I Spy Something Bloody

Dark, melancholy, and beautiful. Mark and Stephen embodied pain and separation, but also deep connection and love.

I loved this story. It exemplified everything I love about Josh Lanyon's stories: deep, instant affinity I develop with the characters; romantic tension (that this one actually took to a higher level--which worked even better); intricate histories behind the characters; the heartfelt struggles of the main character; realistic, effective characters; heart-pumping action; most (best) of all, love. I was pulling for Mark from his first call to Stephen, and felt a range of deep emotion for Mark and his struggles. I loved him, shook my head at him, was disappointed at him and angry at his choices from two years to four months show more previous, but always wanted Stephen to take him back. Sometimes no matter what, the love won't go away...and they did love each other like that, make each other truly happy, and no one else could measure up. Mark was very brave this time, he knew he was out of chances with Stephen, but he would not give up without his say. They had a long and difficult history between them, and getting to experience that through the short flashbacks and explanations was a brilliant way to immerse the reader but keep up the speed of the book. Also, the many quotes from Little Dorrit and the vast amount of specific information on the topics involved in Mark's covert life added new layers to the story, making it all the more special and impressive.

It was a very involved, quick read, and I just bought the next one because I truly love these characters, feel that they are almost real, and want to know what is in store for them next. They are very beautiful together, and make it very worth reading this story straight through. Five full stars, and my highest recommendation. This story had everything I love in it. show less

Synopsis.

“Stephen, I’m in trouble…”

The voice on the phone was the last voice Dr. Stephen Thorpe expected to hear. But ex-lover Mark Hardwicke is injured and in trouble — and Stephen has always had a hard time saying no to this particular brand of trouble.

His cover blown, his enemies closing in, British spy Mark is seeking sanctuary with the man he never stopped loving. But there’s a new man in Stephen’s life, and Stephen’s not interested in hearing Mark’s explanations or excuses — let alone playing doctor with him.

Something went terribly wrong on Mark’s last mission. Something he can’t bring himself to think about, let alone talk about. But he better start talking soon because not only is Stephen losing patience show more fast — someone wants this spy left out in the cold.

The beginning of this novel is incredibly moving and you feel the ache within Mark. On a lonely road in a phone box, with rain and moor, the opening was vividly written. Mark is a man driven beyond all tolerance and into utter exhaustion. He is desperate to come home and be with the one normal person in his life, but unsure if it’s a mistake to go there or not.

Lanyon has a way of making you feel like your heart is in your mouth sometimes. It is a viseral feeling and though I detest the thought of crying during a book, when Stephen is telling Mark it has been 2 years, it was heart wrenching stuff. Mark knows he has screwed up royally but it is not until that moment that he realises that any chance he has had with Stephen may be indeed lost. He cannot even speak let alone bring himself to find the words and subsides into quietness…I challenge you not to be blinking back watery eyes.

Do not be lulled into a false sense of security that Mark is going down without a fight however. Despite suffering from barely healed wounds and quite possibly PTSD, he is starting to realise that the best thing in his life is Stephen. Even though he kids himself into thinking he is just playing up to what Stephen wants to hear, really he is finally allowing himself to be vulnerable. I think subconsciously he knows he is allowing himself to be open to Stephen but the reality of rejection is just too much to bear.

Vulnerability, in Lanyon’s novels, is always a powerful theme for me and is quite possibly why I find his writing unutterably addictive. Letting down your guard and allowing another person into your own true self and being vulnerable to rejection. Heady stuff. I also wonder if this is one of the reasons I find this genre so compelling.

Beautiful, poignant and not a dry eye in the house. I suggest you stampede your way down that store isle and get reading now. Gush, much? heh.
Check out my other reviews here>>>http://sharrow.wordpress.com/ show less

I Spy Something Bloody is a short and "sweet"* story about a British spy (Mark) returning to his American ex-beau (Stephen) to try and fix their estranged relationship. Of course, it's not quite as straightforward as Mark had anticipated, seeing as he was supposed to settle down 2 years ago, and Stephen is apparently seeing someone else.

* well about as sweet as war stories can be, so nothing diabetes inducing.

This was a nice break amid all the "serious stuff"** I've been reading lately. It's relatively short, but not too short; plus being part of a series there's always hope to clear up any lingering plot holes (though I haven't noticed any). The reunion between Mark and Stephen is believably strained, there's an understandable coldness show more from Stephen's part, while at the same time, hesitation when facing his naked ex; and there is also a bit of action toward the end of the book. Bonus points for not killing the dog! Not that there was enough time for me to get attached to him or anything, but I'm still glad he was just wounded.

** like vampires and stuff. Real "serious business", ha!

Taken as a whole, there was nothing particularly spectacular about this book. However there was enough tension of will-he-won't-he kind, which kept me interested till the end (with the added bonus of the occasional butterfly in my stomach).

I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for anyone new to Josh Lanyon or the genre. But for fans it's a nice little reminder of why we enjoy such stories.

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review of 2nd book: I Spy Something Wicked show less

Another one of those typical Josh Lanyon couples but despite of this, they always keep you entertained and going. After an assignment going wrong Marc turns to his ex-lover Stephen to offer him shelter for some time. And despite breaking-up and new people in his life, Stephen allows Marc to re-enter his life. But how much does he offer? Will they be able to reunite? And what about the terrorists who are still after Marc? Well, you are probably to answer the questions by yourself as the ending is not really astounding but as always, it's more about how the two men fight their necessary wars to get to this ending, is absolutely worthwhile. I think it's just a shame that Lanyon rather have these 90 pages story than a real novel. I rather show more have some more depth than these rather short and rushed narratives. show less