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Mitch Mitchell Mystery #2
The Secret Tunnel
The Flying Scotsman, one of the world’s legendary train journeys, has many attractions for Edward “Mitch” Mitchell, from the obliging porter to the mean guard to a troop of rough-and-ready soldiers in easily lifted kilts in the third-class carriage. But Mitch may not have time for them all before they arrive in London. When the train gets stuck in a tunnel, a dead body is found in the first-class toilet! Ever-ready Mitch decides to intervene and solve the crime. With his new Belgian sidekick Benoit, he pursues the killer through a crazy kaleidoscope of movie stars, drug dealers, royal scandals, and queens of every description. Can he finger the villain before the villain fingers him? What is the connection between Buckingham Palace and a bunch of backstreet pornographers? And what is the mystery of the secret tunnel? Mitch intends to go all the way to figure it all out.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
44 people are currently reading
608 people want to read
About the author
James Lear
13 books362 followersJames Lear is the nom de plume of prolific and acclaimed novelist, Rupert Smith. He lives in London and is the 2008 Winner of Erotic Awards "Best Writer".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
April 24, 2019
If you ever want to read a 5 hour porn plot that would have made Agatha Christie proud, go for it.
James Lear really knows how to write sex. The whole thing is a romance nightmare, but as porn, it's really good. Including the terrible acting in between the action, LOL.
3 stars! (You're not getting more from a romance reader, Mitch you cheating bastard!!!!)
James Lear really knows how to write sex. The whole thing is a romance nightmare, but as porn, it's really good. Including the terrible acting in between the action, LOL.
3 stars! (You're not getting more from a romance reader, Mitch you cheating bastard!!!!)
September 15, 2014
3.5 rounded up to 4!
I have no idea what to say about this book. I’m fascinated. I’m turned on. I’m horrified. I’m turned on. James Lear has created a fantasy/historical world that definitely touches my inner perv. A world where all men are gay and in possession of a “voracious asshole.”
My opinion hasn’t changed much from my review of the first book, The Back Passage. There’s still an impressive lack of lube. (However, there is exactly one mention of Vaseline. Color me relieved.) Mitch still fucks an impressive amount of men, though I’m sorry to say that yet again I forgot to take a tally. (What’s wrong with me?) And, as usual, if that dude on the cover would just lift his hips a little, I could totally see his peen. Really, would that be too much to ask? Mr. Lear, your shocking disregard for the female sex disappoints me: A GIRL NEEDS SOME COCK TOO, YOU KNOW. Jackass.
The main difference between this book and the first is that Lear has developed…an actual PLOT. It’s totally true! There’s at least 20% less sex (I know, I’m sad as well). Most of the plot is inspired by Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. In this case there’s a murder on the Flying Scotsman (more like Flying Scrotum, ah ha ha), a train that travels between Edinburgh & London. There’s even a Hercule Poirot look-alike, a small mustachioed Belgian man name Betrand, who serves as Mitch’s main sidekick.
Also featured in this book:
●1920s movie & theatre star Tallulah Bankhead.
●A gay virgin, the previously mention Betrand, who takes on not only Mitch, but 4 Scottish soldiers, ALL ON THE SAME DAY. He walks away from this with nary a limp.
●Again, Bertand (I have a serious admiration for this dude), who communicates with Mitch, THROUGH HIS ASSHOLE, that he’s in trouble.
I hesitated to give this book a full 4 stars because it is just so bloody ridiculous. However, it’s also extremely entertaining and so I recommend it to anyone who wants a giggle. It's not necessary to read these books in order (IMO). By the way, if you want a taste of how ridiculous & amusing this book is, please see my status updates below. If you’re not as blown away as one of Mitch’s many conquests (ahahahahah), than I just don’t know what to say to you.
By the way, this book is still on sale on Amazon for $1.99. Grab it now before it goes back up to $9.99.
I have no idea what to say about this book. I’m fascinated. I’m turned on. I’m horrified. I’m turned on. James Lear has created a fantasy/historical world that definitely touches my inner perv. A world where all men are gay and in possession of a “voracious asshole.”
My opinion hasn’t changed much from my review of the first book, The Back Passage. There’s still an impressive lack of lube. (However, there is exactly one mention of Vaseline. Color me relieved.) Mitch still fucks an impressive amount of men, though I’m sorry to say that yet again I forgot to take a tally. (What’s wrong with me?) And, as usual, if that dude on the cover would just lift his hips a little, I could totally see his peen. Really, would that be too much to ask? Mr. Lear, your shocking disregard for the female sex disappoints me: A GIRL NEEDS SOME COCK TOO, YOU KNOW. Jackass.
The main difference between this book and the first is that Lear has developed…an actual PLOT. It’s totally true! There’s at least 20% less sex (I know, I’m sad as well). Most of the plot is inspired by Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. In this case there’s a murder on the Flying Scotsman (more like Flying Scrotum, ah ha ha), a train that travels between Edinburgh & London. There’s even a Hercule Poirot look-alike, a small mustachioed Belgian man name Betrand, who serves as Mitch’s main sidekick.
Also featured in this book:
●1920s movie & theatre star Tallulah Bankhead.
“Tallulah, let me introduce you to a very good friend of mine, Mitch Mitchell. He’s like you, Talloo."●The British Fascism Party, who were big, big fans of Benito Mussolini (this is such a bizarre plot point, I have nothing funny to say about it.*sigh*)
“Bisexual?”
“American, I mean.”
●A gay virgin, the previously mention Betrand, who takes on not only Mitch, but 4 Scottish soldiers, ALL ON THE SAME DAY. He walks away from this with nary a limp.
●Again, Bertand (I have a serious admiration for this dude), who communicates with Mitch, THROUGH HIS ASSHOLE, that he’s in trouble.
