“Adrien English runs a small bookstore in Pasadena which is reputed to have the largest collection of gay and gothic whodunnits. But mystery invades his own life one morning when his best friend is found stabbed to death and he is seen as the most likely subject. A nail-biting thriller with plenty of twists and turns.”
From GoodReads (Book #1 blurb)
- Publisher: Loose ID
- Original Release Date: 2000 (Book #1), Dec. 2009 (Book #5)
- My Copy: eBooks privately bought
- Buy This Book @Loose ID
- Author's Website
I had heard so many amazing things about Josh Lanyon’s Adrien English series, that I had to give it a try. It was my second foray into M/M Romance and I have to say I loved it!
First and foremost this series is a mystery series that just happens to have a homosexual hero. It is in no way an erotica series, though it does have its very smexing steamy moments.
Josh Lanyon’s writing is superb, I could not put these books down. I read all five books in about 3 days, I didn’t do anything else because I did not want to leave Adrien’s world for even a minute.
Adrien is a great leading man and a very interesting character. He owns a bookstore specialized in mystery books and he is also a published writer. He has written a novel about a gay theater actor at Shakespearean times that is also a sleuth.
In each book Adrien finds himself in midst of a a different murder mystery and that can be quite tiring, but Lanyon’s ability to make fun of this situation within the book and making Adrien not take himself to seriously is fantastic. The adventures and plots of these novels are great and fast-paced.
The romance in the series has some ups and downs the main object of affection for Adrien is Jake, a gay cop that is extremely closeted. Adrien and Jake go through so much together and apart, that i could not help but cry my heart out.
The series ended with Book 5 and I LOVED the conclusion, though I would definitely like to have read more. The end was quite satisfying and just leaves you with a very pleasant and warm feeling.
Mystery novels are usually not my thing, unless they have some paranormal element involved lol. However i do recommend this series for any mystery fan out there.
Smut level: 2.5/5! =)
My Least Favorite Book in The Series: Book #2 – A Dangerous Thing, the romance part in this book was great, but I wasn’t a fan to the mystery part.
My Favorite Book in The Series: Book #4 – Death of A Pirate King – It was such a hard read, heart breaking, emotional and amazing, all the makings of a great novel! =)
The Adrien English Mysteries Series in The Order ot Should be Read:
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When Adrien found out that Jake was in the hospital & he couldn't see him b/c Jake had his family there *sobs*. That scene broke my heart, that he just walked by, took a drink of water, just to ease his pain and worry about Jake.
I noticed a lot of other peeps didn't like book 2, but I did...well, because that is when they first hooked up ::cough cough: suntan lotion.
LOL
OMG that scene killed me!!! I cried soooo much!
I did like book 2, it just wasnt my favorite. Jake and Adrien's forst time was def the high point of it =)))
God and then in Hell You Say towards the end when Adrien get's shot *sobs uncontrollably* ...when at first he thinks Jake has sided wif the bad guy, my heart dropped.
And then... the ending of the entire series...when they are finally together *hiccups* - I think I need to write a post to air out all my feelings.
OMG I cried so much my dad came to see if I was ok... i was sobbing like a baby... Them getting together was amazing and I just wish we could see them together for a little longer hehe
YAY! I love, love, love this series so much. I will definitely be doing a re-read of the whole series at some point this year (I only finished the books in January and I already miss Adrien!)
"First and foremost this series is a mystery series that just happens to have a homosexual hero." - SO TRUE!! I really think people who love murder mysteries (and are a little put-off by the M/M thing, for whatever reason) would get a lot out of the Adrien English series, just because Lanyon is such a talented mystery writer.
Great review of a GREAT series!
*g* Funny, I started reading the first book in the series this morning! I'm still at the very beginning but it sounds pretty amazing. =D
@Danielle
Thanks hon! I miss Adrien sooooo much!!! a re-read would be awesome!!! =)))
@Pattepoilue
wooohoooo I think you'll LOVE it!!! =)))