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Skyler Foxe Mysteries #1
Foxe Tail
Gay teacher Skyler Foxe thought teaching English Lit was murder. Wait till he falls into the real thing.
Skyler Foxe is a brand new English teacher in his hometown of Redlands, CA. He loves literature, loves his students, loves his friends, especially his best friend Detective Sidney Feldman. But he doesn't love keeping his orientation a secret, afraid of the backlash in this conservative county. But will murder thrust him into unwanted limelight? Who killed his principal's son outside a gay dance club? And what's the connection to James Polk High? Is the macho football coach or his mysterious and gorgeous new assistant coach involved? Can Skyler trust anyone at the high school when there seems to be conspiracies around every corner?
263 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2010
27 people are currently reading
837 people want to read
About the author
Haley Walsh
22 books160 followersHaley Walsh tried acting, but decided the actor’s life was not for her. Instead, she became a successful graphic designer in Los Angeles, her hometown. After fifteen years of burning money in the ’80s and early ’90s, she retired from the graphics industry and turned her interests toward writing. She became a freelance newspaper reporter, wrote articles for quirky magazines, published award-winning short stories, and now writes an acclaimed gay mystery series, the Skyler Foxe Mysteries. She’s lived all her life in southern California, sampling wines and chomping chocolate. Yeah, it’s a living.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
September 9, 2015
Written June 18, 2015
3.7 Stars - Charming ...and much fun
I had the ebook I got as a freebie from MLR Press this last Christmas. Couldn't resist and added the new audiobook as well. — 8 hrs "light" M/M High School suspense narrated by Joel Leslie.
This was surprisingly enjoying
I mentioned in a update that this reminded me about the TV show Veronica Mars. I liked (addicted to be true..) that show (..and the heartbreaking cute romance there). I really liked to hear about Foxe snooping around dead bodies, meet weird people and him dreaming about a gorgeous, but often snappish, male hunk, too. A bit like Veronica - tough, cheeky and charming.
*********************************************************
Redlands, California, U.S.
Skyler Foxe is a young new English teacher (and former student) at James Polk High. Skyler is a gay cutie who loves literature, his teen-students and his lovely (mostly gay - but included a female police detective) friends. Then one evening he discover a dead, bloody body outside a nightclub. A boy who later turn out to be the principal's son. ~ Skyler can't resist and start his own murder investigation.
There is a new macho gorgeous, mouthwatering new assistant football coach (Keith Fletcher) in school as well. Could this mysterious (unfortunately probably straight..) eye-candy-guy be involved?
Foxe Tail was quite irresistible. A funny, lighthearted story with a big bunch of amusing character, like the friends in S.F.C. ("Skyler Fuck Club" with a Fuck Club credo) and our main character, Skyler Foxe, who you couldn't but start to love at once. Skyler is adorable gay'ish, very resourceful, friendly and just lovely sweet. The kind of character you want in a comedy suspense like this.
All in all, more of a fun snoop mystery novel than a traditional M/M romance.
*********************************************************
Audiobook and narrator
Joel Leslie was new for me and I guess you either like or not like his theatrical way of narration. I like his style —as in good old radio theater (we still has up here)— with different voices for all these characters. Quite impressing actually.
*********************************************************
Looking forward to the second part (in this three part series) to be published as an audiobook. I want more facts about dear Skyler's future lovelife and this hot, dark and hairy, footballs coach (aka biology teacher). It can't be but fun once again.
I LIKE - chatty men and hilarious dumb decisions
3.7 Stars - Charming ...and much fun
I had the ebook I got as a freebie from MLR Press this last Christmas. Couldn't resist and added the new audiobook as well. — 8 hrs "light" M/M High School suspense narrated by Joel Leslie.
“M/M romantic mystery series follows the teaching and unwitting sleuthing career of Skyler Foxe, high school English teacher.”
This was surprisingly enjoying
I mentioned in a update that this reminded me about the TV show Veronica Mars. I liked (addicted to be true..) that show (..and the heartbreaking cute romance there). I really liked to hear about Foxe snooping around dead bodies, meet weird people and him dreaming about a gorgeous, but often snappish, male hunk, too. A bit like Veronica - tough, cheeky and charming.
*********************************************************
Redlands, California, U.S.
Skyler Foxe is a young new English teacher (and former student) at James Polk High. Skyler is a gay cutie who loves literature, his teen-students and his lovely (mostly gay - but included a female police detective) friends. Then one evening he discover a dead, bloody body outside a nightclub. A boy who later turn out to be the principal's son. ~ Skyler can't resist and start his own murder investigation.
There is a new macho gorgeous, mouthwatering new assistant football coach (Keith Fletcher) in school as well. Could this mysterious (unfortunately probably straight..) eye-candy-guy be involved?
Foxe Tail was quite irresistible. A funny, lighthearted story with a big bunch of amusing character, like the friends in S.F.C. ("Skyler Fuck Club" with a Fuck Club credo) and our main character, Skyler Foxe, who you couldn't but start to love at once. Skyler is adorable gay'ish, very resourceful, friendly and just lovely sweet. The kind of character you want in a comedy suspense like this.
All in all, more of a fun snoop mystery novel than a traditional M/M romance.
*********************************************************
Audiobook and narrator
Joel Leslie was new for me and I guess you either like or not like his theatrical way of narration. I like his style —as in good old radio theater (we still has up here)— with different voices for all these characters. Quite impressing actually.
*********************************************************
Looking forward to the second part (in this three part series) to be published as an audiobook. I want more facts about dear Skyler's future lovelife and this hot, dark and hairy, footballs coach (aka biology teacher). It can't be but fun once again. I LIKE - chatty men and hilarious dumb decisions
November 29, 2015
Up to about 40% I was really liking this then it all got too much. Skylar and his fan-club S.F.C stopped being fun and became irritating and it was a push past their pouting to finish the book.
I love cosy mysteries and unlikely detectives, but what they generally have a connection to the corpse or case, some knowledge or insight that gives them a reason to get involved or simply an inquisitive mind. Skylar's connection is so nebulous I didn't buy it, he's just not the type to go detecting. The corpse was a corpse, never a person, the emotional impact of the plot is that low, it's completely lost in the babble that is Skylar and his friends.
Most such books rely on the police being incompetent at worst or distracted at best. Here best friend Sidney is a detective. Her introduction was promising, but she keeps turning up in her smart suit to scream, then goes away. Skylar couldn't survive a standard day without having her on speed-dial and she drops everything each time he calls, appearing within minutes. At one point she even appears to be reporting to him, sharing confidential details of a case that isn't even hers.
The book is simply a celebration of Skylar Foxe. Everyone loving him and telling him how adorable he is, how good he is in bed... His friends keep telling him to stop investigating but he's a petulant child with a new hobby. I'm too old and jaded to like him for the length of the book. Because he is playing, his behaviour endangers people and his detecting is largely pointless and more from last minute luck than cleverness. You can't convince me the police would have missed such a major piece of evidence, nor that they'd not have held onto it until the case was closed regardless.
In fact were the police investigating anything? It's not Sidney's case but we don't meet any other detective, only police are the ones called to protect Skylar, be eyed up by Skylar, report Skylar's car, rush to Skylar's rescue.
There's no romance though it's clearly being set up for the next book. Keith whose secret seems blatantly obvious. Skylar keeps remembering how attracted he is on seeing his perfect looks and perfect physique. Despite his behaviour being boorish and more inconsistent than me with PMT!
The book ends with a reminder of the puzzle threads that haven't been answered to insure readers will buy the next book. Problem is I don't care. A class starts with a 'Do we need to talk about this?' and that's it, it all just seems like petty posturing, nothing to get curious about.
If you like Skylar - a light happy party-boy with a liking for Shakespeare - and read it for him, you'll likely enjoy the book. I'm not so sure it'll suit mystery fans though. Best advise is don't take it seriously. Personally I'd prefer this was either a short light-hearted romance for Skylar (who seems happy with his tricks) or a more developed mystery. There just wasn't enough connection to characters or plot to keep my attention.
I love cosy mysteries and unlikely detectives, but what they generally have a connection to the corpse or case, some knowledge or insight that gives them a reason to get involved or simply an inquisitive mind. Skylar's connection is so nebulous I didn't buy it, he's just not the type to go detecting. The corpse was a corpse, never a person, the emotional impact of the plot is that low, it's completely lost in the babble that is Skylar and his friends.
Most such books rely on the police being incompetent at worst or distracted at best. Here best friend Sidney is a detective. Her introduction was promising, but she keeps turning up in her smart suit to scream, then goes away. Skylar couldn't survive a standard day without having her on speed-dial and she drops everything each time he calls, appearing within minutes. At one point she even appears to be reporting to him, sharing confidential details of a case that isn't even hers.
The book is simply a celebration of Skylar Foxe. Everyone loving him and telling him how adorable he is, how good he is in bed... His friends keep telling him to stop investigating but he's a petulant child with a new hobby. I'm too old and jaded to like him for the length of the book. Because he is playing, his behaviour endangers people and his detecting is largely pointless and more from last minute luck than cleverness. You can't convince me the police would have missed such a major piece of evidence, nor that they'd not have held onto it until the case was closed regardless.
In fact were the police investigating anything? It's not Sidney's case but we don't meet any other detective, only police are the ones called to protect Skylar, be eyed up by Skylar, report Skylar's car, rush to Skylar's rescue.
