The Adrien English Mysteries: Books 4-6

The Adrien English Mysteries #4-5.5

by Josh Lanyon

Love can be murder. For the first time, books 4 - 6 of The Adrien English Mysteries collected in one volume! Death of a Pirate King - when murder makes an appearance at a dinner party, who should be called in but Adrien's former lover, handsome closeted detective Jake Riordan, now a Lieutenant with LAPD -- which may just drive Adrien's new boyfriend, sexy UCLA professor Guy Snowden, to commit a murder of his own. The Dark Tide - When a half-century old skeleton is discovered beneath the floorboards during Cloak and Dagger Bookstore's renovation, Adrien turns to hot and handsome ex-lover Jake Riordan -- now out-of-the closet and working as a private detective. So This is Christmas - Arriving home early after spending Christmas in jolly old England, sometimes amateur sleuth Adrien English discovers alarming developments at Cloak and Dagger Books--and an old acquaintance seeking help in finding his missing boyfriend. Because love means never having to say you're guilty.

Genres: Mystery, M M Romance, Contemporary, Crime, LGBT, Romance, Gay

700 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 30, 2016

About the author

Author 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.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

2022 Audio Review
This was just perfect. I love this series and always will. I have not listened to this in audio before now and I am so happy my library had it because it's really great to listen to this story as you fall asleep. :) I highly recommend this story, in any format, and wish there were more (I think there are a few shorts, and they do have a cameo in her Morirarity series).

All the stars

2019 ebook Review
Le sigh. The journey has ended, again. 😢 I want more!! Really LOVE this series and can't wait to get it on audio some day. All the stars and a million more on top. If you haven't read this series you need to. Highest recommendation.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfect

The whole series was amazing from page 1 to the very end. The romance part was unique and heartfelt and the mysteries interesting. Adrien is a gem, I’m sad their story ended. ( I suspect a big book slump waiting for me after this)

[annob [on hiatus] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming late to the Adrien English party, but hey—better late than never. I'm so glad I decided to get these box sets of the series so I could devour all the instalments back to back.

There are already so many great, in-depth reviews I'll settle for saying I liked these books a lot, and that it was the originality of the romance rather than the mysteries that had me hooked solid.

[El · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Lanyon is like my embarrassing Aunt: a little bit racist, a little bit fat shaming, and surprisingly uptight about kink and gay sex for someone who's been writing m/m romance for decades (but I love Auntie anyways). Honestly, if you don't believe me, all this is on display in this series - especially Josh's utter lack of understanding of BDSM and her insistence on writing it as some kind of a dark perversion that is only the purview of creeps.

So why the 5 star review? Because I clearly have no self-respect. As ludicrous and often toxic the relationship between Adrien (whom I adore) and Jake (who got a great redemption arc) is, it's the train wreck I can't look away from. This series is pure crack and it's impossible to put it down, even while I'm yelling at the top of my lungs JOSH WHY ARE YOU SO PROBLEMATIC!!!!! And after everything they go through in books 1 through 5, book 6 (or 5.5) is the Victory Lap we all deserve after putting up with their dramatic and total failboat shit. Adrien is lovely, but he's my ultimate gay disaster son and I own that. He probably deserves better, but he wants Jake and my boy should have what he wants. So FIVE STARS. 👏👏👏

[Imanewreader ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
that is a YES for me.

the audiobook was interesting. i could hear a cat from time to time. was it on purpose ? i guess i'll never know. but MISTER PATTON !?!?!?!?! THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME CRY !?

[Carmen]

Price drop to $0.99 at Amazon!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe I’ve never read the Christmas story before! Heavenly.

[Alannah Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!

As a fan of two of the author's other series (Holmes & Moriarity and Secrets & Scrabble), I knew I had to read the popular Adrian English series. I started with the first one and read straight through to the last. I am absolutely in love with Adrien and his world! The characterization is flawless and compelling. Many thanks to Josh Lanyon for giving us the gift of Adrien Eng!ish.

[Ashley GR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is hard in the beginning for these two MCs but soooo worth it. Definitely a satisfying series and one I’d reread again and again. It felt real and complicated which I loved.

[Hilcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread. Audio. I just love this series, no matter how many times I read it.

[Cyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second half of this series is actually really sweet. While the first half ended with a lot of frustration (for me as a reader) I appreciate that in this second half Adrien finally gave himself permission to reflect on the hurt he experienced. I really liked that the author gave him a 2-year break from Jake to realign and reassess his feelings.

