Mystery/Crime Genre
The Mystery or Crime genre consists of works that present one or more crimes or curios events (most often a murder). There are varying degrees of description of the crimes from the “cozy” to the more graphic. Major new writes in the LGBTQ mystery genre include Nicola Griffith, Ellen Hart, Val McDermit, Clair McNab, Ann Rice, Barbra Wilson and Mary Wings.
Other great writes to explore are:
Baxter, Clair/ L.A. Franco Mysteries (Street Rules)
Bidulka, Anthony/ Russell Quant Mysteries (Flight of Aquavit)
Cook, John Peyton / Chimney Sweeper, Torsos
Macadam, Heather D. / Weeping Buddah
Hancock Park: A Kate Delafield Mystery. KatherineV. Forrest. 2004. 244p. (Lesbian)
Book 8 in the Kate Delafield series, finds Detective Kate Delafield and her partner Joe as they investigate a murder in the wealthy neighborhood of Hancock Park. Kate is a bit preoccupied with her personal life as her lover Aimee has disappeared and she co-ordinates two investigations. A “cozy” mystery – quick read with good balance of dialogue and court room descriptions as well as reflections back to Kate’s personal life and issues.
Always. Nicola Griffith. 2007. 463p. (Lesbian)
Book 3 in the Aud Torvingen series. Former Atlanta police officer Aud is still grieving over the death of her lover, Julia a year ago and is in Seattle visiting her mother when she and her friend Matthew are dragged into an investigation of sabotage at a movie studio that Aud owns. Drama unfolds as both Mattew and Aud fall for the same woman. An intense fast-paced thriller with frequent flashbacks to Aud’s classes in Self-defense in Atlanta make this book somewhat challenging to read.
A Density of Souls. Christopher Rice. 200. 274. (Gay)
Four high school friends worlds are interwoven in this complicated tale of envy, passion and coming of age and coming out under the umbrella of some mysterious circumstances in the high school. The highly emotional tone is mirrored in the violent events in the high school as well as the town including a hurricane that devastates New Orleans at the end. Dialogue is choppy and the characters are at times unbelievable.