Death Checks In

Detective Heath Barrington Mystery #3

by David S. Pederson

All Detective Heath Barrington and his partner Alan Keyes want is to get away for a weekend of romance, but they find murder instead when a missing tie leads them to the body of the peculiar Victor Blount, and Heath can't resist the urge to investigate. Who killed Blount, and why?

Clues turn up around every corner, but what do they mean? The bloody "W," the green spool of thread grasped in the dead man’s hand, the newspaper left at the they all lead down a strange and winding road of mystery and danger. As Heath and Alan work together to solve the case, they encounter various and eccentric suspects, old friends, and a hostile Chicago Detective, Marty Wilchinski, who doesn’t like Milwaukee police involved in a Chicago crime. Forced to act on their own, out of their jurisdiction, they race against time to find the killer before Wilchinski files the case closed.

Genres: Mystery, Historical, M M Romance, LGBT, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2018

About the author

David 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/

Reviews

[Fabi NEEDS Email Notifications · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 3 of a murder mystery series, but it reads perfectly as a stand alone.

Set in 1947, two gay detectives plan a weekend away where they can relax their guard and enjoy each other's company. What struck me right away is how the two men speak to each other. It's early, post WWII, so the dialogue sounds old fashioned to someone reading from the 21st century. Because there's no outward shows of affection - there can't be, in that day and age - the two men come across as very good friends as opposed to appearing as a couple. I found this whole setup fascinating yet sad compared to the world we now live in.

Nearing the halfway point of the book the murder mystery kicks in and the detectives scramble to solve the case. Working outside of their jurisdiction, they gather a handful of suspects and aim to eliminate them one by one. I can't say I was too surprised by the reveal, but I sure enjoyed the journey to it.

Honestly,this reads as more of a classic than a modern murder mystery. It surprised me with it's tone and setting.


Review ARC graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley

[CrabbyPatty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detective Heath Barrington and Alan Keyes are in Chicago for a sightseeing weekend and encounter a crime while staying at the Edmundson Hotel. Store owner Victor Blount is killed and while the Chicago police believe this to be a random crime, Barrington is convinced it is premeditated murder and gets involved in the case.

I enjoyed the first two books in the Detective Heath Barrington Mystery series - Death Comes Darkly and Death Goes Overboard - where in each story, the suspects are a ready-made group, i.e. family members brought together to an isolated country estate or people on a weekend cruise aboard a small steamer. In "Death Checks In," the author needs to first gather a random group of suspects (the hotel's assistant manager, a band singer and her partner, a female traveler staying at the hotel, etc.) and therefore the murder doesn't occur until 40% through the novel.

The pace feels very slow until the murder mystery kicks in and then the story moves along nicely as the mystery (and the resolution) really held my interest. Where the book doesn't work for me is in the area of character development of the main characters as well as the supporting characters. We learn little about Heath and Alan's relationship and their dialogue feels very stilted throughout. Any sex happens off-page; that is not to say I feel the story needs graphic sex, but there is little tangible chemistry between the two and at times they read more like work friends than romantic partners.

Finally, since both Alan and Heath are Milwaukee law enforcement officers, it just feels like a real stretch that a Chicago detective would let them have as much input into a case that is out of their jurisdiction.

While I enjoyed the mystery here, the lack of depth in the characters and the awkward dialogue throughout didn't work for me. Also the pace of the story is elegiac until the mystery begins. 3 stars for "Death Checks In" but I am looking forward to the next Detective Heath Barrington mystery.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!

[LenaRibka · Rating 3 out of 5]

31st Annual Lambda Literary Award Finalist






The third book in A Detective Heath Barrington Mystery Series is probably the most romantic sequel until now. Ironically, it is probably the reason why this sequel is the most difficult to rate for me. Because even if I enjoyed the writing style and the old-fashioned atmosphere of the criminal novel that David S. Pederson masters perfectly, his attempt to bring more romantic mood in the plot failed.

In the third book we accompany Heath Barrington and his friend police officer Alan Keyes on their private trip to Chicago. They need time for themselves. Sightseeing and clubbing in the most upbeat locations Chicago are on the program. They enjoy their time, get to know new people, strike up new friendships. Nothing else really happens in the first part of the book.



At around 50% a sightseeing weekend turns into a work for Heath, he and his friend become involuntary participants of a insidious murder. It is where the mystery investigation a là Agath Christi (again) begins. And where David S. Pederson is good at. As well as at the final match: a classic salon mystery ending. All characters are gathered together and our Hercule Poirot Heath Barrington presents us a murderer on a serving tray.

All in all it was a good crime novel if you enjoy this kind of classic murder mystery. My complaints are the dialogues between Heath and Alan. The kind of private conversation you won't to be a witness of. Yes, it is an old-fashioned style mystery, but the main characters are not THAT old to talk THIS way, and it is not Victorian England, but just Chicago in 1947. The two talk like they are at least 80 year old, married for 50 years and still don't know each other at all. Very awkward.



Probably a good example that not every mystery with gay characters necessarily has to be a MM Romance.



**Copy provided by Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

[Diane Dannenfeldt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not care for this one. I didn’t read the first two as I didn’t realize this story was part of a series, but I don’t think I will be reading the others. I liked the mystery portion and investigation. I didn’t like that the sex/intimacy portions were off page. I wanted that closeness as they feel more like best buddies other than lovers.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Don Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally enjoyable who dun it. It honestly wouldn't have been any difference if the guys were straight. Their sexuality doesn't play into the story except for highlighting the way that gays had to hide back in that time.

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It is nice to see Heath and Alan as an established couple managing to sustain their secret relationship.

In this story, a weekend trip to Chicago turns into a murder mystery weekend when a local tailor is murdered. Mr Blount is no ordinary tailor though and Heath and Alan manage to solve the mystery despite the ham handedness of the local police.

The story is set in the 1940's and the author's storytelling took me right back to the 1940's and I could see the live bands, dancing and fashion styles of that time in my mind. It made it a very pleasurable reading experience.

This is the third book in the series and my favourite so far. The big reveal at the end reminds me of the big reveals of Hercule Poirot and Ms Marple and I like that style of mystery.

All in all this is a solid murder mystery which kept me guessing until the end. I had my suspicions but it was so good not to know who did it until the story told me.

I am looking forward to the next one. I think this is a good series with a solid detective couple who care for each other even if the time they live in does not care for them. Role on the next book!

Copy provided by Bold Stroke Books via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now read all three of the books in this series and this is my favorite so far. The murder and investigation were interesting and the characters well-drawn. As always, Pederson’s attention to detail creates a vivid picture of the city, the hotel and the era. I will look forward to the next installment in the series.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the Detective Heath Barrington Mystery series. I have not read the previous two books, but that did not hinder my understanding of this book. It is 1947 Heath and his partner, Alan are planning a relaxing weekend away in Chicago, but rather than relaxation they find a dead body at the Edmundson Hotel. Local police feel this is a random killing, but Heath feels this was planned murder and he is going to prove it. The author was quite good and giving the 1947 vibe which I totally appreciated. I am giving this a 3.5 star review rounded to 4.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chicago, 1947. Milwaukee Detective, Heath Barrington and partner, Alan Keyes, are taking a long weekend holiday in the Edmonton Hotel. It will be a chance to be away from prying eyes and to be just “…two fellas out on the town having a gay old time”.

Unfortunately, the holiday takes a less than romantic turn when the creepy Victor Blount, gentleman’s outfitter, is found murdered.

Barrington and Keyes have met all the suspects, apart from the random burglar-murderer favoured by Detective Wilchinski of the local police. Barrington works it all out, and the denouement comes at a gathering in the hotel ballroom.

This is the third in the series about a pair of gay policemen in post-WW2 America. I read and greatly enjoyed the second, “Death Goes Overboard”, but felt this one was less successful.

The murder took a long time in coming, just over 40% through, and not all of the lead up was very informative or interesting. There is not much by way of development in Barrington and Keyes’ romantic relationship, although there is nothing wrong with the fact that they come over as a rather dull, established “married” couple. The mystery element is untaxing and Keyes should not have found the solution unduly surprising.

Overall, a quick read, light in romance and mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the digital review copy.

[PaperMoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author delivers another interesting murder in his 'lean' writing style. MCs Detective Heath Barrington and his boyfriend Officer Alan Keyes work well together, bouncing ideas and theories off each other; it's nice to see them getaway for a romantic weekend break to Chicago even though readers expect their interlude to be rudely interrupted by a dead body. Several suspects and plenty of clues are sprinkled throughout and I had correctly identified the killer by three-quarters way through (just missed out on the motive aspect). 3 stars.

[Ian B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third instalment of the crime-busting adventures of Detective Heath Barrington and Officer Alan Keyes, colleagues and lovers in late 1940s Wisconsin. This time they visit Chicago for a weekend getaway and stumble – inevitably – on a murder which the local homicide detective would prefer to dismiss as a robbery gone wrong. I have a soft spot for these books: like their author, I am fond of ‘mysteries, old movies, and crime novels.’ However, halfway through the series, I have to say I don’t think it's ever going to quite hit the heights. The dialogue is often clunky and over-expositional, and there is too much of it. (We don’t need to know whether someone’s omelette wasn’t the best, but that it filled them up anyway.) Heath Barrington is a know-it-all, Alan Keyes (‘Wowzer’) a wide-eyed innocent; I would like some changes rung on these archetypes now. It would be nice if Alan could intelligently piece together part of a future case, instead of standing back and admiring Heath’s brainpower.

Too much information is a recurring problem: it doesn’t matter that our heroes briefly stopped at the men’s room on arriving at Union Station, or that Heath always takes his umbrella when rain threatens: these details add nothing. However, the author works a number of clever variations on what seem at first to be some corny old clues (a green spool of thread in the victim’s hand, a bloody initial, a smashed watch), and I found the murderer’s story and motivation plausible and surprising. I shall read the next one.

[Suze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst Heath and Alan go on a holiday, death and investigating follow along.
A host of new characters as we are in Chicago and the first half of the book sets all the links and interactions up.
Heath and Alan don’t seem to get time on their own as they invite themselves or get invited to mix with various of the main characters. It can seem a bit stilted but maybe the formality of the times and their need to keep their relationship hidden means it has to be.
The moving of the furniture each day sadly says a lot, though their sharing of the space and showering and shaving at the same time does give them a taste of domesticity.
The murder has enough obscure clues and many suspects and red herrings. I was with Alan for a while - maybe they all did it!! Though sometimes Heath did talk down to Alan when he was in detective mode.
I enjoy these stories for the trip back in time.

[Sam M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very similar to the previous two books. The writing style is still a bit clunky, the main character tends to spell everything out for us and explain what’s going on which is a bit disappointing. The murderer is very obvious if you are used to reading murder mysteries and I feel that having a few fewer clues would help keep things more intriguing. In terms of the romance there wasn’t much there so I wouldn’t read it for that. We still don’t know anything really about the partner, Alan, except that he is attractive and needs everything explained to him. Not a bad book, will fill in a few hours.

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

The clues to the murderer seemed much too obvious, making it somewhat unbelievable that it took the detective so long to figure it out. The two detectives, Heath and Alan, seemed rather innocent for their occupation, even if it was set in the 1940s. Wowzer!

[Maryann Kafka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really like the pace of this series, it fits with setting of 1947. Heath and Alan make a great team when solving crimes. The Mystery History at the closing was very interesting.

[Ryan Greene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of predictable, but was a nice easy read that was very engaging. I couldn’t wait to be pick it up each night and read. Also great to support local talent!

[Drianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The series is improving!

[Library-Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this mystery! I think this was his best one yet! I kept trying to guess the murderer but never did until the very end! So many suspects that had strong motives made it a fun challenge. I especially enjoyed the unique characters in the story, especially Mrs. Giddings. I once knew someone similar to her. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[emily curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written, enjoyable post war mystery, with likable characters.

[Bradley Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first started I didn't realize this was the second book in a series. that being said it read well as a stand alone. It was an quick read and an enjoyable mystery.