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Donald Strachey #7
Strachey's Folly
Strachey's visit to a showing of the AIDS quilt in Washington, D.C. turns up a panel for a man ho is not dead...yet.
In Washington, D.C. to view the AIDS quilt, gay P.I. Donald Strachey, his lover Timmy, and a friend discover a panel for an ex-lover of their friend. The trouble is that the ex-lover isn't dead. When their friend barely survives a vicious attack, Strachey concludes that someone has a deadly secret -- one that he or she will kill to protect.
"Stevenson's mysteries are among the wittiest and most politically pointed around today". -- The Washington Post on Chain of Fools
In Washington, D.C. to view the AIDS quilt, gay P.I. Donald Strachey, his lover Timmy, and a friend discover a panel for an ex-lover of their friend. The trouble is that the ex-lover isn't dead. When their friend barely survives a vicious attack, Strachey concludes that someone has a deadly secret -- one that he or she will kill to protect.
"Stevenson's mysteries are among the wittiest and most politically pointed around today". -- The Washington Post on Chain of Fools
216 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1998
11 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Richard Stevenson
82 books143 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Richard Stevenson is the pseudonym of Richard Lipez, the author of nine books, including the Don Strachey private eye series. The Strachey books are being filmed by here!, the first gay television network. Lipez also co-wrote Grand Scam with Peter Stein, and contributed to Crimes of the Scene: A Mystery Novel Guide for the International Traveler. He is a mystery columnist for The Washington Post and a former editorial writer at The Berkshire Eagle. His reporting, reviews and fiction have appeared in The Boston Globe, Newsday, The Progressive, The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's and many other publications. He grew up and went to college in Pennsylvania and served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia from 1962-64. Lipez lives in Becket, Massachusetts and is married to sculptor Joe Wheaton.
Richard Stevenson is the pseudonym of Richard Lipez, the author of nine books, including the Don Strachey private eye series. The Strachey books are being filmed by here!, the first gay television network. Lipez also co-wrote Grand Scam with Peter Stein, and contributed to Crimes of the Scene: A Mystery Novel Guide for the International Traveler. He is a mystery columnist for The Washington Post and a former editorial writer at The Berkshire Eagle. His reporting, reviews and fiction have appeared in The Boston Globe, Newsday, The Progressive, The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's and many other publications. He grew up and went to college in Pennsylvania and served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia from 1962-64. Lipez lives in Becket, Massachusetts and is married to sculptor Joe Wheaton.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 12, 2020
3.5 stars
The mystery is as convoluted and interesting as ever. Don does know how to get himself involved in some wacky situations, and he keeps finding himself in cases that don't pay. (Timmy paying doesn't count; that just ends in a wash.)
Don's not annoying the good people of Albany in this one. Instead, he's annoying the movers and shakers of D.C., the murder capital of the world. What starts as a strange occurrence at the AIDS quilt panel sets off a chain of dominoes that has Timmy paranoid and Donald sure that it's all a very simple explanation. Which shows how much he knows about politics. ;)
I liked that Don was for once the one scrambling to catch up. While some of the characters connected to this mystery weren't as engaging as other mysteries, it was still enough to keep my attention. I was baffled by some of Don's choices though, in particular regarding Suter. This isn't the first time characters have been portrayed inconsistently to serve the plot. It's a weakness in the writing for this otherwise engaging series.
The mystery is as convoluted and interesting as ever. Don does know how to get himself involved in some wacky situations, and he keeps finding himself in cases that don't pay. (Timmy paying doesn't count; that just ends in a wash.)
Don's not annoying the good people of Albany in this one. Instead, he's annoying the movers and shakers of D.C., the murder capital of the world. What starts as a strange occurrence at the AIDS quilt panel sets off a chain of dominoes that has Timmy paranoid and Donald sure that it's all a very simple explanation. Which shows how much he knows about politics. ;)
I liked that Don was for once the one scrambling to catch up. While some of the characters connected to this mystery weren't as engaging as other mysteries, it was still enough to keep my attention. I was baffled by some of Don's choices though, in particular regarding Suter. This isn't the first time characters have been portrayed inconsistently to serve the plot. It's a weakness in the writing for this otherwise engaging series.