There's no romance though it's clearly being set up for the next book. Keith whose secret seems blatantly obvious. Skylar keeps remembering how attracted he is on seeing his perfect looks and perfect physique. Despite his behaviour being boorish and more inconsistent than me with PMT!
The book ends with a reminder of the puzzle threads that haven't been answered to insure readers will buy the next book. Problem is I don't care. A class starts with a 'Do we need to talk about this?' and that's it, it all just seems like petty posturing, nothing to get curious about.
If you like Skylar - a light happy party-boy with a liking for Shakespeare - and read it for him, you'll likely enjoy the book. I'm not so sure it'll suit mystery fans though. Best advise is don't take it seriously. Personally I'd prefer this was either a short light-hearted romance for Skylar (who seems happy with his tricks) or a more developed mystery. There just wasn't enough connection to characters or plot to keep my attention.
March 20, 2016
3.5 stars for an entertaining mystery that is a little low on the romance aspect
I was a bit relucant to read Foxe Tail, because I wasn't sure if it would be the right book for me. I'm usually not a bit fan of humor, but this story was highly entertaining and very funny at moment - not all that credible, but funny!
When Skyler Foxe find a body in the back alley of a gay club, he is about to turn into Sherlock Holmes. Investigating the murder with the help of his friends, he puts himself in the line of danger, but at the end he is able to follow all the important leads and puts them together nicely.
I loved reading the mystery in this story - it felt solide and well constructed. Some aspects stay unsolved in this part of the series and will play a role in the next part, which makes me look forward to read more about Foxe's next case. I also liked reading about Skyler's crazy bunch of friends and I look forward to get to know them better in the upcoming parts of the series.
Unfortunately, the book is a little lacking in the romance department. We get a random hook-up and a lot of (sexual) tension between Skyler and Keith, but close to 0% romance and smexy times. I really hope that the balance between mystery and romance will be different in the rest of the series.
And I have to say that I absolutely loved the storyline about Alex and Ryan! Let's hope that we will meet them again in this series.
I was a bit relucant to read Foxe Tail, because I wasn't sure if it would be the right book for me. I'm usually not a bit fan of humor, but this story was highly entertaining and very funny at moment - not all that credible, but funny!
When Skyler Foxe find a body in the back alley of a gay club, he is about to turn into Sherlock Holmes. Investigating the murder with the help of his friends, he puts himself in the line of danger, but at the end he is able to follow all the important leads and puts them together nicely.
I loved reading the mystery in this story - it felt solide and well constructed. Some aspects stay unsolved in this part of the series and will play a role in the next part, which makes me look forward to read more about Foxe's next case. I also liked reading about Skyler's crazy bunch of friends and I look forward to get to know them better in the upcoming parts of the series.
Unfortunately, the book is a little lacking in the romance department. We get a random hook-up and a lot of (sexual) tension between Skyler and Keith, but close to 0% romance and smexy times. I really hope that the balance between mystery and romance will be different in the rest of the series.
And I have to say that I absolutely loved the storyline about Alex and Ryan! Let's hope that we will meet them again in this series.
March 7, 2014
M/M Bingo
Round 8 - Week 6
"Book Title F"
**************************************************
So, I've been known to enjoy a zany, mad-capped, murder/comedy/smutfest in my day.
Let's see, there's A Matter of Time w/ Jory being nutty and everyone loving him. There's also Catch Me if You Can w/ Caesar being nutty and everyone loving him. And then my favorite of the bunch, First You Fall w/ Kevin being nutty and everyone loving him. I kinda liked 'em all.
So...you know...I've been there. Done that. I think that ship has sailed. And I'm not gonna go back to see which was actually written and published first. I just know that I've read this story line. So, when I'm on my fourth go-around, now with Skylar Foxe, a high school Lit teacher, who finds himself in the middle of some crazy scheme that involves murder, well...yeah, yeah...I know...he's nutty and everyone loves him. Old news.
The other problem is, while Jory (in the first books) actually was kinda adorbs, and Caesar and Kevin were both a bit over-the-top which made them looney in a lovable way, Skylar I just don't get. I'm not...interested...in his plight. I barely like his friends. I don't like the way he actually treats people. He gets himself involved in situations that he should KNOW BETTER than to do so. And...*personal pet peeve grumble*...he drinks and drives...and I just am NOT cool with that. (no, not just a beer...he actually describes himself as "buzzed"...NOT. OK.)
The mystery itself (the principal's son is found murdered outside of a "this is becoming gay" gay club) is fairly interesting and has some umph to it in the beginning. But it teeters towards the end and I already called the whodunnit. And there's a side something-weird-is-going-on-here plot at the high school, but I'm indifferent about it. And there's almost ZERO romance...(though one interesting hookup with a man who's done everything to his penis and more) The whole thing ends in a cliffhanger'ish of sorts...which aggravates me because I probably will have to read book 2 since I'm a sucker that way.
Maybe the series will pick up. Maybe I'll come to like Skylar more. Maybe I'll become engaged in his potential romance. But most likely, I'll be grouchy whilst reviewing book 2. And then really pissed at myself for buying, reading, and reviewing book 3. And so on and so on...
March 4, 2016
OK, that was just adorable and ridiculous and fun and I'm totally hooked now. I need to read more of Skylar Foxe and his shenanigans.
Off to find book two...
September 19, 2011
5 stars to the tenth power.
It's almost ridiculous how much I loved this book. It was pure entertainment. I'm not going to give a synopsis because almost everything that happens in the book is a surprise.
Skyler Foxe is one of the most adorable main characters I've come across in a while. He's a teacher at the same high school he attended as a teen and he loves his job. Skyler's got a group of friends he loves and he's happy. That's what I loved the most about Skyler; he's happy. It makes the tone of the book quite engaging.
The other thing that made this book come alive for me was the secondary characters. They were all so rounded out and not one of them came off as being a caricature or stereotypical. I loved Skyler's friends Philip, Jamie, Sid and Rodolfo. I especially adored Rodolfo. He's the Latin lover that has a lot going on. I want Rodolfo to have his own book.
The Mystery? FABULOUS. I didn't guess one thing but at the same time I was so caught up in the twists and turns. I was pretty delighted that I was finding out things right along with Skyler. It was fun. Usually I don't like mysteries but this one caught me like a fish on a hook.
Now, there's not much romance in this book. Actually, there's almost none. I had no problem with that. I was so taken with the characters that I didn't need romance to keep me glued to the pages. I laughed, I talked to the characters out loud. I went "Awwwwwww" and then I laughed some more.
I loved, loved, LOVED every minute of this book and, seriously, go read it now! :)
It's almost ridiculous how much I loved this book. It was pure entertainment. I'm not going to give a synopsis because almost everything that happens in the book is a surprise.
Skyler Foxe is one of the most adorable main characters I've come across in a while. He's a teacher at the same high school he attended as a teen and he loves his job. Skyler's got a group of friends he loves and he's happy. That's what I loved the most about Skyler; he's happy. It makes the tone of the book quite engaging.
The other thing that made this book come alive for me was the secondary characters. They were all so rounded out and not one of them came off as being a caricature or stereotypical. I loved Skyler's friends Philip, Jamie, Sid and Rodolfo. I especially adored Rodolfo. He's the Latin lover that has a lot going on. I want Rodolfo to have his own book.
The Mystery? FABULOUS. I didn't guess one thing but at the same time I was so caught up in the twists and turns. I was pretty delighted that I was finding out things right along with Skyler. It was fun. Usually I don't like mysteries but this one caught me like a fish on a hook.
Now, there's not much romance in this book. Actually, there's almost none. I had no problem with that. I was so taken with the characters that I didn't need romance to keep me glued to the pages. I laughed, I talked to the characters out loud. I went "Awwwwwww" and then I laughed some more.
I loved, loved, LOVED every minute of this book and, seriously, go read it now! :)
September 21, 2011
What I Loved:
◆The Skyler Fuck Club a.k.a S.F.C.- Jamie, Philip, Rodolfo and...well...Sydney isn't exactly a member of the club, but she's great, too.
◆All the great one-liners: Sorry, I'm kinda lazy and didn't highlight a single one.
◆Young love
What Scared Me:
◆The Viking with the monster piercings. Jeez, give a girl a heart attack why don't ya?!?!
What made me roll my eyes:
◆Sherlock Homo - Seriously! For a college graduate, Skyler really is too stupid to live. Ah, but I still love Skyler anyway.
What I hope to see in the next book:
◆Hot Man-Lovin'...that doesn't involve some random trick.
This book mostly focuses on the mystery and doesn't really have any romance, but overall, it was a fun read and I really enjoyed it. Plan to read Foxe Hunt asap.
◆The Skyler Fuck Club a.k.a S.F.C.- Jamie, Philip, Rodolfo and...well...Sydney isn't exactly a member of the club, but she's great, too.
◆All the great one-liners: Sorry, I'm kinda lazy and didn't highlight a single one.
◆Young love
What Scared Me:
◆The Viking with the monster piercings. Jeez, give a girl a heart attack why don't ya?!?!
What made me roll my eyes:
◆Sherlock Homo - Seriously! For a college graduate, Skyler really is too stupid to live. Ah, but I still love Skyler anyway.
What I hope to see in the next book:
◆Hot Man-Lovin'...that doesn't involve some random trick.
