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L.A. Paranormal #4
Dead and Lost
Not all bodies want to remain buried.
Leander Thorne makes his living as a psychic pet detective and moonlights as an unofficial police consultant. In his latter role he has agreed to help Detective Cora Bennet from the LAPD with a decades-old murder. Unfortunately, the victims bones refuse to talk to him.
To complicate things, Leander’s anxiety-prone boyfriend Jon has started sleepwalking again. Since Jon has perfected taciturnity into an art form it’ll take all of Leander’s patience and tenacity to make him open up.
When Leander and Jon start digging into the old murder case the mystery grows thicker at every turn. Leander’s knack for finding lost things and buried secrets lead them into the hills above a posh LA suburb. However, those hills hide more than just mountain lions and rattlesnakes. If they are not careful trouble will find them.
Leander Thorne makes his living as a psychic pet detective and moonlights as an unofficial police consultant. In his latter role he has agreed to help Detective Cora Bennet from the LAPD with a decades-old murder. Unfortunately, the victims bones refuse to talk to him.
To complicate things, Leander’s anxiety-prone boyfriend Jon has started sleepwalking again. Since Jon has perfected taciturnity into an art form it’ll take all of Leander’s patience and tenacity to make him open up.
When Leander and Jon start digging into the old murder case the mystery grows thicker at every turn. Leander’s knack for finding lost things and buried secrets lead them into the hills above a posh LA suburb. However, those hills hide more than just mountain lions and rattlesnakes. If they are not careful trouble will find them.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2016
9 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Lou Harper
34Ìýbooks341ÌýfollowersUnder a prickly, cynical surface Lou Harper is an incorrigible romantic. Her love affair with the written word started at a tender age. There was never a time when stories weren't romping around in her head. She is currently embroiled in a ruinous romance with adjectives. In her free time Lou stalks deviant words and feral narratives.
Lou's favorite animal is the hedgehog. She likes nature, books, movies, photography, and good food. She has a temper and mood swings.
Lou has misspent most of her life in parts of Europe and the US, but is now firmly settled in Los Angeles and worships the sun. However, she thinks the ocean smells funny. Lou is a loner, a misfit, and a happy drunk.
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Lou's favorite animal is the hedgehog. She likes nature, books, movies, photography, and good food. She has a temper and mood swings.
Lou has misspent most of her life in parts of Europe and the US, but is now firmly settled in Los Angeles and worships the sun. However, she thinks the ocean smells funny. Lou is a loner, a misfit, and a happy drunk.
Blog:
Book cove designs:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 17, 2016
L.A. Paranormal is probably my favorite series from Lou Harper, which might be influenced by the mystery fan in me. I enjoyed the adventure of Jon and Leander, and the whole psychic side of Leander just added the fun.
This novella is a nice surprise -- the previous L.A. Paranormal book, was released in 2013 -- especially since I haven't heard Lou Harper planning to continue. The mystery in this one is loosely related to Dead in the Desert although you can still read this as stand-alone. In Dead in the Desert, a child's remains were discovered and the detective was asking Leander to help identify the body. Back then, Leander refused. However, in this one, it turned out that Leander finally decided to help Detective Cora.
For the first time (after two books), the story was solely written from Leander's POV ... and I LOVED IT. Leander is adorable!! How can I not love a guy who openly admitted that he loves books so much, he tends to hoard them *lol*. Leander has this sunshine/happy attitude that just helps reduce the horrific situation that he is facing -- come on, death of a kid is never easy! I also loved how Leander dealing with his significant other, Jon the Grumpy Bear. Those moments were just too cute!!
The mystery is good as well. Leander seems to be more 'involved' in sleuthing this time, which I appreciated. Of course it made Jon (and Detective Cora) crazy but it also provided some goodness when Jon being protective of his Leander.
Yep, satisfying read.
This novella is a nice surprise -- the previous L.A. Paranormal book, was released in 2013 -- especially since I haven't heard Lou Harper planning to continue. The mystery in this one is loosely related to Dead in the Desert although you can still read this as stand-alone. In Dead in the Desert, a child's remains were discovered and the detective was asking Leander to help identify the body. Back then, Leander refused. However, in this one, it turned out that Leander finally decided to help Detective Cora.