At first I couldn’t believe it. I waited, not moving my cock, which was rock hard thanks to his pulsing grip….But yes, here it was again. The same pattern, the same rhythm….I was being signaled by an asshole in Morse code. And it was signaling SOS.●Finally, in one of the weirdest plot points, Prince George makes an appearance. As far as I (ok, fine, as far as Wikipedia) can tell, Prince George is the future king of England, father of the present Queen Elizabeth II, and was portrayed by Colin Firth The King’s Speech. But instead of speaking with a stutter, he has a pronounced lisp. He’s also having an affair with Hugo Taylor, a fictitious movie star. What the FUCK, James Lear?!?
I hesitated to give this book a full 4 stars because it is just so bloody ridiculous. However, it’s also extremely entertaining and so I recommend it to anyone who wants a giggle. It's not necessary to read these books in order (IMO). By the way, if you want a taste of how ridiculous & amusing this book is, please see my status updates below. If you’re not as blown away as one of Mitch’s many conquests (ahahahahah), than I just don’t know what to say to you.
By the way, this book is still on sale on Amazon for $1.99. Grab it now before it goes back up to $9.99.
March 19, 2017
The best way to explain The Secret Tunnel:
Take a detective novel of Agatha Christie Murder on the Orient Express, replace the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot with the American amateur sleuth Edward Mitchell who lives and works as a medical doctor in Edinburgh, add a lot of SEX SCENES, make ALL men who perform here gay or at least bisexual (those are in the minority), season everything generously with fun and delicious dialogues and you have it.
Or just imagine a literature professor devoting his spare time to writing of sophisticated porn. I don't mean Mitch, I'm talking about James Lear.
Mitch spends his leisure time mostly with...er....I don't want to give something away.
The Secret Tunnel is a book about how Mitch is spending his free time. (Have a look at the cover!)
And let us name it historical because we are talking about the 1920s!
Have fun! I had!
May 4, 2018
Oh, SO good! That ending...
All the twists and turns that one takes, it was truly spectacular. James Lear has a most creative imagination, and not just for mysteries ;)
I love this series, and having it read to me by Daniel Carter just improves it. His dry delivery truly works with Mitch's character, and I enjoyed all his accents in this one.
Excellent series.
All the twists and turns that one takes, it was truly spectacular. James Lear has a most creative imagination, and not just for mysteries ;)
I love this series, and having it read to me by Daniel Carter just improves it. His dry delivery truly works with Mitch's character, and I enjoyed all his accents in this one.
Excellent series.
June 2, 2009
Another winner from James Lear. I enjoyed this book immensely. It's been a while since I read the first book, The Back Passage, but from what I recall, this one had tons more sex. And it wasn't the boring kind either! Mitch and his cohorts get up to it all over a train, shoot a blue movie, and investigate an orgy in London.
I enjoyed the fact that Mitch was irritated with himself as he was, again and again, distracted from his sleuthing by the wiles of his libido. I've always liked Mitch's ability to be incredibly candid about himself, others, and the situation at hand. It's what gives the book its humor and truly suspends one's sense of disbelief. Mitch is a scientist, so things don't often get past him, even if he doesn't know how it all fits together. He's human, an amateur, and he makes no bones about it. That's what, I think, makes the story so fun.
Lear writes an incredibly tight tale and an engaging mystery. The Secret Tunnel was dark, and a bit more menacing than the previous Mitch Mitchell book. At times, it was quiet dark. And yet, somehow, Lear used Mitch to throw in a sardonic moment of humor to keep the reader on the banks of that dark river without falling in.
There is a murder, a few villains, movie stars, a prince, copious amounts of hot sex, and a bit of romance. All in all, a really fun read!
I enjoyed the fact that Mitch was irritated with himself as he was, again and again, distracted from his sleuthing by the wiles of his libido. I've always liked Mitch's ability to be incredibly candid about himself, others, and the situation at hand. It's what gives the book its humor and truly suspends one's sense of disbelief. Mitch is a scientist, so things don't often get past him, even if he doesn't know how it all fits together. He's human, an amateur, and he makes no bones about it. That's what, I think, makes the story so fun.
Lear writes an incredibly tight tale and an engaging mystery. The Secret Tunnel was dark, and a bit more menacing than the previous Mitch Mitchell book. At times, it was quiet dark. And yet, somehow, Lear used Mitch to throw in a sardonic moment of humor to keep the reader on the banks of that dark river without falling in.
There is a murder, a few villains, movie stars, a prince, copious amounts of hot sex, and a bit of romance. All in all, a really fun read!
May 11, 2014
Recommended for anyone who fancies a comically gay porn story inspired by Murder On The Orient Express. The Secret Tunnel is another pervy fun whodunit with amateur sleuth Edward “Mitch” Mitchell. This one has a bit more plot and a bit less porn than the last installment, but still quite good. While you cannot take these books very seriously, I can’t help but notice that the book acknowledges that homosexual activities were not just frowned upon, but illegal, in the 1920s historical setting. This is an important point as blackmail plays a role in the murder mystery.
September 30, 2014
Not quite as outrageous as first book but still a fun read. 3.5 stars.
April 19, 2016
Very entertaining. A bit too much sex (Crazy talk, I know) but good story.
September 13, 2016
3.5 stars rounded up and I just feel dirty now.
October 8, 2014
I learned Morse code in Boy Scouts but I think James Lear's way would have been much more fun.
Superb who done it on the rails. Loved it!
Superb who done it on the rails. Loved it!