This book mostly focuses on the mystery and doesn't really have any romance, but overall, it was a fun read and I really enjoyed it. Plan to read Foxe Hunt asap.
September 3, 2016
3.5 stars
I have to be honest with you:
I would have probably put this book aside after the first two chapters because I'm not very patient person concerning my books.
If I am not enthralled by a book from the very first page, I don't struggle through the rest, I do often DNF.
BECAUSE I don't believe that a book could turn into a masterpiece with a great final spurt in the last quarter.
BUT it was recommended me by a person whose sense of humour I appreciate, a lot.
So, I hoped for something incredibly good coming and kept on reading.
And I don't regret it. I really glad I gave it a chance.
Now I know, you need to get used to the writing of Haley Walsh to understand her humour.
She has an unostentatious and cosy writing style.
I really enjoyed the story and her voice behind the line.
Witty and charming.
Foxe Tail is a slight gay mystery with emphasis on SLIGHT. In spite of 2 corps and one seriously injured person it is still a heart-warming comedy with Skyler Foxe, a young gay English Lit teacher, in the main role. But also the second characters are well and interesting written. My absolutely number one, apart from Skyler, is his straight girl friend Sidney, a police officer who unsuccessfully tries to keep Skyler away from the felony and has a marvellous skill to appear on the right place at the right time. I love all Skyler's friends out of his S.F.C, Skyler Fuck Club - Philip, Jamie and Rodolfo.
They all together is fun pure.
I'll read the next book, no doubt!
Not only because a lot of questions remained unanswered, and because there is a small cliffhanger at the end of the first book-very clever, Mrs. Walsh!- but also because of the romance part!!! Keith Fletcher, a new biology teacher and football coach, is full of secrets and I eager to know them. Besides I want to see them together. IN BED. And not just FIRST TIME kissing in the last chapter!
YEAH, clever, very clever, Mrs. Walsh!
All in all, Foxe Tail was an enjoyable read with a sweet SATISFACTION effect.
It is one of this I-FEEL-ME-GOOD books, that won't turn your inner emotion's world upside down, but that brings a little sunshine in a rainy day, and maybe put a wide grin on your face.
Don't see it too seriously and you'll enjoy it. I did. Honestly.
May 15, 2011
Skyler Foxe is a great character. This book is the first of three planned in the series. The cast of supporting characters is varied, and the banter is amusing. I was a little annoyed by Skyler's tendency to take detecting into his own hands to the point of deceiving the police (eg. keeping the cell phone). But I'll no doubt be reading this one again, and look forward to Skyler's future adventures.
January 2, 2016
I will be the first to admit I love a good cozy mystery and that I am an unabashed Jessica Fletcher fan. So when I saw this M/M cozy mystery come up in audio I was all over it like it was a cheeseburger and I was starving.
So please imagine my glee when I not only get the amateur sleuth solving what a whole police department can't type mystery, but I also get a fantastic new narrator, Joel Leslie, giving me a totally entertaining performance with major kudos for the narration and character voices.
Note there are actually two mysteries happening here: The main mystery involving MURDER and then a something-weird-is-happening side mystery at the high school that ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and apparently plays into Book #2 Foxe Hunt.
Onto MURDER! When Skyler Foxe and his best friend, Detective Sydney Sheldon, go to a club one night the last thing Skyler expects is to find a dead body. Then, when Skyler finds out the dead guy is his school principal's son he decides to pursue his own investigation.
This definitely has some of the elements I love about cozy mysteries, but it has other parts that had me scratching my head. The unlikely amateur detective, in this case high school English teacher Skyler, has only the most tenuous connection to the case, which made me wonder why he was involved and delving deeper into the mystery regardless of the danger that keeps coming his way. I just didn't buy Skyler's connection to Wesley Sherman, Jr. or his reasoning behind his pursuit of the sleuthing. Also, there were quite a few moments where I was listening with eyebrows raised as to how a clue or situation passed Skyler's clumsy investigative notice. Let's just say this: Jessica Fletcher or Sherlock Holmes he is not.
However, Walsh writes with humor and introduces enough interesting characters (May I please have some more of Jim the Viking and his many, many piercings, pretty please?) to keep me fascinated. It's hooked me enough that I'll definitely come back for more in Book #2 Foxe Hunt.
Bottom Line: I was absolutely, thoroughly and completely entertained by Joel Leslie's narration. He reminds me of the old-timey radio dramas in all the grand almost-over-the-top best ways. More than anything else I'll come back just to listen to Joel some more.
Review Copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
October 11, 2010
Twenty-five year old Skyler Foxe is an English Lit teacher at James Polk High, Redlands, CA. Of course, it is challenging to keep the attention of tenth graders to talk about Julius Caesar, but hey, Skyler loves literature and his students. He also love his roundabout friends: his straight female detective Sidney Feldman; Jamie, a high-spirited webpage designer; Philip, the straight-looking coffee house owner; and Rodolfo, the Ecuador Antonio Banderas-look alike.
Then one night, when he is out with Sidney in a new dance club, Skyler stumbles into a body, a very dead body, who turns out to be his principal's son. Although his friends warn him not to get involved, Skyler has it in his mind to start his own little investigation. He does find the body, somehow he feels responsible. Of course soon, his little investigation brings him to other shady things -- and he wonders if the murder has a connection to his own school.
--
Oh, my God, a new M/M cozy mystery featuring an English Lit teacher!!! When I start reading, I already feel like I'm going to like this very much. Especially when Skyler is trying to grab his students attention by picturing Julius Caesar as a character in Xbox (grin). Then I meet his group of friends (who is dearly named themselves as Skyler Fuck Club, or S.F.C, since the guys -- except Sidney, 'cause well she's a girl -- starts their relationship with Skyler as their lovers!) and it's just a delight. They are all entertaining characters and you can't help but smile and giggling everytime they have their conversation.
There are times that I'm annoyed with Skyler when he is NOT following his friends' advice regarding the investigation, but at the same time, Skyler is such a good character to be around with, I just can't stay mad long. I mean, how can I stay mad with a man who "never met a book he didn’t like and since he never gave them away, they tended to accumulate everywhere, including stacks in the corners of the bedroom floor.. Gosh, a man of my own heart, if he's straight of course. Not to mention, he really cares for his student. There is this one subplot, regarding Skyler and a troubled boy named Alex Ryan, that just warms my heart. Especially when I learn why Alex behaves the way he does (let's just say that it involves Alex, and a tall-lanky Hispanic student named Rick, and well, a first kiss :p)
As for the mystery, this is the first book on an ongoing mystery. I think I read that Ms. Walsh is already on her fourth book, though I don't know when the sequel will be released. SO, I must warn you that there are still A LOT OF THINGS that have yet resolved by the end of the book. While the murder of the principle's son is solved, BUT, there are things namely what has been going on in the school, that involves the macho football couch, the gorgeous biology teacher slash football coach assistant who happens to be Skyler's latest crush, and a math teacher who has been pushed down the stair, that I think will be continued in the next book. In fact, I have my own theory about the biology teacher, Keith Fletcher. I think he is an undercover cop. But that's my theory :p.
One thing for sure, I will DEFINITELY join the bandwagon for this mystery. Hey, it's cozy mystery that features gay teacher! Of course I'm there!! Hurry up and tell us when the next book is out, Ms. Walsh!!!
PS: This is mainly a MYSTERY rather than ROMANCE. So don't expect romance ... maybe in the next book, but definitely not here. Oh, except if you count that student I mentioned above *grin*
Then one night, when he is out with Sidney in a new dance club, Skyler stumbles into a body, a very dead body, who turns out to be his principal's son. Although his friends warn him not to get involved, Skyler has it in his mind to start his own little investigation. He does find the body, somehow he feels responsible. Of course soon, his little investigation brings him to other shady things -- and he wonders if the murder has a connection to his own school.
--
Oh, my God, a new M/M cozy mystery featuring an English Lit teacher!!! When I start reading, I already feel like I'm going to like this very much. Especially when Skyler is trying to grab his students attention by picturing Julius Caesar as a character in Xbox (grin). Then I meet his group of friends (who is dearly named themselves as Skyler Fuck Club, or S.F.C, since the guys -- except Sidney, 'cause well she's a girl -- starts their relationship with Skyler as their lovers!) and it's just a delight. They are all entertaining characters and you can't help but smile and giggling everytime they have their conversation.
There are times that I'm annoyed with Skyler when he is NOT following his friends' advice regarding the investigation, but at the same time, Skyler is such a good character to be around with, I just can't stay mad long. I mean, how can I stay mad with a man who "never met a book he didn’t like and since he never gave them away, they tended to accumulate everywhere, including stacks in the corners of the bedroom floor.. Gosh, a man of my own heart, if he's straight of course. Not to mention, he really cares for his student. There is this one subplot, regarding Skyler and a troubled boy named Alex Ryan, that just warms my heart. Especially when I learn why Alex behaves the way he does (let's just say that it involves Alex, and a tall-lanky Hispanic student named Rick, and well, a first kiss :p)
As for the mystery, this is the first book on an ongoing mystery. I think I read that Ms. Walsh is already on her fourth book, though I don't know when the sequel will be released. SO, I must warn you that there are still A LOT OF THINGS that have yet resolved by the end of the book. While the murder of the principle's son is solved, BUT, there are things namely what has been going on in the school, that involves the macho football couch, the gorgeous biology teacher slash football coach assistant who happens to be Skyler's latest crush, and a math teacher who has been pushed down the stair, that I think will be continued in the next book. In fact, I have my own theory about the biology teacher, Keith Fletcher. I think he is an undercover cop. But that's my theory :p.