For the first time (after two books), the story was solely written from Leander's POV ... and I LOVED IT. Leander is adorable!! How can I not love a guy who openly admitted that he loves books so much, he tends to hoard them *lol*. Leander has this sunshine/happy attitude that just helps reduce the horrific situation that he is facing -- come on, death of a kid is never easy! I also loved how Leander dealing with his significant other, Jon the Grumpy Bear. Those moments were just too cute!!
The mystery is good as well. Leander seems to be more 'involved' in sleuthing this time, which I appreciated. Of course it made Jon (and Detective Cora) crazy but it also provided some goodness when Jon being protective of his Leander.
Yep, satisfying read.
January 31, 2021
*** 3.5 stars ***
Cute but not too fluffy. Sweet but not sappy. A nice sprinkling of humor to leaven the serious stuff -- in this case, investigating a decades-old unsolved murder.
Unlike the previous books in the series, this one is told from Leander's POV. He's a geeky goofball with a sunny outlook and a propensity for dropping sly Doctor Who references. He and Jon are an endearing couple of the opposites-attract variety.
If you liked the other LA Paranormal books, this one is a sure bet.
Cute but not too fluffy. Sweet but not sappy. A nice sprinkling of humor to leaven the serious stuff -- in this case, investigating a decades-old unsolved murder.
Unlike the previous books in the series, this one is told from Leander's POV. He's a geeky goofball with a sunny outlook and a propensity for dropping sly Doctor Who references. He and Jon are an endearing couple of the opposites-attract variety.
Jon had an infuriating habit of hoarding and hiding his troubles, as if they were a pile of gold. "You’re a leprechaun of misery," I told him.
If you liked the other LA Paranormal books, this one is a sure bet.
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March 16, 2018Ok... I'm gonna not rate this, cuz I'm the new nicer, less snarky me. And really, maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind for this right now. I mean, I enjoyed the previous installments in the series. I thought I wanted a happy comfort read and narrowed it down to a reread of Megan Derr's Rapier Brothers, or this. I've always enjoyed Lou Harper's stuff, it's got the mystery angle, and I haven't read it before.
It's not like I didn't know it was a fluffy, corny California flavored cozy. I already read two of them ffs. The premise involves a psychic pet detective working with the police. What could possibly be harder to take seriously?
Aside from my present mood, if there's a reason this one didn't work for me, it's that this one is told from Leander's POV rather than the much more down to earth Jon. Our normally solid Watson has been downgraded to "grumpy bear" who stands in the background pouting, and occasionally rushes in to play mother and kiss Leander's boo-boo when Leander inevitably gets injured derping his way along through a serial killer investigation, or just looks slightly tired.
For me, the combination of Leander's cutesy endearments and overly-carefree attitude with dead children was just grating.
It was short though.
It's not like I didn't know it was a fluffy, corny California flavored cozy. I already read two of them ffs. The premise involves a psychic pet detective working with the police. What could possibly be harder to take seriously?
Aside from my present mood, if there's a reason this one didn't work for me, it's that this one is told from Leander's POV rather than the much more down to earth Jon. Our normally solid Watson has been downgraded to "grumpy bear" who stands in the background pouting, and occasionally rushes in to play mother and kiss Leander's boo-boo when Leander inevitably gets injured derping his way along through a serial killer investigation, or just looks slightly tired.
For me, the combination of Leander's cutesy endearments and overly-carefree attitude with dead children was just grating.
It was short though.
January 4, 2017
Dead and Lost, the 4th story (and the 3rd book–since stories 1 & 2 appear together in ) in the L.A. Paranormal series, takes place a few months after the closing of . At the request of Detective Cora Bennet, Leander Thorne is trying to figure out who might have killed the young child found in the desert in the previous book. But his gift seems to be on the fritz–or there just wasn’t enough there to begin with–because he is getting almost nothing from the child’s bones. Undaunted and still curious, Lea (rhymes with tea) convinces his boyfriend Jon to help him do a little off-the-book detecting. Not that he is supposed to be doing any on-the-book detecting either. In fact, everyone–except maybe Lea himself–would rather he leave the detecting to, well, the detectives. Especially when his trail leads him to more dead bodies and a mystery that had every intention on staying mysterious–and over Lea’s dead body if necessary.
I’m not entirely sure how it was possible I missed the release of this book back in September of 2016. This is one of my favorite series by Lou Harper (though, that is a very tight race) and I wasn’t even aware that there was going to be another book after Dead in the Desert. I’m very glad I got the chance to read and review it, though.
Unlike the other books in this series, where the pov rest solely with Jon, this book is told from the perspective of Lea. It was really cool to finally see his side of things. Having only seen Lea as Jon sees Lea (or, I guess, Andy as Jon calls him), we have been left with a somewhat unfinished picture of who this book-obsessed psychic really is. We might not get the whole picture here, but we get a better idea of what kind of man Lea is when Jon isn’t around. Plus we also get to see Jon through Lea’s eyes, and boy that is fun. And I so giggled every time he referred to Jon as Grumpy Bear. Seeing the more playful side of their relationship was kinda cool and really added to the overall sense of who they were together as well as apart. I might miss Jon’s narrative voice a little, but Lea did a stand up job.
I also loved the mystery in this book. It was a bit more cohesive here than in the previous stories–where it seemed like Jon and Lea were just floating along with events instead of pushing the story themselves–and the change really helped in the overall feel of the story. The whodunnit was a bit simple, but the overall case and the progression through it was a real blast to read. The secondary characters really worked well in their parts as well.
Hopefully this is not the last in the series because there is so much more I want to know about these two. As it stands, though, this book (and the entire series to date) is a favorite part of my reread pile. Go forth and read it, my peoples, I think you’ll really enjoy it.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
I’m not entirely sure how it was possible I missed the release of this book back in September of 2016. This is one of my favorite series by Lou Harper (though, that is a very tight race) and I wasn’t even aware that there was going to be another book after Dead in the Desert. I’m very glad I got the chance to read and review it, though.
Unlike the other books in this series, where the pov rest solely with Jon, this book is told from the perspective of Lea. It was really cool to finally see his side of things. Having only seen Lea as Jon sees Lea (or, I guess, Andy as Jon calls him), we have been left with a somewhat unfinished picture of who this book-obsessed psychic really is. We might not get the whole picture here, but we get a better idea of what kind of man Lea is when Jon isn’t around. Plus we also get to see Jon through Lea’s eyes, and boy that is fun. And I so giggled every time he referred to Jon as Grumpy Bear. Seeing the more playful side of their relationship was kinda cool and really added to the overall sense of who they were together as well as apart. I might miss Jon’s narrative voice a little, but Lea did a stand up job.
I also loved the mystery in this book. It was a bit more cohesive here than in the previous stories–where it seemed like Jon and Lea were just floating along with events instead of pushing the story themselves–and the change really helped in the overall feel of the story. The whodunnit was a bit simple, but the overall case and the progression through it was a real blast to read. The secondary characters really worked well in their parts as well.
Hopefully this is not the last in the series because there is so much more I want to know about these two. As it stands, though, this book (and the entire series to date) is a favorite part of my reread pile. Go forth and read it, my peoples, I think you’ll really enjoy it.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
January 10, 2017
Love this series!
I adore these and was super excited when this came out. I like the relationship with Jon, though sometimes I wish it was a bit...deeper. I like that even though there are murders and stuff, these stories are not overly angsty. I did have the killer pegged pretty early but I still enjoyed and hope there are more to come!
I adore these and was super excited when this came out. I like the relationship with Jon, though sometimes I wish it was a bit...deeper. I like that even though there are murders and stuff, these stories are not overly angsty. I did have the killer pegged pretty early but I still enjoyed and hope there are more to come!
October 23, 2019
I didn't like this one as much as I liked the previous books. I think it was because this one was told in Leander's POV which I just didn't click with as much as I did with Jon's POV. Leander didn't think sometimes before he would just go off in search of clues and going from pet finder to chasing down a killer seemed a bit too much at times. Also Grumpy Bear - Really?
