The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks Paperback – December 12, 2012

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.

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 :)

It is not a book review... Well it is in... a way lol. So I bought the book I wanted as per the description. Except the book is the "Come unto these yellow sands" and not the book in the description. So I thought maybe the cyber sorcery did some dark magic and swapped the two books and I also bought the "Come unto yellow sands" hoping that the story will be about "The ghost wore yellow socks"... Nope, it is not. So had the same books with two different title and price... (and for £7.99 I REALLY expected the book I wanted to buy)Returned it, asked for refund. Anyone is affected by this dark witchcraft or I am the one and only lucky one? Any way someone could offer a protection spell so I could pass through and get the actual book? I really want to know what happened with the dude in the bathtub...PS Sorry about the 1star... If I get the book and actually manage to read it I'll update it I promise (I know I'll like it... I haven't read a book from JL I didn't like)

Old gothic houses, a twink who won't eat, a broody older guy, PI's, black and white films, opposites attract couples, murder mystery in a small town with useless police. All typical Lanyon things.You could change 'Perry and Nick' for 'Adrien and Jake' and not notice any difference in the story.But nice over all.

I've read some of Josh Lanyon's Adrien English Mystery series, but much prefer this one-off novel over them. I'm just not a fan of series and sequels ... much prefer one installment with a conclusive and satisfying ending. The mystery elements of his plots are good but the romance element is just as important for me and with a series the romance has nowhere to go except downhill.TGWYS has a satisfying whudunnit plot, some nice gothic touches and a very tender romance between the two mis-matched main characters. Nick makes me go-weak-at-the-knees - he's my ideal contemporary hero. But Mr Lanyon also weaves an engrossing story that kept me turning the pages with relish.

Very enjoyable murder-mystery in a contemporary version of the "spooky old house" setting, where characters' interesting back stories gradually emerge along with the growing romantic attraction between the heroes. Characterisation is particularly good in this novella - and each is drawn in with a few vivid strokes.

I've read about six novels by this author now, and I will buy more.Detective story and romance...the writing is great, the suspence is great, the romance is great. The title of the book put me off at first, but I decided to buy this kindle edition as the author's other novels were so good. Didn't regret it in the least.