Goethe Street: A Transgender Tale

by Diane Woods

My name is Patsy Conroy. I used to be a Chicago cop. I'm also transgender. I found out that it's not so easy to combine those two things. So now I'm a Private Investigator. It seems to suit me a little better. I was getting my life back together when I learned an old friend had been killed. On Goethe Street.

Turns out, that wasn't the first murder to happen there in recent months. And pretty soon, it was my job to figure out how and why those two killings might be connected. Even though some of Chicago's finest weren't happy about that. Neither was a well-connected politician. Turns out, there were a lot of secrets hidden there. On Goethe Street.

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 15, 2023

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this story a lot. It gets into some interesting aspects of changes happening now, and to come. I love cyberpunk detectives.

[Gene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read prescient too. It’s a great mystery, though, of course, transgender issues are prominent, it is not about that other than peripherally. It is a great whodunit in the classical noir style. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire story and would, indeed, like to see more of Patsy Conroy in future novels.

The idea of nearly sentient AI is not as “out there” as one might think and while the AI in this book is benevolent there are references to other possibilities which the world need concern itself with, no one wants a Skynet situation and I know enough about AI as it stands now to be wary of that possibility without solid controls in place and at this point, I don’t think they are. None of that detracts from just how good this book really is.

Congratulations to Ms. Woods for highlighting so many important issues while writing a compelling mystery at the same time. Like I said, great read.

[Donald Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically well written. That said be warned the in depth look at Trans thought process can be triggering for some. Minor spoiler to encourage interest. Putting the Trans perspective aside it's a terrifically good detective story with SF elements related to near future advances in AI.
My biggest beef is that at one point the protagonists indicates Police are generally well trained and accurate shooters. In truth other than SWAT snipers they are not. Any in depth look at the typical police firearms incidents across a year or two of time will show too many shots fired, too many misses and nearly as much collateral damage to bystanders as from the perp's instigating the incident. Civilian budgets simply don't allow for the necessary amount of training across the entire force and few are willing to invest in additional training themselves.

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Book!

I had Col. Mustard with the rope in the conservatory but alas…. Seriously this was a really good book. I loved the tie in to your other stories. I really liked the characters and felt like I was seeing the story evolve in person. I won’t say more due to spoilers but I strongly recommend.

[Dr Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting story brilliantly told

A brilliant story which combines criminal investigation, transition and science fiction. Patsy comes over as a real person with personal issues and doubts but with a real passion for justice and truth.

[Graham Swift · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb

This is one of the best stories of Diane,s in her series. Truly professional in her writing and a beautiful story to boot. Can't wait for more stories of Patsy. Well done Diane.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I have enjoyed this wonderful action pack adventure of Patsy as she find one her friend murdered and combined with her new client.