November 5, 2016
The long await sequel in the series. And it's not disappointed.
This time we get to read from Leander's POV for a change. The cast got switch a bit too. As I must say I like Cora interactions with Leander, especially how sometimes she compare him to her sons in terms being a trouble magnet and seems to enjoy sparring words with Leander. Not to mention commiserating with Jon about how troublesome Leander can be.
The mystery part felt somewhat slow but it was appropriate. Leander wasn't on police force after all. The events in this book do take it's time to resolve, as it would be in real life.
There is one point that I felt Leander should have recognized right away. For me, it was the only weak part of the book. Even though Leander and Jon were discussing about it afterward.
Interestingly, Leander seems to
The rather frustrating part was that Leander is still threading close to the 'Too Stupid To Live' line, especially for Jon's comfort. But props to Ms. Harper, they did talked it out a little before went back to the default problem solving method, sex.
Also, D:
Ahem... This is still a very enjoyable read. Almost like armchair mystery but with really sick crime.
From the way the story was told, it is clear that this must be written from Leander's POV.
This time we get to read from Leander's POV for a change. The cast got switch a bit too. As I must say I like Cora interactions with Leander, especially how sometimes she compare him to her sons in terms being a trouble magnet and seems to enjoy sparring words with Leander. Not to mention commiserating with Jon about how troublesome Leander can be.
The mystery part felt somewhat slow but it was appropriate. Leander wasn't on police force after all. The events in this book do take it's time to resolve, as it would be in real life.
There is one point that I felt Leander should have recognized right away. For me, it was the only weak part of the book. Even though Leander and Jon were discussing about it afterward.
Interestingly, Leander seems to
The rather frustrating part was that Leander is still threading close to the 'Too Stupid To Live' line, especially for Jon's comfort. But props to Ms. Harper, they did talked it out a little before went back to the default problem solving method, sex.
Also, D:
Ahem... This is still a very enjoyable read. Almost like armchair mystery but with really sick crime.
From the way the story was told, it is clear that this must be written from Leander's POV.
February 3, 2017
3.5 stars
You know what stuck in my head reading this? Carrot and chicken roast pizza. Huh. XP
You know what stuck in my head reading this? Carrot and chicken roast pizza. Huh. XP
January 20, 2018
By the time I was finishing up book two in this series, I was already buying this installment. A little different this time, from Leander’s POV, which was interesting and nicely done, and although I missed Jon’s view a bit, it was nice to get to “see� Leander doing his psychic thing. The mystery was good, writing was excellent. I’m really hoping there will be more. I love these books.
November 16, 2018
This is book 4 in the LA Paranormal series from Lou Harper, and it might be my favourite book. The mystery was compelling, and I love to read Leander's POV. Great book, great series, recommended.
September 20, 2016
There is just something about these two that I just adore. Please keep writing mysteries for them!
August 25, 2018
3.5 stars
This is the third book and fourth novella in the L.A. Paranormals series. I really enjoy Leander and Jon. They're a mix-matched couple and it works for them. Jon is prone to worrying and Leander lives in the moment. I love how Andy looks after Jon and sees his inner softie - though I could've done without the nicknames. Grumpy Bear?
Unlike the other novellas, this one is from Andy's POV. I didn't quite click with his voice like I did with Jon's but it did provide for a more light and easygoing read. Andy also gets more hands-on in this story with the mystery, following his own leads, much to the chagrin of poor Detective Cora.
The mystery is a cold case, going back to some remains that Andy found in a previous book, and trying to find out how the remains of a four-year old ended up in the desert. In the process, he discovers a much bigger mystery. Some of the leaps were a bit on the convenient side, physic abilities aside, and it took a little too long for Andy to suspect and finger the perp. A little bit of regular detective work would've helped him get there faster than his psyching.
Andy and Jon also have some changes in their personal life centered around Jon's schooling and life goals. I really do enjoy seeing Andy get to the heart of what's bothering Jon and gets him to open up and laugh.
This is the third book and fourth novella in the L.A. Paranormals series. I really enjoy Leander and Jon. They're a mix-matched couple and it works for them. Jon is prone to worrying and Leander lives in the moment. I love how Andy looks after Jon and sees his inner softie - though I could've done without the nicknames. Grumpy Bear?
Unlike the other novellas, this one is from Andy's POV. I didn't quite click with his voice like I did with Jon's but it did provide for a more light and easygoing read. Andy also gets more hands-on in this story with the mystery, following his own leads, much to the chagrin of poor Detective Cora.
The mystery is a cold case, going back to some remains that Andy found in a previous book, and trying to find out how the remains of a four-year old ended up in the desert. In the process, he discovers a much bigger mystery. Some of the leaps were a bit on the convenient side, physic abilities aside, and it took a little too long for Andy to suspect and finger the perp. A little bit of regular detective work would've helped him get there faster than his psyching.
Andy and Jon also have some changes in their personal life centered around Jon's schooling and life goals. I really do enjoy seeing Andy get to the heart of what's bothering Jon and gets him to open up and laugh.
April 6, 2021
Jon et Lea vivent toujours ensemble, amoureux, et rien ne vient gâcher leur bonheur, même si les crises d'angoisses de Jon semblent s'intensifier.
Lorsque Lea, accepte la demande de l'inspecteur Cora Bennett, d'aider à éclarcir le mystère des ossements d'enfants découvert par hasard à la fin du premier tome, ils ignorent qu'ils vont mettre à jour un drame familial et révéler l'existence d'un sérial killer botaniste.
Le premier tome était du point de vue de Jon, celui-ci, du point de vue de Lea, est à son image, drôle, solaire, perdu par moments par son don, ancré à la réalité par Jon, ne trouvant pas d'explications aux images qu'il peut recevoir au contact des objets ou des personnes et nous les proposant du coup telles qu'il les reçoit...
Nous suivons donc l'enquête sur la disparition dix-huit ans plus tôt de Cody Perkins, 4 ans, menée par l'inspectrice Bennett, qui gère Lea comme une maman-poule. Jon, toujours très protecteur, finit par révéler ses angoisses à Lea, ce qui lui permettra d'avancer et de trouver une solution pour aller de l'avant.
J'ai un coup de cœur pour cette série et cet auteur, c'est drôle, les personnages sont attachants et bien construits, la romance est présente dans le lien du couple formé par Jon et Lea mais n'est pas le omniprésente, loin de là , la traduction est de qualité et les enquêtes sont palpitantes. A quand le tome 3 ?
Lorsque Lea, accepte la demande de l'inspecteur Cora Bennett, d'aider à éclarcir le mystère des ossements d'enfants découvert par hasard à la fin du premier tome, ils ignorent qu'ils vont mettre à jour un drame familial et révéler l'existence d'un sérial killer botaniste.
Le premier tome était du point de vue de Jon, celui-ci, du point de vue de Lea, est à son image, drôle, solaire, perdu par moments par son don, ancré à la réalité par Jon, ne trouvant pas d'explications aux images qu'il peut recevoir au contact des objets ou des personnes et nous les proposant du coup telles qu'il les reçoit...
Nous suivons donc l'enquête sur la disparition dix-huit ans plus tôt de Cody Perkins, 4 ans, menée par l'inspectrice Bennett, qui gère Lea comme une maman-poule. Jon, toujours très protecteur, finit par révéler ses angoisses à Lea, ce qui lui permettra d'avancer et de trouver une solution pour aller de l'avant.
J'ai un coup de cœur pour cette série et cet auteur, c'est drôle, les personnages sont attachants et bien construits, la romance est présente dans le lien du couple formé par Jon et Lea mais n'est pas le omniprésente, loin de là , la traduction est de qualité et les enquêtes sont palpitantes. A quand le tome 3 ?
