The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks

For me, the writer Josh could do no wrong! This one sucks you in right from page 1, as I finished it in one sitting. Josh writes such marvelous, taut, tightly paced mysteries, packed with tension, intrigues and excitement and his latest is no exception. And this one has the extra elements of a bunch of quirky characters, a haunted house with secret passages and scary pasts, stolen loot and last but not least a pair of heroes who are complete opposites but just as appealing. The story really starts off with a bang. Imagine coming home and finding a dead man with yellow socks in your own bathtub. This is what happened to poor Perry, a very endearing character, vulnerable but tough and resourceful when needed. Noone believes Perry when the corpse conveniently disappeared except Nick, an ex-SEAL marine, who lives just in the opposite room of this huge house which has been compartmentalized for rental. Nick is the complete opposite. Just divorced from his wife, this "no nonsense" hunk has an almost sardonic view of life, cool, tough and have the least patience for so called queer wimps, like the artistically talented Perry who comes with asthma attacks and "Bambi" eyes. I love the sinister setting in this old mansion-like house, and Josh has really done a wonderful job scaring you with his vivid descriptions as this creepy house "comes to life" at night. Josh's cast of quirky supporting characters (the rest of the tenants) is a fun crazy lot as they interact with the 2 heroes struggling to solve the murders. There is the ex-cop, a blind tarot card reader into séances, a crazy old woman who prowls the house and gardens at night, an old perverted peeping tom, a most nasty landlady with her fat dogs, a sympathetic almost normal female, but with her own mysterious past. From page 1, there is no let-up in the plot at all, whether it focuses on the murders, the mysteries or the delightful yet bitter sweet romance between Perry and Nick. I never guessed the villain but then I did not wish to take the time to ponder. All I wanted was to know what happens next. The suspenseful mystery ends with an exciting climax and the romance ends with me craving for more stories on the endearing artist with a determined streak and his "ex-marine to-be PI" hunk. I hope Josh will not just stop here with Perry and Nick! But I am requesting him to do the same for all the appealing pair of sleuths he has created :)

Hmmm. I'm still not sure about this one. Something went wrong for me. I purchased it because I really loved Lanyon's Adrien English mysteries. And the title was quirky. The atmosphere of the story and the creepy old house is excellent, and the mystery was fun. The opening pages draw a reader in. Perry comes home to find a dead body in his tub and when he finally convinces someone to check it out, the body has vanished! Yet from there the story quickly started to drag. More than half the book is background on who's who, how long they've been there and their peculiarities. Normally, I don't mind this type of set-up. I want to know the people I'm going to be spending a few hours with. Only, I couldn't connect with the main characters, Perry and Nick. Adrien English felt real, these two never did - they were almost cliche. And progress on the mystery happened sporadically. The book did pick up somewhat when the second body is discovered, and many of the tenants begin acting strangely (strange being a relative term with this bunch!) There is some humor in the book with our house full of eccentric boarders, almost like a game of Clue. It has the aspect of a locked room mystery, only I quickly figured out the culprit (Colonel Mustard :-) Everyone in the boarding house gets some introduction, or takes part in conversation or scenes with our protagonists - except one person. And that person stood out like a sore thumb. This isn't always a problem, but our "sleuth" Perry spent too much time moping over a breakup, and not really "investigating." Lanyon often imbues his work with a romantic subtext (erotically enhanced!!), and that can be found here as well. Though the author lays a foundation for an attraction between Perry and Nick, two thirds of the novel go nowhere with it. I felt like I was floundering in the water. I think this tried to be a romance with a mystery subtext, and Lanyon's talents are better in the reverse. There is sex in the end but it's not graphic. It is tasteful and appropriate to the context and made the romance worthwhile. Also, the sex is quickly followed on by the climax (pun intended) of the mystery. The story wraps up very quickly with all the threads neatly tied - except who keeps the loot. Despite the flaws, I kept reading because Lanyon is a very good writer and I did want to know the how and why. Others have obviously enjoyed it a lot, and while it kept me interested I didn't feel this was the author's best effort. I highly recommend the Adrien English series, and this is good for those looking for more mystery with an M/M theme.