January 8, 2010
In this hilarious erotic murder mystery set in the 1920s, Edward "Mitch" Mitchell, medical doctor and amateur sleuth, rides a fast train from Edinburgh to London to visit an old "friend" (ahem). Despite the highly illegal status of homosexuality at the time, Mitch finds plenty of willing men on the train. He rescues Bertrand, a Belgian youth in distress who has a charming accent and no ticket. After Bertrand has gratefully offered his favors to Mitch, both men meet Sir Francis, who prefers to be called “Frankie,” an aristocratic poof in the entourage of two stars of the silent screen.
This thick novel is not presented as historical realism. It is more of an in-joke for readers who love mysteries or male/male erotica, or both. Writer and editor Richard Labonte calls it “a send-up of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express.” Although Mitch is an American living in Scotland with a local lover, he is more reminiscent of the English amateur detectives Sherlock Holmes and Lord Peter Wimsey than of their hardboiled American counterparts.
The eccentricity or campiness of characters in earlier English mysteries has been translated by James Lear into evidence of homosexuality. In the world of this novel, there isn’t a man who couldn’t be seduced by another man. Like the surrealistic world of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, the world of this one has its own logic. Bum-fucking (with and without lubrication) seems as universal in this context as tea-drinking.
The general atmosphere of lust is parallel to the general atmosphere of suspicion. Just as every man on the train has a sexual interest in the other men, every person has a motive to kill the unfortunate victim or to frame someone else for his murder.
Blackmail (described this way in this novel – the current legal term is “extortion”) abounds in this novel, and the reasons are obvious: certain sexual activities are both unspeakable in polite company and illegal, yet widespread. However, it is not always easy to guess who is the paying victim and who is the financial exploiter. Blackmail, like any addiction, requires more cash than the victim is likely to earn from a legitimate job, hence it usually leads to other illegal activities.
As in any good thriller, the web of corruption is much wider than it first appears. As Mitch discovers, the case involves the motion picture business, the Royal Family and the British Fascist Party, represented on the train by old Lady Antonia, who snaps orders at her drab female companion, and who regards unscheduled jolts, stops and reversals as signs that British efficiency has been subverted by creeping Communism.
Lady Antonia seems as paranoid as the Red Queen in Through the Looking Glass, but could it really be coincidental that the train jolts to a stop more than once before the body is found in a lavatory? And why does the train need to reverse into a tunnel after being stopped in a tunnel, in total darkness? And why does one of the male passengers emerge from the darkness smelling of lemons instead of semen?
Mitch applies both logic and intuition to the evidence he has, and he must keep discarding earlier theories as new evidence comes to light. When the train arrives in London after several hours’ delay, Mitch despairs of finding a thread through the maze once all the other passengers have scattered. As it turns out, there is much to discover in London, including a seedy and secretive “men’s club,” where orgies take place and inconvenient witnesses may be held and used against their will.
The fledgling film business of the time is a successor to the disreputable stage, but the intrepid Mitch doesn’t hesitate to visit the office of the British-American Film Company, where he finds himself surrounded by aspiring actors:
“The waiting room was full, both of people and of smoke. Three young women and four young men were reading magazines and sharing cigarettes; as soon as I appeared in the doorway, the stream of gossip stopped and seven pairs of eyes were fixed on me.”
Mitch learns that the only way to get past the waiting room is to audition for a “blue movie,” the studio’s bread-and-butter compensation for more expensive “mainstream” flops. Mitch discovers less about those involved in the murder than he hoped, but he thoroughly enjoys the temporary role of a male-on-male porn star.
After wrapping up the mystery and bringing the villains to justice, Mitch advises his (ahem) “friend” from Cambridge to avoid trouble by staying in the closet. Mitch himself thinks: “This time tomorrow, barring any further adventures on the train home, we [Mitch and his live-in lover:] would be reunited.” In the meanwhile, however, Mitch and his “friend” lock eyes.
The novel thus ends with a promise that Mitch will continue to have adventures of various kinds, potentially for the rest of the author’s life. Mitch first appeared in a previous novel, The Back Passage, and the series could continue in volume after volume. For readers who like a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a hot, dark, intimate enclosure, these books contain the right amount of suspense and satisfaction.
--------------------------------------------------
This thick novel is not presented as historical realism. It is more of an in-joke for readers who love mysteries or male/male erotica, or both. Writer and editor Richard Labonte calls it “a send-up of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express.” Although Mitch is an American living in Scotland with a local lover, he is more reminiscent of the English amateur detectives Sherlock Holmes and Lord Peter Wimsey than of their hardboiled American counterparts.
The eccentricity or campiness of characters in earlier English mysteries has been translated by James Lear into evidence of homosexuality. In the world of this novel, there isn’t a man who couldn’t be seduced by another man. Like the surrealistic world of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, the world of this one has its own logic. Bum-fucking (with and without lubrication) seems as universal in this context as tea-drinking.
The general atmosphere of lust is parallel to the general atmosphere of suspicion. Just as every man on the train has a sexual interest in the other men, every person has a motive to kill the unfortunate victim or to frame someone else for his murder.
Blackmail (described this way in this novel – the current legal term is “extortion”) abounds in this novel, and the reasons are obvious: certain sexual activities are both unspeakable in polite company and illegal, yet widespread. However, it is not always easy to guess who is the paying victim and who is the financial exploiter. Blackmail, like any addiction, requires more cash than the victim is likely to earn from a legitimate job, hence it usually leads to other illegal activities.
As in any good thriller, the web of corruption is much wider than it first appears. As Mitch discovers, the case involves the motion picture business, the Royal Family and the British Fascist Party, represented on the train by old Lady Antonia, who snaps orders at her drab female companion, and who regards unscheduled jolts, stops and reversals as signs that British efficiency has been subverted by creeping Communism.
