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The Hardest Thing: A Dan Stagg Mystery (2013)

by James Lear(Favorite Author)

3.73 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

1573449296 (ISBN13: 9781573449298)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Cleis Press

review 1: It started out promising and I really liked the first glimpse of the main character of Dan. Then I got to know the real him and the book went downhill rapidly.All he could think about was getting laid, no matter the circumstances.Also, be prepared that every time a new character is introduced there is going to be a pointless smut scene. Even the plot came secondary.And I completely lost what little respect I still had for the guy by his non-reaction when his 'friend' was kidnapped. If he had ran, he could have made it to his vehicle and given chase. He was in the military! You have to be able to think on your feet!It was a quick read, thankfully, or else I would have put it down (or thrown it across the room). I don't mind an occasional smut scene, but there were too many ... moreof them and they weren't hot at all.
review 2: This is my first James Lear book, and the story hooked me from the beginning.Dan Stagg is a former Marine (not Army) officer as one narrative indicated, who is unemployed, down and out, having lost his job as a security guard/bouncer at a bar, when offered a high paying job to protect pretty-boy, preening secretary to a mysterious businessman.What follows next is a tale of erotic love, involving suspense that had many twists and turns. Along the way, Dan Stagg has multiple sexual encounters with various, and sundry folks. Definitely, this book is definitely NSFW. The flashbacks to Dan's love of another Marine in Kabul were very touching. At times, the story implied that Dan suffered from PTSD, not uncommon with war veterans. The writing is very noir-like, told in first person, and Lear makes sure not to disappoint the reader as this book is a pager turner. My only criticism of this book is that Stagg's involvement in the criminal prosecution part of the book seemed far-fetched and, may be, that's because of my law training it appeared that that part of the story was stretched to fill the plot. The final words at the end got to me. "...I waited like a fool outside that house and there was nothing to protect me, no strategy, no back up, no rules. I was unarmed. And finally, just as I was ready to turn around and walk away, I heard the uneven thump of footsteps descending the stairs, and Jody's voice, strained, distant, approaching....I'm coming, Dan. I'm coming as fast as I can.' ...I opened my arms and took hold of him, feeling the wetness of his hair, his forehead, as it stuck to my face...'It's okay,' I said. 'I'm here.' . . . .This is a very good novel, a great read, a good blend of erotic fiction, with suspense. less

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