The Hell You Say: The Adrien English Mysteries (Volume 3)

by Josh Lanyon

Paperback, 2012

Status

Available

Call number

PS3612.A588 H45

Publication

JustJoshin (2012), Paperback, 346 pages

Description

Demons, death threats... and Christmas shopping. It's gonna be one Hell of a Holiday. In the third in the popular Adrien English series, the "ill-starred and bookish" mystery writer has to contend with a Satanic cult, a handsome university professor and his on-again/off-again relationship with the eternally conflicted LAPD Detective Jake Riordan. And, oh, yes, murder...

User reviews

LibraryThing member Seajack

Liked it better than the second Adrien book, but there were a couple of aspects that kind of gnawed at me (apologies for any spoilers) ... Adrien's mother's announces she's "engaged", planning an immenent wedding, but Adrien had no idea she was even seeing the guy? And, Adien lets everyone keep

asking him about Jake long after it's clear Jake's out of the picture? I do plan on reading the next one, due out next summer.

Show Less

15 more

LibraryThing member krysteria

Book 3 of the Adrien English mysteries. I have to tell you, I love this guy. And I love the way Josh Lanyon's writes him. I wouldn't be surprised if Josh said Adrien writes himself, because his personality is so real. I love his self-deprecating humor and the fact he realizes how crazy it is he's

been messed up in three murder cases. And the mysteries are always well-thought out page-turners. I'm generally not a big mystery reader. I'll read a mystery when there's something in it for me. However, as a child, I read Hardy Boy books with relish, every single one. I couldn't read them fast enough. They were comfortable, well-written (from a 12-year old's perspective anyway) and the characters were people I'd like to know in real life. In those respects, Josh Lanyon's Adrien English has my attention. These books have those qualities (so I hope Lanyon doesn't take it as an insult I'm comparing his books to Hardy Boy books.) It's just nice sometimes to pick up a book that you KNOW you're going to enjoy, and Lanyon's English series is one of those. I hope he writes many, many more, because I will definitely keep reading them.

Show Less

LibraryThing member silversurfer

Part 3 in the Adrien English series. Once again finds our hero embroiled in a murder mystery and the end of his "relationship" with Jake...but I doubt we have seen the last of Jake and I hope we will have many more adventures with Adrien.

LibraryThing member kateoncouch

The mystery in this was less interesting that in the previous two Adrien English mysteries. I just wasn't taken in by the Satanic Cult reveal, I suppose I was hoping for it to have turned out to be something far more mundane and far more sinister or such like. The romance parts were stronger. I

appreciate that Lanyon had the guts to break up Adrien and Jakes fairly doomed relationship and I cried like the complete girl that I am when Jake dumped him. Unfortunately I don't find Guy a compelling love interest or anything like a satisfying replacement for Jake. I guess I'll just have to see how things turn out in the next book.

Show Less

LibraryThing member auntieknickers

Enjoyable Christmas-season mystery with a gay bookstore owner as the protagonist. Engaging characters and good plotting.

LibraryThing member Balthazar-Lawson

This is the 3rd Adrien English mystery and I think it suffers a bit from an attempt to be too ordinary. People read books to escape from reality so books that set out to be as real as possible can often be a bit of a bore. This book suffers from that a bit, but it was still an interesting read. The

book is as much about the amateur sleuthing of the main character as is his personal life. Of the course the two mix, perhaps too coincidentally, which goes against the attempts to be real.

Show Less

LibraryThing member Capnrandm

I never would have expected such an esoteric mystery, but Lanyon wrote it well. All plot considerations are minor compared to the riveting, slow-motion disaster that is Adrien and Jake's relationship. Oh, the heartbreak. I finished THE HELL YOU SAY at 1 am and leapt immediately to DEATH OF A PIRATE

KING, panting for more relationship details.

Show Less

LibraryThing member AReCafe

The Adrian English mysteries are now being republished by the author with elegant new cover art, and this book is where the series takes off like a rocket for me. Whereas the first book had a shaky ending and the second book stranded interesting characters in a ho-hum setting, this third book is

very strong. Bookshop owner Adrian and troubled LAPD detective Jake are back in Los Angeles, definitely my favorite weird city on earth.

