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Mara Gilgannon Mystery #3
Seminal Murder
When Dr. Grace Everest is murdered in her own sperm bank, Mara Gilgannon attempts to find the killer and to protect a beloved ex who is desperately seeking motherhood. So what if Mara herself has 858 reasons (and counting) never to have children? She didn't let that stop her when she and Grace launched a radio series on artificial insemination. And she won't let anyone stop her from completing the series and discovering the truth about her friend's murder. Not the thief who trashes her office. Not her flamboyant housemate who invites a top suspect to crash with them. Not the 15-year-old who wants Mara to help find her donor dad. And especially not conservative Christian activist Reverend Leo Spires. As he heightens his campaign against the radio station where Mara works and the sperm bank where the murder occurred, Mara discovers a new mystery at the bank itself - an unusually low pregnancy rate for lesbians.
175 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2012
2 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Mary Vermillion
4 books27 followersNovelist Mary Vermillion and her husband, Benjamin Thiel, are seeking a publisher for their dual memoir--a love story about his gender transition and how it impacted each of them and their marriage.
Mary is the author of three lesbian mystery novels—all set in Iowa and all featuring the plucky and neurotic radio personality, Mara Gilgannon, and her winsome BGF, Vince Loyacano. Mary's third novel, Seminal Murder, available May 10, features a murder in a sperm bank, and explores the differences between lesbians who want to parent and lesbians who don't. Mary’s first novel, Death by Discount, a finalist for two Lambda awards, portrays Walmart's impact on small-town America. Her second, Murder by Mascot, provides a darkly comic look at homophobia and sexual violence in the world of Division I basketball.
Mary is a Professor of English at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Mary and Ben live in Iowa City with their two cats, Bubbles and Squeaks.
Mary blogs at MIDWAY, exploring all sorts of transitions and in-between spaces: https://maryvermillion.com/blog
When Mary is not reading, writing, teaching, or hanging out with her partner, cats, or friends, she likes to kayak, travel, lift weights, garden, and watch women’s basketball. Go Hawks!
Mary is the author of three lesbian mystery novels—all set in Iowa and all featuring the plucky and neurotic radio personality, Mara Gilgannon, and her winsome BGF, Vince Loyacano. Mary's third novel, Seminal Murder, available May 10, features a murder in a sperm bank, and explores the differences between lesbians who want to parent and lesbians who don't. Mary’s first novel, Death by Discount, a finalist for two Lambda awards, portrays Walmart's impact on small-town America. Her second, Murder by Mascot, provides a darkly comic look at homophobia and sexual violence in the world of Division I basketball.
Mary is a Professor of English at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Mary and Ben live in Iowa City with their two cats, Bubbles and Squeaks.
Mary blogs at MIDWAY, exploring all sorts of transitions and in-between spaces: https://maryvermillion.com/blog
When Mary is not reading, writing, teaching, or hanging out with her partner, cats, or friends, she likes to kayak, travel, lift weights, garden, and watch women’s basketball. Go Hawks!
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 14, 2024
Who would have guessed I was right about the killer! I had two vague clues in the very beginning that led me to believe they were the murderer, but wow!
I thought this book was enjoyable. I started it yesterday and finished it today--while being pretty busy to boot. I will say I didn't like the main character. She made a lot of assumptions about different pieces of evidence and she kind of just got away with everything she did. And just vibes I guess. But what great detective doesn't have flaws?
Oh also! I read this thanks to Mary Vermillion's donation of her books to the LGBTQ Iowa Archives and Library! We're doing a lesbian murder mystery book club and this was one of the options. I think I lucked out a bit, but I'll have to read the others too.
I thought this book was enjoyable. I started it yesterday and finished it today--while being pretty busy to boot. I will say I didn't like the main character. She made a lot of assumptions about different pieces of evidence and she kind of just got away with everything she did. And just vibes I guess. But what great detective doesn't have flaws?
Oh also! I read this thanks to Mary Vermillion's donation of her books to the LGBTQ Iowa Archives and Library! We're doing a lesbian murder mystery book club and this was one of the options. I think I lucked out a bit, but I'll have to read the others too.
July 3, 2012
This was the first mystery I've read by this author and it won't be the last. The main character, Mara Gilgannon is a broadcast journalist at a radio station who does some sleuthing on the side. Her housemate, Vince is brought to you with tongue-in-cheek humor. The characters are well written and the mystery of the killer keeps you intersted til the end. Whodunnit? This is not one of those novels that the reader finds herself figuring out the killer by the second chapter. I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway and I am happy to have entered it. While dealing with the serious subject of artifical insemination, the author chooses to educate the reader about all sides of the issue. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
July 23, 2012
Seminal Murder was an engaging and enjoyable read. The theme of the story deals with religious protestations to artificial insemination (AI)—much like overzealous abortion protesters and the random violence they commit. The protagonist, Mara Gilgannon, came across as genuine and engaging. I loved the character for the rhythm of her nature, her wit and her resolve, and could easily imagine Mar-Bar sleuthing for clues to Grace’s murder. The pace of the storyline flowed evenly with the author crafting natural, genuine dialogue among the various characters. From the very beginning the author introduces tension that kept my interest throughout. For me the storyline raised a myriad of social issues dealing with AI fertility clinics’ need for confidentiality, sperm donor anonymity and a child’s right to know their biological parent. I highly recommend Seminal Murder—an entertaining read by a gifted author.
January 16, 2013
Eat your heart out bibliophiles, I have a signed copy. Weeee!!!!
The story is particularly interesting to this reading because of an intimate knowledge of the U of I Hospital layout. The novel features a play that we saw as a class. In the very least it makes me ask, 'How much does art imitate life?' The Dodge Omni owned by the main character is a fantastic vision car to drive around in any story. Also, there is a recurrent thread of wry humor throughout the text quickly paces the story. The focus of the text is divided between the setting, the vibe and the storyline. A pleasant mix that moves the story along.
The mystery casts suspicion upon a couple of different characters. The main character, Mara, draws he own conclusions to establish to the biases in the storyline and begin the inspection of the possible motives of the characters. Each of the various suspects is a presentation of vastly differing ends of the in vitro debate.
The story is particularly interesting to this reading because of an intimate knowledge of the U of I Hospital layout. The novel features a play that we saw as a class. In the very least it makes me ask, 'How much does art imitate life?' The Dodge Omni owned by the main character is a fantastic vision car to drive around in any story. Also, there is a recurrent thread of wry humor throughout the text quickly paces the story. The focus of the text is divided between the setting, the vibe and the storyline. A pleasant mix that moves the story along.
The mystery casts suspicion upon a couple of different characters. The main character, Mara, draws he own conclusions to establish to the biases in the storyline and begin the inspection of the possible motives of the characters. Each of the various suspects is a presentation of vastly differing ends of the in vitro debate.
May 13, 2014
Like any good mystery it kept me guessing until the end, and while Mara was interesting it stayed focused on the mystery rather than her personal life.
Favorite line: "What kind of person doesn't like bread?"
Favorite line: "What kind of person doesn't like bread?"
May 12, 2012
My new novel!
February 4, 2013
Engaging and entertaining mystery with lots of local color. Highly recommended!
January 18, 2016
When Dr. Grace Everest is murdered in her own sperm bank, Mara Gilgannon attempts to find the killer and to protect a beloved ex who is desperately seeking motherhood.
This is the 3rd book in the Mara Gilgannon mystery series all set in in Iowa and Iowa City. Mary Vermillion does a good job of setting the scene in and or Iowa. At time I found my self saying I know that place or laughing at the characters as being "so Iowan."
Well worth the effort to find this book by Regal Crest Enterprises.
This is the 3rd book in the Mara Gilgannon mystery series all set in in Iowa and Iowa City. Mary Vermillion does a good job of setting the scene in and or Iowa. At time I found my self saying I know that place or laughing at the characters as being "so Iowan."
Well worth the effort to find this book by Regal Crest Enterprises.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews