What do you think?
Rate this book
Detective Heath Barrington Mystery #0
Death's Prelude
It’s 1937, and Heath Barrington is a naïve twenty-two-year-old about to set sail across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary. While on board, he meets the handsome Lord Simon Quimby, who invites Heath to his estate. Heath falls for Simon hard, but Simon soon becomes withdrawn and distant. Is Simon all he appears to be, or is there more to him than meets the eye? And what of the old gypsy curse Simon claims his family is under? Did it really cause his mother’s death, his sister’s suicide, and his father’s murder, or did Simon have something to do with it all? It’s up to Heath to uncover the truth, despite his heart telling him otherwise.
In this prequel to the Detective Heath Barrington Mystery series, Heath discovers that first love changes you forever and drives you to become the person you’re destined to be.
In this prequel to the Detective Heath Barrington Mystery series, Heath discovers that first love changes you forever and drives you to become the person you’re destined to be.
233 pages, Paperback
First published February 9, 2021
1 person is currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
David S. Pederson
14 books35 followersDavid S. Pederson has written multiple mysteries, all featuring LGBTQ+ characters. He’s a two-time finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Mysteries. His second book, Death Goes Overboard, was selected by the GLBT Round Table of the American Library Association for the 2018 Over the Rainbow book list. Two of his poems, “My Candle” and “I Never Knew” were used in the 2024 OCTC stage production of “Love Notes Cabaret of Words & Music.”
In 2024 he was invited by a local bookstore to conduct a workshop on writing mysteries, with twelve students in attendance.
In 2025 he was asked to write a short mystery to be included in an anthology, “Crime Ink: Iconic — Where Queer Icons Meet Killer Stories”, a collection of crime stories inspired by queer icons.
He’s passionate about mysteries, old movies, ocean liners, and reading.
He, his husband, and their sweet rescue cats reside in the sunny Southwest.
Website: http://www.davidspederson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidSPeders...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dave.pederson/
In 2024 he was invited by a local bookstore to conduct a workshop on writing mysteries, with twelve students in attendance.
In 2025 he was asked to write a short mystery to be included in an anthology, “Crime Ink: Iconic — Where Queer Icons Meet Killer Stories”, a collection of crime stories inspired by queer icons.
He’s passionate about mysteries, old movies, ocean liners, and reading.
He, his husband, and their sweet rescue cats reside in the sunny Southwest.
Website: http://www.davidspederson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidSPeders...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dave.pederson/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 28, 2021
This is the fifth book in the series, but it is a prequel to the entire series, featuring a young Heath Barrington, newly graduated from college in 1937, and on a cruise across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary with his aunt Verbina.
The pace of this book is somewhat elegaic, but I enjoyed learning about life aboard the Queen Mary on her inaugural cruise, complete with details about the layout of the boat, the dinner menus, and a glimpse of a time long past when men and women wore their finest for an elegant and refined ocean voyage.
Health meets the enigmatic Lord Simon Quimby aboard and is immediately transfixed by his elegance and good looks, as well as the supposed deadly Quimby family curse. Heath has his first sexual experience with Simon, and with the naivety of youth, envisions a future with Simon. But Simon feels trapped in his circumstances - the unwilling heir to an estate that badly needs an infusion of cash, in the form of a marriage to one Ruth St. James, of the Philadelphia St. James'.
There is a murder / mystery here, with Heath solving the mystery behind the Quimby family curse, and realizing that he wants a career as a police detective.
Where the book really excels is in its setting of both the Queen Mary and society in pre-WWII Europe. We really get a sense of the dilemma Simon faces - to marry and save his family legacy, or fully embrace who he is and try to find his niche.
The only thing that didn't work for me here was Heath starting out the book as a slang spouting college boy and ending as a wise sage advising Lord Quimy about his life choices. There isn't enough character development along the way to make this sudden "adulting" flow seamlessly. However, overall, I enjoyed the book immensely and give it a sold 4 stars.
I received an ARC from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
The pace of this book is somewhat elegaic, but I enjoyed learning about life aboard the Queen Mary on her inaugural cruise, complete with details about the layout of the boat, the dinner menus, and a glimpse of a time long past when men and women wore their finest for an elegant and refined ocean voyage.
