Timothy North is writing a book about a 50 year old cold case. The murder of a beautiful actress may involve some of Hollywood's elite and the mob. A tarot card left on Tim's door, spooks him to the point that he asks for help from his ex, Detective Jack Brady. Tim's desire to solve the case opens up a Pandora's box that not only involves the murder, but his relationship with Jack. Does he really want to go there again? I loved the Black Dahlia-esque story, with it's many characters, all vying for their closeup. The real story for me was Tim and Jack's relationship, their past mistakes and their current problems involving Tim's health problems. It does help that Tim seems to be a magnet for trouble, driving Jack to desperation. Another well crafted story, with some sublime characters. The old Hollywood feel was done with great panache. Tim and Jack really got under my skin. I'd love to see them revisited one day. Wonderful. I realised the other day that for me, m/m stories which focus more or less solely on the sex aspect are, quite frankly, boring. The real stories, those with depth and characters who come alive on the page and where the 'sex' is the added bonus - not the be-all-and-end-all of a book - are far more interesting and re-readable. This is one of those books. Not that long, but packed with the most fabulous writing, a nice twisty little crime mystery, and several really loveable characters. And more importantly, Lanyon doesn't try to push too much down our throats, or write in a patronising manner. No snide comments about people who are old, or overweight or 'different'. In fact Lanyon excels at showing characters' weaknesses and failings in a positive way. This is a straight five stars for me. A book that I finished reading and then thought to myself 'I am going to read that again- tomorrow.' And I did.
What do You think about Cards On The Table (2012)?
Damn Josh Lanyon and those freaking endings! AGGGGGHHH!! Another very good story. Read.
—Shmeegn
Nice little mystery kept me curious with enjoyable main characters.
—chelle_belle