One thing for sure, I will DEFINITELY join the bandwagon for this mystery. Hey, it's cozy mystery that features gay teacher! Of course I'm there!! Hurry up and tell us when the next book is out, Ms. Walsh!!!
PS: This is mainly a MYSTERY rather than ROMANCE. So don't expect romance ... maybe in the next book, but definitely not here. Oh, except if you count that student I mentioned above *grin*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2013
Once again I'm in the minority, but the characters and plot failed to engage me. It wasn't bad, but nothing about it stood out to me either. Skyler wasn't interesting, or personable enough to hold my attention. I don't think I'll read any more of these. Overall it was pretty meh.
December 11, 2012
I loved this book, it was funny and interesting and really cheesy all rolled into one. The funny thing is I am not a cheesy person, but when a good book comes out, I love cheesy. Its really funny but I guess in a lot of ways I am an old romantic. Skyler is a really fun character, I loved him and was annoyed with him some times. He is a different MC. But that is part of his charm.
Its funny how much as a character Skyler frustrates me. He was always going to be an up and down character for me. The story itself is really good. I love mystery and this satisfied a craving I have for mystery in a book. It was just the right amount and the whole thing with a gay teacher who cannot help but investigate is funny to me and quite enjoyable.
One thing I love about this book is the humor. This book is funny as hell in places and I love the way such a normally serious book can do humor easily. Its a great contrast. I have always loved books that can both entertain me and keep me guessing at the same time. Not many books can but this did.
Haley Walsh has written a really good beginning to an amazing series. I think she is really great at this and is a great author. This book is a must read for me. :)
Its funny how much as a character Skyler frustrates me. He was always going to be an up and down character for me. The story itself is really good. I love mystery and this satisfied a craving I have for mystery in a book. It was just the right amount and the whole thing with a gay teacher who cannot help but investigate is funny to me and quite enjoyable.
One thing I love about this book is the humor. This book is funny as hell in places and I love the way such a normally serious book can do humor easily. Its a great contrast. I have always loved books that can both entertain me and keep me guessing at the same time. Not many books can but this did.
Haley Walsh has written a really good beginning to an amazing series. I think she is really great at this and is a great author. This book is a must read for me. :)
Read
October 8, 2022DNF
November 18, 2017
Do you ever wonder if you might have read a book earlier if you would have enjoyed it more?
I think this silly story is one of those for me.
Maybe two years ago this would have made more of an impression on me?
I believe so.
I love quirky.
I don't mind total sap.
Over-the-top gushiness is fine with me.
There are times when you need a MC that doesn't take themselves too seriously. Skyler Foxe certainly hits that mark.
But!
This felt too familiar...too similar...too something.
I kept thinking, 'This is JUST like First You Fall' and I liked Kevvy, so why don't I like Skyler?
I don't know, but I didn't care much for him. Everybody LOVED Skyler, so I should have as well, but I found him shallow and selfish. This is always problematic when it's a character driven story. Your adoration for Skyler is pivotal in your entertainment of the story because the plot was well...flaky.
The murder mystery was...ridonkulous. I can suspend all belief and reasoning if I'm hooked on the MC's. Since the ditzy English teacher and I didn't mesh well, I couldn't get into it.
The Skyler F*ck Club was okkkay, but the fact that he didn't realize he was a slut was annoying. You don't trick on a regular basis, have screwed every single one of your same sex friends and NOT know you are a player.
And for a teacher who was in the closet, he certainly flaunts his hidden sexuality with obnoxious discretion. The clubbing scenes felt off. And the disregard for responsible drinking (and driving) did not sit well with me.
However...
The writing was excellent and it was polished nicely. I loved the students. My favorite scenes included two teenagers discovering young love.
I did laugh, but I rolled my eyes more.
I did smile, but I huffed in equal measure.
And...and...AND!
I can't believe the cliffy ending. The romance started on the final page!?
If it's a romance, this is a big peeve of mine.
Do I truly care what outrageous adventures are to come? Nahhh, I think I'll grab a hall pass and play hooky on this one. But that's just me...you might think it's top of the class!
*3 strong-C-from-me stars*
I think this silly story is one of those for me.
Maybe two years ago this would have made more of an impression on me?
I believe so.
I love quirky.
I don't mind total sap.
Over-the-top gushiness is fine with me.
There are times when you need a MC that doesn't take themselves too seriously. Skyler Foxe certainly hits that mark.
But!
This felt too familiar...too similar...too something.
I kept thinking, 'This is JUST like First You Fall' and I liked Kevvy, so why don't I like Skyler?
I don't know, but I didn't care much for him. Everybody LOVED Skyler, so I should have as well, but I found him shallow and selfish. This is always problematic when it's a character driven story. Your adoration for Skyler is pivotal in your entertainment of the story because the plot was well...flaky.
The murder mystery was...ridonkulous. I can suspend all belief and reasoning if I'm hooked on the MC's. Since the ditzy English teacher and I didn't mesh well, I couldn't get into it.
The Skyler F*ck Club was okkkay, but the fact that he didn't realize he was a slut was annoying. You don't trick on a regular basis, have screwed every single one of your same sex friends and NOT know you are a player.
And for a teacher who was in the closet, he certainly flaunts his hidden sexuality with obnoxious discretion. The clubbing scenes felt off. And the disregard for responsible drinking (and driving) did not sit well with me.
However...
The writing was excellent and it was polished nicely. I loved the students. My favorite scenes included two teenagers discovering young love.
I did laugh, but I rolled my eyes more.
I did smile, but I huffed in equal measure.
And...and...AND!
I can't believe the cliffy ending. The romance started on the final page!?
If it's a romance, this is a big peeve of mine.
Do I truly care what outrageous adventures are to come? Nahhh, I think I'll grab a hall pass and play hooky on this one. But that's just me...you might think it's top of the class!
*3 strong-C-from-me stars*
dnf
May 12, 2022I don't really remember reading this back in 2014, but apparently I enjoyed the ebook four stars worth. I recently purchased the audiobook (it was recommended by a friend) because one of my favorite MM narrators performed it, Joel Leslie Froomkin. I started it this afternoon while on a bike ride. I listened to the story for approx 30 min, stopped and switched to another story. When I got home I DNFd and returned it. No idea what I found interesting about the story, but I suspect it probably was Mr. Froomkin's less-than-stellar performance. It felt utterly insipid... the writing, the characters, the narration.
What a shock as Joel has deftly narrated several of my all-time favorite MM stores: Hither Page, Salt Magic Skin Magic, Fae Out of water trilogy, Hemovore, Lord Mouse, Greynox to the Sea, Romancing the Ugly Duckling, The Bureau series. He's a favorite narrator!
I'm at a loss. It was one of his earliest performances so maybe that explains it. That said, it simply didn't work for me.
What a shock as Joel has deftly narrated several of my all-time favorite MM stores: Hither Page, Salt Magic Skin Magic, Fae Out of water trilogy, Hemovore, Lord Mouse, Greynox to the Sea, Romancing the Ugly Duckling, The Bureau series. He's a favorite narrator!
I'm at a loss. It was one of his earliest performances so maybe that explains it. That said, it simply didn't work for me.
dnf
March 25, 2017DNF at 30%
I'm bored out of my mind with all these unnecessary details.
I'm also having a lot of trouble suspending my disbelief with this one. I'm supposed to believe the police searched the entire room, but forgot about a phone lying in the middle of the bed? And this phone hasn't been charged in days but still has battery? And these same police officers also leave the murdered guy's laptop, so Skyler and his nerd friend can hack into it and find out what the dude was into?
No can't do.
I'm bored out of my mind with all these unnecessary details.
I'm also having a lot of trouble suspending my disbelief with this one. I'm supposed to believe the police searched the entire room, but forgot about a phone lying in the middle of the bed? And this phone hasn't been charged in days but still has battery? And these same police officers also leave the murdered guy's laptop, so Skyler and his nerd friend can hack into it and find out what the dude was into?
No can't do.
February 1, 2013
~I AM GOING BAT SHIT CRAZY FOR THIS SERIES!~
4.5
I was expecting to like Foxe Tail but man I didn’t expect to love it, and guys do I love it. For the first time in a long time I am tempted to read books in a series back to back (my schedule won’t allow it) but I am thinking of breaking all the rules and buying them all and reading it over wine.
Skyler Foxe has fulfilled his dream of being a teacher in the town he grew up. He got a job at his old high school (which is like a dream come true) so life couldn’t be more perfect. Too bad he’s gay and has to keep that part of his life a secret, and too bad there’s a flamboyant trick outside beating the shit out of his car with a baseball bat. If that doesn’t out him, then he’s one lucky SOB. Needing a little time to unwind (and perhaps a nice hard fuc…) you get my point. Skyler decides to hit the club with his best friend Sidney who happens to be detective. While getting some fresh air Skyler discovers the body of young man, and opens a whole can of worms.
Suddenly Skyler is caught in the midst of murder investigation, and he wants to figure out who that killer is. Because said murderer has made it personal by shooting at him and his friends. As much as Skyler thinks he’s some sort of Sherlock Holmes, he needs to realize that he’s more the Pink Panther type of guy, and should leave it all up to the professionals but Skyler isn’t known for his listening skills or being smart skills. Factor in the weirdness going on at the high school and he has crazy coming from both sides.
