Genre: Mystery
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
Get It On Amazon
About The Book
Love-cursed journalist, Quinn Harris, has a terrible talent for being at the wrong place at the right time. When a chance reunion brings him face to face with a flame from his past the sparks quickly turn to ice as evidence of foul play arises!
He soon learns that it’s no coincidence his high school crush disappeared years ago, without a trace. It’s also no coincidence that his victims look exactly like Quinn… The body count and the stakes are high as Quinn works to unravel the truth behind a string of unanswered murders that hit dangerously close to home.
Murder, martinis, and mayhem rule in this stylish LGBTQ thriller from Christopher Murphy.
The Review
Quinn Harris is an investigative reporter for the Chronicle in NYC. Lately his job has become a burden with its boring, menial assignments. His boss, Marcus Styles, gives Quinn a challenge, bring him “something that scares him”.
After giving a lot of thought to Tomas, a yoga participant, Quinn heads out to meet with his best friend, Bailey Langston Alexander, a world traveling model. Bailey has just flew home to New York. While waiting for Bailey at SKY, the new gay bar, he keeps an eye out for Tomas, but he spies someone else instead – James Frazer, forensic analyst for the local PD.
He and James have a connection at work, and also spend a lot of time talking on the phone. Although Quinn wishes they could talk about more than law enforcement. With this meet up at the bar he and James talk and do a little bit of flirting, but they’re interrupted by Bailey. James and Bailey don’t seem to get along, but James has to leave anyhow.
Now it’s just Quinn and Bailey. For Quinn, the bar seems to hold the same old faces, but one face in particular looks familiar. He starts to reminisce about his and Bailey’s failed relationships.
When Bailey hears about Quinn’s new suggestion for an assignment, he invites Quinn to go to Paris with him. After a lot of teasing about the older man at the bar, Quinn decides to take a chance. And surprise – the older man is his science teacher, Mr. Anderson Doyle.
From there the situation gets weird, and what happens to Quinn is unbelievable and traumatic. He doesn’t know who he can trust, when he finds that those involved don’t want the truth to come out.
Quinn has evidence that he needs to keep a secret, and it will start Quinn on an investigation to find one young man who might be able to shed light on this tale of horror.
Where the Boys Are is an exceptionally well written mystery that had me engrossed and guessing from the start. It’s a dark, psychological, suspenseful, terrorizing, twisted story, full of corruption, politics, and prejudice.
I have read many LGBTQ+ mysteries, but this one is special. Murphy creates great characters and gives us an in-depth look into each of their lives. I love the gradual connection between Quinn and James. No matter what happens, Quinn stays persistent and dedicated to finding closure for those involved. And James always supports and cares about Quinn, never doubting him.
It’s also a story of Adam Walker and Bailey Alexander – two very different young men – and how they suffered abuse in different ways and how overcame it. There are others who make decisions to hide and deny the truth, including Detective Denise Bradshaw, politician Ted Collins and teacher Anderson Doyle.
I also listened to the audio for this novel, narrated by Ronnie Motel. Mr. Motel did a fair narration, and different characters could be identified with the voice tones. The pacing of the narration fit with Quinn and his job as a reporter, but the best voice was Levi Chandler’s, with the slight British accent, and Adam’s southern drawl which came through clearly at times.
It’s the first time I have read something from Christopher Murphy, and it’s a thriller of a page-turner! I was immersed in this novel from the start, with its unforgettable story and characters. As a true murder mystery fan, I highly recommend this novel for anyone who loves a great mystery.
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.
