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Kendall Parker Mystery #1
Pretty Boy Dead
** Finalist Lambda Literary Awards for Best Gay Mystery **
When the mangled body of a young gay man is discovered in a popular Atlanta park, advocacy groups converge on City Hall demanding justice. Media are quick to pin the brutal homicide on a drug-addicted, homeless teen. Atlanta Detective Sgt. Kendall Parker isn’t so convinced, even after the suspect assaults his homicide partner with a deadly weapon. But when the investigation takes a disastrous turn, a suspect in custody ends up dead.
It becomes a race against time for the veteran detective to solve the apparent gay-bashing, but when a tenacious reporter threatens to expose a police cover-up, Parker is forced to make an impossible choice: stand firm for justice, or betray the brotherhood in blue. With the odds against him, Parker will need to rely on keen instinct and streetwise experience to catch a brutal killer.
Yet success often comes at a price, and for Parker, it may mean revealing his closely guarded secret.
When the mangled body of a young gay man is discovered in a popular Atlanta park, advocacy groups converge on City Hall demanding justice. Media are quick to pin the brutal homicide on a drug-addicted, homeless teen. Atlanta Detective Sgt. Kendall Parker isn’t so convinced, even after the suspect assaults his homicide partner with a deadly weapon. But when the investigation takes a disastrous turn, a suspect in custody ends up dead.
It becomes a race against time for the veteran detective to solve the apparent gay-bashing, but when a tenacious reporter threatens to expose a police cover-up, Parker is forced to make an impossible choice: stand firm for justice, or betray the brotherhood in blue. With the odds against him, Parker will need to rely on keen instinct and streetwise experience to catch a brutal killer.
Yet success often comes at a price, and for Parker, it may mean revealing his closely guarded secret.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2013
100 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Jon Michaelsen
8 books125 followersJon Michaelsen writes fiction in Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense sub-genres where the main characters are gay. Numerous writers have influenced his writing: David Baldacci, Barry Eisler & John Grisham, and ground-breaking writers, Patricia Nell Warren, Michael Nava, and Mark Zubro. Recent authors in the Gay Mystery genre also have influenced his writing: Greg Herren, John Morgan Wilson, Steve Neil Johnson, David Lennon & Marshall Thornton.
His debut novel, Pretty Boy Dead, the first novel in the Kendall Parker Mysteries series was selected as Finalist - Gay Mystery Finalist by the Lambda Literary Awards committee, and short-novel, Prince of the Sea, earned 2017 BEST GAY MEN'S FICTION AWARD from the Gay Fiction for Gay Men Goodreads Reading Group. His soon-to-released book, The Deadwood Murders, is the second novel in the Kendall Parker Mysteries series.
Founder of Gay Mystery-Thriller-Suspense FB Group: a discussion group for GLBTQ-themed fiction/non-fiction & audio-books dedicated to Readers & Writers of GLBTQ mysteries & suspense /thrillers where fans of the sub-genre(s) can share their thoughts about and their favorites, ask questions of writer-members, and a
place where writers can engage with their fans.
He lives with his husband of 33 years and two monstrous terriers. He enjoys hearing from readers and can be contracted directly at michaelsen.jon@gmail.com.
Find Jon Michaeslsen on the web:
http://www.jonmichaelsen.com
http://www.facebook/jonmichaelsen
http://www.amazon.com/Jon-Michaelsen/...
His debut novel, Pretty Boy Dead, the first novel in the Kendall Parker Mysteries series was selected as Finalist - Gay Mystery Finalist by the Lambda Literary Awards committee, and short-novel, Prince of the Sea, earned 2017 BEST GAY MEN'S FICTION AWARD from the Gay Fiction for Gay Men Goodreads Reading Group. His soon-to-released book, The Deadwood Murders, is the second novel in the Kendall Parker Mysteries series.
Founder of Gay Mystery-Thriller-Suspense FB Group: a discussion group for GLBTQ-themed fiction/non-fiction & audio-books dedicated to Readers & Writers of GLBTQ mysteries & suspense /thrillers where fans of the sub-genre(s) can share their thoughts about and their favorites, ask questions of writer-members, and a
place where writers can engage with their fans.
He lives with his husband of 33 years and two monstrous terriers. He enjoys hearing from readers and can be contracted directly at michaelsen.jon@gmail.com.
Find Jon Michaeslsen on the web:
http://www.jonmichaelsen.com
http://www.facebook/jonmichaelsen
http://www.amazon.com/Jon-Michaelsen/...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
June 1, 2016
I have to start my review as many other readers who reviewed Pretty Boy Dead by Jon Michaelsen - be aware THIS BOOK is not ROMANCE. Otherwise it wouldn't have been nominated for 26th Lambda Literary Award(2014) in the category Gay Mystery. BTW, the jury's selection for this year was top-class. You can have a look at the other finalists here.
Unfortunately gay mystery genre will be very often misinterpreted, partly thanks numerous characters in MM Romance genre. Police officers, private investigators or special agents are more thrilling professions than accountant, and offer more possibilities for a hot MM romance than other occupations.
The plot:
Homicide detective Sergent Kendall Parker has lost his lover in an accident weeks back. Though people in his environment, including his cop partner since 5 years Perelli, doesn't know that Michael was more than just a friend to Parker. Because he is deeply deeply closeted. No wonder, working in such a homophobic Police Department in Atlanta. When a dead body has been discovered in Piedmont Park, not far from a gay bar, it raises first the suspicion that it could be probably bigotry, or hate-crime. And Police is not very motivated to solve the case. There is not only Parker who doesn't believe in it, but also investigative reporter who got a strange call the night before the corpse has been found. The investigation leads to a gay nude club, into high political circles, and to a mob-connected relative of a crime family in Chicago.
There are two kind of mystery's books. In one of them you have to rack your brain up to the end to find out who is the murder, in others you get to know a murder at the beginning, and you have just to witness and judge an investigation's routine. Pretty Boy Dead is a mix of both kinds. We know, WHO killed a young man, or better to say, WHO recruited a hit man, but we don't know WHY and as the story proceeding, it becomes clear that everything WE BELIEVED to know is WRONG.
I like the ending, the writing is great, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I hope only the author will put a bit more of private Ken into the series. He is sensitive and loyal and simply a good guy. No, it doesn't have to be turned into a MM Romance, but the character of Kendall Parker has a potential to become popular detective in the genre, and a bit romance could be only a win-win all around.
A well done solid mystery.
October 20, 2022
3.3 Stars
This gay mystery has not quite met my expectations. That is not to say it was bad - it really wasn't. I don't even mind that it had almost zero romance and equally zero sex - it is a mystery.
To state the good things first - I thought the mystery and the police procedure was done very well. Even though the reader knows a good deal of the solution to the story from the get go and learns more by and by usually well before our poor struggling detective learns of it, the mystery still despite this kept the excitement. And there was always a thread more to unravel. So, this part really worked for me.
What did not work was the writing which depicted the life of gay men in Atlanta in a light of utter hopelessness. It was really depressing to read about Kendall Parker's struggles with the fairly recent death of his longtime lover, of young boys struggling with HIV and drug addiction prostituting themselves for fat, old family fathers, about the slimy, seedy ongoings of a nude dancing club, the sordidness and two-faced-ness of politicians, the homophobia of an average seeming police-station. This was even more emphasized by the authors tendency to drama. There were several scenes that were clearly just inserted to let us see and experience the misery of it all. Jeeez, my life is miserable enough, reading about all these depressing lifes makes me want to shoot myself.
I am not sure about Kendall - if I like him or not. That is due to the fact that I feel I haven't gotten to know him very well. I hardly even know what he looks like. The same is true for many of the side characters. There was a lack of visualization in respect for the characters.
I still want to give this book a rating slightly over 3 Stars because of the mystery. I could even imagine reading the next volume if the blurb promises something a bit less depressing.
This gay mystery has not quite met my expectations. That is not to say it was bad - it really wasn't. I don't even mind that it had almost zero romance and equally zero sex - it is a mystery.
To state the good things first - I thought the mystery and the police procedure was done very well. Even though the reader knows a good deal of the solution to the story from the get go and learns more by and by usually well before our poor struggling detective learns of it, the mystery still despite this kept the excitement. And there was always a thread more to unravel. So, this part really worked for me.
What did not work was the writing which depicted the life of gay men in Atlanta in a light of utter hopelessness. It was really depressing to read about Kendall Parker's struggles with the fairly recent death of his longtime lover, of young boys struggling with HIV and drug addiction prostituting themselves for fat, old family fathers, about the slimy, seedy ongoings of a nude dancing club, the sordidness and two-faced-ness of politicians, the homophobia of an average seeming police-station. This was even more emphasized by the authors tendency to drama. There were several scenes that were clearly just inserted to let us see and experience the misery of it all. Jeeez, my life is miserable enough, reading about all these depressing lifes makes me want to shoot myself.
