The Queen Is Dead

by Glenn Kezer

The Queen Is Dead [Apr 01, 1979] Kezer, Glenn

223 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Alton Motobu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 and a half stars for originality. Christmas in small town in upstate NY: three trans-women are murdered in 3 days and displayed in public in bizarre Christmas-related scenes. Coincidently a famous NFL player from this town comes back home for a visit just as the murders start, and he is #1 suspect since he displays homophobic behavior. Det Max Ambrose and state trooper Barbara Harper are assigned to the case, and Barbara goes undercover as a trans-woman to entice the player to reveal himself. They are aided by 3 other trans-women who decide to help out. Turns out the player is not guilty, and a totally unexpected person is the killer. Exciting climax as Barbara and the 3 t-women fight the killer. Published in 1979 so way ahead of its time in addressing the subject of transsexualism.

There is another book with the same title (by Jane Dentinger) which has nothing to do with Christmas or transsexualism, and it appears on some cozy Christmas mystery lists, but obviously this book by Kezer is the correct one (although it is not cozy).

[Lala · Rating 2 out of 5]

The homophobia and women hating is unnecessary. I wanted to love this book so bad but most of the characters SUCK. The story was hard to follow until the last few chapters. I like the ending to an extent but also what????

SPOILER: what is with the author wanting the cops to like each other? How is she going to rest her head on the shoulder of a man who was thinking she deserved what she had coming to her when he was the one who LOST HER and the whole thing was HIS IDEA!!?!