Set in 1952 San Francisco, Lavender House is a very atmospheric 'locked room' mystery featuring a queer found family.
Lavender House is the grand and secluded home of Irene Lamontaine, matriarch of the famous soap company that bears her name. It's not only the lab where she creates new soap formulations, it's also the only place where she can be her true self with her wife Pearl and other members of their LGBTQIA family. When Irene suddenly dies, Pearl seeks out Evander Mills to investigate. It's safe to invite him into their secret life because he's a (former) police officer who was recently outed during a gay club raid. Jobless and homeless, Mills signs on and is amazed at the freedoms available within Lavender House, something he yearns for in his personal life.
After it's determined Irene was murdered and external parties are cleared, Mills investigates members of the household and discovers all sorts of secrets. Did someone within Irene's carefully assembled inner circle have the motivation and means to end her life?
While many readers compare this novel to the film Knives Out, I didn't make that connection. For me, this was less about the mystery and more of a commentary about American society's history of hostility toward queer people, specifically in a place that's important to LGBTQIA rights and activism. It bothered me that Mills was quick to flirt/kiss/have sex with every gay male character in the story, making him one-dimensional and reinforcing a negative/outdated stereotype.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Vikas Adam whose narration was spot-on to set the tone for the novel. Thank you to Forge Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the review copies of this unique historical mystery.
Lavender House is the grand and secluded home of Irene Lamontaine, matriarch of the famous soap company that bears her name. It's not only the lab where she creates new soap formulations, it's also the only place where she can be her true self with her wife Pearl and other members of their LGBTQIA family. When Irene suddenly dies, Pearl seeks out Evander Mills to investigate. It's safe to invite him into their secret life because he's a (former) police officer who was recently outed during a gay club raid. Jobless and homeless, Mills signs on and is amazed at the freedoms available within Lavender House, something he yearns for in his personal life.
After it's determined Irene was murdered and external parties are cleared, Mills investigates members of the household and discovers all sorts of secrets. Did someone within Irene's carefully assembled inner circle have the motivation and means to end her life?
While many readers compare this novel to the film Knives Out, I didn't make that connection. For me, this was less about the mystery and more of a commentary about American society's history of hostility toward queer people, specifically in a place that's important to LGBTQIA rights and activism. It bothered me that Mills was quick to flirt/kiss/have sex with every gay male character in the story, making him one-dimensional and reinforcing a negative/outdated stereotype.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Vikas Adam whose narration was spot-on to set the tone for the novel. Thank you to Forge Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the review copies of this unique historical mystery.
Setting in San Francisco in 1952 is of importance in this story. The queer/gay community did not enjoy any freedoms of today, with police raids and beatings the norm. After SF detective Andy Mills was caught in gay bar during police raid, he was fired, became despondent and suicidal. His luck turned when he was hired by Pearl to find out if her wife was murdered or if she died of a tragic fall. Andy is taken to Lavender House to live and investigate Irene's death. He's at first unsure he can live with this family of queer folks who have freedom to live as they please with each other in the house but must fit into society once they leave the grounds.
His investigation delves into each person's motive, background, etc. so we get a snapshot of the "family". Interesting story, a little slow at times, and somewhat predictable. The ending was no surprise to me.
I wanted to read this book because my gay uncle lived his life in fear of being arrested, was beaten more than once and fired from a few jobs just because he was gay. it was a painful life and I just wish he had lived long enough to enjoy today's gay freedoms.
His investigation delves into each person's motive, background, etc. so we get a snapshot of the "family". Interesting story, a little slow at times, and somewhat predictable. The ending was no surprise to me.
I wanted to read this book because my gay uncle lived his life in fear of being arrested, was beaten more than once and fired from a few jobs just because he was gay. it was a painful life and I just wish he had lived long enough to enjoy today's gay freedoms.