As I mentioned in the review for the first half, I was super irritated with Jake, who was pretty much a jerk. I do see he has the biggest transformation out of the two and to see him self-reflecting on his feelings. However, the question is still going to be, if things with Kate was different, would he still have still chosen to be closeted? One thing that is for sure is, he can be quite sweet when he is no longer hiding. It’s cute that he finally allowed himself to show some PDA with Adrien and actually happy doing it.

As usual, Adrien’s dry humor gave me some chuckle and I really like him as a character. Although I don’t see much character growth in him, I liked his interactions with everyone around him.

As far as the mystery goes, it’s your usual cozy mystery and I really like the romance thrown in. I think the series is romance first and mystery second. I like that the romance is not in-your-romance and there is a reason how the characters keep coming together.

The reason I didn’t give it more stars is that there is still that lazy-writing stereotype, and while it didn’t appear to be as obvious in the second half its still there. Also, the pining and angst in Dark Hide took unnecessarily thank I like. There was so much back and forth and it never felt resolved with why Jake was still kind of angry with Adrien’s indecision.

I do appreciate So This Is Christmas. I always love a good solid epilogue after HEA. I like to see what the characters are up to after finally being together. And the end of this book is just awesome. I’d have rated So This Is Christmas 5-star if it was by itself.

[KarenHe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long and tough way finally leads to the most wonderful ending.

Rating: 5 stars.

It's very appreciative that I have a chance to read this series in one go. This is a gorgeous collection of masterpieces.

In Book 3, the relationship between Jake and Adrien came to a dead end. In the following books, Josh turns the game around cleverly with the well-designed mystery cases.

The most critical problem is Jake's homophobia. Book 4 is about the rebirth of Jake, who finally gave up all he had (his family, his career, and his past), who was offered everything he need (a peaceful life and a fearless heart), and who got the courage to pursue what he really wanted and wholeheartedly loved (Adrien).

Then it was Adrien's turn. At the beginning of Book 5, Adrien was still struggling for the past. He was still angry and disappointed in Jake. Luckily, he eventually realized that no matter how reluctant to be hurt again he was, the most unacceptable thing for him is to face Jake's leave, which broke his heart. After solving the case, Adrien finally understood how much pain and stress Jake has suffered for his coming out.

Book 6 is a bonus for Adrien and Jake, and for everyone. It is so sweet and touching.

Jake and Adrien have come through such a long and tough way, accompanied by so many deaths and heartbreaking moments. They even once lost themselves in fear and desperation. However, how luckily, they found their right way to happiness and love. When you read from the beginning till the end, you will find it every tough moment you experience with these two beloved characters is so worthy!

[Kassu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read book 4 and 5 twice and 6 once before. This was my virginal audio book attempt and I didn't listen very far before I whipped the books to accompany me. So mostly I dualwielded the thing, with occasional audio only moments. I will be trying other audio books but probably still with the accompanying text. It's slower, but it adds a dimension. I'm still feeling around.

This series is still awesome. It's painful (maybe not the extra book so much anymore, but still) and the route to HEA is not easy. The relationship between Jake and Adrien is obsessive and unhealthy in the beginning, but we can see how they work to correct their mistakes and move towards real friendship and trust (while still being completely obsessed with each other).

Adrien is a wonderful narrator character and there is such a sense of love and family in these books without it becoming a total cheesefest. The mysteries are nice too, but they play second fiddle to the relationships.

I don't want to be gutted like this in every book I read but sometimes it's worth it.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death of a Pirate King
Another dark mystery, intriguing, with a stealth villain. Jake and Adrien meet again over another dead body, a couple of years after their break up. The ending of this one is stunning, shocking.

The Dark Tide
An interesting mystery, of an old corpse found during renos of the book store. I liked that this one was less urgent, not so fresh, so easier to read.

So This is Christmas
I’m sad that this is the last book in the series. This was really good - Adrien and Jake are settled into coupledom, Adrien has a repaired heart and is feeling good, Jake has grown content and accepted himself.

Bought from Authors Direct

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Good

This is one of those series that is so enjoyable you can't put it down until you have read the lot and then feel sad because there are no more. I have really enjoyed the relationship that developed between the two main characters, Adrien and Jake, so I really enjoyed the last two books when Jake decided to man up. There was mystery and action to keep the readers attention and the other characters, family and friends were likeable. There was also plenty of humour and snark which I always find helps make an enjoyable read for me.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I confess to binge-listening to both collections over several consecutive days.
Each book has a well executed murder mystery with plot twists and sneaky red herrings. The concurrent story is the development of interaction (and more) between a closeted homicide detective and an openly gay bookseller from a rather wealthy blended family (even that's complicated). All the characters are engaging and the verbal humor makes for a veritable snarkfest!
I bought the audio narrated by voice actor Christopher Patton who makes each character and story come vibrantly alive.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 to 4 Stars. I would be lying if I said that there wasn't a book slump after completing this series. The mysteries had me theorizing like mad. Adrien and Jake's journey was as remarkable as it was painful and all too real. Very skillfully woven. The last book (technically a holiday novelette #5.5, I'm told) was a much needed balm after all that we went through with Adrien. I wasn't too sure about a mystery series following a bookstore owner/writer in LA, but I'm so glad I took a jump.

I'll miss this world and Adrien-with-an-e. And you too, Jake, you too.

[Rissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know why it took me so long to read these books!!!!!

I love Adrien, I love being in his head (I love his POV)!

And Jake, OMG, ok, I forgive you!!!! That ending!!!! You made me cry!

This was bittersweet. I feel like I want more but it's a good end for them. :)

This author is really on my yes-i-will-read-it list!!!!

[Lynn P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Books

I just finished the whole series of six books following Adrien and Jake. They’re wonderful books and they brought me to tears several times. I don’t wanna do any spoilers just let me say it’s worth your time to read them.

[Margy Cerny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Characters to love and hate!

Such angst! You pulled my strings till the end. I laughed at the home phones and answering machines. People still have those? I loved.to hate Jake. Thanks for the HEA.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sterling reread

I enjoy all flavors of Josh Lanyon! I reread her books on a rotating basis, and the Adrien English series is one of the most emotionally rich and satisfying. I find new nuances every time.

[jo firstofhername · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the two of them and the whodunit was different each time so it wasn't repetitive. The character development was also good, Adrien got into really precarious situations a lot, but Jake was always there.

[Zoot · Rating 3 out of 5]

If this series had been just a Mystery with Gay main characters, and cut out the slightly awkward? few sex scenes there were, it would have been a great series. I hated Jake until book 5....but i did read the whole series...sigh

[Suzun · Rating 4 out of 5]

God I hope there’s more!

I love this series! The characters are awesome and their relationship has progressed so nicely, I don’t want it to end!

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is amazing. I almost cried thar I have no more to read. I love Adrien and Jake and Jake I rooted for you even when you were an ass. Please more

[JSidelinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread for the sheer pleasure of revisiting Adrien and Jake.

[Ana P Cabello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful done!

I have no words to describe how much I enjoyed this reading. Thank you. I hope Everyone enjoys them I as did.

[Pertan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this series. Both writing and story different from the usual “templates” most MM stories seem to follow.

[Will Quabbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Death of a Pirate King, Adrien and closeted LAPD cop Jake meet again, two years after the disastrous end to their relationship. The murder mystery and the way it resolves is inseparable from the central dilemma of Adrien and Jake's relationship, Jake's unwillingness to come out of the closet. Here, because the culprit knows Jake's sexuality, any decision for Jake to apprehend the murderer is bound to his willingness to come out of the closet. There's a sense in which Adrien's stubborn sleuthing gradually becomes a battle for Jake's soul. A dark cloud of fatalism hangs over Adrien, who still hasn't gotten over his feelings for Jake, so he's willing to play a last grim gamble with his own life for Jake's soul. In this context, Jake's rescue of Adrien in the final scenes is tantamount to Adrien's rescue of Jake.

In The Dark Tide, despite Jake having come out and made his feelings clear, Adrien feels unable to set aside the last two painful years and is unwilling to give their relationship a second chance. I was a little disappointed by how little time was spent on actually dealing with the relationship, and I was a little surprised that Jake felt he could pick things up with Adrien so readily. I was also a bit annoyed by how conveniently Adrien's past lovers showed up for introducing plot complications. However, the depth of feelings Jake and Adrien have for each other and the pain they go through are vivid. When the culprit is finally revealed, we find ourselves looking inside a "bitter glass"to see what had been a possible reality for Jake and Adrien. It's a sobering note and a fitting end to the series proper.

So This Is Christmas is a treat. Adrien's humorous inner monologue in this book was pitched a bit too high for my taste, but I enjoyed this wonderful glimpse into the HEA we'd all been waiting for. Jake and Adrien certainly deserved it.

[Arcturus170 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5*
Reviewed each book, but worth saying here, the second half of the series is excellent. Real character growth, major plot events, satisfying mysteries.