Customer Reviews

The Paper Mirror: A Dick Hardesty Mystery

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The general set-up is that a wealthy collector of gay-oriented writings, Chester Burrows, died naturally, bequeathing his collection and some money to create a Foundation. The Foundation renovated a closed public school, turning it into a library/research center. Just before the opening ceremony, one of the library's catalogers, Taylor Cates, is found dead from an apparent fall down some stairs near the stacks. The coroner's verdict is accidental death. The Foundation's Board (which includes super-lawyer Glen O'Banyon, a famous author, philanthropists, and others) hires Dick Hardesty to see if there is more to it. When Hardesty digs for secrets, he learns about earlier generations, follows the money, interviews opponents of the project, analyzes writing styles, and tries to come up with something useful. He succeeds.

I have been a big fan of most of the series as it developed. The first eight books showed Dick plying his trade and eventually developing a relationship with the younger Jonathan Quinlan. The settings included the usual gay night life, although there was an increasing sense of domestic contentment. The ninth book, "The Popsicle Tree," included adopting Joshua, a four-year old relative of Jonathan's, after the child's parents died. I did feel the ground shifting on my expectations. While necessary for introducing so centrally located a new character, having seemingly page after page of ooh-ing and ah-ing over what Joshua said, wore, ate, and played with were not what I wanted. Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, and Dick Hardesty do not deal with these matters. When the new family all went politically correctly off to church (because Joshua was used to it!), I was ready to check out. I didn't, though. Good thing.

In "the Paper Mirror," Dorien Grey cut back on the domestic chronicle and let the mystery take the lead. Dick and Jonathan have smoothly left the world of edgy gay culture and are well on the way to assimilation. They admit they do not see their old friends much, nor do they go out to the bars, baths, and night clubs. (This may increase their appeal to female readers.) The value of this literary experiment is that there is little written about what it is like to be gay parents in a committed, monogamous relationship. While I have some fears of the cliches of child hostage, of Dick's considering a job change, or of Dick or Jonathan becoming a full-time dad, I have some hope that the author's next books in the series will be insightful, will be interesting to the unassimilated gay community, and will center on good mysteries.

3.5 stars.

Paper Mirror is the tenth installment in the popular Hardesty Mystery series. Author, Dorien Grey has crafted a fast paced mystery that continues an established and much loved series, yet easily stands alone, welcoming new readers.

Private investigator extraordinaire, Dick Hardesty was settling into the role of family man after adopting Joshua, his partner's orphaned nephew when an invitation to a highly publicized gala leads to the most intriguing case of his career. Once a crotch-tingling playboy, Hardesty had never been particularly fond of black tie functions, he was more of the party persuasion. Jonathan, on the other hand, was always eager to square his bow tie and rub elbows with the wealthy and well to do. The fact that his favorite author, Evan Knight, would be attending this noteworthy event, just added fuel to Jonathan's barely containable excitement.

The Burrows Library had been literally willed into existence by the late Chester Burrows, an eccentric collector of homosexual writings. It was said that his, was the largest private collection of books on the subject. With such a colorful character as the library's benefactor and namesake, it was not surprising that the opening night celebration was slated to be the social event of the season.

At the very moment Jonathan is being introduced to famed author, Evan Knight, the courtesies are interrupted, when Dick is informed the body of a library cataloger had been discovered in the basement. Police surmise Taylor Cate's death was the result of blunt force trauma caused by an accidental fall down the stairs. However, due to lingering doubts among board members, Dick is asked to investigate the incident.

As the story progresses readers are treated to a collage of friendships, romantic entanglements, and secrets among individuals with long shared histories. The twists and unexpected diversions are all part of this skillfully constructed mystery, which in retrospect provide several 'a-ha' moments for the reader. Dorien Grey's strong emphasis on story development and character interaction, as opposed to stereotypical fluff, has almost certainly opened the doors to a wider audience. A well written novel, that showcases our similarities rather than our differences, I recommend Paper Mirror to all who enjoy a good read.

Happy Reading!
RJ

The Paper Mirror is the 10th installment in the Dick Hardesty mystery series. A gay mystery series that is so much more, this is a fantastic read and left me wishing I had began the series from the first one. This is the first in the series I have read and the author is talented, writing with such impact, his characters are so finely developed and believable, and the story is one that will have you hooked from the very first page.

The Paper Mirror is a quick read that is highly entertaining, Dick Hardesty is trying to adjust to fatherhood. Dorien Grey has penned a clever mystery one in which you as the reader can become actively involved in trying to solve along with Dick Hardesty. I would suggest starting with the first in the series and reading in order, I will be sure to pick up the other 9 in this series.

I highly recommend this to all who love a good mystery.

Be sure to click on the link below to watch the video for "The Paper Mirror" by Dorien Grey.

Read this book! Why? One, it's a terrific read. Secondly, it's well-written, and not just for the genre of mystery/detective stories. The plotting is tight, not padded. There are red herrings and plot twists, but the outcome is never forced or illogical. The series' characters deepen and grow, new characters are well drawn and believable. The language they speak is real.

Beyond the story itself, however, there is so much more. The examination of father-son relationships, especially gay fatherhood. The quest for immortality through one's writing. The refreshing treatment of gay love and friendship. The juxtaposition of different time periods to show changing societal views and those views that have not changed. All that, and a terrific tale of murder and the lust for sex, fame, and fortune.

So read this book, and if you haven't already, read the entire Dick Hardesty series.

Dick Hardestry Mystery is my favorite gay mystery series and this 10th book once again does this series justice. I was glad to have started reading it on a Sat morning as I was glued to the book from page 1. The plot is tightly paced, interlaced with the right amount of excitement and intensity. The subplot within the plot is refreshing though tinged with sadness. I love the characters of Dick and Jonathan and am pleased with the monogamy direction of their relationship, which is explored in this book but by no means took over the plot. Am glad Grey is at work on the 11th book which I look forward to.

"There's a body in the library!", it's a topic few mystery writers resist touching. But this library is a gay library, and to all appearances the death of an unfortunate cataloger has been accidental.The cataloger was occupied with thee letters of the probably gay son, Morgan Butler, of an harsh anti-gay fundamentalist preacher. And Dick Hardesty becomes ever more involved in uncovering the soul of this long dead, closeted gay lover and writer.His investigation will take many turns till he finds the culprit and he uncovers a mire of deceptions and lies. Meanwhile, his family life with Jonathan and little Joshua goes on. Narrated with irony, human sensibility and charm, this is one of the best of Dorien Grey's mysteries.

The tenth in the Dick Hardesty mysteries presents us with a more mature Jonathan. though still sweet and adorable, he isn't quite as naive as once he was. I think parenthood is good for him, though I can't help missing the person he used to be.

During a party, someone makes unkind and insensitive references to an occasion when he'd had sex with Jonathan during the latter's hustler days. Dick leaps in and punches the guy, causing me to cheer.

I particularly enjoyed Dick's mixture of empathy and frustration with the long dead Morgan Burrows, a man who found himself trapped in the closet by both family and the times he lived in. Dick is reminded of how much easier life is for him and Jonathan.

Grey's writing seems to have grown, Not that I had any problem with it before. The murder-mystery plot is complex and seems to have more twists. However, I had no problem in keeping up. There aren't as many suspects this time, and those paying very close attention will be able to spot whodunit, though I defy anyone to be totally sure until close to the end.

I definitely recommend this story.