Reviews (2)

A Deserving Lambda Literary Award Winner
Kevin Anderson is moving along through his life, finishing up college, and getting ready to leave New York City for a prestigious internship in San Francisco when issues about his sexual orientation begin to bother him. His roommate, Tim, is gay, but Kevin has been so busy with school that he has purposely not given it much thought. When Tim confronts him, Kevin ends up feeling rather glad they are going different directions upon graduation. Kevin flies out to the West Coast for an internship with a company that is helping to rebuild after a giant earthquake. He couldn't be more excited. SPECTRUM AWARD NOMINATION
SECRET MATTER has been nominated for the Spectrum Awards Hall of Fame presented by Gaylaxicon, the Washington, DC-based national gay and lesbian science fiction fan club. The award will be given at their annualconvention in DC in Oct. 1999This is the first year for this award. TheHall of Fame is just starting. So of all the hundreds of gay sci fi bookspublished up to this year, SECRET MATTER was chosen as one of the top five.So even if it is only nominated, it is a significant honor.There is moreinformation at the web site for White Crane Journal. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction - General    2. General    3. Mystery/Suspense    4. Literature of special Gay interest    5. Modern fiction   

Reviews (2)

"Unclassifiable" - The New York Times
The one word quote from the Times review is apt. A fun read. Here is the blurb from the cover of the IPL Library of Crime Classics edition (which has an entertaining 1986 forward from Baxt included): "This is a detective story, and unlike any other that you have read. No brief review can attempt to convey its quality. I merely note that it deals with a Manhattan sub-culture wholly devoid of ethics or morality, that staid readers may well find it 'shocking,' that it is beautifully plotted and written with elegance and wit, that I have certain reservations concerning its strict technical fairness, and that you must under no circumstances miss it. This is announced as the first of a trilogy about the dual minority (Negro and homosexual) police detective Pharoah Love; and I wish I could simply estivate until the second appears." -- Anthony Boucher, June 12, 1966.
a bit dated, but...
Though the book was first published back in 1966, it was a surprisingly good and funny read. The protagonist, Pharoah Love, is a black, gay police detective in NYC investigating a rather unusual murder case... This isactually prolific writer George Baxt's first novel."A Queer Kind ofDeath" is chock-full of bizarre characters, murky subplots, and theusual stereotypes and prejudices you would expect to find in New Yorkduring the late 60's. It definitely gave me more than a few chuckles, andsince it's the first book of the series, I'm looking forward to readingmore...Though it seems most of the other titles are out-of-print, that maynot be the easiest task. Worth a look if you enjoy mysteries with a 'queer'twist! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American men    2. African American police    3. Fiction    4. Gay men    5. Love, Pharoah (Fictitious char    6. Love, Pharoah (Fictitious character)    7. Mystery/Suspense   

Editorial Review

Baroness Troutbeck--"Jack" to her friends--is the hard-drinking, hard-living lady of "a certain age" who stars in Ruth Dudley Edward's series of comic mysteries. In Read more

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Reviews (1)

Enjoyable, especially for followers of the series
Robert Amiss only lives up to his surname when he heeds the advice of his friend Baroness Jack Troutbeck.After all the misadventures that Jack gets him into he wonders why he still listens to her.This time around, she persuades (perhaps bullies is a more apt description) a near broke Robert to accept a job accompanying her when she visits Westonbury Cathedral.He should have known that the easiest job in the world would turn int o the job from hell if Jack is involved. ..... It seems that the locale, the Westonbury Cathedral, is imbued with a massive controversy that threatens to rip the Church of England in half with its worst feud since Henry's days.The new dean is an American fundamentalist who wants to end all the new age gurus that have entered the church. His ideas split the church into two factions who turn violent and deadly, including killing the new dean.Robert and Jack find themselves flooded with numerous suspects as they try to uncover the identity of the killer.However, in Robert's mind, it is Jack's friendship with everyone in the universe and her opinion on everything under the universe that is driving him away from the church. .....The Robert Amiss tales are superb satires that laugh at every potential politically correct thing imaginable.However, it must be understood that MURDER IN A CATHEDRAL is not for everyone. Some readers will laugh at the antics of Jack, while others will feel that she is an abrasive SOB.The who-done-it is fun, but whether the reader enjoys Jack's pontificating on everything right and wrong with the C O E (the Church of England not the Corps of Engineers) depends on whether they love a British satire that overwhelms the mystery. ......Harriet Klausner ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amiss, Robert (Fictitious char    2. Amiss, Robert (Fictitious character)    3. Civil service    4. England    5. Fiction    6. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    7. Gay clergy    8. Mystery & Detective - General    9. Mystery/Suspense    10. Suspense   