There is just so much to love about this book, just so freaking much. I think my top is Skyler’s friends the S.F.C (The Skyler Fuck Club) his previous lovers turned best-friends even the crazy car bashing trick. They all have so much personality and never once felt like character filler. The budding romance between two of Skylers students was so awesomely sweet. I think he really shined as a teacher/person with the handling of his students. Just so much happening, this means there is so much to love.
Foxe Tail can’t be called a romance yet, but hopefully that is where the series is leading in the future. Skyler is getting his slut on just a little too much; then again he’s young and hasn’t found the one person he wants to be with. For a teacher, he never seems to take his work home with him, dude clubs just a little too much. I believe those things sort of irked me but not enough for me to dislike his character.
Overall, I really loved reading this book. It was so entertaining, fun, and the writing is awesome. I can’t wait to read more.
Should You Read It? One word: YES, so freaking awesome and so much fun. I am totally surprised I didn’t come across this one on my own, there should be a lot of buzz about this series, cus it just became crack for my soul.
4.5
I was expecting to like Foxe Tail but man I didn’t expect to love it, and guys do I love it. For the first time in a long time I am tempted to read books in a series back to back (my schedule won’t allow it) but I am thinking of breaking all the rules and buying them all and reading it over wine.
Skyler Foxe has fulfilled his dream of being a teacher in the town he grew up. He got a job at his old high school (which is like a dream come true) so life couldn’t be more perfect. Too bad he’s gay and has to keep that part of his life a secret, and too bad there’s a flamboyant trick outside beating the shit out of his car with a baseball bat. If that doesn’t out him, then he’s one lucky SOB. Needing a little time to unwind (and perhaps a nice hard fuc…) you get my point. Skyler decides to hit the club with his best friend Sidney who happens to be detective. While getting some fresh air Skyler discovers the body of young man, and opens a whole can of worms.
Suddenly Skyler is caught in the midst of murder investigation, and he wants to figure out who that killer is. Because said murderer has made it personal by shooting at him and his friends. As much as Skyler thinks he’s some sort of Sherlock Holmes, he needs to realize that he’s more the Pink Panther type of guy, and should leave it all up to the professionals but Skyler isn’t known for his listening skills or being smart skills. Factor in the weirdness going on at the high school and he has crazy coming from both sides.
There is just so much to love about this book, just so freaking much. I think my top is Skyler’s friends the S.F.C (The Skyler Fuck Club) his previous lovers turned best-friends even the crazy car bashing trick. They all have so much personality and never once felt like character filler. The budding romance between two of Skylers students was so awesomely sweet. I think he really shined as a teacher/person with the handling of his students. Just so much happening, this means there is so much to love.
Foxe Tail can’t be called a romance yet, but hopefully that is where the series is leading in the future. Skyler is getting his slut on just a little too much; then again he’s young and hasn’t found the one person he wants to be with. For a teacher, he never seems to take his work home with him, dude clubs just a little too much. I believe those things sort of irked me but not enough for me to dislike his character.
Overall, I really loved reading this book. It was so entertaining, fun, and the writing is awesome. I can’t wait to read more.
Should You Read It? One word: YES, so freaking awesome and so much fun. I am totally surprised I didn’t come across this one on my own, there should be a lot of buzz about this series, cus it just became crack for my soul.
February 15, 2014
It's difficult to find a mystery with gay characters in which the mystery isn't completely buried beneath the romance/sex scenes or the gay aspect isn't nearly non-existent. The former can be fun, but generally leave me wanting more plot. The latter are often good mysteries, but the detective is only vaguely gay -- he claims to be and has a boyfriend we never see, or is only in the story briefly.
Foxe Tail, by Haley Walsh, is a nice middle ground. There is no doubt that Foxe and his friends are gay. They go out clubbing, and he met most of them by having sex with them first. Now they form a "club" of guys who slept with Foxe but are now just friends. As Foxe himself starts to realize, he's just a bit on the slutty side. Personally, I loathe clubbing, so those scenes didn't appeal to me much, but they weren't excessive, and always advanced the plot.
Fortunately, Foxe also has a day job as a high school teacher. The scenes with the most heart in the novel involve his attempts to help a student bully get his act together. The end result isn't terribly surprising, but very sweet. There is also another teacher Foxe is strongly attracted to, but has conflicts with. Again, the resolution of the conflict isn't really a surprise, but it's nice. There isn't much romance in the book, though there is some on a back burner, and only one sex scene (which is explicit). But there is no doubt that our detective is gay.
And the mystery is good. I didn't figure it out ahead of time, which I liked. Especially since the pieces fell into place well and it made sense in retrospect. Overall, I'd say the story is very successful on a number of levels. The writing is also excellent. So I'd definitely recommend the novel to MM readers who enjoy mysteries!
Foxe Tail, by Haley Walsh, is a nice middle ground. There is no doubt that Foxe and his friends are gay. They go out clubbing, and he met most of them by having sex with them first. Now they form a "club" of guys who slept with Foxe but are now just friends. As Foxe himself starts to realize, he's just a bit on the slutty side. Personally, I loathe clubbing, so those scenes didn't appeal to me much, but they weren't excessive, and always advanced the plot.
Fortunately, Foxe also has a day job as a high school teacher. The scenes with the most heart in the novel involve his attempts to help a student bully get his act together. The end result isn't terribly surprising, but very sweet. There is also another teacher Foxe is strongly attracted to, but has conflicts with. Again, the resolution of the conflict isn't really a surprise, but it's nice. There isn't much romance in the book, though there is some on a back burner, and only one sex scene (which is explicit). But there is no doubt that our detective is gay.
And the mystery is good. I didn't figure it out ahead of time, which I liked. Especially since the pieces fell into place well and it made sense in retrospect. Overall, I'd say the story is very successful on a number of levels. The writing is also excellent. So I'd definitely recommend the novel to MM readers who enjoy mysteries!
December 4, 2010
Good m/m mystery about a young high school English teacher who stumbles across a dead body in the alley outside of a club. Be aware that this is first book in a trilogy and lots of things are left open at the end.
July 25, 2016
***Audiobook*** I quite enjoyed Skyler and his group of friends. I loved the SFC! Excellent narration. I will definitely continue on with this series.
October 8, 2013
I think I read a different book. Maybe I slipped into an alternate reality? I didn't find Skyler adorable or cute. I hated him. And pretty much every other character.
So I really think I must have read a different book, because everyone else in the world seemed to love this book and Skyler. *shudder* I'm tempted to re-read it to see how I feel on a second go-round, but I have such bad memories from the first time that I am just not sure I can do it.
So I really think I must have read a different book, because everyone else in the world seemed to love this book and Skyler. *shudder* I'm tempted to re-read it to see how I feel on a second go-round, but I have such bad memories from the first time that I am just not sure I can do it.
May 1, 2015
3 hanging off a cliff stars
So. Yeah. That happened. The story started off great, moved easily and kept me interested. Then sometime after 40% I lost interest. I think it had to do with the TSTL moments Skylar was having. Anyway, I got over it and the action started to pick up again. I was enjoying myself and then “to be continued.” So not my thing. I think that more than anything took this from an “almost 4 stars” to 3 stars. Not cool.
So. Yeah. That happened. The story started off great, moved easily and kept me interested. Then sometime after 40% I lost interest. I think it had to do with the TSTL moments Skylar was having. Anyway, I got over it and the action started to pick up again. I was enjoying myself and then “to be continued.” So not my thing. I think that more than anything took this from an “almost 4 stars” to 3 stars. Not cool.
January 30, 2014
Upped my rating as re-reading these in preparation for getting into the 4th installment Foxe Fire made me realize how fun these books are and how utterlying charming Skylar, Keith and the rest of the SFC are!
July 5, 2016
Gawd! I love this! Why did it take me so long to get on board? I started listening to this, and before the audiobook ended, I bought the five others. I luv luv luv Skyler, Keith, and the gang!
Thank you, Ms. Walsh for this entertaining series. I'm listening to book 3 and I'm already panicking that it will all soon end. *sigh*
Great REAL mystery. Endearing and interesting characters. Lovely romance. Serious character growth. Superb narration.
Highly recommended!
Thank you, Ms. Walsh for this entertaining series. I'm listening to book 3 and I'm already panicking that it will all soon end. *sigh*
Great REAL mystery. Endearing and interesting characters. Lovely romance. Serious character growth. Superb narration.
Highly recommended!
February 2, 2014
4.5 stars
Wonderful read all around. In the end it slowed down a bit, but I'm glad that the following books are already released. I'm not a fan of open ends and so I just move on to book #2:)
Wonderful read all around. In the end it slowed down a bit, but I'm glad that the following books are already released. I'm not a fan of open ends and so I just move on to book #2:)
September 12, 2016
*NOTE: I DNF'D THIS AT 26%*
I'm writing a review, only to explain why I DNF'd it. I didn't go any further in my reading, so I can't comment on what came after 26%.
.
.
.
.
Cover – Meh. Okay.
POV – 3rd person, 1 character
Would I read it again – No.
Genre – LGBT, Crime, Contemporary
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
WARNING! WARNING! SARCASM AHEAD.
I've seen a lot of rave reviews about this series, which encouraged me to read it. However, I feel like I'm some kind of anomaly, because I didn't get it. At all.
