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Lavender House
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
A delicious story from an new voice in suspense, Lavender House is Knives Out with a queer historical twist When you're a cop in 1952 and your colleagues bust you in a raid on a gay bar, your career options become extremely limited. Former San Francisco Police Inspector Evander Mills' retirement plan is to drink until his money is gone, then pitch himself into the bay. Until a widow sits down next to Andy at the bar and offers him a private gig--find out what happened to her wife. Persuaded to take the case, Andy accompanies the widow to Lavender House, the family seat of recently deceased Irene Lamontaine, head of the Lamontaine Soap empire. At this secluded estate, where none of the residents, or the staff, need to hide their identities, Andy finds a bewitching freedom. He also immediately finds himself a pawn in a family game of old money, subterfuge, and jealousy--and Irene's death was only the beginning. The gates of Lavender House can't lock out the real world, and it turns out that not even a soap empire can keep everyone clean.
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review
Liatrek
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

Really enjoyed this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ looking forward to continuing the series.

DyAnne I think the second book is even better. 3mo
Texreader ❤️🐈‍⬛ 3mo
dabbe #photocontestwinner Those eyes! 💚💚💚 3mo
See All 7 Comments
rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 3mo
IuliaC 😻❤️ 3mo
IndoorDame 😻😻😻 3mo
5feet.of.fury I love this series! 3mo
60 likes7 comments
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Kshakal
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Eggs Pretty💜 3mo
32 likes1 comment
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Sarahreadstoomuch
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

Yes, it‘s technically a mystery set in the 1950s San Francisco…. But far more interesting were the lives of these characters. Pretty much everyone is gay at a time when that would be enough to get you fired, beaten or worse but they created their own compound where they could live as their true selves. This is such a foreign concept to our investigator, and he struggles with it while solving the case.

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shortsarahrose
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

One part character-driven, queer historical fiction; another part cozy country house mystery. If you‘re here for the mystery, that‘s honestly the least interesting part of this book (it‘s a little predictable and solved without any major twists). However! I was drawn in by Andy and his struggle with his sexuality during a time when it wasn‘t safe to be out. Good supporting cast and my favorites look set to reappear in the next installment.

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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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I made this quiz for Autostraddle dot com! Take it if you want a queer mystery recommendation. If you do, let me know which book you got. I've read most of the options and they are all great! #QueerBooks #Mystery

https://www.autostraddle.com/quiz-which-queer-mystery-novel-should-you-read/

Jari-chan I got Dirt Creek. Sounds interesting. 7mo
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @Jari-chan that one is great! Very real atmosphere of a scorching desert small town in Australia! 7mo
See All 11 Comments
PuddleJumper I got The Mimicking of Known Successes which I've never heard of but I'm now going to Google 7mo
bunny Not me getting a book that‘s been sitting unread on my shelf for…just SO long. Guess it‘s a sign I should finally read it! Great quiz, thanks for sharing. 7mo
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @PuddleJumper that one is very fun, an easy read but so interesting! 7mo
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @Ruthiella that's one I want to read myself! 7mo
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @bunny glad you liked it! I loved Lavender House, hope you do too! 7mo
Kitta I‘m adding it to my tbr! It sounds so good 7mo
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @Kitta I loved it, hope you do too! 7mo
25 likes11 comments
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peanutnine
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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#TLT #ThreeListThursday

1. Hercule Poirot
2. The Thursday Murder gang
3. Andy Mills from Lavender House is a new favorite

Thanks for the tag @dabbe ☺️
Want to play? @CogsOfEncouragement @Librarybelle @Mshookquilts

Librarybelle Thanks for the tag! 9mo
dabbe #1: of course! 🤩 #2; those are on the TBR--must get going on them! Never heard of #3--now on the TBR, too! Thanks for playing! ❤️💜🩷 9mo
31 likes2 comments
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Blueroseis
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

Different from the normal kind of book that I read, I found the story somewhat unique and interesting. Set in the 1950s it was quite eye opening. Describing the various attitudes of the time and the brutality of the police was shocking. This was the first in a series following Evander Mills or the Gay Detective as he was once described. While I enjoyed the story as a one off, I don't feel that inspired to continue reading anymore in the series.

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tokorowilliamwallace
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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LaraS
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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I love a good dedication. 🔪 My pick for #kill for #scarathlonphotochallenge #BatBrigade 🦇

The head of a famous soap empire mysteriously dies, and her wife hires a PI to uncover the truth. This book is touted as “Knives Out with a queer historical twist“, but I think that's a disservice to the book. It's a bit slower and deeper character study than Knives Out and I suspect some of the low ratings are from people who were looking for a fun romp.