We readers are treated to bookshop interactions, satirical scenes of Adrian’s writing critique group, and even moments of awkward Christmas cheer involving the colorful new family into which Adrian’s mother is soon to marry. Adrian develops a sense of humor in this book, and gives us many funny one-liners. His relationship with Jake is hit hard with real-life complications offering no easy solutions, and they remain a compelling couple. Meanwhile, the plot involves Wicca and Satanism, both of which are scrupulously researched.

The book opens with Adrian’s creepy bookseller Angus receiving death threats. For some mysterious reason, the kid’s Satanist friends have now turned against him. On impulse, Adrian gives the boy money with which to skip town – later realizing that if Angus commits a crime, Adrian might be seen as an accessory. Then the murders start happening. The death threats widen to include Adrian. And the mystery of why the Satanists are after Angus connects directly with an open investigation headed by Jake, who deeply resents Adrian’s involvement. It all makes for a great page-turner.

Val for AReCafe

Show Less

LibraryThing member lycomayflower

In the third Adrien English mystery, Adrien ends up investigating the Los Angeles occult scene when his part-time employee is arrested on suspicion of being involved in a series of murders that appear to be related to Satanism. Jake is part of the team investigating the murders (of course), and

Adrien's refusal to stop nosing about where he shouldn't coupled with Jake's fear that Adrien's proximity to the case will out Jake puts more strain on their already rickety not-exactly-a-relationship. Jake continues to be a jerk (and drops some inevitable but seriously jerky bombshells), and Adrien stumbles wittily through his investigation. Another solid entry in the series, with the highlights continuing to be the wit and the relationships. Adrien's mother announces she's about to marry in this one, so we get to watch some fun interactions between Adrien and his soon-to-be step-father and step-sisters (of which there are three. He's bewildered by the adult ones but seems to hit a brotherly/avuncular chord with the youngest (twelve), which I hope we get to see develop in books four and five). The inevitable love-interest-who-isn't-Jake in this one is more fleshed out than the previous ones, and there's a hint that he might return in the next book. Plus side, he's not a jerk. Minus side, he's not Jake. Still enjoying these, but getting a little impatient for Jake to sort his shit. I'm not holding my breath for a Jake/Adrien HEA (though I'd be about it), but if Jake doesn't get a full emotional arc that lands him some place where he's happier with himself, I'm going to be peeved.

Show Less

LibraryThing member ToniFGMAMTC

4.5 stars

I can't slow down with this series. It's addictive! I love the mystery and suspense. The relationship drama Jake causes gets me fired up also. And I love Adrien's brand of humor. I'm jumping right into the next one.

LibraryThing member ToniFGMAMTC

LibraryThing member Carol420

I really enjoyed the occult setting for this mystery. Jake of course was horrid. What else is new? This time he has hit an all-time low. I believe that he and Ardien have entirely two very different ideas about what they each want and need out of this relationship. Ardien also is having trouble

with his assistant Angus. He gave him money to get out of town. Angus is involved in some Satanic cult as evidenced by some rather disturbing phone calls he's been getting. Little does Adrien know his giving Angus money is going to land him in some trouble. Satanic rituals...a mansion in a very rich part of town... and Adrien doing his best to figure it out and get the info and pass it to the police... and above all, stay alive. In the mean time he’s getting an entire new family rather he wants them or not. Hang in there Ardien...maybe Josh Lanyon will make things better for you in the next book.

Show Less

LibraryThing member NannyOgg13

The best so far! Can't wait to read the next book.

LibraryThing member ShazOV

Because it has been almost a year since I read the previous one, it took me a little bit to fully get back into the swing of this series. Once I was there though, I didn't want to put the book down until I had finished.

Again, like in the previous books, I fell in love with Adrien. He's such a

fantastic character, slightly geeky, but sexy, witty and great depth. Jake on the other hand...I never minded him (hell, who is his right mind could? Sexy, hot cop with loads of issues...) But I've changed my mind about him. I've decided that he doesn't deserve Adrien1 LOL.

The mystery that the story is based on is fun. Nothing truly shocking, or not at least a little predictable. But it's more than solid enough to keep you engrossed in this tale. And also, itching to start the next one! So now I'm trying to find time...

Show Less

LibraryThing member ShazOV

Show Less

LibraryThing member JorgeousJotts

The mystery wasn't gripping for me, but I was very caught up in the story overall. The MMC had a mindbogglingly daft moment or two, but on the whole I can still root for him.

Fewer