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Dan Sharp Mystery #7
Lion's Head Revisited
A case brings PI Dan Sharp to the northern Ontario wilderness, where he has to face his own dark past.
When a four-year-old autistic boy disappears on a camping trip, his mother is reluctant to involve the police. Instead, she calls in private investigator Dan Sharp after a ransom demand arrives.
On investigating, Dan learns there are plenty of people who might be responsible for the kidnapping. Among them are an ex-husband who wrongly believed the boy was his son; the boy’s surrogate mother, now a drug addict; the boy’s grandmother, who has been denied access to her grandson; and a mysterious woman who unnerves everyone with her unexpected appearances.
A trip to Lion’s Head in the Bruce Peninsula, where the boy disappeared, brings Dan unexpectedly into contact with his own brutal upbringing. But when a suspected kidnapper is found dead, Dan suddenly finds himself chasing the ghosts of the present as well as the past.
When a four-year-old autistic boy disappears on a camping trip, his mother is reluctant to involve the police. Instead, she calls in private investigator Dan Sharp after a ransom demand arrives.
On investigating, Dan learns there are plenty of people who might be responsible for the kidnapping. Among them are an ex-husband who wrongly believed the boy was his son; the boy’s surrogate mother, now a drug addict; the boy’s grandmother, who has been denied access to her grandson; and a mysterious woman who unnerves everyone with her unexpected appearances.
A trip to Lion’s Head in the Bruce Peninsula, where the boy disappeared, brings Dan unexpectedly into contact with his own brutal upbringing. But when a suspected kidnapper is found dead, Dan suddenly finds himself chasing the ghosts of the present as well as the past.
304 pages, Paperback
Published February 25, 2020
4 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey Round
26 books100 followersJeffrey Round is best known as the Lambda Award-winning author of two mystery series, the gritty DAN SHARP books, and the comic BRADFORD FAIRFAX books. He is also an award-winning filmmaker, television producer and song-writer.
SHADOW PUPPET, sixth in the Dan Sharp series, was published in 2019. Margaret Cannon of the Globe and Mail said, "...this is as good a whodunit as we will see this year." (26/4/19)
BON TON ROULET, fourth in the Bradford Fairfax mystery series, was published in 2017. In 2018, Jeffrey was invited by the William Faulkner Society to read from this book, along with mayor Mitch Landrieu and others, at the 300th anniversary of the founding of New Orleans.
His first novel, A CAGE OF BONES, was published by GMP (UK), topping bestseller lists around the world. The P-TOWN MURDERS, first in the Bradford Fairfax series, was published by the Haworth Press (US). Both titles were listed on AfterElton’s 50 Greatest Gay Books in 2008.
Jeffrey's ENDGAME was called a "brilliant recreation" of Agatha Christie's best-selling mystery AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, giving the original what one critic called a "punk-rock reboot." It was a best-selling e-book in the US in 2016.
SHADOW PUPPET, sixth in the Dan Sharp series, was published in 2019. Margaret Cannon of the Globe and Mail said, "...this is as good a whodunit as we will see this year." (26/4/19)
BON TON ROULET, fourth in the Bradford Fairfax mystery series, was published in 2017. In 2018, Jeffrey was invited by the William Faulkner Society to read from this book, along with mayor Mitch Landrieu and others, at the 300th anniversary of the founding of New Orleans.
His first novel, A CAGE OF BONES, was published by GMP (UK), topping bestseller lists around the world. The P-TOWN MURDERS, first in the Bradford Fairfax series, was published by the Haworth Press (US). Both titles were listed on AfterElton’s 50 Greatest Gay Books in 2008.
Jeffrey's ENDGAME was called a "brilliant recreation" of Agatha Christie's best-selling mystery AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, giving the original what one critic called a "punk-rock reboot." It was a best-selling e-book in the US in 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 25, 2020
*4.5* stars.
This is the second book I have read in 2019 featuring Dan Sharp, a gay private detective. He specializes in finding lost persons. Jeffrey Round’s mystery novels have won Lambda awards, for books which celebrate or explore LGBT themes. His mystery novels give gay readers a chance to be represented in crime fiction but would give most everyone some insight into the gay community while reading this gripping, thrilling mystery. The author builds suspense and tension while presenting the reader with a well-plotted and written complex puzzle. His characters have depth and are well developed and believable.
The case is gritty and complicated, but easy to follow. The prose is elegant and lyrical in the descriptions of nature and landscape around Lions Head. This is a popular hiking and camping area 256 K (158 miles) north of Toronto, Ontario.
Dan is asked to find a 4-year-old autistic boy who went missing on a camping trip. His mother doesn’t want the police involved and wants Dan to help with ransom demanded for the child’s return. Dan discovers there are many potential suspects. Had he been taken by her ex-husband in revenge for the boy’s mother deserting him for a woman, or out of anger for her pretending that the boy was his son? The mother lives with her female partner along with the missing boy’s actual biological father, Eli, a past schoolmate of both women. Suspects also include the boy’s surrogate mother, now a drug addict, the estranged wealthy grandmother of the child who has been denied access to him. There is also an unknown, mysterious older woman who has been seen lurking around the home, and a hardened criminal who has threatened Eli to repay a debt he owes. Could the kidnapper be any of these suspects or someone else?
The ransom money has gone missing. Can the boy be saved? Dan finds his life in danger while searching for the truth about the kidnapping.
