Pumpkin Eater

Dan Sharp Mystery #2

by Jeffrey Round

Private investigator Dan Sharp searches the seamy underbelly of the city for a brutal killer.


Following an anonymous tip, missing persons investigator Dan Sharp makes a grisly find in a burned-out slaughterhouse in Toronto’s west end. Someone is targeting known sex offenders whose names and identities were released on the Internet. When an iconic rock star contacts Dan to keep from becoming the next victim, things take a curious turn. Dan’s search for a killer takes him underground in Toronto’s broken social scene — a secret world of misfits and guerrilla activists living off the grid — where he hopes to find the key to the murders.

Genres: Mystery, LGBT, Audiobook, M M Romance, Contemporary, Mystery Thriller, Canada

424 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Jeffrey Round is best known as the Lambda Award-winning author of two mystery series, the gritty DAN SHARP books, and the comic BRADFORD FAIRFAX books. He is also an award-winning filmmaker, television producer and song-writer.

SHADOW PUPPET, sixth in the Dan Sharp series, was published in 2019. Margaret Cannon of the Globe and Mail said, "...this is as good a whodunit as we will see this year." (26/4/19)

BON TON ROULET, fourth in the Bradford Fairfax mystery series, was published in 2017. In 2018, Jeffrey was invited by the William Faulkner Society to read from this book, along with mayor Mitch Landrieu and others, at the 300th anniversary of the founding of New Orleans.

His first novel, A CAGE OF BONES, was published by GMP (UK), topping bestseller lists around the world. The P-TOWN MURDERS, first in the Bradford Fairfax series, was published by the Haworth Press (US). Both titles were listed on AfterElton’s 50 Greatest Gay Books in 2008.

Jeffrey's ENDGAME was called a "brilliant recreation" of Agatha Christie's best-selling mystery AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, giving the original what one critic called a "punk-rock reboot." It was a best-selling e-book in the US in 2016.

Reviews

[LenaRibka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right now I'm simply upset that Dan and Travor decided to go separate ways.
I didn't see it coming.☹ It opens a new perspectives for the story-line in the series but I just can't understand why to give up without even a try?!

I liked the mystery in the second book even better than in the first book.
A fantastic audio book. But an unexpected twist in Dan's personal relationship took me totally by surprise.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person · Rating 5 out of 5]

MMRG 13th Round Team Bingo Week #5 Category: Best Gay Books Dealing with Children.

Note to self: I started this book in 2015 and stopped reading. Starting it again for bingo.

I love, love this series.

This second installment delivers the great things promised by book 1.

The author Jeffrey Round continues a high quality of writing and characterization that is second to none. What I mean is, his crafts vibrant, engaging three dimensional supporting characters.

This is just the sort of mystery MC that I like: the professional investigator who is excellent at his job but has areas of their personal life that come up short.

Dan Sharp is a single dad with a well-adjusted son, great friends, terrific relationship with son's mother (very refreshing NOT to have a baby mama who is not horrible in some way). So what part of the MCs life that is less than charmed? His love life is not as good as the rest of the blessings in his life.

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

The second book in the Dan Sharp series sees Dan trying to find a young man who may be murdering sex offenders. This search leads him to a new role as a body guard for an ex music star who has received threats, possibly from the murderous teenager, but doesn't know why. Or does he?

The story is gripping because it is an interesting and somewhat complicated mystery and we see Dan grappling with this as he tries to find a possible killer but it is also gripping because we see the other side of Dan. We see his domestic life with his son and partner and how his work and domestic life over lap. We experience the ups and downs of life with friends old and new and this brings an enjoyable depth to the story and to Dan's investigative work.

Once again just as in book one, what initially appears to be a straight forward murder mystery has so many twists and turns, and peculiar characters and story lines that at first appear to be very disparate but which are later seen to be part of a complicated tapestry of human life and events.

I think this is a great follow on from book one in which we get to know a bit more about Dan and his past but also his possible future, and we get to see more of his investigative techniques and his personality and responses, all of which make for a great mystery. I liked this better than book one.

And of course the end when it comes makes sense but just could not have been forseen which for me is always a key point in murder mysteries. I want to solve the mystery alongside the main character and be very surprised at the end. I don't want to solve the mystery first. Although I had my suspicions the ending still surprised me and I needed to think a bit at the end to understand how everything came together.

So I enjoyed this and even though some aspects of the story were kind of painful and nerve-wracking in places, it is a very gripping drama with a strong mystery and great to read.

Now onwards to book 3!!

