SciFi and More from Duane Simolke

Book Review: Fatal Shadows by Josh Lanyon

I usually don't like mystery novels, but I liked the idea of one involving gay characters and an intriguing metafictional slant: the mystery involves Adrien English, a mystery writer who owns a mystery bookstore. Like the levels of mystery, the guilt in this book also manifests itself in a variety of ways, other than the obvious question of who is guilty. None of the characters just happen to be gay; homosexuality and homophobia add to the complexity of the mystery, and the barriers to solving it. Lanyon creates believable, conflicted, and, in many cases, disturbing characters. The narrative is fast-paced, sometimes humorous, and always unpredictable.

I’m currently reading the second book in Lanyon’s Adrien English series, and will review it soon.