It’s 1952 in San Francisco. Andy was in the Navy and then became a police officer—until his homosexuality was discovered, and he was fired. Now he works as a private detective, living and working above The Ruby, a queer bar.
One day, a blast from the past arrives at his office. It’s James, with whom Andy shared a relationship (as well as other men) while they were in the Navy. But one day James disappeared, and Andy thought his sexuality had been discovered, and perhaps that meant Andy might get court-martialed.
James, who is still in the Navy, and is being considered for a major promotion, is being blackmailed with photos of him in compromising positions. If these photos get out, they will ruin him, so James hires Andy to find out who’s behind it. While Andy would like to send James packing, old feelings run deep, and he could use some money.
Tracking down the blackmailer forces Andy to confront his days in the Navy. He meets another old friend, and the forced reminiscences fill him with nostalgia, anger, and grief. How can he find out the truth when the police would all too happily let queer people kill each other?
This is the second book in a series that started with the fantastic Lavender House, but this can be read as a standalone. The characters are so compelling and the glimpses of what life was like for queer people back then are fascinating and at times, sad. Can’t wait for the third book, Rough Pages, to publish on 10/1!
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