His search of the Lions Head area brings Dan in touch with past emotional trauma in the beautiful place where he grew up. We meet Dan’s son who is on a college break, and some of his supportive friends. Dan’s lover is a policeman, and he is trying to decide whether they should move in together. There was a rather explicit sex scene near the end of the book. This made me somewhat uncomfortable, probably due to the times in which I grew up, but I was hoping for Dan to find happiness. I would certainly read more of the Dan Sharp series with their brilliantly written, intricate plot and characterization.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for this exciting ARC.
This is the second book I have read in 2019 featuring Dan Sharp, a gay private detective. He specializes in finding lost persons. Jeffrey Round’s mystery novels have won Lambda awards, for books which celebrate or explore LGBT themes. His mystery novels give gay readers a chance to be represented in crime fiction but would give most everyone some insight into the gay community while reading this gripping, thrilling mystery. The author builds suspense and tension while presenting the reader with a well-plotted and written complex puzzle. His characters have depth and are well developed and believable.
The case is gritty and complicated, but easy to follow. The prose is elegant and lyrical in the descriptions of nature and landscape around Lions Head. This is a popular hiking and camping area 256 K (158 miles) north of Toronto, Ontario.
Dan is asked to find a 4-year-old autistic boy who went missing on a camping trip. His mother doesn’t want the police involved and wants Dan to help with ransom demanded for the child’s return. Dan discovers there are many potential suspects. Had he been taken by her ex-husband in revenge for the boy’s mother deserting him for a woman, or out of anger for her pretending that the boy was his son? The mother lives with her female partner along with the missing boy’s actual biological father, Eli, a past schoolmate of both women. Suspects also include the boy’s surrogate mother, now a drug addict, the estranged wealthy grandmother of the child who has been denied access to him. There is also an unknown, mysterious older woman who has been seen lurking around the home, and a hardened criminal who has threatened Eli to repay a debt he owes. Could the kidnapper be any of these suspects or someone else?
The ransom money has gone missing. Can the boy be saved? Dan finds his life in danger while searching for the truth about the kidnapping.
His search of the Lions Head area brings Dan in touch with past emotional trauma in the beautiful place where he grew up. We meet Dan’s son who is on a college break, and some of his supportive friends. Dan’s lover is a policeman, and he is trying to decide whether they should move in together. There was a rather explicit sex scene near the end of the book. This made me somewhat uncomfortable, probably due to the times in which I grew up, but I was hoping for Dan to find happiness. I would certainly read more of the Dan Sharp series with their brilliantly written, intricate plot and characterization.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for this exciting ARC.
August 6, 2019
4 stars
This is the story of the kidnapping of a four-year old autistic boy. The two women who are his mothers and his biological father are beside themselves with worry. They go to Private Investigator Dan Sharp with their story and that they have received a very odd request from the kidnapper. He wants a “donation,” instead of asking for a ransom. Later he says he demands a million dollars.
Dan is on the case. With the assistance of his boyfriend Nick, who is a detective with the local police, they suss out suspects and try to follow the twisted trail of the kidnappers; for there must be more than one of them. There are several suspects, one of the mother's ex-husband who thought he was the father of the child, a strange elderly woman who has been hanging around outside the house where the women and child live and a very disgruntled ex-business partner of the biological father among others.
One of the mothers' mother is a very wealthy businesswoman. She has never met her grandson and grudgingly hands over the million dollars. Dan senses some history between the child's mother and her own mother.
The identity of the kidnapper and their accomplices stunned me. I knew I didn't like that person, but didn't suspect them of the crime.
This was a very tough case for Dan. As well as dealing with the emotional trauma of his son going to college far away, the case brings up some very difficult things in Dan's past.
This is a well written and plotted novel. The story had a number of surprises which I appreciated. I like the way it was sprinkled here and there with philosophical observations by the author. Mr. Round's descriptions of the mountains surrounding Toronto and the area were great. I have been to Canada several times, and it brought back all of the thrill and excitement I felt back then when I visited there.
I want to thank NetGalley and Dundurn Press for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review.
This is the story of the kidnapping of a four-year old autistic boy. The two women who are his mothers and his biological father are beside themselves with worry. They go to Private Investigator Dan Sharp with their story and that they have received a very odd request from the kidnapper. He wants a “donation,” instead of asking for a ransom. Later he says he demands a million dollars.
Dan is on the case. With the assistance of his boyfriend Nick, who is a detective with the local police, they suss out suspects and try to follow the twisted trail of the kidnappers; for there must be more than one of them. There are several suspects, one of the mother's ex-husband who thought he was the father of the child, a strange elderly woman who has been hanging around outside the house where the women and child live and a very disgruntled ex-business partner of the biological father among others.
One of the mothers' mother is a very wealthy businesswoman. She has never met her grandson and grudgingly hands over the million dollars. Dan senses some history between the child's mother and her own mother.
The identity of the kidnapper and their accomplices stunned me. I knew I didn't like that person, but didn't suspect them of the crime.
This was a very tough case for Dan. As well as dealing with the emotional trauma of his son going to college far away, the case brings up some very difficult things in Dan's past.
This is a well written and plotted novel. The story had a number of surprises which I appreciated. I like the way it was sprinkled here and there with philosophical observations by the author. Mr. Round's descriptions of the mountains surrounding Toronto and the area were great. I have been to Canada several times, and it brought back all of the thrill and excitement I felt back then when I visited there.
