Publishers Weekly
07/10/2023
Rosen’s gripping second investigation for Andy Mills, San Francisco’s “only queer detective” (after 2022’s Lavender House), takes place in the city’s early 1950s underground gay scene. Andy, who was fired from the SFPD when his superiors learned he was gay, is still struggling to find clients for his private detective agency. One afternoon, James Morris, a captain in the Navy and Andy’s former lover, walks into his office. Though Andy is still scarred by their breakup (James left seven years earlier without saying goodbye), the PI can’t afford to turn down work, and soon learns that James is being blackmailed with explicit photographs after a tryst with a young man named Danny. With his Navy career in the balance, James asks Andy to retrieve the photos and negatives for him. Andy’s search takes him on a dizzying tour of San Francisco’s gay and lesbian clubs, but Danny is nowhere to be found, and flashes of Andy’s own past threaten to muddy the investigative waters. Andy is an appealing—if melancholy—protagonist, and Rosen’s candid portrayal of the casual cruelties perpetrated on queer people in the 1950s provides a novel and edifying foundation for a traditional mystery. Readers will be ready for the next Mills adventure as soon as this one ends. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
"Gripping...Rosen’s candid portrayal of the casual cruelties perpetrated on queer people in the 1950s provides a novel and edifying foundation for a traditional mystery. Readers will be ready for the next Mills adventure as soon as this one ends" –Publishers Weekly
"The result is an atmospheric historical novel as well as a gritty noir mystery that will thrill both readers who already love Andy Mills and those meeting him for the first time." –BookPage, starred review
Praise for Lavender House:
"Movingly explores the strain of trying to pass as straight at a time when living an authentic life could be deadly." –New York Times Book Review
“Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen is a new take on a Golden Age crime novel. Its 1950s setting is richly cinematic, with gin martinis, bananas foster and a fantastic mid-century soundtrack... Everything about the crime — the perpetrator, the victim, the motive — has a deeper meaning." –Washington Post
"Rosen’s deftly clued, noir-tinged plot successfully walks the line between hope and heartbreak, all while thoughtfully exploring the role of family in our lives. This fresh take on the classic private investigator begs to be brought to the big screen." –Library Journal, starred review
"Rosen’s smart, bittersweet tale plays with the oldest truth of all: the price we pay for our identity in America." –Walter Mosley
"Lavender House is a fabulous, genre-bending mystery-noir, told with wit, panache and style. Lev Rosen is one of a kind and just gets better and better—his eye for characters is both acerbic and compassionate, and his story-telling is top notch." –Dan Chaon, New York Times bestselling author of Sleepwalk
"Tightly spun and utterly immersive, Lev AC Rosen delivers a deliciously twisty and queer whodunnit in Lavender House. With a mid-century mystery as sprawling as its titular mansion, the velvet knives in this one are sharp as hell." –P. J. Vernon, author of Bath Haus
"Terrific... a brisk, entertaining novel...Rosen’s novel is a winning homage to old-time crime fiction." –San Francisco Chronicle
"Readers who love queer history, complicated family dynamics, flawed characters and a good murder mystery will be eager for more. Perfect for fans of Knives Out, Lavender House is a queer, mid-century take on the family-centric murder mystery showcasing Lev AC Rosen's masterful character development." –Shelf Awareness
"This book’s real pleasure lies in the richly realized portrayal of its cast and their personal struggles. Rosen puts a welcome gay spin on the traditional country house whodunit." –Publishers Weekly
JANUARY 2024 - AudioFile
Vikas Adam brings a noirish vibe to his first-class narration of this 1952 mystery set in San Francisco. Andy Mills is trying to find his way after being bounced off of the police force because he is gay. An old lover appears, needing help, and Andy is soon working blackmail and murder cases. Adam gives Mills a deep, tough voice for the most part, though it softens for more tender moments. Adam is also outstanding with other characters, including those with lesser roles. He gives each a distinctive voice and attitude. More impressively, his performance enhances the atmosphere of the entire audiobook. There are some pretty dark parts, but they're somewhat offset by lighter moments, especially as Andy finds someone he might love. Both author and narrator are top-notch. G.S. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
