Grant Michaels, the pen name of Michael Mesrobian (1947-2009), wrote six mystery novels centering on Stan Kraychik, a gay hairdresser turned amateur detective. I wanted to do something that would really entertain readers. What could be more outlandish than a gay hairdresser who solves crimes? said Mesrobian concerning the 1981 debut of A Body to Dye For.Boston was home for the author. He studied at Boston University then settled in San Francisco. Returning to Boston in his mid-30s, he began writing novels, landing a deal with St Martin's Press' Stonewall Inn imprint. His friends loved him for his incredible sense of fun, wit and giggles. He had a great love of music, good food, gin martinis and sometimes great scotch. An independent spirit, his conversation was filled with truth, beauty, an artistic bent touching on dance, piano, drama, writing, art, ballet, and opera.He made an ideal travel companion, as one friend relates, who shared a 3-week tour of France and Spain taking in the beautiful European male eye candy. Another friend recalled taking ballet classes with him where he invented the rescue pas de deux. This involved showing up next to his friend at a difficult moment, providing someone to grab on to for support. The ballet teacher was not amused, particularly by the giggling it produced.All six novels were shortlisted as Lambda Literary Award finalists in the Gay Men's Mystery category.