Original Review June 2014: I enjoyed the characters real well. Perry isn't the typical hero and yet with the help of fellow boarder, Nick Reno, that's exactly what he becomes. Not only do they solve an intriguing mystery together but they also find something in each other that they really weren't looking for and definitely weren't expecting. Some people just find a way of burrowing their way into your hearts and Josh Lanyon has an amazing way of repeatedly bringing us characters that do just that, and this book is chock full of them. Overall Duology Review Original Audiobook Review July 2023: It's been 9 years since I originally read Yellow Socks and 4-1/2 since Early Check-Out, you'd think everything would be brand new after that long . . . it wasn't! Sometimes I wished my memory wasn't so good when it comes to reading and viewing as I miss that adrenaline rush you can only get from the first time but for me, knowing the work doesn't lessen the enjoyment, never has. Well this duology(though I do wish there were more than just the two) is just as entertaining in audio as it was in reading. Not a lot I can say(or will say😉) about the plots that wasn't already covered in my original reviews so I'll just make a few comments on narration. I tend to enjoy audios of series more when it's the same narrator but different voice performers happen for a variety of reasons and life happens, certainly not something that ruins a series for me though I know it bothers some so that's why I mention it. Who did Perry & Nick better, Max Miller or Michael Pauley? Hard to say. Miller might have a slight edge but for me that is much more likely to be the case simply because he brought the characters to life first, similar to the way I prefer an the first actor in a series who gets recast later on, neither is necessarily better than the other just who we meet first. As for this duology there was only a few days between listens but Miller was still first and therefore slightly more fitting. Pauley does the pair wonderfully and personally I chalk the difference in nuances to Perry and Nick growing, individually and as a pair, we all change over time and I look at different narrations in that way as well, making Pauley also very well suited when bringing life to the zany mayhem that the men find themselves facing. As it was with the original discovering of the men and their mysteries, the blend of chemistry, humor, mayhem, and romance is spot on and never boring. Certainly won't be years before I visit this pair again.

3.5 stars. This one was first published in 2008, and thus it, well, it illustrates how far the author came in her craft by the time she wrote the Adrien English series. There's her ability with characters and setting and mystery, but the prose is much less polished. Much worse, to me, is that in the second half, head-hopping happens a lot. If you don't know what that is, ask a browser. Some readers don't mind it, but it makes me want to grab a red pen and start editing. But I really liked Perry. So I am glad I got around to reading this one.

Very good, got better the further in I went. It's not Lanyon's best work by any account, but it definitely has its charms and a different feel to it than his other works. I liked Perry, and how he had a lot of character and backbone. At first he seems like somewhat of a shrinking violet, but little by little he comes back into himself (after a depressing blow by his former love interest) and easily charms. Nick is strong and very competent, taking on the role of reluctant protector, and slowly is won over by Perry. He actually is rather rough and a bit mean at the beginning, and I liked how the dual points of view really let the reader into both characters' minds and backgrounds very quickly. The story is less engaging than Lanyon's other works--except for one other work I always give him five stars--but it is filled with a good murder mystery that reaches back into history, no solid clues to the perpetrator (so we can't guess early), and an array of interesting supporting characters. Well worth the read, it's quick and really fun.

Perry Foster returns to his apartment he rents in an old mansion bummed because his internet boyfriend, who he had high hopes of a happily ever after with, has just dumped him. To make matters worse, when he opens his bathroom door there is a dead body in the bathtub. Freaking out, Perry runs downstairs to call for help. His newest neighbor, ex Navy SEAL Nick Reno runs up to Perry's apartment to investigate, but the body is missing! When the police arrive, the bathroom is spotless and there is not a clue to be found. His quirky neighbors and the police pretty much think Perry is nuts. Nick suspects something is fishy, but he wants nothing to do with anyone in the house. He is leaving soon for a job interview and is recovering from a divorce. However he looks at shy, young Perry, somewhat helpless with his sever asthma attacks and threatened by the fact someone broke into his house and left a body and feels a sense of duty to protect him. Not only does he become Perry's ally in the investigation, but a romantic tension between the two of them develops. The setting for this book was perfect - a creepy old boarding house full of secret passages and dark corners. The neighbors are a riot, and as Perry investigates, he starts to become suspicious of each one (I did too!). It is a really fun mystery to try to figure out. At the beginning I wasn't sure how the romance was going to play out between Nick and Perry. Nick comes off as such tough, no-nonsense guy and Perry is a shy, struggling artist, who has lost a lot of confidence after being dumped. However, they do have common ground - Nick is now out on his own after divorcing his wife and being thrown out of the Navy, and Perry is out on his own after his parents threw him out for being gay. Although Perry seems timid and unsure of himself at the beginning, he gets some guts and proves to be a good match for Nick. This book is so good, both as a murder mystery and a romance. I would say this book is a bit more of a mystery, than a romance, but I feel the romance scenes that are included fit the pace of the book well. Josh Lanyon writes his characters with a smart and wonderful sense of humor. It is not necessarily laugh out loud funny, but there are so many times where I found myself smiling - and that is the best way to read a book.

A wonderful "Haunted House" mystery from Josh Lanyon. It has all the best ingredients: a reputedly haunted old mansion turned into apartments and populated by as colorful an assortment of weird and suspicious characters as you could wish for (except for the two leads, of course: one is a cute artist, the other is a studly ex-Navy SEAL). The opening is classic: the hero finds a dead body in his bathtub, runs to raise the alarm and when the cluless cops and everyone go to look, it's gone. No one believes him, naturally.There are creaking, dragging noises in the walls at night; a crazy old lady wandering through the house at all hours; a missing stash of stolen jewels; a climactic gun battle, you name it. The book is also a M/M romance, for those who need to know, one way or the other. Ringing yet another change on the ancient erastes/eromenos theme (both parties are adults, btw), Mr. Lanyon generates as much, if not more, suspense here as he does with the murder mystery. There's also a relevant, cautionary plot element about the risks of pursuing that modern chimera, the internet `"relationship." Written in Mr. Lanyon's usual master craftsman style, with razor sharp dialog and fun cultural references, the book is a delight to read - and you won't want to put it down until the last body has tumbled out of the closet.

The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks by Josh Lanyon is Book 1 in her The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks series. If you’re a Lanyon fan (I am!), then you’ll love this book. Lanyon writes top-notch mysteries with a side of romance. The mystery starts early in this book and you’re introduced to the many characters/suspects, as well as, our leading men. The mysteries pile up while Perry is struggling with a failed relationship, his asthma, and finding himself in the middle of all the mysteries. Perry was an easy-to-like character who I felt bad for. He seemed frail and lonely. He had big hopes that were dashed and he was just trying to make the best of it. Nick was harder for me to like. He was a mystery, not forthcoming, and secretive. I’m not even sure I liked him at the end. The two men together worked well at solving the mysteries, which led to more between them. I wasn’t sure Nick deserved Perry, but it’s what Perry wanted so what can you do! As with any Lanyon mystery, there are twists and turns to keep the reader involved and guessing. You’re alongside Perry and Nick and their discoveries of clues so you can work the mystery yourself. If you’re a fan of mysteries, you’ll definitely want to grab this book now! If you prefer a romance book with just a side of mystery, this may not be what you’re looking for. Rating: 4 stars!

はじめての原書読みで楽しんで読めている

This had a great Agatha Christie mystery feel with a romance mixed in and it made for a really enjoyable read! Perry comes home early from his vacation to find a body in his bathtub. But when he goes to get help from his neighbours, notably ex-seal Nick, the body is missing. But things are off and Perry manages to convince Nick to help him figure out what's going on. The mystery was really fun and twisty. Set in a drafty old boarding house with its own scandalous history, as well as an assortment of unusual boarders, there was a wonderful atmospheric feeling. In classic mystery fashion each boarder has their own secrets and odd behaviour, and everyone has the potential to be a suspect. I was guessing up to the end and really loved who it turned out to be! Nick and Perry were an odd pairing and one that took timeto and getting to know each other to actually match up. They each had their own bits of history, not to mention the slightly antagonist first meeting they have, so there are plenty of bumps in the road. Watching how they interact and each bit we get to learn about them matched in so perfectly with the mystery. Great read!

Me gustó esta historia, quizá no tanto como otras novelas de Lanyon pero tuvo detalles que me instaron a seguir adelante. El plot quizá no me pareció el mejor de los que ha escrito pero sin duda es interesante y es algo muy distintivo de la autora. El misterio en una pequeña comunidad. El romance entre los protagonistas me precio medio aburrido, como se dio pero en sí fue un slow burn decente, sin duda alguna no le hace justicia alguna a sus otros m/m. Aún no me decido si leeré el segundo libro.

Wonderful mystery and character development ♥ Perry just back from the airport after a horrible day , he flew to San Francisco to know Maurice, a (boy)friend who had meet online. But stupid Maurice dump him. So Perry is now at his apartment one week earlier! And FOUND a dead man in his bathtub! Shocked, he go downstairs to call the landford, but he can speak , and he started to have problems with his breathing caused by his asthma . Just in that moment Nick was entering into the hall. Nick was straight, ex navy Seal , 30 something and his not very friendly neighborhood. First, he doesn't want to intercede, but finally when all the neighborhoods are there very nervous Nick is the one to go up to Perrys apartment to check the body. Actually the NObody cause wasn't anyone! but he sees some strange things. When the police arrive and check it , he's surprised to see that the things he had see were now missing too, so he's the only one that actually believe Perry. That's when Perry and Nick start a beautiful and supportive friendship and start investigating the mystery of that body with yellow socks!

A book wonderfully narrated by Max Miller. This was a first time listening to him and I found it ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANTLY DONE. The narrators voice was brilliant with all the characters voices especially with the ladies, I loved David Centre's voice the most as he made me laugh out loud with his character. The story its-self was again brilliant, I loved the intrigues of the mystery with the man found in the tub. The unusual descriptive words used was great too. The mystery I advise to read or listen carefully as scenes play out. It all evolves around the house and its history which Perry and Nick get into. The story is fantastic from start to finishing lines with drama and danger included with the murder. Highly Recommend the Audio cause the narrator brings the characters to life. Perry's an 23 yrs artist which has asthma when he comes home early and finds a dead man in his bath tub. But the second time Nick looks its gone, but leaves clues behind. Seeking help of his house mate Nick was a ex-marine and newly divorced.