Within two chapters, I could see that I wasn't going to like it. For me, Skyler was narcissistic, racist and sexist. I'm saying that it's Skyler, but to be quite honest, I'm not sure if it's the “character” or the author's opinions, because they were littered throughout the story, the character's words and actions, as well as the side characters thoughts and actions. Because of that, it's hard to tell “who” is responsible for the parts that I hated most.
I'm going to bullet point and use quotes to explain what's wrong:
The Writing:
Contradictory - “He wasn't much older than they were.” Yet, the very next sentence says that there are 10 years between him and his students.
Strange word choices -
“Skyler couldn't stop the usual perusal of the nearly six foot tall cop in his tight black shirt and trousers.” ← So, either it's usual because he does it all the time, because he knows the guy (so why introduce himself in the next paragraph?) or he's just so slutty that he checks out every cop in a uniform?
“Quit this tricking shit.” which doesn't work for me. Trick is a word that implies being an escort of hooker, not regularly hooking up with one night stands.
“She made a moue and pulled him into her arms.” ← Or, you could just say pout. Because, really? You don't need to tell us that it's to convey annoyance or distaste, because that should be obvious in the showing of the characters actions.
Klatches? No idea what that is, but apparently it's an American thing.
Racist:
“Crazy, crazy bastard. That was the last time he picked up a foreigner.” Seriously? He's blaming a criminal incident on Rodolfo being foreign.
“You do know you're not a black man, right?” What has listening to Motown music got to do with a person's race/colour? Telling someone that they can't enjoy Motown music because they're not black is so ridiculously racist.
“A tall wiry black man with a colorful knit Rasta cap fussed with his apron behind the counter. Skyler walked up to him and smiled. “Hi, Cashmere.
“Skyler,” said the man with a buttery Jamaican accent.
[…]
“[...] ya nuh see?”
“He always wondered if his name really was Cashmere Funk. It sounded more like a stripper's name. Or a new line of sweaters.”
“Takes a stout heart, laddie.”
Sexist:
“She smelled like Herbal Essence shampoo. He liked that about her. It was something a teenager might use,” ← So, only teenagers are allowed to smell of shampoo or use Herbal Essence? That's ridiculous.
“She was attractive in an athletic sort of way and was the girls' PE teacher and volleyball coach.” ← I don't even have to say what's wrong with that.
“I thought I was picking something cool.” “For a gay man or a teenaged girl.” ← Since when has a VW Bug been for gay men or teen girls, only?
“Skyler pulled into a place next to a black Viagra-type truck, the kind too big for itself. The Ford Compensator, as Jamie liked to call them. He got out of his car the same time Keith Fletcher leapt out of the truck.
Truck. Hetero, he lamented.”
Clueless:
In terms of the crime, no one in the story has any idea what they're doing. Sidney, the supposed Detective, contaminates her gloves at a crime scene; the cops miss VITAL evidence at the victim's home, leaving behind valuable clues that they allow the parents to hand out to anyone, willy nilly. Then they, miraculously, wind up in the hands of nosy Skyler. Oh, and did I mention that Detective Airhead took Skyler to a DEATH NOTIFICATION? Seriously? And, I guess if she did that, it's only natural that Skyler was allowed to accompany her to the MORGUE where the father made the identification. Because that's totally normal.
~
Characters:
For me, Skyler was arrogant, insipid, narcissistic and incredulous. Rude, egotistical, selfish and vain. He whines so much in two chapters that I quite happily would have stopped reading here. He's also really slutty. And apparently everyone has to bear their soul to him if they've known him up to a month, because it seems that it's not normal otherwise. Every time he so much as sniffs a male presence in the room, there's a long winded comment about how virile or attractive or completely droolworthy they are.
Sidney is the cop without a clue. She's also the token fag-hag female, who is more butch than the men and a complete air head at the same time. Jamie is your token, quintessential gay man, flouncy, tech geek and slutty. Philip is the only decent, serious character, while being a trained lawyer and barista, as well as really weird. Rodolfo is made to appear like a crazy stalker, weirdo freak. Then constantly made fun of for being “foreign”. Keith is just a little weird and creepy, but really judgy.
But isn't it so handy that Skyler, the wannabe Miss Marple, just so happens to have old flames, best friends who are useful to him? A detective, lawyer, a barista (because coffee is fuel), a hacker/tech guy, a sports coach who studies biology and Rodolfo, who is no doubt just there for eye candy.
(handy for a guy who wants to investigate crime)– lawyer, serious, weird.
Oh, and all of this ^ is only from the first twenty percent.
~
If I could sum up everything I've read so far, it would be real easy – Skyler is a horrible main character; a judgy, vain, egotistical bitch, who digs his nose in where it isn't wanted and is somehow praised for it. The crime is laughable, ridiculous and insipid. There is NO knowledge of how police or crime scenes work, in this story (I know, because I studied it and have a cop in the family). There's intolerance towards race, sex, religion – just about everything you could ever want to NOT see insulted and degraded actually is. So, thumbs up there!
If you need to see what else pissed me off in the very small 26% that I read, I'll leave you with these quotes, which basically speak for themselves:
“God, he was gorgeous. Why did he have to be a such a lunatic?”
“The doorbell rang. He glanced at Rodolfo.
“Don't expect me to get it. I'm a guest here.”
Skyler rolled his eyes.”
“Skyler was afraid that this was going to develop into one hell of a vicious slap fight.”
“The Fuck Club, hon. Or S.F.C. for short. Skyler's best friends – us – have all started out by being his lovers. We were hook-ups. And then we weren't. And then we became friends. It's just like a move on Lifetime.”
I'm writing a review, only to explain why I DNF'd it. I didn't go any further in my reading, so I can't comment on what came after 26%.
.
.
.
.
Cover – Meh. Okay.
POV – 3rd person, 1 character
Would I read it again – No.
Genre – LGBT, Crime, Contemporary
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
WARNING! WARNING! SARCASM AHEAD.
I've seen a lot of rave reviews about this series, which encouraged me to read it. However, I feel like I'm some kind of anomaly, because I didn't get it. At all.
Within two chapters, I could see that I wasn't going to like it. For me, Skyler was narcissistic, racist and sexist. I'm saying that it's Skyler, but to be quite honest, I'm not sure if it's the “character” or the author's opinions, because they were littered throughout the story, the character's words and actions, as well as the side characters thoughts and actions. Because of that, it's hard to tell “who” is responsible for the parts that I hated most.
I'm going to bullet point and use quotes to explain what's wrong:
The Writing:
Contradictory - “He wasn't much older than they were.” Yet, the very next sentence says that there are 10 years between him and his students.
Strange word choices -
“Skyler couldn't stop the usual perusal of the nearly six foot tall cop in his tight black shirt and trousers.” ← So, either it's usual because he does it all the time, because he knows the guy (so why introduce himself in the next paragraph?) or he's just so slutty that he checks out every cop in a uniform?
“Quit this tricking shit.” which doesn't work for me. Trick is a word that implies being an escort of hooker, not regularly hooking up with one night stands.
“She made a moue and pulled him into her arms.” ← Or, you could just say pout. Because, really? You don't need to tell us that it's to convey annoyance or distaste, because that should be obvious in the showing of the characters actions.
Klatches? No idea what that is, but apparently it's an American thing.
Racist:
“Crazy, crazy bastard. That was the last time he picked up a foreigner.” Seriously? He's blaming a criminal incident on Rodolfo being foreign.
“You do know you're not a black man, right?” What has listening to Motown music got to do with a person's race/colour? Telling someone that they can't enjoy Motown music because they're not black is so ridiculously racist.
“A tall wiry black man with a colorful knit Rasta cap fussed with his apron behind the counter. Skyler walked up to him and smiled. “Hi, Cashmere.
“Skyler,” said the man with a buttery Jamaican accent.
[…]
“[...] ya nuh see?”
“He always wondered if his name really was Cashmere Funk. It sounded more like a stripper's name. Or a new line of sweaters.”
“Takes a stout heart, laddie.”
Sexist:
“She smelled like Herbal Essence shampoo. He liked that about her. It was something a teenager might use,” ← So, only teenagers are allowed to smell of shampoo or use Herbal Essence? That's ridiculous.
“She was attractive in an athletic sort of way and was the girls' PE teacher and volleyball coach.” ← I don't even have to say what's wrong with that.
“I thought I was picking something cool.” “For a gay man or a teenaged girl.” ← Since when has a VW Bug been for gay men or teen girls, only?
“Skyler pulled into a place next to a black Viagra-type truck, the kind too big for itself. The Ford Compensator, as Jamie liked to call them. He got out of his car the same time Keith Fletcher leapt out of the truck.
Truck. Hetero, he lamented.”
Clueless:
In terms of the crime, no one in the story has any idea what they're doing. Sidney, the supposed Detective, contaminates her gloves at a crime scene; the cops miss VITAL evidence at the victim's home, leaving behind valuable clues that they allow the parents to hand out to anyone, willy nilly. Then they, miraculously, wind up in the hands of nosy Skyler. Oh, and did I mention that Detective Airhead took Skyler to a DEATH NOTIFICATION? Seriously? And, I guess if she did that, it's only natural that Skyler was allowed to accompany her to the MORGUE where the father made the identification. Because that's totally normal.