January 30, 2008
The most astonishing thing about this one is there is no murder, but Stevenson still manages to write an engrossing and engaging detective story.
April 5, 2021
4.0 of 5 stars – Entertaining Series Continues w/ Patchwork of Secrets.
I love gay mysteries and romances, and Richard Stevenson does a good job of combining both in one of the more entertaining such series, as confirmed by this entry.
I liked this for the same reasons I liked each in the series, but it was just as good as a standalone. With crisp, witty writing, it was a solid mystery, brought to life by a colorful, hard-boiled yet likable PI, who is, as he put it, “more or less coincidentally gay.”
Richard Stevenson’s style made this a light, entertaining and easy read. I enjoyed the DC setting and step back in time to the mid-‘90s. This was a historical that was contemporary when written, and in fact centered again on a topic ripped from the headlines - the AIDS quilt. It started with a premise that had potential, and it took off from there with an unrepentant playboy, hurt and vengeful lovers, political intrigue, and drug cartels.
Overlaying this throughout was just the right balance between the maturing relationship and the mystery, with the latter getting the spotlight. The mystery took a number of twist and turns, which have made some call it convoluted. But that's just what this book was about, and the folly - not everything can be simply explained away, politics is messy, there are powers that be behind the powers you see, and one of the twists I particularly liked was that the PI was not perfect, there was indeed some folly in that thinking, and not all the bad guys lose. Such is life.
I love gay mysteries and romances, and Richard Stevenson does a good job of combining both in one of the more entertaining such series, as confirmed by this entry.
I liked this for the same reasons I liked each in the series, but it was just as good as a standalone. With crisp, witty writing, it was a solid mystery, brought to life by a colorful, hard-boiled yet likable PI, who is, as he put it, “more or less coincidentally gay.”
Richard Stevenson’s style made this a light, entertaining and easy read. I enjoyed the DC setting and step back in time to the mid-‘90s. This was a historical that was contemporary when written, and in fact centered again on a topic ripped from the headlines - the AIDS quilt. It started with a premise that had potential, and it took off from there with an unrepentant playboy, hurt and vengeful lovers, political intrigue, and drug cartels.
Overlaying this throughout was just the right balance between the maturing relationship and the mystery, with the latter getting the spotlight. The mystery took a number of twist and turns, which have made some call it convoluted. But that's just what this book was about, and the folly - not everything can be simply explained away, politics is messy, there are powers that be behind the powers you see, and one of the twists I particularly liked was that the PI was not perfect, there was indeed some folly in that thinking, and not all the bad guys lose. Such is life.
December 28, 2017
This book definitely didn't show Strachey at his best, which I mostly didn't mind, because he is only human after all, nor did it show the series at its best, but I guess in a way it made me value the previous books in the series more.
I think the suspense of the mystery was good, but it was too difficult for me to get through this book to truly enjoy any of it. It felt like the old political intricacies and some other details were just too difficult for me to fully grasp the story and they hindered the smooth reading process, thus making reading the book feel like a chore.
I think the suspense of the mystery was good, but it was too difficult for me to get through this book to truly enjoy any of it. It felt like the old political intricacies and some other details were just too difficult for me to fully grasp the story and they hindered the smooth reading process, thus making reading the book feel like a chore.
