I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Footsteps in the Dark
by
Josh Lanyon, LB Gregg
LGBT, mystery, m/m romance in a Kindle edition that was published by JustJoshin Publishing Inc. on May 31, 2019 and has 929 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Fatal Shadows, Death of a Pirate King, A Dangerous Thing, The Hell You Say, Dark Tide, Somebody Killed His Editor, Fair Play, Fair Chance, "So This is Christmas", Murder at Pirate's Cove, Secret at Skull House, Mystery at the Masquerade, The Dark Farewell, “A Funny Thing Happened . . .”, Murder Takes the High Road, Fair Game, Corpse at Captain's Seat, Scandal at the Salty Dog, Body at Buccaneer's Bay, Lament at Loon Landing, Death at the Deep Dive
An anthology of eight stories in the mystery romance genre and revolving around pairs of male lovers.
The Stories
Nicole Kimberling’s “Entrée to Murder”
It truly is an entrée to murder when chef Drew Allison discovers a dead body in the basement of his restaurant . . . after an after-hours party put on by his irresponsible partner.
This was a pip, pulling in fears of corrupt police, drug dealers, disloyal friends (and new ones!). It did tick me off that Drew was so easygoing, letting Sam get away with so much. Her actions only prove that Drew shouldn’t have let so much slide, as she simply takes more and more advantage of her “friend”. I did enjoy Evelyn’s reveal. Never take old people for granted! I also liked that Big Mac thought Drew was an artist . . . yep.
Meg Perry’s “Twelve Seconds”
This has an unexpected character in the role of a space reporter, Justin Harris. I gotta say I was impressed that he could find something to write about outer space and rockets every single day.
It’s sad that gay people have to lead such secretive lives. It only hurts them and the people they’re around. That Clay was an idiot, for so many reasons. Thank god, Justin stood by his decision. As for Shaw’s desperate need to reveal the secret about the launch?? So what?
I do like Greg and his concerns about Justin. What a sweetie.
SC Wynne’s “Reality Bites”
That’s for sure. The reality in this story bites deep as the true target of these attacks is revealed. It’s kind of scary as different truths unveil about the people working on this show and how the past affects them. Wynne does work in compassion and an unexpected degree of understanding, which I enjoyed. I do think that Decker is overly sensitive. Geez.
How sad is it that people are usually killed by those they trusted most?
LB Gregg’s “Blind Man’s Buff”
It’s a game of Capture the Flag by a group of teachers(?) who unexpectedly uncover a serial killer in an abandoned mall.
Yeah, I guess I’m a fuddy-duddy because I cannot believe a group of teachers would be breaking into abandoned buildings. Sure, it was fortuitous for Carl, as I’d say they saved his life and took care of the bad guy, still . . .
Dal MacLean’s “A Country for Old Men”
It’s another tale of societal expectations that ruins people’s lives, as Inspector Calum Macleod returns to the limited world of his childhood with its murder and betrayals.
It’s a small world, one in which everyone knows everyone else’s business. Well, mostly. Then there are those letters, the emails, that Calum keeps getting. The truth behind those is gut wrenching. And yet more lives are destroyed because of bigotry and prejudice.
I did have to laugh when MacLean describes the different views of Calum’s parents with his own view of the family dog — working versus a pet. It was my mum’s view of “pets” as well. Jogging. Yep, that’s pointless as well.
There’s an interesting bit of history on the Lewis chessmen.
ZA Maxfield’s “Pepper the Crime Lab”
This was a cute story, although Lonnie did make me nuts with his dumb actions and pushing all the negative things he hears about his neighbors. Everything pointing to him as the killer. Duh. I reckon it is true that all the crime stories and TV shows do not prepare you for the reality.
As for Jeff. Couldn’t’ve happened to a nicer guy. What is it with parents who help/allow/let their child grow up to be such jerks?!?
I did have to laugh at Lonnie’s idea of gaining a less stressful life. A dog that doesn’t need him. Uh-huh. Even cats need their people. How does one then find a dog that doesn’t need a person? I’m wondering if Lonnie’s childhood has something to do with this concept of detachment? I did like Lonnie getting to know his neighbors and developing friendships.
CS Poe’s “Lights, Camera, Murder”
It’s an inside look at a PA’s life behind the scenes of producing a television show, while he’s undercover investigating the theft of a script.
Poor Rory. Another man who needs to get a life outside work.
I had to laugh (and groan) when the client keeps pushing for immediate action, even though he doesn’t want anyone to know he hired someone to go undercover to question 100 potential suspects without actually asking anything. Insisting that certain people are off-limits. Duh. As for Rory’s point about not telling the client about potential suspects because he’d give the game away? Another duh.
That Marion! What. A. Sweetheart. He’s concerned about everyone from the lowliest of the low on up. As for all the reveals about life as a production assistant? Oy. Lotsa politics.
Josh Lanyon’s “Stranger in the House”
Phew. If ever a story lived up to the title of the book, this is it. I thoroughly understand Miles’ excitement about inheriting the house, but he is so not thinking about all that’s involved in owning a house.
Still, being able to pursue your dream of painting? Yeah, I can get behind that. Only it’ll take a lot to get through to that point. The reunions with his “aunt”’s sons, remembering the past, and then those footsteps in the dark. The confessions. The bad boy son with the wrongfully supportive mother. The dingbat housekeeper. Oy.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a range of dark blues from the sky to the mountains to the waters. In the sky is the title in a gradient of white to black to white and then blues. Across the mountain range is an info blurb in white explaining the book as a M/M Mystery-Romance Anthology. Below that, in the waters, is a list of authors in white.
The title is all about the spookiness of Footsteps in the Dark.
