In Other Words... Murder

<b>Audiobook - 4.5 stars<br><br>Story - 3.75 rounded up</b><br><br>I enjoyed some parts and others I did not.<br><br><b>I loved</b><br><br>-Kit and JX's relationship. These two are so good together and very romantic.<br><br>-The banter and Kit's dry sense of humor. <br><br>-The conversations between Kit and JX and to some extent Gage. Loling hard.<br><br><b>I did not enjoy</b><br><br>-The Mysteries - 3 mysteries and none of them was interesting. I felt like i was listening to a bad slasher flick. The investigation process was iffy for all of them and then voila, it all worked out. <br><br>Overall, I had fun with this series and getting to know Kit and JX. Thank you to my buddy readers for the company. <br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1595676036ra/29861274.gif" width="400" height="230" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> <br>

Christopher Holmes is all set up in his fancy new home: lover and nephew(-in-law) in tow and couldn't be happier. Well, sure, he'd rather not rely on J.X. to pay for their euro-trip, or regularly joke about public indecency in a gondola, nor wish to subject himself to the <em>Halloween Hootenanny</em>... But <em>other than that</em> he's just fine. Ecstatic really, if he may say so.<br><br>Being accused of murder by a hysterical ex, was definitely not on the menu. The ensuring murder investigation less so. And the upcoming lawsuit for supposedly selling a house with a dead body in the garden... well, he'd rather not even think about that.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1483044887ra/21574760.gif" width="350" alt="scream" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br><a href="https://goodreads.com/author/show/359194.Josh_Lanyon" title="Josh Lanyon" rel="noopener">Josh Lanyon</a> has been moaning so much about Amazon's one-strike-and-you're-out policy, that I was having serious second thoughts about even reading this book. Yes, Lanyon is among my favorite authors, but my tolerance to repeated rants is low. Hypocritically so, given the amount of it I practice. Oh there's also the part where his (<em>her</em>, to be technical) last two books that I've read, didn't necessarily blow me out of the water.<br><br>Luckily, Holmes is still the excellent narrator that I recall. He was up on his game, ready to entertain with his hilarious grammar-nazi impressions, and other comedic remarks:<br><br><blockquote> <br>“Kill. Slang. Three words,” J.X. said. “First word starts with D.”<br>“Oh. Do away with.”<br>He was silent as his pencil scratched on paper. He made a disgusted sound. “Elementary, my dear Holmes.”<br>I glanced at him. “Bad clues, my dear Moriarity. Do away with isn’t slang. It’s a phrasal verb.”<br><br><br>[My 6-year-old nephew] and I eyed each other in complete understanding. He knew I did not want to attend this Halloween Horrorama any more than he wanted me there. He knew, as did I, we neither of us had any choice. It was in these moments that we could actually walk a mile or two in the other’s moccasins—though I admit fuzzy bunny slippers were a tight fit for my ethos.<br> </blockquote><br><br>I actually had to stop myself from wanting to virtually quote the first 20% of the book, with my GR statuses.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1533238779ra/26067896.gif" alt="oops" width="350" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Its one downside, was that half-way through, it started to look as if Holmes has now attracted every single criminal activity in the state of California: his old house having a body buried in the yard, his stalker from book 3 smiling creepily, a jolly clown haunting his neighborhood... it all seemed a bit too much, and too convenient. <br><br><strong>Score: 3.7/5 stars</strong><br><br>In short, I was grinning like an ecstatic loon all through the reading experience.<br><br><blockquote> <br>Before you say it, this isn’t me returning to the scene of my crime. This is me trying to keep my buyers from returning the scene of the crime.<br> </blockquote><br><br>============================================<br>review of the 1st book: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/668523680" rel="nofollow noopener">Somebody Killed His Editor</a><br>review of the 2nd book: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/670129794" rel="nofollow noopener">All She Wrote</a><br>review of the 3rd book: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/974686466" rel="nofollow noopener">The Boy with the Painful Tattoo</a>

<b>4 Stars</b><br /><br />This is probably the best Lanyon series I’ve read to date, and as far as I’m concerned these stories are just getting better and better.<br /><br />In this long-awaited fourth installment, mystery authors Kit and J.X. are finally in a happy and healthy place in their relationship. They’ve settled into cohabitation well and are even thinking about taking their relationship to the next level. Kit, as always, needs more of a shove in the right direction than J.X. ever does, especially when it comes to matters of the heart, but J.X. is damn good at convincing Kit that what he needs most is him, so things shouldn’t be a problem – at least where their love is concerned.<br /><br />Then, as is only natural, Kit becomes entangled in yet another murder-mystery, wherein a body is found in the backyard of his old home, landing suspicion squarely at Kit’s feet. But this is Christopher Holmes we’re talking about, so he reluctantly dons his amateur sleuth hat, yet again, and gets to the business of solving not one mystery, but two – because lord knows the cops are basically good for nothing in this series. <br /><br />Very quickly, Kit and subsequently J.X. are faced with serious matters that are both unwanted and potentially dangerous. Not only is there the matter of the dead body in the backyard to absolve Kit of, but his pesky ex David shows up generally being skeezy and causing a fuss, and even stalker Jerry (from book three) makes a reappearance that puts everyone on edge.<br /><br />This was a fun read. I love the mystery genre and have always enjoyed the challenge of trying to solve the case before the characters do. Praise must be given to Lanyon here, because I believe I’m yet to truly work anything out while reading this series until Kit himself is in the thick of it during the final acts. I love that the mystery portions in these books get me so engaged yet leave me so utterly stumped as to what is happening or who is responsible. Like I said, it’s a fun reading experience. <br /><br />When it comes to Kit and J.X.’s romance, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, the progression of their relationship. They just fit so well together and I live for those quieter moments where things between them get tender and intimate. *happy sigh*<br /><br />It must also be said: I absolutely <i>adore</i> Christopher Holmes! Yup, the dude just gets me. Sure, he can be persnickety at times, but generally his personality it one I relate to a great deal and find endlessly entertaining in a book character. I could happily continue reading about him and his reluctant crime solving for years.<br /><br />This was a great addition to the series and I’ll be waiting here (im)patiently for the next installment.<br /><br /><br />Side note: Is it just me or is that GR synopsis completely misleading?!? A) They are not married…yet; and B) Kit never pursued true crime writing, like, ever – his agent simply mentioned it a time or two. So what the frack is up with that synopsis?!?!?!

<b>***4.5 Stars*** Perfect (audio)book was perfect!</b> ❤️<br /><br />I guess I will never get tired of Kit's dry and sarcastic humor and this series will always be one of my go-to-feel-good happy places whenever I need a good laugh. Sue me! ;-)

<b>4 Stars</b><br /><br />I’ve waited a long time for this book and it did not disappoint. <br /><br />Just know that I was entertained as exasperation, indignation, anxiety, worry, snorting, and plenty of swooning commenced. <br /><br />As always, in and amongst the central murder mystery, Kit and JX continue to evolve in their relationship, this time really solidifying things as Kit makes an effort to not lose or alienate the best thing in his life. Never fear in expecting and getting plenty of smart, biting, and sarcastic wit as Kit solves the whodunnit whether he wants to or not. <br /><br />Despite this ending at a surprising and disappointing 88%, I’m somewhat mollified with the promise of more to come. Let the impatient waiting begin! *grumbles*<br />

Edit<br />I read the book, finally. So, for me this is not a 5, but a solid 4 stars rating.<br />I think in this series Ms Lanyon express at her best her sense of humour. Kit is one of her best characters ever. Self centered, funny, vain, brave, fragile and strong... he's a hella of things.<br />In this book the criminal plot was almost non existent, and the stalker sublopt was ininfluent, it felt like something thrown in the middle just to leighten the broth.<br />But, like I said, the humour (and the good writing) won me. Only Ms Lanyon, for the next book please: a better plot, maybe?<br /><br /><br /><br />Usually, I don't rate a book before reading it.<br />But in this case I made an exception, because I saw 1 star ratings for this book.<br />A book that will be published in april 2018.<br />I dislike this kind of behaviour. So, here is my 5 stars rating.<br />Eventually I'll change my rating, after reading this book.<br /><br />Don't stay angry, don't stay foolish ;)

Aside from the familiar names -- of <i>Holmes and Moriarity</i> -- I admit I didn't remember anything about this series, including Jerry the stalker, who apparently <i>starred</i> in the previous books :p<br /><br />But it's not really a big deal, because I get right into the story quickly. It's good to see Kit <i>growing up</i> and learns to be better in his relationship with J.X., not making the same mistakes he did with David. And the mystery itself is enjoyable.<br /><br />One thing that tickled my fancy when reading this is when Kit goes at length "explaining" about cozy mystery genres, about how it becomes popular again (with witches!!), about how now is the era of self-publishing, or .99 cents box-sets -- can't help feeling like reading Lanyon's real life experience (since Lanyon's other pen names are writing cozy mystery series). It's insider's perspectives!!<br /><br />Oh and also the link provided in this book to subscribe to Sophie Snow's newsletter is a real link and it will take you to Josh Lanyon's newsletter webpage instead. Cute! *grin*

2020 audio<br />Okay, broken record, lol. We have to wait until May 2021 for the next installment?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? ?? Totally in love with JX and Kit. ?????<br /><br />June 2019 audio review<br />Loved it!!! I am going to listen to this whole series again and again. ? The narration is so excellent and captures Kit so well. Highly recommend.<br /><br />Jan 2019 ebook review<br />First I have to say, WE DON'T GET MORE UNTIL SUMMER 2020?!?!?!?!?! <i>Are you kidding me?</i> JL, you and me are going to have to have words. I can't wait that long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />I just love this whole series. It's hilarious and OMG, how is it possible Kit is such a murder magnet? Anybody who knows him should look out because they might be the next person found buried under a pergola. :D What can I say about this story? I didn't want to stop, I loved seeing Kit and JX together, Gabe is too funny and I hope we see more of his distrustful 5 year old self. And I can't wait to see what Kit writes for his newest installments to Miss. Butterwith! <br /><br />I love JX, he is such a strong character and a perfect fit for Kit. At times they seem to be thinking the same thing, which is really cool, except it's about murder and murderers, lol. The cops working the case (body found at Kit's previous home, buried in the back yard) were weird. I don't know if they really didn't like Kit, thought he was guilty, or suspected him of knowing about the body and never telling anyone. Regardless, they treated Kit weird, acted not very professional (of course Kit didn't help), and they seemed to be waiting for Kit to do their work for them.<br /><br />This was a very good and exciting story, a series I hope JL will continue to write for a long time. Kit is a smart character, able to think on his feet and even though he doesn't always look out for his own safety, I can't help but love the trouble he gets in to. Once again, another JL book I highly recommend, and again again, this cannot be read as a standalone.<br /><br />5 stars (and I bought the first 2 books in audio so I will be doing a re-read very soon).

Ever had a book come into your life, punch you in the heart then you don't know what to do with yourself?

Now that the first excitement over the new book has passed and I can see things more objectively, I'm dropping one star because the mystery was pretty weak. In general, and especially in comparison to the others in this series. <br />--------------------------------<br /><i>Original review:</i><br /><br />I can't even pretend to be objective when it comes to this series, so here's my "review":<br /><br />It was worth the wait, it was SO worth the wait. <br />I was in book heaven from the first word to the last.