I am not sure about Kendall - if I like him or not. That is due to the fact that I feel I haven't gotten to know him very well. I hardly even know what he looks like. The same is true for many of the side characters. There was a lack of visualization in respect for the characters.
I still want to give this book a rating slightly over 3 Stars because of the mystery. I could even imagine reading the next volume if the blurb promises something a bit less depressing.
November 20, 2013
4.5 stars
First of all, Pretty Boy Dead is not a romance. NOT A ROMANCE. I cannot stress this strong enough. Going into the book expecting it would be a disservice to both the reader and the author. The publisher categorized it as gay mainstream and I agree. It was written and plotted well enough to stand without shame shoulder to shoulder with its mainstream counterparts (no gay prefix needed). The book is, first and foremost, a police procedural and a very realistic one at that.
I usually start my reviews with things that didn’t work for me or bothered me in a way that affected the rating. In this case, I have to say it was precious little. I didn’t quite like the way the case was resolved, although it was realistic. The real life detectives do not always break their own cases, plus Parker was on suspension at the time. But, this is fiction and, as a reader, I like seeing the character get what he worked so hard for. The other minor thing is that I wanted to know more about Parker’s life before the accident, since the better part of this book is about changes in his life and perspective.
Sergeant Kendall Parker has returned to his job as a detective for Atlanta PD after an accident and immediately lands a controversial case: a young man is beaten to death and found days later almost unrecognizable. The victim is a gay son of a prominent man. He is a former stripper whose boss has mob ties. There are a lot of elements that throw a wrench in Parker’s attempts to solve the case: problems with identification, victim’s family, his colleagues’ homophobia (including his partner’s), a reporter with a grievance from the past, lack of witnesses… But, what captures the reader almost as much as the mystery is an undercurrent of unease intertwined with the narrative. At first we don’t know anything about the accident that Parker survived. In fact, it takes half of the novel for the reader to learn about it. The relationship between our protagonist and his partner, Vincent Perelli, is strained though, once again, we don’t know why for a long time. Parker and reporter Calvin Slade hate each other. The reason – another mystery. When the reader finds out the truth, it is unsurprising and it’s bound to break your heart.
The changes Parker experiences are not external – it is he who changed and so his perspective changes. Usually, I would be bothered by the fact that I cannot really pinpoint the main character. But, it made so much sense here. He was closed off from the world in general for a long time. Parker is a character in transition; he doesn’t know himself and so neither can the reader really know him. But, you still learn some things. He is a dedicated officer and doesn’t stand for injustice. He can also love and it will be great to see him do his job without fear and, maybe, even, love again.
The secondary characters are well developed and not quite what the blurb implies. Things that you see are not quite what you think and neither are the characters. The author takes some surprising turns in their characterization as well in the plot. This is no easy feat – I’ve read so many mysteries in all their incarnations, so most of the time I can predict where the author is taking the story/character. And, while I still guessed some, the other things surprised me. Well done.
The procedural itself was well researched, but minutiae of police work never overwhelm the narrative. Things just don’t happen at ridiculous CSI speed, yet the story progresses at good pace. At the end of the novel, one mystery remains. Will Parker stay in the police force or become private investigator? Both choices have upsides and downsides. It is questionable how Parker would be received by his colleagues after the events in this book (and not just because he came out). On the other hand, private investigators rarely deal with the high-profile cases he is accustomed to. Rookie detective, Timothy Brooks might be a good new partner for Parker. But there is also something in being your own boss. We will have to wait and see.
Pretty Boy Dead is a well-written police procedural with an engaging plot and well-developed characters. As an opening for the new series, it works perfectly – while this story is done, you want to know more about Kendall Parker. Hopefully, there will be much more.
While eagerly waiting for the sequel, this book is highly recommended.
Written for Reviews by Jessewave.
First of all, Pretty Boy Dead is not a romance. NOT A ROMANCE. I cannot stress this strong enough. Going into the book expecting it would be a disservice to both the reader and the author. The publisher categorized it as gay mainstream and I agree. It was written and plotted well enough to stand without shame shoulder to shoulder with its mainstream counterparts (no gay prefix needed). The book is, first and foremost, a police procedural and a very realistic one at that.
I usually start my reviews with things that didn’t work for me or bothered me in a way that affected the rating. In this case, I have to say it was precious little. I didn’t quite like the way the case was resolved, although it was realistic. The real life detectives do not always break their own cases, plus Parker was on suspension at the time. But, this is fiction and, as a reader, I like seeing the character get what he worked so hard for. The other minor thing is that I wanted to know more about Parker’s life before the accident, since the better part of this book is about changes in his life and perspective.
Sergeant Kendall Parker has returned to his job as a detective for Atlanta PD after an accident and immediately lands a controversial case: a young man is beaten to death and found days later almost unrecognizable. The victim is a gay son of a prominent man. He is a former stripper whose boss has mob ties. There are a lot of elements that throw a wrench in Parker’s attempts to solve the case: problems with identification, victim’s family, his colleagues’ homophobia (including his partner’s), a reporter with a grievance from the past, lack of witnesses… But, what captures the reader almost as much as the mystery is an undercurrent of unease intertwined with the narrative. At first we don’t know anything about the accident that Parker survived. In fact, it takes half of the novel for the reader to learn about it. The relationship between our protagonist and his partner, Vincent Perelli, is strained though, once again, we don’t know why for a long time. Parker and reporter Calvin Slade hate each other. The reason – another mystery. When the reader finds out the truth, it is unsurprising and it’s bound to break your heart.
“Losing Michael has had an enormous impact on my life for reasons I don’t yet comprehend. I’m feeling claustrophobic and trapped. I’ve been hiding behind this shadow of who I am supposed to be for so long that I’m no longer sure of who I am. Along the way, I lost my identity. Part of me wants to stop this ridiculous charade, step off the merry-go-round and quit maintaining a second bedroom for appearance’s sake. I’m tired of worrying about what other people think.”
The changes Parker experiences are not external – it is he who changed and so his perspective changes. Usually, I would be bothered by the fact that I cannot really pinpoint the main character. But, it made so much sense here. He was closed off from the world in general for a long time. Parker is a character in transition; he doesn’t know himself and so neither can the reader really know him. But, you still learn some things. He is a dedicated officer and doesn’t stand for injustice. He can also love and it will be great to see him do his job without fear and, maybe, even, love again.
The secondary characters are well developed and not quite what the blurb implies. Things that you see are not quite what you think and neither are the characters. The author takes some surprising turns in their characterization as well in the plot. This is no easy feat – I’ve read so many mysteries in all their incarnations, so most of the time I can predict where the author is taking the story/character. And, while I still guessed some, the other things surprised me. Well done.
The procedural itself was well researched, but minutiae of police work never overwhelm the narrative. Things just don’t happen at ridiculous CSI speed, yet the story progresses at good pace. At the end of the novel, one mystery remains. Will Parker stay in the police force or become private investigator? Both choices have upsides and downsides. It is questionable how Parker would be received by his colleagues after the events in this book (and not just because he came out). On the other hand, private investigators rarely deal with the high-profile cases he is accustomed to. Rookie detective, Timothy Brooks might be a good new partner for Parker. But there is also something in being your own boss. We will have to wait and see.
Pretty Boy Dead is a well-written police procedural with an engaging plot and well-developed characters. As an opening for the new series, it works perfectly – while this story is done, you want to know more about Kendall Parker. Hopefully, there will be much more.
While eagerly waiting for the sequel, this book is highly recommended.
Written for Reviews by Jessewave.
June 3, 2020
I kept waffling between 3.5 & 4 Stars and eventually decided to round up because I really enjoyed the story. The narration? Not so much.
See, F.C. McAllister's voice is perfect for a Sam Spade type whodunit (and I'd listen to him narrate that in a hot minute); but this one came with some gruesome murder scenes & hateful homophobia that just didn't come across as impactful with his very dry, very even performance. For that reason, this book is going on the re-read shelf for me to actually read next time - certainly before I start any sequel - just to make sure, in case it's actually even better, that I re-rate it accordingly.
LOVED re-visiting some of the places I used to hang out at (Piedmont Park, Blake's, The Varsity) and you can tell the author lives in Atlanta given the level of detail and how the good & bad parts of the city are portrayed. (Also, YAY for mentioning a couple of the suburbs - including a rather small city I used to live in!) And I'm definitely craving a Sideways Heavyweight now. Good thing I bought a case of chili whenI purposefully detoured us through ATL (going from Huntsville to DC) so I could eat there we visited last summer!
