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Mason Adler Mystery #3
Murder at the Oasis
A relaxing trip to a Palm Springs resort turns deadly for Mason Adler and his friend Walter Wingate when first one of their fellow guests, then another, ends up murdered. Suspects and motives abound among the remaining guests as well as the owner of the Oasis resort, Marvin Gagliardi, an old friend of Walter’s.
Mason investigates, hoping to prove Marvin’s innocence, but the more he uncovers, the more he wonders if Marvin actually might be the murderer. Distracting Mason is the handsome and eligible police detective assigned to the case, Brian Branchford. Mason had vowed not to become interested in anyone living a five-hour drive from Phoenix, but Branchford’s green eyes, gray hair, and toothbrush moustache are compelling reasons to give it a try.
It’s up to Mason to uncover the truth about the deaths at the Oasis, and to discover if there’s romance as well as murder at the Oasis.
Mason investigates, hoping to prove Marvin’s innocence, but the more he uncovers, the more he wonders if Marvin actually might be the murderer. Distracting Mason is the handsome and eligible police detective assigned to the case, Brian Branchford. Mason had vowed not to become interested in anyone living a five-hour drive from Phoenix, but Branchford’s green eyes, gray hair, and toothbrush moustache are compelling reasons to give it a try.
It’s up to Mason to uncover the truth about the deaths at the Oasis, and to discover if there’s romance as well as murder at the Oasis.
231 pages, Paperback
Published August 15, 2023
About the author
David S. Pederson
15 books37 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/
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 31, 2023
In this third book in David S. Pederson's Mason Adler series, we find private detective Mason Adler and his friend, interior designer Walter Wingate, in Palm Springs for a short vacation. While the pace of the book is a bit slow, it's refreshing to get a glimpse at a time when vacations weren't adventure travel, when you dressed for dinner even on vacation (I adore Walter and his light plum tuxedo jacket), and crimes were solved despite the lack of DNA technology and high-tech forensics.
While staying at the Oasis Inn, Mason and Walter meet most of the guests around the swimming pool - Miss Ermengarde Campbell and Miss Myrtle Schultz, the dysfunctional Pruitt family, Cornelia Atwater (a newspaper reporter who suspects Angus Pruitt may be involved in her brother's recent death), and bit by bit, the tensions come to the surface - the coy and cloying flirtations, the constant watchfulness, the marital spats and crude unkindness, until there is a death which at first appears to be natural.
Detective Branchford of the Palm Springs PD is assigned the case, and with Mason's clear-eyed observations and some good teamwork between the two men, the case is gradually solved. I like the densely constructed plot full of minute details and careful inquiries that all slowly lead to the resolution of the murder(s), along with a few surprises at the end.
Detective Brian Branchford and Mason work well together in solving the murders, and there are more than a few hints their mutual interests may extend beyond detective work. As Branchford asks Mason:
I hope future books in the series explore a relationship between Mason and Brian. After these three books, Mason Adler appears to be a man of strong character who longs for a life with someone, and we are getting a sense of what makes Walter tick, as well as how their friendship works. They both deserve something better than having to resort to subterfuge and half-truths:
I received an ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
While staying at the Oasis Inn, Mason and Walter meet most of the guests around the swimming pool - Miss Ermengarde Campbell and Miss Myrtle Schultz, the dysfunctional Pruitt family, Cornelia Atwater (a newspaper reporter who suspects Angus Pruitt may be involved in her brother's recent death), and bit by bit, the tensions come to the surface - the coy and cloying flirtations, the constant watchfulness, the marital spats and crude unkindness, until there is a death which at first appears to be natural.
Detective Branchford of the Palm Springs PD is assigned the case, and with Mason's clear-eyed observations and some good teamwork between the two men, the case is gradually solved. I like the densely constructed plot full of minute details and careful inquiries that all slowly lead to the resolution of the murder(s), along with a few surprises at the end.
Detective Brian Branchford and Mason work well together in solving the murders, and there are more than a few hints their mutual interests may extend beyond detective work. As Branchford asks Mason:
"Indeed. Hmm. You married, by the way? For the record."As always, I love the post-war setting, Walter's observations about fashion and interior design of the era, details like Dorothy Dandridge performing in Palm Springs, the high cost of fine dining ("Two dollars and twenty-five cents plus tip for a turkey dinner? I could get that same dinner in Phoenix for a dollar sixty.") and so on.
"No, no, I'm not. Never have been. You?"
"I'm a widower. [...] Do you visit Palm Springs often?"
I hope future books in the series explore a relationship between Mason and Brian. After these three books, Mason Adler appears to be a man of strong character who longs for a life with someone, and we are getting a sense of what makes Walter tick, as well as how their friendship works. They both deserve something better than having to resort to subterfuge and half-truths:
"[...] So, you two fella traveling alone?"4.5 stars.
"Yes," Mason said. My lady friend, Miss Lydia Dettling, had to stay behind. She works at J.C. Penney and couldn't get the time off. And Mr. Wingate here is a confirmed bachelor."
I received an ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2023
Knew Mason couldn’t take a vacation without a mystery!
Mason is off on vacation with his good friend Walter, but while staying at the Oasis resort, a murder is committed and Mason can’t help putting on his detective hat. Determined to prove owner Marvin’s innocence, Mason sets about investigating the colourful characters and scenarios in hopes he’ll reveal the truth.
As with all of the Mason Adler stories so far, I completely adored this one. What I love most is how David always delivers a most elegant story with unexpected twists, while keeping the simplicity of a good old ‘who done it’ type murder that lends extremely well to the era in which the stories are set. I was intrigued with this one as from the moment Mason and Walter arrived there were colourful characters everywhere who all provided that hint of suspicion as we discovered everything about the events leading up to the first murder and beyond.
Wherever Mason goes you just know a good crime to investigate is going to follow and he is unable to resist scratching at the surface until he ends up embroiled in the case. This was an especially clever case because when everything started to piece together and become revealed, I was completely surprised and nothing was as I had expected. I hadn’t really been suspicious of anyone, but as usual there were a few red herrings in there, just to keep you guessing.
It’s also great that even though this is part of collection, the stories work great standalone so you can start anywhere on your Mason adventure. A great murder mystery story and I am already excited for Mason’s next adventure!
Mason is off on vacation with his good friend Walter, but while staying at the Oasis resort, a murder is committed and Mason can’t help putting on his detective hat. Determined to prove owner Marvin’s innocence, Mason sets about investigating the colourful characters and scenarios in hopes he’ll reveal the truth.
As with all of the Mason Adler stories so far, I completely adored this one. What I love most is how David always delivers a most elegant story with unexpected twists, while keeping the simplicity of a good old ‘who done it’ type murder that lends extremely well to the era in which the stories are set. I was intrigued with this one as from the moment Mason and Walter arrived there were colourful characters everywhere who all provided that hint of suspicion as we discovered everything about the events leading up to the first murder and beyond.
Wherever Mason goes you just know a good crime to investigate is going to follow and he is unable to resist scratching at the surface until he ends up embroiled in the case. This was an especially clever case because when everything started to piece together and become revealed, I was completely surprised and nothing was as I had expected. I hadn’t really been suspicious of anyone, but as usual there were a few red herrings in there, just to keep you guessing.
It’s also great that even though this is part of collection, the stories work great standalone so you can start anywhere on your Mason adventure. A great murder mystery story and I am already excited for Mason’s next adventure!
August 6, 2023
It's 1946 in the American Southwest and some things are very different than today. Mason Adler is a gay private investigator who recently turned fifty and is a basic nice guy with no illusions. His old friend Walter is a flamboyant gay decorator, self-entitled egoist, and a veritable caricature of a type.
But the investigation into the murders is well done and also a look into the problems of the accused in a homophobic society. A fun read with notable historical education.
