Spider Season

Benjamin Justice #8

by John Morgan Wilson

Benjamin Justice was once one of the most prominent and respected journalists in Los Angeles, even the country. But when it was discovered that he'd invented the sources for his Pulitzer Prize winning series of articles, he lost everything - his job, his reputation, his friends. Now, many years later, Justice has finally published a memoir revealing the truth behind the events that cost him so much and made him permanently radioactive in the journalism community. And this book may be his last chance to turn things around, to make a living writing as he'd always wanted.But his memoir brings out more than the truth - it brings out long-forgotten , long hidden ghosts from his past. And Justice finds himself, and everyone/everything he holds dear under attack.

Genres: Mystery, Gay, Fiction, LGBT, Mystery Thriller

304 pages, Hardcover

First published December 9, 2008

About the author

John Morgan Wilson is the author of several novels in the Benjamin Justice series as well as two co-written books with band leader Peter Duchin. He's the winner of the Edgar Award and three-time winner of the Lambda Literary Award for the Benjamin Justice novels. He lives in West Hollywood, CA.

Reviews

[Matt]

And so, with book 8 complete, I have finished the Benjamin Justice mystery series . . . which, to be honest, had its last crescendo by book 5, with the final 3 being closer to what they call in the industry "cozies." But this last installment was a return to form (when Justice has a Prozac prescription a couple books back, the fire was certainly lost for a while) with Justice finally having to face up to the fact that though the world is full of violence, he is part of that culture, and even part of the tradition of his father. There's a moment of violence in the series that was so graphic and visceral that I felt sick for a week (I didn't know books could impact me that way anymore) and I nearly gave up the series at that juncture. There's too much heartbreak in these pages for me to ever want to return, but I loved this character and I'm glad I continued his story; I admired his fortitude, even while disagreeing with his methods. I'd put this next to Michael Nava's excellent Henry Rios series as an example of meaningful main queer characters and best queer mystery series I've read. As you head off into the sunset to an uncertain future, I hope you find peace, Benjamin Justice.

[Jilles]

Great last novel about Benjamin Justice. Where have all those great gay crime writers like Joseph Hanssen, Michael Nava and John Morgan Wilson gone? Now you can only find crappy print-on-demand stuff that just hasn't got the standard of these great writers.

[Grey853]

Wilson has a wonderful style of writing. It's tough, gritty, and his main character is nothing if not human. He makes mistakes, big ones. He's self-absorbed and a bit paranoid sometimes. That said, maybe he has reason to be paranoid. In the latest book in the Benjamin Justice series, Wilson has his character being stalked after he writes his memoirs. In addition, Justice is fighting the battle against his HIV by taking steroids. The drugs do not serve his mental state well.

There are really three storylines going on in the book, but Wilson weaves them together well. I won't say a reader will love Justice, because in many ways he's not a likeable character. However, he is a very powerful character, one who has a lot more layers than most.

This book does have some graphic scenes of violence and sex. Be warned. However, if you can get past that, it's worth reading.

[Catherine Mustread]

After the publication of his autobiography, Benjamin becomes the victim of a mysterious man from his past and also meets another character with whom he is more closely related. The Hollywood gay scene, Los Angeles crime beat, and Benjamin's angst, are a fixture of most of the Benjamin Justice books and this (possibly concluding volume?) is one of the best, tying up some loose ends, offering a conclusion for at least one character, and a startling new character about whom it would be interesting to learn more.

Spider Season left me wishing for the next book in the Benjamin Justice Series, of which there are currently no more. Will Wilson be writing another? I'll be waiting to find out.

[Jon]

Spider Season is the best Benjamin Justice novel since Justice At Risk. There is layer upon layer of mystery unfolding in this novel as only John Morgan Wilson can pen. This novel is also the one we've all been waiting for (those who have read all Justice novels); where Benjamin finally finds himself and the love he's been looking for since the loss of his lover, Jacques several novels earlier. I love this novel! A must read for any Benjamin Justice fan!!!

[Tom Taylor]

In the 8th series of the Benjamin Justice novels, John Morgan Wilson gives us characters rich and unique, and a protagagonist who is full of flaws and past regrets. Benjamin Justice continues to make amends for the wreckage of his past, and his memoir of truth comes back to haunt him in more ways than one. This book is a definite winner. I hope Wilson continues with the series, as Benjamin Justice is one of my favorite modern literary characters.

[Kim]

A very good read. The voice of Benjamin Justice is just so strong. Even when he messes up (and he does make a mess of things from time to time) I still found myself wanting to know what was coming next. Wilson's writing is great.

[Scott Drake]

I'd never heard of this author or series character but I believe I will search more out. What a great storyteller. My only reason for not giving the fifth star was near the ending. You just can't have someone show up out of the blue like that. Shame! Oh. Excellent antagonist. Most excellent.

[P.A.]

As usual a wonderful book by a skilled author.

[wayward]

As always, his story has wonderfull twists. You know it is not as simple as the obvious clues, but little clues throughout still lead you astray. I love reading John Morgan Wilson's books.

[Tex Reader]

4.5 of 5 stars – Great Closer to One of My Fav Gay Mystery Series.

[Michael]

Sadly, John Morgan Wilson’s Benjamin Justice series is at an end. As with the entire series, there is a good plot, interesting characters and a socially important issues.

[Noah]

This is the perfect ending! But I'm sad. I want more stories about my beloved Benjamin. Well, I'm going to re-read my favorite series again. For the fifth time.

[Suzanne Neilson]

Not my bag...Not sure why it won two book awards!

[Papajack]

Skip this one. Gay murder, love, lovers, lectures,just on and on...
The title drew me in.

[Kathryn McCary]

Good writing, and believable characters, but I found much of the motivation for their actions improbable. And there was one unexplained plot point that I just couldn't quite swallow.

[Brian O'Leary]

Not a good book. The idea sounded interesting, but nothing ties together, it goes off on tangents that have nothing to do with the story.