Death Trick (1981): In the series opener Albany PI Donald Strachey takes on a sensational murder case within the gay community - which just happens to be up his own alley. This one is made memorable by Stevenson's portrait of gay life from nearly a quarter of a century ago (remember bath houses？!) Appealing, believable characters (Timothy Callahan, Strachey's Jesuit-educated lover is a creative gem) and a wicked sense of humor lift this novel "straight" out of the genre.
On the Other Hand, Death (1984): When the giant Millpond Company finds its plans for a mega-shopping mall stymied by the refusal of an elderly lesbian couple to sell their home, the ladies are subjected to ugly vandalism and frightening death threats. The powerful director of Millpond in turn hires Don Strachey, Albany's only gay detective, to protect the ladies, find the culprits, and clear the corporate name. Strachey accepts with misgivings that deepen rapidly as kidnapping, extortion, and murder darken the lives of Albany's gay community. Fast-paced, deftly plotted, and superbly written, this is one of the best Strachey novels yet.
Ice Blues (1986): One of my favorites in a favorite series. Albany's only gay PI takes on that city's political machine when Strachey finds a murdered man planted in his car. Smooth and funny, but with a definite kick, the third Strachey mystery never fails to entertain though the plot leans more toward zany than suspenseful. As with good scotch, you can soak up this book in one sitting and be giggling out loud before you know it.
Third Man Out (1992): A gay detective is hired to find who has been been threatening a notorious member of the gay community noted for outing people. In book four of this under-appreciated series, Stevenson deals with the touchy issue of the forced "outing" of gays by other gays. Reluctantly, Strachey agrees to act as body guard to Queer Nation activist John Rutka, who has inspired mucho death threats following a conscienceless campaign of outings. Strachey gets disgusted, quits and someone burns Rutka to a crisp. As usual Stevenson agilely juggles a variety of themes: hypocrisy within the Catholic church, euthanasia, AIDS, the right to privacy for public figures. These are topics addressed by many mystery writers with varying degrees of insight and sensitivity. Stevenson, as ever, manages to be funny and rational at the same time.
A Shock to the System (1995): Donald Strachey is asked to investigate the suspicious death of Paul Haig by three different people-Haig's homophobic mother, his ex-lover, and the psychiatrist hired to "cure" him of his homosexuality. Just as he gets started, however, all three remove him from the case, leaving Strachey with a brutal murderer that now everyone wants left alone.
Chain of Fools (1996): Timmy Callahan's ex-lover Skeeter triggers gay private eye Don Strachey's involvement with the Osbornes, a twisted family on the verge of selling their liberal newspaper. But someone within the family has ideas on settling just who should buy it, and those ideas include murder. Chain of Fools is the sixth entry in Author Richard Stevenson's critically acclaimed series of popular mysteries starring tough, wise-cracking private detective Don Strachey and spouse Timmy. This time out, Strachey's investigation discovers more danger and family skeletons than any family has a right to own. The crisp dialogue and realistic characters (including the introduction of a memorably trash-talking lesbian surgeon) keep the reader entertained until the very end. The novel also includes a brand-new preface from the author written specifically for this edition.
Strachey's Folly (1998): While viewing the AIDS quilt in Washington, D.C., series private investigator Donald Strachey (e.g., Chain of Fools, St. Martin's, 1996), lover Timothy, and friend Maynard discover a square memorializing someone they know is not even sick. In short order, two people vandalize that square; a letter arrives from the "dead" man in Mexico, warning that his life is in danger; and someone shoots Maynard. As Donald investigates, he runs a standard obstacle course of political scandal and police bigotry. Although suffering from occasionally stiff prose and an overdone character or two, this title should appeal to series fans and others.
Tongue Tied(2003): Under normal circumstances, PI Donald Strachey wouldn't take a job from right-wing radio 'shock jock' J-Bird. But Strachey not only needs the money, he's also intrigued that the death threats against the radio DJ are being made in the name of a radical gay rights group that has been defunct for over twenty years. When things escalate past mere threats, Strachey has precious little time to uncover the connection between a group from the past and the violent present.
读书笔记摘抄新闻资讯
Shock to the System
On the Other Hand, Death
Ice Blues
Chad Allen
Sebastian Spence
Don & Tim