Boys like us, p.18
Boys Like Us, page 18
A Books in Canada First Novel Finalist, this new edition contains a foreword by Alexander Inglis.
Buried on Sunday by Edward O. Phillips
Paperback: 244 pgs • 978-1-951092-61-0
A Geoffry Chadwick Misadventure, Book 2 – “One of the problems with weekends in the country” says Geoffry Chadwick’s genial host in Buried on Sunday, “is that people feel free to drop in unannounced.” And drop in they do. No sooner has our lovable lawyer hero, a partner in the prestigious law firm of Lyall, Pierce, Chadwick and Dawson – who just happens to be gay – settled in with a spicy Bloody Mary, than hardened criminals on the lam burst in and take Chadwick and his hosts hostage in their own beautiful home.
A tale of mystery and suspense brims with human drama, both poignant and comic: It turns out that one of the other hostages, now married, had once been Chadwick’s lover. As the hours of their forced confinement turn into days, a flood of bittersweet memories engulf Chadwick, of an affair whose painful end he could never forget, of a lover who had changed the course of his life. As the weekend moves toward its powerful denouement, Chadwick comes to terms with the road he has taken – and the quite different path, of marriage and convention, chosen by his early love.
A Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Best Novel Winner. This edition contains a contemporary interview with Phillips on reception of his work and a reminiscence of his 80th birthday celebration by Toronto author Nancy Wigston.
Sunday Best by Edward O. Phillips
A Geoffry Chadwick Misadventure, Book 3 – Geoffry Chadwick is back and this time the reluctant hero and social observer is going to a wedding - or maybe not. Geoffry’s niece, Jennifer, is about to marry Douglas, son of a prominent – or at the very least notorious – Montreal socialite, Lois Fullerton. Lois is a wealthy widow with an impressive list of discarded lovers and it looks like she’s decided Geoffry will be her next conquest. But after meeting Lois on several occasions, Chadwick discovers he is being followed. Soon a nasty knife wound – on the front tire of his car – and a nasty note thicken the plot. Has Lois masterminded a trap? Who is her suspicious, swarthy, and sexy chauffeur? And why is the bridegroom more interested in his future brother-in-law than his future bride? A lively misadventure of manners – bad manners – with just a hint of crime.
This new edition contains a tribute to Mr Phillips who passed away in May, 2020.
Working on Sunday by Edward O. Phillips
A Geoffry Chadwick Misadventure, Book 4 – Geoffry Chadwick has a stalker. But between avoiding Christmas parties, gift shopping, moving his mother into a senior living facility, handling his recently widowed sister, and dealing with the loss of his long-term boyfriend Patrick, Geoffry Chadwick does not have time for a stalker.
Facing a bleak Christmas, Geoffry Chadwick is cheered to discover a kindred spirit in the recently widowed Elinor Richardson. They met at a party he had wanted to avoid and when he offered to escort her home they found that her apartment was full of smoke from a neighbor’s neglect. After Chadwick offered her the use of his mother’s apartment, Chadwick’s sister Mildred flew into town also deciding to use the apartment for a last Christmas with their mother. Between family tensions, unexpected changes to plans, and a dash of Christmas cheer, no one expected the stalker to get serious …
Phillips’ trademark Wildean wit and deft characterization makes Working on Sunday an unforgettable look at aging, loneliness, and the comfort of companionship. This new edition contains a newspaper article from Phillips musing on his 1987 Crime Writers of Canada Award for Best Novel.
Voyage on Sunday by Edward O. Phillips
A Geoffry Chadwick Misadventure, Book 5 – No act of kindness goes unpunished; Geoffry Chadwick discovers this cynical truism the moment the Westmount lawyer retires. He reluctantly agrees to assist an amateur production of Hedda Gabler to raise funds for the local public library. Following a raffle, Geoffry finds himself with two tickets for a Caribbean cruise won by his companion who can’t make the trip. On the spur of the moment, he invites childhood friend Frank Wilkinson, an opera designer, whom he hasn’t seen much in recent decades.
