This Rough Magic by Josh Lanyon
Loose Id
Erotic M/M Suspense
ISBN 978-1-61118-402-0
Reviewed by Nannette




When Brett Sheridan’s soon-to-be father-in-law William Lennox’s folio of The Tempest is stolen, Brett hires private investigator Neil Patrick Rafferty to find it. Brett is convinced that his sister Kitty has a part in the theft, but Rafferty isn’t so sure. With attraction simmering between them, Brett and Rafferty form an unlikely alliance. As the mystery grows, so do their feelings for each other, but Brett’s responsibilities always out weigh his desires.

Aside from its original and well thought-out storyline, what stands out about This Rough Magic is the excellent characterization, especially Brett’s. The suffocating weight of his responsibilities for a family that doesn’t deserve his sacrifices, and the tangible desire he feels for Rafferty are depicted with clarity and emotion. Rafferty and Brett’s surprising moment in the alley is erotic without being explicit and poignant without a word spoken between them. Brett’s despondence nearly destroys him. Rafferty breathes life into his sad, lonely life, giving him hope in a hopeless situation, creating even more angst for them. Their hope for any kind of a relationship seems futile, which makes the ending the best kind of HEA. This Rough Magic has an old-fashioned feel and reads like an eloquently written play. It’s suspenseful and substantial. Novels with this kind of tangibility are why Josh Lanyon’s books are recommended reads for me over and over.