We Know Where You Live (A Maggie Garrett Mystery) [Paperback]

Jean Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Series: A Maggie Garrett Mystery | Publication Date: March 1995

Lesbian P.I. Maggie Garrett and her assistant, computer hacker Ricardo Galve+a7z, investigates alleged financial improprieties on the part of the Pride Club, a political organization with close ties to the mayor of San Francisco. Original. IP.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

First-time novelist Taylor introduces redheaded private investigator Maggie Garrett. In her debut appearance, Maggie, an "out" San Francisco lesbian, is asked to investigate a local newspaper's charge that members of San Francisco's influential Pride Club, a group of successful gay activists, are guilty of financial improprieties. Before Maggie even sets up her first stakeout on the case, she receives threats on her life, her house is burglarized, and her beloved pets are terrorized. The violence quickly escalates when the Pride Club's treasurer is beaten to death, and the Mayor's special assistant, also a Pride Clubber, is found dead. Maggie soon discovers that financial shenanigans are only the tip of the iceberg in a plot that extends far beyond the gay community and involves some of the town's most high-profile politicos. Fast pacing, a fresh, likable heroine, and carefully drawn glimpses of the San Francisco gay scene balance the mostly so-so writing, somewhat banal plot, and doesn't-always-work humor. Recommended for large collections willing to give a promising new series time to develop. Emily Melton

Review

Taylor's engaging mystery is built around a lesbian protagonist's investigations into the politics and underworld of San Francisco's gay community. Maggie's investigation into a local gay paper's questionable accounts brings her social and political confusion as a murderer is loosed. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: Seal Pr (March 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1878067621
• ISBN-13: 978-1878067623
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #921,503 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Community "in jokes" -- Gotta love it!, June 17, 2004

By 

hyperjoy7 (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Know Where You Live (A Maggie Garrett Mystery) (Paperback)

I thought the mystery was intriguing, with lots of great twists; the characters were "real" and believable; the writing was smooth and engaging.

But my absolute favorite aspect of this book is the picture Taylor paints of an LGBT community filled to the brim with drama, and the way she includes the characters/situations/interpersonal dynamics that the LGBT-savvy reader is sure to recognize from her/his own community. I was cracking up, she describes it so well.

3.0 out of 5 stars Maggie Garrett is a delight, April 14, 2011

By 

Aletheia Knights - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Know Where You Live (A Maggie Garrett Mystery) (Paperback)

San Francisco private investigator Maggie Garrett is hired by the Executive Committee of a gay political activism organization to suss out the truth about some irregularities in their financial records. At first it may seem like a routine case, but almost immediately she begins to receive threatening messages about her involvement. When the attacks become personal, Maggie becomes even more devoted to finding out what's really going on, even as she unravels a web of corruption that could cost her her life.

As a mystery novel, this is nothing special. There's enough suspense to keep the plot moving forward, but unless you're fascinated by financial matters and political machinations (I'm not), you may find the central mystery less than compelling. What makes this book worth reading is the character of Maggie Garrett. Jean Taylor has created a richly realized and thoroughly likable heroine with a colorful personality. She's smart and resourceful but not superhuman, dedicated and idealistic but practical, politically and socially aware but not fanatical. She's addicted to caffeine, devoted to her two pet cats, and by turns angry, heartbroken, and relieved about the impending demise of her relationship with her lover Kristin. She occasionally finds herself distracted from her objective pursuit of the case by resentment, loneliness, or lust. Her occasional wise reflections are spot-on. ("Love is a splendid thing," she muses over coffee with one of her two best friends, "but if it wasn't for friendship, I think the world just might end." Attending a meeting of the Pride Club, she watches a self-important man express a sage viewpoint and observes, "I hate it when I find myself supporting the views of obnoxious people.")

Maggie's world is populated by a cast of equally delightful characters: Maggie's close friends, her enthusiastic young assistant, and her houseful of pets. The members of the Pride Club are much less endearing, for the most part, but vividly and astutely drawn, if sometimes a bit one-dimensional. I was as fascinated by this insider's view of the personal and political drama in the thriving San Francisco gay and lesbian community as I was by the story itself.

"We Know Where You Live" is a fast read, easily worth the time it takes to get through it. It isn't the plot that makes it worthwhile, however, but the chance to spend a few hours getting to know Maggie and see the world through her eyes.