Task #21: A mystery by a person of color or LGBTQ+ author

[Candice]

I know what LGBTQ means but what do you mean LGBTQ+author?

[Bonnie G.]

Not sure I understand the question. It is an author who is lgbtq+

[Karianne]

Candice wrote: "I know what LGBTQ means but what do you mean LGBTQ+author?"

The + is used to indicate other letters that are often included in the acronym or people who belong to the group referenced without identifying as one of the specific letters (e.g. intersex people, gender non-conforming individuals, etc.). Just a way of widening the umbrella to all authors who identify as LGBTQ+ instead of restricting it.

[Karianne]

I'm planning on reading A Line in the Dark for this task.

[willaful]

I just read that Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows has a mystery, so I think it should fit?

Or are we supposed to stick strictly to genre mysteries? I do already read them, so that part's not a stretch.

[novelteathoughts]

willaful wrote: "I just read that Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows has a mystery, so I think it should fit?

Or are we supposed to stick strictly to genre mysteries? I do already read them, so tha..."

Pretty much what I was wondering. I read it as a mystery by a POC and then or an LGBT+ author as separate (as in not a mystery per se)

[Shelley]

The Paying Guests

[Riah]

novelteathoughts wrote: "willaful wrote: "I just read that Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows has a mystery, so I think it should fit?

Or are we supposed to stick strictly to genre mysteries? I do already ..."

I read it as a mystery by a POC or a mystery by an LGBTQ+ author. I think it's intended to be a genre mystery by an author from one of the two groups.

[novelteathoughts]

Anyone have any COZY MYSTERIES that fit this category. I don't care for all the murder and violence.

[Miss M]

novelteathoughts wrote: "Anyone have any COZY MYSTERIES that fit this category. I don't care for all the murder and violence."

I've heard good things about these two series - I do own the books, just haven't gotten to them yet (story of my life!) Sounds like there are murders but they're listed as cozy.

A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder
Aunty Lee's Delights

[novelteathoughts]

Miss M wrote: "novelteathoughts wrote: "Anyone have any COZY MYSTERIES that fit this category. I don't care for all the murder and violence."

I've heard good things about these two series - I do own the books, j..."

Thanks! I'll check them out. Usually, with cozy mysteries, they're just mentioned off-screen and don't happen in the actual details.

[Teresa]

novelteathoughts wrote: "Anyone have any COZY MYSTERIES that fit this category. I don't care for all the murder and violence."

I like cozy mysteries. I have these possibilities so far
Passion, Betrayal And Killer Highlights
Rest in Pieces
Murder in G Major
A Scone to Die For
Dark, Witch & Creamy

[novelteathoughts]

Teresa wrote: "novelteathoughts wrote: "Anyone have any COZY MYSTERIES that fit this category. I don't care for all the murder and violence."

I like cozy mysteries. I have these possibilities so far
[book:Passi..."

Ooooo, the last one would be right up my alley! Thank you! Time to see if a library has it *rubs hands together*

Edit: Actually if you go right now I just got it for free on Amazon. Go check!

[Diane]

Our local papers have recently recently reviewed this book, a mystery set in Bombay: The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey

[Jobiska (Cindy)]

Here's a Goodreads list of mysteries by women of color. If anyone has a suggestion of lists of mysteries by LGBTQ+ authors or by all gender people of color, feel free to share it. What I'm hoping for is to find an author I know (and maybe even a book I own) that I didn't happen to know fit this category! https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...

[novelteathoughts]

Andrea Speed qualifies. She writes fantasy/paranormal LGBT mysteries, for those of you that are looking for something than fiction mystery. Uh... I went and asked her, so it's confirmed LOL! YAY!

[willaful]

i got Murder in G Major, so I may also read that, but I decided to count Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows here because the mystery was well set up and I found it quite a nailbiter.

[Susan]

Kelli wrote: "The Shadow of the Wind"

I loved this book and hope you do, too!

[Susan]

Bonnie wrote: "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Loved the HBO miniseries but have never read the books."

These are terrific! Please read them, even if they don't fit this challenge.

[Eujean2]

Miss M wrote: "novelteathoughts wrote: "Anyone have any COZY MYSTERIES that fit this category. I don't care for all the murder and violence."

I've heard good things about these two series -
A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder
Aunty Lee's Delights"

I read Aunty Lee's Delights last year & enjoyed it. It is definitely a cozy mystery. (Plus, she cooks.)

A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder is my choice for this year. (Though I was tempted to read the next book in the Aunty Lee series.)

[Emma]

Would The Wrath and the Dawn work? I've seen it in a mystery list, but I'm not sure it fits the category.

[novelteathoughts]

Emma wrote: "Would The Wrath and the Dawn work? I've seen it in a mystery list, but I'm not sure it fits the category."

I saw this on a list and wondered the same thing since it's not classified as a mystery, but the plot does have some "crime solving" in it.

[Abby]

Just read an article in the NYT about the author of The Woman in the Window that indicated he was LGBTQ+.

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/01/19...

[Kelsea Gusk]

Kelli wrote: "The Shadow of the Wind" So, I haven't read the sequel The Angel's Game but is that also a mystery? I love the Shadow of the Wind!!

[Tamara]

I've something (often several options) listed for every other task but this. It's really stumping me, for some reason. (Actually, it's probably because I have no knowledge of this genre--clearly this is why RH is a good challenge.) Mostly, I can't handle gruesome, and tend toward literary works. A well-plotted light read would be a nice break from the heavy stuff I seem to have chosen. Also, I was hoping to keep my readings in the woman-identified direction, but I'm not wholly committed to that. Recommendations welcome!

[Amanda]

I just read this book by a LGBTQ author and her bisexual main character feels so real and natural, I recommend it highly: The Last Place You Look.

It's not gruesome or violent and the plot is perfectly paced. The MC is also female. The author identifies as bisexual.

[Candace]

I've changed my mind on this one and will read The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead. I've been wanting to read one of his books and just discovered this one.

[[deleted user]]

I just read The Last Place You Look by Kristen Lepionka. I misread the prompt and thought the protagonist was supposed to be a POC or someone LGBTQ+ (which Roxane Weary is), but I'm pretty sure that the author is also LGBTQ+. I think? I might read another one to make sure I actually get to cross this one off my list, haha.

[Bonnie G.]

Talitha wrote: "I just read The Last Place You Look by Kristen Lepionka. I misread the prompt and thought the protagonist was supposed to be a POC or someone LGBTQ+ (which Roxane Weary is), but I'm..."

Kristen Lepionka identifies as bisexual, so you can cross it off the list.!

[Marie]

Tamara wrote: "Mostly, I can't handle gruesome, and tend toward literary works. A well-plotted light read would be a nice break from the heavy stuff I seem to have chosen. Also, I was hoping to keep my readings in the woman-identified direction, but I'm not wholly committed to that. Recommendations welcome!"

Jeannie Lin wrote a series of romance/mysteries set in China. I'm reading The Lotus Palace, which so far seems like a light read. The other possibility I have on my to-read list is Mycroft Holmes by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which will likely be more action-based.

[Tamara]

Candace wrote: "I've changed my mind on this one and will read The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead. I've been wanting to read one of his books and just discovered this one."
This seems promising, and it's a new-to-me author. I listened to the sample and I like the sound of the reader's voice. It seems most up my alley from all the suggestions. Thanks to everyone who has recommended something!

[Riah]

I'm looking at The Unquiet Dead by the Pakistani-Canadian author Ausma Zehanat Khan. Has anyone read it, or other books by her?

[[deleted user]]

Bonnie wrote: "Talitha wrote: "I just read The Last Place You Look by Kristen Lepionka. I misread the prompt and thought the protagonist was supposed to be a POC or someone LGBTQ+ (which Roxane We..."

Excellent, thanks for the info!!

[Lauconn]

Marie wrote: "Tamara wrote: "Mostly, I can't handle gruesome, and tend toward literary works. A well-plotted light read would be a nice break from the heavy stuff I seem to have chosen. Also, I was hoping to kee..."

Mycroft Holmes is pretty great - and action-y without being too heavy or gruesome.

[Judith]

Have scanned this section and can't see anyone has mentioned Val McDermid, who is a well known LGBTQ+ author in the UK.

I don't read her myself because I find her books rather gruesome, but if you like that kind of thing...

I've read a Walter Mosley for this challenge and Val McDermid wrote the introduction, so do I get a bonus point?

[Deborah]

These African American mystery writers may have been mentioned:
Eleanor Taylor Bland , Valerie Wilson Wesley, Attica Locke, Penny Micklebury

[Leslie (updates on SG)]

The Simon Kirby-Jones Mystery Series intrigue me (they are also "cozy"), but can someone tell me whether Dean James is LGBTQ+?

[Miss M]

Gore Vidal did a pulpy trilogy back in the fifties, writing as Edgar Box.
Death in the Fifth Position

[Jennifer]

I've been wanting to read one of Janice Law's Francis Bacon Mysteries. Since she is a Lambda Award-winning author (awards celebrating LGBTQ+ themes), I think these would qualify.

[Kerri]

I wanted something lighter for this prompt, so I have Murder in G Major in my TBR pile.
Murder in G Major

[SE]

For purposes of this prompt, can someone explain the difference between a thriller and a mystery to me? I'm not overly familiar with either genre.

[Janet]

tif wrote: "Vívian wrote: I am Brazilian and find this terminology really strange too. I mean, I consider myself white but just because I'm Brazilian it seems that I would be considered a person of color. Even..."

I look at it this way. Include anyone that, if they walked into certain establishments dominated by light-skinned folks and pick up vibes that they should leave before things get ugly.

[Carolina]

Joss wrote: "For purposes of this prompt, can someone explain the difference between a thriller and a mystery to me? I'm not overly familiar with either genre."

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-e...

Mystery, a crime is committed off the page and the protagonist, police or detective, has to solve the crime.

Crime is with the focus on the police and society, sometimes the criminal is known.

Thriller focuses on the emotion of the protagonist, usually fear. The crime hasn't happened yet, and is about to happen unless the protagonist can stop it.

[Teresa]

Carolina, those are great definitions, thanks for sharing.

[Veronica]

novelteathoughts wrote: "Emma wrote: "Would The Wrath and the Dawn work? I've seen it in a mystery list, but I'm not sure it fits the category."

I saw this on a list and wondered the same thing since it's ..."

I wouldn't consider it a mystery. It's a retelling of The Thousand and One Nights/Arabian Nights and it's more of a YA romance than anything else. (Or fantasy? Not sure how to categorize fairy tale-type retellings, but regardless, much of the focus is on the relationship between the two main characters, and not the mystery.)

[Pixelina]

I am picking something by Maria Lang, swedish lesbian author that writes really nice mysteries mainly from the 50-ies and 60-ies.

[Megan]

I read Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett, which was nominated for a 2017 Agatha for Best First Novel and a 2017 Lefty for Best Debut Mystery Novel.

In addition to the above book, I also read a book that worked for the LGBTQ+ portion of the prompt: Garden District Gothic by Greg Herren.

[Haley]

I'm thinking My Cousin Rachel, author Daphne du Maurier was bisexual and I loved Rebecca

[Mya]

I haven't seen anyone recommend Frankie Y Bailey. She is a professor of criminal justice. She has been on my to-read list for a few years & this is a good chance to bump her to the top. She studies crime history, and crime in mass media/popular culture. She is the author of five mysteries featuring amateur sleuth Lizzie Stuart, and two police procedurals featuring Albany police detective Hannah Stuart. She has also written several works of non-fiction on criminal history that would probably qualify for challenges #2 &/or #14.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

[Yrinsyde]

Judith wrote: "Have scanned this section and can't see anyone has mentioned Val McDermid, who is a well known LGBTQ+ author in the UK. I don't read her myself because I find her books rather gruesome, but if you..."

I didn't know Val McDermid was LGBTQ+, but agree that her work is a tad gruesome (if you consider the Wire in the Blood series which is based on her novels).