I want to thank NetGalley and Dundurn Press for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review.
December 31, 2019
4,5 stars
Dan Sharp series is a MUST read for all gay mystery's fan. (And I swear, the MUST , written in big letters wasn't my intention, that did my tablet on its own, a very smart device, by the way, it knows my taste and it can recognize the high quality 😉).
Because we are talking about the book #7 in the series, some readers would probably like to know, if it is nesseserily to start the series from the very beginning. As much as I prefer you to do it in the right order, I think you can read every sequel of the series as a stand-alone. And then you can decide if you want to get to know Dan better. It is actually what happened to me: I accidentally picked up the forth book, read it, liked it, then I went back, read it from the book#1 and became a patient reader who is looking forward to every new coming sequel. And it was worth it!
The reason is simple and clear:
❤ I like Dan, his small family, his close friends, the authenticity of his character. He is very real, he is a good father, a trustful friend, an emotional man, a sensitive lover, he is good in his job, he is just an interesting character you want to know better and then stay with him.
❤ I enjoy the writing, decent and solid, nothing complain about. And - very important to me - always an interesting case, Dan has to solve, the author finds always something new to surprise his readers.
❤ I like the settings. ESPECIALLY in this one. Canadian flair in every sequel, but here you have Canadian outdoor flair. I adore outdoor mystery as much as I enjoy small-town setting in my mystery novels.
❤Nothing artificial, nothing exaggerating and nothing spectacular. True LGBT fiction in its best.
***ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.***
Dan Sharp series is a MUST read for all gay mystery's fan. (And I swear, the MUST , written in big letters wasn't my intention, that did my tablet on its own, a very smart device, by the way, it knows my taste and it can recognize the high quality 😉).
Because we are talking about the book #7 in the series, some readers would probably like to know, if it is nesseserily to start the series from the very beginning. As much as I prefer you to do it in the right order, I think you can read every sequel of the series as a stand-alone. And then you can decide if you want to get to know Dan better. It is actually what happened to me: I accidentally picked up the forth book, read it, liked it, then I went back, read it from the book#1 and became a patient reader who is looking forward to every new coming sequel. And it was worth it!
The reason is simple and clear:
❤ I like Dan, his small family, his close friends, the authenticity of his character. He is very real, he is a good father, a trustful friend, an emotional man, a sensitive lover, he is good in his job, he is just an interesting character you want to know better and then stay with him.
❤ I enjoy the writing, decent and solid, nothing complain about. And - very important to me - always an interesting case, Dan has to solve, the author finds always something new to surprise his readers.
❤ I like the settings. ESPECIALLY in this one. Canadian flair in every sequel, but here you have Canadian outdoor flair. I adore outdoor mystery as much as I enjoy small-town setting in my mystery novels.
❤Nothing artificial, nothing exaggerating and nothing spectacular. True LGBT fiction in its best.
***ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.***
January 10, 2020
Private Investigator Dan Sharp of Toronto is like a flaming arrow of justice. This man is unstoppable. He won't let go until a case is truly closed out, and this time, such determination could result in a fatal outcome. Dan is asked to take on a parallel investigation into the kidnapping while camping of an autistic three-year-old, but the facts are buried deeply and are immensely tangled. It's recommended to read this one between AFTER THE HORSES and THE GOD GAME.
February 12, 2021
MC Dan Sharp has his work cut out for him looking into who might be behind the heinous kidnapping of a 4 year boy. The suspects are many ... with Dan uncovering more and more hidden links and motives between them and the victim's unconventional family, with accusations and character aspersions from all sides being far from the truth/reality. There is little violence or gore, with actual murder happening late in the piece. True to form, the author gives a couple of crazy but interesting characters.
I found the trip down memory lane for Dan (Lion's Head holiday destination being the 'revisited' part) insightful - giving further childhood traumatic events laying the foundations of the wounded adult. Dan's continued struggle to push past emotional barriers and trust issues is given equal focus (alongside his investigative work) - his developing relationship with policeman Nick on shaky ground with less than enthusiastic support from close friends. However, as this book is written out of sequence in the series - I am reassured that Dan and Nick will have an immediate future (at least for now) as per the events outlined in The God Game: A Dan Sharp Mystery. A decent 4 star read.
I found the trip down memory lane for Dan (Lion's Head holiday destination being the 'revisited' part) insightful - giving further childhood traumatic events laying the foundations of the wounded adult. Dan's continued struggle to push past emotional barriers and trust issues is given equal focus (alongside his investigative work) - his developing relationship with policeman Nick on shaky ground with less than enthusiastic support from close friends. However, as this book is written out of sequence in the series - I am reassured that Dan and Nick will have an immediate future (at least for now) as per the events outlined in The God Game: A Dan Sharp Mystery. A decent 4 star read.
September 9, 2019
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
Lion’s Head Revisited by Jeffrey Round is a mystery, part of the Dan Sharp Mystery series, but it can be read as a standalone without any issues. It’s not dark or noir, but not exactly cosy either. I would call a it a moody book, set partly in the Canadian wilderness and partly in Toronto, with a serious topic and a Private Investigator who has flashbacks of unhappy memories related to the area this investigation is taking place.
