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June is near-here and snuck up on me. What a treat to read a new (just out a few days ago) Josh book together!

As always, ready at your own pace... and remember that spoilers may lurk...

Puzzle for Two

Puzzle for Two blurb:

It was like those crazy detective novels he read as a kid��

Fledging PI Zachariah Davies’s wealthy and eccentric client, toymaker Alton Beacher, wants to hire an investigator who can pose as his boyfriend while figuring out who is behind the recent attempts on his life. And Zach, struggling to save the business his father built, is just desperate enough to set aside his misgivings and take the job.

But it doesn’t take long for Zach to realize all is not as it seems (and, given that it all seems pretty weird��). The only person he can turn to for help is equally struggling, equally desperate–but a whole lot more experienced–rival PI Flint Carey.

Former Marine Flint has been waiting for Zach to throw in the towel and sell whatever’s left of the Davies Detective Agency to him. Still, he’s unwillingly attracted to the game but inexperienced accountant-turned-shamus, and can’t help offering a helping hand when Zach runs into trouble.

Especially when it’s hard to imagine any worse trouble than having your client murdered.

ZAM (Z.A. Maxfield) included this shout-out in her latest newsletter:

"It was a nice surprise to see Josh Lanyon put out a new mystery last week. I cracked it open and read it right away.
I enjoyed this mystery featuring rival private investigators. The characters are classic Josh and the solution to the mystery wasn't obvious at all to me. Lots of twists and turns in this one."

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I hope more of you take the time to read this book. I read it through in one sitting. :)

The characters are indeed "classic Josh." Zach's main flaw seems to being giving everyone too much of the benefit of the doubt... except Flint, whose motives he regularly misjudges. Flint spends most of the book holding on to a misunderstanding about what happened in past encounters with Zach and his ex in a local club. The ex and the rich client are decidedly sleazy. And the little sister is a perfect side character. This would make an engaging series.

Karen wrote: "I hope more of you take the time to read this book. I read it through in one sitting. :)"

I've read it as soon as it came out, in two sittings because I stopped myself ;-). I liked it.

I don't think that no one posting means that not many read the book. It's just that it takes time to express an opinion.

For ex. mwana wrote an excellent and eloquent review. Can I just say that I agree with her? ;-)

Thank you for moderating this topic.

Karen wrote: "I hope more of you take the time to read this book. I read it through in one sitting. :)

The characters are indeed "classic Josh." Zach's main flaw seems to being giving everyone too much of the b..."

Oh I read it in one sitting too. And yes! Series please. I would love to see Zach fumble his way around another mystery too

Antonella wrote: "Karen wrote: "I hope more of you take the time to read this book. I read it through in one sitting. :)"

I've read it as soon as it came out, in two sittings because I stopped myself ;-). I liked i..."

Thanks for the shoutout Antonella

mwana wrote: "Antonella wrote: "Karen wrote: "I hope more of you take the time to read this book. I read it through in one sitting. :)"

I've read it as soon as it came out, in two sittings because I stopped mys..."

Beautifully written and engaging review! And thanks for the shout-out to Mr. Bigglesworth!

I've decided I have to quit getting so many free or 99 cent books from okay authors who are writing rather blah contemporary stories, because I want to concentrate more on books like this from Josh and other great authors. It was a pleasure reading about PI's and trying to follow and figure out the mystery. It reminded me that, while I like romance just fine, I prefer it paired with some suspense and some banter, and not just the latest Big Misunderstanding.

And I'm starting to long for some great re-reads, too. This book reminded me how much I loved the All's Fair series. Puzzle for Two has a bit more fun and banter, and I agree I wouldn't mind at all if it was the start of a new series.

Marge wrote: "I've decided I have to quit getting so many free or 99 cent books from okay authors who are writing rather blah contemporary stories, because I want to concentrate more on books like this from Josh..."

I'm on board with this. I recently read a contemporary romance series that I enjoyed a lot and I'm also into a number of paranormal/fantasy romance series. But my go-to books are well-written romance/mysteries/detective/PI/police procedurals with some clever banter and meaningful dialogue. All's Fair is a perfect example.

This was a really enjoyable read for me. I had it for a month before I read it, but I am ever so glad I got around to it. Alton was pretty skeevy, I kept cringing for Zach. I enjoyed the chemistry and interactions between Zach and Flint. I loved the sister.