A Dangerous Thing

**The following is spoilery for character reveals from book one and discusses character development stuff from book two. I don't reveal anything about the resolutions to either book's mystery.**

The second in the Adrien English mystery series. Not quite as good as the first, but mostly in that way most second books aren't as good as the first--simply because they aren't the start of something. The mystery in this one felt a little less meaty, but that's mostly made up for in that we get lots of relationship stuff between Adrien and Jake. I'm not sure what to do with Jake, though.

I had him pegged as closeted and probably conflicted from almost his first appearance in book one, and part of me was watching to see how Lanyon developed him show more as the story went along. And it all felt pretty spot-on. In book two it turns out that Jake is not just closeted and conflicted, he's, like, suuuuuper conflicted. Like, hates himself for being attracted to men, plans on marrying a woman and having kids, can hardly bring himself to to have dinner with Adrien conflicted. Which is fine. Big old bundles of contradictions make for interesting stories. But Jake's confliction is confusing in its expression, almost to the point of feeling inconsistent at times. At the start of the story, he can't even kiss Adrien because kissing a man feels too weird, despite having been a regular at S&M clubs for some time. The suggestion being that Jake can handle sex with men if it's with strangers and is impersonal, but in the scene where he can't kiss Adrien, his reluctance is painted as a reaction to markers of Adrien's maleness (five o'clock shadow, the scent of aftershave) not as a reaction to trying to have smexy times with someone he cares about. Later he seems to be over the kissing issue with no further concern. He is sometimes incredibly tender and protective of Adrien (in private) but also makes really withering comments about Adrien's sexuality. That all of these traits could exist in one man at one time is something I can absolutely buy, but I sometimes felt like Lanyon wasn't quite selling it. That being said, some of this is the result of the point of view (first person Adrien), and given that Jake is an uncommunicative lug (in the grand tradition, natch), that Jake's actions and attitudes would seem a bit unexplained is to be expected (because they are, because we only know what Adrien knows, and Jake isn't telling him what's going on in his head). Further more, important characterizing scenes between Adrien and Jake always feel like there's all kinds of stuff going on under the surface (which is precisely how I think important characterizing scenes should feel). So, I'm back to "I'm not sure what to do with Jake." In all honesty, this is probably fifteen percent "more could have been done to make Jake's characterization consistent" and eighty-five percent "I couldn't turn off my editor brain while reading for fun." In any case, recommended for the writing, characters, wit, and decent mystery. show less

Poor Ardien is getting a little fed up with his on again off again relationship with Jake Riordan the cop. I share his frustration. If this man was any further in the closet he’d completely disappear. To complicate Ardien’s problems, he’s not doing very well writing the sequel to his first sold manuscript. He's getting nowhere in either situation...so he decides to take a break and go to the ranch that his grandmother left him. Who but Ardien would find a dead body in the road the night he arrives? Ardien is the heart and soul of this series even though we are only two books into it. He has no illusions about who or what he is. And he can laugh at himself and find humor in the situations that he finds himself in. He is completely show more aware of the ridiculousness of his situations. After so long reading Josh Lanyon’s books, I know she always rescues her characters and that there will be a happily after...eventually. Perhaps a good kick in the seat of his pants would help Jake out of his closet...but it does seem that he is making some progress on his closet exit on his own. show less

Adrien English needs to get away from LA for a break and goes up to the ranch he inherited from his grandmother, only to find a dead body in the driveway, which has vanished by the time the local sheriff arrives. The caretaker/handyman who lives on the property has also gone missing.

I'm enjoying this series as a rubbishy read even though Adrien annoys me no end. He's too much of a damsel in distress with his heart ailment which causes him to pass out, i.e., faint, at inconvenient moments. Then there's his big tough detective heart-throb. Between them, this gay couple seem to ape stereotyped heterosexual roles in a way that most heterosexual couples in modern detective fiction don't. And yet, the books are quite compulsively page-turning.

I had started out reading the second installment quite eagerly, after all Adrien and Jake were supposed to have started a relationship at the end of the previous book.

Sadly, for both Adrien and my overactive imagination, nothing was going on. And by nothing, I mean... they watched movies... in the dark... where they pretended to almost touch. It was extremely aggravating.

So then Adrien decides to go on a vacation, alone, out in the middle of nowhere. Obviously, he gets hospitalized right away, and like a knight in shining armor Jake is there at his side to keep him company.

At this time I could care less about the mystery itself: native-american spirits apparently killing off people. I was mostly going through the pages looking for THE show more *ahem* ACTION.
From then on, my reading went something like this: I think they're going to... no. Oh look the atmosphere is right... ugh nothing again. Oh they kissed and... IT'S THEIR FIRST KISS?! WTF?! And now they're fighting... YES! FINALLY!

So yeah, 3/5 stars for the amazing writing style, and for finally getting some *ahem* action.

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review of book 1: Fatal Shadows
review of book 3: The Hell You Say
review of book 4: Death of a Pirate King
review of book 5: The Dark Tide
review of book 5.5: So This is Christmas
review of Stranger Things Have Happened: An Adrien English Write Your Own Damn Story show less

Riordan has some negative traits, but he's still likable. Adriene has more patience than most people. I miss his bookstore and fun, quirky friends (so many gone now), but he's in another town this time with small town ignorance, gay insults, finally bonding more with his off and on again cop friend, solving a new mystery that almost leans toward the paranormal and had a larger suspect pool. He finds new books to browse and works on his second novel with realistic writer's block and self-doubt. A good follow-up to the first, again with some humor thrown in. And finally we get the scene - and it doesn't disappoint. Full review to come

Again, I'm giving this book 4 stars because it's a damn good mystery.

I enjoyed the story, and particularly Adrien, who is such a wonderful character. But I really don't like Jake. I understand he has a problem which is probably rooted in some very traumatic event, but I have no patience for those who want both, to keep the cake and to eat it. He keeps being insensitive and brutally homophobic, and shees! if he so wants marriage, a wife and kids, why keep leading Adrien on? Sorry, but I truly dislike him.

I'm going to be very honest: if it wasn't because people who I trust have told me to persevere, I'd stop listening to this series right now. It's seriously painful :(

The narration is magnificent, that needs to be said.

Oh, well, I guess show more I'm going to listen 'The Hell You say' now... show less

4*
In contrast to the first book, I really enjoyed this one. Mystery plot is interesting and propels the story. There’s action, danger, perseverance, twists, turns, history research, flirting, arguing, intimacy, and genuine connection between two characters that grow on you. Boy that first book wasn’t good by comparison.