Chain of Fools

Another competently written entry from Richard Stevenson. The interesting additional element here is the focus on the changes in the world of print media,especially the loss of local newspapers to national chains only interested in increased revenues. Overall, a pleasant diversion with some provocative side issues.

Stevenson, Richard. "Chain of Fools: A Donald Strachey Mystery, MLR Press, 2009. Witty Strachey Amos Lassen Donald Strachey is perhaps the best know gay private investigator. In this new book we learn that a liberal newspaper is for sale and the family that owns it is not sure which buyer should get it--a liberal media firm or a chain that puts more emphasis on ads than on editorials. When one of the family members that is in favor of the liberal media bid is found dead, Donald Strachey comes in and we learn that have also been attempts to kill another member of the same family. We also learn that Strachey's lover, Timmy. Had once been the boyfriend of another member of the family when they were in high school. We get some new characters in this book and characters are part of the author's strength. Although not as good as other Donald Strachey books, this one is still an interesting read.

Don and Timmy are back, as Don investigates a family feud that has turned into murder. A brother and sister are both attacked, and Don believes the attacks are linked to their desire to sell the family newspaper. I liked this, especially for the small insights into Don and Timmy's life together. "'That guy was actually trying to kill us!' Timmy blurted out. Under his sunburn, he looked pale and feverish and as vulnerable as I'd ever seen him. A wave rolled through me, and it occurred to me that one day Timmy would die." Neil Plakcy, author of Mahu Surfer: A Hawaiian Mystery (An Alyson Mystery)

Have read most of the Donald Strachey mysteries, but this is not one of his better one. Still a good story