Editorial Review

Put adolescents together in a confined environment with only minimaladult supervision, and bad things will happen--a truism in literature as well as life. (Think Read more

Reviews (20)

Incredibly sensuous novel
Some other reviews gave too much of the plot away.There are things the reader should find out for themselves...like the incredible sensual imagery evoked by the prose.The sights, sounds and in particular, the smells of summer season on the veldt create such a three-dimensional setting for this novel.The headlong rush of young girls into puberty is augmented by the setting, the isolation and frustrated lives of their teachers.One thing that puzzles after the book is read, why is there so much leniency allowed at an all girls' school in the mid-fifties?Having not attended such a school in South Africa, but having attended one in the US at the same time and at approximately the same age as these girls, I find it incomprehensible that they were allowed so much freedom.

Cracks
"There is grease around our mouths, down to our chins; our lips are stained with red wine, our lipstick, smudged, our camouflage, undone." Incredibly creepy for such a small book
Compare this with Lord of the Flies, but with girls instead of boys. Set in South Africa and told in Sheila Kohler's inimitable elegant and dark style of writing, it's the story of a swim team in a remote boarding school, a story in which the girls' "coming of age" doesn't turn out as expected.Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Gay    4. General    5. Mystery & Detective - General    6. Mystery   

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Gay    4. General    5. Mystery & Detective - General    6. Mystery/Suspense    7. Suspense    8. Crime & mystery    9. Fiction / General   

Reviews (1)

A book to read at the beach
Tyler Monroe's partner -- Andy jones -- disappears after 15 years together.No note. No reason.He seeks the help of private eye Jake Lieberman.Jake, thinking that maybe Andy wanted a change of pace after 15 years, reluctantly takes the case after realizing how heartbroken Tyler is.Read more

Subjects:  1. Detective and mystery stories    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Gay men    5. General    6. Popular American Fiction    7. Modern fiction   

Editorial Review

Completed prior to Dixon's early death from AIDS in 1992, Read more

Reviews (3)

This is REAL literature!
Examines the private hell of two people connected through a tragedy. Beautifully written with skill, lucidity and polish. This is REAL literature! This book did not get the attention it deserves. It is a MASTERPIECE! Melvin Dixon's name should be mentioned right alongside of James Baldwin's.

Dancing on Broken Feet
Vanishing Rooms is an intensely emotional novel. It gives equal voices to three characters: Jesse, a young black dancer who loses his troubled boyfriend Metro; Ruella, a female black dancer who is enamoured with Jesse; and Lonny, a white teenager who prefers the streets and feels he must prove himself to his tough friends. At the centre of the story is the loss of Metro and how it affects all three characters. The death is described flatly, like a piece of impersonal news. This is a contrast to Jesse's deep feelings for him that he describes as akin to his passion for dancing. More than the injustice of this murder, the novel continues on to describe the horrible injustices made toward people who are gay and black as they are forced to be marginal groups of American society. It describes the troubling relationship not only felt in an interracial relationship but also the sad imbalances felt by many gay couples whose definition of monogamy tragically varies. However, the book's attitude toward the varieties of gay life is ambivalent. At one point, Jesse finds himself wandering through a large sex club being led by an older black man who is trying to seduce him. The meaning it has for Jesse is ambivalent. There are wonderful passages describing the scene in a way that is almost hallucinatory.The novel is filled with such morally ambiguous dilemmas such as the way in which Ruella's brother, a convict, arranges special retribution for Metro's death. Ruella's friendship with Jesse is mysterious and their dependency on each other turns out to be for selfish reasons rather than genuine friendship. The delicate relationships are poignantly explored and the ending is characteristic of the character's personalities with their beautifully rendered drama.