[Aussie54 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure how I feel about this sequel to “Lake on the Mountain”. Dan seems to be a different person – gone is the depression and despair felt in that book, no doubt due to the new man in his life, which is a plus. However, this time around there isn’t an uplifting, hopeful ending. I’m confused as to why and how things worked out, both mystery wise and in Dan’s personal life. I hadn't expected to see Trevor planning to move to Toronto. He seemed so settled on his island, in his amazing house. All through "Lake on the Mountain" Dan hated living in Toronto. I had imagined him longing to leave, and deciding to move in with Trevor, not the other way around. The unhappy outcome seemed inevitable. Maybe the third book in the series will be less unsettling.

It was surprising to meet a new character that hadn’t been mentioned before, one that seemingly had been important in Dan’s earlier life. Domingo has a para-normal, mystic feel to her, as she can sense things about people. In such a pragmatic book, the introduction of Domingo’s talents seemed out of kilter.


The mystery, along with Round’s pacing and writing style, was interesting enough to keep me engrossed, which is why I gave it three stars. Goodreads’ star ratings are problematic ... “like” isn’t always the correct word to use after reading certain stories. They can be good reads, but not necessarily likeable.

[Christian Baines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pumpkin Eater fulfills all the promises of Lake on the Mountain, with a stronger mystery this time around. The success of Dan Sharp's world is mostly down to its delightful cast of characters, who are easy to spend time with thanks to Round's engaging, yet natural style. Creepy, touching and funny in just the right measure - and nary a lame gay cliche in sight. I look forward to the third installment!

[Alona · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
Actually, the mystery was better than the one in book #1, but the whole story wasn’t as good imho.
Maybe because the focus of the book *was* the mystery, and I wanted more of Dan’s personal life, his friends, his family...

I’ll keep on reading this series. Very soon.

[Wax · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Dan a lot more in this story, though his relationship with Trevor seemed a bit strange. Maybe too much time had lapsed between reading Lake On The Mountain and this book, but I just didn't remember them being close enough that Trevor would move all the way from BC to be with Dan. Dan's work ethic really came to the forefront in this book. And we found out more about his family and friends.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was just OK as far as mystery novels go. It just never had that edge-of-your seat vibe that makes suspense fun.

I DID like some of the cultural subtexts in the book. The Canadian point of view was really interesting> I also like the way that the author incorporated a gay protagonist. It was natural, he's just a detective who happens to be gay.

[PaperMoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read - wonderfully complex characters. Dan's troubled inner workings and his relational difficulties with family and friends are so organically real and heart-breaking. The 'mystery-killer' component was a little convoluted at times for my logic - especially near the ending, but I did guess who the bad-guy was before the reveal. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[J.B. Sanders]

I very much enjoy Jeffrey Round's books -- they are solid, atmospheric mysteries in a style that feels very much like a hard-boiled noir novel set in LA. Only this is a thoroughly Canadian character in Toronto, and the setting reflects that. Although I typically prefer a lighter read, I can't help but buy and consume all of Round's books.


Notes score: 6

Favorite quotes:

vaguely threatening like some obscure technology on a low-budget sci-fi set, impossible to say what it was if you didn’t know which planet you were on or what series you’d landed in.

Round, Jeffrey (2014-03-17). Pumpkin Eater: A Dan Sharp Mystery (Kindle Locations 28-30). Dundurn. Kindle Edition.


“Companionship, more than anything. I want someone to share my concerns and make me laugh and feel better about my shortcomings. Sex is great, but there’s no guarantee it will last till we’re eighty. Intimacy is much better, when you come down to it. I want someone to rub my back when it aches and whisper in my ear when I’m sad and lonely.”

Round, Jeffrey (2014-03-17). Pumpkin Eater: A Dan Sharp Mystery (Kindle Locations 1071-1074). Dundurn. Kindle Edition.


It was the sort of artwork found in unexpected places — subway lines, construction fences, the underside of bridges — like an alternate meaning superimposed on top of everyday reality. As though you could read into things only if you knew the secret code that allowed you to penetrate the city’s inner core.

Round, Jeffrey (2014-03-17). Pumpkin Eater: A Dan Sharp Mystery (Kindle Locations 1306-1308). Dundurn. Kindle Edition.


Neglect had crept into the place like a stain that wouldn’t wash out.

Round, Jeffrey (2014-03-17). Pumpkin Eater: A Dan Sharp Mystery (Kindle Locations 2966-2967). Dundurn. Kindle Edition.

[DAISY READS HORROR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pumpkin Eater was a good mystery. I will admit I struggled with finishing the book because the beginning lacked suspense for me. I finally finished it though and in the end it was a decent mystery. Pros & Cons:

Pros: I liked it took place in Canada the author's description of the location was perfect for the fall setting. I also was a bit spooked when Dan received a picture (not detailing any spoilers here).

