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Dorien Grey has been proving his talent for some years now, faithfully narrating the chronicles of his protagonist Dick Hardesty, as he battles a variety of villains ranging from homophobic policemen through to gay civilians. Dick, a hero likely to appeal to gay and straight readers alike, has grimly fought his way through a professional life that began with him working as a public relations officer but quickly changed to a career as a private investigator. Readers who have followed the entire series would first have made his acquaintance in his relationship with Chris, but that evanesced. Dick then rattled around in his 'slut phase' but most fans will be happy that the investigator is once more in a happy relationship, now with Jonathan Quinlan, the lad who, on his introduction to the anonymous mid-West town, thought to make a precarious living as a hustler. Despite his years and sexual orientation Jonathan has expressed a wish to become a parent. Dick, contrary to his usual habit of indulging Jonathan's whims, inwardly shudders at this notion. He is happy when Carlene moves into the apartment above theirs with her young son Kelly who attends a day care centre run by the Bronson sisters. Dick feels that Jonathan, who eagerly befriends Carlene and Kelly, will see that parenthood is not all joy. Jonathan's brother Samuel (who seduced his younger brother when Jonathan was a pre-teen) and Samuel's wife Sheryl want to go on holiday, but they wish to do so without their four-year-old son Joshua. Despite internal reservations, Dick accedes to Jonathan's enthusiastic pleas that they should care for the boy while his parents are away. After all, it will only be for a short period. Joshua and Kelly become firm friends and Joshua is placed in the same day-care centre as his friend. Then disaster strikes: Carlene is killed by a hit and run driver. Prior to her death, Carlene had confided part of her life story to Dick, together with the fact that she had been receiving threats and felt she was being watched, possibly on behalf of a vengeful ex-partner. Dick, therefore, thinks there is something beyond a mere hit and run involved in her death and sets out to investigate. Grey plots his mystery with his usual deft hand and in his customary idiosyncratic style. I have to admit that, contrary to my experience with some of this author's earlier books, I did not spot the villain before Dick's realisation of that identity. To my mind, the portrayal of the child characters in the novel outshines even the excellent plot. The writing, beautifully sensitive, displays an intimate knowledge of a young child's behaviour and excellent strategies to deal with children's stubbornness without provoking tantrums. Whether readers are new to the series or dedicated followers of Dick Hardesty, there is no doubt they will enjoy this veritable lollipop of a book.
Reviewed by Denise Pickles, October 2004
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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