Intelligent and erudite, Adrien tells the story in the first person. But the crime is secondary to his personal life. Lieutenant Jake Riordan, the lover who split with Adrien two years ago and took a wife, is investigating the crime. The desire is still there. Adrien’s current lover, UCLA professor Guy Snowden, wants a commitment. And a recent bout of pneumonia has seriously weakened Adrien’s heart.

Jake and several of the characters are gay, but they are all wonderfully multi-dimensional. Whether good or evil, each character has a complex identity beyond sexual orientation.

The narcissism and glamor of the film world is interesting and well presented. There’s a questionable accident in the past and Adrien uncovers some intriguing motives. There’s a lot of physical erotic action between the males, as well as a good deal of genuine emotion.

Adrien’s mother and stepfamily help ground the story. Stepsister and store assistant Natalie adds her own romantic problems - and a stray cat - to the mix. I’d love to visit the Cloak and Dagger mystery book store and chat with Josh Lanyon’s main character. Lanyon does a superb job developing his characters and plotting the tale.

This is the fourth book in the series, but reads quite well on its own. I hope there will be many more. Highly recommended.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Lynn Bushey
November 19, 2008