PI Dan Sharp is hired by the parents of Jeremy, an autistic boy who has possibly been kidnapped while they were on a camping trip near Lion’s Head, on Bruce Peninsula, Canada.
The boy’s mothers Janice and Ashley and his biological father Eli just want Jeremy back home safe. But there is also an ex who is still in love, a business partner with a grudge, a surrogate mother with a drug problem, two estranged grandmothers, and a nanny who was fired recently. With such a complex family situation, the possible suspects are many.
The police has already investigated and found no real leads, according to Dan’s boyfriend Nick, who is a cop. But then, neither the police nor Dan are given full and honest information by all the suspects. Dan has to trust his skills and instincts, and his knowledge of the Lion’s Head area, where he has vacationed before as a boy. Nick doesn’t like that Dan puts himself at risk, which puts some strain on their relationship.
This was a wild ride, with so many different and possible suspects it was mind-boggling at times. I definitely could not have anticipated the ending. I liked all the characters, they felt very real and well rounded. I especially liked Dan, which was great because a likeable main character makes a book so much more pleasurable to read. And I want to give a special mention to the recluse farmer Horace with his seemingly random bible quotations.
This not a romance book, but it does feature a gay main character in a same-sex relationship and overall has good lgbtq+ representation. The representation of autism was also respectfully done, though I did not really understand what Jeremy’s treatment entailed or why the costs of his treatment were such a big deal, since I do not know much about the Canadian healthcare system and most of this was just glossed over in the book. I thought healthcare in Canada was pretty good, but apparently that’s not the case in the case described in this book. A little more explanation for international readers would have been nice.
Lion’s Head Revisited by Jeffrey Round is a mystery, part of the Dan Sharp Mystery series, but it can be read as a standalone without any issues. It’s not dark or noir, but not exactly cosy either. I would call a it a moody book, set partly in the Canadian wilderness and partly in Toronto, with a serious topic and a Private Investigator who has flashbacks of unhappy memories related to the area this investigation is taking place.
PI Dan Sharp is hired by the parents of Jeremy, an autistic boy who has possibly been kidnapped while they were on a camping trip near Lion’s Head, on Bruce Peninsula, Canada.
The boy’s mothers Janice and Ashley and his biological father Eli just want Jeremy back home safe. But there is also an ex who is still in love, a business partner with a grudge, a surrogate mother with a drug problem, two estranged grandmothers, and a nanny who was fired recently. With such a complex family situation, the possible suspects are many.
The police has already investigated and found no real leads, according to Dan’s boyfriend Nick, who is a cop. But then, neither the police nor Dan are given full and honest information by all the suspects. Dan has to trust his skills and instincts, and his knowledge of the Lion’s Head area, where he has vacationed before as a boy. Nick doesn’t like that Dan puts himself at risk, which puts some strain on their relationship.
This was a wild ride, with so many different and possible suspects it was mind-boggling at times. I definitely could not have anticipated the ending. I liked all the characters, they felt very real and well rounded. I especially liked Dan, which was great because a likeable main character makes a book so much more pleasurable to read. And I want to give a special mention to the recluse farmer Horace with his seemingly random bible quotations.
This not a romance book, but it does feature a gay main character in a same-sex relationship and overall has good lgbtq+ representation. The representation of autism was also respectfully done, though I did not really understand what Jeremy’s treatment entailed or why the costs of his treatment were such a big deal, since I do not know much about the Canadian healthcare system and most of this was just glossed over in the book. I thought healthcare in Canada was pretty good, but apparently that’s not the case in the case described in this book. A little more explanation for international readers would have been nice.
March 22, 2020
A well-written mystery set in the Canadian wilderness
A four-year-old autistic boy goes missing whilst on a camping trip. Shortly afterwards, his mother Janice receives a ransom demand. For unknown reasons, she decides not to get the police involved, and instead contacts Private Investigator Dan Sharp, who after a bit of research discovers that there are many people who might be responsible – the child’s drug addict surrogate mother, Janice’s ex-husband who thought the boy was his son and Janice’s wealthy mother who has been denied access to her grandson. The search for the boy takes Dan into the Northern Ontario countryside, a place where he has his own troubled memories of a difficult childhood. He will have to use his wits and the help of his partner Nick to find the missing boy before it’s too late.
This was a well-written mystery novel which took a rather basic premise (missing child, kidnapper demanding ransom) and added some interesting variations. The plot was unpredictable and kept a good pace, with the ending twist coming quite unexpectedly, and the descriptions of the scenery, especially the Canadian wilderness, were vivid and well-rendered. Despite being the seventh novel in the Dan Sharp series, it was easy to follow as a standalone.
Unfortunately, despite being an enjoyable read, there was nothing about this story that made it stick in my head after I had finished it. I didn’t really feel a connection to Dan or any of the other characters, and as a result didn’t feel that invested in his personal relationships with his partner, son or deceased parents. This could be due to not having read any of the previous instalments of the series. My enjoyment of the book was also slightly tarnished by an offhand thought that the lead character has about the self-absorption of millennials, which is clearly a reflection of the author’s own thoughts. Although it was only a small thing, it did irritate me and put me off Dan Sharp as a person a bit. Maybe I am as self-absorbed as they say?
In conclusion, this was a suitably tense mystery with some great descriptive writing but lacked any stand-out features to make it particularly memorable. I feel I may have enjoyed it more had I read any of the previous books in the series.
Daenerys
Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.
A four-year-old autistic boy goes missing whilst on a camping trip. Shortly afterwards, his mother Janice receives a ransom demand. For unknown reasons, she decides not to get the police involved, and instead contacts Private Investigator Dan Sharp, who after a bit of research discovers that there are many people who might be responsible – the child’s drug addict surrogate mother, Janice’s ex-husband who thought the boy was his son and Janice’s wealthy mother who has been denied access to her grandson. The search for the boy takes Dan into the Northern Ontario countryside, a place where he has his own troubled memories of a difficult childhood. He will have to use his wits and the help of his partner Nick to find the missing boy before it’s too late.
This was a well-written mystery novel which took a rather basic premise (missing child, kidnapper demanding ransom) and added some interesting variations. The plot was unpredictable and kept a good pace, with the ending twist coming quite unexpectedly, and the descriptions of the scenery, especially the Canadian wilderness, were vivid and well-rendered. Despite being the seventh novel in the Dan Sharp series, it was easy to follow as a standalone.
Unfortunately, despite being an enjoyable read, there was nothing about this story that made it stick in my head after I had finished it. I didn’t really feel a connection to Dan or any of the other characters, and as a result didn’t feel that invested in his personal relationships with his partner, son or deceased parents. This could be due to not having read any of the previous instalments of the series. My enjoyment of the book was also slightly tarnished by an offhand thought that the lead character has about the self-absorption of millennials, which is clearly a reflection of the author’s own thoughts. Although it was only a small thing, it did irritate me and put me off Dan Sharp as a person a bit. Maybe I am as self-absorbed as they say?
In conclusion, this was a suitably tense mystery with some great descriptive writing but lacked any stand-out features to make it particularly memorable. I feel I may have enjoyed it more had I read any of the previous books in the series.
Daenerys
Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.
February 15, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the eARC in exchange for an honest and impartial review.
For those of you who just want a quick opinion- the story is good but I don't recommend it as an entry point for the series. If you're new to the series, the recommended reading order is 1-3, followed by 6, 4, 7, and 5.
Longer Review:
I knew that jumping into a mystery series multiple books in meant that I'd be reading primarily for the mystery itself, and I'd get spoilers for earlier events in the MC's personal life. I decided I was okay with that, because the synopsis intrigued me, and it was an LGBTQ hero who lives and works in Canada. Sign me up!
The mystery itself was interesting, but I found that having not read the previous books, Dan Sharpe's personal baggage and struggles with his relationships weren't really connecting with me-to a bigger degree than I anticipated. I had expected that I would be curious to go back and read the previous stories to see how everyone ended up where they were in Lion's Head Revisited. Instead, a disclaimer at the beginning of the eARC mentions that this story- 7th in the publication order- takes place between two of the previous titles, and that multiple instalments were written out of sequence. (In the finished ebook, there is a recommended reading order list, which I wish had been included in the eARC, as I would have at least had an idea which books went where in the sequence.)
Having not read the earlier titles, I felt lost. This is weird for me since I'm usually good at jumping into a world and just taking it and the characters for what they are. As I said, the mystery was a solid one, but I'm curious how readers who have been with Dan Sharp since 2012 feel about the later titles being out of sequence? I wonder if the author has stated a reason for this (if so please comment!). Has anyone else followed the suggested reading order, and if so, was it helpful?
Since I liked the mystery itself and still like the premise, I'm going to compromise and give this 3 stars, even if I'm not clear on the author's goals with the series' progression. (And yes, I'll consider going back and reading book 1.)
For those of you who just want a quick opinion- the story is good but I don't recommend it as an entry point for the series. If you're new to the series, the recommended reading order is 1-3, followed by 6, 4, 7, and 5.
Longer Review:
I knew that jumping into a mystery series multiple books in meant that I'd be reading primarily for the mystery itself, and I'd get spoilers for earlier events in the MC's personal life. I decided I was okay with that, because the synopsis intrigued me, and it was an LGBTQ hero who lives and works in Canada. Sign me up!
The mystery itself was interesting, but I found that having not read the previous books, Dan Sharpe's personal baggage and struggles with his relationships weren't really connecting with me-to a bigger degree than I anticipated. I had expected that I would be curious to go back and read the previous stories to see how everyone ended up where they were in Lion's Head Revisited. Instead, a disclaimer at the beginning of the eARC mentions that this story- 7th in the publication order- takes place between two of the previous titles, and that multiple instalments were written out of sequence. (In the finished ebook, there is a recommended reading order list, which I wish had been included in the eARC, as I would have at least had an idea which books went where in the sequence.)
Having not read the earlier titles, I felt lost. This is weird for me since I'm usually good at jumping into a world and just taking it and the characters for what they are. As I said, the mystery was a solid one, but I'm curious how readers who have been with Dan Sharp since 2012 feel about the later titles being out of sequence? I wonder if the author has stated a reason for this (if so please comment!). Has anyone else followed the suggested reading order, and if so, was it helpful?
Since I liked the mystery itself and still like the premise, I'm going to compromise and give this 3 stars, even if I'm not clear on the author's goals with the series' progression. (And yes, I'll consider going back and reading book 1.)
October 30, 2019
**FULL DISCLOSURE** I received an ARC of, this story for review purposes. The author requested a review, but made no conditions for it. I am writing this review based solely on my enjoyment of this story in particular, and the author's writing overall.
Lion’s Head Revisited by Jeffrey Round is the 7th book in the Dan Sharp Mystery series, but it can be read as a standalone without any issues. Dan Sharp is a private investigator and he is called in to work on the kidnapping of a young boy. There are lots of interesting, different and well-rounded supporting characters in this novel from the recluse farmer Horace with his seemingly random bible quotations; to Ted, the beautiful bartender all of whom could be responsible for the kidnapping... there are motives all over the place which is great because it makes it hard to guess the ending.
There was the right amount of subplot added to turn Dan and the others into believable characters with human pros and cons. Dan Sharp is an interesting Private Investigator with his own set of baggage from a kid from his first marriage to issues in his childhood when he lost dog, his mom, and had to deal with his alcoholic father. Dan has a multitude of feelings and fears that he is trying to come to terms with and connect with his new relationship, dare I say lover Nick, a police officer. Normally PI and Cops are like oil and water, there is a lot of push and pull between them but Nick and Dan are trying to put that aside and develop a relationship.
This is the first book I have read in the series. The book is a comfortable read that does not get you lost but keeps you guessing. I would recommend it and look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Lion’s Head Revisited by Jeffrey Round is the 7th book in the Dan Sharp Mystery series, but it can be read as a standalone without any issues. Dan Sharp is a private investigator and he is called in to work on the kidnapping of a young boy. There are lots of interesting, different and well-rounded supporting characters in this novel from the recluse farmer Horace with his seemingly random bible quotations; to Ted, the beautiful bartender all of whom could be responsible for the kidnapping... there are motives all over the place which is great because it makes it hard to guess the ending.
There was the right amount of subplot added to turn Dan and the others into believable characters with human pros and cons. Dan Sharp is an interesting Private Investigator with his own set of baggage from a kid from his first marriage to issues in his childhood when he lost dog, his mom, and had to deal with his alcoholic father. Dan has a multitude of feelings and fears that he is trying to come to terms with and connect with his new relationship, dare I say lover Nick, a police officer. Normally PI and Cops are like oil and water, there is a lot of push and pull between them but Nick and Dan are trying to put that aside and develop a relationship.
This is the first book I have read in the series. The book is a comfortable read that does not get you lost but keeps you guessing. I would recommend it and look forward to reading the rest of the series.
January 30, 2020
4.5 stars.
Lion's Head Revisited by Jeffrey Round is a multi-layered mystery that is quite compelling. Although this newest release is the seventh novel in the Dan Sharpe Mystery series, it can be read as a standalone.
Private Investigator Dan Sharpe's new clients bring him what should be a straight-forward investigation. Janice Bentham's four year old autistic son Jeremy has been kidnapped and a ransom demand has been made. She is accompanied by her girlfriend Ashley Lake and friend Eli Gestner who also love young Jeremy. They point Dan in the direction of surrogate Sarah Nealon, who has addiction issues and has asked for money from them in the past. Janice also casts suspicion in the direction of her ex-husband Dennis Braithewate. Eli admits his former business partner Elroy James is furious with him over a deal that lost money. Janice would rather the police not become involved so Dan retraces their steps the night when Jeremy went missing. This part of the investigation brings him face to face with his own unresolved childhood. Will Jeremy be safely returned to his family? And will Dan make peace with the ghosts of his past?
Dan tries to keep an open mind as he begins questioning the people in Janice's life. But as he quickly discovers, Janice's life is complicated and she is less than honest with him. He is also taken off guard when he discovers an unknown woman is bothering them at their home. Although bringing Jeremy home is his first priority, Dan cannot help but wonder what she and her loved ones might be trying to hide and more importantly, why?
Dan's personal life is in a bit of a muddle as he grows frustrated with his best friends' lack of support with his relationship with police Sergeant Nick Trposki. He is also worried about his son Kedrick's lack of enthusiasm about Nick. Although his friends and family have reason for concern, Dan is becoming upset over their resistance to getting to know Nick.
Dan is emotionally guarded and closed off so he is struggling to fully let Nick into his life as their relationship grows more serious. As he confronts his past throughout his investigation, Dan begins to understand himself better, but will these realizations result in positive changes in his life?
Lion's Head Revisited is an intriguing mystery with an engrossing storyline. Dan is a multi-faceted, complex character who is quite intuitive. His inner musings provide valuable insight what makes him tick and he begins to identify the areas in life where he needs to make changes. The investigation into Jeremy's kidnapping is quite riveting and Dan is tenacious in solving the case. With stunning twists and jaw-dropping turns, Jeffrey Round brings this clever mystery to a pulse-pounding conclusion. An outstanding addition to the Dan Sharpe Mystery series that old and new fans are going to love.
Lion's Head Revisited by Jeffrey Round is a multi-layered mystery that is quite compelling. Although this newest release is the seventh novel in the Dan Sharpe Mystery series, it can be read as a standalone.
Private Investigator Dan Sharpe's new clients bring him what should be a straight-forward investigation. Janice Bentham's four year old autistic son Jeremy has been kidnapped and a ransom demand has been made. She is accompanied by her girlfriend Ashley Lake and friend Eli Gestner who also love young Jeremy. They point Dan in the direction of surrogate Sarah Nealon, who has addiction issues and has asked for money from them in the past. Janice also casts suspicion in the direction of her ex-husband Dennis Braithewate. Eli admits his former business partner Elroy James is furious with him over a deal that lost money. Janice would rather the police not become involved so Dan retraces their steps the night when Jeremy went missing. This part of the investigation brings him face to face with his own unresolved childhood. Will Jeremy be safely returned to his family? And will Dan make peace with the ghosts of his past?
Dan tries to keep an open mind as he begins questioning the people in Janice's life. But as he quickly discovers, Janice's life is complicated and she is less than honest with him. He is also taken off guard when he discovers an unknown woman is bothering them at their home. Although bringing Jeremy home is his first priority, Dan cannot help but wonder what she and her loved ones might be trying to hide and more importantly, why?
Dan's personal life is in a bit of a muddle as he grows frustrated with his best friends' lack of support with his relationship with police Sergeant Nick Trposki. He is also worried about his son Kedrick's lack of enthusiasm about Nick. Although his friends and family have reason for concern, Dan is becoming upset over their resistance to getting to know Nick.
Dan is emotionally guarded and closed off so he is struggling to fully let Nick into his life as their relationship grows more serious. As he confronts his past throughout his investigation, Dan begins to understand himself better, but will these realizations result in positive changes in his life?
Lion's Head Revisited is an intriguing mystery with an engrossing storyline. Dan is a multi-faceted, complex character who is quite intuitive. His inner musings provide valuable insight what makes him tick and he begins to identify the areas in life where he needs to make changes. The investigation into Jeremy's kidnapping is quite riveting and Dan is tenacious in solving the case. With stunning twists and jaw-dropping turns, Jeffrey Round brings this clever mystery to a pulse-pounding conclusion. An outstanding addition to the Dan Sharpe Mystery series that old and new fans are going to love.
July 7, 2023
Lion’s Head Revisited (Dan Sharp 7)
By Jeffrey Round
Published by Dundurn Press, 2020
Five stars
This is the final, but not the last book in the Dan Sharp series. The last two books were written out of sequence, and I had to look back at them and realize where that left us with Dan Sharp and his private life. Technically, this precedes “The God Game,” although it was written later. I’ll explain in a moment.
I love this series, and grew to like it more and more as I got to know Dan, his family, his friends, and his peculiar, dented but not broken personality. The plot of this book is, if possible, more Byzantine than the others—a complicated mess of kidnapping and murder that is only unraveled at the very end. You meet quite a few not-very-nice people who Dan is hired to help; and there is quite a lot of travel to an isolated vacation spot in Georgian Bay, Ontario. This local, and specifically the mountain, or coastal promontory named Lion’s Head, plays a central role in the story, but also resonates with Dan’s own sad childhood.
Dan’s son Ked plays a critical, but surprisingly small, role in this book. His close friends Donny and Praban appear only once with any significance. Nonetheless, these are the folks who are anchors in Dan’s life, and their relationship with Nick Trposki, the police sergeant who has become important to Nick, is a looming issue. All I can say is this book (published last) is an important lead-up to “The God Game,” which was published earlier. Why? Because I was looking for a happy ending, and sometimes it’s hard to spot in this series. Dan Sharp’s love life is not the purpose of Jeffrey Round’s books, but it is the emotional continuo that ties all of the stories together.
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
By Jeffrey Round
Published by Dundurn Press, 2020
Five stars
This is the final, but not the last book in the Dan Sharp series. The last two books were written out of sequence, and I had to look back at them and realize where that left us with Dan Sharp and his private life. Technically, this precedes “The God Game,” although it was written later. I’ll explain in a moment.
I love this series, and grew to like it more and more as I got to know Dan, his family, his friends, and his peculiar, dented but not broken personality. The plot of this book is, if possible, more Byzantine than the others—a complicated mess of kidnapping and murder that is only unraveled at the very end. You meet quite a few not-very-nice people who Dan is hired to help; and there is quite a lot of travel to an isolated vacation spot in Georgian Bay, Ontario. This local, and specifically the mountain, or coastal promontory named Lion’s Head, plays a central role in the story, but also resonates with Dan’s own sad childhood.
Dan’s son Ked plays a critical, but surprisingly small, role in this book. His close friends Donny and Praban appear only once with any significance. Nonetheless, these are the folks who are anchors in Dan’s life, and their relationship with Nick Trposki, the police sergeant who has become important to Nick, is a looming issue. All I can say is this book (published last) is an important lead-up to “The God Game,” which was published earlier. Why? Because I was looking for a happy ending, and sometimes it’s hard to spot in this series. Dan Sharp’s love life is not the purpose of Jeffrey Round’s books, but it is the emotional continuo that ties all of the stories together.
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
October 18, 2019
This was a solid, well-written mystery! This book is part of a series, but I haven't read the previous ones and I still found this very enjoyable. I'm certain there is a lot more interesting history of the characters in previous installments so I'd suggest going back to the beginning and reading if you're interested in a great mystery series!
Dan Sharp is a private investigator and he's called in to work on the kidnapping of a young boy. There are lots of interesting supporting characters in this novel who could be responsible for the kidnapping... there are motives all over the place. Round has woven together a great story. All the pieces of the puzzle are there for a reader to figure out what is going on! The mystery is very well-crafted... and I can't emphasize that enough. A good mystery needs finesse, talent, and attention to detail and Round has all of those things!