Lady Antonia seems as paranoid as the Red Queen in Through the Looking Glass, but could it really be coincidental that the train jolts to a stop more than once before the body is found in a lavatory? And why does the train need to reverse into a tunnel after being stopped in a tunnel, in total darkness? And why does one of the male passengers emerge from the darkness smelling of lemons instead of semen?
Mitch applies both logic and intuition to the evidence he has, and he must keep discarding earlier theories as new evidence comes to light. When the train arrives in London after several hours’ delay, Mitch despairs of finding a thread through the maze once all the other passengers have scattered. As it turns out, there is much to discover in London, including a seedy and secretive “men’s club,” where orgies take place and inconvenient witnesses may be held and used against their will.
The fledgling film business of the time is a successor to the disreputable stage, but the intrepid Mitch doesn’t hesitate to visit the office of the British-American Film Company, where he finds himself surrounded by aspiring actors:
“The waiting room was full, both of people and of smoke. Three young women and four young men were reading magazines and sharing cigarettes; as soon as I appeared in the doorway, the stream of gossip stopped and seven pairs of eyes were fixed on me.”
Mitch learns that the only way to get past the waiting room is to audition for a “blue movie,” the studio’s bread-and-butter compensation for more expensive “mainstream” flops. Mitch discovers less about those involved in the murder than he hoped, but he thoroughly enjoys the temporary role of a male-on-male porn star.
After wrapping up the mystery and bringing the villains to justice, Mitch advises his (ahem) “friend” from Cambridge to avoid trouble by staying in the closet. Mitch himself thinks: “This time tomorrow, barring any further adventures on the train home, we [Mitch and his live-in lover:] would be reunited.” In the meanwhile, however, Mitch and his “friend” lock eyes.
The novel thus ends with a promise that Mitch will continue to have adventures of various kinds, potentially for the rest of the author’s life. Mitch first appeared in a previous novel, The Back Passage, and the series could continue in volume after volume. For readers who like a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a hot, dark, intimate enclosure, these books contain the right amount of suspense and satisfaction.
--------------------------------------------------
August 15, 2023
If you liked the first one, you'll like this murder-on-a-train sequel. Somewhat convoluted and perhaps too many characters to keep straight, yet it makes for an enjoyable ride.
June 7, 2010
Amateur sleuth Mitch returns for more erotic adventures as he attempts to solve a murder mystery on the Flying Scotsman. It's impossible to review this novel without comparing it to The Back Passage, as it is a direct sequel, and shares many of the great qualities of it's predecessor. Mitch is an endearing narrator, and the cast of characters are suitably entertaining - and of course, nearly all gay. I have read some reviewers who criticise this as being unrealistic. To them I would say: it's a comic gay erotic fantasy; of course they're all going to be gay and Mitch is going to shag most of them. That's half the fun!
In many ways, though, I think it is the erotic content that lets this second novel down a bit. Mitch doesn't manage to get his end away nearly as often, and when he does he feels somewhat guilty as he is being unfaithful to Vince, left behind in Edinburgh. The sex scenes lack the urgency and passion of Mitch's encounters with Boy Morgan in the first book, although Betrand is a rather dear character and I enjoyed his discovery of the joys of taking it up the rear.
However, the mystery this time around is fascinating - involving a heady mix of murder, diamond smuggling, drugs, blackmail, film stars, forbidden love, royalty, right wing fascists, corrupt coppers and sex clubs - and the way Lear sows doubt and suspicion of all the main characters is masterful. I think it succeeds far better as a mystery novel than it does as an erotic one. And now I'm going to have to go and buy the next installment of Mitch's adventures: A Sticky End (you've gotta love those titles!)
In many ways, though, I think it is the erotic content that lets this second novel down a bit. Mitch doesn't manage to get his end away nearly as often, and when he does he feels somewhat guilty as he is being unfaithful to Vince, left behind in Edinburgh. The sex scenes lack the urgency and passion of Mitch's encounters with Boy Morgan in the first book, although Betrand is a rather dear character and I enjoyed his discovery of the joys of taking it up the rear.
However, the mystery this time around is fascinating - involving a heady mix of murder, diamond smuggling, drugs, blackmail, film stars, forbidden love, royalty, right wing fascists, corrupt coppers and sex clubs - and the way Lear sows doubt and suspicion of all the main characters is masterful. I think it succeeds far better as a mystery novel than it does as an erotic one. And now I'm going to have to go and buy the next installment of Mitch's adventures: A Sticky End (you've gotta love those titles!)
February 17, 2015
Eyebrow raising, somewhat shocking, always funny and very, very dirty. Imagine Hercule Poirot meets slightly clever, completely incorrigible porn star, meets puppy. That is Mitch. This series is not profound, but boy is it memorable and what a palate cleanser. You'll never remember another book you ever read when you are in the midst of his sleuthing. Honestly, like all the other characters in the stories, I like Edward Mitchell. He is unabashedly himself and the world loves him for it. I appreciate the fresh voice, perspective and I have always enjoyed puppies.
February 20, 2024
I enjoy this series. Mindless fun with a Christie feel but lots of heat. It is great that the author does not take the series seriously and just goes with it and has a good time. It makes a fun, steamy and enjoyable read.
April 18, 2012
325 page porno...but interesting:)
January 4, 2019
don’t @ me
May 27, 2015
Found the character hilarious in his efforts to be a detective while trying to keep his pants up.
October 18, 2019
Filthy, lewd, preposterous and utterly wonderful.
Read
March 19, 2022Mitch continues being a witty narrator who can't keep it in his pants. His irrepressible libido is quite fun to watch as well as the fact that every man he encounters is queer and always DTF. I have to admit I enjoyed this less than the first novel in the series, but it made for a nice, quick read on a cold day.
