Set in turn-of-the-19th-century Chicago during the Progressive Era, this historical mystery introduces Harriet Morrow, a groundbreaking female detective at the Prescott Agency. As a bike-riding, trousers-wearing lesbian, Harriet navigates a male-dominated world while solving crimes. The story promises to explore themes of gender and identity against the backdrop of a rapidly changing society, offering a fresh perspective on both the era and the detective genre.
In this rollicking mystery sure to delight fans of Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club and Robert Thorogood's Marlow Murder Club series, the circus becomes the stage for a high-profile murder investigation. With quirky LGBTQ+ amateur sleuths, Cirque du Slay will delight readers looking for a madcap mystery with high-flying excitement! Pint-sized Seattle middle school teacher and gay dating blogger Hayden McCall and his best friend Hollister are invited to a fundraiser for Bakers Without Borders. The celebrity performer, Kennedy Osaka, is the artistic director of Mysterium, an upscale circus arts show combining magic, acrobatics, and a Michelin-star dinner. But Kennedy is a no-show—until she’s found dead in her hotel suite. When frenemy Sarah Lee is discovered in the room with the body, Hayden and Hollister are on the case to find the real culprit before Sarah Lee is charged with the crime. The suspects for the murder are as unique as Mysterium itself: a Russian trapeze artist, a cowgirl comedian sharp-shooter, an over-cologned operations director, a feisty, green-haired costume manager, and Adrenalin!, a sexy troop of Romanian male acrobats...If Hayden and Hollister are to clear Sarah Lee of suspicion, they’ll have to outsmart a killer for whom trickery is art.
2023 LEFT COAST CRIME BEST DEBUT NOMINEE, 2023 AGATHA AWARDS BEST FIRST NOVEL NOMINEE. 2022 YEARS BEST LIST: Crime Reads, BOLO Books Review, PopSugar, and Book Riot.
Seattle teacher and part-time blogger Hayden McCall wakes up in a stranger's bed, half-naked and sporting a black eye. Soon after, police arrive, investigating the disappearance of Latino dancer Camilo Rodriguez, suspected to be linked to foul play. Determined to uncover the truth, Hayden connects with Camilo's devoted friends, Hollister and Burley, who reveal that Camilo, a "Dreamer," has faced significant challenges since his parents' deportation. Believing the police won't prioritize Camilo's case, the trio embarks on a quest to find him.
Their first lead takes them to Barkingham Palace, a pet store where Camilo worked part-time. The owner, Della Rupert, feigns ignorance, but Hayden suspects otherwise. Meanwhile, Camilo's ex-boyfriend, Ryan, has suddenly become wealthy, raising further suspicions. Hayden and Hollister's investigation leads them to a secure airport warehouse, where they uncover a shocking connection between Ryan and Della, revealing a twisted scheme that has enriched them both.
The search culminates on a stunning estate in Puget Sound, where the truth about Camilo's disappearance and the fate of his family is finally revealed.