July 18, 2015
This is the 7th book in the Don Strachey mysteries and one of my least favorites.In this mystery we find our intrepid PI taking a vacation in Washington,DC with Tim.Tim and Don are staying at Tim's old Peace Corps friend at his home,and decide to see the AIDS panel on the mall.Maynard notices the name of an ex lover,who is very much alive.Maynard saw the man several weeks ago in Mexico,and though the man ignored him and ran,Maynard knows it was him.After speaking to the person who is in charge of the exhibit,the gang heads to eat and then heads home.While going thru his mail,Maynard discovers a letter from his ex,Jim Suter,apologizing for his behavior.Suter explains he's in big trouble and he pleads with Maynard not to let anyone know he's in Mexico,especially the police.Things gets stranger when Jim's panel is vandalized.Maynard decides to call the woman that heads the exhibit and ask her not to give his name to the police.While getting the information shots ring out and Maynard is found bleeding and unconscious.Maynard is rushed to the hospital in very critical condition.Enter the police detective to investigating the shooting, the disgustingly racist and homophobic Ray Craig.The less I say this Neanderthal the better.I just will say that this man is inept and stupid,and Don shows him to be that.Tim wants to hire Don to see not only to find out who shot Maynard,and to attempt to find Suter.We also learn that Jim Suter was a notorious for using and emotionally abusing a string of men.He was a great lover and a horrible person.The mystery was a bit confusing and as I said not the best that I've read from this author.I love the series,but this book isn't one of the best.
February 7, 2025
3.5 stars
This episode once again focused heavily on the dark underbelly of US politics. Although the story itself was mildly entertaining - I enjoyed the intricate plot and goofy banter - I found Don’s behaviour a bit out of character. Some of his attitudes and choices felt quite forced, as though they were just there to drive the plot forward. And the cheating - I don’t mind seeing Don have some extra-monogamy activities as long as there’s a clear motive, but in this case, I couldn’t see why he’d go down that path.
This episode once again focused heavily on the dark underbelly of US politics. Although the story itself was mildly entertaining - I enjoyed the intricate plot and goofy banter - I found Don’s behaviour a bit out of character. Some of his attitudes and choices felt quite forced, as though they were just there to drive the plot forward. And the cheating - I don’t mind seeing Don have some extra-monogamy activities as long as there’s a clear motive, but in this case, I couldn’t see why he’d go down that path.
January 11, 2021
Needed a good m,urder mystery that wasn't too harrowing and taxing and Richard Stevenson always provides. Don and Tim are in Washington D>C. cayching up with a friend and to view the AIDS Quilt after finding a panel for a person who is still alive the mystery begins and a rollicking good read from Washington D.C. to the Yucatan Peninsula with a cast full of goodies and baddies good summer time read
August 25, 2017
Easily the worst of the series so far, very difficult to get through. Dated American politics combine with no murder to create confusion. Too many questions, not enough answers. I want to continue the series but I think I need a break after this.
September 2, 2018
Fun story
Fun detective story and thoughtful political critique. The characters are fun and well written. This story really kept me interested.
Fun detective story and thoughtful political critique. The characters are fun and well written. This story really kept me interested.
July 29, 2019
2.5 really
April 24, 2024
Another Donald Strachey P.I. installment - "Strachey's Folly" delves into the Clinton administration, NAFTA, and Mexicain drug running. An entertaining read.
January 22, 2017
This is an average entry in the Strachey series-enjoyable enough, but Stevenson is capable of much better. Overall, it's forgettable.
For a change of pace, though there is violence, this is a conspiracy/political thriller rather than the typical murder mystery Stevenson usually writes. Unfortunately, the resulting effort is amateurish and full of clichés.
For starters, the plot is kicked off by Strachey and Timmy viewing the AIDS quilt in Washington DC with a friend who finds a panel for someone they know to be very much alive. All the characters treat this as some huge thing, even to the point of calling the media. Then said media thinks the story is interesting enough for print. Maybe we are just too far away from that period, but in 2017 it doesn't ring true that anyone would care this much. I can't imagine anyone would be that interested in what could be a simple error or a case of someone with the same name or any other of a 1000 banal explanations.
Other problems include the cliché of arch criminals with terminally stupid henchmen. Seriously at one point, two of these henchmen are supposed to be guarding someone for a big drug lord. The hostage simply gets up while the men are playing dominoes and goes swimming where he talks to Strachey for a good five/ten minutes, and then they just swim away. In all that time, the henchman never even look up to see what their prisoner is up to. All righty then...
In the end, it's a fast, entertaining enough read, but it doesn't hang together if you give it two seconds thought. Most of the other books have managed to entertain AND have a believable plot. Stevenson's first attempt at political thriller doesn't.
For a change of pace, though there is violence, this is a conspiracy/political thriller rather than the typical murder mystery Stevenson usually writes. Unfortunately, the resulting effort is amateurish and full of clichés.
For starters, the plot is kicked off by Strachey and Timmy viewing the AIDS quilt in Washington DC with a friend who finds a panel for someone they know to be very much alive. All the characters treat this as some huge thing, even to the point of calling the media. Then said media thinks the story is interesting enough for print. Maybe we are just too far away from that period, but in 2017 it doesn't ring true that anyone would care this much. I can't imagine anyone would be that interested in what could be a simple error or a case of someone with the same name or any other of a 1000 banal explanations.
Other problems include the cliché of arch criminals with terminally stupid henchmen. Seriously at one point, two of these henchmen are supposed to be guarding someone for a big drug lord. The hostage simply gets up while the men are playing dominoes and goes swimming where he talks to Strachey for a good five/ten minutes, and then they just swim away. In all that time, the henchman never even look up to see what their prisoner is up to. All righty then...
In the end, it's a fast, entertaining enough read, but it doesn't hang together if you give it two seconds thought. Most of the other books have managed to entertain AND have a believable plot. Stevenson's first attempt at political thriller doesn't.
January 29, 2016
((Read in 2009, reread for a challenge in January 2016))
4.5
The beginning of the book evokes a moving project, the AIDS Memorial Quilt. More precisely the last display of the entire AIDS Memorial Quilt in October of 1996, when The Quilt covered the entire National Mall in Washington, D.C. More on the project. I didn’t like the fact that it is a drag-queen especially after we are told several times that this was indeed a very disrespectful thing to do and no one could imagine someone part of the LGBT movement doing this.
Don looks here less professionally skilled as usual. The plot is slightly convoluted, and the end seemed a bit rushed. Still, a well-written, good mystery. To imagine the use of corruption to push through the NAFTA agreement is not far-fetched, because different interests played a huge role in it, and I don’t mean the interests of the population of USA, Mexico and Canada.
4.5
The beginning of the book evokes a moving project, the AIDS Memorial Quilt. More precisely the last display of the entire AIDS Memorial Quilt in October of 1996, when The Quilt covered the entire National Mall in Washington, D.C. More on the project. I didn’t like the fact that it is a drag-queen especially after we are told several times that this was indeed a very disrespectful thing to do and no one could imagine someone part of the LGBT movement doing this.
Don looks here less professionally skilled as usual. The plot is slightly convoluted, and the end seemed a bit rushed. Still, a well-written, good mystery. To imagine the use of corruption to push through the NAFTA agreement is not far-fetched, because different interests played a huge role in it, and I don’t mean the interests of the population of USA, Mexico and Canada.
December 23, 2010
This was the 7th in the Donald Strachey gay detective series. As far as plot goes, this one is about as good as the previous ones, which is to say - light. One improvement is the change of scenery for this novel, which has its roots in Washington D.C. rather than Albany, NY. There is still a homophobic police officer involved, to give Strachey someone upon whom to practice his "bait and wit" routine. There are the usual contingent of colorful characters, although many of them exhibit a similar sarcastic yet witty repartee; no novel should have that many clever conversationalists.
Stevenson has a knack for a witty turn of phrase in his narrative, thankfully not quite as soaked in sarcasm as most of his jaded characters. I caught myself smiling or chuckling quietly at the understated humor throughout the book.
I have two books left to read in this series, and then will find myself waiting for the author's next installment.
Stevenson has a knack for a witty turn of phrase in his narrative, thankfully not quite as soaked in sarcasm as most of his jaded characters. I caught myself smiling or chuckling quietly at the understated humor throughout the book.
I have two books left to read in this series, and then will find myself waiting for the author's next installment.
March 3, 2009
Confusing plot is confusing. The set-up is nicely built and while I had no troubles following the how, I just didn't understand the why. What's the point? Also, Donald Strachey is not a very good detective, is he? To be so gullible, but I think that, the being not a very good detective, is a point to his favor. It's definitely a different Donald Strachey than what I'd imagined him to be, from what little I've seen him in the movie version, having skimmed through it (which, btw, I had this epiphany that my attention can be focused longer with books than with film and television mediums. Obvious, but still, epiphany). And I find I like Timothy, Donald's (romantic) partner, more than I thought I would.
March 23, 2015
I love Stevenson's author's notes to the ebooks in this series. We get a glimpse of his "looking back" thoughts on the times and on his choices as a writer. In Strachey's Folly, Donald and Timmy go to Washington and are caught up in a miasma of political and sexual intrigue. Towards the end of this tale, one of the characters describes Donald as "one of the smuggest men I have ever known." I'd have to say he's right on in this case, even though Strachey slightly redeems himself by being self-aware, if in retrospect.
This ebook still has formatting and typo "issues" (don't think I'll be able to use that term again without something of a smirk), but is much better than the others in the series to this point. It's a shame that this hasn't been fixed. The series deserves more respect.
This ebook still has formatting and typo "issues" (don't think I'll be able to use that term again without something of a smirk), but is much better than the others in the series to this point. It's a shame that this hasn't been fixed. The series deserves more respect.
January 16, 2014
Not quite four stars due to the author's bad habit of interrupting his narrative for a bout of politicking (not that I disagree with the author's politics, just its ungainly delivery; Don and Timothy often end up looking and sounding like spokespersons for ACT UP staging a sit in rather than just two gay guys caught up in a murder mystery which intersects institutional homophobia in Washington, D.C.). Otherwise, Stevenson once again excels at surrounding Don with a bevy of amusing, sympathetic and unlikeable characters which allows Don the opportunity to further explore his acerbic side, much to the reader's amusement.
March 1, 2010
I would have given this book four stars, which is my normal rating for this series, except that the plot made me feel as if I were slogging through it instead of enjoying it. This isn't Richard Stevenson's fault, though. The plot has all the earmarks of the rest of the series - humor, convolutions, good characterizations - it's just that I don't enjoy conspiracies as much as I enjoy individual human follies.
March 13, 2024
The new MLR Press editions, at least the ebook versions, have a disappointing number of typographical problems, both minor and major.
Also, some of Don's actions in this particular book in the series stretch my suspension of disbelief some. (No spoilers, but I'm talking about his professional actions, not his personal ones.)
Also, some of Don's actions in this particular book in the series stretch my suspension of disbelief some. (No spoilers, but I'm talking about his professional actions, not his personal ones.)
September 20, 2015
Okay, how can you not love a book that starts at the Names Project Memorial Quilt display on the D.C. mail in 1996 (yes, I was there) where our heros and their friend see a panel for someone they know is not dead, and several hours later, someone tries to kill them. Very satisfying story (FYI - the panel is a McGuffin...).
March 30, 2010
I've enjoyed the films based on the Strachey novels, although I can see they obviously made some changes for the screen version. The tale was interesting enough, but like too many others, Stevenson just seemed to rush the ending which leaves the reader a little unfulfilled.
March 12, 2012
He tried for epic and got, instead, 'wandered off the reservation.' The reading is good, I enjoyed the tale (really liked Strachey's reaction to how it played out) but...it got away from him a bit. There were too many characters, and I started to care less about the main ones.
June 19, 2011
Very convoluted.
Read
July 16, 2011Big fun. Just a good old mystery.
July 11, 2011
Was strange. Didn't care for context all that much. Action was ok
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews