A lot happens in the first chapter of this story with the apparent break up between Kit and J.X. and Anna's revelation that she thinks someone is trying to kill her. She plays on Kit's level of caring for her as his former mentor to get him to agree to investigate her claim while leaving the police out of it. It doesn't help that Anna's annual retreat provides him with a house full of suspects – aspiring mystery writers whose manuscripts all involve death. Though she may appear to really fear for her life in the beginning, Anna's actions throughout the rest of the book cast that fear in a slightly different light. Her treatment of Kit, who really does all he can to help her, also prevents her from being a very sympathetic character. Kit, on the other hand, is an extremely relatable character and the type of friend people want to have. His misfortunes in the book only make readers want the best for him, which is pretty much what happens when J.X. shows up. The interplay between the two of them is witty, touching, and usually pretty hot, and it illustrates their characters and feelings for each other perfectly.

Josh Lanyon has written a wonderful mystery that has some unexpected twists and a pair of mystery writers trying to find their way to a future together. Though this is the second book in the Holmes & Moriarity series, it can be read on its own.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Karin
May 4, 2011