The Curse of the Blue Scarab

A Monster Mash-Up

By: Josh Lanyon

Narrated by: Alexander Masters

Who or what is responsible for the gruesome deaths of members of the secret society known as the Order of Osiris?

Dr. Armiston, an irascible, confirmed bachelor who believes in medicine, not mysticism, is certain the deaths are only tragic accidents.

The members of the Order of Osiris suspect something more sinister is at work. They profess to believe an ancient curse has been visited upon their society. Handsome and mysterious Captain Maxwell requests Armiston's help.

Tarot cards? Egyptology? Spiritualism? Armiston has little patience with the superficial and silly pastimes of the rich, but he does love a good puzzle. Or could it be that he is more drawn to young Captain Maxwell than he wishes to admit?

Either way, Armiston must solve the secret of the cursed sarcophagus very soon, for Captain Maxwell is the next slated to die....

©2016 Josh Lanyon (P)2017 Josh Lanyon

Curse or Human Malice?

Egyptian mummy curses, mysterious deaths, a secret group of intellectuals...that's just the scaffolding for a really great tale in Josh Lanyon's talented hands. It was a smooth mental ride into the Victorian setting where British anthropologists were discovering the artifacts left in the wake of the Egyptian rulers and their magician scholars of the secrets of life, of longevity. A doctor well established in a niche that leaves him bored is drawn into the world where young men are dying of unknown causes when he's asked to certify their deaths as murder or natural. Dr. Armiston has been satisfying his intellectual craving for interesting puzzles with Arthur Conan Doyle genre books and cannot help but find himself wanting to solve the cause of the deaths he knows aren't natural. Josh Lanyon weaves a little romance into his conservative stifled life when he joins The Order of Osiris at the invitation of an injured but captivating man, Captain Maxwell.
I found this book entertaining and a delightful escape.

characters are alive and real. excellent plot

enjoyed the restrained British passions in such proper society.
the Dr. is quiet addicting.
good show

story line ok.

the. love affair and extra erotica. where unnessary and relevant to the story line. the core story was good.

An enjoyable story...

A huge fan of Josh Lanyon's, I was eager to listen to this story. The setting was bit of a surprise but once I got over the initial shock, I became enthralled in the story. The mystery aspect of the story was good and I figured out who dunnit about the same time that Quinton Armiston did but to be honest, I had a hard time understanding the drive that led the villain. I also will admit that I would have loved more development and insight into the relationship between Quinton and Hillary. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the book as I do most all Lanyon's work and I think that Alexander Masters did an excellent job bringing the characters to live with his narration. A definite recommend!!!

Fun story, wonderful Narration

I cannot imagine a more perfect voice for the story. Alexander Masters has a wonderful voice would just the right inflection and humor. Highly recommended.

Superlative

I have listened to this book over and over. It’s really lovely. Aside from the writing, which is some of Lanyon’s best, and the story, which blends beautifully with the source material, the narration is exquisite. Truly one of my favorite performances and I’ve been a member for ten years. Armistan’s voice and personality mesh perfectly with the narrator and make this book one that is NEVER not downloaded on my phone.

Great story telling

Fun story. Wonderful characters. Hope to see some future adventures. Good build up to the passion between the two. Not over the top.

Fun Victorian M/M mystery

As a monster mash-up this wasn't quite what I expected, generally those take a classic book and add monstrous elements (zombies, vampires, sea monsters) but in this case it takes a classic mystery with Edwardian occult overtones and then adds a gay romance.

Where the book excels is the creatively added M/M romance element. The book is conspicuously careful to keep the degree to which the men can express their affection reasonably minimal and I like the slow pace with which it is trotted out.

What didn't work as well for me was the mystery itself. The mystery of what is going on with a group of young men who belong to a fashionable spiritual society makes no sense but in a mystery that can be forgiven if the "I suppose you're wondering why I've called you all here" reveal is especially clever or inventive. But no, the book just lurches to a halt.

Again, the mystery itself seems to have been in place in the original 1912 novel and the romance, which is well done, is the addition but for me I wanted more mystery and more mummy.

I also add that the cover of the book makes it seem like a young adult horror adventure and that isn't the case.

Great period mystery/excellent mix with The Mummy

Would you consider the audio edition of The Curse of the Blue Scarab to be better than the print version?

Not better, but perhaps somewhat easier to engage with do to the dry, slower cadence of the this story. Alexander Masters never fails to be fully engaging, and to completely animate all characters.

What did you like best about this story?

The methodical mind of Armiston, the very slow build of his attraction to Maxwell and how he ended up embracing it fully. I liked how the plot was complex yet very straightforward. Every word exuded atmosphere.

Have you listened to any of Alexander Masters’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to a great many. The man is supremely talented and never fails to voice each character distinctly and unnerringly. He is an absolute joy to listen to - repeatedly.

If you could take any character from The Curse of the Blue Scarab out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Hah!! Hmm, I think I'd take Armiston's manservant, Byrd. He's intriguing in his own right, enjoys good food, plus imagine the gossip he has about the gentry!

Any additional comments?

You can't go wrong with Lanyon or Masters. In combination? The absolute cream of the crop.

Buy the book instead

I read the book and I like to listen to book while I fall sleep. The Narrator was distracting and not enjoyable....