Genre: Historical
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
It’s 1947, and New York City is awaiting the construction of the new United Nations building, the FBI is actively pursuing Communists and Soviet spies as the Cold War begins to build, and homosexual men have even more reasons to hide who they are.
Uptight FBI Agent Arthur Mason is so deep in the closet he doesn’t even realize he’s in one. Clueless about his own sexuality, he’s surprised at his reaction to both Hans Schmidt and his twin sister, Ada. Under pressure from work, Mason investigates Hans and his boarders, including the highly suspicious Hank Mannix, a known member of the Communist Party. Though Mason can’t seem to locate Ada, he can’t stop thinking about Hans and keeps going back to visit.
Hans Schmidt is a cross-dressing German immigrant running a boarding house for “a certain type of man,” and he wants nothing to do with Agent Mason and his ill-fitting suits and bad haircut. Until he begins to see Mason more as a man and less as a government official.
Hans enjoys dressing as a woman from time to time, and once his feelings for Arthur begin to change, he realizes he needs to share his Ada persona if they are to have a future together.
Secrets on both sides must be revealed and cherished beliefs challenged if these two men are to find the love and happiness they deserve.
This story can be read on its own; however, characters from book one, Dublin Bay, play a prominent role as secondary characters, so it’s recommended to read that first.
The Review
Turtle Bay is the second installment from John Patrick’s “Tides of Change” series.
This story picks up in 1947, a few years after the end of WWII. Otto Werner and James Brennan had escaped from the Germans and left Ireland in 1942. Along with Howard and Bella Fulman and Hans Schmidt, they made their way to America.
New York City is now home for Otto and James. Otto has done well, and has invested in property, which gives Hans a small boarding house to manage. Otto has plans for a much larger facility.
The Schmidt’s Boarding House is a special place. It’s a home for those young men who have come home from the war and are homosexual. The boarding house provides a safe place to stay that will give them a new start at a better life.
Times are still dangerous, as the government is investigating those who show any signs of being a member of the Communist Party. The FBI leaned especially hard on the entertainment industry. Many belonged to the actors union in Hollywood, and Congress believed they were Communists. Congress was after the Communists, but It was very dangerous for homosexuals too, because many in Congress hated them more. They claimed it was easier for homosexuals to become spies because they could easily be blackmailed because of their homosexuality.
Two NYC FBI agents – Arthur Mason and his partner Anthony Cordero – start to take on cases involving suspicions of Communism. Even though Mason and Cordero are very different, they do eventually agree that these investigations are wrong.
Cordero is outgoing, very attractive, and tries to get Mason to have some fun. Mason is thirty-five and is somewhat of a loner, he does crosswords and reads a lot. He really wants to make friends with Cordero but he’s unsure of his feelings, and what, exactly, he is feeling about himself.
When Cordero and Mason pick up a new file, Hank Mannix becomes a suspect, and Mason heads to Han Schmidt’s Boarding House to investigate.
Hans’ boarding house only has a handful of men staying in residence. Several of them prefer to dress as women at times, it’s just who they are. Hank Mannix is a very outgoing individual, but he is not one to dress up. Being from California, he is a member of the Communist Party, but it’s mainly because of being in the entertainment business in Hollywood. He’s a model, actor and also very attractive, just like Cordero.
As Mason and Hans become friends, Mason finds himself doing some soul searching. He learns and watches from the connection between Cordero and Mannix. As he and Hans get emotionally involved, he finally accepts that he’s gay. But he still makes mistakes, one of which may destroy the relationship between him and Hans.
When Mason and Cordero find that Mannix is in trouble, they head to the boarding house to do what they can. Secrets are revealed and chaos resumes. Choices have to be made. Will there be any chance in finding a safe haven?
John Patrick captures me every time I read one of his novels. Once again, he brings an important time in history to breathtaking life and melds it with fiction. With the ending of WWII, the author explores the trials of Congress searching for spies in the Communist Party. But it was all an act of prejudice and hate, as they singled out different ethnicities and sexualities, and ruined the lives of many innocent people. The witch hunt hit many famous people in the entertainment industry especially hard: actors, producers, writers and more. It was a very important time in history, and foreshadows things still going on in government today.
This is such a meaningful story filled with wonderful characters. There are Otto Werner and James Brennan, who started this journey in the first book Dublin Bay. I also loved James’ sister Bella and husband Reverend Howard Fulman and their growing family. And there’s Clara, who made the trip to America too, and works at the Schmidts Boarding House.
Hans Schmidt and Arthur Mason are a delightful couple. Even with Hans’ past, he is so understanding and nurturing. Arthur, at times confused, really learns to accept who he is and to accept others for who they are.
I also have to mention FBI agent Anthony Cordero and Hank Mannix – they really added many fun moments to the novel. And Johnny Herrick, new to the boarding house, and FBI agent Stedman, who gave up so much.
Turtle Bay is worth reading – well written and a real page-turner, filled with so many enjoyable moments. I am very invested in the “Tides of Change” series, and I can’t wait to read the next one.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