Health meets the enigmatic Lord Simon Quimby aboard and is immediately transfixed by his elegance and good looks, as well as the supposed deadly Quimby family curse. Heath has his first sexual experience with Simon, and with the naivety of youth, envisions a future with Simon. But Simon feels trapped in his circumstances - the unwilling heir to an estate that badly needs an infusion of cash, in the form of a marriage to one Ruth St. James, of the Philadelphia St. James'.
There is a murder / mystery here, with Heath solving the mystery behind the Quimby family curse, and realizing that he wants a career as a police detective.
Where the book really excels is in its setting of both the Queen Mary and society in pre-WWII Europe. We really get a sense of the dilemma Simon faces - to marry and save his family legacy, or fully embrace who he is and try to find his niche.
The only thing that didn't work for me here was Heath starting out the book as a slang spouting college boy and ending as a wise sage advising Lord Quimy about his life choices. There isn't enough character development along the way to make this sudden "adulting" flow seamlessly. However, overall, I enjoyed the book immensely and give it a sold 4 stars.
I received an ARC from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
May 12, 2023
I worked out the identity and motive of the 'murderer' several chapters before the end but this was a still a good 'origins' tale for a long-appreciated MC - Heath Barrington (and his Aunt V of course). Alan's presence and input was missed of course but this wouldn't bother first time readers to the series beginning with this book.
January 27, 2021
Absolutely Fantastic!
Heath, fresh from college and off on an adventure with Aunt Verbina to London meets the handsome Baron Simon Quimby. Upon being invited to Simon’s stately home, Heath has become quite smitten with Simon. With the Quimby family curse, which Simon had mentioned previously, Heath can’t stop thinking about what he knows happened to Simon’s family, and is desperate to prove Simon had nothing to do with it, despite everyone suspicious he is responsible for his father’s and sister’s death. Heath can’t help himself, piecing together the clues as the detective in him is born!
I absolutely adored this fantastic prequel to the Health Barrington Mystery series. It is only the second book by David S Pederson that I have read, but I was sold on this series with the first I read and now I am eager to find time and read the others as soon as I can. It is a fantastic mystery series, and this introduction to Heath gave great insight into how he has become the man we later meet in the series.
This story had everything and more and I was so excited when reading it. With each chapter, Heath was growing as character and that detective in him was starting to surface with each passing chapter. I loved his relationship with Simon! That first love, falling in love, and being completely smitten was something I could completely relate to and I could recognise each point of Heath’s falling for Simon, just like Aunt Verbina.
As usual, Aunt Verbina was her fabulous self and I was glad to see more of her in this story because the taste I’d had from the previous Heath Barrington Mystery just hadn’t been enough. She is amazing and a great ally to Heath, even if at times he has no idea how much so, but his respect for his Aunt shows just what a gentleman he is (even if Verbina insists he has much to learn!)
The mystery in this story was amazing! For a long time I just couldn’t figure it out but as Heath expertly started to question other characters, I started to piece everything together along with Heath. It was easy to get carried away on Heath’s passion and inquisitive nature, not only when it came to solving the murders, but for travelling and embracing the experiences he had. I just hoped my suspicions would be correct, but it really could have been anyone behind the murder, and even at times, I have to admit that unlike Heath, I did wonder just how much involvement Simon had in the murders.
I highly recommend this story, introducing Heath and giving more insight to his past, as well as setting up the series nicely. The most fabulous thing though was seeing Heath blossom into the detective I met in Death Overdue, and I can’t wait to read the next mystery he has to solve.
Heath, fresh from college and off on an adventure with Aunt Verbina to London meets the handsome Baron Simon Quimby. Upon being invited to Simon’s stately home, Heath has become quite smitten with Simon. With the Quimby family curse, which Simon had mentioned previously, Heath can’t stop thinking about what he knows happened to Simon’s family, and is desperate to prove Simon had nothing to do with it, despite everyone suspicious he is responsible for his father’s and sister’s death. Heath can’t help himself, piecing together the clues as the detective in him is born!
I absolutely adored this fantastic prequel to the Health Barrington Mystery series. It is only the second book by David S Pederson that I have read, but I was sold on this series with the first I read and now I am eager to find time and read the others as soon as I can. It is a fantastic mystery series, and this introduction to Heath gave great insight into how he has become the man we later meet in the series.
This story had everything and more and I was so excited when reading it. With each chapter, Heath was growing as character and that detective in him was starting to surface with each passing chapter. I loved his relationship with Simon! That first love, falling in love, and being completely smitten was something I could completely relate to and I could recognise each point of Heath’s falling for Simon, just like Aunt Verbina.
As usual, Aunt Verbina was her fabulous self and I was glad to see more of her in this story because the taste I’d had from the previous Heath Barrington Mystery just hadn’t been enough. She is amazing and a great ally to Heath, even if at times he has no idea how much so, but his respect for his Aunt shows just what a gentleman he is (even if Verbina insists he has much to learn!)
The mystery in this story was amazing! For a long time I just couldn’t figure it out but as Heath expertly started to question other characters, I started to piece everything together along with Heath. It was easy to get carried away on Heath’s passion and inquisitive nature, not only when it came to solving the murders, but for travelling and embracing the experiences he had. I just hoped my suspicions would be correct, but it really could have been anyone behind the murder, and even at times, I have to admit that unlike Heath, I did wonder just how much involvement Simon had in the murders.
I highly recommend this story, introducing Heath and giving more insight to his past, as well as setting up the series nicely. The most fabulous thing though was seeing Heath blossom into the detective I met in Death Overdue, and I can’t wait to read the next mystery he has to solve.
October 2, 2021
This is the sixth book in “A Detective Heath Barrington Mystery” series by David S. Pederson. The series is one of my top favorite in mysteries. It’s actually a prequel as Heath Barrington hasn’t even begun to think about a career as a detective.
The story takes us to 1937 and Heathcliffe “Heath” Barrington, at the age of twenty-two, has an opportunity he can’t pass up. He has been invited by his Aunt Verbina on a cruise to England on the Queen Mary. Heath has just graduated from college and he’s already made the trip from his home in Milwaukee to New York City and now boarding the great ship.
Aunt, Mrs. Verbina Partridge, certainly has her own views about: love, marriage, manners and many other subjects. There’s also a special connection that she has with Heath and always shares some much needed advice.
For Heath, there’s many things going on aboard ship and many odd people to meet.
They get word that Lord Simon Quimby is aboard ship, someone Aunt Verbina had met previously. Heath and Aunt Verbina plan a way to meet up with Lord Quimby.
Both Simon and Heath are caught up in a forbidden love on board ship. But Simon is a dark and brooding man and has had to make decisions to uphold what is left of a tarnished reputation. As much as Heath hates departing from Simon. The only thing he looks forward to is the invitation Simon extends to him and his Aunt.
Heath has his mind set to help Simon and clear his stained reputation. For Heath this is his first time at using raw skills to gather information and find the truth. Who would have thought he had the expertise to eventually become a detective?
David S. Pederson does not miss a beat when it comes to taking readers back to 1937 with: descriptive clothing, speaking manners, particular phrases, and proper manners. The mystery is well plotted and uncovers a sad and sensitive subject. As always, Pederson presents another well-written, mystery, with all the suspects and the process of investigation.
I have to give Pederson praise for, Aunt Verbina she is such an outstanding character. She’s a women before her time, outspoken and has her own ideas about love and marriage. She’s very caring and understanding when it comes to her nephew, Heath. Heath cares about his mother but it’s apparent that he and Verbina have a closer relationship. Although, Aunt Verbina seems well off financially, she still complains about the cost of things. It’s at times laughable, if only those prices existed today, but we have to remember this was at the time of hardships of the Great Depression.
At the closing of this book is another “Mystery History” segment. Pederson supplies informative facts about people, places, and things of 1937 era. Up next is book seven “Death Foretold”!
The story takes us to 1937 and Heathcliffe “Heath” Barrington, at the age of twenty-two, has an opportunity he can’t pass up. He has been invited by his Aunt Verbina on a cruise to England on the Queen Mary. Heath has just graduated from college and he’s already made the trip from his home in Milwaukee to New York City and now boarding the great ship.
Aunt, Mrs. Verbina Partridge, certainly has her own views about: love, marriage, manners and many other subjects. There’s also a special connection that she has with Heath and always shares some much needed advice.
For Heath, there’s many things going on aboard ship and many odd people to meet.
They get word that Lord Simon Quimby is aboard ship, someone Aunt Verbina had met previously. Heath and Aunt Verbina plan a way to meet up with Lord Quimby.
Both Simon and Heath are caught up in a forbidden love on board ship. But Simon is a dark and brooding man and has had to make decisions to uphold what is left of a tarnished reputation. As much as Heath hates departing from Simon. The only thing he looks forward to is the invitation Simon extends to him and his Aunt.
Heath has his mind set to help Simon and clear his stained reputation. For Heath this is his first time at using raw skills to gather information and find the truth. Who would have thought he had the expertise to eventually become a detective?
David S. Pederson does not miss a beat when it comes to taking readers back to 1937 with: descriptive clothing, speaking manners, particular phrases, and proper manners. The mystery is well plotted and uncovers a sad and sensitive subject. As always, Pederson presents another well-written, mystery, with all the suspects and the process of investigation.
I have to give Pederson praise for, Aunt Verbina she is such an outstanding character. She’s a women before her time, outspoken and has her own ideas about love and marriage. She’s very caring and understanding when it comes to her nephew, Heath. Heath cares about his mother but it’s apparent that he and Verbina have a closer relationship. Although, Aunt Verbina seems well off financially, she still complains about the cost of things. It’s at times laughable, if only those prices existed today, but we have to remember this was at the time of hardships of the Great Depression.
At the closing of this book is another “Mystery History” segment. Pederson supplies informative facts about people, places, and things of 1937 era. Up next is book seven “Death Foretold”!
February 1, 2021
The year is 1937 and Heath Barrington is 22 years old and sailing across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary. Onboard, he meets the mysterious Lord Simon Quimby, who invites Heath and his aunt to his estate. Heath falls for Simon, but the Quimby family is marred by tragedy and Simon is hiding dark secrets.
This book is a prequel to the Detective Heath Barrington mystery series, which I haven't actually read. In the series, Heath is a detective, and this book shows his first foray into investigating and the beginnings of what will become his career. I enjoyed the book, and it has made me want to read the rest of the series. I can see this being particularly enjoyable if you already know and love Heath, though.
The poised, mysterious Simon and the naive commoner Heath make for a compelling pairing. At first, I felt like Simon was just a bit of a dick, but he did grow on me as the book progressed. He's a complicated man, and I enjoyed finding out more about his history. The Quimby curse makes for a really good mystery plot. Heath on the other hand feels so young! It makes me remember that I'm no longer in my early twenties... His dramatic, first infatuation with an older man makes for fun reading, although at times I felt like yelling 'just back off and forget about Simon!' I also really liked the side characters, especially the banter between Verbina and Myrtle.
What fell short for me was the amount of exposition given through dialogue, especially near the beginning of the book. I just wanted the story to hurry up and start! The amount of background historical detail did really flesh out the setting, but I felt a bit overloaded with it all at times. The story does move faster once Heath arrives at Heatherwick, though, and there is a satisfying conclusion to the puzzle, as well as the delightfully bittersweet feeling of a first love.
This book is a prequel to the Detective Heath Barrington mystery series, which I haven't actually read. In the series, Heath is a detective, and this book shows his first foray into investigating and the beginnings of what will become his career. I enjoyed the book, and it has made me want to read the rest of the series. I can see this being particularly enjoyable if you already know and love Heath, though.
The poised, mysterious Simon and the naive commoner Heath make for a compelling pairing. At first, I felt like Simon was just a bit of a dick, but he did grow on me as the book progressed. He's a complicated man, and I enjoyed finding out more about his history. The Quimby curse makes for a really good mystery plot. Heath on the other hand feels so young! It makes me remember that I'm no longer in my early twenties... His dramatic, first infatuation with an older man makes for fun reading, although at times I felt like yelling 'just back off and forget about Simon!' I also really liked the side characters, especially the banter between Verbina and Myrtle.
What fell short for me was the amount of exposition given through dialogue, especially near the beginning of the book. I just wanted the story to hurry up and start! The amount of background historical detail did really flesh out the setting, but I felt a bit overloaded with it all at times. The story does move faster once Heath arrives at Heatherwick, though, and there is a satisfying conclusion to the puzzle, as well as the delightfully bittersweet feeling of a first love.
May 7, 2021
This is the third book I have read in Mr. Pederson’s series. All have been enjoyable, but this one has to be my favorite so far. The wonderful thing about the whole series is that they don’t have to be read in a specific order, so you can begin with this newest book. This was so well written and, of course, I was sure that I had figured out the mystery about 2/3rds of the way in, just to find that I didn’t solve the murder after all. The author writes with just enough detail to help you feel like you are actually there. Then, you can always visit his website to read the biographies of the main characters and view the sketches of floor plans for scenes in the books. Most are set in the 1940s, but this is a prelude, and is set in 1937. I find myself thinking of actors who match the characters, and in my mind, they are the characters I visualize as I read. These mysteries always leave the reader wanting more. Luckily for me, I have a few more to dive into.
May 31, 2021
This prequel to the Detective Heath Barrington murder mysteries fills in a lot of Heath’s earlier life. We get to see him just out of college and unsure of his next steps as well as experience his first brief love affair. On top of that the first half of the story takes place on the Queen Mary, and the second half in a mysterious estate in the English countryside! What more could a mystery fan want?
The scenes and dialogue are amazing. I almost felt like I was reading the script of a 1930’s movie when Heath’s Aunt Verbina and her “friend” Myrtle are gossiping after meeting on the ship. The descriptions of shipboard life and pre-war England are vivid and authentic, and the emotions evoked in the climactic scene had me sobbing along with the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
The scenes and dialogue are amazing. I almost felt like I was reading the script of a 1930’s movie when Heath’s Aunt Verbina and her “friend” Myrtle are gossiping after meeting on the ship. The descriptions of shipboard life and pre-war England are vivid and authentic, and the emotions evoked in the climactic scene had me sobbing along with the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
December 6, 2021
As always, Pederson is a master of description of people, places and the era in which his books are set. The descriptions of a 1930's Atlantic crossing and the people who share the voyage with young Heath Barrington paint a rich picture of the voyage. Heath's stealthy investigation of the Quimby Curse and two suspicious deaths leads to a satisfying conclusion to the mysteries as well as the personal aspects of the story. I look forward to reading the next installment in the Heath Barrington series as well as the upcoming first book in the author's new series.
March 25, 2021
The start of Heath as a sleuth.
As he and his aunt sail across the Atlantic, clues to a fellow passenger past start coming as does an invite to his house where Heath continues to be nosy and improve his detecting skills. He solves a 2 year old murder and is not so gauche by the end of the story.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the Queen Mary too.
As he and his aunt sail across the Atlantic, clues to a fellow passenger past start coming as does an invite to his house where Heath continues to be nosy and improve his detecting skills. He solves a 2 year old murder and is not so gauche by the end of the story.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the Queen Mary too.
August 16, 2024
This is a delightful introduction to the character Heath Barrington. He solves his first mystery before joining the police force. This is a very enjoyable story without the gore and psychological terror of many of the books out there.
April 8, 2021
A well written, enjoyable post war mystery, with likable characters.
June 2, 2021
I throughly enjoyed my time with Heath Barrington, he’s quite the protagonist dashing witty charming and gay. David’s character comes alive in this novel simply wonderful.
March 26, 2021
Having read and much enjoyed the others in this fascinating series, I was as anxious as other fans to read this prequel which deals with the earlier life, first love and first detection of Heath Barrington.
However, this did not live up to my expectations. I found it over-wordy and badly-paced. Simon Quimby did not quite ring true and the "relationship" with Heath was distinctly odd. The detective aspect of the plot felt almost incidental and rather peculiar. I was also irritated by the incorrect use of British titles.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the digital review copy.
However, this did not live up to my expectations. I found it over-wordy and badly-paced. Simon Quimby did not quite ring true and the "relationship" with Heath was distinctly odd. The detective aspect of the plot felt almost incidental and rather peculiar. I was also irritated by the incorrect use of British titles.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the digital review copy.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews