Quirky Cat
Okay, I'm going to state what is probably obvious – if you pitch a book to me as being a queer version of Knives Out, I will read it. And I'm probably going to cherish it will all of my heart. That was certainly the case for Lavender House, written by Lev A.C. Rosen.
The year is 1952 – a time when it wasn't safe (or legal) to be openly gay. This is the world that Evander Mills lives in. Until recently, he was a police officer. Until the force learned the truth about him, they quickly turned their backs on Mills.
However, Mills might just have a chance to find a new career that will let him help even more people. His people. The famous Lamontaine owner, Irene, has suddenly died, and her widow believes foul play. She wants somebody safe and trustworthy to look into the situation because she knows her family can't risk having the police.
Wow! I can see why people are going wild for this book. Not only is Lavender House amazing, but it perfectly delivers on its promise. This novel very much feels like a different version of Knives Out, only it's set in 1952 and has way more political commentary and representation. In other words, it's pretty perfect.
You need to look no further if you're looking for a complex murder mystery full of unique and compelling characters. Lavender House is the book for you. There are so many layers to this investigation. In fact, there are enough where it's probably worth a second read-through. And maybe a third (or fourth). And don't even get me started on the potential for an adaptation!
In truth, Lavender House was a delight to read. Some books just have this air of magic about them, and Lavender House is one such book. Everything about it worked to catch and hold my attention, including the setting, characters, mystery, and even the subtext. It's an absolute must-read.
Thanks to Forge Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy