I know that this was a true crime standalone, but I think it was the dynamic between the characters that really made me see this as a potential series. ❤

That should give you a clue as to how I felt about 44.1644º North. There was a lot of intrigue and of course, mystery behind the reason Skylar Brennan decided to make the trek to Woodlark for the annual vigil at the location of Deirdre Duncan’s disappearance. It may have been short and sweet, but it wasn’t lacking – even though the ending seemed a bit rushed. No I might have to check out the disappearance of Maura Murray, which was the true crime inspiration for this story. 😉

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

This is by far one of JL's best standalone novels. I was hooked from the start - I had to know what happened to Dierdre, and how the story would end. NOT giving anything away.

I really liked this story, the characters, the mystery, the relationship between the MCs, and the ending (even though it ends abruptly!!!) I was guessing right along with Skylar on what was going on. Highly recommend.

The story may seem like it starts slow but that is a deliberate build up to know the characters in play, and there are some tense moments in the beginning. There is also romance, but not insta-love, not even close. There is interest and certainly a desire to want to see more of each to see how things go.

What I LOVED and had no idea was going to happen, Jason and Sam from The Art of Murder series have off page cameos!!! It was awesome! Not giving away secrets as to why. :D

The blurb gives you just enough to know the basic premise of the story, but understand there is more going on.

4.25 stars (ending was too short! I would have loved to have seen just a teeny bit more.)

I haven't read a romance novel in a while that didn't make me want to gag, choke and do bloody murder on whoever invented the idea of love. But since coming to terms with a lot of my issues, some of the joy I used to find in characters finding romantic happiness has returned to me.

This book is about Skylar, a criminology professor who also moonlights as a true crime podcaster. His pocasting career has mostly focused on the disappearance of Deirdre who went missing in 2004 after crashing her car then was never heard from again. Skylar decides to attend a vigil for Deirdre, held at the small town, Woodlark, New Hamsphire (that's what NH stands for, right?). But what's even more disturbing about Sky's visit is that he's been receiving credible death threats, and one particularly ominous email with the subject line reading, 44.1644° North. Could this be Deirdre's final resting place?

Sky has his theories about what happened to Deirdre but some of his podcasting peers don't agree with most of them. Even a celebrated, according to himself, Peter Weber who wore a fedora hat that was too big for his allegedly big head. Weber had all sorts of theories about what happened to Deirdre, some more cuckoo than the rest. He's in a bit of an envy streak when he finds out that Pat, Deirdre's father, was willing to give Sky an interview when he was denied multiple times. The lion, the witch and the audacity of this bitch in thinking he'd get an interview when he'd once wrongfully accused Pat of sexually assaulting his daughter.

Other podcasters aren't pleased to see Sky around but he's not really sure why. At one point he is even stalked outside a bar, on his first night since his arrival. The book has two mysteries playing in tandem. A nice little tango and our partner in dance is FBI BAU analyst Rory, who also works with Jason (from The Mermaid Murders). Rory was sent to bumfuck, Snow Everywhere because of the threats Sky had shared and when I say they are cute. I absolutely mean it.

On their first friendly interaction, Sky's drink has been spiked by his unknown fan. Sky wanders out to get to his room then gets turned around in the woods.
...I couldn't remember which of the dark cabins was supposed to be mine. They all looked alike when they were asleep. Which started me laughing so hard, I had to grab the nearest tree to stay upright.
"Can I have this dance?" ...
A hand landed on my shoulder, "May I cut in?"
It was Rory to the rescue. By that point, Sky had yet to learn Rory's name and my god this was adorable, attempted drugging notwithstanding.
"My name is Rory Torr," he said crisply, "Special Agent Rory Torr to you."
After a moment, I asked suspiciously, "Why just to me?"
This book has me believing in meet cutes again.

Rory and Sky combine forces to uncover more details about Deirdre's disappearance and who would want to hurt Sky. But as the pages left kept dwindling, I was hit with a pang that this was a novella. None of my favourite parts of mysteries made lasting cameos such as interviewing the suspects, canvassing for witnesses, exploring the scene of the crime, gathering all the involved people in a room to unfold the detective's findings and finally point to the murderer. Aha! But this is no Poirot caper. And that's not a bad thing. Rory does connect the dots by the end of the book and there is enough action to make me pause. The resolution may not be the most satisfying to readers but I still felt abject relief when it ended. This book was extremely lovely, something that reminded the cold dead cockles of my heart that it still beats.

cold-case, m/m-mystery, missing-persons, New Hampshire, novella, podcaster, romantic, suspense, thriller*****

Masterful treatment of possible answers to the unanswerable questions in a real cold case with a side order of romance. Well done!
I requested and received an EARC from JustJoshin Publishing, Inc. via NetGalley. Thank you!