An Unrecognized Masterpiece!
Melvin Dixon was a brilliant black gay man (and Brown University alumnus). Unfortunately his life was cut short by the tragedy of AIDS. In his honor, however, every black gay man should buy this book and read it cover to cover. In this tale, the protagonist goes through a surreal journey in which he finds himself in love with other black men, sexually, spiritually, and politically. When originally released, the critics mocked him by saying, "What do you get when you mix Truman Capote with James Baldwin?" However, this is not an imitation or duplication of other gay authors. This is a black gay masterpiece and if you are truly fierce, you will order it! SNAP! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American Literature    2. Detective and mystery stories    3. Fiction    4. Gangs    5. Gay men    6. New York (N.Y.)    7. Popular American Fiction   

Reviews (9)

An amazing thriller !
This book is so good that I finished it in one sitting. There is not one wasted word and I was in for a thrilling ride once I started. The mystery is taut, intense and captivating, the entangled romance sensitive and touching. The hero, Kyle, with a weak heart, is immensely likable and well potrayed. It is a rarity that a character could stand up so well in short mystery novel but Kyle does. Kyle finally accepting the loss of his father and the revelation of a half brother he would never have a chance to acknowledge gives a touch of melancholy to the story. Definitely one of my favourites.

Yes! Yes! Yes! A brilliant story, well plotted and written
I found this book to be immensely well-written, with plausible characters (if implausible names), a plausible story-line, and thoroughly enjoyable. I'm a great fan of murder mysteries and this book is as good as the best of its type. It isn't a 'police procedural' however, like so many recent muder novels. It's more a delving into the minds of a very closed community, an examination of motives, desires, and personas. Multi-textured intrigue
Colin Dunne cleverly blends a painting's subject with the story of some gay friends and the story of a missing artist (and his missing painting). The resulting tale always intrigues, with a focus on strong dialogue and character development. You don't have to be gay to enjoy this book. Nor do you have to like mystery novels. Just the characters and conflicts that start the novel would have kept my attention, but the added dimension of the murder and the painting made me read quickly to the surprising twists of the novel's closing chapters. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    3. Mystery & Detective - General    4. Mystery/Suspense    5. Crime & mystery    6. mystery    7. gay   

Reviews (3)

LOVED this book!
This book was absolutely a page turner!I could not put it down once I started!The characters just leapt off the page at you and I found myself drawn immediately into the mystery.I look forward to more offerings from Betty Byers- she is an extremely talented storyteller!

Great Murder Mystery!!
A nail biting, easy to read, keep-you-glued-to-the-pages novel. Lot's of suspense and intrigue. The characters are well developed and the descriptions are uncanny. The sex scenes were hot, intense, and steamy. Betty keeps you guessing as to who is the killer. You think you know, but ..... surprise! surprise! Betty's first novel is really something. Look for her soon on any "best seller's" list. Can't wait to read what she's cooking up next!!Looking forward to future work.

A Fan for Life
A nail biting novel that was very straightforward and easy to read. The chapters are short and compact with suspense to keep you plugged in. The sex scenes were hot and very intense. You think you know who's the killer, but you don't.... I couldn't believe this was Betty's first novel. Looking forward to future work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    3. Gay    4. Mystery & Detective - General    5. Suspense    6. Thrillers    7. Crime & mystery   

Reviews (9)

Hunter's Trio In The Best Of The Series
Alex, Peter and Jean return in what is the best book of the Alex Reynolds series.The trio is asked to host an Iraqi defector soldier while CIA agent Nelson and his team interrogate him.
Best of a Fowl Series
The fifth book in the Alex Reynolds mystery series is the best so far, which is faint praise indeed.Although the plot is passable, Hunter continues to try and mine humor from his unlikely trio of leading characters (Alex, Alex's mother Jean and Alex's partner Peter), none of whom are very funny; I would compare them to the Three Stooges --- minus the physical comedy! Alex continues to waver between clever and clueless; his periodic references to gays as "faggots" are offensive in context; and his constant gushing and cooing over Peter's sex appeal is simply obnoxious in the extreme. Chicken Delight!
THE CHICKEN ASYLUM is a winner!Once again Fred Hunter has seduced his readers in a story that could actually come off the front pages of any American newspaper.Alex, Peter, and Jean, (what would they do without Jean?) are the hapless "victims" of another CIA/FBI scheme gone awry, only this time it deals with an Iraqi defector.The plot line is MUCH MORE CONVOLUTED than Hunter's other books, and brings to the reader a story that is both frightening and charming at the same time. There is no doubt that the "Reynolds clan + Peter" are capable of being pro-active MOTHER HENS, and they prove it convincingly.Much to this reader's surprise, Alex proves to be much BUTCHER than previously perceived.I think this is the best yet in the Alex Reynolds Mysteries, and I'm looking forward to the next installment. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction    2. Chicago (Ill.)    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    5. Gay    6. Gay men    7. Mystery & Detective - General    8. Mystery & Detective - Series    9. Mystery/Suspense    10. Reynolds, Alex (Fictitious cha    11. Reynolds, Alex (Fictitious character)    12. Terrorists    13. Crime & mystery    14. Literature of special Gay interest   

