Scandal, blackmail, and murder are not only the subjects of best-selling muckraking author Tony T. Tunderew, they are his own fate. Follow gay p.i. Dick Hardesty in this eighth novel in the Dick Hardesty Mystery series to find out who is responsible...and why.
Excerpt
"Why did you agree to take his case?" I asked.
O'Banyon shrugged, staring at the beer bottle in front of him. After a moment, he looked up at me.
"For one thing, weak as it may sound, because it is not up to lawyers to determine right or wrong. Lawyers present the case and the courts judge on the basis of law. I don't have to like my clients: just present their case to the best of my ability."
I took another drink of my beer before saying: "So what is it, exactly, you'd like me to do for you?"
O'Banyon sighed. "Well, it seems he's also being blackmailed."
Probably couldn't happen to a nicer guy, I thought. "Can I ask what for? Though from what you've said about the guy, I'd imagine it could be just about anything.
O'Banyon smiled. "Yeah, and that's another interesting thing, and why I approached you. The guy's a rabid homophobe, and the blackmailer apparently has evidence indicating that Tunderew's gay."
Professional Reviews
The Dirt Peddler
Tony T. Tunderew's first novel, "Dirty Little Minds," was an ovenightsuccess with its steamy, barely-fictionalized exposure of a governor who resigned under scandelous circumstances. Less than a year before, Tunderew had been an obscure junior executive at a consulting firm. Now Tunderew is writing a second book, which promises even greater success than the first (for djigging up and peddling dirt). A lot of people are very nervous regarding what kind of inside information he might have picked up while at the consulting firm. With an ongoing battle with his publisher over rights to the second book, a looming divorce, and blackmail, Tunderew wants Dick Hardesty as his investigator.
But when Tunderew is killed in an accident, it is an unexpectedly personal connection to Dick that leads him to continue the investigation even when the police rule the car crash an accident.
This is a brief opening of "The Dirt Peddler," the newest release of the series that we find most praiseworthy. Author Dorien Grey's contribution to gay novels, specifically of his mysteries series featuring Dick Hardesty, fills a unique nitch within gay novels. The first author to feature a gay hero of a mystery series, Grey's novels belong on every reader's keeper shelf. Not only does he create fascinating tales filled with red herrings and memorable characterizations, but Grey also presents a fascinating glimpse into an alternative lifestyle and the conundrums and truths that entails. Hardesty becomes a kid of everyman with his explorations of relationships, commitments, and community. The result is a powerfyl look at not only the gay lifestyle, but also our own inhibitions and prejudices. As a result, Grey receives the WordWeaving Award for Excellence for this remarkable series.
The Dirt Peddler
A word of warning before you pick up "The Dirt Peddler," the latest offering by mystery writer Dorien Grey. Be prepared to miss appointments, forget to do the laundry, be absent minded with friends and family, and generally put your day to day life on hold until the book is finished. It is futile to try and fight the pull of good-hearted, tenacious detecitve Dick Hardesty and his sweet-natured partner Jonathan. It is Dorien Grey's unique gift of vivid characterization which makes the crimes presented not merely mental puzzles to be solved but real problems affecting people we know and care about. Dorien Grey mysteries both tease the brain and touch the heart.
Willa Goodheart, honest and hard-working white collar worker finds herself connected to a police investigation for a serial killer; and she hasn't a clue why - that is, until she begins digging.
Following several murders, means, motive, and opportunity all point to out-of-work actresses Bootsie Kittredge and Babs Harrison. Their claims of righteousness and lack of guilt seem fabricated, thanks to a cheerfull announcement made to the patrons