It also gives a hard look at what growing up LGBT+ was like in the 20th century.
I requested and received an EARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley. Thanks!
But the investigation into the murders is well done and also a look into the problems of the accused in a homophobic society. A fun read with notable historical education.
It also gives a hard look at what growing up LGBT+ was like in the 20th century.
I requested and received an EARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley. Thanks!
September 8, 2023
*I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
2.25
I had quite enjoyed Murder at Union Station so I was interested in reading the next installment, especially once I found out that it was a mystery whose suspects were all seemingly confined to a small hotel. Unfortunately I struggled through this one.
The first chapter has us seeing Adler and Walter extending their stay at the Oasis Inn because a second guest has died but then we jump back in time and don’t actually see the first death until over 50% of the way through the book. What we get instead is excess information about each of the guests and squabbling between Adler and Walter. And the pitch talks about the handsome detective that distracts Mason, but because no one actually dies until the second half we get like two conversations between them, one of which is basically the 1940s version of ‘hey u single?’. Overall, I’m sad I didn’t love this one but I might give the next one a chance.
2.25
I had quite enjoyed Murder at Union Station so I was interested in reading the next installment, especially once I found out that it was a mystery whose suspects were all seemingly confined to a small hotel. Unfortunately I struggled through this one.
The first chapter has us seeing Adler and Walter extending their stay at the Oasis Inn because a second guest has died but then we jump back in time and don’t actually see the first death until over 50% of the way through the book. What we get instead is excess information about each of the guests and squabbling between Adler and Walter. And the pitch talks about the handsome detective that distracts Mason, but because no one actually dies until the second half we get like two conversations between them, one of which is basically the 1940s version of ‘hey u single?’. Overall, I’m sad I didn’t love this one but I might give the next one a chance.
July 13, 2023
I've always wondered why we don't get to see mundane day-to-day activities mentioned in books or movies as if it doesn't happen. Now I've found out why; it's so goddamn boring. After a while it just hurts me to read in detail about the characters going to a petrol station and refuel, buying clothes at a boutique, like this is all not necessary. The writing is just too full of all the extra happenings and I could not bear to go past a third of it.
January 23, 2024
Visit my web site for my full review of &ldquo:Murder at the Oasis.”
February 21, 2024
As a fan of noir mysteries, this book is an absolute delight. (The entire series is really!)
This book is #3 in the Private Detective Mason Adler Mysteries series. When I received the ARC from NetGalley, I went back and purchased the first two stories, just in case I needed to read them in order - and I'm very glad I did! Each book's ending gives small clues into what happens at the beginning of the next book. It's so very clever and entertaining when binge-reading the series!
Even though the series takes place in the late 1940s, the characters and stories feel fresh and relevant. This particular mystery takes place at the Oasis Inn in Palms Springs while Mason and Walter are vacationing there. The setting of a hotel and the large set of secondary characters who are also staying there give plenty of fodder and red herrings to keep the story interesting.
The conclusion of the mystery is very smart and I would absolutely recommend this series to fans of Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, or Dashiell Hammett.
I'm definitely excited to see if Mr. Pederson gives us more from Mason and Walter.
This book is #3 in the Private Detective Mason Adler Mysteries series. When I received the ARC from NetGalley, I went back and purchased the first two stories, just in case I needed to read them in order - and I'm very glad I did! Each book's ending gives small clues into what happens at the beginning of the next book. It's so very clever and entertaining when binge-reading the series!
Even though the series takes place in the late 1940s, the characters and stories feel fresh and relevant. This particular mystery takes place at the Oasis Inn in Palms Springs while Mason and Walter are vacationing there. The setting of a hotel and the large set of secondary characters who are also staying there give plenty of fodder and red herrings to keep the story interesting.
The conclusion of the mystery is very smart and I would absolutely recommend this series to fans of Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, or Dashiell Hammett.
I'm definitely excited to see if Mr. Pederson gives us more from Mason and Walter.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews