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The Glass-House Murder
Meet Lord Henry Carlisle: gentleman, wastrel, and mystery-novel lover.
When his mother telephones him on a May evening to tell him they've just discovered a body in the glass-house, Hal does what he loves to do: he goes to investigate. As it happens, the local constabulary, headed by an unusually well-spoken, well-educated fellow named Sayers, is already on the case, and Sayers is a bit of a mystery all on his own.
When the constabulary finally identifies the victim in the glass-house, Hal realizes this is not just an academic exercise in logic and justice; it's a personal and family matter.
When his mother telephones him on a May evening to tell him they've just discovered a body in the glass-house, Hal does what he loves to do: he goes to investigate. As it happens, the local constabulary, headed by an unusually well-spoken, well-educated fellow named Sayers, is already on the case, and Sayers is a bit of a mystery all on his own.
When the constabulary finally identifies the victim in the glass-house, Hal realizes this is not just an academic exercise in logic and justice; it's a personal and family matter.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 7, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 6, 2014
Historical mysteries are a weakness of mine – gay historical mysteries even more so (sorry, Cadfael – I do love you, but not as passionately). Having devoured Charlie Cochrane’s entire Cambridge Fellows series, I’ve been on the lookout for more and newer titles to absorb. Unfortunately they’re a rare species; if historical gay fiction is an infrequent indulgence, historical gay mysteries are worse. Snatching up T. Neilson’s mystery novel the moment it was released was a no-brainer, and it also proved to be worth every minute of my time spent ignoring chores and real life for three days straight.
References to the Great War (WWI) set the book in the Interwar Period, and we do get a taste of the smaller but no less devastating effects of the war on some of the characters. Whether by death, physical disability, or psychological trauma, the horrible aftermath is never ignored despite peacetime, and that firmly grounds the book into its chosen era.
As the main character, Hal’s a bit of a charmer with a touch of the rogue, but he’s also carefully written with a number of under-layers that reveal themselves in increments as the story progresses. Though at first shown to be the typical blasé aristo while in London, the sharp juxtaposition of his beloved urban haunts with his country home, where he’s spent his childhood, shows us a deeper and more serious connection Hal has with the city. It’s his retreat, really, the only place where he feels the most secure, surrounded by other men like him: gay men who’re just as complex and varied in personalities and tastes as their straight counterparts but are considered criminals under British law. He offers many of them some refuge and comfort when their partners turn against them, leaving them physically and emotionally beaten. Because people like him have no recourse when things get rough, Hal’s almost like an aristocratic superhero engaging in clandestine operations.
Hal enjoys a wonderfully close relationship (professional and friendly, of course) with his faithful valet, Beard, and a number of scenes involving the two mirror the light, quirky connection between Bertie Wooster and Reginald Jeeves. In fact, Wodehouse’s books are cheekily referenced in a scene with these two. Much to Neilson’s credit, Hal is at least not flighty and clueless like Wooster, but the banter’s there, and Beard proves himself to be highly indispensable to his employer. It also provides a sad reflection on the state of Hal’s relationships, that he only has his valet (beside his sister, Vivian) to lean on for very delicate matters – a sad reflection of the kind of life gay men and lesbians are forced to lead. In this respect, nothing about the unjust nature of British law is prettied up for the modern reader, and it finds its most heartbreaking effects in the lives of side characters like Simon and Caroline.
William Sayers comes along about halfway through the book, and until that point, we only see Hal’s point of view. In a way, waiting till William’s entrance for us to be treated to his POV makes sense, but the sudden and unexpected shift so late in the book jarred me a bit. That said, it proved to be a good decision in the end because through Will’s eyes, we get to see another angle to Hal’s story and the two men’s past. It’s also through the weaving of Will’s POV into the book that we see the romance between the two bloom, as well as the mystery’s solution slowly unveil itself. If one were to regard the book as something like an origin story, Will’s late introduction and the resulting additional POV certainly make sense.
The murder and its sordid back story is a fairly conventional one, though I don’t find myself all that convinced about the motive behind the murder. There were a few questions raised in my mind as I read through the final climactic scenes involving the grand reveal – small plot holes, if you will, that left me going, “Hmm… well… I don’t know.” But in the end it didn’t bother me as much because the personal angle easily overruns any niggling issues I might have with the book. And the mystery is a very personal one for Hal, not so much in terms of blood relations and neighbors but in a bigger, greater sense involving an already marginalized community. One can’t help but sympathize with Hal at the end of the book when he’s so emotionally worn down by everything that’s happened that he feels the desperate need to flee back to London.
The way the book ends also sets us up for a possible mystery series, and I dearly hope Neilson pursues this. The Glass-House Murder is a great addition to the too-short list of gay historical mystery titles, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who’d love to see this sub-genre flourish.
References to the Great War (WWI) set the book in the Interwar Period, and we do get a taste of the smaller but no less devastating effects of the war on some of the characters. Whether by death, physical disability, or psychological trauma, the horrible aftermath is never ignored despite peacetime, and that firmly grounds the book into its chosen era.
As the main character, Hal’s a bit of a charmer with a touch of the rogue, but he’s also carefully written with a number of under-layers that reveal themselves in increments as the story progresses. Though at first shown to be the typical blasé aristo while in London, the sharp juxtaposition of his beloved urban haunts with his country home, where he’s spent his childhood, shows us a deeper and more serious connection Hal has with the city. It’s his retreat, really, the only place where he feels the most secure, surrounded by other men like him: gay men who’re just as complex and varied in personalities and tastes as their straight counterparts but are considered criminals under British law. He offers many of them some refuge and comfort when their partners turn against them, leaving them physically and emotionally beaten. Because people like him have no recourse when things get rough, Hal’s almost like an aristocratic superhero engaging in clandestine operations.
Hal enjoys a wonderfully close relationship (professional and friendly, of course) with his faithful valet, Beard, and a number of scenes involving the two mirror the light, quirky connection between Bertie Wooster and Reginald Jeeves. In fact, Wodehouse’s books are cheekily referenced in a scene with these two. Much to Neilson’s credit, Hal is at least not flighty and clueless like Wooster, but the banter’s there, and Beard proves himself to be highly indispensable to his employer. It also provides a sad reflection on the state of Hal’s relationships, that he only has his valet (beside his sister, Vivian) to lean on for very delicate matters – a sad reflection of the kind of life gay men and lesbians are forced to lead. In this respect, nothing about the unjust nature of British law is prettied up for the modern reader, and it finds its most heartbreaking effects in the lives of side characters like Simon and Caroline.
William Sayers comes along about halfway through the book, and until that point, we only see Hal’s point of view. In a way, waiting till William’s entrance for us to be treated to his POV makes sense, but the sudden and unexpected shift so late in the book jarred me a bit. That said, it proved to be a good decision in the end because through Will’s eyes, we get to see another angle to Hal’s story and the two men’s past. It’s also through the weaving of Will’s POV into the book that we see the romance between the two bloom, as well as the mystery’s solution slowly unveil itself. If one were to regard the book as something like an origin story, Will’s late introduction and the resulting additional POV certainly make sense.
The murder and its sordid back story is a fairly conventional one, though I don’t find myself all that convinced about the motive behind the murder. There were a few questions raised in my mind as I read through the final climactic scenes involving the grand reveal – small plot holes, if you will, that left me going, “Hmm… well… I don’t know.” But in the end it didn’t bother me as much because the personal angle easily overruns any niggling issues I might have with the book. And the mystery is a very personal one for Hal, not so much in terms of blood relations and neighbors but in a bigger, greater sense involving an already marginalized community. One can’t help but sympathize with Hal at the end of the book when he’s so emotionally worn down by everything that’s happened that he feels the desperate need to flee back to London.
The way the book ends also sets us up for a possible mystery series, and I dearly hope Neilson pursues this. The Glass-House Murder is a great addition to the too-short list of gay historical mystery titles, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who’d love to see this sub-genre flourish.
November 8, 2017
A very readable historical mystery set in the early 20th century. (1920's?) It felt very Jeeves and Wooster for time periods. The dialogue was great!
Down points for overall some editing issues (as I think this was self-published), and I think a scene was out of order....? Ah well. For historical gay romance fans, you still may find this as enjoyable as I did. I overlooked the editing issues and flowed along with the story and it's bright, vivid characters.
This is the only one with these MCs from the author. I would totally read another mystery if one came out.
Down points for overall some editing issues (as I think this was self-published), and I think a scene was out of order....? Ah well. For historical gay romance fans, you still may find this as enjoyable as I did. I overlooked the editing issues and flowed along with the story and it's bright, vivid characters.
This is the only one with these MCs from the author. I would totally read another mystery if one came out.
June 2, 2020
This was enjoyable, a good read to spend a couple of days. The mystery was enjoyable enough, but I didn't buy the relationship between the main characters. I felt no chemistry at all. I could have done without it. Fortunately I'm not one of those readers who needs romance to enjoy a book, so if that's what you seek, look elsewhere, not much romance in here in my opinion. Maybe a longer story would have made more sense if the author wants to tell their story so we could have more background and know the characters better.
June 22, 2015
Absolutely lovely! Good mystery, well-written, with a sense of humor, and characters one cares about. I already miss it. I hope the author writes more mysteries.
October 21, 2014
A historical post-WWI mystery that begins in London and moves to the MC's family country home ("The Pile") and environs. Lord Henry (Hal) initially appears to be the flippant upper class "wastrel" described in the blurb, but he, his man Beagle, and Inspector William Sayers do all run deep, and are characters worth caring for. Several side characters are also drawn with more complexity than one might expect from the country home/drawing room scenario that seems to have been set in place, something akin to the mysteries Hal enjoys reading. Or more accurately, that he enjoyed reading, since this murder is revealed to be too personal for that. It takes most of the book for the MCs to come together, but it's worth the wait. There are also some lovingly written descriptions of the countryside and the changing seasons. A few niggles, but overall a strong debut. I hope this one does become a series.
January 11, 2016
A really good historical murder mystery.
Lord Henry is called home because a dead body has been found in the family orangery. Henry loves a good mystery and sees this as a chance to play detective, so his butler packs his things and the two of them journey to the family home, but as he tries to solve the mystery he realises that the answers may cause stress and bring shame upon his family.
Murder is not the only mystery to be solved as he realises that he has met the local police Detective Sayers before. Not remembering where makes Henry rather edgy because he has an attraction to men which is illegal.
We get to follow Henry as he tries to solve the murder and as he tries to remember who Detective Sayers is. This is a lovely murder mystery, not too long but a very thorough mystery set in a quaint village. It is quite fast paced with really interesting characters and a great dialogue between them.
Lord Henry is called home because a dead body has been found in the family orangery. Henry loves a good mystery and sees this as a chance to play detective, so his butler packs his things and the two of them journey to the family home, but as he tries to solve the mystery he realises that the answers may cause stress and bring shame upon his family.
Murder is not the only mystery to be solved as he realises that he has met the local police Detective Sayers before. Not remembering where makes Henry rather edgy because he has an attraction to men which is illegal.
We get to follow Henry as he tries to solve the murder and as he tries to remember who Detective Sayers is. This is a lovely murder mystery, not too long but a very thorough mystery set in a quaint village. It is quite fast paced with really interesting characters and a great dialogue between them.
