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The Double Vice: The 1st Hidden Gotham Novel
Decadent. Duplicitous. Deadly.
Welcome to the Queer World of the Roaring 20s
It wasn’t how gay speakeasy owner Dash Parker’s birthday was supposed to go. But this was New York City at the height of Prohibition, and everything—and everyone—can turn on a dime.
When one of Dash’s club patrons is murdered, Dash and his friends must discover the killer while also outwitting a devious blackmailer. Together, they navigate the shadowy world of drag queens, cabaret performers, gangsters, mob molls, lesbian lawyers, and a mysterious but dangerous “Baroness of Business.” Men and women who have everything to lose—and some of whom will do anything to keep their secrets hidden.
A trail of clues leads them from Greenwich Village to Harlem and back again. But time is running out, and a ruthless killer’s next victim might very well be Dash himself…
Welcome to the Queer World of the Roaring 20s
It wasn’t how gay speakeasy owner Dash Parker’s birthday was supposed to go. But this was New York City at the height of Prohibition, and everything—and everyone—can turn on a dime.
When one of Dash’s club patrons is murdered, Dash and his friends must discover the killer while also outwitting a devious blackmailer. Together, they navigate the shadowy world of drag queens, cabaret performers, gangsters, mob molls, lesbian lawyers, and a mysterious but dangerous “Baroness of Business.” Men and women who have everything to lose—and some of whom will do anything to keep their secrets hidden.
A trail of clues leads them from Greenwich Village to Harlem and back again. But time is running out, and a ruthless killer’s next victim might very well be Dash himself…
Audible Audio
Published May 1, 2024
About the author
Chris Holcombe
8 books26 followersChris Holcombe is the author of the Hidden Gotham series, which is LGBTQIA+ historical crime fiction set in New York City in the 1920s.
His first novel "The Double Vice" was released to great acclaim in 2021, with Queer Writers of Crime calling it "One of the best books I've read all year!" The followup, "The Blind Tiger" was released in 2022 and "The Devil Card" in 2023.
He lives with his husband in New York, where he is hard at work on the next Hidden Gotham novel.
His first novel "The Double Vice" was released to great acclaim in 2021, with Queer Writers of Crime calling it "One of the best books I've read all year!" The followup, "The Blind Tiger" was released in 2022 and "The Devil Card" in 2023.
He lives with his husband in New York, where he is hard at work on the next Hidden Gotham novel.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 18, 2026
Ok, being honest here. . . I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book.
I initially started reading it myself, but quickly discovered that I wasn't doing the characters justice reading them in my head.
I do love Joel Leslie, and saw this book was on sale, so I figured. why not?
All I can say is that I'm so glad I purchased this! The storyline is amazing! Dash, a speakeasy owner, gets drawn into a murder mystery when a young man he was trying to help ends up murdered.
Joel Leslie does an amazing job of bringing the characters to life, and you get drawn right into the darker side of the 1920s!
I cannot wait to listen to the next book!
I initially started reading it myself, but quickly discovered that I wasn't doing the characters justice reading them in my head.
I do love Joel Leslie, and saw this book was on sale, so I figured. why not?
All I can say is that I'm so glad I purchased this! The storyline is amazing! Dash, a speakeasy owner, gets drawn into a murder mystery when a young man he was trying to help ends up murdered.
Joel Leslie does an amazing job of bringing the characters to life, and you get drawn right into the darker side of the 1920s!
I cannot wait to listen to the next book!
Displaying 1 of 1 review