Holmes and Moriarity series by Josh Lanyon

Trigger Warnings: stalkers

What is it?

A wonderful mystery series by one of my favorite authors, Josh Lanyon. It’s amusingly meta with mystery authors solving the murder mysteries they keep stumbling into. Christopher and JX have wonderful chemistry, both with their evolving romance and with their snarky banter.

Who’s it about?

Christopher “Kit” Holmes is having a bad day. He’s soaked, muddy, tired, oh, and he found on a dead body in the woods. He’s at the writing conference as a last, desperate hope to convince his editor not to cut his long-running Mrs. Butterwith cozy mystery series, which is complicated when his editor is found dead and Christopher is the prime suspect.

JX Moriarity used to be a cop, which makes him the best option they have to solve the murders at the remote writing retreat, at least until the weather calms down and they can get help from the outside world. His old crush on Kit Holmes comes roaring back to life when Kit is suspected of a murder he couldn’t possibly have commited. JX and Kit must work together to figure out who killed his editor.

What’s it about?

Somebody Killed His Editor – Christoper/Kit and JX reunite at a remote writing conference for mystery writers. A series of very real murders leave Christopher as the prime suspect. He has to work with his old flame, JX, to clear his name.

All She Wrote – Christopher and JX’s new relationship is off to a rocky start. Christopher’s called away to help his mentor run a writing retreat, but someone is using the retreat as a cover for murder. When Christopher is involved in a car accident, JX comes to the rescue and helps Christopher solve the mystery.

The Boy With the Painful Tattoo – Christopher and JX are moving in together! Instead of a box of Christopher’s china, a dead body shows up at the house and someone thinks Christopher is involved in the murder. To make matters worse, Christopher’s biggest fan turns into his biggest stalker.

In Other Words… Murder – When builders at Christopher’s old house find a body buried in the backyard, Christopher and his cheating ex, David, reunite to figure out who the dead person is.

Why do I like it?

I love the witty banter between Christopher and JX. The characters are believable with sharp edges that fit together perfectly. They have a complicated dynamic, an old one-night-stand that meant something which is rekindled at the writing conference and then reignited in All She Wrote when Christopher’s in an accident. We get to watch them build their lives together and figure out how to pull together their separate lives into a whole one together.

Favorite Book: All She Wrote – We really get to see Christopher and JX come together in this book. Plus, I’m a sucker for hurt/comfort and injury recovery.

Quotes:

“Afraid of the dark?”

“Only the things that go bump.”
— from Somebody Killed His Editor

“Sometimes I think the words get in the way with you and me, but I always listen to you. I always will.”
— JX to Kit from All She Wrote

“What did you think when you found the body of Elijah Ladas?”

“That I have terrible luck. And that he had worse luck.”
— Kit being interviewed in The Boy With the Painful Tattoo

“Sorry. That ship has sailed.”

“Right, right,” he said. “But if that ship should ever return to port-“

“Bon voyage, Captain Ahab,” I said, and hung up.
— Kit and his ex, David, from In Other Words… Murder