Cons: I just couldn't get into the idea that a 16 year old was behind the murders. I know that obviously this is something that is very much a reality in some cases but I just didn't get really into the story because of that. Dull of me to not be able to look past that.

**Copy provided by publisher for review**

[Genevieve Paquette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't give this a 4. For a book about the ramifications of child sex abuse, it spends a full chapter near the beginning having the characters condone sex between adults and minors.
Like, really? Really? It's ok for a twelve-year-old and a thirty-year-old to have sex with each other because the child initiated it? What the actual fcuk?! I couldn't. I can't. It absolutely poisoned it for me. A 12 year old. 12. They're barely 3 years out of the single digits. They're in elementary school. But no, it's all good, it's not like they're a child-child...

Yeah, big ol' justification for hebephilia and pederasty. Not ok.

The story wasn’t bad, the characters weren't bad, the writing was fine, but that ruined it for me.

[Christa · Rating 3 out of 5]

***ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

Pumpkin Eater was an interesting mystery with some very interesting characters. I really enjoyed the relationship between Dan and his son. Even though he is spending most of his time trying to figure out who is hunting these sex offenders down, he is always thinking about his son and partner. This is one mystery that kept me guessing until the end.

[Harshini · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think i need to re read this to really understand what happens.
The chief of police's best friend was Pfeifer's father, who abused him, did Pfeifer also abuse his son? & who was his sons mother?
Pfeifer killed the priest, Daryl, his son (which was made it look like his death) & his mother. In between all this he was changing his appearance to look like his son.

One huge loose end, we never find out hat happened to Pfeifer....arrggghh

[Margaret Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great tight and contemporary mystery by Jeffrey Round.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow Jeffery has done it again great read loved the charter of Dan. The plot is great and I was kept guessing until the very end of the book looking forward to reading more from Mr Round.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking FOr a Good Book. Rated 2.5 of 5

Toronto P.I. Dan Sharp discovers a horrific scene in a burned-out building while working on a different case. The police give Sharp a hard time and hold him for questioning, but he's not an unknown figure in law enforcement and ultimately realize he didn't have anything to do with the crime. But it's got Dan buzzing with curiosity and he soon puts the pieces together and discovers that someone is killing known sex offenders whose identities have been illegally released online.

The case comes close to home when a famous rock star contacts Dan and asks for protection because his name is on that list. This takes Dan to a dark underground scene where it will take all his wits to come out alive.

I've mentioned before that I'm relatively new to mysteries and this was probably one of the earliest mysteries I had requested when I began writing my book review blog. From the description I was intrigued by the noir feel in a Canada setting.

The first four or five chapters were highly enticing with great energy and intrigue. Dan Sharp's role as a P.I. was established well, along with the dangers that he faces. Even though this is the second book in a series, we get a good picture of him and his work.

Unfortunately, after the set-up, the actual foray into the story gets slow and tired. What you would expect to be an on-the-edge-of-your-seat thrilling mystery - based in large part on the opening scenes of the book - is just not there. I enjoyed the character of Dan Sharp, but what he was doing, who he was investigating, the dangers around him, just were not enticing. His personal story was was of more interest.

What is unique about the character is that Dan Sharp is gay. What I liked about this was the way in which it was presented. It was quite casual (at one point, early on, I wondered, ' Did I read that correctly?) - there were no big signs of "This Character Is Gay" - it was mostly a typical P.I, story but the personal parts of his life were dealing a homosexual rather than heterosexual lover. This story was much more interesting than the actual mystery.

Looking for a good book? Pumpkin Eater by Jeffrey Round is the 2nd book in the Dan Sharp Mystery series. The mystery wasn't particularly interesting, but the character is worth following.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story line is a bit convoluted but pretty decent, and the characters generally well-developed. So, it is a shame that I cannot give a higher rating to this book.

But, I could never give more than two stars to a book where the protagonist and his friends do not just condone, but seem to actively advocate for adults having sex with children, and where an entire scene of the book was included just so this stance could be made known to the reader. And no Dan/Jeffrey, pointing to another country and saying 'it's legal there' in no way makes it OK. i) Slavery, US segregation, and much of what the Nazis did were all legal. iii) Country abc makes it OK for adults to have sex with minors, but country xyz makes it illegal, with penalties of substantial jail terms including hard labour, to be gay. Do you still want to point to 'what other countries' are doing?

The whole stance becomes more problematic not just because Dan is sure to point out that having sex with kids is OK throughout the book, but also because Dan regularly lets the reader know a huge part of the reason he is sexually attracted to Trevor is Trevor's childlike physique - ugh and double ugh! And, strangely enough while Dan is advocating for 12 year old children's abilities to consent to sex with 30 year old adults, he still also argues that a 15-year and 49-week old must remain with his abusive mother and "monster" of a stepfather because until he is 16 he is not able to decide to emancipate himself.

I am surprised that I managed to finish this book, but thrilled I can return it to the library. I will not read any more books in this series nor by this author. It's a shame, because aside from the whole 'statutory rape is OK' thing the book could otherwise have been good - the reason I gave two rather than one stars even though I'm not sure I should rate the book so highly because the whole 'statutory rape is OK' thing is a really Big Thing, a really Deplorable, Disgusting, Dismaying Thing.

TRIPLE UGH!!!!

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was horribly intrigued and on the edge of my seat the whole last portion of the book. The descriptions were on par with White Oleander for incredible beauty and articulated anguish.... heartfelt and scraped bare emotions pouring through the writing. The mystery was fresh and mostly unexpected, although I in particular prefer a villain that turns from revered and adored to cautiously feared through bewilderment. My lack of a additional stars is for two reasons but kinda one. 1-the author must actually hate this character because in every book, the hero works tirelessly to save others but wants only love and a lasting relationship for himself. Yet, the author keeps ripping away his happily ever after. And 2- the hero never gets laid. He’s a good, virile man who chose to raise a baby alone and work any job necessary to provide for his child and be a good dad. If this was a single female, she would be role model. But a single man is overlooked. Give the man some love! If impossible, at least give him sex. Author- this is your hero, your book... cut him a break, dude. And if my suspensions are correct, cut yourself a break. Dad’s suck, but you created this world and have written this one like a boss. Award him and yourself for knowing what a real dad should look like.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bad people are being targeted for death Who is making this list and should a certain person even be on it? Who is telling the truth?
*Spoiler alert, sort of...* Investigator Dan Sharp is trying to stay true to his principles and pick up some extra money, a more challenging situation, daily. His friends are providing questionable help and advice. His renovations on his second home are struggling to turn it into an actual home. New partner Trevor is missing the wilds and isolation of British Columbia while building out their potential new family home in Toronto. Life is on the edge of too complicated.
A famous guy needs protection. It could pay very well? What to do?

It was nice to be reading this as Hallowe'en approaches and the fall leaves swirl around. Doesn't have much to do with pumpkins but dark and spooky, sure.

[Suze · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good second book, as Dan develops along with his band of family - son Ked, Trevor and Donny.
Dan’s latest misper turns up as a grisly murder which leads to some twists and turns - who is Gaelen, Little Boy Blue, Jags, the arsonist. And the whys, long abuse history making itself felt even years later.
And Dan trying to navigate his way through and around a potential cover up.
But just as everything was looking good for Dan, it all goes wrong at the end....will be getting the next instalment to see what happens.

[Wendell Hennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan is hired to find a missing recluse but his sister and after a tip finds him hanging in an abandoned abattoir with an ear missing. This leads to suspicion of a serial killer targeting names from a sexual abuser list released to the public. The case comes closer to home as the son of Dan's friend Donny's foster son Lester is involved. Lots of underground living and surprising twists along with the slow ending of Dan and Trevor's attempt to make their relationship work. A very good days read.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up in the library when I was searching for Tom Cardamore's collection of short stories Pumpkin Head to reread. I still read the book and enjoyed in a non-judgemental, time filling way that doesn't insult your intelligence too much. I don't care for the detective genre as a whole and absolutely no time for the gay detective sub genre. The fact I didn't hate the book says a lot. But I have never been tempted to read another

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book because of the title and it's around Halloween when I am reading it. Because I am from Toronto as well I liked knowing exactly where the action was taking place and the history of the area of the settin g. The second half seemed to have a lot more description than I needed and I found myself skipping to the dialog. Even at the end though I am not sure who did it or if it was even solved. Could be my 73 year old brain though.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid story competently written

The most interesting aspect of Rounds writing is his main character. The author puts us in this man's life and let's us walk around in it. However, Dan Sharp comes off as a straight man experimenting with same sex relationships. If Round wrote this today it would be a more engaging series.

[Thomas George Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book by Mr. Round, and his main protagonist Private Investigator Dan Sharp. The ending, though, came as a huge surprise on the culprit. Also disappointing was how the relationship between Dan and Trevor ended up.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book then put it down. Fortunately I came back to it, started over & really enjoyed it. The interplay of personal & professional is compelling, & many of the issues facing LGBTQ adults & youth are well presented. The “whodunnit” aspect of the book is complex & well paced.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really do like this series even though they are murder mysteries and the man does not ever get his man meaning he can't seem to keep a boyfriend. Both his love life or lack there of and the murders are a good read.

[Glynis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great it kept you changing your mind about who did what !! Loved it

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥♥♥♥½ ☊