See, F.C. McAllister's voice is perfect for a Sam Spade type whodunit (and I'd listen to him narrate that in a hot minute); but this one came with some gruesome murder scenes & hateful homophobia that just didn't come across as impactful with his very dry, very even performance. For that reason, this book is going on the re-read shelf for me to actually read next time - certainly before I start any sequel - just to make sure, in case it's actually even better, that I re-rate it accordingly.
LOVED re-visiting some of the places I used to hang out at (Piedmont Park, Blake's, The Varsity) and you can tell the author lives in Atlanta given the level of detail and how the good & bad parts of the city are portrayed. (Also, YAY for mentioning a couple of the suburbs - including a rather small city I used to live in!) And I'm definitely craving a Sideways Heavyweight now. Good thing I bought a case of chili when
December 5, 2013
Like I said before, I love a good mystery and this was a GREAT one. I like to try to figure “who done it” while reading any mystery, and this book kept me on my toes. Some of the players were much more obvious than others, and there was a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. If you are looking for a great mystery, you can’t go wrong with Pretty Boy Dead. The police procedure seemed to be spot on, and the personal relationships were very well fleshed out.
See the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
See the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
May 4, 2016
It should be noted that the following review/rating is based more on my own experiences reading the story than what someone else, who doesn’t have my hang-ups, might have given the book. It also has quite a few spoilers.
This books starts out in Jason’s pov, and for the next few chapters we are taken through his life as he attempts to screw over his boss/lover (a mobster of ill-repute) and flee the country. Things don’t go according to plan, he ends up being killed, and then the real story begins, drawing in the lives of police detectives, newspaper men, criminals, and councilmen.
I have conflicting feelings about this story. On one hand, this is a very well researched, well written crime-thriller. On the other…I kinda spent a vast majority of the time I was reading this trying to come up with reasons as to why I should finish it. I have never found it particularly reassuring when I have to promise myself copious amounts of sugar and/or alcohol if I reach a certain page number in a reasonable timeframe.
There were some things that were done incredibly well. Like I said, it is very well written, and the descriptions of not only the crime scenes, but of the police work (as a whole), read like the author knew what he was writing about. This was also not a romance, and it never tried to be. I totally appreciate that when setting out to write what is a crime-thriller, and not a romance, that the author stuck with his guns and did not throw a romance in at the last minute, to tick off some box. There were relationships playing out in this story, both romantic and platonic, both past and present, but it never tried to be what it was not.
But what it was, on the whole, supposed to be, was a mystery. Except you don’t get even a fifth of the way through the book before the readers find out who the killers are. Not the police, or anyone else investigating. Just the readers. And it takes almost the whole book before anyone else figures it out. So for a vast majority of the story I was unsure why I was even still reading. I knew who did it. I know why they did it. I know who it was done to (sort of…more on this later). Forget that I dislike having to read the bad-guy’s pov (because sometimes it just can’t be helped and I should just put my big-girl britches on and get over it), but to unveil the killers so early in the story, just killed something in the book for me.
This was partly because I like a real mystery, one I can twist and turn in my own mind as the book goes along, but it was also because I didn’t connect with hardly anyone in this book. Jason is self-absorbed asshole, Parker in a whining alcoholic (not that anyone ever calls him on it…more on this later), Slade is obsessive and annoying, and just about every police officer on the force-–with the exception of Parker and Brooks–-were homophobic asshats with enough roid-rage to make a bodybuilder jealous. I don’t go into stories expecting to like all the characters–-or even most of them–-but when the only person I find remotely in tune with is the bumbling rookie who gets hardly any page time? This is not good.
Maybe this was a product of the way the characters were introduced, or the way their backstory is related to the readers. Long monologues of ‘My Whole Life Story’ are boring. And a little unrealistic. Who, when in a conversation with a stranger, decides that it is necessary to relate every tidbit of interest (or uniterest) to the other party with no nudging or signaling that this is wanted or desired? Well, other than my grandparents…and there is a reason I try not to get into conversations with them (well, other than the whole ‘you’re going to burn in the fires of hell’ thing. That is a real mood killer). I don’t need to have entire backstories related to me. If it is necessary to the plot, then by all means, throw it in, but don’t go out of your way to inform the readers of every nuance about every single character in the story. They will find it as an excuse to consume unhealthy amounts of Hershey Kisses.
Now back to some of the things I mentioned earlier (major, MAJOR SPOILERS):
And while I loved the realism the author tried to bring to the story, the intense, and graphic nature of some of it was way too far for me. This is something I can see as a personal issue, and others may have no problem with it, but there were several times I was close to losing my breakfast over some of this stuff. I come from a family that has had several cops in it, I studied to be one (till I realized it would require me to actually talk to people), so I am used to the morbid sense of humor that comes with being a cop. I am used to the stories. I still could have done without the graphic recreation of what exactly happens to skin after a few days of decomposing. And I am still unsure what was the point of the autopsy scene, other than to make me reconsider lunch.
This book was at its best, not for me, and at its worst, a little slapdash with the plot. The writing, while incredibly well done, did not do enough to rescue the story from a pile of issues that started accumulating from the beginning. I am willing to admit that this may not have been the story for me, but there are still some parts that would have let me down, even if the others were magically fixed to my liking. It may be worth the read to other though. There were an excessive number of homophobic slurs thrown around in this book, though, so if you do decide to pick it up, just be warned. By the end I am just happy that my dinner is safe from interruption (it is St. Paddy’s, after all, and I’d kill anyone who’d come between me and my corned-beef and cabbage).
2.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
This books starts out in Jason’s pov, and for the next few chapters we are taken through his life as he attempts to screw over his boss/lover (a mobster of ill-repute) and flee the country. Things don’t go according to plan, he ends up being killed, and then the real story begins, drawing in the lives of police detectives, newspaper men, criminals, and councilmen.
I have conflicting feelings about this story. On one hand, this is a very well researched, well written crime-thriller. On the other…I kinda spent a vast majority of the time I was reading this trying to come up with reasons as to why I should finish it. I have never found it particularly reassuring when I have to promise myself copious amounts of sugar and/or alcohol if I reach a certain page number in a reasonable timeframe.
There were some things that were done incredibly well. Like I said, it is very well written, and the descriptions of not only the crime scenes, but of the police work (as a whole), read like the author knew what he was writing about. This was also not a romance, and it never tried to be. I totally appreciate that when setting out to write what is a crime-thriller, and not a romance, that the author stuck with his guns and did not throw a romance in at the last minute, to tick off some box. There were relationships playing out in this story, both romantic and platonic, both past and present, but it never tried to be what it was not.
But what it was, on the whole, supposed to be, was a mystery. Except you don’t get even a fifth of the way through the book before the readers find out who the killers are. Not the police, or anyone else investigating. Just the readers. And it takes almost the whole book before anyone else figures it out. So for a vast majority of the story I was unsure why I was even still reading. I knew who did it. I know why they did it. I know who it was done to (sort of…more on this later). Forget that I dislike having to read the bad-guy’s pov (because sometimes it just can’t be helped and I should just put my big-girl britches on and get over it), but to unveil the killers so early in the story, just killed something in the book for me.
This was partly because I like a real mystery, one I can twist and turn in my own mind as the book goes along, but it was also because I didn’t connect with hardly anyone in this book. Jason is self-absorbed asshole, Parker in a whining alcoholic (not that anyone ever calls him on it…more on this later), Slade is obsessive and annoying, and just about every police officer on the force-–with the exception of Parker and Brooks–-were homophobic asshats with enough roid-rage to make a bodybuilder jealous. I don’t go into stories expecting to like all the characters–-or even most of them–-but when the only person I find remotely in tune with is the bumbling rookie who gets hardly any page time? This is not good.
Maybe this was a product of the way the characters were introduced, or the way their backstory is related to the readers. Long monologues of ‘My Whole Life Story’ are boring. And a little unrealistic. Who, when in a conversation with a stranger, decides that it is necessary to relate every tidbit of interest (or uniterest) to the other party with no nudging or signaling that this is wanted or desired? Well, other than my grandparents…and there is a reason I try not to get into conversations with them (well, other than the whole ‘you’re going to burn in the fires of hell’ thing. That is a real mood killer). I don’t need to have entire backstories related to me. If it is necessary to the plot, then by all means, throw it in, but don’t go out of your way to inform the readers of every nuance about every single character in the story. They will find it as an excuse to consume unhealthy amounts of Hershey Kisses.
Now back to some of the things I mentioned earlier (major, MAJOR SPOILERS):
And while I loved the realism the author tried to bring to the story, the intense, and graphic nature of some of it was way too far for me. This is something I can see as a personal issue, and others may have no problem with it, but there were several times I was close to losing my breakfast over some of this stuff. I come from a family that has had several cops in it, I studied to be one (till I realized it would require me to actually talk to people), so I am used to the morbid sense of humor that comes with being a cop. I am used to the stories. I still could have done without the graphic recreation of what exactly happens to skin after a few days of decomposing. And I am still unsure what was the point of the autopsy scene, other than to make me reconsider lunch.
This book was at its best, not for me, and at its worst, a little slapdash with the plot. The writing, while incredibly well done, did not do enough to rescue the story from a pile of issues that started accumulating from the beginning. I am willing to admit that this may not have been the story for me, but there are still some parts that would have let me down, even if the others were magically fixed to my liking. It may be worth the read to other though. There were an excessive number of homophobic slurs thrown around in this book, though, so if you do decide to pick it up, just be warned. By the end I am just happy that my dinner is safe from interruption (it is St. Paddy’s, after all, and I’d kill anyone who’d come between me and my corned-beef and cabbage).
2.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
March 1, 2019
Pretty Boy Dead (Kendall Parker Mysteries, 1)
By Jon Michaelsen
JM Publications, 2013 and 2018
Five stars
“Truth be told, he died a little death at the beginning of every homicide investigation.”
Amazingly, this is my first Jon Michaelsen book, and therefore my first Kendall Parker mystery. First published in 2013 and reissued in 2018, “Pretty Boy Dead” is a gripping thriller, and the literary debut of a character who, I suspect, I am going to grow fond of over time.
Oddly enough, this is not really a mystery story, since the reader pretty much knows who the bad guys are from the start. Oh, there are several surprises along the way, but the punch this story packs is less about unravelling the mystery than it is about figuring out how Kendall Parker is going to get there. I got so caught up in this that I took a whole day to read the book cover to cover.
Also, this is not a romance. Emotionally, this is a tough book to get through, because Kendall Parker is deeply closeted – more out of perceived necessity, we come to understand, than out of self-loathing. His world is profoundly imbued with homophobia, starting with his police partner and his boss. Honestly, it felt like the 1980s to me, rather than the 2010s. And not only is Parker closeted, he is grieving, something else that is revealed gradually as the book unfolds. The clues are there right away, but the author is frugal with his reveals, doling them out carefully to maximize their impact. The narrative builds up speed as the story unrolls, starting with a tense preamble, written from the dual perspectives of a murder victim and his killer. Then the author brings Parker onto the scene as if he were any detective in any murder mystery. Then we (and only we) begin to realize that Kendall Parker isn’t like other cops.
Everything comes to a head for Parker – professionally and personally – in the last twenty percent of the novel. It doesn’t feel rushed, but you have to force yourself to read slowly and not skim ahead to see what happens. It’s the definition of a page-turner.
The Kendall Parker series could have ended here. It is full of incident and interesting characters. It is a complicated, interwoven series of crimes that drag Parker into both emotional turmoil and life-threatening situations. The ending is solid, satisfying and, ultimately, the metaphorical emergence of a butterfly from its chrysalis. It is not an end at all, but a beginning.
Book 2 in the series is due out later in 2019, and it’s already pre-ordered for my Kindle. There are a lot of people I want to meet again.
By Jon Michaelsen
JM Publications, 2013 and 2018
Five stars
“Truth be told, he died a little death at the beginning of every homicide investigation.”
Amazingly, this is my first Jon Michaelsen book, and therefore my first Kendall Parker mystery. First published in 2013 and reissued in 2018, “Pretty Boy Dead” is a gripping thriller, and the literary debut of a character who, I suspect, I am going to grow fond of over time.
Oddly enough, this is not really a mystery story, since the reader pretty much knows who the bad guys are from the start. Oh, there are several surprises along the way, but the punch this story packs is less about unravelling the mystery than it is about figuring out how Kendall Parker is going to get there. I got so caught up in this that I took a whole day to read the book cover to cover.
Also, this is not a romance. Emotionally, this is a tough book to get through, because Kendall Parker is deeply closeted – more out of perceived necessity, we come to understand, than out of self-loathing. His world is profoundly imbued with homophobia, starting with his police partner and his boss. Honestly, it felt like the 1980s to me, rather than the 2010s. And not only is Parker closeted, he is grieving, something else that is revealed gradually as the book unfolds. The clues are there right away, but the author is frugal with his reveals, doling them out carefully to maximize their impact. The narrative builds up speed as the story unrolls, starting with a tense preamble, written from the dual perspectives of a murder victim and his killer. Then the author brings Parker onto the scene as if he were any detective in any murder mystery. Then we (and only we) begin to realize that Kendall Parker isn’t like other cops.
Everything comes to a head for Parker – professionally and personally – in the last twenty percent of the novel. It doesn’t feel rushed, but you have to force yourself to read slowly and not skim ahead to see what happens. It’s the definition of a page-turner.
The Kendall Parker series could have ended here. It is full of incident and interesting characters. It is a complicated, interwoven series of crimes that drag Parker into both emotional turmoil and life-threatening situations. The ending is solid, satisfying and, ultimately, the metaphorical emergence of a butterfly from its chrysalis. It is not an end at all, but a beginning.
Book 2 in the series is due out later in 2019, and it’s already pre-ordered for my Kindle. There are a lot of people I want to meet again.
September 7, 2020
Took me a bit to adjust to this writing style & flow but once I was in, I was in ! This is a new author for me and I’m glad to have taken the chance. Twists, pressure and a clever plot. This was pure mystery and crime solving. There is only the shadow of past romance and a possible whisper of a future one, so this is not for you if you want heat. Really enjoyed this. Def book 2 for me
June 23, 2019
Great mystery! This was very gritty and harsh at times. But once I got past the gruesome murder at the start and later skimmed quickly the overly detailed autopsy, I did get into this intense story. I never saw the twist coming at the end. Well done!
Loving Parker’s character was a very slow build for me, yet as the author gradually doled out Parker’s personal life and history, I could understand the hard shell he’d built. As for Slade, I still think he was a pushy asshat for a reporter. But with the way the story ended, both characters seemed to have aired out their past and baggage. There may be hope yet for a romance, but I’m not really sure if Slade is the right one for Parker.
My only hang-up with this story is about the guns. Parker used a “Glock 22 .40 caliber, fourth generation revolver”. And it is referred to throughout the story as a glock. Yet during the last fight scene, “the compact simplicity of the Smith & Wesson more frightening than ever”. What?! That created a screeching halt for me. Sorry, but Smith & Wesson does not make Glocks.
Loving Parker’s character was a very slow build for me, yet as the author gradually doled out Parker’s personal life and history, I could understand the hard shell he’d built. As for Slade, I still think he was a pushy asshat for a reporter. But with the way the story ended, both characters seemed to have aired out their past and baggage. There may be hope yet for a romance, but I’m not really sure if Slade is the right one for Parker.
My only hang-up with this story is about the guns. Parker used a “Glock 22 .40 caliber, fourth generation revolver”. And it is referred to throughout the story as a glock. Yet during the last fight scene, “the compact simplicity of the Smith & Wesson more frightening than ever”. What?! That created a screeching halt for me. Sorry, but Smith & Wesson does not make Glocks.
December 18, 2021
The first thing that struck me, believe it or not, was the Acknowledgements before the story even began. Why, you might ask? When I saw the thanks attached to real people and names that assisted the author in his research of police procedures, crime scenes, and morgue related questions, I was supremely impressed. And that was before I started the first chapter! This was my first experience with a Jon Michaelsen book and I jumped into it eagerly.
The story begins with a young male stripper, an investigative journalist, an ex-con, a local mobster, and a grisly murder. Then I got to meet Sgt. Kendall Parker, "Parker was a major-crimes investigator for the department, CID (Criminal Investigation Division), his rank Master Sergeant, a ten year veteran with APD (Atlanta Police Department), the last six with the Homicide Squad." Parker also had a lot of personal, hidden traumas and secrets that inevitably led to an over-indulgence of scotch at night. This, frankly, led me to like him even more, as I have respect for real, true characters that suffer and persevere, and slog their way through the human race's daily grind.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
The story begins with a young male stripper, an investigative journalist, an ex-con, a local mobster, and a grisly murder. Then I got to meet Sgt. Kendall Parker, "Parker was a major-crimes investigator for the department, CID (Criminal Investigation Division), his rank Master Sergeant, a ten year veteran with APD (Atlanta Police Department), the last six with the Homicide Squad." Parker also had a lot of personal, hidden traumas and secrets that inevitably led to an over-indulgence of scotch at night. This, frankly, led me to like him even more, as I have respect for real, true characters that suffer and persevere, and slog their way through the human race's daily grind.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
June 26, 2020
Pretty Boy Dead was non-stop, heart pounding fun from beginning to end. Michaelsen had me from the first chapter of this gripping, gritty tale. Protagonist, Kendall Parker, is a deeply flawed and likeable character. A great plot with plenty of twists and turns. What's not to love? I can't wait to read the next in the series.
