The third in the Dick Hardesty Mystery series follows Dick as he sets out to find the self-appointed vigilante determined to take out the gay world's trash. Whether you're a new reader or a devoted fan, you'll find plenty of humor, suspense, colorful characters, and action (both horizontal and vertical) to keep you thoroughly entertained.
When Dick is hired by Barry Comstock, former-porn-star owner of the city's hottest bathhouse, to find out who's making threats against the place, the first thing Dick discovers is that Comstock is a first class scumbag. When Dick turns him down and Comstock ends up dead, Dick finds himself drawn into a chain of deaths of similarly dispicable characters and determined to find out who is responsible.
The trail leads Dick to and through a cast of interesting and attractive characters, and to the fringes of a new and more terrifying threat to the gay community.
Once again, the reader is with--and maybe every now and then slightly ahead--of Dick every step of the way. Come spend time with an old friend.
Excerpt
A minute later, the inner door opened about half way, being held by a large, oddly...well, odd-looking...man. He reminded me instantly of a painting of a very handsome man done by a third-rate artist; either something was there that shouldn't have been, or something wasn't there that should have been. Hard to explain, but...And I first thought he was a mulatto until I realised he just had one of the darkest tans I had ever seen. His hair was so black it would make tar look like a pastel. He wore a suit the cost of which I could only imagine. A white silk shirt open at the collar revealed about six gold chains over a mat of curly, solid black glistening chest hair, and on the hand holding the door, one of the largest and most garishly ugly pinkie rings I've ever seen.
"Dick Hardesty?" he asked, and I smiled and walked to meet him.
Professional Reviews
The Bar Watcher
All of us have read books by authors who suffer from 3rd Book Boring Syndrome. For
those of you who have been lucky enough to escape exposure to this up until now, allow
me to explain.
Frequently, an author becomes extremely popular after their first book. The publisher
quickly rushes the second book into print, and general consensus of the reading public is
that this new book, though entertaining, doesn't live up to the potential established in the
first. In an effort to hopefully stave off the rush of extra copies to the bargain bins of the
chains, the publisher shoves yet another book onto an unsuspecting public. This usually
tanks due to an incredibly boring plot or a general feeling of having been rushed.
However, a truly talented writer can usually avoid such a trap. I'm pleased to be able to add another name to that
list. Dorien Grey brings back his protagonist Dick Hardesty in The Bar Watcher
(GLB Publishers, ISBN #1-879194-79-1) for his third foray into the mystery world (see
his previous appearances in The 9th Man and The Butcher's Son, both
published by GLB Publishers) and once more hits the ball out of the park.
Dick Hardesty is up to his eyebrows in trouble again. A local gay bathhouse, known for
it's discrimination against people who don't fit the runway model or gym bunny type,
becomes a murder scene when the former porn-star-turned-owner is found dead. Not that
he'd be missed much, judging from his reputation as being something of a jerk, to put it
politely. Hardesty is hired by one of the co-owners to investigate the murder. When
other contemptible gay men start getting offed around town, Hardesty starts to see a
connection between the crimes…or is there? His own judgement is a bit clouded, as his
hormones are currently running his life. How do you solve crimes when you can't decide
which of the three men you're having sex with you actually want? Hardesty calls in one
of these partners, a beer delivery driver (and darn good in bed) to help him keep tabs on
the local bars. When said driver becomes a major suspect, Hardesty realizes he's going
to have to put the testosterone on hold if he intends to survive his investigation.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Dorien Grey is without a doubt one of, if not
THE, best new gay mystery author to appear in a very long time. Once again the mystery
is incredibly well crafted and flows with considerable ease. This is yet another of his
books to be thoroughly consumed, whether you are gay or straight. Hardesty is one of
the most likable protagonists to come along in ages, and Grey infuses him with a sense of
humor and hysterical outlook that are not to be missed.
If you're a mystery fan, do not miss the opportunity to discover Dorien Grey. GLB
Publishers has succeeded in bringing a very talented writer to readers' attention who
definitely is worth the discovery. The Bar Watcher not only escapes 3rd Book
Boring Syndrome, it also cements Grey's reputation as an extremely able mystery author
who is certain to see much success in the future.
The Bar Watcher is the third in this exciting series of thrillers featuring the amiable Dick Hardesty.
Watch those red herrings. Writer Grey has moved beyond crafty and is getting down right sneaky in his presentation of those little roadblocks! Happy to know Dorien is already working on the next in the series. Keep 'em coming!
Excellent read, highly recommended.
Reviewed by molly martin http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mollymartin/
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
The third book in the funny Silver Sisters Mysteries series. The twins and their 80 year-old mother and uncle get into trouble sleuthing in Sin City.
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