The Dark Horse

Thank you [a:Josh Lanyon 359194 Josh Lanyon https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1289326144p2/359194.jpg] for restoring my book faith. I'd had a couple of meh to straight out bad reads recently and wisely decided to go with a master. As an added bonus I had not read this novella and loved it. The icing on the cake? [a:Jason Clarke 61221 Jason Clarke https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1442452932p2/61221.jpg] did the audio. Heaven. Sean Fairchild is an up-and-coming, out movie star, who after having been stalked for a year goes to the police which results in assigned protection. The story opens the week after the stalker has presumably died in a high speed police chase. Daniel Moran, the detective who was assigned to the case, and Sean are settling into a relationship after getting close during the investigation. Dan is also out and proud and in great measure that was the reason he was assigned to the case, to burnish the LAPD's image. There's one hitch: threatening postcards & phone calls are coming from the deceased stalker.I won't say much more so as to not ruin the plot. You may guess early on what's happening but I for one loved the Gaslight vibe, the beach setting, and the exploration of Hollywood culture. I loved how patient Dan was with Sean, if a bit high handed, how he loved him with deeds and not just words. He's described as old-fashioned movie-star handsome and all I could envision was Jon Hamm. I've seen some people complain about Sean but I think he was logical and justified in his fears, insecurities, and assumptions. The author perfectly limns Sean's history, coupled with a year long stalking and the anxiety over his next role it all made absolute sense. My only complaint is that I want more about these two. Greedy.***Just found [b:The White Knight 19070394 The White Knight (The Dark Horse, #2) Josh Lanyon https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1385840319s/19070394.jpg 19427762], which seems to be a prequel to this, which makes perfect sense as this story starts with Dan & Sean as an ‘established' couple. Just what the Doctor ordered.***