A great historical mystery showing how there were queer people around before Stonewall! The majority of the cast is queer and you saw how each person handled with being queer in the 50s; with beards and clubs and safe houses, like Lavender House.
The majority of the book takes place at the titular Lavender House, with it's seemingly perfect set up to protect the queer people living there and it's gorgeous grounds surrounded by flowers. I loved the sensory descriptions of the place.
To those who read the summary and got nervous, yes, the protagonist was a cop, but he goes on his own personal journey understanding the consequences of that for the local queer community and himself.
And last but certainly not least, the mystery itself; i loved it! I read this book in two days after a week and a half of a reading slump, which shows you my investment in it. Obviously, no spoilers, but the suspects were all set up really well so you never knew who to truly trust. The conclusion was a little shaky, but it didn't stop me from rating this 4 stars!
The majority of the book takes place at the titular Lavender House, with it's seemingly perfect set up to protect the queer people living there and it's gorgeous grounds surrounded by flowers. I loved the sensory descriptions of the place.
To those who read the summary and got nervous, yes, the protagonist was a cop, but he goes on his own personal journey understanding the consequences of that for the local queer community and himself.
And last but certainly not least, the mystery itself; i loved it! I read this book in two days after a week and a half of a reading slump, which shows you my investment in it. Obviously, no spoilers, but the suspects were all set up really well so you never knew who to truly trust. The conclusion was a little shaky, but it didn't stop me from rating this 4 stars!