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A Nick Williams Mystery #21
The Shameless Sodomite
Tuesday, June 28, 1960
Nick and Carter are about to witness history! It's an exciting time in Léopoldville, capital of the Belgian Congo and their temporary home on the south side of the Congo River.
After living in Africa for nearly two years, they will be on the ground when the colony becomes an independent nation able to govern itself following a tragic history.
They've been busy, of course. Nick owns a hotel and a clinic while Carter has opened two gyms on both sides of the river—one in Léopoldville and one in Brazzaville in the French colony on the far shore.
As they begin to wrap up their lives in Africa and prepare for their next big move, something terrifying and disturbing happens that suddenly accelerates their plan. Before they have time to do much more than pack a few clothes, they're unceremoniously sent down to the docks to wait for the ferry that will take them across the river and back into the safety of the French Congo.
Where they go next leads them smack into the biggest challenge the two men have had to face in the 13 years since they first met across a crowded room.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2018
27 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Frank W. Butterfield
123 books106 followersFrank W. Butterfield, not an assumed name, loves old movies, wise-cracking smart guys with hearts of gold, and writing for fun.
Although he worships San Francisco, he lives at the beach on another coast.
Born on a windy day in November of 1966, he was elected President of his high school Spanish Club in the spring of 1983.
After moving across these United States like a rapid-fire pinball, he currently makes his home in a hurricane-proof apartment with superior water pressure that was built in 1926.
While he hasn't met any dolphins personally, that invitation is always open.
Although he worships San Francisco, he lives at the beach on another coast.
Born on a windy day in November of 1966, he was elected President of his high school Spanish Club in the spring of 1983.
After moving across these United States like a rapid-fire pinball, he currently makes his home in a hurricane-proof apartment with superior water pressure that was built in 1926.
While he hasn't met any dolphins personally, that invitation is always open.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 15, 2018
The Shameless Sodomite
By Frank W. Butterfield
Published by the author, 2018
Five stars
“You have a long road to walk. Your wealth can only shelter you so much.”
Where in the world are Nick and Carter? It’s been three years since we last saw them in Nice in 1957, and Carter is about to turn 40. But, true to their spirit (and possibly influenced by the spirit of Uncle Paul Williams, who continues to visit Nick in his dreams), our boys have followed their hearts into places they would never have imagined. Nick and Carter have heeded the admonition to do something with their lives other than run hotels. It has taken them into a moment in modern history that few people younger than I am even remember; but which is painfully relevant today. This book starts on the roof of a medical clinic in Leopoldville, capital of the Belgian Congo, a few days before it becomes an independent nation.
I distinctly remember being traumatized when I was a little boy by disturbing pictures in LIFE magazine, showing images of dead white colonists and aid workers in former European colonies. The violence of the newly-liberated Congolese was all over American news in 1960. Even a small child couldn’t avoid it entirely. Of course, my parents never talked about what was happening, and you can be sure that our elementary schools taught us nothing about the cascading de-colonization of Africa or the ensuing violence—particularly in the former Belgian colony. Nor, of course, had we ever been taught about the especially virulent and deadly racism that ruled Belgium’s richest African outpost for over a century. Perhaps it was too close to the profound history of racism in the US, a part of our own history that, as a nation, we whitewashed and kept from our children.
Needless to say, the opening half of “The Shameless Sodomite” packed a big punch for me. Frank Butterfield has once again chosen a story arc that expresses Nick and Carter’s restless quest for personal fulfilment and peace, but also homes in on a particularly salient truth about the society in which they live. By the end of “The Constant Caprese,” Nick and Carter are beginning to see that they have a special role to play in the world. Their brief encounter with the milieu of the Duke of Boston begins to ping something in the reader’s minds. For all their extended network of gay, lesbian (and even trans) friends and employees around the world, our boys don’t really see themselves as part something bigger, an upwelling of activism that will begin to change the world. It looks like their journey is going to take another curve on the banks of the Congo River. They have a destiny to fufill.
The second half of this book felt weirdly like a season finale—as if this might be the last book of the series. All the good and the bad that has attached itself to them in the course of the series seems to come home after the boys leave Africa. It is upsetting and emotionally charged by turns, and even Nick comments that there seems to be a lot more crying than usual.
However, at the very end, when the surprises stop hitting us, and Nick and Carter are at long last back where they are happiest, Frank Butterfield promises us more. Approximately every thirty days.
Only such a promise helped me dry my tears. I am NOT ready to say goodbye.
By Frank W. Butterfield
Published by the author, 2018
Five stars
“You have a long road to walk. Your wealth can only shelter you so much.”
Where in the world are Nick and Carter? It’s been three years since we last saw them in Nice in 1957, and Carter is about to turn 40. But, true to their spirit (and possibly influenced by the spirit of Uncle Paul Williams, who continues to visit Nick in his dreams), our boys have followed their hearts into places they would never have imagined. Nick and Carter have heeded the admonition to do something with their lives other than run hotels. It has taken them into a moment in modern history that few people younger than I am even remember; but which is painfully relevant today. This book starts on the roof of a medical clinic in Leopoldville, capital of the Belgian Congo, a few days before it becomes an independent nation.
I distinctly remember being traumatized when I was a little boy by disturbing pictures in LIFE magazine, showing images of dead white colonists and aid workers in former European colonies. The violence of the newly-liberated Congolese was all over American news in 1960. Even a small child couldn’t avoid it entirely. Of course, my parents never talked about what was happening, and you can be sure that our elementary schools taught us nothing about the cascading de-colonization of Africa or the ensuing violence—particularly in the former Belgian colony. Nor, of course, had we ever been taught about the especially virulent and deadly racism that ruled Belgium’s richest African outpost for over a century. Perhaps it was too close to the profound history of racism in the US, a part of our own history that, as a nation, we whitewashed and kept from our children.
Needless to say, the opening half of “The Shameless Sodomite” packed a big punch for me. Frank Butterfield has once again chosen a story arc that expresses Nick and Carter’s restless quest for personal fulfilment and peace, but also homes in on a particularly salient truth about the society in which they live. By the end of “The Constant Caprese,” Nick and Carter are beginning to see that they have a special role to play in the world. Their brief encounter with the milieu of the Duke of Boston begins to ping something in the reader’s minds. For all their extended network of gay, lesbian (and even trans) friends and employees around the world, our boys don’t really see themselves as part something bigger, an upwelling of activism that will begin to change the world. It looks like their journey is going to take another curve on the banks of the Congo River. They have a destiny to fufill.
The second half of this book felt weirdly like a season finale—as if this might be the last book of the series. All the good and the bad that has attached itself to them in the course of the series seems to come home after the boys leave Africa. It is upsetting and emotionally charged by turns, and even Nick comments that there seems to be a lot more crying than usual.
However, at the very end, when the surprises stop hitting us, and Nick and Carter are at long last back where they are happiest, Frank Butterfield promises us more. Approximately every thirty days.
Only such a promise helped me dry my tears. I am NOT ready to say goodbye.
May 18, 2018
Loved it! Even the epilogue was fantastic and heartwarming.
I love when uncle Paul appears in the story, I love the wooden soldiers, I love how Nick seems to speak with such wisdom in the end at dinner while addressing the diners at the table by the window, I really love Nick and Carters crushes and flirty ways and I love how in love they are and how they continually have each other’s backs. Sorta seems like we’ve come full circle - please say we still have 50 more books?
I love when uncle Paul appears in the story, I love the wooden soldiers, I love how Nick seems to speak with such wisdom in the end at dinner while addressing the diners at the table by the window, I really love Nick and Carters crushes and flirty ways and I love how in love they are and how they continually have each other’s backs. Sorta seems like we’ve come full circle - please say we still have 50 more books?
May 14, 2018
I really liked this one. I'm glad the author skipped a few years and that the gang is reunited. I cried at the part in the middle with the special gold thingy (I'm not spoiling it!) and the end was so great. I can't wait to see what comes next.
May 26, 2018
These continue to be delightful, and the locations were very different. Always great characters and heartwarming moment.
May 11, 2018
In this episode, Nick and Carter are back home but someone is conspiring against them and they are having a struggle to stay out of jail.
December 30, 2019
21 books in. I remember when this series began. And I'm well behind with plenty to catch up on. Shameless is riveting! I don't usually read a book in two days, but this one, I just couldn't put down. If you've been reading Frank for a while, don't you dare skip this one! It is endearing...the heart races, then it opens. This is another one of my favorites!
If, by chance, you're reading this and haven't yet cracked open one of the Nick and Carter books, I am here to tell you, do it! You don't have to start at the beginning, but don't start here either. Find something earlier and work your way here...you'll be happy you did!
If, by chance, you're reading this and haven't yet cracked open one of the Nick and Carter books, I am here to tell you, do it! You don't have to start at the beginning, but don't start here either. Find something earlier and work your way here...you'll be happy you did!
August 29, 2018
I admit I was rather unhappy when I started this book. All the other books mostly follow along with not a lot of unaccounted for time. Some start only days after the last book and some weeks or months but I was shocked that 3 YEARS had past from the last book. I felt like I missed 3 years of their life. I forgive you Mr. Butterfield since this book was just as great as the others but I still missed those 3 years of Nick & Carter. I love, love, love this series and I am looking forward to what comes next.
January 25, 2019
Still Glorious
It has been a few months since I read a book in this series and I was pleased to find that the stories remain as interesting and compelling as always. While not necessary for enjoyment, I recommend reading them in sequence since some characters and situations provide back history in the next book.
This book deals with some very real history in central Africa, and San Francisco. It is gratifying to realize how far we’ve progressed when reading about how it once was. My congratulations to Mr. Butterfield for another great book.
It has been a few months since I read a book in this series and I was pleased to find that the stories remain as interesting and compelling as always. While not necessary for enjoyment, I recommend reading them in sequence since some characters and situations provide back history in the next book.
This book deals with some very real history in central Africa, and San Francisco. It is gratifying to realize how far we’ve progressed when reading about how it once was. My congratulations to Mr. Butterfield for another great book.
February 16, 2020
Happy tears
This book had me crying tears of joy right to the last sentence. As Nick and Carter finally find their way back home to the city by the bay it was an emotional reunion with family and friends. Lots of surprises and suspense made this one heck of a 5* read! I can’t get enough of two of my fave guys. Sigh.....
This book had me crying tears of joy right to the last sentence. As Nick and Carter finally find their way back home to the city by the bay it was an emotional reunion with family and friends. Lots of surprises and suspense made this one heck of a 5* read! I can’t get enough of two of my fave guys. Sigh.....
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews