Lavender House: A Novel

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A delicious story from a new voice in suspense, Lev AC Rosen's Lavender House is Knives Out with a queer historical twist.

Lavender House, 1952: the family seat of recently deceased matriarch Irene Lamontaine, head of the famous Lamontaine soap empire. Irene's recipes for her signature scents are a well guarded secret--but it's not the only one behind these gates. This estate offers a unique freedom, where none of the residents or staff hide who they are. But to keep their secret, they've needed to keep others out. And now they're worried they're keeping a murderer in.

Irene's widow hires Evander Mills to uncover the truth behind her mysterious death. Andy, recently fired from the San Francisco police after being caught in a raid on a gay bar, is happy to accept--his calendar is wide open. And his secret is the kind of secret the Lamontaines understand.

Andy had never imagined a world like Lavender House. He's seduced by the safety and freedom found behind its gates, where a queer family lives honestly and openly. But that honesty doesn't extend to everything, and he quickly finds himself a pawn in a family game of old money, subterfuge, and jealousy--and Irene's death is only the beginning.

When your existence is a crime, everything you do is criminal, and the gates of Lavender House can't lock out the real world forever. Running a soap empire can be a dirty business.

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Average rating: 8.13

15 RATINGS

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turnpikekid

Dec 28, 2023

10/10 stars

Excellent queer murder mystery set in the 1950's. Entertaining characters and a fun whodunit. Set during a time in America that being gay was illegal so the historical aspect of this was sad, but it really helped to shape the story and the characters. Couldn't stop listening to this audiobook. The narrator was probably the best one I've ever heard.

Rainbowbrarian

Apr 10, 2023

8/10 stars

This was a well done noir queer piece. I think Rosen did a good job balancing the bleak reality of being queer in the 40/50s with a message of found family and hope. I was initially a bit reluctant to read this book, queer folks in a historical context does not often end well for the queer folks.

I liked the mystery and I think the characters were well done. Decently developed and compelling. It had just the right noir atmosphere too which I enjoy. I enjoyed the ending and it left space open for future installments with Andy, I would read a sequel for sure.

Content Warnings: contains discussion of suicidal ideation, on page violence, and discussions of past physical and mental abuse

LiziB

Feb 23, 2023

8/10 stars

Great book... it's post-apocalyptic, which I'm currently a little overdosed on, but I was pleased that drowned NYC is not the point but the background for a solid noir detective story with strong female characters. Nice to read a scifi author writing good story instead of just polemic and troop movements.

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