July 26, 2019
2.5 Stars. This book was not for me. I can see why people like it but it just isn't my thing. First off there is no romance and I like a little romance in my books. Second and the biggest issue I had with this book was that I never really liked any of the characters. Jason is a whiny, self absorbed kid with no loyalty to anyone. Kendall is also a bit of a whiner and a drunk. I can't believe no one called him out on his drinking on the job - this really bothered me. Then there is a reporter who is so caught up in getting the story that he comes across as not much more than a work-aholic. The author lets the reader know who the bad guys are fairly early in the book and then the rest of the book is spent watching the cops/reporters chasing their tails trying to figure it out which they don't do until almost the end. I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I was trying to figure out who the villains where along with the characters instead of being told. I will say that it's well written and the police procedure parts seemed to be really accurate and detailed (especially the autopsy scene). However, that just wasn't enough for me. I want to root for my characters and that's hard to do when I don't like them much.
not-for-me
November 3, 2019Clunk clunk clunk writing
June 2, 2019
After I spent some time with his story, I decided to learn about the author and his history as a writer. I found out that this is his first book available to the public. That fact answers a lot of questions.
The book starts out as a fairly interesting addition to the detective genre. Its first several chapters move along setting a stage and introducing some compelling plot points.
In his acknowledgments, the author name-checked several members of law enforcement who provided technical assistance in the writing of the book. I am left to wonder how much of their help he didn't utilize.
There came a time when I stopped reading and wondered aloud, Does this guy know how a modern police station works? I do. Does this guy know how a modern hospital works? And so on.
The farther the story moved away from the original crime, its precursors, and its immediate investigation, the more unsteady the writing became.
The author is at his worst when creating basic human to human conversations about things that don't involve crime. Nothing original is brought to the story. His characters in these circumstances do little else but mouth over-worn, tired cliches. Often, the emotionality he attributes to his characters seem to have come out of nowhere. It was as if at certain points he decided a scene called for an emotional outburst so one was just created without a lead-in or a build-up.
After one-third of the way in, I decided to continue to the end of the story as a hate listen. It didn't disappoint.
I think it's an inventive premise for a story. And I wonder if maybe this were his 10th novel and not his first, and if he had a better editorial staff directing him, this would be a much better book.
The book starts out as a fairly interesting addition to the detective genre. Its first several chapters move along setting a stage and introducing some compelling plot points.
In his acknowledgments, the author name-checked several members of law enforcement who provided technical assistance in the writing of the book. I am left to wonder how much of their help he didn't utilize.
There came a time when I stopped reading and wondered aloud, Does this guy know how a modern police station works? I do. Does this guy know how a modern hospital works? And so on.
The farther the story moved away from the original crime, its precursors, and its immediate investigation, the more unsteady the writing became.
The author is at his worst when creating basic human to human conversations about things that don't involve crime. Nothing original is brought to the story. His characters in these circumstances do little else but mouth over-worn, tired cliches. Often, the emotionality he attributes to his characters seem to have come out of nowhere. It was as if at certain points he decided a scene called for an emotional outburst so one was just created without a lead-in or a build-up.
After one-third of the way in, I decided to continue to the end of the story as a hate listen. It didn't disappoint.
I think it's an inventive premise for a story. And I wonder if maybe this were his 10th novel and not his first, and if he had a better editorial staff directing him, this would be a much better book.
November 9, 2013
Full review can be found at On Top Down Under Book Reviews.
A murdered male stripper. A closeted cop who is surrounded by homophobic coworkers. An interesting cast of characters who may or may not be who they seem. An enjoyable mystery.
Note that this is not a romance so do not go into it expecting it to be.
This book was provided by Wilde City Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
A murdered male stripper. A closeted cop who is surrounded by homophobic coworkers. An interesting cast of characters who may or may not be who they seem. An enjoyable mystery.
Note that this is not a romance so do not go into it expecting it to be.
This book was provided by Wilde City Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
February 17, 2015
A well written and engrossing story
I was engaged by this book from the first page. There's an attention to detail that makes it clear the author does his homework and then some. I liked the character of Kendal Parker a lot and was engrossed by the descriptions and insights into both the characters and their environment. It all felt very real, an excellent read.
I was engaged by this book from the first page. There's an attention to detail that makes it clear the author does his homework and then some. I liked the character of Kendal Parker a lot and was engrossed by the descriptions and insights into both the characters and their environment. It all felt very real, an excellent read.
August 7, 2019
This is a mystery in the greatest sense of the word. It has a classic feel to it, with the only thing tying it to the modern age is the casual mention of cell phones.
The path the author has chosen to take is specifically stylized, and may not appeal to all readers. He puts us in the heads of about a dozen players, he lets us see from the very beginning who the villain is, and some of the text is overly dense and intentionally jarring. But ....
There is so much greatness here. Traps are set so well that when the twists start coming, I was totally unprepared. I found myself going back to re-read a few parts for clarification and I saw my assumptions for the mistakes they were, because the author threaded the needle perfectly. It was all right there. There is a huge cast and a lot of moving parts, and I loved that! Nothing was random. Everything, no matter how big or how small, was used to tie this whole thing together, showing that the author took great care selecting what to include and what to leave on the edit room floor.
Our main character, Detective Kendall Parker, is flawed and he knows it. I wish we would have gotten some of the answers for that sooner in the story, and I'm still a little confused about his history with the reporter, but I feel like these personal things were doled out in pieces to show Kendall's growth and healing after such a horrible tragedy. Ultimately, I was okay with how it all worked out and I am hopeful for his future.
The author chose to show the gritty side of police work, but balanced it out with places the reader could take a breath if they needed to. The squad room is depicted as homophobic, but really, it seems that it was only 2 people. And because of who those 2 people are and how they talked, it colored my overall dated perception of the department. I'm interested to see what I think moving forward now that I've realized that.
All in all ... nice read for those looking to dig into something heavy.
The path the author has chosen to take is specifically stylized, and may not appeal to all readers. He puts us in the heads of about a dozen players, he lets us see from the very beginning who the villain is, and some of the text is overly dense and intentionally jarring. But ....
There is so much greatness here. Traps are set so well that when the twists start coming, I was totally unprepared. I found myself going back to re-read a few parts for clarification and I saw my assumptions for the mistakes they were, because the author threaded the needle perfectly. It was all right there. There is a huge cast and a lot of moving parts, and I loved that! Nothing was random. Everything, no matter how big or how small, was used to tie this whole thing together, showing that the author took great care selecting what to include and what to leave on the edit room floor.
Our main character, Detective Kendall Parker, is flawed and he knows it. I wish we would have gotten some of the answers for that sooner in the story, and I'm still a little confused about his history with the reporter, but I feel like these personal things were doled out in pieces to show Kendall's growth and healing after such a horrible tragedy. Ultimately, I was okay with how it all worked out and I am hopeful for his future.
The author chose to show the gritty side of police work, but balanced it out with places the reader could take a breath if they needed to. The squad room is depicted as homophobic, but really, it seems that it was only 2 people. And because of who those 2 people are and how they talked, it colored my overall dated perception of the department. I'm interested to see what I think moving forward now that I've realized that.
All in all ... nice read for those looking to dig into something heavy.
Read
December 23, 2018Endorsements for Pretty Boy Dead
“Pretty Boy Dead is amazingly good - and one of the best gay mysteries I've read in a long time. It leaps ahead of so many books in this genre on the strength of its suspense and depth of its characters, and stayed with me long after the last chapter. Highly recommended for those who like swift, compelling stories.”
Chris Beakey, author of Double Abduction, a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award
“Jon Michaelsen has hit a mark often missed by writers: He's written a tense, entertaining, and believable crime novel. Mr. Michaelsen did the research to include realistic police procedures, actions, and dialog. I'm a 29-year veteran of big city policing and usually avoid stories like this. It was a joy, professionally and personally, to read Pretty Boy Dead. Bravo, Mr. Michaelsen!”
David Sullivan, author and retired 29 year veteran of the San Jose Police Department.
“Pretty Boy Dead is amazingly good - and one of the best gay mysteries I've read in a long time. It leaps ahead of so many books in this genre on the strength of its suspense and depth of its characters, and stayed with me long after the last chapter. Highly recommended for those who like swift, compelling stories.”
Chris Beakey, author of Double Abduction, a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award
“Jon Michaelsen has hit a mark often missed by writers: He's written a tense, entertaining, and believable crime novel. Mr. Michaelsen did the research to include realistic police procedures, actions, and dialog. I'm a 29-year veteran of big city policing and usually avoid stories like this. It was a joy, professionally and personally, to read Pretty Boy Dead. Bravo, Mr. Michaelsen!”
David Sullivan, author and retired 29 year veteran of the San Jose Police Department.
August 22, 2023
This was a really great read, not a romance! Very well thought out and constructed mystery that had me guessing until the very end. Loved Kendall Parker's character, broken alcoholic gay detective buried in the closet on Atlanta's polcie force. Looking forward the Parker's next mystery.
June 15, 2019
This is a mystery and there's no romance. And what a complicated mystery it is! Great writing and story but it will probably take me a second reading just to connect it all. Loved it and hope there will be more. Have to admit, I hope for just a little romance in a future book.
December 19, 2023
A slow start but it got there in the end. The slow release of information of the back story kept me interested and wanting to read more. I will continue with the series.
December 14, 2019
This one was a disappointment. I didn't connect with any of the characters, the plot was all over the place, and it felt... disjointed. The feel I got was that the author had a lot to say, try to do it on one book, and didn't manage it.
The mystery failed to be interesting and to be the structure to hold the whole together. And, TBH, I guessed the main twist from the beginning :(
In every emotional conversation, the dialogues felt stilted, and forces. Even preachy, for moments.
I don't think I'll be reading the next one :/
The mystery failed to be interesting and to be the structure to hold the whole together. And, TBH, I guessed the main twist from the beginning :(
In every emotional conversation, the dialogues felt stilted, and forces. Even preachy, for moments.
I don't think I'll be reading the next one :/
August 3, 2020
3.5🌟🌟🌟✨ Presto la recensione
October 7, 2020
"Vivere è ancora la miglior cosa da fare, quaggiù." Persino dopo aver guardato negli occhi l'oscurità e la nitidezza del dolore. O dopo aver accettato le sfide della vita: quei momenti di dura brutalità in cui il sole può farsi sempre un po' più piccolo e con esso anche le cose, i luoghi e le persone. Jon Michaelsen, autore di "Giovane, bello e morto", propone una riflessione sugli effetti paralizzanti della paura, sul bisogno a volte incontrollabile di punirsi, di lasciarsi sopraffare dalla sofferenza e dai sensi di colpa e, non ultimo, dal desiderio di soffocare le emozioni. Ne è testimone Kendall Parker, la cui risposta al senso di vuoto e di spavento che sembra aver messo fine ai suoi sogni è la forza della redenzione.
Prima però di prendere in considerazione questo lato del racconto più intimo e introspettivo, facciamo un piccolo passo indietro e partiamo da dove tutto ha inizio.
L'azione e l'intreccio del romanzo si sviluppano nella capitale della Georgia. La città ci appare avviata verso una polarizzazione politica lacerante, il cui cinismo risponde a logiche speculative ed economiche: il vero scopo da raggiungere è il potere — la conquista e la gestione del potere.
Dietro gli spazi verdi e i grattacieli che ne dominano lo skyline, Atlanta è un campo di battaglia. Se la sua storia è affascinante e dinamica, improntata alla modernità e al progressismo, la realtà sottostante rileva un disprezzo generale, una tracotanza priva di orizzonti e confini. A prevalere sono il calcolo opportunistico dei vantaggi e gli interessi dei singoli, che si muovono in un mondo senza regole dove è quasi impossibile orientarsi: i personaggi descritti da Michaelsen si dimostrano vulnerabili, corruttibili soltanto se lo ritengono necessario od opportuno e per lo più rivolti all'inganno, alla malvagità, alle menzogne e alla violenza. Lo scarto, dunque, attorno a cui ruotano i personalismi e il desiderio egocentrico di affermarsi e infine distinguersi si gioca tra le cose come stanno e le cose per come appaiono.
In questo quadro generale complesso e poco favorevole alla sopravvivenza, la Divisione Investigazioni Criminali diretta dal tenente William L. Hornsby è nell'occhio del ciclone dopo il ritrovamento di un cadavere a Piedmont Park. Mentre le indagini affidate al Sergente Kendall Parker conducono sin da subito a un locale gay situato nei pressi del luogo del delitto e, con il passare del tempo, al Metroplex, — "sontuoso club di spogliarello integrale maschile e lounge bar" di proprietà di Anthony Galloti, "nipote di una delle più pericolose famiglie criminali di Chicago" — le associazioni LGBT della città chiedono a gran voce giustizia: che il crimine sia stato ispirato da omofobia e dall'odio anti-gay è ormai notizia acclarata.
A questo punto della storia, e sto ancora parlando della parte introduttiva, i tropi narrativi del poliziesco più puro sembrano esserci tutti: un investigatore animato da una sincera sete di verità, indagini svolte con metodi scientifici accurati lungo le strade afose di Atlanta, istituzioni politiche pressate dalle diverse istanze e sensibilità che provengono dall'opinione pubblica, loschi affari finanziari, bar eleganti o squallidi, ballerini e prostitute dal fascino fatale.
In verità, e sebbene il giallo segua per certi versi lo schema del whodunit, la trama è caratterizzata da alcuni elementi tipici del noir. Michaelsen instilla il dubbio, desta sospetti, dissemina indizi ambigui e soprattutto utilizza come punto di partenza il delitto di un bellissimo e giovane sconosciuto al fine di esplorare sia il degrado morale di una città in parte eterosessista — e che non fa nulla per nascondere l'intolleranza e l'odio nei confronti delle persone omosessuali — sia la psicologia dei personaggi. Non appena Parker dà il via alle indagini, a emergere sono dettagli preoccupanti, le cui ripercussioni possono risultare pericolose. Legami insospettabili, attività illecite e un macchinoso sistema politico-istituzionale dimostrano come, in una società interconnessa, il marcio sia ovunque, tanto più pervasivamente diffuso quanto più ignorato o inatteso. Anche il corpo di polizia non è immune da colpe: chiuso in un ostinato e rigoroso silenzio, svela il suo volto retrivo attenendosi a un codice comportamentale influenzato da stereotipi e pregiudizi contro le persone Lgbtq+. Ragion per cui, se consideriamo che sono trascorsi poco meno di due mesi da quando la Corte Suprema degli Stati Uniti ha messo al bando la discriminazione sul lavoro, stabilendo che non si può essere licenziati per il proprio orientamento o per la propria identità sessuale, è evidente che "Giovane, bello e morto" ha in sé un alto grado di autenticità, pur preservando il confine — non sempre vago e impalpabile — che separa la finzione dalla verità.
Appaiono altrettanto verosimili i personaggi che popolano l'universo di Kendall Parker. I frammenti della loro anima, che sia marcia o innocente o tormentata, danno vita a un microcosmo complesso in cui spiccano diverse declinazioni dell'umano. Con una prosa efficace e ricca di dettagli che Michaelsen fa piovere a cascata sul lettore, si imprimono nella memoria i poliziotti ruvidi e tutti d'un pezzo, convinti di cavarsela impunemente anche dopo aver abusato del potere che la divisa conferisce loro. Emergono vividamente il giovane ispettore desideroso di imparare e fare del bene e la prostituta in lotta per la difesa della propria incolumità che ci regala una delle pagine più belle del romanzo, in cui il tentativo di dare movimento all'azione e profondità a ogni sfumatura, pensiero o emozione è, senza ombra di dubbio, riuscitissimo. Colpisce fra tutti Calvin Slade, legato a doppio filo con Kendall Parker e cronista d'assalto, la cui ferrea ostinazione mi ha riportato alla mente il Dustin Hoffman di Tutti gli uomini del presidente. Ho apprezzato il suo coraggio, la volontà di rivelare verità scomode senza temere le prevedibili ritorsioni da parte del potente di turno e la tendenza a non mascherare il suo cinismo di fronte alla realtà, nuda e cruda. È uno dei miei personaggi preferiti, lo ammetto, forse perché mi ha ricordato qual è — davvero — la forza più difficile e complicata da gestire, cioè quella della parola.
Ciò che tiene unito questo gruppo disomogeneo di personaggi sono anzitutto le relazioni: non sempre piacevoli — a volte si presentano inquiete, logore o sgualcite — resistono a ogni ostacolo e asperità, anche quando il cielo non è propizio e tutti cercano di aggrapparsi all'irritabile evidenza del torto e della ragione. In secondo luogo, li accomuna la ricerca ossessiva e disperata di comprensione e orientamento, di un senso di integrità che sembra essersi smarrito dinanzi all'abisso delle loro contraddizioni. E tra tutti i personaggi più ambigui e contraddittori del romanzo credo ci sia proprio lui, Kendall Parker.
Questo poliziotto trentacinquenne alto e massiccio, scrupoloso e attento, giusto e sempre ritto sulla schiena, sa che non sta scrivendo la sua storia. Il caso del giovane e bellissimo sconosciuto trovato morto a Piedmont Park lo tocca nel profondo, prolunga il suo dolore — che gli toglie il respiro mentre arde lento e durevole — e infine lo costringe a combattere contro i suoi demoni (offrendo a noi lettori e alla risoluzione del mistero una nuova e più profonda prospettiva). Parker non può più accettare che siano sempre i deboli a pagare e i morti, ancora una volta, a morire e scomparire; e così, nel momento più penoso e straziante della sua intera esistenza, prende coscienza del fatto che vivere non è un gioco al rialzo di bugie e segreti — che lui è tanto abile a scoprire quanto a mantenere — perché nessun sentimento e nessuna emozione possono davvero spegnersi nel dimenticare.
Questo primo capitolo della serie Kendall Parker Mystery non sarà forse un libro perfetto ma è di sicuro un ottimo esordio e un contributo notevole al genere mystery LGBTQ+, sopratutto perché pone l'accento sui risvolti sociali dell'omofobia e su come i pregiudizi condizionino la vita di chi li subisce acuendo nelle vittime rabbia, insicurezza e smarrimento.
Dopo aver pubblicato il primo volume della serie Pinx Video Mystery di Marshall Thornton (qui) e nell'attesa di dare alle stampe la serie Henry Rios Mysteries di Michael Nava (qui), Triskell Edizioni punta di nuovo, grazie anche alla bella traduzione di Claudia Milani, su un autore finalista ai Lambda Literary Award capace di intrattenere, emozionare e appassionare e su di un personaggio intenso e misterioso che ha ancora tanto da raccontare — dalla complessità dei suoi chiaroscuri alla persistente tenerezza e umanità che — ci ero quasi cascata — finge di non possedere:
Prima però di prendere in considerazione questo lato del racconto più intimo e introspettivo, facciamo un piccolo passo indietro e partiamo da dove tutto ha inizio.
L'azione e l'intreccio del romanzo si sviluppano nella capitale della Georgia. La città ci appare avviata verso una polarizzazione politica lacerante, il cui cinismo risponde a logiche speculative ed economiche: il vero scopo da raggiungere è il potere — la conquista e la gestione del potere.
Dietro gli spazi verdi e i grattacieli che ne dominano lo skyline, Atlanta è un campo di battaglia. Se la sua storia è affascinante e dinamica, improntata alla modernità e al progressismo, la realtà sottostante rileva un disprezzo generale, una tracotanza priva di orizzonti e confini. A prevalere sono il calcolo opportunistico dei vantaggi e gli interessi dei singoli, che si muovono in un mondo senza regole dove è quasi impossibile orientarsi: i personaggi descritti da Michaelsen si dimostrano vulnerabili, corruttibili soltanto se lo ritengono necessario od opportuno e per lo più rivolti all'inganno, alla malvagità, alle menzogne e alla violenza. Lo scarto, dunque, attorno a cui ruotano i personalismi e il desiderio egocentrico di affermarsi e infine distinguersi si gioca tra le cose come stanno e le cose per come appaiono.
In questo quadro generale complesso e poco favorevole alla sopravvivenza, la Divisione Investigazioni Criminali diretta dal tenente William L. Hornsby è nell'occhio del ciclone dopo il ritrovamento di un cadavere a Piedmont Park. Mentre le indagini affidate al Sergente Kendall Parker conducono sin da subito a un locale gay situato nei pressi del luogo del delitto e, con il passare del tempo, al Metroplex, — "sontuoso club di spogliarello integrale maschile e lounge bar" di proprietà di Anthony Galloti, "nipote di una delle più pericolose famiglie criminali di Chicago" — le associazioni LGBT della città chiedono a gran voce giustizia: che il crimine sia stato ispirato da omofobia e dall'odio anti-gay è ormai notizia acclarata.
A questo punto della storia, e sto ancora parlando della parte introduttiva, i tropi narrativi del poliziesco più puro sembrano esserci tutti: un investigatore animato da una sincera sete di verità, indagini svolte con metodi scientifici accurati lungo le strade afose di Atlanta, istituzioni politiche pressate dalle diverse istanze e sensibilità che provengono dall'opinione pubblica, loschi affari finanziari, bar eleganti o squallidi, ballerini e prostitute dal fascino fatale.
In verità, e sebbene il giallo segua per certi versi lo schema del whodunit, la trama è caratterizzata da alcuni elementi tipici del noir. Michaelsen instilla il dubbio, desta sospetti, dissemina indizi ambigui e soprattutto utilizza come punto di partenza il delitto di un bellissimo e giovane sconosciuto al fine di esplorare sia il degrado morale di una città in parte eterosessista — e che non fa nulla per nascondere l'intolleranza e l'odio nei confronti delle persone omosessuali — sia la psicologia dei personaggi. Non appena Parker dà il via alle indagini, a emergere sono dettagli preoccupanti, le cui ripercussioni possono risultare pericolose. Legami insospettabili, attività illecite e un macchinoso sistema politico-istituzionale dimostrano come, in una società interconnessa, il marcio sia ovunque, tanto più pervasivamente diffuso quanto più ignorato o inatteso. Anche il corpo di polizia non è immune da colpe: chiuso in un ostinato e rigoroso silenzio, svela il suo volto retrivo attenendosi a un codice comportamentale influenzato da stereotipi e pregiudizi contro le persone Lgbtq+. Ragion per cui, se consideriamo che sono trascorsi poco meno di due mesi da quando la Corte Suprema degli Stati Uniti ha messo al bando la discriminazione sul lavoro, stabilendo che non si può essere licenziati per il proprio orientamento o per la propria identità sessuale, è evidente che "Giovane, bello e morto" ha in sé un alto grado di autenticità, pur preservando il confine — non sempre vago e impalpabile — che separa la finzione dalla verità.
Appaiono altrettanto verosimili i personaggi che popolano l'universo di Kendall Parker. I frammenti della loro anima, che sia marcia o innocente o tormentata, danno vita a un microcosmo complesso in cui spiccano diverse declinazioni dell'umano. Con una prosa efficace e ricca di dettagli che Michaelsen fa piovere a cascata sul lettore, si imprimono nella memoria i poliziotti ruvidi e tutti d'un pezzo, convinti di cavarsela impunemente anche dopo aver abusato del potere che la divisa conferisce loro. Emergono vividamente il giovane ispettore desideroso di imparare e fare del bene e la prostituta in lotta per la difesa della propria incolumità che ci regala una delle pagine più belle del romanzo, in cui il tentativo di dare movimento all'azione e profondità a ogni sfumatura, pensiero o emozione è, senza ombra di dubbio, riuscitissimo. Colpisce fra tutti Calvin Slade, legato a doppio filo con Kendall Parker e cronista d'assalto, la cui ferrea ostinazione mi ha riportato alla mente il Dustin Hoffman di Tutti gli uomini del presidente. Ho apprezzato il suo coraggio, la volontà di rivelare verità scomode senza temere le prevedibili ritorsioni da parte del potente di turno e la tendenza a non mascherare il suo cinismo di fronte alla realtà, nuda e cruda. È uno dei miei personaggi preferiti, lo ammetto, forse perché mi ha ricordato qual è — davvero — la forza più difficile e complicata da gestire, cioè quella della parola.
Ciò che tiene unito questo gruppo disomogeneo di personaggi sono anzitutto le relazioni: non sempre piacevoli — a volte si presentano inquiete, logore o sgualcite — resistono a ogni ostacolo e asperità, anche quando il cielo non è propizio e tutti cercano di aggrapparsi all'irritabile evidenza del torto e della ragione. In secondo luogo, li accomuna la ricerca ossessiva e disperata di comprensione e orientamento, di un senso di integrità che sembra essersi smarrito dinanzi all'abisso delle loro contraddizioni. E tra tutti i personaggi più ambigui e contraddittori del romanzo credo ci sia proprio lui, Kendall Parker.
Questo poliziotto trentacinquenne alto e massiccio, scrupoloso e attento, giusto e sempre ritto sulla schiena, sa che non sta scrivendo la sua storia. Il caso del giovane e bellissimo sconosciuto trovato morto a Piedmont Park lo tocca nel profondo, prolunga il suo dolore — che gli toglie il respiro mentre arde lento e durevole — e infine lo costringe a combattere contro i suoi demoni (offrendo a noi lettori e alla risoluzione del mistero una nuova e più profonda prospettiva). Parker non può più accettare che siano sempre i deboli a pagare e i morti, ancora una volta, a morire e scomparire; e così, nel momento più penoso e straziante della sua intera esistenza, prende coscienza del fatto che vivere non è un gioco al rialzo di bugie e segreti — che lui è tanto abile a scoprire quanto a mantenere — perché nessun sentimento e nessuna emozione possono davvero spegnersi nel dimenticare.
