Capital Queers: An Alex Reynolds Mystery

Alex, Peter and Jean are at it again and the results don't disappoint. It can be dangerous to be gay and know these people since in the first few chapters, one of their friends returns from DC and is brutally murdered. His doll collection, which he had left to Alex, is smashed, and then his lover meets the same fate. Going any more into the plot would start involving spoilers. Fred Hunter keeps his slightly tongue in cheek style throughout the book, and the heroes and heroine are typically drawn into the investigation in official/unofficial roles as investigators, caring more about justice than the sometimes "realpolitik" aims of the official investigators. There are a number of scrapes, a few real bonehead moves by Alex, and the investigators get the best of everyone in the end. Enjoyable light reading. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a good "beach gay detective" book.

I read an interview with Hunter where he said he thinks of these books as comedies, and he's right. This is some of the funniest writing I've ever read. Alex Reynolds is a wonderful character who is chronically in over his head, and knows it. His view on his situations, especially in this book, is always delightfully skewed. This is the type of plot (about a religous cult racing to retrieve a stolen icon) that is so outlandish you would find it hard to take if it weren't for the fact that the hero (and the author) acknowledges that the plot is outlandish. At first when confronted with the bad guys, Alex finds the situation so strange he thinks he's losing his mind, and as it escalates, he repeats "then I REALLY thought I was losing my mind!" The book is full of some of the most colorful dialogue I've seen: as when Alex laments "Suddenly I felt like the only woman in a Japanese prison camp movie." And there are some great supporting characters, like Alex's boyfriend, Peter, who is his rock, and his mother, who is more resourceful than he is. The minor characters are also a lot of fun: most notably, the owner of an antique store who reminds Alex of Miss Havisham in Great Expectations. Hunter is one of those rare authors who seems capable of satirizing everything at the same time. As with all of these books, there's a lot of fun to be had here.

As usual, there always seems to be a controversy around Hunter's books -- some love him, some hate him, but nobody seems unaffected (which I always think is the sign of a really vivid writer). Those who love Hunter (as you can see from their reviews) recognize the Alex Reynolds mysteries for the romps they are--light-hearted, hilarious adventures that are near satires on the snappy 40s mystery movies that many of us love--only here it is with a gay couple. Those who hate these books seem to not be in on the joke.In Capital Queers, Alex Reynolds returns with his lover Peter, and his delightful mother, and embark on a very dangerous quest to find a missing religious artifact that everyone seems to think they have. Along the way the run into the usual unfeeling police, and run afoul of a bizarre religious cult. As usual, the book has a lightening quick plot that is filled with quick wit, pot-shots at movie stereotypes, and a great deal of affection. And also as usual, the book is a joy to read. Anyone who inspires the passionate responses I've seen of Hunter's books is a must to read!

I am not a Fred Hunter fan. In fact, I can't stand his Alex Reynold's series--with this notable exception. CAPITAL QUEERS is a smart, funny--even sexy book. It's Hunter's best book to date. The plot is sheer classic wacko--I loved it. The characters are actually becoming human. Jean, Alex's uh-dorable, mum has been toned down (thank you, God--or editor), and both Alex and husband Peter are becoming distinct personalities. I usually find Hunter's reparte to be painful; this time I found it occasionally witty. Either I'm being drugged without my knowledge or this really is 100% better book than I ever thought Hunter could write. If you feel like I did about this series, give the guy one more chance. I think you'll be as surprised as I was.

Alex Reynolds is a gay man who shares a home with his mother and husband Peter Livesay. Their friends Mason and Ryan are a happily married couple, who proudly show off to Alex the latest doll in Mason's fabulous collection. Not too long after that, Mason and Ryan are eviscerated to death. All of Mason's dolls are smashed as if someone was searching for something inside one of them. Alex inherits the dolls and takes home with him the few still intact. However, his home is vandalized and two men insist he returns their artifact or else. Before long Alex and his housemates find themselves embroiled in international intrigue that has the State Department visiting them. Fred Hunter is one of the best writers of gay mysteries that have a farcical twist to them. He always tells an interesting tale that includes wit, sarcasm, and slapstick. His characters are warm and accepting, regardless of sexual persuasion. CAPITAL QUEERS exceeds his previous work, as it is clearly an Edgar contender.Harriet Klausner