HIding in Plain Sight

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linda parvin hutchinson Avatar

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I appreciate that the author used "Lavender" on the book cover. Not only is it beautiful, but the color purple was once an original part of the gay pride flag with a stripe of purple/lavender to represent “spirit.” So obviously, not only is purple appropriate for the subject of this book, but it makes a standout cover. Our story occurred during the 1940s when gay people had to hide in "safe" places and "safe" bars as they were considered deviants. It is hard to imagine the shame of our lead protagonist, Evander, who was once a successful police detective until the scandal of his predilections became his undoing. For Evander, his public shame is too much to bear until he gets an offer he can’t refuse. The suspense ramps up as this queer detective is privately challenged with finding the murderer of a wealthy gay society maven by one of the people living in her unusual mansion. We all have secrets but obviously, one of our lodgers has a secret worth killing for and thinks there is no punishment for this sorry deed. For a detective who had formerly considering suicide, he must now find a killer without being killed first. I don't think Agatha Christie could have done better.