The travelers are beset by a mysterious flu, a rekindled long-forgotten affection for Frank complicating Geoffry's current status, and a flamboyant quartet of dinner companions who have more on their plate than appears at first glance. Propelled by Geoffry’s sharp wit and acerbic social observations, A Voyage on Sunday is a journey of personal discovery and finding emotional balance in late middle age.
JOHN PRESTON - Alex Kane across America
Sweet Dreams by John Preston
An Alex Kane Mission, Book 1 – Meet Alex Kane. In Vietnam, the only lover he had known had been killed by a homophobic coward. With his physical prowess and the financial backing of his former lover’s family Kane’s sorrow turned to action, and he is resolved to fight back against anyone, anywhere who dare to challenge the dreams of gay men. Someone was daring to mess with young gay men in Boston. Somebody thought they could make a quick buck by exploiting the gay youth. Somebody had never heard of Alex Kane. That is a mistake they will never forget.
A celebrated series of superhero adventure stories written for a general audience by bad boy John Preston whose journalism and fictional writings brought leather and bondage scene mainstream. This new edition includes a foreword by Philip Gambone (As Far As I Can Tell: Finding My Father In World War II).
Golden Years by John Preston
An Alex Kane Mission, Book 2 – Do dreams belong only to the young? Not in Alex Kane’s world. When Kane’s financier discovers a plot to take advantage of older gay men Kane jumps into action, gaining the support of a local cowboy plucked right out of the Old West. These evil doers won’t know what hit them when Alex Kane and his Cowboy ride into town!
A celebrated series of superhero adventure stories written for a general audience by bad boy John Preston whose journalism and fictional writings brought leather and bondage scene mainstream. This new edition includes a foreword by Philip Gambone (As Far As I Can Tell: Finding My Father In World War II).
Sweet Dreams and Golden Years by John Preston
is combined in one edition in paperback
Paperback: 264 pgs • 978-1-951092-49-8
Deadly Lies by John Preston
An Alex Kane Mission, Book 3 – Politics is a dirty business, filled with dirty lies. The dirt becomes deadly in Minneapolis/St. Paul when rampant political smearing and corruption turn toward unscrupulous politicians’ easiest targets: gay men. Who better to clean things up than Alex Kane! With his lover and sidekick Danny Fortelli, Alex comes to protect the dreams – and lives – of gay men imperiled by the lies and deceit that threaten to tear them apart. Together they can generate the heat needed to burn away the political trash in Minnesota – and anywhere else it endangers the dreams of gay men.
The Alex Kane Missions are a celebrated series of superhero adventure stories written for a general audience by bad boy John Preston whose journalism and fictional writings brought leather and bondage scene mainstream.
Stolen Moments by John Preston
An Alex Kane Mission, Book 4 – A malicious newspaper editor targets Houston’s evolving gay community in a cynical power play. But he never counted on the resolve of Alex Kane, a proud and fearless man devoted to the defense of gay dreams and desires everywhere. Alex and his lover Danny take the Texan head-on.
The Alex Kane Missions are a celebrated series of superhero adventure stories written for a general audience by bad boy John Preston whose journalism and fictional writings brought leather and bondage scene mainstream.
Deadly Lies and Stolen Moments by John Preston
is combined in one edition in paperback
Paperback: 256 pgs • 978-1-951092-64-1
LEV RAPHAEL - Nick Hoffman in Michigan
Let’s Get Criminal by Lev Raphael
Paperback: 240 pgs • 978-1-951092-07-8
A Nick Hoffman / Academic Mystery, Book 1 – Nick Hoffman has everything he has ever wanted: a good teaching job, a nice house, and a solid relationship with his lover, Stefan Borowski, a brilliant novelist at the State University of Michigan. But when Perry Cross shows up, Nick’s peace of mind is shattered. Not only does he have to share his office with the nefarious Perry, who managed to weasel his way into a tenured position without the right qualifications, he also discovers that Perry played a destructive role in Stefan’s past. When Perry turns up dead, Nick wonders if Stefan might be involved, while the campus police force is wondering the same about Nick.