Dan Sharp is an interesting character. The subplot of this book involves Dan reminiscing about his past. Dan lost his mother when he was young and his alcoholic father was distant and disconnected. It seems to have made it difficult for him to connect with his new lover: Nick. Nick is a police officer and there is a lot of push and pull between them. Dan doesn't trust easily and that's all that Nick is really asking for. There was just the right amount of relationship plot added to this mystery to make it even more interesting!
A very satisfying mystery with very interesting characters! 4 stars from me!
Dan Sharp is a private investigator and he's called in to work on the kidnapping of a young boy. There are lots of interesting supporting characters in this novel who could be responsible for the kidnapping... there are motives all over the place. Round has woven together a great story. All the pieces of the puzzle are there for a reader to figure out what is going on! The mystery is very well-crafted... and I can't emphasize that enough. A good mystery needs finesse, talent, and attention to detail and Round has all of those things!
Dan Sharp is an interesting character. The subplot of this book involves Dan reminiscing about his past. Dan lost his mother when he was young and his alcoholic father was distant and disconnected. It seems to have made it difficult for him to connect with his new lover: Nick. Nick is a police officer and there is a lot of push and pull between them. Dan doesn't trust easily and that's all that Nick is really asking for. There was just the right amount of relationship plot added to this mystery to make it even more interesting!
A very satisfying mystery with very interesting characters! 4 stars from me!
February 15, 2020
When Jeremy, a four-year-old autistic boy disappears on a camping trip in the Georgian Bay area, his mother Janice is reluctant to involve the police. But Janice, her partner Ashley and Jeremy's biological father Eli call in gay PI Dan Sharp after a ransom demand arrives. Dan quickly learns there are plenty of people who might be responsible for the kidnapping: Janice's ex-husband Dennis who wrongly believed the boy was his son; the boy’s surrogate mother Sarah who is now a drug addict; Jeremy's wealthy grandmother who has been estranged from Janice and has never met Jeremy and a mysterious woman who unnerves the family with her unexpected appearances.
Dan also deals with painful childhood memories of his summer vacation in a cottage near Lion's Head. With Dan's help, the ransom is paid and Jeremy is safely returned but that is not the end of the problems for Janice. Eli dies in a car accident, and the mysterious woman later ID as a retired school teacher is found strangled to death in her house.
Dan cannot stop investigating Janice and her family and ends up making an almost fatal error when confronting them back at Lion's Head.
This was another thrilling and entertaining read in the Dan Sharp PI series.
I received an eARC from Netgalley and Dundurn Press with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.
Dan also deals with painful childhood memories of his summer vacation in a cottage near Lion's Head. With Dan's help, the ransom is paid and Jeremy is safely returned but that is not the end of the problems for Janice. Eli dies in a car accident, and the mysterious woman later ID as a retired school teacher is found strangled to death in her house.
Dan cannot stop investigating Janice and her family and ends up making an almost fatal error when confronting them back at Lion's Head.
This was another thrilling and entertaining read in the Dan Sharp PI series.
I received an eARC from Netgalley and Dundurn Press with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.
March 4, 2020
Dan Sharp is hired to find a missing young boy. In so doing PI Sharp has to come to terms with his past and his late parents. Lion's Head is a area that his family vacationed when Dan was a boy. Also Dan' s new boyfriend Nick, a police officer, is not especially liked by Dan's two best friends due to the fact that Nick is a cop. There are numerous suspects in the kidnapping of this young boy. It was a most delightful read.
December 28, 2019
Good, solid mystery. The reveal was far more complicated than I expected, and I didn't expect the ID of the ultimate baddie, but the mystery was satisfyingly twisty. I also liked the subplots with Dan's friends and family (e.g. His BFF Donny not liking his BF Nick).
The story of Sandy -- a dog Dan's parents made him abandon when he was a kid -- made me really sad.
The story of Sandy -- a dog Dan's parents made him abandon when he was a kid -- made me really sad.
August 12, 2021
Another mystery where Dan gets involved where all is not what it seems.
Again, Dan gets a bit TSTL, certainly for Nick's comfort though I didn't feel any danger in this one.
Dan does uncover the answers to the who and why but as always, not as easy as it seems.
Dan gets a tad philosophical about his relationship with Nick, to the extent I do worry!!!
Again, Dan gets a bit TSTL, certainly for Nick's comfort though I didn't feel any danger in this one.
Dan does uncover the answers to the who and why but as always, not as easy as it seems.
Dan gets a tad philosophical about his relationship with Nick, to the extent I do worry!!!
May 19, 2022
Dan's dealing with bad childhood memories is becoming a bit repetitive as well as relationship commitment issues with a cop but still a good story with lots of complexity and parent child relationship issues. Dan's friends finally accept his partner Nick and the missing Autistic boy Jeremy is found after several trips to Lions Head near Tobermoray. A good read.
November 22, 2019
Another very solid mystery by Jeffrey Round. Dan Sharp is an intriguing character, and Round does a great job of situating him in his personal life, and of making this case matter to him. The settings in Toronto and out in the country are very evocative, and the case is appealing.
October 28, 2024
An autistic child and a rocky romance. Dan Sharp is on the case, but will his client ever give a straight answer? Another gripping mystery set in familiar Ontario territory. Cities and cliffs and caves, Oh My! A great read!
March 3, 2020
Looking forward to the next in the series
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