Heat Factor: It’s euphemistic until it’s not
Character Chemistry: Long distance is probably worth it, right?
Plot: A professor of criminology with a true crime podcast hobby gets a mysterious and threatening letter regarding an unsolved missing persons case nearly twenty years old, and just when he thinks nobody cares, a sexy FBI agent shows up at the victim’s disappearance vigil to help solve the mystery
Overall: I was in the mood for romantic suspense, and it really hit the spot

I haven’t read a ton of books by Josh Lanyon, but what I have read tells me that she’s an extremely capable suspense writer. This book, based on the real-life mystery of missing UMass student Maura Murray, is not an exception. Perhaps it helps that it’s a cold case—both victims disappeared in 2004—and that the setting—a vigil attended by not only the victim’s family but also by a horde of true crime internet personalities and their fans—is a place where everyone already knows all of the relevant facts. There aren’t many stones to turn, nor is there need for red herrings. The mystery exists because the narrator, Skylar, has received threatening correspondence relating to the disappearance, which makes him think he might be onto something and also that he might be able to do something about it. (Especially because all of his letters to various law enforcement entities have gone unheard.)

In terms of the mystery, I was drawn in immediately. Crumbs were doled out to explain all the facts, so there wasn’t any data dumping, but also it was extremely tight, so there weren’t many opportunities for me to ask why the characters were focusing in one direction rather than fifty others. It probably helps that this is not a crime invented from the author’s imagination; she acknowledges that, while all of the townspeople are entirely fictitious, many of the facts of the case are lifted from the real-life crime. That said, unlike with the still unsolved disappearance of Murray, we the readers are able to have a satisfying conclusion to the disappearance of Dierdre (if we count solving the mystery as satisfying, because I have to say the confession of what happened to her body was pretty grizzly).

In terms of character development and story structure, my only quibble is that a couple elements shifted too quickly. The biggest one is that the ending, while definitely tied up in a nice bow and not unnecessarily belabored, was rather abrupt. This is a novella, and there wasn’t, perhaps, much to add, but the storyline went more like this:
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4U6zE8iyrI8/UmFEcOfkGAI/AAAAAAAAAbU/BJk8Cxp1CHE/s1600/Plot+Diagram.png
Than like this:
https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.6abd8cf4bc9f97483fd367b104859c7f?rik=5vVTj27WYlzhGQ&riu=http%3a%2f%2f2.bp.blogspot.com%2f-3mBAqnFkVIc%2fUuArjVaZLEI%2fAAAAAAAABuQ%2fH8jJLflhYBY%2fs1600%2fplotdiagram.jpg&ehk=T3C93E3wk3UpPT8TWeBTCstNdcMYNDH3njoWqwdT%2fxc%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0
While I don’t read a ton of mysteries (and even fewer mystery novellas), I have read enough (plus all those romance novels) that I guess I’ve become accustomed to a more drawn out conversation surrounding the solution and motive than what we got here.

With respect to the relationship, I’d advise the reader to be prepared for things to shift from “no” to “yes” very quickly. Initially Skylar is wary and mistrustful of Rory, but as soon as Rory confirms his identity Skylar immediately trusts him. From there, we go from “I’d have sex with him but I don’t trust him” to “Let’s get down to business and, beyond this weekend, we won’t let a little long distance get in our way.” It is a novella, and the POV is all Skylar’s, so the romance is not as much of a focus as it would be in a non-suspense genre romance, but these guys really don’t work for it at all. Which, I suppose, is the way things might go in real life, but isn’t typically the point of a romance.

All this to say: if you want an engaging mystery with a little bit of sexy romance, then this might be right up your alley.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

The book is based on an unsolved true crime/ disappearance of a woman in New Hampshire that the author wrote a fictional resolution of the case.

A lot of the stuff is the same as the original mystery so if you don’t like the real mystery you won’t like this

I do like romance between our two characters. I would read a book with them solving crime again

I always enjoy his mysteries and this one is no exception. Now on to the next one I haven’t read

Reading this story I am reminded why I am such a huge fan of Josh's writing. This novella packs a lot of action and suspense. I never thought that the world of criminal podcasters could be so competitive and well at times nasty. Apparently, true crime aficionados take their theories quite seriously.
A decades-old disappearance has left a bereaved family and their small town in limbo. Deirdre O'Donnell, a brilliant young woman had a car accident that may have been alcohol-related one night in a sleepy town in remote New Hampshire. The wrecked car was found but Deordre disappeared and was never to be seen again.
Every year in that same town a vigil is held and it draws in a lot of true crime groupies.
Skylar has a popular podcast called Ugly Town and he has been sent death threats which he has forwarded to the FBI. So far there has been radio silence from any authorities but this has not stopped Sky from participating this year. There he meets Rory and instantly figures out he is in law enforcement. They develop a fast friendship and equally fast attraction. Who killed this young woman and are the threats to Sky real? I highly recommend this heart-pounding and brilliantly written story.
Special thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book for my reading pleasure.

My biggest problem with this one was the abrupt ending. It took away from what was otherwise a great story.

I enjoyed this novella hecka lot!! I enjoyed the characters, the storyline and the little bit of creepy vibe. The topic of true crime sleuthing is always entertaining for me and I found this very well done. With a novella things have to be condensed, so sometimes the wrap up feels a bit sudden, but that doesn't take away from the story if you know that going in!

Calling all true crime lovers! Lanyon weaves another delightful mystery though this one feels a little different than the others. It feels like there's more of an edge to the writing which comes from the true crime feeling of it. This is well-balanced against the romance, investigation, and humor which Lanyon does so well. The case investigates the disappearance of a young woman years ago that Skylar has made his mission to uncover the truth about and teams up with a handsome stranger. The ending feels open as if this is just the beginning of where these characters could go, and as typical with Lanyon's books, you'll be left wanting more.

This was a fun and quick read. I enjoyed the mystery and quick romance, despite usually reading longer novels. Josh Lanyon is a talented writer who can write interesting and captivating stories and characters with few words. Do I wish it were longer, yup. But I also wish most of the good books I read were longer.

This book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really interesting story! I’ve never read anything quite like it before - a murder mystery from the perspective of an internet sleuth/true-crime podcaster. I think if it had been a bit longer, the different theories on the case could have been fleshed out better which would have made the conclusion much more satisfying. It was still a super fun little read, and I did love the budding romance between Skylar and Rory.

I find Josh Lanyon's take on this true-crime mystery fascinating. This 140+ page novella uses the framework of an annual gathering at the site of a 20-year-old fictional disappearance of a young woman (Deidre O'Donnell) in a small New Hampshire town in order to discuss the real 2004 disappearance of Maura Murray.

Our MC Skylar Brennan is a podcast host who has a degree in criminal justice and teaches courses in criminology, and as such is a step above the "murder and makeup" crowd or the two "documentary" makers whose research consisted of visiting strip clubs in Montreal. All the usual suspects are discussed - it's the boyfriend, the father, the local creepy-guy, someone in the police department, it's the supposed mysterious passenger in the car, ad naseum.

Lanyon does an exceptional job of examining Deidre's character (and by extension Maura's) and putting her actions into a context that seems logical and entirely possible. And at the end of the story (and a somewhat hurried heart-stopping resolution), it's jarring to get a fictional solution to a fictional case, while we may never know what actually happened in the case of Maura Murray.

And because this is Josh Lanyon - we get a hurried but sweet start of a relationship between Skylar and Rory who is sent to investigate the case on the behest of (the unnamed in the book) BAU Chief Sam Kennedy.

4 stars for a very poignant take on a true-crime story.

An enjoyable small town murder mystery inspired by true crime stories, with references to Jason and Sam from The Art of Murder series. I’m hoping these two new characters will feature in further stories.

There’s plenty of atmosphere and a few spooky scenes, as well as the beginning of a new romance.

The resolution is short and quick when it comes. I just wish it had been longer and the ending more developed. Plus, I kept asking myself why hadn’t the grid references been investigated/discussed more earlier in the story.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I usually know what I'm getting into with Josh Lanyon, and I was looking forward to this because of that.

There was a genuine mystery that I wanted to uncover, and I followed the characters through their speculation in every page. I love reading about queer characters solving mysteries or doing more than simply falling in love, because it's more interesting to have that backdrop of suspense/thriller.

The MC was charming, as was Rory, and I bought their chemistry with each other. I just wish the story was longer. Took off one star because the ending felt rather abrupt, like the mystery became solved so suddenly and then it just ended, and I wanted more (which is only a good thing). I think that last clue that led to the solution should've been introduced earlier in the story, but otherwise this is a very solid book.

3 out of 5 stars

Skylar Brennan, a professor of criminology and a true crime podcaster, has no interest in attending the yearly vigil held for Deirdre Duncan, a twenty-one-year-old college student who went missing decades ago. Even though he covered Deirdre’s case extensively on his podcast, he never made it to any of the previous vigils. However, when he starts receiving threatening emails with the supposed coordinates to Deirdre’s grave site, Skylar cannot pass up the opportunity to investigate further. While at the vigil, Skylar meets Rory, who immediately puts him on edge and seems out of place amongst the true crime buffs. After an eventful first night, Skylar and Rory work together to get to the bottom of the emails and possibly make some breakthroughs in Deirdre’s case.

Josh Lanyon takes the reader on a deep dive into the minds of internet true crime buffs in his novella, 44.1644 North. Although the book revolves around Skylar Brennan, a self-proclaimed expert on a decades-old case of a missing college student, Lanyon delves into the sometimes-toxic environment that evolves from the true crime buffs. The book takes place in a small New Hampshire town in the middle of winter, where dozens of self-proclaimed experts on the disappearance of Deirdre Duncan gather for a vigil dedicated to the missing girl. Lanyon dedicates too many pages to the theories of the true-crime investigators about Deirdre’s case. While the people gathered for the vigil bring conflicts to the book, the pages dedicated to their theories could provide more context to the main character rather than giving so much time to ideas that do not move the plot along.

With the focus on the disappearance of Deirdre and the many theories that arise from that disappearance, Lanyon does not dedicate enough time to developing Skylar’s character. The reader is left confused about Skylar and even more confused about the content of the emails that bring him to Deirdre’s vigil. The emails play an important part in the book, but Lanyon never fully discusses them nor their impact on Skylar and his true crime podcast.

Although there is much to be desired with Skylar’s character, Lanyon does a good job of writing the interactions between Skylar and Rory. The two characters have a chemistry that is delightful to read and their interactions are the highlight of this novella. Lanyon also succeeds in building suspense throughout the book. Every person Skylar and Rory meet in the small town is a suspect and Lanyon will keep the reader guessing until the end.

All in all, the book is an enjoyable read. Even though nearly all of the first half is dedicated to describing the various ways the true crime buffs believe Deirdre disappeared, the characters are interesting and the mystery will keep readers hooked all the way through.

3 / 5 ⭐️‘s

"44.1644° North" by Josh Lanyon

This novella is inspired by the true crime disappearance of Maura Murray.

Skylar who has popular podcast and became fascinated with the decades-old disappearance of Deirdre Duncan travels to the small village in New Hampshire where she disappeared and attends the yearly vigil that is held for her.

The author does an excellent job of setting the scene and building suspense throughout the novel. There is also budding romance between Skylar and a guy he meets in the town but it isn’t the main focus.

Overall this was okay but the ending felt rushed.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I fully admit that I am a Josh Lanyon fan. The book honestly has such a great title too. Mysterious and compelling.

This novella was too short for me to get invested in the romance. It seemed a little bit too quick. BUT, with that said, I was engaged in the mystery to read it all in one sitting. I wasn't entirely convinced by the motives towards the end, but it was still a satisfying read.

Fans of Lanyon's other books will recognize some of the characters mentioned in this.
Nice quick read. I recommend.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Amazing story that the author has based on the real life disappearance of a UMass nursing student. It was engaging and intriguing, with interesting side characters. Some sympatric, some quite interesting, but some downright annoying and pompous.

I had my own sleuthing ideas of the villain, but have to admit I was way off base!
For me this was a in-one-sitting-read, but I was disappointed to not read about Weber's downfall!


I did like how <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/169224"target="_blank">Rory's boss</a> has a boyfriend named Jason, <i>“There’s only one thing that makes my boss happy, and he’s spending the weekend with him right now.”</i>

I really enjoyed this book. I went in blind, not knowing that there was an actual case that was similar to this storyline. This was a fast read, and one that hooked me from the beginning. Some of the characters annoyed me with their sudden “know it all” attitude at time, but I guess that was to be expected when a lot of true crime podcasters come together in one area.

I also loved that there was a little romance built into the story. That was unexpected for me, and not only was I wanting to keep reading to know more about the disappearance, but I also wanted to keep reading about the budding relationship that was starting.

This was a good read, and would be a great started book for anyone who wanted to test the water with a true crime story. Not too graphic or gory, and enough detail to keep you interested until the end! Thank you for the opportunity to read this one!