was a large portion of story that had already played out. We (the reader) are joining this story right in the aftermath of a very horrific event in Sean's life. All that was before I learned of Sean's issues with intimacy. Well, not really intimacy. just the part where his back door is exposed to his boyfriend.
In the beginning, it's not completely clear where Sean's anxiety comes from.
I liked how the writer got deep into Sean's conscious when describing his anxiety during an early intimate scene. The words Sean used to describe Dan were not pretty, colorful, or romantic in anyway. It was clear he was hinging on a panic attack at the thought of Dan penetrating him, even though Sean was clearly making an effort. Dan also, made an effort to not pressure Sean in any way. You can clearly make out Sean is not only troubled by the childhood mess his parents made of him but also the mess the serial killer left behind as well.
I liked that when things where really stressful Sean showed some signs of strength by slightly resisting being smooth. It wasn't a big gesture but it showed signs of a little fight in him. That he wasn't quite ready to give up on his sanity.
Then Steve stared whispering doubt into Sean's ear and that right there stared to piss me off. While Dan had his over protective issues and to be honest it was understandable due to Sean's history. I just couldn't be annoyed with Dan and his methods.
In the end, Steve turned out to be a major ass wipe and the villain of the whole thing. But while the major plot was solved that left the smaller side plot of Sean's insecurities still playing into his personal life.
The final intimate scene between Dan and Sean was clearly different than earlier scene. Sean finally let down that awful wall he build around the most intimate part of his emotions an sex life.
White Knight
We catchup to Sean while he's on location shooting a movie. I movie what I honestly would't ming watching or a story I wouldn't mind reading. Sean is still dealing with some emotional baggage from his past. Dan is being as patient as possible but he is losing hold of it quickly.
After suffering from a fall and a mild concussion we track back in time to when the serial killer Hammond still stalked him and he had first met Dan.
It was a little shock to me to learn that Hammond was not the obsessed in-love with his victim type of stalker. Hammond says to Sean, "You're not queer, are you?"
The part 2 of this story was very character driven. We get more into what happened to Sean during this time. Which surprised me because why did the writer write this story in reverse. But it makes sense when you think about it. We analyze it with the stories in reverse. The writer wanted to be clear the the serial killer plot tool was just a tool. Now, Sean has distance between that event and still in a mental state to have flash backs and deeply examine his reactions and Dan reactions.
I was concerned for a while that Dan was not going to trust Sean to be on his own and I was a little resentful towards Dan's little resistance against Sean's independence.
I was completely pleased with the fact that the hiccup in their relationship was natural and ordinary compared to what Sean had gone through in his past. It's natural for them to experience a gap between them when there is actual distance. But what Sean was ultimately worried about was the invisible distance created if sudden illness does occur.
Definitely will read again. It's a sweet story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2017
Reviewed for Rainbow Gold Reviews. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
The narration - I have listened to Derrick McClain a few times and I find him to be enjoyable to listen to. He does vary his voice slightly and I am able to distinguish between which characters are speaking in a conversation. His voice is incredibly soothing to me. I find him very easy to listen to and would listen to more from him, for sure.
The story - I have never read or listened to a Josh Lanyon story that I haven't liked. I am a big fan. This book is not an exception, but it is told in a very strange order that leaves me wishing for a full length novel or even series detailing how Sean and Dan fell in love and more details of the mystery that brought them together.
Dark Horse starts the story. Sean has already survived a crazy stalker who threatened to kill him, Dan and he have entered a relationship of sorts. The groundwork of their relationship was formed prior to the book. Things for them are looking good, except that someone is threatening Sean again, and Sean's ex-lover/manager is expressing concerns regarding the new relationship and Sean's career direction. It is a good mystery, because it isn't clear if his old stalker is still alive or if someone else is taking advantage of Sean's past terror. The two most important people in Sean's life are pulling him in different directions at the same time, and there is no lack of tension in the first half of the audiobook.
The second part of the story is White Knight, which is a prequel and a sequel in one. The story takes place after the ending of Dark Horse, Sean has been injured, and he is suffering from memory loss. The story continues with Sean experiencing memories from the time he first met Dan and up to the accident that caused the amnesia. Slowly he pieces his memories back together, but there are things that don't quite add up. It didn't really seem like this was a mystery at first, but those pieces that don't add up paint a picture that someone was behind Sean's fall.
I really enjoyed the story. Dan and Sean are both likable characters and their relationship seems strong because usually they are willing and able to talk and work things out. I do feel like I didn't connect with them as well as I would have liked, and I think it might have been the style of flashbacks. Even though holes were filled in retrospect, I didn't feel like I went through experiences with the characters. It was still mysterious and thrilling, with a touch of romance. I would recommend it to any mystery fans and any Josh Lanyon fans.
8/10 Pots of Gold (80% Recommended) – Compares to 4/5 Stars
The narration - I have listened to Derrick McClain a few times and I find him to be enjoyable to listen to. He does vary his voice slightly and I am able to distinguish between which characters are speaking in a conversation. His voice is incredibly soothing to me. I find him very easy to listen to and would listen to more from him, for sure.
The story - I have never read or listened to a Josh Lanyon story that I haven't liked. I am a big fan. This book is not an exception, but it is told in a very strange order that leaves me wishing for a full length novel or even series detailing how Sean and Dan fell in love and more details of the mystery that brought them together.
Dark Horse starts the story. Sean has already survived a crazy stalker who threatened to kill him, Dan and he have entered a relationship of sorts. The groundwork of their relationship was formed prior to the book. Things for them are looking good, except that someone is threatening Sean again, and Sean's ex-lover/manager is expressing concerns regarding the new relationship and Sean's career direction. It is a good mystery, because it isn't clear if his old stalker is still alive or if someone else is taking advantage of Sean's past terror. The two most important people in Sean's life are pulling him in different directions at the same time, and there is no lack of tension in the first half of the audiobook.
The second part of the story is White Knight, which is a prequel and a sequel in one. The story takes place after the ending of Dark Horse, Sean has been injured, and he is suffering from memory loss. The story continues with Sean experiencing memories from the time he first met Dan and up to the accident that caused the amnesia. Slowly he pieces his memories back together, but there are things that don't quite add up. It didn't really seem like this was a mystery at first, but those pieces that don't add up paint a picture that someone was behind Sean's fall.
I really enjoyed the story. Dan and Sean are both likable characters and their relationship seems strong because usually they are willing and able to talk and work things out. I do feel like I didn't connect with them as well as I would have liked, and I think it might have been the style of flashbacks. Even though holes were filled in retrospect, I didn't feel like I went through experiences with the characters. It was still mysterious and thrilling, with a touch of romance. I would recommend it to any mystery fans and any Josh Lanyon fans.
8/10 Pots of Gold (80% Recommended) – Compares to 4/5 Stars
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March 14, 20251. The Dark Horse ⭐⭐⭐
The story begins in the middle of the story. The main character Sean has been through a trauma that occurs pre-book, as does the beginning of his connection with Daniel. The lack of “relationship investment” makes it look like their bond is “insta-love,” a trope I’m not usually fond of. (In reading the synopsis for The White Knight, the actual story begins there.)
Sean is one of Lanyon’s patented “damaged boys,” but I never warmed to him. I’m not sure why. Throughout the book, he's a bit oblivious. And yet he identifies the murderer without any preamble that I could find. It might have been clearer had I read the book instead of listened to it, but Sean’s sudden realization surprised me.
2. The White Knight (coming soon)
The story begins in the middle of the story. The main character Sean has been through a trauma that occurs pre-book, as does the beginning of his connection with Daniel. The lack of “relationship investment” makes it look like their bond is “insta-love,” a trope I’m not usually fond of. (In reading the synopsis for The White Knight, the actual story begins there.)
Sean is one of Lanyon’s patented “damaged boys,” but I never warmed to him. I’m not sure why. Throughout the book, he's a bit oblivious. And yet he identifies the murderer without any preamble that I could find. It might have been clearer had I read the book instead of listened to it, but Sean’s sudden realization surprised me.
2. The White Knight (coming soon)
December 27, 2023
I enjoyed Derrick McClain's narration but I found the stories confusing. I was a few chapters into Dark Horse when I wondered if White Knight should be read first. The way past events were referenced was as if there was an assumption readers would know what had already happened. Then I got to the end of Dark Horse and the story stopped in the midst of a sex scene. Literally in the middle of a sentence. So there must be a glitch with the audio recording. But I borrowed from Hoopla so I can't do anything about it.
I started White Knight and I realized it definitely took place after book one but there were still things referenced that I didn't know about and I wondered if more than one section was missing from the audio. I still don't know but I nevertheless enjoyed the story presented. And by the end of this one, all was wrapped up well and I enjoyed the finale. But it never felt like the usual caliber of this author's work and with the glitches and hiccups described above, I can only say I liked it, so three stars.
I started White Knight and I realized it definitely took place after book one but there were still things referenced that I didn't know about and I wondered if more than one section was missing from the audio. I still don't know but I nevertheless enjoyed the story presented. And by the end of this one, all was wrapped up well and I enjoyed the finale. But it never felt like the usual caliber of this author's work and with the glitches and hiccups described above, I can only say I liked it, so three stars.
November 11, 2019
This was quite the emotional rollercoaster. And yet, with all of Josh Lanyon's exceptional writing -- laced with a special tenderness and boatloads of chemistry. I love that all of her characters in her books are distant cousins to other much-loved characters from her other books. I saw aspects of Adrien and Jake ... and Sam and Jason ... in Dan and Sean ... both very well rounded characters -- flawed but endearing -- and with the uncanny ability to get under your skin.
The intensity was necessary -- but part of me was craving a sweet and easy romance -- instead, I got tension and lots of drama -- but it was worth it. These two are amazing together and the story really drew me in ...
Brilliant on so many levels. And the reason why I am such a fan of this author's work.
The intensity was necessary -- but part of me was craving a sweet and easy romance -- instead, I got tension and lots of drama -- but it was worth it. These two are amazing together and the story really drew me in ...
Brilliant on so many levels. And the reason why I am such a fan of this author's work.
December 17, 2018
I really liked both stories. I think that listen to them back to back helps to get into the characters a lot more.
And I liked the characters. And once you understand Sean, once you understand his fears and his past it's a lot easier to understand his choices.
Paul... he comes as a little overprotective at times, and even when you know this comes from a caring place, sometimes it's easy to forget it, and resent him. Just a little bit :P
I liked the mysteries, too. Particularly the one on the second book, I wasn't expecting that :P The first one, well... I suspected who was the culprit from quite early on the story, but it was still very entertaining.
And the narrator, Derrick McClain, did an extraordinary job.
And I liked the characters. And once you understand Sean, once you understand his fears and his past it's a lot easier to understand his choices.
Paul... he comes as a little overprotective at times, and even when you know this comes from a caring place, sometimes it's easy to forget it, and resent him. Just a little bit :P
I liked the mysteries, too. Particularly the one on the second book, I wasn't expecting that :P The first one, well... I suspected who was the culprit from quite early on the story, but it was still very entertaining.
And the narrator, Derrick McClain, did an extraordinary job.
January 4, 2022
First of all, thanks for that huge ass spoiler in the third top review. -__-
Secondly, yeah, the overall scene order is weird but it worked for me. I guess complex flawed characters and their imperfect relationships and believable arguments they have—just like normal people! I’m in awe—trump it all for me. I really appreciate JL’s writing even if it’s couch investigation and a lot of internal monologues, and whatever else people complained about. ^^
The narration was great, too ~
Secondly, yeah, the overall scene order is weird but it worked for me. I guess complex flawed characters and their imperfect relationships and believable arguments they have—just like normal people! I’m in awe—trump it all for me. I really appreciate JL’s writing even if it’s couch investigation and a lot of internal monologues, and whatever else people complained about. ^^
The narration was great, too ~
February 13, 2020
Not my favourite couple and not too fond of stalker stories
September 1, 2021
3.5⭐️
May 14, 2016
Literally everything is just a tad too far-fetched in these novellas for me to be able to get into the story.
Starting from Sean's background to the fairytale set-up in the house to the fairytale set-up in France (was it France? I don't even remember), to the convenient (ugh) to the uber-perfect detective....
I guess shallow is the right word, and therefore a very atypical Lanyon.
Starting from Sean's background to the fairytale set-up in the house to the fairytale set-up in France (was it France? I don't even remember), to the convenient (ugh) to the uber-perfect detective....
I guess shallow is the right word, and therefore a very atypical Lanyon.
August 19, 2015
Hmmm. Not sure what to feel about these two novellas. Basically, I'm not satisfied with the snippets of Dan & Sean's lives, but I really liked the two characters but you are plunged into the middle and end of what could be a really great novel
December 31, 2015
Two related short stories that build well on each other.
Want to read
September 11, 2016;-; I want this so bad. My most re-read JL novellas. I never win these things.
January 26, 2016
I loved having the two books together. I couldn't put this down either. Love you Josh!
July 20, 2021
~ 4.5 stars ~
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