~
Characters:
For me, Skyler was arrogant, insipid, narcissistic and incredulous. Rude, egotistical, selfish and vain. He whines so much in two chapters that I quite happily would have stopped reading here. He's also really slutty. And apparently everyone has to bear their soul to him if they've known him up to a month, because it seems that it's not normal otherwise. Every time he so much as sniffs a male presence in the room, there's a long winded comment about how virile or attractive or completely droolworthy they are.
Sidney is the cop without a clue. She's also the token fag-hag female, who is more butch than the men and a complete air head at the same time. Jamie is your token, quintessential gay man, flouncy, tech geek and slutty. Philip is the only decent, serious character, while being a trained lawyer and barista, as well as really weird. Rodolfo is made to appear like a crazy stalker, weirdo freak. Then constantly made fun of for being “foreign”. Keith is just a little weird and creepy, but really judgy.
But isn't it so handy that Skyler, the wannabe Miss Marple, just so happens to have old flames, best friends who are useful to him? A detective, lawyer, a barista (because coffee is fuel), a hacker/tech guy, a sports coach who studies biology and Rodolfo, who is no doubt just there for eye candy.
(handy for a guy who wants to investigate crime)– lawyer, serious, weird.
Oh, and all of this ^ is only from the first twenty percent.
~
If I could sum up everything I've read so far, it would be real easy – Skyler is a horrible main character; a judgy, vain, egotistical bitch, who digs his nose in where it isn't wanted and is somehow praised for it. The crime is laughable, ridiculous and insipid. There is NO knowledge of how police or crime scenes work, in this story (I know, because I studied it and have a cop in the family). There's intolerance towards race, sex, religion – just about everything you could ever want to NOT see insulted and degraded actually is. So, thumbs up there!
If you need to see what else pissed me off in the very small 26% that I read, I'll leave you with these quotes, which basically speak for themselves:
“God, he was gorgeous. Why did he have to be a such a lunatic?”
“The doorbell rang. He glanced at Rodolfo.
“Don't expect me to get it. I'm a guest here.”
Skyler rolled his eyes.”
“Skyler was afraid that this was going to develop into one hell of a vicious slap fight.”
“The Fuck Club, hon. Or S.F.C. for short. Skyler's best friends – us – have all started out by being his lovers. We were hook-ups. And then we weren't. And then we became friends. It's just like a move on Lifetime.”
August 27, 2018
What do you do when you find the dead body of your boss's son in an alley and your best friend is a detective? Solve the murder yourself, of course! Cuz what could possibly go wrong, amirite?
Everything. Everything could go wrong. But Skyler has that special trait necessary for all amateur sleuths: too stupid for his own good. Um... I mean... stubborn determination and a flagrant disregard for the safety of himself and his friends. Yeah. That's what I meant. ;)
The key to the success of this book is it doesn't try to take itself too seriously. Everyone in it, including Skyler, knows he's being reckless and should leave things up to the police. But when the police miss vital clues and Skyler keeps getting dragged in even when he agrees to quit, there's not much else he can do.
I wasn't actively trying to figure out the whodunit because I was too busy enjoying the story. Skyler's a closeted high school teacher who loves his job and his students. He wants to help them succeed and he wants to be himself, but living in Bible-thumping Redlands doesn't make that easy, especially as a teacher. And Skyler has a lot going on besides the murder. There's a new assistant football coach who's got a Jekyll/Hyde thing going on with Skyler, there's a troubled student who he's trying to help, there's a teacher giving dire warnings, and his circle of friends who are all too eager to tell him he's in over his head.
While the narrator wasn't particularly the best - he tended to have all the characters speak in a stilted fashion, and there wasn't much variation in voices between the male and female characters, and his accents are pretty bad (his Jamaican accent had an Irish baroque to it, I swear) - he still performed this book with such enthusiasm that I could easily overlook the shortcomings. And this book was hilarious. I haven't laughed out loud this often to a book in a long time.
One minor warning: While the main mystery is solved in this book, another is introduced that is left hanging for the next book. In the afterword, the author said this was going to be a trilogy - and there are now 5.5 books in the series. Which seems like way too many mysteries for a school teacher. Hopefully, they don't all involve murder. Looking forward to the next one!
Everything. Everything could go wrong. But Skyler has that special trait necessary for all amateur sleuths: too stupid for his own good. Um... I mean... stubborn determination and a flagrant disregard for the safety of himself and his friends. Yeah. That's what I meant. ;)
The key to the success of this book is it doesn't try to take itself too seriously. Everyone in it, including Skyler, knows he's being reckless and should leave things up to the police. But when the police miss vital clues and Skyler keeps getting dragged in even when he agrees to quit, there's not much else he can do.
I wasn't actively trying to figure out the whodunit because I was too busy enjoying the story. Skyler's a closeted high school teacher who loves his job and his students. He wants to help them succeed and he wants to be himself, but living in Bible-thumping Redlands doesn't make that easy, especially as a teacher. And Skyler has a lot going on besides the murder. There's a new assistant football coach who's got a Jekyll/Hyde thing going on with Skyler, there's a troubled student who he's trying to help, there's a teacher giving dire warnings, and his circle of friends who are all too eager to tell him he's in over his head.
While the narrator wasn't particularly the best - he tended to have all the characters speak in a stilted fashion, and there wasn't much variation in voices between the male and female characters, and his accents are pretty bad (his Jamaican accent had an Irish baroque to it, I swear) - he still performed this book with such enthusiasm that I could easily overlook the shortcomings. And this book was hilarious. I haven't laughed out loud this often to a book in a long time.
One minor warning: While the main mystery is solved in this book, another is introduced that is left hanging for the next book. In the afterword, the author said this was going to be a trilogy - and there are now 5.5 books in the series. Which seems like way too many mysteries for a school teacher. Hopefully, they don't all involve murder. Looking forward to the next one!
November 1, 2016
Now this book has been out for quite a while and it’s probably been on my TBR list for as long. so possibly nothing new for some but for others like me then maybe this might give the kick to get reading or listening. If it’s new to you then all the better. So many books and not enough hours in the day. I’m so delighted that after staying strong, ignoring the temptation of all the new releases I decided at last to listen to this book. I knew straight from the word go this book was going to tick all my boxes.
Cute English teacher? > Check! | Sexy protagonist? > Check! | Difficult students? > Check! | Good murder/mystery? > Check! | Good supporting characters? > Check!
So with all those boxes ticked off I joined Skyler and his merry band of friends on their first adventure. Maybe it’s not fair that I’m making all sound like the Famous Five, it’s certainly not. First my heart immediately warmed to the MC, Sklyer. All I can say is what a cutie! He’s just started his first teaching job so is trying to keep the fact he’s gay under wraps. Even though the law says he can’t be sacked for being gay he’s decided that discretion is the better part of valour. He wants the best for the kids he teaches and this came across very well in his character. However, his private life is something very different. He just hasn’t found Mr Right yet. He’s a bit of a tart and has been playing the field but nothing has lasted and now he has the reputation for being a bit of a whore among his friends. Even though his circle of friends consists of people who he’s had a fling with anyway, with the exception of one but I’ll come to her in a minute. Jamie is the computer techno whizz, as camp as a row of tents, to be honest screaming, but I absolutely adored him. Phillip the café owner, who I found to be a little on the morose or negative side, maybe me but he definitely has an extremely dry sense of humour. Then there is Rodolfo the sexy Latin lover who is Skyler’s recent quest and then rejected. All in all a mixed bag of normal gay men / characters and that is what I particular like about this book. They are all natural, no six-pack, bicep bulging alpha-males but just normal gay guys. The dialogues are witty and natural and had my laughing out loud at times, funny as hell and even reduced me to a couple of snorts as well with some of the quips coming from them. All the time thinking this could be a night out with my friends – lol! This alone was enough to keep me reading.
Now we get Sidney, no it’s not a man, but Skyler’s oldest closet friend from school who is a detective in the police. She is in many ways the polar opposite to Skyler in a brother and sister kind of way. I loved the way how Sidney is always the calm and grounded person who is constantly having to bring Skyler back down to earth. The dynamics here were just super!
But what do you do when the man of all your wet dream fantasies turns up at school as a new teacher at the beginning of term? Yes, you make a big mess of first introductions, making you look like a bumbling idiot. This would so be me and this is Skyler too –lol! This guy, Keith, is sex on legs but he is also a bit of a mystery too. So a twisted love / hate relationship develops especially from Skyler's side. As far as Skyler is concerned he seems to blow hot and cold all the time. An absolutely impossible person to get to know. Just when you think he showing some kind of interest in Skyler the next minute he’s giving Skyler the snub. So Skyler is always in a complete dilemma over this guy, his emptions and hormones battling out inside over Keith with his logic and intellect. It was as though he too as a teacher has a high school crush himself. Again loved the dynamics between these.
But what happens when you stumble over a dead body in an alley way next to night club you’re visiting? Yes, you would be shocked, maybe want to throw up, go white, panic a little and then call the police. Skyler does all this but when he discovers who the victim is he has one major flaw in his character. Most normal people would now forget it and leave it to the police, but no not Skyler. Due to a little bit of fate, an insatiable curiosity that gets the better of him, decides to start a little investigating himself. Curiosity being his one real weakness and is almost the death of him as well. I just loved how this panned out, Skyler pretending to be innocent in all his snooping, while his friends are trying to talk sense into him he also gets them more or less involved. He drives Sidney mad, but what do you do when your best friend actually finds the breakthroughs that the police haven't yet discovered? Yes, Sidney gives him more than one ticking off but is glad of the info all the same. I just loved this balance of amateur, Miss Marple kind of investigating paired off with Sidney as the professional. It worked well for me and loved it. The murder / mystery is well thought out but it doesn’t take long to realise that something is going down n the school too. Is Keith involved? A question that drives Skyler crazy. Is it connected to the current investigation or has he just stumbled on it by accident? Again another thing that drives him crazy. So all in all a thoroughly entertaining murder/mystery that had me wanting to slap Skyler for his misplaced good intentions but hug him due lots of cuteness.
There’s a side plot I liked a lot too that is worth mentioning. He has one very troubled and disruptive teenager in his class. Skyler doesn’t see him as a bad person but someone who needs a little help and guidance. All his problems stem from the fact he’s gay but having trouble coming to terms and coping with let alone outing himself in small rural town with very conservative values. However, when Skyler breaks through that wall of defence and he opens up, it such a sweet moment to see how a teacher can really help and shape kids for the better. Maybe a pipe dream but every so often you will get through to that one teenager and set them on the right road. That’s why I and many others teach. Just for those moments where you know you can really be of help and make a difference in some small way.
As for Mr Sex on Legs, Coach and Biology teacher, Keith? Do Skyler’s wet dreams come true? Is Skyler’s gaydar completely out of order? Well, there is an HEA but the story isn’t over there yet I feel. That’s why I’M not delaying on going straight on to book two.
NARRATION
Joel Leslie is a new to me narrator and I was impressed with the way he narrated this book. I loved his voice characterisations but sometimes I felt they got a little confused but it didn’t detract from the listening experience. Jamie was suitably camp and had me creased up with laughter. Rodolfo’s Latin-American accent though was a little too thick or laid on for me which unfortunately made him sound a little unnatural. There are a lot of characters to play out in this book and this for me was the only criticism. The other voices I felt were wonderfully done brining the characters to life and suitable for their nature. I’m delighted to see that he’ll be narrating book two as the one thing I hate is changing narrators in the middle of a series.
Cute English teacher? > Check! | Sexy protagonist? > Check! | Difficult students? > Check! | Good murder/mystery? > Check! | Good supporting characters? > Check!
So with all those boxes ticked off I joined Skyler and his merry band of friends on their first adventure. Maybe it’s not fair that I’m making all sound like the Famous Five, it’s certainly not. First my heart immediately warmed to the MC, Sklyer. All I can say is what a cutie! He’s just started his first teaching job so is trying to keep the fact he’s gay under wraps. Even though the law says he can’t be sacked for being gay he’s decided that discretion is the better part of valour. He wants the best for the kids he teaches and this came across very well in his character. However, his private life is something very different. He just hasn’t found Mr Right yet. He’s a bit of a tart and has been playing the field but nothing has lasted and now he has the reputation for being a bit of a whore among his friends. Even though his circle of friends consists of people who he’s had a fling with anyway, with the exception of one but I’ll come to her in a minute. Jamie is the computer techno whizz, as camp as a row of tents, to be honest screaming, but I absolutely adored him. Phillip the café owner, who I found to be a little on the morose or negative side, maybe me but he definitely has an extremely dry sense of humour. Then there is Rodolfo the sexy Latin lover who is Skyler’s recent quest and then rejected. All in all a mixed bag of normal gay men / characters and that is what I particular like about this book. They are all natural, no six-pack, bicep bulging alpha-males but just normal gay guys. The dialogues are witty and natural and had my laughing out loud at times, funny as hell and even reduced me to a couple of snorts as well with some of the quips coming from them. All the time thinking this could be a night out with my friends – lol! This alone was enough to keep me reading.
Now we get Sidney, no it’s not a man, but Skyler’s oldest closet friend from school who is a detective in the police. She is in many ways the polar opposite to Skyler in a brother and sister kind of way. I loved the way how Sidney is always the calm and grounded person who is constantly having to bring Skyler back down to earth. The dynamics here were just super!
But what do you do when the man of all your wet dream fantasies turns up at school as a new teacher at the beginning of term? Yes, you make a big mess of first introductions, making you look like a bumbling idiot. This would so be me and this is Skyler too –lol! This guy, Keith, is sex on legs but he is also a bit of a mystery too. So a twisted love / hate relationship develops especially from Skyler's side. As far as Skyler is concerned he seems to blow hot and cold all the time. An absolutely impossible person to get to know. Just when you think he showing some kind of interest in Skyler the next minute he’s giving Skyler the snub. So Skyler is always in a complete dilemma over this guy, his emptions and hormones battling out inside over Keith with his logic and intellect. It was as though he too as a teacher has a high school crush himself. Again loved the dynamics between these.
But what happens when you stumble over a dead body in an alley way next to night club you’re visiting? Yes, you would be shocked, maybe want to throw up, go white, panic a little and then call the police. Skyler does all this but when he discovers who the victim is he has one major flaw in his character. Most normal people would now forget it and leave it to the police, but no not Skyler. Due to a little bit of fate, an insatiable curiosity that gets the better of him, decides to start a little investigating himself. Curiosity being his one real weakness and is almost the death of him as well. I just loved how this panned out, Skyler pretending to be innocent in all his snooping, while his friends are trying to talk sense into him he also gets them more or less involved. He drives Sidney mad, but what do you do when your best friend actually finds the breakthroughs that the police haven't yet discovered? Yes, Sidney gives him more than one ticking off but is glad of the info all the same. I just loved this balance of amateur, Miss Marple kind of investigating paired off with Sidney as the professional. It worked well for me and loved it. The murder / mystery is well thought out but it doesn’t take long to realise that something is going down n the school too. Is Keith involved? A question that drives Skyler crazy. Is it connected to the current investigation or has he just stumbled on it by accident? Again another thing that drives him crazy. So all in all a thoroughly entertaining murder/mystery that had me wanting to slap Skyler for his misplaced good intentions but hug him due lots of cuteness.
There’s a side plot I liked a lot too that is worth mentioning. He has one very troubled and disruptive teenager in his class. Skyler doesn’t see him as a bad person but someone who needs a little help and guidance. All his problems stem from the fact he’s gay but having trouble coming to terms and coping with let alone outing himself in small rural town with very conservative values. However, when Skyler breaks through that wall of defence and he opens up, it such a sweet moment to see how a teacher can really help and shape kids for the better. Maybe a pipe dream but every so often you will get through to that one teenager and set them on the right road. That’s why I and many others teach. Just for those moments where you know you can really be of help and make a difference in some small way.
As for Mr Sex on Legs, Coach and Biology teacher, Keith? Do Skyler’s wet dreams come true? Is Skyler’s gaydar completely out of order? Well, there is an HEA but the story isn’t over there yet I feel. That’s why I’M not delaying on going straight on to book two.
NARRATION
Joel Leslie is a new to me narrator and I was impressed with the way he narrated this book. I loved his voice characterisations but sometimes I felt they got a little confused but it didn’t detract from the listening experience. Jamie was suitably camp and had me creased up with laughter. Rodolfo’s Latin-American accent though was a little too thick or laid on for me which unfortunately made him sound a little unnatural. There are a lot of characters to play out in this book and this for me was the only criticism. The other voices I felt were wonderfully done brining the characters to life and suitable for their nature. I’m delighted to see that he’ll be narrating book two as the one thing I hate is changing narrators in the middle of a series.
September 17, 2011
Foxe Tail is a story about a gay teacher who isn't out at school (no matter what rumors there might be, or who suspects that he is). Skyler has a close circle of friends, whom other than his best high school friend Sidney, are all ex-lovers.
The supporting characters, the students and other staff members, even the villains, are much more than 2 dimensional cardboard cutouts. Each of Sky's friends have their own hangups and issues; each has something to contribute to help, hinder or otherwise in Skyler's life.
I'm one of those mystery readers who attempt to follow clues and try to fit how each character fits into the story, what the probability is of them being the murderer, or an intended victim. This first book of the series kept me guessing up to when the last shoe dropped (as in, when Skyler figured it out). This story is such a good time, with fantastic pacing and some hellava good writing. It's more light-hearted than most murder mysteries in the M/M genre are, but then, it's like Skyler's friend says - it's another Nancy-boy mystery to solve.
There are plots and threads that weave themselves all throughout this book (and into the second). There is the focus murder mystery in each book, then the broader mystery the series divulges as it runs along. You can guess at what's going to happen, but that doesn't mean you're going to be right.
The supporting characters, the students and other staff members, even the villains, are much more than 2 dimensional cardboard cutouts. Each of Sky's friends have their own hangups and issues; each has something to contribute to help, hinder or otherwise in Skyler's life.
I'm one of those mystery readers who attempt to follow clues and try to fit how each character fits into the story, what the probability is of them being the murderer, or an intended victim. This first book of the series kept me guessing up to when the last shoe dropped (as in, when Skyler figured it out). This story is such a good time, with fantastic pacing and some hellava good writing. It's more light-hearted than most murder mysteries in the M/M genre are, but then, it's like Skyler's friend says - it's another Nancy-boy mystery to solve.
There are plots and threads that weave themselves all throughout this book (and into the second). There is the focus murder mystery in each book, then the broader mystery the series divulges as it runs along. You can guess at what's going to happen, but that doesn't mean you're going to be right.
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