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Donald Strachey #5
Shock to the System
A Donald Strachey Mystery, Book 5 – Donald Strachey is asked to investigate the suspicious death of Paul Haig by three different people-Haig's homophobic mother, his ex-lover, and the psychiatrist hired to "cure" him of his homosexuality. Just as he gets started, however, all three remove him from the case, leaving Strachey with a brutal murderer that now everyone wants left alone.
Written over a period of three decades, the Donald Strachey series authentically chronicles gay life as it unfolded in upstate New York. Shock to the System was nominated for a Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Mystery. An author’s note is included.
“Stevenson’s real coup in Shock to the System is his memorably varied cast of suspects.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Stevenson writes wittily and knowingly about his subjects, both the gay world and the world of politics, and draws telling portraits of the bitter, clever amusing men who inhabit both.” — West Coast Review of Books
Written over a period of three decades, the Donald Strachey series authentically chronicles gay life as it unfolded in upstate New York. Shock to the System was nominated for a Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Mystery. An author’s note is included.
“Stevenson’s real coup in Shock to the System is his memorably varied cast of suspects.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Stevenson writes wittily and knowingly about his subjects, both the gay world and the world of politics, and draws telling portraits of the bitter, clever amusing men who inhabit both.” — West Coast Review of Books
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1995
10 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Richard Stevenson
81 books142 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Richard Stevenson is the pseudonym of Richard Lipez, the author of nine books, including the Don Strachey private eye series. The Strachey books are being filmed by here!, the first gay television network. Lipez also co-wrote Grand Scam with Peter Stein, and contributed to Crimes of the Scene: A Mystery Novel Guide for the International Traveler. He is a mystery columnist for The Washington Post and a former editorial writer at The Berkshire Eagle. His reporting, reviews and fiction have appeared in The Boston Globe, Newsday, The Progressive, The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's and many other publications. He grew up and went to college in Pennsylvania and served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia from 1962-64. Lipez lives in Becket, Massachusetts and is married to sculptor Joe Wheaton.
Richard Stevenson is the pseudonym of Richard Lipez, the author of nine books, including the Don Strachey private eye series. The Strachey books are being filmed by here!, the first gay television network. Lipez also co-wrote Grand Scam with Peter Stein, and contributed to Crimes of the Scene: A Mystery Novel Guide for the International Traveler. He is a mystery columnist for The Washington Post and a former editorial writer at The Berkshire Eagle. His reporting, reviews and fiction have appeared in The Boston Globe, Newsday, The Progressive, The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's and many other publications. He grew up and went to college in Pennsylvania and served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia from 1962-64. Lipez lives in Becket, Massachusetts and is married to sculptor Joe Wheaton.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 22, 2019
There was a good mystery here, this one dealing with aversion therapy and the various types of homophobia and ignorance-laced love that leads gay men to seek out such treatment. This one is even more steeped in homophobia than the ones previous, as you can imagine, so you might want to make sure you're in the right head space before reading this one if that's something that bothers you. Or just skip it.
There were various people who could have plausibly been the whodunit, as evidenced by the fact that three different people try to hire Don to solve the mystery. With so many possible perps, all with their own twisted motives, it was hard to pin down who the real perp was, but once that person's revealed, it makes total sense.
Timmy continues to be great, as he tries to be Don's moral compass. He's a compassionate guy, which is both great and sometimes naive. Donald's a much more pragmatic character, and he doesn't mind getting his hands dirty, as we've seen before in this series, and that felt consistent here whereas before it felt like he was being manipulated by others to act in certain ways. Maybe I'm just finally starting to understand his character better. And I especially liked that Donald was no longer bemoaning his monogamy.
There were capitalization issues with this one that can't be explained away as digital conversion issues. Clearly, no one bothered to edit this one, because there's no reason all those acronyms and titles should be in lower case instead of upper case.
There were various people who could have plausibly been the whodunit, as evidenced by the fact that three different people try to hire Don to solve the mystery. With so many possible perps, all with their own twisted motives, it was hard to pin down who the real perp was, but once that person's revealed, it makes total sense.
Timmy continues to be great, as he tries to be Don's moral compass. He's a compassionate guy, which is both great and sometimes naive. Donald's a much more pragmatic character, and he doesn't mind getting his hands dirty, as we've seen before in this series, and that felt consistent here whereas before it felt like he was being manipulated by others to act in certain ways. Maybe I'm just finally starting to understand his character better. And I especially liked that Donald was no longer bemoaning his monogamy.
There were capitalization issues with this one that can't be explained away as digital conversion issues. Clearly, no one bothered to edit this one, because there's no reason all those acronyms and titles should be in lower case instead of upper case.
December 14, 2014
4,5 GOOOOOOD stars!
I think, it's my favorite sequel until now. I have EVERYTHING I needed:
* A tricky case => an interesting mystery
* A big mouth Don full of ideas => he confirmed anew his regular place in MY FAVORITE PIs LIST!
* TIMMY IS BACK => witty dialogues! I enjoyed their communication with Don!
* Great writing! => clever and entertaining!
What can I add? I'm a big fan of the series! Period.
March 26, 2015
Book 5 of the Donald Strachey series and the best so far for me.
