This abstract is from the cover of the book.
In the 1990s, gay and lesbian characters and themes have become an essential part of the plotlines of countless mystery novels. Stereotypes still abound, but gradually the treatment of gays and lesbians has changed from patronization to an integral part of the makeup of society as rendered in the genre of the mystery novel. Gays and lesbians may no longer feel that their place in thepages of the mystery novel is that of one of Quentin Crisp's “resident aliens.” Rather, as British novelist Reginald Hill writes, “It seems to me that any novelist whose picture of life does not contain homosexual characters is like a landscape painter whose trees are always oak or pine. It may be art but it surely isn't life!”
This book is arranged alphabetically by author. Where appropriate, biographical or critical commentary is provided on a specific author. An evaluation of each of the author's relevant novels is offered, with the books listed in chronological order except for a handful of situations where a different order seemed more appropriate. I have read all of the novels discussed here, excepting a smaller number for which reading copies were not available, in which case I have relied upon acknowledged secondary sources.
A title index provides immediate access to commentary on any book. An index is also provided to gay and lesbian characters in the novels under discussion. Within the main body of the work, I have also provided cross references by subjects which I feel relevant to the gay and lesbian communities and also included a couple of relevant subject headings. A bibliography and a listing of specialized publishers of gay and lesbian fiction is also included.
—Anthony Slide, from the “Preface”
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