Final Atonement

Doug Orlando Mystery #1

by Steve Neil Johnson

LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FINALIST FOR BEST MYSTERY! The bestselling crime novels of New York life in the early nineties are back. Gruff, weary, gay Brooklyn Homicide cop Doug Orlando is facing his most shocking case: Rabbi Avraham Rabowitz lay in a pool of his own blood, a prayer shawl stuffed down his throat, and his beard shaved off. The question for Detective Orlando isn't who hated the right wing religious sect leader-Rabowitz had been the open enemy of blacks, gays, pro-choice women, even fellow Jews. In a case that moves from the depths of the ghetto to the high-rise office of a real estate glamour-boy tycoon, the suspects come in every color and shade of belief. And unless Orlando can defuse a ticking time bomb of tension by nailing the killer, the melting pot of the city is going to melt down....

Genres: Mystery, M M Romance, Crime, LGBT, Fiction, Queer, Gay

220 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1992

About the author

Steve Neil Johnson is a novelist and screenwriter who has written 25 scripts for television and is the author of the Doug Orlando mysteries, FINAL ATONEMENT (Lambda Literary Award nominee) and FALSE CONFESSIONS. His other books include the thriller THIS ENDLESS NIGHT, the young adult novel RAISING KANE and the middle-grade book EVERYBODY HATES EDGAR ALLAN POE! He was honored by The ONE Institute/The International Gay and Lesbian Archives for his contributions to gay literature. He is currently working on a four-part crime saga, The L.A. AFTER MIDNIGHT Quartet.

Reviews

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a brilliant read, fast paced, gripping and really hard to put down. I started reading it and wanted to race through to the end to find out who did it and how the different pieces of the puzzle come together:

A murdered Hasidic rabbi who was involved shadowy property deals and secret antique sales, a community that seems united on the outside but within has factions and divisions that may have resulted in murder, a bombed abortion clinic, a powerful property owner who has the ear of the Mayor of New York, and a police detective who is hated by his colleagues for breaking rank and standing up for justice.

The story pulls you into the mystery and it's characters from page one. Orlando is the hated homicide detective who lives with his partner Stewart. All was well until he decided to break ranks and report a fellow police officer. Now Orlando is hated and harassed at work but he is a man driven by a need for justice and by shadows from his past. Not only is he determined to solve this crime, he is determined not to break under pressure.

Orlando has to work alongside the man he accused, a man known for poor policing and misuse of power but despite this Orlando pulls all the disparate pieces together until he is able to make a whole and to solve the crime. And as he does this he draws nearer to making himself whole and strengthening his own dignity and character.

I loved this story because Orlando was tough!! He was no push over. He challenged those who harrased him in all sorts of way: by not responding to attacks, by excellent work and by a self possessed dignity. Orlando also recognised how the pressure in his job had placed pressure on his relationship and we see how he both loves and shields his partner from the worst of things. His partner Stewart is a minor character but the gentle love the two men have for each other brings a soothing dimension into the story and it is needed because this is a story about hatred and violence and how these can escalate into death and destruction.

The best part of this book is actually the discussion between Orlando and his mother. She gives him advice in the case based on the many Agatha Christie novels she has read and I loved seeing this mother and son relationship in the midst of hard paced gritty crime solving.

The author Steve Neil Johnson is a LAMBDA nominee and I am not surprised. His writing is both engrossing and entertaining and it certainly held my attention. He is now one of my favourite mystery writers along with Greg Herren and Marshall Thornton and I hope to read more in this series and from the other ones he has written.

[charlotte, · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rep: gay mc, gay li, Hasidic Jewish side characters, Black side characters, Puerto Rican American side characters

CWs: police violence, police killings, antisemitism, racism, racial slurs, homophobia

[Aussie54 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another page turner by Steve Neil Johnson, this time featuring a weary but determined detective. Doug Orlando’s shunned by his fellow police officers after turning one of them in following an incident involving the shooting murder of an unarmed black teenager. (How relevant is this story today?! This book was written in 1992, but nothing seems to have changed.)

Throughout a new investigation into the death of a local Rabbi, Orlando’s hampered by being paired with the rogue cop, who, along with the Lieutenant in charge of the case, does everything he can to push Orlando to quit the force. It was hard to handle the level of corruption presented here, but Orlando is not a quitter. He just gritted his teeth and went on with the investigation, solving several sideline plots along the way.

The quiet relationship between Doug and his lover Stewart burns away in the background. This too, is not without its problems, and my heart went out to Doug ... troubles at work, and troubles at home. The neighbourhood dog just adds to his woes. I really wanted things to work out for him.

Steve Neil Johnson is now one of my “go to” authors, and I’m looking to reading more of his works.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new to me author who I enjoyed very much. The romance takes a backseat to the mystery of the murder of the Rabbi.
In fact, apart from a few kisses there is no sex in this book. Doug is a Brooklyn Homicide cop and lands the investigation of a Rabbi. His partner, Stewart is a professor at a local college. This all takes place during finals week, so Stewart is too tired for any loving.
The actual murder and mystery is done well. It kept me guessing right to the end.
I will certainly be reading more from this author.

[J.j. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read these books almost twenty years ago when they first came out. I loved them then but I have to say, they've actually improved with age because they do such an incredible job of evoking what NY was like back in the early 1990s. It's so fascinating to see how some of the neighborhoods have changed, and how some things never change, like hostilities and prejudices between the different minority groups all squeezed together in a high-density area like Brooklyn.

[Shelba · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I'll point out that while this is tagged as MM romance, it isn't. It's a crime novel with a gay detective. Romance doesn't really play into it at all. Yes, he has a partner, but that's pretty much that. So, if you're hoping for romance, you'll probably be disappointed.

I liked the mystery, but what I found more interesting was Orlando coping with being ostracized and harassed by the rest of the force, his relationship with Briggs, Riley and Shaw.

[Alannah Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

New York police detective Doug Orlando isn't going to have an easy time solving the murder of Rabbi Avraham Rabowitz. First, because the Rabbi was a right-wing sect leader who was the enemy of quite a few groups - pro-choice women, African Americans, Hispanics, and even fellow Jews.

And second, Orlando is a gay cop in the macho world of the police force (this was written in the early 1990s). Not only that, he is reviled by his fellow cops for testifying against his former partner. Never mind that Briggs had shot a kid in the back and killed him. It's the code of cops: don't snitch on each other.

Steve Neil Johnson does an excellent job of showing the Williamsburg area of New York City back in that time period, with lush physical description and thick racial tension as the well-to-do and poor set up their boundaries and try to co-exist (not always peacefully). The characters - everyone from the distraught lover of a woman who's hand was blown off when she went to open the abortion clinic for the morning ("These hands will never kill another baby" - disturbing and chilling), to a rich Donald Trump-like figure - was well-drawn. The ending wasn't a huge surprise, but it was solid and gave me a feeling of satisfaction.

A great read for fans of detective fiction. I definitely recommend it.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with the characters in these books, not just the protagonist, tough homicide cop Doug Orlando and his romantic partner Stewart, but the whole lively cast of supporting characters. Steve Neil Johnson shows such a love for his characters and the varied neighborhoods in Brooklyn where the mystery takes place. Hard hitting and strongly written, with a sharp eye for the foibles of humanity, but also laced with humor.

[Natasha]

$8.81 for the kindle edition?!
Who do you think I am, the emperor?

[Tex Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable Surprise Find
I enjoy the combo of gay mystery and romance, and this was a good one. It deserved the Lammy Nom nod back in '93. Steve Neil Johnson's writing was easy to read, the mystery was solid, and sharing the stage were the social issues of racism, religion and homophobia, which unfortunately are still relevant 3 decades later. And there was a realistically portrayed established gay partnership to provide a nice background.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! the investigation held my attention from start to finish and I absolutely love Orlando and his strength of character. Even though he was pretty much shunned by all of his friends and colleagues for testifying against a fellow cop, just through getting to know him in this series, you know if he had to do it all over again he would still make the same choice because he knew he was doing the right thing. It made me think of that quote "the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing". Orlando is a good man, and although the consequences weigh heavy on him, he will still do the right thing just for the sake of it being the right thing.
I also enjoyed seeing the quiet domestic moments with Stewart. You could feel how settled they were as a long-term couple but the love was still very present. It was a nice reprieve from the darkness of the case.

I read another review that mentioned this book was published around 30 years ago and it was honestly so upsetting because, in terms of the politics and racial tension prominent in the story, I honestly thought I was reading something taking place in a more recent time. So on the one hand, it's disheartening in the sense that things have barely changed in the last 30 years, but on the other hand, I appreciate how accurately Steve Neil Johnson portrayed the inequality and bigotry that still runs rampant in this country. It makes this novel timeless.
Orlando makes the perfect protagonist, though, and gives you hope that despite the injustices, there are always people who will do, and fight for, what's right.

[Ashley D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doug is a homicide cop for the Brooklyn police department. He is facing his most complicated case while also dealing with a hostile work environment. Doug is also dealing with a distant partner at home. This case might make him quit his job, which would make Stewart, his partner, happy.

This was a new author to me, and they didn't disappoint. This was a mystery that kept you on your toes and guessing who the guilty party was. They were twists and turns that you didn't see coming. While we know the relationship between Doug and Stewart in a few scenes, their relationship isn't the book's focus. I liked Doug, and his co-workers were a bunch of assholes. A good book, and I'll pick up the next book in the series and others from the author.

[Robert Fontenot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a solid, nineties, detective novel, made novel by it's gay homicide detective lead. At the time this was, itself, a hook to hang a series on and this feels like it was mainly written with a straight audience in mind. The crime itself doesn't take place in a gay environment and the detective's sexuality doesn't give him any special insight into the case. It mostly manifests in the prejudice he receives from other members on the force. Still, an enjoyable time capsule of police detective fiction.

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

** 4.5 Stars **

[MOZELLE PRUITT · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice read

[David Allen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Liked the characters, liked the story.

[Emma Yaist · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty good, just had a lot of slurs, so if that’s not for you, do not read

[Emma Daisy]

Only made it to 18% before the repeated use of the word ‘Lover’ catapulted me right out of my body.

[Gail Overholt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is as much about m/m romance as Sherlock Holmes is about erotica. In other words, the mystery is the thing. But it's a doozy of a mystery! It's well-written, finely detailed, with a whole slew of twists and turns, and a highly unusual conclusion.

There's the murder, of course. But there's also racial prejudice, religious infighting, shady real estate dealings, protests, bombings, political agendas, and police corruption. And spousal abuse.

Doug Orlando is a worthy hero. He's a gay cop in a long-term relationship in 1992 Brooklyn. He's ostracized by his fellow cops, not because he's gay, but because he testified against his partner who shot an unarmed black kid in the back and killed him. His lover and his mother wonder why he continues to put up with the harassment from his fellow cops (from keying his car to planting drugs on him), including his lieutenant. A small part of the story is how he comes to realize why he remains on the force and in homicide.

The larger part of the story is unraveling all the hate, vitriol, and subterfuge blocking Orlando's investigation. He goes about it doggedly, systematically, and smartly (for the most part) to arrive at a not-all-happy ending.

The one thing that does remain is his relationship with his (domestic) partner. They've been together for 12 or so years. It's a good relationship, but not without its problems.

Fiery passion and striving to smash limits gave way to deeper, perhaps less ardent closeness. But those fantasies, like old friends, still popped up now and then, bringing with them the charm of nostalgia.

Well, I did say the book was well-written!

But, like Fish Out of Water, the story's a bit depressing. It was written in 1992, NEARLY 30 YEARS AGO, and while neighborhoods have changed and cell phones emerged, racial prejudices and police corruption still stand. Fuck!

[Belinda Earl Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Robbery Gone Wrong?

After 20 years on the New York police force Doug Orlando finds himself without a friend on the force.
As a gay officer Orlando had always been harassed by some on the force. However, after testifying that a fellow officer used unnecessary force when he shot and killed a suspect, Orlando is ostracized, subjected to physical and abuse, and his car is vandalized!
His lieutenant wants him gone from Homicide, and to encourage him to leave assigns Briggs, the abusive, brutal cop that he testified against as his partner! They’re assigned to work the case of a rabbi who apparently was the victim of a home invasion robbery.
However some things don’t add up! Why did the victim still have cash in his pockets? Why was half of his beard shaven? Where was the shaven hair? What was the significance of the prayer shawl in the victim’s mouth?
Read Final Atonement and follow the investigation to its surprising conclusion!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this traditional mystery. I have to say, though, that I found it a little overly dramatic at moments, Some examples: "[Orlando] looked directly into one of the cameras in the corner. 'I'll be back,"" "'I won't [be back], Orlando said. He turned and his eyes were tired. 'Unless I have a warrant for your arrest.'" "'Don't think MacNamara will go to jail for you. Put that lug under pressure, he'll sing.'"

"Lug?" "Sing?" Very Chandleresque, but a bit out of place for a novel set in the 1980s or early 90s.

i liked this enough to buy the sequel, and to look for future novels by this writer. This was very short, but I particularly liked the glimpses we saw of Orlando and his personal life. Hope to see more of those in future novels.

[Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best mystery series I've ever read. Nobody does a better job of capturing the tentions between minority groups in New York City than Steve Neil Johnson in the Doug Orlando mysteries. These classic books recently came out in a new edition (Kindle and Nook, too) and I recommend them to anyone who likes gritty politically astute crime fiction. Sharply written, fast paced, with great characters.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never even been to Brooklyn but I feel like I've lived there and have hung out in the diverse neighborhoods after reading Final Atonement and False Confessions. The descriptions are so vivid and the characters so real, and even though the books are on serious subjects Steve Neil Johnson lightens them with humor. I found these books to be clever, razor-sharp, and just so enjoyable.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Good gay mystery set in NYC in the early 90s about a cop, ostracized by his peers for trying to do the right thing, who's trying to figure out who murdered a universally disliked rabbi.

[Jean Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific series!

[Jen]

Hmm... It was okay, but not my cup of tea. And really freakin expensive at Barnes & Noble for how short it was. I don't think I'll read the next one.

[Vfields Don't touch my happy! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good series that never got off the ground.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended these books and I'm so glad he did. I loved them both.