I really enjoyed this mystery. When I first started reading this series I wasn't quite sure I liked Don but as the series has developed so has Don. He seems a lot clearer about his role as a PI and his reputation has grown. He has an uneasy but functional relationship with the police and a deeper awareness about his own behaviour and quirks. Best of all his relationship with Timmy is on a firm footing and the two have a lovely partnership, with Timmy being forthright and wise and Don observing this wisdom but cutting corners just the same.
This book shows that Don is becoming a renown PI, so renown that three different people want him to investigate a murder dressed up to look like suicide.
And Don does this, pulling apart the lies and half-truths and shadows, shining light on all kinds of convoluted activity and behaviour until the crime is solved. And he does this with humour and a caustic wit.
And the ending was interesting but I couldn't see it coming although it was kind of obvious that it would eventually end in such a way.
This is a great series. It manages to explore really interesting murder mysteries whilst at the same time exploring the life of the mystery solver. It just makes for such an entertaining read.
I really enjoyed this mystery. When I first started reading this series I wasn't quite sure I liked Don but as the series has developed so has Don. He seems a lot clearer about his role as a PI and his reputation has grown. He has an uneasy but functional relationship with the police and a deeper awareness about his own behaviour and quirks. Best of all his relationship with Timmy is on a firm footing and the two have a lovely partnership, with Timmy being forthright and wise and Don observing this wisdom but cutting corners just the same.
This book shows that Don is becoming a renown PI, so renown that three different people want him to investigate a murder dressed up to look like suicide.
And Don does this, pulling apart the lies and half-truths and shadows, shining light on all kinds of convoluted activity and behaviour until the crime is solved. And he does this with humour and a caustic wit.
And the ending was interesting but I couldn't see it coming although it was kind of obvious that it would eventually end in such a way.
This is a great series. It manages to explore really interesting murder mysteries whilst at the same time exploring the life of the mystery solver. It just makes for such an entertaining read.
January 30, 2008
Excellent detective work, wit, and one of the most charming romantic duos in GLBT mystery.
July 11, 2015
See paperback edition review.
Merged review:
This is the 5th book in the Donald Strachey mysteries. We find our intrepid PI with a possibility of 3 clients wanting him to hire the same case for different reasons.The case is that of Paul Haig who supposedly committed suicide several months by pills and alcohol and who all three perspective clients think he was murdered.Paul's mother who is a alcoholic and a homophobe,thinks her late son's boyfriend killed him for his money.The ex boyfriend,Larry Bierly not only has an alibi when his Paul was killed,but puts thinks that the psychologist that run a clinic to turn gays straight did Paul in.The psychologist,Dr.Crockwell(aptly named),thinks he's being set up.Don is his usual smart ass self,and I found myself laughing at his wisecracks.Tim is also in good form and I just love this couple.It's a good read and a highly recommended series!Also,another reason I love this book is that annoying and homophobic Detective Bowman is forced to take an early retirement after he makes an inappropriate comment.Won't say who it is,but so glad this neanderthal is gone from the series.
Merged review:
This is the 5th book in the Donald Strachey mysteries. We find our intrepid PI with a possibility of 3 clients wanting him to hire the same case for different reasons.The case is that of Paul Haig who supposedly committed suicide several months by pills and alcohol and who all three perspective clients think he was murdered.Paul's mother who is a alcoholic and a homophobe,thinks her late son's boyfriend killed him for his money.The ex boyfriend,Larry Bierly not only has an alibi when his Paul was killed,but puts thinks that the psychologist that run a clinic to turn gays straight did Paul in.The psychologist,Dr.Crockwell(aptly named),thinks he's being set up.Don is his usual smart ass self,and I found myself laughing at his wisecracks.Tim is also in good form and I just love this couple.It's a good read and a highly recommended series!Also,another reason I love this book is that annoying and homophobic Detective Bowman is forced to take an early retirement after he makes an inappropriate comment.Won't say who it is,but so glad this neanderthal is gone from the series.
September 7, 2015
This one was really interesting, as this was the film I remembered (at least I think it did) and the story was very different. Interesting how old the characters in the book are - in their late forties - curious to see where this goes next.
December 6, 2013
I love this series. No time to write a review other to say this might be my favorite so far.
February 4, 2025
Mitte der neunziger Jahre, Frühling in Albany, Hauptstadt des Bundesstaats New York; Genre: Privatdetektiv-Krimi aus der Donald-Strachey-Serie. Hier geht es um einen Therapeuten, der aus Schwulen Heteros u.a. mittels Elektroschocks machen will. Siehe den Originaltitel: „Shock to the System“. („Umgepolt“, wie es der deutsche Titel sagt, wird hier allerdings kaum einer.)
Polizei und Leichenbeschauer sagen, der junge Schwule Paul Haig hat sich mit einer Überdosis Whiskey und Beruhigungsmitteln selbst getötet, entweder weil seine Beziehung zu Larry Bierly nicht lief oder weil Larry ihn nicht dabei unterstützte, finanzielle Schwierigkeiten zu meistern, die sich aus einem von Haig geführten Geschäft für Geschenkartikel ergeben hatten. Pauls Mutter Phyllis, „eine Kundin aus der Hölle“, eine homophobe und ständig Ungereimtheiten nuschelnde Süchtige, ist es, die den privaten Ermittler Strachey engagieren möchte, weil sie sich weigert, an den Suizid ihres Sohns zu glauben. Damit wären wir wieder mal bei einem Charakteristikum der Strachey-Krimis: Oft wird er von der „falschen“ Seite angeheuert und muss sich im Lauf der Handlung entsprechend umorientieren. Für Haigs Mutter ist Larry Bierly der Mörder, schließlich hat er ihr den Sohn weggenommen und vielleicht sogar schwul gemacht.
Es ergibt sich die komische Situation, dass der Detektiv nur wenige Unterhaltungen später noch von zwei weiteren Seiten verpflichtet werden soll – und erst einmal allen einen Korb gibt. Von Bierly erfährt Strachey, dass sich Paul nach ihrem Streit offenbar mit einem anderen Mann eingelassen hatte; im Übrigen sei er kurz vor seinem Tod guter Dinge gewesen, die Geldprobleme wären wohl vorbei. Bierly vermutet einen Mord und wittert in einem dubiosen Therapeuten den Täter, Dr. Crockwell, auf dessen Stuhlkreis sie sich zum ersten Mal begegnet waren. Crockwell verkauft den Leuten eine sogenannte Aversionsbehandlung. Er arbeitet mit Elektroschocks und Pornofilmen, bei denen die möglicherweise Schwulen vom Verlangen nach Männerkörpern weg dressiert werden sollen. Kaum hat Larry versprochen, Don ein Honorar zu zahlen, wenn er diesem Dr. Crockwell auf die Finger klopft, möchte der selbsternannte Psychiater, der ebenfalls auf Mord tippt, Strachey verpflichten, den Mörder aufzutun.
Ned Bowman, Stracheys überheblicher Gegner in den Reihen der eher schwulenfeindlichen Kripo von Albany, hat inzwischen den Ort verlassen und einem wesentlich konzilianteren Beamten Platz gemacht, der sogar gespannt darauf ist, von Strachey Tipps zur mysteriösen Angelegenheit zu hören. Dann gibt ein Unbekannter Schüsse auf Bierly ab und die zugehörige Waffe wird in Dr. Crockwells Mülleimer entdeckt. Als Strachey Haigs - in ihren Stimmungen immer schwankende - Mutter mit mehr Nachdruck befragt, zieht sie den Auftrag kurzerhand zurück. Bald fangen auch Bierly und der Therapeut Streit mit Strachey an, sodass er einiges vom Selbstmord hat läuten hören, der ein Mord war, aber keinen Kunden mehr hat, der ihn fürs Finden der Wahrheit bezahlen wird. Dennoch macht er sich auf, den dritten Mann zu finden, den Haig wohl noch hatte, und mit den restlichen Patienten Crockwells zu plauschen.
Von den zum Schluss 16 Strachey-Krimis von Stevenson sind ins Deutsche nur 5 übersetzt worden, die ersten drei waren Knaur-Taschenbücher, die letzten beiden wurden als „Pink Plots“ etliche Jahre später in der Krimireihe des Hamburger Argument Verlags nachgelegt, was weder der Buchqualität im Äußeren noch der Güte der Übersetzungen besonders geholfen hat. Man muss ziemlich tolerant sein – oder lieber gleich die englischen Ausgaben bestellen. Das hier ist der vierte übersetzte Fall, aber nicht der letzte, denn Argument, hat das eigentlich vierte Buch ausgelassen und gleich die fünfte Folge der Serie ausgesucht. Aber Achtung, das mit der Warnung vor dem inkorrekten Deutsch ist nicht nur so dahergesagt; Immer wieder fehlen die grammatischen Fall-Endungen bei Adjektiven und Nomen und dass ein sich „Kunstreich“ nennender Übersetzer die gegen Ende auftauchenden Autobahn-Klappen, „restrooms“, als „Rasträume“ verdeutscht, lässt Zweifel am Kunstreichtum aufkommen.
Was über die anderen, von mir gelesenen, Strachey-Krimis aus den achtziger und neunziger Jahren gesagt werden kann, gilt auch hier. Richard Stevenson hatte sein Händchen für den Spannungsaufbau am Buchanfang. Stets verzwirbelt er mehrere Storys miteinander und macht einen auf weitere Begegnungen mit den zugehörigen Figuren neugierig. Selbst durch den alsbald, gefühlt, stetig sich verlangsamenden Mittelteil folgt man Strachey noch gern. Diese Kapitel lassen immerhin einigen Raum für die Love- und Ehe-Story von Don und dem Mann, mit dem er zusammenlebt, Timmy Callahan. Aber die Auflösungen der Fälle fallen in der Regel ziemlich ab, wirken gleichzeitig überkonstruiert, unwahrscheinlich und zu brutal.
Obwohl, die Buchenden ausgenommen, Stevenson sich mit Gewalt wohltuend zurückhält, schafft er es jedes Mal, den Leser um Leben und Gesundheit von Don und Tim bangen zu lassen, die sich in eine Sache hinein bewegen, die größer ist, als sie sie sich vorgestellt haben. Ich-Erzähler Don, obwohl in bester Chandler-Tradition so etwa der letzte echte Kämpfer für das Gute im Menschen, gibt sich oft anstößig und taktlos, wenn ihm seit der allgemeinen Verbreitung von Aids die Nebenbei-Affären des ersten Buchs auch nicht mehr gestattet sind. Strachey, der immer noch sehr gut aussieht, ist ein Taschenspieler und neigt dazu, sich zu überschätzen und leichtsinnig ins Finstere vorzupreschen. Timmy, der Rechtsberater eines Politikers im Parlament des Staates New York, ist dagegen sehr rechtschaffen, loyal, fair und geradeaus. Was vielleicht nicht die beste Autorenentscheidung war. Callahan kann zur Lösung dieser Rätsel so gut wie nie etwas beisteuern und muss für die interessantesten Kapitel dann aus der Schusslinie entfernt werden.
Die rezeptgemäße Figurenkonstellation zusammenzubekommen, dürfte für Stevenson gar nicht so leicht gewesen sein. Seit den achtziger Jahren braucht dieser Autor nämlich nicht nur eine Menge Schwuler fürs Buch, einerseits welche, die entführt oder ermordet werden könnten, andererseits jedoch auch mal Mörder, sondern er braucht dazu noch Lesben. Er braucht unsympathische Heterosexuelle, damit die Homophobie der Gesellschaft, gegen die sich seine Romane richten, anschaulich wird. Nur passt es schlecht zu den Regeln des Whodunit-Genres, dass die, die gleich schon unsympathisch waren, die wirklich Bösen sind. Die konfuse Haig-Mutter mit ihrem aus dem Ruder gelaufenen Leben ist eine Stevenson-typische Figur, wie auch der Leid verursachende Schwindler Crockwell. Beide ekeln sich vor dem Perversen im Schwulen. Beide sind verdächtig, können es aber eher nicht gewesen sein. Da würde der Leser sich doch betrogen fühlen.
Schon ergibt sich die Notwendigkeit, dass gewisse Spuren noch ganz woanders hinführen und zur Aufdeckung einer gut versteckten fatalen Geschichte. Hiermit geht dann meist ein Aspekt von „an den Haaren herbeigezogen“ einher, der bei „Strachey 5“ schlicht nicht geleugnet werden kann. Nicht zum ersten Mal wäre Don viel schneller zur Lösung gekommen, wenn er gleich am Anfang die richtigen Leute befragt hätte, die er auch schon auf seiner Liste hatte, aber dann waren sie mal nicht zu Hause oder er hatte sie kurz wieder vergessen.
So dauerhaft vom Autor hingehalten zu werden, ist nicht jedermanns Sache. Und, was das Buch eben auch schwächer macht als „Der Tod stand nicht im Bauplan“ (Folge 2) oder „Verraten und verkauft“ (Folge 6): die durchgedrehte Action-Nummer, die sich Stevenson auf seinen letzten Seiten noch schuldig zu sein glaubte. Warum einen Krimi mit gemächlichem Tempo nicht so mal sein lassen? Und: Musste das stramme Moralisieren in den letzten Absätzen wirklich sein?
Polizei und Leichenbeschauer sagen, der junge Schwule Paul Haig hat sich mit einer Überdosis Whiskey und Beruhigungsmitteln selbst getötet, entweder weil seine Beziehung zu Larry Bierly nicht lief oder weil Larry ihn nicht dabei unterstützte, finanzielle Schwierigkeiten zu meistern, die sich aus einem von Haig geführten Geschäft für Geschenkartikel ergeben hatten. Pauls Mutter Phyllis, „eine Kundin aus der Hölle“, eine homophobe und ständig Ungereimtheiten nuschelnde Süchtige, ist es, die den privaten Ermittler Strachey engagieren möchte, weil sie sich weigert, an den Suizid ihres Sohns zu glauben. Damit wären wir wieder mal bei einem Charakteristikum der Strachey-Krimis: Oft wird er von der „falschen“ Seite angeheuert und muss sich im Lauf der Handlung entsprechend umorientieren. Für Haigs Mutter ist Larry Bierly der Mörder, schließlich hat er ihr den Sohn weggenommen und vielleicht sogar schwul gemacht.
Es ergibt sich die komische Situation, dass der Detektiv nur wenige Unterhaltungen später noch von zwei weiteren Seiten verpflichtet werden soll – und erst einmal allen einen Korb gibt. Von Bierly erfährt Strachey, dass sich Paul nach ihrem Streit offenbar mit einem anderen Mann eingelassen hatte; im Übrigen sei er kurz vor seinem Tod guter Dinge gewesen, die Geldprobleme wären wohl vorbei. Bierly vermutet einen Mord und wittert in einem dubiosen Therapeuten den Täter, Dr. Crockwell, auf dessen Stuhlkreis sie sich zum ersten Mal begegnet waren. Crockwell verkauft den Leuten eine sogenannte Aversionsbehandlung. Er arbeitet mit Elektroschocks und Pornofilmen, bei denen die möglicherweise Schwulen vom Verlangen nach Männerkörpern weg dressiert werden sollen. Kaum hat Larry versprochen, Don ein Honorar zu zahlen, wenn er diesem Dr. Crockwell auf die Finger klopft, möchte der selbsternannte Psychiater, der ebenfalls auf Mord tippt, Strachey verpflichten, den Mörder aufzutun.
Ned Bowman, Stracheys überheblicher Gegner in den Reihen der eher schwulenfeindlichen Kripo von Albany, hat inzwischen den Ort verlassen und einem wesentlich konzilianteren Beamten Platz gemacht, der sogar gespannt darauf ist, von Strachey Tipps zur mysteriösen Angelegenheit zu hören. Dann gibt ein Unbekannter Schüsse auf Bierly ab und die zugehörige Waffe wird in Dr. Crockwells Mülleimer entdeckt. Als Strachey Haigs - in ihren Stimmungen immer schwankende - Mutter mit mehr Nachdruck befragt, zieht sie den Auftrag kurzerhand zurück. Bald fangen auch Bierly und der Therapeut Streit mit Strachey an, sodass er einiges vom Selbstmord hat läuten hören, der ein Mord war, aber keinen Kunden mehr hat, der ihn fürs Finden der Wahrheit bezahlen wird. Dennoch macht er sich auf, den dritten Mann zu finden, den Haig wohl noch hatte, und mit den restlichen Patienten Crockwells zu plauschen.
Von den zum Schluss 16 Strachey-Krimis von Stevenson sind ins Deutsche nur 5 übersetzt worden, die ersten drei waren Knaur-Taschenbücher, die letzten beiden wurden als „Pink Plots“ etliche Jahre später in der Krimireihe des Hamburger Argument Verlags nachgelegt, was weder der Buchqualität im Äußeren noch der Güte der Übersetzungen besonders geholfen hat. Man muss ziemlich tolerant sein – oder lieber gleich die englischen Ausgaben bestellen. Das hier ist der vierte übersetzte Fall, aber nicht der letzte, denn Argument, hat das eigentlich vierte Buch ausgelassen und gleich die fünfte Folge der Serie ausgesucht. Aber Achtung, das mit der Warnung vor dem inkorrekten Deutsch ist nicht nur so dahergesagt; Immer wieder fehlen die grammatischen Fall-Endungen bei Adjektiven und Nomen und dass ein sich „Kunstreich“ nennender Übersetzer die gegen Ende auftauchenden Autobahn-Klappen, „restrooms“, als „Rasträume“ verdeutscht, lässt Zweifel am Kunstreichtum aufkommen.
Was über die anderen, von mir gelesenen, Strachey-Krimis aus den achtziger und neunziger Jahren gesagt werden kann, gilt auch hier. Richard Stevenson hatte sein Händchen für den Spannungsaufbau am Buchanfang. Stets verzwirbelt er mehrere Storys miteinander und macht einen auf weitere Begegnungen mit den zugehörigen Figuren neugierig. Selbst durch den alsbald, gefühlt, stetig sich verlangsamenden Mittelteil folgt man Strachey noch gern. Diese Kapitel lassen immerhin einigen Raum für die Love- und Ehe-Story von Don und dem Mann, mit dem er zusammenlebt, Timmy Callahan. Aber die Auflösungen der Fälle fallen in der Regel ziemlich ab, wirken gleichzeitig überkonstruiert, unwahrscheinlich und zu brutal.
Obwohl, die Buchenden ausgenommen, Stevenson sich mit Gewalt wohltuend zurückhält, schafft er es jedes Mal, den Leser um Leben und Gesundheit von Don und Tim bangen zu lassen, die sich in eine Sache hinein bewegen, die größer ist, als sie sie sich vorgestellt haben. Ich-Erzähler Don, obwohl in bester Chandler-Tradition so etwa der letzte echte Kämpfer für das Gute im Menschen, gibt sich oft anstößig und taktlos, wenn ihm seit der allgemeinen Verbreitung von Aids die Nebenbei-Affären des ersten Buchs auch nicht mehr gestattet sind. Strachey, der immer noch sehr gut aussieht, ist ein Taschenspieler und neigt dazu, sich zu überschätzen und leichtsinnig ins Finstere vorzupreschen. Timmy, der Rechtsberater eines Politikers im Parlament des Staates New York, ist dagegen sehr rechtschaffen, loyal, fair und geradeaus. Was vielleicht nicht die beste Autorenentscheidung war. Callahan kann zur Lösung dieser Rätsel so gut wie nie etwas beisteuern und muss für die interessantesten Kapitel dann aus der Schusslinie entfernt werden.
Die rezeptgemäße Figurenkonstellation zusammenzubekommen, dürfte für Stevenson gar nicht so leicht gewesen sein. Seit den achtziger Jahren braucht dieser Autor nämlich nicht nur eine Menge Schwuler fürs Buch, einerseits welche, die entführt oder ermordet werden könnten, andererseits jedoch auch mal Mörder, sondern er braucht dazu noch Lesben. Er braucht unsympathische Heterosexuelle, damit die Homophobie der Gesellschaft, gegen die sich seine Romane richten, anschaulich wird. Nur passt es schlecht zu den Regeln des Whodunit-Genres, dass die, die gleich schon unsympathisch waren, die wirklich Bösen sind. Die konfuse Haig-Mutter mit ihrem aus dem Ruder gelaufenen Leben ist eine Stevenson-typische Figur, wie auch der Leid verursachende Schwindler Crockwell. Beide ekeln sich vor dem Perversen im Schwulen. Beide sind verdächtig, können es aber eher nicht gewesen sein. Da würde der Leser sich doch betrogen fühlen.
Schon ergibt sich die Notwendigkeit, dass gewisse Spuren noch ganz woanders hinführen und zur Aufdeckung einer gut versteckten fatalen Geschichte. Hiermit geht dann meist ein Aspekt von „an den Haaren herbeigezogen“ einher, der bei „Strachey 5“ schlicht nicht geleugnet werden kann. Nicht zum ersten Mal wäre Don viel schneller zur Lösung gekommen, wenn er gleich am Anfang die richtigen Leute befragt hätte, die er auch schon auf seiner Liste hatte, aber dann waren sie mal nicht zu Hause oder er hatte sie kurz wieder vergessen.
So dauerhaft vom Autor hingehalten zu werden, ist nicht jedermanns Sache. Und, was das Buch eben auch schwächer macht als „Der Tod stand nicht im Bauplan“ (Folge 2) oder „Verraten und verkauft“ (Folge 6): die durchgedrehte Action-Nummer, die sich Stevenson auf seinen letzten Seiten noch schuldig zu sein glaubte. Warum einen Krimi mit gemächlichem Tempo nicht so mal sein lassen? Und: Musste das stramme Moralisieren in den letzten Absätzen wirklich sein?
July 13, 2024
you know those gags in tv shows - especially cartoons - where one character tells a story that becomes a sort of flashback scene, and it's all extremely biased so you have basically every person in that story either cartoonishly good or cartoonishly bad? this felt kind of like that, but in reverse.
it's not horrible, it's just that the dialogue was just... constantly clinical and rational to the point of being boring and repetitive when coming from protagonists. the most interesting characters by far were the really shitty ones, because their monologues were far more realistic and nuanced. not only that, but they wouldn't be repeating the same information over and over! seriously, there should NOT be two or more scenes that relay the same exact thing, just with more clarification for what that means going forward. it reads like all these chapters were originally published independently as a serial in a magazine or something, and thus had to consistently remind you of everything that's happened so far. like, however compelling the actual mystery is, it's just holding my hand so tight that it got tiring.
once again - i'm NOT saying i hated this. just that it was far from being great, lol. i do really appreciate reading a murder mystery with a gay detective and a gay plot and i'm probably gonna read the others in this series if i happen to find them.
it's not horrible, it's just that the dialogue was just... constantly clinical and rational to the point of being boring and repetitive when coming from protagonists. the most interesting characters by far were the really shitty ones, because their monologues were far more realistic and nuanced. not only that, but they wouldn't be repeating the same information over and over! seriously, there should NOT be two or more scenes that relay the same exact thing, just with more clarification for what that means going forward. it reads like all these chapters were originally published independently as a serial in a magazine or something, and thus had to consistently remind you of everything that's happened so far. like, however compelling the actual mystery is, it's just holding my hand so tight that it got tiring.
once again - i'm NOT saying i hated this. just that it was far from being great, lol. i do really appreciate reading a murder mystery with a gay detective and a gay plot and i'm probably gonna read the others in this series if i happen to find them.
April 5, 2021
4.0 of 5 stars – Entertaining Series Continues w/ Topical Issues.
I love gay mysteries and romances, and Richard Stevenson does a good job of combining both in one of the more entertaining such series, as confirmed by this entry.
I liked this for the same reasons I liked each in the series, but it can be just as good as a standalone. With crisp, witty writing, it was a solid mystery, brought to life by a colorful, hard-boiled yet likable PI, who is, as he put it, “more or less coincidentally gay.”
Richard Stevenson’s style made this a light, entertaining and easy read. I enjoyed the step back in time to the early-‘90s. This was a historical that was contemporary when written, and in fact centered on a topic ripped from the headlines - gay cure. Kudos there, but he didn't just leave it at that, deftly mixing in shock therapy, family, religion, homophobia, reputation, revenge, a developing partnership, and a nice balance of that with a complex plot and good detective work to unravel the secrets.
Eventually I figured it out, not as early as previously, but eventually did and all fell into place in the end, and I'm ready to mover on to the next
I love gay mysteries and romances, and Richard Stevenson does a good job of combining both in one of the more entertaining such series, as confirmed by this entry.
I liked this for the same reasons I liked each in the series, but it can be just as good as a standalone. With crisp, witty writing, it was a solid mystery, brought to life by a colorful, hard-boiled yet likable PI, who is, as he put it, “more or less coincidentally gay.”
Richard Stevenson’s style made this a light, entertaining and easy read. I enjoyed the step back in time to the early-‘90s. This was a historical that was contemporary when written, and in fact centered on a topic ripped from the headlines - gay cure. Kudos there, but he didn't just leave it at that, deftly mixing in shock therapy, family, religion, homophobia, reputation, revenge, a developing partnership, and a nice balance of that with a complex plot and good detective work to unravel the secrets.
Eventually I figured it out, not as early as previously, but eventually did and all fell into place in the end, and I'm ready to mover on to the next
January 24, 2024
4 stars
In this episode, Richard Stevenson managed to weave a revenge fantasy against conversion therapy practitioners into the mystery, the plot choice of which is indeed "a bit over the top", but is nonetheless highly entertaining to read.
A welcome change from the previous book, this episode features more frequent appearances of Timmy, whose witty banter with Don adds a touch of levity to the otherwise slightly somber tone of the mystery.
Richard Stevenson's romance writing skill is once again showcased in this book—he has a talent for capturing the intimacy of relationships through the small, simple gestures in everyday life, solidifying my belief that he could have excelled as a romance writer if he’d been willing to dabble in that genre or just put more emphasis on the romantic elements in his work.
In this episode, Richard Stevenson managed to weave a revenge fantasy against conversion therapy practitioners into the mystery, the plot choice of which is indeed "a bit over the top", but is nonetheless highly entertaining to read.
A welcome change from the previous book, this episode features more frequent appearances of Timmy, whose witty banter with Don adds a touch of levity to the otherwise slightly somber tone of the mystery.
Richard Stevenson's romance writing skill is once again showcased in this book—he has a talent for capturing the intimacy of relationships through the small, simple gestures in everyday life, solidifying my belief that he could have excelled as a romance writer if he’d been willing to dabble in that genre or just put more emphasis on the romantic elements in his work.
July 28, 2017
This one is about gay conversion therapy, something I don't even like to think about, but Stevenson makes it palatable. Another great story, and for the first time the culprit is actually one of the suspects, instead of a random third party, so it's all looking up. Very enjoyable read.
April 14, 2021
It's a setup that is somewhat overdone now but the main participants in the sex "cure" are varied and quirky. The moments of humor and subtle sarcasm are delicious. The drunk, chain-smoking mother is a riot.
Good pacing. Superb story. Great series. Perfect detective.
Good pacing. Superb story. Great series. Perfect detective.
October 18, 2023
Thank god this has a different and better solution to the mystery than the early 2000s TV version with Chad Allen, because I love those silly little Strachey movies but the TV version of Shock to the System has the worst mystery resolution I've ever seen.
October 22, 2017
** 4.5 Stars **
August 21, 2023
(4.5) I'll be honest, I have NO clue how this series landed on my lap but I've finished most of the first 5 books that I could get - the others I still haven't been able to source at all.
there's a beauty to Don's cynicism towards Albany (and most things in general). also, despite a lot of it being dialogue based, it's got a weird fluid dynamism. and it's just funny, or at least I think it is, but I'm not a good benchmark.
I generally preferred Tim and Don's relationship in the adaptations but I CARNALLY miss most of the (lighthearted) Jesuit snark from Tim and how Don responds in his monologues
'if being willing to speak at length into an unresponsive void isn't one of the cornerstones of a rich relationship and enduring love, what is?'
"I'll just say that you've got a hair up your ass and you've gone to the Mayo Clinic to have it removed. In that saying, do you think it's h-a-i-r or h-a-r-e? H-a-r-e sounds more uncomfortable, which is prob- ably your situation right now. You're the expert, which is it?"
"You're ever the thoughtful host, Timothy, whether it's brunch for twenty-two or an assault on the Senate Republicans."
And also the embedding of Tim without him taking a 'sidekick' role makes him so much more a character. a really funny one too like he's just there an ex-wannabe-priest with 17 different anecdotes from Don in his time as a missionary and equal amounts about his sexual awakening
oh yeah. and a fun mystery, though i see it perhaps equally as a comedy. lots of stuff on the moral ambivalence etc etc you see in noir media (from Don's own approach & just. people in general) but within the queer community so tons of insight into the landscape in the late 20th century
there's a beauty to Don's cynicism towards Albany (and most things in general). also, despite a lot of it being dialogue based, it's got a weird fluid dynamism. and it's just funny, or at least I think it is, but I'm not a good benchmark.
I generally preferred Tim and Don's relationship in the adaptations but I CARNALLY miss most of the (lighthearted) Jesuit snark from Tim and how Don responds in his monologues
'if being willing to speak at length into an unresponsive void isn't one of the cornerstones of a rich relationship and enduring love, what is?'
"I'll just say that you've got a hair up your ass and you've gone to the Mayo Clinic to have it removed. In that saying, do you think it's h-a-i-r or h-a-r-e? H-a-r-e sounds more uncomfortable, which is prob- ably your situation right now. You're the expert, which is it?"
"You're ever the thoughtful host, Timothy, whether it's brunch for twenty-two or an assault on the Senate Republicans."
And also the embedding of Tim without him taking a 'sidekick' role makes him so much more a character. a really funny one too like he's just there an ex-wannabe-priest with 17 different anecdotes from Don in his time as a missionary and equal amounts about his sexual awakening
oh yeah. and a fun mystery, though i see it perhaps equally as a comedy. lots of stuff on the moral ambivalence etc etc you see in noir media (from Don's own approach & just. people in general) but within the queer community so tons of insight into the landscape in the late 20th century
December 7, 2012
Not bad, but certainly not as good as the last two in the series. Stevenson picks a hot, controversial topic (ex gay programs) but somehow the story just never quite reaches the page turning intensity of Third Man Out. Strachey's dry cynicism is as entertaining as ever, and Timmy's characterization gets better with every book. The same can't be said of the suspects-they are pretty colorless and stereotypical. The "ex-gay" therapist is so over the top homophobic he makes Rick Santorum look moderate. The victim's mom is a lush straight out of a Lifetime movie. In the end I didn't really care about any of them, or the victim, and the solution was a real let down.
It comes down to-as in Third Man Out, Stevenson has an agenda to explore a controversial issue affecting the gay community. The difference is that in Third Man Out, the agenda served the story. In Shock to the System the story serves the agenda, and both are weaker as a result. It's not unenjoyable by any means, but Stevenson is capable of much better.
It comes down to-as in Third Man Out, Stevenson has an agenda to explore a controversial issue affecting the gay community. The difference is that in Third Man Out, the agenda served the story. In Shock to the System the story serves the agenda, and both are weaker as a result. It's not unenjoyable by any means, but Stevenson is capable of much better.
January 23, 2016
((Read in 2009, reread for a challenge in January 2016))
Great mystery, I really couldn’t guess who was the culprit. As witty as usual, because of Don’s deadpan humor, and also some funny facts (for ex. Don has three perspective clients ready to hire him for the same case and then all of them change of mind in the same day) or several details about the minor characters. There are many of them also because people of an ex gay therapy group might be involved in the case.
The subject of the reparative therapy (or conversion therapy) makes me sad and angry. Even though in 1973 the American Psychiatric Association removed “homosexuality” from its official list of mental disorders, only California, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Illinois, and Oregon ban conversion therapy on minors. But those bills only apply to licensed therapists, that is «conversion camps» are still a reality. Here some infos.
Great mystery, I really couldn’t guess who was the culprit. As witty as usual, because of Don’s deadpan humor, and also some funny facts (for ex. Don has three perspective clients ready to hire him for the same case and then all of them change of mind in the same day) or several details about the minor characters. There are many of them also because people of an ex gay therapy group might be involved in the case.
The subject of the reparative therapy (or conversion therapy) makes me sad and angry. Even though in 1973 the American Psychiatric Association removed “homosexuality” from its official list of mental disorders, only California, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Illinois, and Oregon ban conversion therapy on minors. But those bills only apply to licensed therapists, that is «conversion camps» are still a reality. Here some infos.
July 4, 2007
This is the second title I received in the series and even if it's the fifth book in the series, I couldn't wait. I just went ahead and started to read. It's a good read too. A complex web of intrigue centered on the death of Paul Haigh, who may or may not have committed suicide 8 months after going thru and quitting a controversial therapy curing homosexuals. You follow the plot and just go along for the ride. Pretty nice ride.
July 19, 2008
Wow. I don't know how I feel about the tone of this book--it seemed even more cynical than the others to me--and there's a lot of the plot that was completely excised when they went to do the movie, which I can't really argue with. Still, watching Don Strachey's brain work is always an interesting time, and I love how Timmy as his conscience continues to develop, to the point where he doesn't even need Tim in the room to know what he's thinking.
March 26, 2009
I'm not too keen about the whole "I've got a terrible secret, true, but it's not relevant to the case, honest, you've got to believe/trust me" spiel half the characters in Shock to the System are sprouting so that was one determent for me to fully enjoy the book.
May 20, 2025
Don Strachey is a hard-boiled private detective in the era of the height of aids. You get the feel of a Sam Spade mystery. But there is never a dull moment with his wicked sarcasm and dry wit. It becomes full entertainment just waiting to see what remarks comes next. Yes, he can be a bastard at times, and I still wonder why Timmy still loves him. Total opposites, but it works.
April 4, 2016
Another 5-star Strachey, this time with a look at secular-based conversion therapy for adults in the mid-90s.
I love Stevenson's writing. It's definitely overtly humorous ("Female sheep," he bleated) while at the same time sharp and observant.
And I really love Don and Timmy. ♥
I love Stevenson's writing. It's definitely overtly humorous ("Female sheep," he bleated) while at the same time sharp and observant.
And I really love Don and Timmy. ♥
June 14, 2009
The new MLR Press editions, at least the ebook versions, have a disappointing number of typographical problems, both minor and major.
December 13, 2010
Another quick read, with a reasonably good story. It was all investigative, though, no action sequences, so it was kind of dull.
April 10, 2012
Good gay mystery in which Don tries to figure why a guy who'd dropped out of an ex-gay program ended up dead.
January 3, 2014
Another entertaining Strachey whodunnit that succeeds on the strength of the author's wit and character building.
May 16, 2016
Hadn't read a Richard Stevenson novel for ages. I enjoyed good who dunnit with some interesting twists. Ethical interests gay issues relevant to the mid 90's all in all an enjoyable light read.
April 12, 2021
Somewhat silly but sadly still relevant
January 29, 2025
WTF was the ending !!!!! 🐑
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