This new edition contains a foreword by the author.
The Edith Wharton Murders by Lev Raphael
Paperback: 268 pgs • 978-1-951092-22-1
A Nick Hoffman / Academic Mystery, Book 2 – Nick Hoffman, desperate to get tenure, has been saddled with a thankless task: coordinating a conference on Edith Wharton that will demonstrate how his department and his university supports women’s issues. There’s been widespread criticism that SUM is really the State University of Men. Problem is, he’s forced to invite two warring Wharton societies, and the conflict between rival scholars escalates from mudslinging to murder. Nick’s job and whole career are on the line unless he can help solve the case and salvage the conference.
Receiving raves in the New York Times on initial publication, this new edition contains a foreword by Gregory Ashe (Hazard and Somerset series) as well as a new introduction by the author.
The Death of a Constant Lover by Lev Raphael
Paperback: 260 pgs • 978-1-951092-33-7
A Nick Hoffman / Academic Mystery, Book 3 – Mayhem at the State University of Michigan: Is it murder … or another faculty meeting? Filled with caustic humor about university life and written with literate style and grace, The Death of a Constant Lover escalates Nick Hoffman’s involvement with mayhem and faculty meetings. When the son of a professor is murdered on a campus bridge, Nick’s presence at the scene puts him right where he can’t afford to be: in the middle of trouble. With his tenure review coming up, he’s been warned by his department chair to avoid bad publicity. But Nick is forced to wade in deeper anyway, inexorably drawn into yet another risky investigation in the surprisingly cutthroat world of academia. He may be surrounded by academics with deadly agendas, but he’s armed with the hope that his wit and insight will be enough to avert the death of his career … and maybe his own as well.
A Lambda Literary Awards Finalist, this new edition contains a 2020 foreword by Brad Shreve (Mitch O’Reilly series) as well as a new introduction by the author.
Little Miss Evil by Lev Raphael
Paperback: 260 pgs • 978-1-951092-41-2
A Nick Hoffman / Academic Mystery, Book 4 – The fourth novel in the highly acclaimed series begins on a high note. It appears that Nick’s career is finally moving in the right direction, and the celebrity that comes with solving murders has brought him more students than he can possibly handle. But things are never calm at the State University of Michigan: Nick’s partner’s career seems to be taking a downturn, a new faculty member is causing a lot of nasty talk, and cryptic messages are showing up in Nick’s mailbox. What turns up next is a corpse – and some very unsettling thoughts for the reluctant sleuth.
Lev Raphael is a Lambda Literary Awards winner and multiple nominee for several books. This new edition in his Nick Hoffman series contains a 2021 foreword by Meg Perry (Jamie Brodie series).
Burning Down the House by Lev Raphael
Paperback: 260 pgs • 978-1-951092-65-8
A Nick Hoffman / Academic Mystery, Book 5 – Evil Stalks the Halls of Academe! Welcome to the hothouse world of academia where egos bruise as easily as peaches and vendettas grow like weeds. Nick Hoffman’s State University of Michigan is a place where the Borgias and the Marx Brothers would be equally at home. Heading into the Christmas season, SUM is being torn apart by bizarre attempts to make it more diverse while an autocratic new provost pushes for a White Studies program and Nick faces not only a tenure battle but conflicting requests for support in a battle for department chair. With his professional life a mix of seasonal chaos and departmental warfare, Nick discovers that he’s not only attracted to the outrageously sexy Juno Dromgoole and disturbed by these disorienting new feelings in his life, but also the target, along with Juno, of a vicious harassment campaign that escalates into stalking, assault, and attempted murder.
Lev Raphael is a Lambda Literary Awards winner and multiple nominee for several books. This new edition contains a 2022 foreword by Martha C. Lawrence (Murder in Scorpio).