Reviews (5)

Did Someone Say "Mystery"?
I began Casey Nelson's first novel with great expectations: it's a mystery, it's gay, and it's set in London. All three make it Entertaining, keep-an-eye-out-behind-you, prowl in London
"Nothing Gold Can Stay" is an enormously enjoyable read - suspenseful, funny, sexy, descriptive and thought-provoking. Lovely to say its intelligence is nowhere stuffy, or set up in such as way as to impress the reader, rather than simply to entertain and intrigue. In fact, the first few pages read like an old-fashioned pot-boiler, and Nelson doesn't really hit his best stride until almost a third of the way through. An Intelligent Mystery
I'm not a big mystery fan, so I DIDN'T guess the killer right away (and I'm not sure I believe those who say they did...), but I agree that the real pleasure of this novel is in the writing itself - Nelson's prose is fluid, his metaphors apt, and his insights into the position of the gay male in society at the turn of the millenium simply dead on target.His choice of the first person pulled me right in and made me a part of the experience - I've never been to London until now. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American First Novelists    2. Detective and mystery stories    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    5. Gay    6. Gay men    7. Graduate students    8. London (England)    9. Mystery & Detective - General   

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Gay men    3. Love, Pharoah (Fictitious character)    4. Mystery fiction    5. New York (N.Y.)    6. Police   

Reviews (5)

Limits to Ambition Review
Limits is a book that I can say I would read again. The story line was fantastic.Many Americans can relate to being qualified, but not being able to find a job, and the author keeps you in such suspense about a crazed lady killer, that you don't want to put it down!

BRILLIANT
This novel is brilliant. I don't care what anyone else has to say, it is thought provoking and amazingly written. I am proud to be in the film version that is currently being made.

The story has no soul !
I am frustrated with this book. The characters are there. The plot is there. But the book just fails to deliver. The writerfails to build up on the characters. A pity because the three main characters tangled in a love triangle could have been developed so much better. The writer also places too much emphasis on the killer. The writer is too ambitious as he wishes to convey too much in a 120 pages book. And the result is a somewhat "flat" story with much to be desired. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    3. Gay    4. Mystery/Suspense    5. Suspense    6. General & Literary Fiction    7. Literature of special Gay interest   

Reviews (2)

Author writes horrible and disgusting novel
After reading this book, I was sick for days.I know more about the case that this story takes after than most people do and I think it is a sick thing that this writer it making money off of the sadness and horrible events of another family.I have looked this writer up and in many places she contradicts herself.In the beginning, she says that this book is nothing more than a story that she came up with, not long after she changes that and says it is based on a true story but the names are changed out of respect.If she had any respect for the family, she would have never written the book to begin with.To me, it sounds as though this author has nothing better to do with her life than dig up the dismal past of others.The only thing I can say about this book is that it is a repeat of the police report and the thoughts of the town at the time.Since then things have changed but for some reason this author holds a grudge against the survivor in this story and places all blame on him.In real life this case has never been solved and never will be.This book is a disgrace to great authors everywere.

Murder in a small town
I picked up a copy of this book on a whim, since I am from Ohio. I was surprised that the author did such a good job putting together a plot that mixed truth with fiction. We followed the newspapers stories of the murder of the family mentioned in the book and to my knowledge, the murder was never solved. Anyone who has ever lived in a small town will be able to relate to the characters in the book. I would recommend this book to murder/mystery readers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    3. Gay    4. Mystery & Detective - General    5. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    6. Mystery/Suspense    7. Crime & mystery    8. Fiction / Mystery & Detective / General   

Reviews (1)

This was an excellent book!
I thought the way he interwove the gay community in South Florida with Dignity and the Catholic Church's view of it's homosexually active members was brilliant.A few type-written errors here and there, but it was his first book and he probably edited it himself.It was very heartfelt and very suspenseful and I loved it.Being a lesbian Catholic myself, it was interesting to see how we were viewed back in 1991.After reading the book, I actually feel more inclined to join Read more

Subjects:  1. Detective and mystery stories    2. Fiction    3. Gay liberation movement    4. Gay men    5. Private investigators    6. Literature of special Gay interest    7. Modern fiction   

Reviews (2)

Nostalgia trip
I love Marc and Paul! It's a few years since I read the three books in the Marc and Paul series, and even longer since I wrote them.
Entertaining and humorous light mystery
In the third of the "Mark & Paul" mysteries to be released in the states by Alyson (All were previously released in Australia), Phillip Scott takes a decidedly political bent in having his characters involved in protesting proposed anti-gay laws while investigating what appears to be the work of a serial killer preying on gay men.Mark, a fifty-something retired teacher, is drafted the be the personal assistant to Paul, his flamboyant younger friend, who lucks into a position as a "lifestyle" commentator on a tabloid TV show.When one of the support people on the show, who had previously dated Paul, becomes a victim of the killer, he and Mark investigate the possible connections between the victims, which takes them from Sydney to a smaller town as well as to a meeting of the local S&M play group!Lots of dry comedy mixed in with a decent mystery plot, as is usual in Scott's entertaining books.
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Subjects:  1. Australia    2. Elections    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    5. Gay    6. Gay men    7. Mystery & Detective - General    8. Mystery/Suspense    9. Serial murders    10. Fiction / Mystery & Detective / General   

Reviews (5)

You think you know but you really don't
I read the other reviews and I have a few comments about them. First I must say that maybe, YES the author is not perfect and YES maybe he is not the best writer or thinnest! I must also say that I know personally that the author does know more about homosexual lifestyle, drag shows, and drama (I can almost guarantee) than both of the reviewers. I can certainly say that the characters are based on postively true characters!!! Maybe your life is not filled with these types of colorful people and that's why you found it hard to beleive. I am so knowledgable because I know the author from "a distance" and I was present when alot of the book actually took place. I must say that Gavin was dead on!!! An interesting read for anyone on the party scene heavy from 1998-2001 in Miami, D.C., Philly, and Rehoebeth!

A total flop
I thought this would be a fun book as I generally love mysteries set in [...] culture. But there wasn't a single believable character in this melange of bad writing, absurd plot points and unlikely events. This book is a disaster.And "A Tony Allegro mystery"? I think not. He disappears in the first chapter and doesn't surface again until the end. Don't waste your money on this stinker.

Bury This Puppy in the Dungeon!!!!!!
I want to start this review by stating emphatically, that I was sure I was going to love this novel. After reading the promotional material and a few reviews, I was certain this book would be a riot. It had drag queens fighting over a pageant title, it was set in swinging South Beach, and it was supposed to have loads of campy situations all packaged in a nifty murder mystery. I thought, WOW...drag, camp, and murder, three of my favorite ingredients for a festive read, how can IRead more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Gay    4. Mystery & Detective - General    5. Crime & mystery   

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Gay men    3. Mystery fiction    4. New York    5. New York (N.Y.)   

Reviews (7)

tongue in cheek (not saying which one) Hollywood mystery
For the seventh year, Hollywood gossip columnist Rick Domino hosts a live pre-show broadcast of the Academy Awards.Rick has mixed feelings about this year's show because his lover actor Shane Kirk is up for a Best Actor award.He is proud that Shane received the nomination, but disappointed that his beloved refuses to come out of the closet and acknowledge that he is gay let alone in a relationship with Rick.Adding to that insult is the fact that Shane is keeping a straight image by escorting best actress nominee Tara Perez to the ceremony. A thoroughly delightful romp!
This surprising "inside" Hollywood mystery is a delightful romp through the seedy world of Hollywood. It is delightfully satirical of Hollywood and its ways and waywardness. Though very funny, it is also suspenseful and engaging. Perhaps the most delightful gay comedy/mystery since the wonderful Aldyne series and the Grant Michaels masterpieces. A thoroughly delightful romp!
This surprising "inside" Hollywood mystery is a delightful romp through the seedy world of Hollywood. It is delightfully satirical of Hollywood and its ways and waywardness. Though very funny, it is also suspenseful and engaging. Perhaps the most delightful gay comedy/mystery since the wonderful Aldyne series and the Grant Michaels masterpieces.Read more

Subjects:  1. Academy Awards (Motion picture    2. Academy Awards (Motion pictures)    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    5. Gay    6. Gossip columnists    7. Hollywood (Los Angeles, Calif    8. Motion picture industry    9. Mystery & Detective - General    10. Mystery/Suspense    11. Fiction / Mystery & Detective / General   

Subjects:  1. Anthologies (multiple authors)    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Gay    5. Mystery & Detective - General    6. Crime & mystery    7. Fiction / Gay    8. Literature of special Gay interest    9. Short stories