February 21, 2024
3.5 stars
This was a light hearted paranormal novel with a slight twist in that the psychic found lost pets. Oh and he sidelined as an extra on TV shows. Other than that, it’s a pretty ordinary mystery, a little too short and a lot too simple. There wasn’t even a dramatic perilous climax. Instead, there was a scene where something almost happened but didn’t and he was fine. Seriously, there was more drama when he used his gift.
But I like the characters and the humor and the pet business. I’d keep reading the series if there were more books but alas, this is the final story. Fortunately, there are still paranormal books of hers I haven’t read and I look forward to doing so.
This was a light hearted paranormal novel with a slight twist in that the psychic found lost pets. Oh and he sidelined as an extra on TV shows. Other than that, it’s a pretty ordinary mystery, a little too short and a lot too simple. There wasn’t even a dramatic perilous climax. Instead, there was a scene where something almost happened but didn’t and he was fine. Seriously, there was more drama when he used his gift.
But I like the characters and the humor and the pet business. I’d keep reading the series if there were more books but alas, this is the final story. Fortunately, there are still paranormal books of hers I haven’t read and I look forward to doing so.
May 27, 2018
This one might be my favorite of all. It was a definite 4.5, and I'm still considering rounding up to a 5. I love the m/c's and their banter. This one had a little more story and mystery to it. The author did a great job with the resolution. At this point, I don't think there is another, but if there was... I would read it.
October 4, 2018
I really liked all the books in the "LA Paranormal" series. In this volume it's written from Leander's POV. I loved reading Jon's POV and Leander's was interesting, but I still liked Jon's because of his dry humor to himself.
May 17, 2017
Still nice reading about this couple, the story is just a peek in their routine
June 25, 2017
I really like this series. This book had Leander's POV and was a bit more intense.
July 23, 2017
Fun Series
Glad the books are written in different person. I enjoyed Jon's perspective, but I was glad to hear Andy's in this book.
Glad the books are written in different person. I enjoyed Jon's perspective, but I was glad to hear Andy's in this book.
March 10, 2018
I love these MCs :)
January 25, 2019
Great series. I'm sad it ended...
July 7, 2020
4 25 stars
August 27, 2020
I like this series overall, but something about this particular book just didn't gel for me.
Read
March 18, 2017This is my favorite book in the series so far! I wish there is more. I really want to see them in their new house with their cats and Lea being more attuned with his gift. <3
October 10, 2016
Lots of surprises with the latest installment of this series, so I admit to being a little worried it wouldn't have the same "feel" as the previous stories. And to a point, I was right because it did have a different feel ... but I was wrong to be worried.
As stated in most of the reviews I've read, we hear from Leander for the first time. Lea is lighter, more optimistic and trusting than Jon, so his POV was more relaxing from the beginning. Where Jon was a smart observer with good instincts, Lea was an active participant in the cases because of his psychic experiences, making this book more of a traditional mystery because we saw his process and his results in real time instead of waiting until he was sure enough to mention his theories, and then have them filtered through Jon's limited knowledge of the entire "vision". Seeing behind the curtain took away a little of the magic surrounding Lea's abilities, but I think it was a fair trade. Especially considering how everything turned out. The harsher details of the case were better served through his attitude.
As for Lea and Jon together, they are such perfect opposites. They've settled into a routine that works for them, and while there aren't any sex scenes, it's made very clear how happy they are to be together. It's all very cute, comfortable, and romantic.
I liked seeing Jon through Lea's eyes. He's still a worrier, afraid of all the ways things could go wrong, but some of the intensity is off. Lea understands him, which allowed me, the reader, to understand him better. Same for Lea. He'll always be Jon's "Andy", yet it felt completely natural to see him as he sees himself, as Lea. I wasn't sure how that was going to play out. It could have gotten pretty confusing having several names for one character, but I think it speaks to how many versions of ourselves there are and how well the author was able to express that.
So overall, it's another book I'm happy to recommend to everyone. Nice, solid mystery with everything that generally entails. An interesting character study about who someone is based on who is narrating. And an established couple I'm happy to revisit anytime.
As stated in most of the reviews I've read, we hear from Leander for the first time. Lea is lighter, more optimistic and trusting than Jon, so his POV was more relaxing from the beginning. Where Jon was a smart observer with good instincts, Lea was an active participant in the cases because of his psychic experiences, making this book more of a traditional mystery because we saw his process and his results in real time instead of waiting until he was sure enough to mention his theories, and then have them filtered through Jon's limited knowledge of the entire "vision". Seeing behind the curtain took away a little of the magic surrounding Lea's abilities, but I think it was a fair trade. Especially considering how everything turned out. The harsher details of the case were better served through his attitude.
As for Lea and Jon together, they are such perfect opposites. They've settled into a routine that works for them, and while there aren't any sex scenes, it's made very clear how happy they are to be together. It's all very cute, comfortable, and romantic.
I liked seeing Jon through Lea's eyes. He's still a worrier, afraid of all the ways things could go wrong, but some of the intensity is off. Lea understands him, which allowed me, the reader, to understand him better. Same for Lea. He'll always be Jon's "Andy", yet it felt completely natural to see him as he sees himself, as Lea. I wasn't sure how that was going to play out. It could have gotten pretty confusing having several names for one character, but I think it speaks to how many versions of ourselves there are and how well the author was able to express that.
So overall, it's another book I'm happy to recommend to everyone. Nice, solid mystery with everything that generally entails. An interesting character study about who someone is based on who is narrating. And an established couple I'm happy to revisit anytime.
October 5, 2016
Not recommended to read as a stand-alone. Best to start with Dead in LA.
I ADORE these stories! They are light, serious, fun, a teeny bit nerve-wracking, subtle with the emotions, lovely in romance, and have just enough mystery to keep everything bound together and moving forward.
Dead and Lost was no different � a delightful melding of humor, mystery, and romance.
Jon and Leander � Lea - have settled into their relationship. Jon is taking art classes. Leander is doing his psychic thing on the side and, this time, helping out Detective Cora a bit. Okay, more than a bit. Leander ends up doing some sleuthing on the side much to Cora’s irritation and Jon’s dismay.
But Lea doesn’t need to use his psychic abilities to sense that somethings amiss with Jon, and while trying to figure out who might have killed a young boy, Lea tries to unravel what’s bothering Jon.
There are SO many things I enjoy about these books:
� I love Jon and Lea’s interaction. They are so well balanced personality-wise it makes reading about them a real joy.
� I so enjoy watching the mystery spool out, and how Leander is trying to be good and NOT get in trouble, but manages to do so anyway.
� Watching Leander coax Jon into opening up was so frikin� sweet.
My only complaint is THEY ARE TOO SHORT!!
But, ya know, rather than me blathering on and dropping spoilers, go read them! They are short, fast, and very enjoyable.
Review cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
Copy of the book provided by the author for a fair and hones review. Thank you!
I ADORE these stories! They are light, serious, fun, a teeny bit nerve-wracking, subtle with the emotions, lovely in romance, and have just enough mystery to keep everything bound together and moving forward.
Dead and Lost was no different � a delightful melding of humor, mystery, and romance.
Jon and Leander � Lea - have settled into their relationship. Jon is taking art classes. Leander is doing his psychic thing on the side and, this time, helping out Detective Cora a bit. Okay, more than a bit. Leander ends up doing some sleuthing on the side much to Cora’s irritation and Jon’s dismay.
But Lea doesn’t need to use his psychic abilities to sense that somethings amiss with Jon, and while trying to figure out who might have killed a young boy, Lea tries to unravel what’s bothering Jon.
There are SO many things I enjoy about these books:
� I love Jon and Lea’s interaction. They are so well balanced personality-wise it makes reading about them a real joy.
� I so enjoy watching the mystery spool out, and how Leander is trying to be good and NOT get in trouble, but manages to do so anyway.
� Watching Leander coax Jon into opening up was so frikin� sweet.
My only complaint is THEY ARE TOO SHORT!!
But, ya know, rather than me blathering on and dropping spoilers, go read them! They are short, fast, and very enjoyable.
Review cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
Copy of the book provided by the author for a fair and hones review. Thank you!
October 4, 2016
After the last two books in Jon's POV, this one was written from Leander's (Andy) POV.
The difference between the two guys is the most striking thing. Andy is sunshine and flowers to Jon's 'grumpy bear' but as a couple they work so well.
This is a follow up to book 3 in that we see what happened to the second skeleton Andy found in the desert.
I had a bad feeling about the killer as soon as we meet them but that's not to say the outcome is obvious.
I had a couple of minor issues. The ending is very abrupt. And I took issue with Jon's method of finding Andy (or at least the fact that it hadn't been discussed). Oh, and the author pulled out of Andy's tight POV at one point just to stymie the reader and manipulate the scene. Had me fooled.
Epilogue is super short (not even half a page) and super cute.
The difference between the two guys is the most striking thing. Andy is sunshine and flowers to Jon's 'grumpy bear' but as a couple they work so well.
This is a follow up to book 3 in that we see what happened to the second skeleton Andy found in the desert.
I had a bad feeling about the killer as soon as we meet them but that's not to say the outcome is obvious.
I had a couple of minor issues. The ending is very abrupt. And I took issue with Jon's method of finding Andy (or at least the fact that it hadn't been discussed). Oh, and the author pulled out of Andy's tight POV at one point just to stymie the reader and manipulate the scene. Had me fooled.
Epilogue is super short (not even half a page) and super cute.
January 10, 2017
Enjoyable read! 3.5 rounded up
I really liked the mystery a lot in this one, and it was lovely getting more Lea and Jon. This one is told from Leander's POV, and while I still enjoyed it, I prefer Jon's voice. I feel like Jon is less expressive, and he didn't feel very present in this novel without getting his POV. I still liked it, but if the author continues in the series, which I hope they do, I hope we hear from Jon again.
All the smut was also fade to black in this one, which was kind of a bummer. The series has never been super explicit, and I definitely didn't need a ton of sex, but it would have been nice to have at least one, especially as we were hearing from Lea from the first time, and it would have been nice to see his perspective.
I really liked the mystery a lot in this one, and it was lovely getting more Lea and Jon. This one is told from Leander's POV, and while I still enjoyed it, I prefer Jon's voice. I feel like Jon is less expressive, and he didn't feel very present in this novel without getting his POV. I still liked it, but if the author continues in the series, which I hope they do, I hope we hear from Jon again.
All the smut was also fade to black in this one, which was kind of a bummer. The series has never been super explicit, and I definitely didn't need a ton of sex, but it would have been nice to have at least one, especially as we were hearing from Lea from the first time, and it would have been nice to see his perspective.
November 21, 2016
Relatively short but lots of fun.
Grabbed the book on the off chance as it showed up inb my recommendations list and I was in need of something to distract me... Well, this worked in spades. I've had trouble settling into reading, or much of anything, due to issues of depression, but this story just grabbed hold and pulled me in, fsst.
The tone was light enough to be enjoyable. The mystery just dark enough to be engaging without heading into horror territory. Best of all, the psyching was so beievable. I htink I have a sequel to go read.
Grabbed the book on the off chance as it showed up inb my recommendations list and I was in need of something to distract me... Well, this worked in spades. I've had trouble settling into reading, or much of anything, due to issues of depression, but this story just grabbed hold and pulled me in, fsst.
The tone was light enough to be enjoyable. The mystery just dark enough to be engaging without heading into horror territory. Best of all, the psyching was so beievable. I htink I have a sequel to go read.
February 4, 2017
I enjoyed reuniting with Lea and Jon again.
An intriguing mystery which pulls a lot out of Lea. Detective Cora and Jon still looking put for him but he is his own worst enemy at times!
I did guess the murderer a bit before he was revealed but not for any deductive reasons, just felt off about him.
Quick, easy to read enjoyable mystery - hoping there is more from these guys, with not such a long wait!
An intriguing mystery which pulls a lot out of Lea. Detective Cora and Jon still looking put for him but he is his own worst enemy at times!
I did guess the murderer a bit before he was revealed but not for any deductive reasons, just felt off about him.
Quick, easy to read enjoyable mystery - hoping there is more from these guys, with not such a long wait!
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