Catsandbooks 😂👍🏼🖤 12mo
7 likes1 stack add1 comment
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snapsnarlgrowl
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen

“Need me to help you undress?” he asks, then looks horrified at himself. “I don‘t think I‘ve ever asked that without lewd intent before.”

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PhilipE
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

Fun who done it. Great characters and a great sun plot of a guy finding who he is and beginning to create his family.

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Jen2
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

Good story.

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vlwelser
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Mehso-so

This is just a murder mystery with characters engaged in non traditional lifestyles. It's entertaining. I don't feel compelled to read the next one.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1y
41 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Twocougs
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

I‘m not sure what I was expecting but I‘m very happy, a not your usual detective story. Looking to reading about Detective Andy in the next installment.

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CaitlinR
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

Great story set in San Francisco in 1952. After the relative freedom for LBGTQ folk during the war years, McCarthy‘s raving paranoia had made life intolerable and dangerous. Detective Evander (Andy) Mills has been caught in a gay bar raid, that ends life as he knows it. Hired to find the killer of a soap empire, Andy joins a blended queer family at Lavender House which offers sanctuary, but danger lurks. Beautifully crafted, lovingly written.

CaitlinR Photo of the author by Rachel Shane. 1y
Chelsea.Poole Great review! 1y
CaitlinR @Chelsea.Poole Thank you! I really hope this turns into a series featuring Andy an his newly minted Amethyst Investigations! 1y
See All 7 Comments
Dragon Totally agree-great book ❤️🐉 1y
CaitlinR @Dragon I had no idea there was a dragon emoji! Thanks for the comment. 1y
Dragon You‘re welcome- apparently there‘s going to be a series or at least another book in October 💚🐉 1y
CaitlinR @Dragon Wonderful news! 1y
26 likes2 stack adds7 comments
quote
shortsarahrose
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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“I get back into bed and fall asleep again.”

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shortsarahrose
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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“I finally take my eyes off the poem enough to nod at her and try a smile, too, but it doesn‘t fit quite right again, so I walk away. She doesn‘t stop me.”

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Dragon
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

A noir style detective story with a cool twist. Andy is a police detective playing a straight man in a very homophobic post war San Francisco. His cover is blown and just as he‘s about to leave a bar and jump in the Bay - Pearl steps in to hire him to solve a mystery at Lavender House . I hope this becomes a series - I really liked Andy and the time period is interesting 👍👍💚🐉

Bookzombie Book 2 is supposed to be out in October. 🙂 2y
Dragon Yay - thanks 🙏 @Bookzombie I will definitely want to read it 👍💚🐉 2y
45 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Sharpeipup
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Decided lavender essential oil was the perfect scent as I listened to tagged #audiobook

5feet.of.fury 💜 very fitting! @Bookzombie brought to my attention that there will be a sequel out in October! 2y
38 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Bookzombie
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

January Review

Thank you @5feet.of.fury for picking this one for me! I did a mix of audio and print for this one and loved both mediums. The blurb describes this as a queer historical Knives Out, which is a pretty good description. Set in 1950s San Francisco, Andy has been fired from the police department after being caught in a raid on a gay bar. While doing some day drinking, he is hired by a woman to solve the murder of her wife. ⬇️

Bookzombie I had the murderer pegged pretty quickly, not the why though. But honestly, that didn‘t matter, I loved the characters in this book and the found family element. Also, just like that I have started another series. The second book is supposed to be out in the fall. #SeriesLove2023 #12challenge #12in2023

Also, I love this cover.
(edited) 2y
5feet.of.fury 💜 so glad you enjoyed! Oooh I didn‘t know there was going to be a sequel!!! 2y
Bookzombie @5feet.of.fury This is it if you haven‘t already looked. 🙂 2y
batsy This sounds good! 2y
Bookzombie @batsy I hope you enjoy it if you pick it up. 🙂 2y
50 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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AshleyC816
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

Interesting mystery with LGBTQ twist - I enjoyed this one, I was rooting for the lead the whole time.

Sapphire Love your 🐶! 2y
wanderinglynn What a cutie! ❤️🐶 2y
batsy Awww! Book model 😍 2y
36 likes1 stack add3 comments
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peanutnine
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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#12BooksOf2022
This was a great queer historical mystery. Kept me guessing and great characters 💜
@Andrew65

Andrew65 Sounds a good read. 2y
34 likes1 comment
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StaceyKondla
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

Loved this audiobook! I just binged it over the last two days. It was compulsively listenable, great narration, a twisty gay whodunnit in a unique setting with unique circumstances, a fabulous main character and I hope this turns into a series 💜💜💜

46 likes1 stack add
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peanutnine
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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I read a ton of books this month but Lavender House was definitely my favorite. Historical noir plus philosophizing about queer identity? Yes please! Have you noticed a theme in my bracket yet... 🌈
#readingbracket2022

38 likes1 stack add
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

An historical mystery set in 1950s San Francisco with an all queer cast! Andy, the MC, is a nuanced portrayal of a gay man with internalized homophobia, a former cop kicked who was caught in a police raid of a gay bar. He's day drinking when an older lady approaches, asking him to investigate her wife's death murder. Great characters, a puzzling whodunit, and a heartwarming story about reinventing yourself after you think your life is over.

CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian Content warning: police violence/brutality, suicide ideation 2y
Branwen This looks amazing! 2y
akaGingerK That sounds great! 2y
49 likes4 stack adds5 comments
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peanutnine
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

I absolutely adored this book! I've seen it described as a queer Knives Out and that is an apt description. Set in 1950s San Francisco, Andy is a gay detective who is fired after being discovered during a raid but then hired as a PI by a powerful family who live as openly queer within their household. The matriarch has died and her wife believes it was murder & needs Andy to prove it & find the killer
#Scarathlon2022 #TeamMonsterMash @StayCurious

5feet.of.fury 💜💜 yay! This book deserves all the hype. 2y
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 2y
TheSpineView Fantastic 2y
Catsandbooks Ooo I love knives out, gonna have to check this out! 2y
42 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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GerardtheBookworm
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

The Lavender House, a private residence in San Francisco owned by a wealthy soap heiress who dies under mysterious circumstances. When a disgraced gay detective is hired to investigate her possible murder, he discovers secrets about the residents and his own truth in this queer themed mystery

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5feet.of.fury
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

Yeah, this is going to be one of my favorites of the year. Special thanks to @rachelsbrittain ‘s October Book Bingo. Would not have stumbled onto it without the prompts.

Andy is fired from the Police after getting caught in a raid at a gay bar, investigates a suspicious death of a queer woman who is the brain& face of a soap empire.Some people are unhappy to have a cop in their commune.
✅ found family
✅ endearing characters
✅ riveting plot
💯

TheSpineView Fantastic 2y
JamieArc This book is featured in November‘s Book Page and I was really intrigued. Good to see such great reviews of it! 2y
Catsandbooks 🙌🏼☠️💜 2y
5feet.of.fury @JamieArc nice! It was fantastic! I listened to the audio and the performance was also really great. 2y
27 likes5 comments
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5feet.of.fury
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Forgot my gym pass so I took a gloomy little walk listening to the tagged book.

The book is great so far! Set in the 1950s, former cop- fired from the police force after a raid on a gay bar- turns PI, takes a case in a queer commune/soap empire after soap genius dies under suspicious circumstances.
This is the whodunnit I was looking for when I started reading 7 1/2 Deaths
But super 🏳️‍🌈💜

#Scarathlon2022 #TeamSlaughter #31by31 #spookoween

TheSpineView Love walks even if gloomy! 2y
peanutnine I just finished this one! So good. And perfect for a gloomy walk! 2y
5feet.of.fury @peanutnine it‘s so good! I was listening on the drive to work in the fog it‘s def got that perfect gloomy vibe. 2y
Catsandbooks 🙌🏼🦇🖤 2y
tokorowilliamwallace Looks like a quality strolling spot. 2y
27 likes5 comments
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rachelsbrittain
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

This historical thriller follows a former police detective in the 1950s ousted from the force after being found with another man at a gay club. All seems hopeless but then he's hired by an eccentric family who's matriarch--the head of a soap making empire--just died under suspicious circumstances. The family is hiding many secrets, including that they're all queer in a time when being openly queer was still illegal and deeply dangerous.

peanutnine I just got this from my library! Excited to read it, sounds interesting 2y
rachelsbrittain @peanutnine I really enjoyed it! 2y
43 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Mpcacher
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Pickpick

This is an historical, almost cozy, mystery set in 1952 San Francisco's LGBTQ2+ world. I thoroughly enjoyed it and liked that the mystery was enhanced by the depiction of life for gay people at that time in history. The capacity of the characters to find happiness, in spite of being vilified by society, was inspiring. While there were some dark scenes, it did not read as a particularly gritty story. The ending left me hope for a sequel. 4.25/5

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TracyReadsBooks
Lavender House | Lev AC Rosen
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Littens, have you seen this cover?!? 😍

I don‘t know anything about the book but this cover definitely makes me want to know more!

LibrarianRyan I was just thinking the same thing. 3y
Soubhiville Me too! 3y
27 likes2 stack adds2 comments