October 31, 2012
Less realistic and more obviously tongue-in-cheek than The Back Passage
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- As twisty-turny a plot as its predecessor. Seriously--Lear is closer to being a contemporary Agatha Christie (with a few alterations here and there, granted) than any other author I’ve encountered. The plot points pile one on top of another on top of another (ad nauseum, it seems on occasion), and there are so many characters as to make one dizzy at times.
- Even more wicked a sense of humor than its predecessor. This is only the second of Lear’s works I’ve read, the first having been The Back Passage, but his writing contains wit and cleverness in abundance. And he recognizes (and strives for, I imagine) the parallels between his stories and the English detective stories from the first half of the twentieth century, even going so far as to poke fun at his own adherence to the mystery formula: “Oh, I love this bit,” one character says just before the narrator launches into his tell-all at the book’s conclusion. “When the detective has got everyone into the same room, and suddenly everything becomes clear.”
- Plentiful sex of various shades and colors. I didn’t find it ‘hot’ per se, because very little of it is emotional…at all…but if you’re looking for raunchy sex and a character who’s as randy as a jackrabbit, they’re both in full supply here.
CONS:
- The plot is almost too convoluted. I must confess I found my mind wandering off during the big tell-all scene because there were just so many characters and so much that had to be accounted for that I stopped caring after several pages about exactly which person contributed exactly which action to the muddle.
- Every male character in the book is gay. (Okay, okay, some of them are bi.) And no, I’m not exaggerating. When seen as part of a larger, humorous work, the abundance of guys wanting to get it on with other guys is funny, naturally. But there was a point about halfway through the book when I got a little exasperated (though to be honest, that went away and my amusement returned later on), if only because Lear really is a masterful storyteller and I thought for just a moment, “You’re using this as a crutch when you’re good enough not to need it.”
- The same bothersome little romance…thing…that comes up at the end of The Back Passage returns here, and I don’t see the point of it. Mitch has a faithful (or so we’re led to believe) lover at home and isn’t away from him for more than a couple of hours before he cheats on him, and before the trip is all said and done, he’s had sex with 8 or 10 different men, most of them multiple times. This isn’t a romance; okay, I get it. But why tell us about the hapless, ill-treated lover at all?
Overall comments: If you’re looking for a book with a plot that will keep you guessing, particularly if you enjoy tongue-in-cheek humor, this is an excellent read. It’s not realistic, nor does it portray even the ghost of a real human connection on any level other than the physical. Erotica, yes. Romance, no.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- As twisty-turny a plot as its predecessor. Seriously--Lear is closer to being a contemporary Agatha Christie (with a few alterations here and there, granted) than any other author I’ve encountered. The plot points pile one on top of another on top of another (ad nauseum, it seems on occasion), and there are so many characters as to make one dizzy at times.
- Even more wicked a sense of humor than its predecessor. This is only the second of Lear’s works I’ve read, the first having been The Back Passage, but his writing contains wit and cleverness in abundance. And he recognizes (and strives for, I imagine) the parallels between his stories and the English detective stories from the first half of the twentieth century, even going so far as to poke fun at his own adherence to the mystery formula: “Oh, I love this bit,” one character says just before the narrator launches into his tell-all at the book’s conclusion. “When the detective has got everyone into the same room, and suddenly everything becomes clear.”
- Plentiful sex of various shades and colors. I didn’t find it ‘hot’ per se, because very little of it is emotional…at all…but if you’re looking for raunchy sex and a character who’s as randy as a jackrabbit, they’re both in full supply here.
CONS:
- The plot is almost too convoluted. I must confess I found my mind wandering off during the big tell-all scene because there were just so many characters and so much that had to be accounted for that I stopped caring after several pages about exactly which person contributed exactly which action to the muddle.
- Every male character in the book is gay. (Okay, okay, some of them are bi.) And no, I’m not exaggerating. When seen as part of a larger, humorous work, the abundance of guys wanting to get it on with other guys is funny, naturally. But there was a point about halfway through the book when I got a little exasperated (though to be honest, that went away and my amusement returned later on), if only because Lear really is a masterful storyteller and I thought for just a moment, “You’re using this as a crutch when you’re good enough not to need it.”
- The same bothersome little romance…thing…that comes up at the end of The Back Passage returns here, and I don’t see the point of it. Mitch has a faithful (or so we’re led to believe) lover at home and isn’t away from him for more than a couple of hours before he cheats on him, and before the trip is all said and done, he’s had sex with 8 or 10 different men, most of them multiple times. This isn’t a romance; okay, I get it. But why tell us about the hapless, ill-treated lover at all?
Overall comments: If you’re looking for a book with a plot that will keep you guessing, particularly if you enjoy tongue-in-cheek humor, this is an excellent read. It’s not realistic, nor does it portray even the ghost of a real human connection on any level other than the physical. Erotica, yes. Romance, no.
March 14, 2019
Going on a train ride
Overall 4 out of 5 stars Performance 4 out of 5 stars Story 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed: 03-14-19
Prepare yourself for a fabulous, humorous , very intriguing and super sexy romp through the English country side aboard the Flying Dutchman. The Secret Tunnel is a whodunit mystery with a whole cast of interesting characters and one very attractive wannabe detective .
My, my, my , I am liking, a lot, this take on Agatha Christie's famous Belgian Detective Hercules Poirot. In Mitch Mitchell , James Lear not only have created a charismatic and smart detective but one that is young, hot AF and utterly delicious 😋.
Daniel Carter as the narrator did a phenomenal job. He characterization of the different characters in the book was brilliant.
Overall 4 out of 5 stars Performance 4 out of 5 stars Story 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed: 03-14-19
Prepare yourself for a fabulous, humorous , very intriguing and super sexy romp through the English country side aboard the Flying Dutchman. The Secret Tunnel is a whodunit mystery with a whole cast of interesting characters and one very attractive wannabe detective .
My, my, my , I am liking, a lot, this take on Agatha Christie's famous Belgian Detective Hercules Poirot. In Mitch Mitchell , James Lear not only have created a charismatic and smart detective but one that is young, hot AF and utterly delicious 😋.
Daniel Carter as the narrator did a phenomenal job. He characterization of the different characters in the book was brilliant.
December 26, 2022
《闯密道(The Secret Tunnel)》是Mitch Mitchell系列的第二部，情节显然是受到阿婆一系列列车悬案故事的影响。
故事发生飞翔的苏格兰人号列车上，已在爱丁堡定居的美国医生Edward “Mitch” Mitchell挥别上一案遇到的爱人Vince West，南下伦敦参加老同学/炮友Boy Morgan长女的洗礼。在列车上流连各色男色之余，Mitch又遭遇命案：一名珠宝商人David Rhys在头等舱卫生间遇害。他不得不穿梭于列车包厢和伦敦街头，寻找案��的真相。
众人瞩目的当红电影明星、衣品不俗身材出众的片方中年公关、成群结队的小报记者、带着妻女出行的顾家男、身无分文的外国人、刻薄的老年贵妇和仆人、穿苏格兰裙的军人...车上行行人等中，到底是谁下的手？
单从案件本身来说，James Lear的悬念设计还挺有趣的。列车上的意外牵扯出了电影公司和伦敦男士俱乐部的秘密，还和政坛、皇室牵扯上了关系，作案人正是发现这当中的隐秘因而下手。最后的解谜环节简直像是一台不断反转的舞台剧，各色人等不断登场，直到所有细节拼凑完整。
唯一区别是阿婆书里的人哪怕没命了也是衣冠楚楚的，不会有人全身上下只穿着靴子，也不会有凶手衣衫不整双腿大开地绑在病人椅上，更不会有主角靠🍑收缩发送摩斯密码认出了搭档——这一情节堪称创举。
如果将前作比作小成本探案片，续作就是成本翻倍的商业动作片：场景除了风光旖旎的列车，后半程拓展到伦敦的高级剧院、毛片现场、男士俱乐部甚至是河岸街男厕。
主角Mitch也因此邂逅了更多男人：比利时小鲜肉Bertrand Damseaux、风流电影明星Hugo Taylor、便衣警长Peter Dickinson、苏格兰卫兵团中尉Sergeant、��型肌肉保镖Joseph、阴柔男爵Frankie Laking、高壮列车长Simmonds、金发已婚男Andrews，充分享受了英伦男人的美妙。此外还有列车服务员Arthur、毛片男演员Billy、伦敦小警察Jack、货车司机、深柜王子等次要角色为场面增光添彩。
为这本书James Lear显然下了很多功夫，很多出场人物都不是纯粹的功能角色，人物个性非常鲜明。比如Bertrand个性傲娇处事挑剔、警长Dickinson表面绅士健谈私下阴险毒辣，几乎是从影视剧里走出来的。尤其Dickinson魅力爆表，得手次数仅次于主角Mitch，值得后续作品继续出现。
前作《走后门(The Back Passage)》多位角色也在续作中出现，除了在Mitch的回忆里激情一发的Vince、与Mitch共啖巨|根的Boy Morgan，还有另一位前作角色意外现身，为破案立下大功。
这本台词很逗趣，试举一例：
—这趟列车上还有哪个人你不想上的吗？
—那位老贵妇，我不是很感冒。
故事发生飞翔的苏格兰人号列车上，已在爱丁堡定居的美国医生Edward “Mitch” Mitchell挥别上一案遇到的爱人Vince West，南下伦敦参加老同学/炮友Boy Morgan长女的洗礼。在列车上流连各色男色之余，Mitch又遭遇命案：一名珠宝商人David Rhys在头等舱卫生间遇害。他不得不穿梭于列车包厢和伦敦街头，寻找案��的真相。
众人瞩目的当红电影明星、衣品不俗身材出众的片方中年公关、成群结队的小报记者、带着妻女出行的顾家男、身无分文的外国人、刻薄的老年贵妇和仆人、穿苏格兰裙的军人...车上行行人等中，到底是谁下的手？
单从案件本身来说，James Lear的悬念设计还挺有趣的。列车上的意外牵扯出了电影公司和伦敦男士俱乐部的秘密，还和政坛、皇室牵扯上了关系，作案人正是发现这当中的隐秘因而下手。最后的解谜环节简直像是一台不断反转的舞台剧，各色人等不断登场，直到所有细节拼凑完整。
唯一区别是阿婆书里的人哪怕没命了也是衣冠楚楚的，不会有人全身上下只穿着靴子，也不会有凶手衣衫不整双腿大开地绑在病人椅上，更不会有主角靠🍑收缩发送摩斯密码认出了搭档——这一情节堪称创举。
如果将前作比作小成本探案片，续作就是成本翻倍的商业动作片：场景除了风光旖旎的列车，后半程拓展到伦敦的高级剧院、毛片现场、男士俱乐部甚至是河岸街男厕。
主角Mitch也因此邂逅了更多男人：比利时小鲜肉Bertrand Damseaux、风流电影明星Hugo Taylor、便衣警长Peter Dickinson、苏格兰卫兵团中尉Sergeant、��型肌肉保镖Joseph、阴柔男爵Frankie Laking、高壮列车长Simmonds、金发已婚男Andrews，充分享受了英伦男人的美妙。此外还有列车服务员Arthur、毛片男演员Billy、伦敦小警察Jack、货车司机、深柜王子等次要角色为场面增光添彩。
为这本书James Lear显然下了很多功夫，很多出场人物都不是纯粹的功能角色，人物个性非常鲜明。比如Bertrand个性傲娇处事挑剔、警长Dickinson表面绅士健谈私下阴险毒辣，几乎是从影视剧里走出来的。尤其Dickinson魅力爆表，得手次数仅次于主角Mitch，值得后续作品继续出现。
前作《走后门(The Back Passage)》多位角色也在续作中出现，除了在Mitch的回忆里激情一发的Vince、与Mitch共啖巨|根的Boy Morgan，还有另一位前作角色意外现身，为破案立下大功。
这本台词很逗趣，试举一例：
—这趟列车上还有哪个人你不想上的吗？
—那位老贵妇，我不是很感冒。
April 3, 2016
Reading this lovely piece required more than your usual dose of suspending disbelief, which was a lust-filled joy on more than one occasion. The fear of having the slight gasps and moans being heard while travelling on public transport (including a variety of trains) was more than a little difficult, rendered as such by Lear's lyrical prose that never misses a beat, unravelling a carefully crafted tale that sings of desires long-thought caged up in the bedrooms of adolescents with raging hormones. It is a shame that more authors do not indulge their fantasies when writing, which was an experience of sheer joy when reading this gem. It is important to note that the plausibility of it sank somewhat as the book went on, but this merely necessitates a more tactful handling of all of the twists and turns that the author masterfully weaves into the narrative. A recommended read for all-too-serious individuals that have held a fascination for the railways.
September 10, 2011
This is actually really good. Not life changing, but surprisingly incredibly good. Like a tightly written and entertaining movie that is somehow much better than it has any right to be, like how they made them in the 80s, like Elvira: Mistress of the Dark or Back to School. Like, "Okay makers, make this thing, it doesn't have to be good or anything, crank it out, it'll make enough money" but they didn't listen and made something decent and it's shocking. But I don't really know what else I can say that won't gross out my coworkers that may read this, ha.
January 11, 2013
Trains, sex, murder mystery, hot men every page and it's 1927. What's not to love about this second installment of the Mitch Mitchell series? Best quip would have to be regarding a famous actress' dire need of a drink: 'I need a goddamn cocktail. Sniff me out something gin- based, there's a dear.' (Pg 233)
Mitch and co, you're grouse!
Mitch and co, you're grouse!
July 10, 2010
Very close to a gay,power fucking Murder on the Orient Express as Mitch opens another case along with his pants.
June 3, 2013
If Mrs Marple was a man, and gay, and really horny... A funny read with lots of quips. A fun mystery with some gay erotica thrown in. Totally a guilty pleasure read.
October 17, 2023
A legendary train, filled with mysterious travelers, embarking on its first ever eight-hour-journey. The perfect place for doctor-in-training and amateur detective Edward “Mitch” Mitchell to stretch his sleuthing legs. And if most of the male passengers happen to be queer like he is? Then the intensely amorous Mitchell will just have to fuck his way through them. Thus begins The Secret Tunnel by James Lear.
This book is the second in the Mitch Mitchell Mystery series, and reading it made me remember just how much I loved the first one. Our main and sole POV character is Mitch himself, an American living in the United Kingdom, now working as a junior doctor. It has been two years since the murderous events at Drekeham Hall, and in that time, he has begun settling down with his partner Vince West, while also maintaining his friendship with Harry “Boy” Morgan.
Mitch’s reason for being on the train is to visit Boy, whom he hasn't seen in person since his wedding. Sadly, Vince is unable to join him, a development that has Mitch feeling annoyed at his lover, even though he knows it is beyond the man’s control. While he makes it clear that the two have a sort of “understanding” when it comes to sex with others, Mitch plans to spend as much of his eight-hour train ride fucking as possible almost as a sort of revenge. But nothing is that simple, and an unexpected murder derails his plans not long after they begin.
The book features a colorful cast of characters just like the first, almost all of whom are new. Of particular note is the Belgian Bertram, who acts as Mitch’s Watson for most of the story - when he isn’t getting his brains fucked out. Returning characters include Boy and his wife Belinda, who have just recently had a child that Mitch is set to become the godfather of. The two (and their marriage) are given plenty of screen time, and Belinda is even given something to do us part of the mystery this time. We also get updates on several of the characters from the first book, with a surprise cameo in the book's latter half.
The setting of the novel is split, with the first part occuring on The Flying Scotsman, a train making its first ever eight-hour journey from Edinburgh to London, and the latter taking place around London after the train ride is finished. The time period is the late 1920’s, meaning the existence of conveniences like electricity and running water, telegrams are the fastest way to send messages over a long distance, and trains are the fastest way to travel. We even get references and full-on appearances by some famous names of the day.
I appreciate the use of the time period due to its lack of technology, which I feel lends itself to an interesting mystery story without needing to worry about the inconsistency or lack of common sense that can be prevalent in books with contemporary settings. More than that, I especially liked the way Lear weaves in discussions of homophobia and persecution that queer people of the time period would have been under. This is a departure from the first book, in which it seemed that Mitch was largely only concerned with keeping his own activities a secret, and made no real statement about his political leanings one way or another.
This is a very self-aware novel, with Mitch frequently referring to mystery authors of the day and their books, comparing his current situation to that of their characters. Lear is not below hanging a lampshade on all the unlikely coincidences that typically occur in those books, especially not as he makes use of them himself. I genuinely love this sort of self-referential writing, with the book making me genuinely laugh out loud at points.
Much like the last book, this story is stuffed to the brim with smutty sexual encounters. However, this time around Mitch begins to wonder if he hasn’t been thinking with his dick too much, especially when it becomes clear that it has derailed his investigation. I did not expect for a second that the author would force his character to examine himself and his choices in this way, which was a huge contrast to the wild abandon he approached things with in the first book. Mitch is actually growing and learning from his mistakes, and I hope that continues in the later books.
I think The Secret Tunnel is an excellent follow up to The Back Passage, featuring all of the elements that I loved about the first book while showing that its protagonist had more than a one-track mind. Featuring more heart and understanding than I would have expected, once I started this book I could not put it down - I literally finished it in two days. I am incredibly psyched to read the next book in the series, and I hope everyone reading this is too.
This book is the second in the Mitch Mitchell Mystery series, and reading it made me remember just how much I loved the first one. Our main and sole POV character is Mitch himself, an American living in the United Kingdom, now working as a junior doctor. It has been two years since the murderous events at Drekeham Hall, and in that time, he has begun settling down with his partner Vince West, while also maintaining his friendship with Harry “Boy” Morgan.
Mitch’s reason for being on the train is to visit Boy, whom he hasn't seen in person since his wedding. Sadly, Vince is unable to join him, a development that has Mitch feeling annoyed at his lover, even though he knows it is beyond the man’s control. While he makes it clear that the two have a sort of “understanding” when it comes to sex with others, Mitch plans to spend as much of his eight-hour train ride fucking as possible almost as a sort of revenge. But nothing is that simple, and an unexpected murder derails his plans not long after they begin.
The book features a colorful cast of characters just like the first, almost all of whom are new. Of particular note is the Belgian Bertram, who acts as Mitch’s Watson for most of the story - when he isn’t getting his brains fucked out. Returning characters include Boy and his wife Belinda, who have just recently had a child that Mitch is set to become the godfather of. The two (and their marriage) are given plenty of screen time, and Belinda is even given something to do us part of the mystery this time. We also get updates on several of the characters from the first book, with a surprise cameo in the book's latter half.
The setting of the novel is split, with the first part occuring on The Flying Scotsman, a train making its first ever eight-hour journey from Edinburgh to London, and the latter taking place around London after the train ride is finished. The time period is the late 1920’s, meaning the existence of conveniences like electricity and running water, telegrams are the fastest way to send messages over a long distance, and trains are the fastest way to travel. We even get references and full-on appearances by some famous names of the day.
I appreciate the use of the time period due to its lack of technology, which I feel lends itself to an interesting mystery story without needing to worry about the inconsistency or lack of common sense that can be prevalent in books with contemporary settings. More than that, I especially liked the way Lear weaves in discussions of homophobia and persecution that queer people of the time period would have been under. This is a departure from the first book, in which it seemed that Mitch was largely only concerned with keeping his own activities a secret, and made no real statement about his political leanings one way or another.
This is a very self-aware novel, with Mitch frequently referring to mystery authors of the day and their books, comparing his current situation to that of their characters. Lear is not below hanging a lampshade on all the unlikely coincidences that typically occur in those books, especially not as he makes use of them himself. I genuinely love this sort of self-referential writing, with the book making me genuinely laugh out loud at points.
Much like the last book, this story is stuffed to the brim with smutty sexual encounters. However, this time around Mitch begins to wonder if he hasn’t been thinking with his dick too much, especially when it becomes clear that it has derailed his investigation. I did not expect for a second that the author would force his character to examine himself and his choices in this way, which was a huge contrast to the wild abandon he approached things with in the first book. Mitch is actually growing and learning from his mistakes, and I hope that continues in the later books.
I think The Secret Tunnel is an excellent follow up to The Back Passage, featuring all of the elements that I loved about the first book while showing that its protagonist had more than a one-track mind. Featuring more heart and understanding than I would have expected, once I started this book I could not put it down - I literally finished it in two days. I am incredibly psyched to read the next book in the series, and I hope everyone reading this is too.
July 30, 2023
Mitch is back in this fairly queer erotic thriller that pays homage to Agatha Christie and other crime fiction authors. It's been 2 years since he and Vince have moved in together in Edinburgh, Scotland, and they're fairly happy despite they have to keep their relationship a secret (reminder that in 1927 UK, homosexuality is a crime.) Mitch has been invited down to London in order to visit his old college chum (and past lover) Morgan's daughter's christening. So he hops on the The Flying Scotsman train with the idea of having some sexy times during the train. He candidly admits he's a happy cheater in need of sex- and boy does this hypersexual sex addict crave his fun times. Except nearly every time he tries on board the train, he gets interrupted, most notably the murder of a fellow passenger.
The plot of the murder mystery- a man is found dead, his finger cut off, in the first class bathroom accommodation of the train. Mitch has many suspects on board, yet he's having trouble figuring out how exactly or why the crime(s) were committed, which does twist back on itself until almost nearly the final chapter. Some scenes were drop dead hilarious, some were very charged. I just found the central mystery not quite interesting.
The characters were a bit all over the place- some tropes, some well developed. Maybe just a hair too many at times. A couple times I had to backtrack to figure out who was who, especially towards the end when some resurfaced after being off-page for large portions of the book. And the scenes in final portion were a bit... off for me, they didn't quite click for me.
I'd rate this a high 3.75 or so, rounded up to 4 stars.
The plot of the murder mystery- a man is found dead, his finger cut off, in the first class bathroom accommodation of the train. Mitch has many suspects on board, yet he's having trouble figuring out how exactly or why the crime(s) were committed, which does twist back on itself until almost nearly the final chapter. Some scenes were drop dead hilarious, some were very charged. I just found the central mystery not quite interesting.
The characters were a bit all over the place- some tropes, some well developed. Maybe just a hair too many at times. A couple times I had to backtrack to figure out who was who, especially towards the end when some resurfaced after being off-page for large portions of the book. And the scenes in final portion were a bit... off for me, they didn't quite click for me.
I'd rate this a high 3.75 or so, rounded up to 4 stars.
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