Stevie‘s review of Fair Play (All’s Fair, Book 2) by Josh Lanyon
Contemporary Gay Romantic Suspense published by Carina Press 11 Nov 14
It’s been a while since I read a Josh Lanyon book, but I remember enjoying them for the mystery, the romance, and perhaps most of all for the humour. This is the second novella in a series, but there are more than enough references to relevant pieces of backstory – so many, in fact, that I do wonder whether they will become irritating to readers familiar with the previous book.
Elliot is a former FBI agent turned history lecturer – or professor in US parlance – and is the son of a former political radical who also went on to have a distinguished academic career. Now Elliot’s father has decided to publish his memoirs, particularly in relation to his time campaigning against the Vietnam War, and it rapidly becomes apparent that someone – either a former friend or someone from the opposite end of the political spectrum – will stop at nothing to prevent the book from coming out.
Following the destruction of his house in an arson attack, Elliot’s father comes to stay with Elliot and his FBI agent boyfriend, Tucker, who is distinctly more conservative in his politics even than Elliot – who is the classical reactionary child of a former revolutionary. When it becomes clear that both Elliot and his father are still in danger from the arsonist, Elliot decides to investigate what happened to his father’s former associates, helped, albeit reluctantly, by Tucker.
This book has very little of the humour that I’ve previously come to expect from Lanyon, and there’s an underlying series plot arc, which I feel detracts from the plot of the novella itself – since there already weren’t really enough words to do justice to the attempted murder plot, along with all the little details of Elliot’s and Tucker’s lives and relationship.
I like the little details we see in relation to the various suspects, especially some of the revelations about Elliot’s father’s right wing nemesis – a blogger and radio presenter. However, none of these little touches – or the glimpses we see of the series’ ongoing story arc – are enough to make me want to delve further into the lives of Elliot and Tucker.
Grade: C
Summary:
Fifty years ago, Roland Mills belonged to a violent activist group. Now, someone is willing to kill to prevent him from publishing his memoirs.
When ex-FBI agent Elliot Mills is called out to examine the charred ruins of his childhood home, he quickly identifies the fire for what it is—arson. A knee injury may have forced Elliot out of the Bureau, but it’s not going to stop him from bringing the man who wants his father dead to justice.
Agent Tucker Lance is still working to find the serial killer who’s obsessed with Elliot and can’t bear the thought of his lover putting himself in additional danger. Straightlaced Tucker has never agreed with radical Roland on much—”opposing political viewpoints” is an understatement—but they’re united on this: Elliot needs to leave the case alone. Now.
Tucker would do nearly anything for the man he loves, but he won’t be used to gain Elliot access to the FBI’s resources. When the past comes back to play and everything both men had known to be true is questioned, their fragile relationship is left hanging in the balance.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