RICHARD STEVENSON - Donald Strachey in Albany
Death Trick by Richard Stevenson
Paperback: 264 pgs • 978-1-951092-58-0
A Donald Strachey Mystery, Book 1 – Don Strachey isn’t exactly the most sought-after private eye in Albany, New York. In fact, this gay P.I. has gotten to the point of having to write checks to pay his tab at the cheapest lunch counter in town. And he isn’t sure that the latest one, for the grand total of two dollars and ninety-three cents, is going to clear. Surprisingly he’s hired to locate Billy Blount, the gay heir to one of Saratoga Springs’ upper-crust families. On top of that, Billy, a young and outspoken gay activist, is wanted for the grizzly murder of the man he slept with on his last night in Albany – a man he’d never met before that night.
Written just before the onslaught of AIDS, Death Trick is a time capsule of gay life as it existed in smaller towns in America. A foreword for the 2022 edition by Michael Nava (Henry Rios series) is included.
On The Other Hand, Death by Richard Stevenson
Paperback: 248 pgs • 978-1-951092-59-7
A Donald Strachey Mystery, Book 2 – 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.
Written at the beginning of AIDS activism, On the Other Hand, Death is a time capsule of gay life as it existed in smaller towns in America. An author’s note is included.
Ice Blues by Richard Stevenson
Paperback: 252 pgs • 978-1-951092-62-7
A Donald Strachey Mystery, Book 3 – Shocked to discover the body of the grandson of the godfather of Albany’s political machine in his car, P.I. Donald Strachey knows he is in for trouble. But when he learns that the murder victim left a $2.5 million legacy with instructions that it be used to destroy that machine, along with a personal letter to Strachey asking for his help, his suspicions are confirmed. Faced with power-brokers at all levels, Albany’s only gay P.I. tries to fulfill the dead man’s mission-with his own survival at stake.
Written over a period of three decades, the Donald Strachey series authentically chronicles gay life as it unfolded in upstate New York. An author’s note is included.
Third Man Out by Richard Stevenson
Paperback: 248 pgs • 978-1-951092-63-4
A Donald Strachey Mystery, Book 4 – After an attempt is made on his life, Queer Nation activist John Rutka asks tough-as-nails gay private detective Don Strachey to provide him with protection. Why does someone want to kill him? The activist’s efforts at outing closeted gay homophobes have earned him a multitude of enraged enemies who would just as soon see him dead. After Strachey refuses to help, the man’s body is found savagely murdered in apparent retribution for his deeds. Now, because of this, the reluctant Strachey feels obligated to investigate.
Written over a period of three decades, the Donald Strachey series authentically chronicles gay life as it unfolded in upstate New York. An author’s note is included.
JOHN MORGAN WILSON - Benjamin Justice in Los Angeles
Simple Justice by John Morgan Wilson
Paperback: 280 pgs • 978-1-951092-30-6
A Benjamin Justice Mystery, Book 1 – It’s 1994, an election year when violent crime is rampant, voters want action, and politicians smell blood. When a Latino teenager confesses to the murder of a pretty-boy cokehead outside a gay bar in L.A., the cops consider the case closed. But Benjamin Justice, a disgraced former reporter for the Los Angeles Times, sees something in the jailed boy others don’t. His former editor, Harry Brofsky, now toiling at the rival Los Angeles Sun, pries Justice from his alcoholic seclusion to help neophyte reporter Alexandra Templeton dig deeper into the story. But why would a seemingly decent kid confess to a brutal gang initiation killing if he wasn’t guilty? And how can Benjamin Justice possibly be trusted, given his central role in the Pulitzer scandal that destroyed his career? Snaking his way through shadowy neighborhoods and dubious suspects, he’s increasingly haunted by memories of his lover Jacques, whose death from AIDS six years earlier precipitated his fall from grace. As he unravels emotionally, Templeton attempts to solve the riddle of his dark past and ward off another meltdown as they race against a critical deadline to uncover and publish the truth.