Questo primo capitolo della serie Kendall Parker Mystery non sarà forse un libro perfetto ma è di sicuro un ottimo esordio e un contributo notevole al genere mystery LGBTQ+, sopratutto perché pone l'accento sui risvolti sociali dell'omofobia e su come i pregiudizi condizionino la vita di chi li subisce acuendo nelle vittime rabbia, insicurezza e smarrimento.
Dopo aver pubblicato il primo volume della serie Pinx Video Mystery di Marshall Thornton (qui) e nell'attesa di dare alle stampe la serie Henry Rios Mysteries di Michael Nava (qui), Triskell Edizioni punta di nuovo, grazie anche alla bella traduzione di Claudia Milani, su un autore finalista ai Lambda Literary Award capace di intrattenere, emozionare e appassionare e su di un personaggio intenso e misterioso che ha ancora tanto da raccontare — dalla complessità dei suoi chiaroscuri alla persistente tenerezza e umanità che — ci ero quasi cascata — finge di non possedere:
Era probabile che la vittima facesse parte di una minoranza silenziosa, che fosse stata sacrificata solo perché aveva avuto l’ardire di voler esistere, che agli occhi della maggior parte della gente fosse un emarginato. Era inutile piangere sul latte versato.
Eppure non riusciva a non pensare a chi lo aveva conosciuto. A chi gli era stato vicino e che ora avrebbe sofferto immensamente per la sua scomparsa, magari interrogandosi in eterno sul motivo di quella violenza. Non avrebbero mai capito, mai perdonato, macerandosi nel dolore per tutti gli anni a venire. Conosceva bene quelle sensazioni, aveva provato sulla propria pelle il senso di colpa e il dubbio, la disperazione più nera. Aveva toccato con mano l’angoscia che accompagnava la perdita di una persona amata.
December 9, 2014
4.5*
A gritty, at times uncomfortable read in the genuine murder mystery vein - no holds barred from the attack to the autopsy, the description of life for those at the bottom of society and the bigotry faced within the police force. There is no sugar coating in this book.
The start of the book gave me a feeling of impending doom as we follow Jason as he sets into place a plan to let him escape - but from who and what? Was his unlikeable treatment of Tim normal or stress related - I didn't want to get too invested in him in case he was the pretty boy of the title.
The next chapter, with the attack by Red didn't settle me at all - it was gruesomely well done - I didnt like reading it, was tense and cringing the whole time. The details of Hopper's life were similarly grim reading and ultimately upsetting.
Then story then moved into the detective work, though Parker is a bit of a mystey himself, what accident, who is Michael and what is he to Parker.
Really engrossing writing, I could see it playing out like a TV show in my head. Answers do come to the questions, the bad guys are introduced early but their menace is a background to all going on and their reasons are gradually revealed.
I don't think enjoy is the fully correct word for reading this book, some of the subject matters and descriptions too much into my eek zone, but it was certainly engrossing, it made me think a lot about the pitiful places people end up, how humans can so mistreat fellow humans. Occaisionally I found an odd pov or phrase or quick solution an issue, more so towards the end, but it is one that will haunt me for a while. I think that further rereads will just get more out of the story.
A gritty, at times uncomfortable read in the genuine murder mystery vein - no holds barred from the attack to the autopsy, the description of life for those at the bottom of society and the bigotry faced within the police force. There is no sugar coating in this book.
The start of the book gave me a feeling of impending doom as we follow Jason as he sets into place a plan to let him escape - but from who and what? Was his unlikeable treatment of Tim normal or stress related - I didn't want to get too invested in him in case he was the pretty boy of the title.
The next chapter, with the attack by Red didn't settle me at all - it was gruesomely well done - I didnt like reading it, was tense and cringing the whole time. The details of Hopper's life were similarly grim reading and ultimately upsetting.
Then story then moved into the detective work, though Parker is a bit of a mystey himself, what accident, who is Michael and what is he to Parker.
Really engrossing writing, I could see it playing out like a TV show in my head. Answers do come to the questions, the bad guys are introduced early but their menace is a background to all going on and their reasons are gradually revealed.
I don't think enjoy is the fully correct word for reading this book, some of the subject matters and descriptions too much into my eek zone, but it was certainly engrossing, it made me think a lot about the pitiful places people end up, how humans can so mistreat fellow humans. Occaisionally I found an odd pov or phrase or quick solution an issue, more so towards the end, but it is one that will haunt me for a while. I think that further rereads will just get more out of the story.
March 7, 2014
When a male stripper is found dead in the park, in-the-closet Atlanta police sergeant Kendall Parker is assigned to find the killer. The crime is politically sensitive and elections are just around the corner, so the powers that be want Parker to railroad a street kid with a drug problem and AIDS. He knows it isn't right, but the kid makes his job finding the real murderer any easier when he attacks another cop investigating the crime. A local blue blood family and a popular politician add red herrings to the search, and on top of that Parker is fighting to keep his own sexuality a secret so he doesn't find himself persona non grata in the police force.
A reliable work of crime fiction and certainly an enjoyable read with distinct characters and more than enough typical crime story intrigue with lots of hypocrite comeuppance and pretty boys decorating the set.
That's All I Read, http://kitmossreviews.blogspot.com
GLBT Bookshelf, http://glbtbookshelf.com
A reliable work of crime fiction and certainly an enjoyable read with distinct characters and more than enough typical crime story intrigue with lots of hypocrite comeuppance and pretty boys decorating the set.
That's All I Read, http://kitmossreviews.blogspot.com
GLBT Bookshelf, http://glbtbookshelf.com
January 8, 2014
I really enjoy a good mystery. And to say I was thoroughly entertained throughout this tale would be the understatement of the decade. Mr. Michaelsen trapped me in the first paragraph and I was not set free until the very last sentence.
Everything necessary for a first-rate thriller is in here, and in all the right places. First of all we have the introduction of characters all neatly in a row only to have them scatter as their personalities expand and the story develops. Then the plot, which is complete with intrigue, suspense, and my personal favorite, Hitchcockian twists.
I sincerely hope that we have not heard the last of Kendall Parker and his astounding ability to turn a mystery upside-down to the point where the only thing that makes sense is the truth.
Everything necessary for a first-rate thriller is in here, and in all the right places. First of all we have the introduction of characters all neatly in a row only to have them scatter as their personalities expand and the story develops. Then the plot, which is complete with intrigue, suspense, and my personal favorite, Hitchcockian twists.
I sincerely hope that we have not heard the last of Kendall Parker and his astounding ability to turn a mystery upside-down to the point where the only thing that makes sense is the truth.
July 17, 2016
Truthfully, I was about a third of the way in before I decided that I was going to finish this book. It was a slow start, but when it caught me I didn’t want to put it down. This is an old fashioned type mystery, with really bad bad guys, a harried police detective, a captain that only cares about the politics behind everything, and detailed police work (the autopsy was a little too detailed for me!).
This book was tagged as an m/m romance, but there is no romance in this book. There are some gay characters in the book and there are issues that come up related to that, but this is not a mystery tied around a romance.
This book was tagged as an m/m romance, but there is no romance in this book. There are some gay characters in the book and there are issues that come up related to that, but this is not a mystery tied around a romance.
July 13, 2023
A mystery twister.
The author Jon Michaelsen writes so beautifully that you can feel each of the characters souls with ease, truly talented !
Detective Sargent Parker loosing his ex partner in a car accident which the court declared that it wasn’t his fault but the depression of loosing him was eating him apart now have to solve a complicated crime with a rookie.
The story is written so god with twist after twist that makes it great and hard to put down.
Excellent narration of each of the characters by F. C. McAlister.
Got my full
recommendations !
Oded Ostfeld.
The author Jon Michaelsen writes so beautifully that you can feel each of the characters souls with ease, truly talented !
Detective Sargent Parker loosing his ex partner in a car accident which the court declared that it wasn’t his fault but the depression of loosing him was eating him apart now have to solve a complicated crime with a rookie.
The story is written so god with twist after twist that makes it great and hard to put down.
Excellent narration of each of the characters by F. C. McAlister.
Got my full
recommendations !
Oded Ostfeld.
August 9, 2020
We,, this is definitely not a romance. The MC is gay but not even a kiss.
However, the murder mystery is good. I recoiled in horror at the senseless murder, you feel as if you are actually there.
The MC is Kendall. A very much in the closet at work gay man. His LT is very homophobic. When I started to read this with the attitudes, I thought this might have been set years ago, but they mention the internet and so I figured it was fairly recent.
I enjoyed this so much I went straight into the second book.
However, the murder mystery is good. I recoiled in horror at the senseless murder, you feel as if you are actually there.
The MC is Kendall. A very much in the closet at work gay man. His LT is very homophobic. When I started to read this with the attitudes, I thought this might have been set years ago, but they mention the internet and so I figured it was fairly recent.
I enjoyed this so much I went straight into the second book.
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