October 6, 2014
I liked this quite a bit. The characters are refreshing and the setting is great. But I had a few nitpicks with the editing that brought the rating down. There were a couple of POV shifts that jarred and in a few places there were references to conversations or events that might have been edited out. most importantly what really jarred was
I also thought it was a little short and so some bit were skimmed over in setting the mystery neatly. It worked but
I also thought it was a little short and so some bit were skimmed over in setting the mystery neatly. It worked but
July 26, 2016
An intriguing and cosy mystery taking place during the inter-war period with a very nice cast of characters. I wish there was more gay historical mysteries!
April 25, 2021
I LOVED this book. It was quick, fun, to the point, mysterious, and a little sassy and quirky.
I loved Hal, and his deductive reasoning. I also loved his respect and discretion. Hal is a gay man living in a time when such a thing was actually illegal. He knows what it means to keep secrets, and to be careful and cautious. This makes him an ideal amateur sleuth.
This also makes him an interesting POV to view things from. He sees things through a different lens, and finds different answers to different questions. However, I don't think anyone saw the result of the investigation coming.
At first, I was leaning one way - it felt way too obvious. Then, I started leaning another way - some of the facts and some of the instances just seemed to match up. Every which way I looked at it, the solution made sense. Until it didn't. Which was a very humbling lesson for me in jumping the gun.
Overall, I absolutely adored this book. It was over too quickly, to be honest. I would love to see more from these characters - especially now that the romance between Hal and Will is heating up!
I loved Hal, and his deductive reasoning. I also loved his respect and discretion. Hal is a gay man living in a time when such a thing was actually illegal. He knows what it means to keep secrets, and to be careful and cautious. This makes him an ideal amateur sleuth.
This also makes him an interesting POV to view things from. He sees things through a different lens, and finds different answers to different questions. However, I don't think anyone saw the result of the investigation coming.
At first, I was leaning one way - it felt way too obvious. Then, I started leaning another way - some of the facts and some of the instances just seemed to match up. Every which way I looked at it, the solution made sense. Until it didn't. Which was a very humbling lesson for me in jumping the gun.
Overall, I absolutely adored this book. It was over too quickly, to be honest. I would love to see more from these characters - especially now that the romance between Hal and Will is heating up!
May 3, 2022
This is my first and only book by the author and I hope she writes more in this genre. (Are they a she or am I presuming).
I loved the characterisations from Hal and his family (and Beagle and Parker) all the way to the suspects and the sundry villagers.
They are individuals and I ended up sympathetic to both the victim and the murderer. It was tragic for both.
That is scarce in this genre and especially among authors of our generation and hence my kudos to this one.
The story is intriguing and I guessed what happened only half way through. What else do you need from a murder mystery?
The setting is after the war and so the language needs to match and it does. Also the socio-economic setting is important and the author manages that well.
A happy and satisfying read for this reader.
Dear Author: Will Hal, Beagle and youknowwho appear again? Would that there’s a series or even a duology. Thanks in advance.
I loved the characterisations from Hal and his family (and Beagle and Parker) all the way to the suspects and the sundry villagers.
They are individuals and I ended up sympathetic to both the victim and the murderer. It was tragic for both.
That is scarce in this genre and especially among authors of our generation and hence my kudos to this one.
The story is intriguing and I guessed what happened only half way through. What else do you need from a murder mystery?
The setting is after the war and so the language needs to match and it does. Also the socio-economic setting is important and the author manages that well.
A happy and satisfying read for this reader.
Dear Author: Will Hal, Beagle and youknowwho appear again? Would that there’s a series or even a duology. Thanks in advance.
July 17, 2016
Despite the errors in this book, I really did like it. I feel like if it had been edited a bit more, it would have been very good, but it was hard to get past the typos, characters called by the wrong name, plot details out of order, etc.
If this book had a second edition, for example, where more editing was done, it would probably be excellent.
That being said, I did love the characters, and the story. The romance was well written, and it had a happy ending, which is always good.
I almost wish there was a sequel, where the main character and his partner solve crime together, because they're great, and I'd enjoy reading more about them.
September 19, 2015
This was an okay read, lite on romance, but I'd try another book with this character. Lots of annoying editing issues though.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews