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Book Chat:

Suspense

by Elizabeth Parker

This month I'd like to cover a new (to me) author of mystery fiction who has good potential for transgender writing. She is Barbara Jaye Wilson, author of a mystery series starring Brenda Midnight, an up-and-coming New York milliner. She is somewhat hard to find on the traditional bookstore shelves, so the only book I've read so far is her latest published work, "Accessory To Murder". As mystery authors go, I found her mediocre, but her redeeming quality is very quirky supporting characters. Brenda's next door neighbor is Elizabeth (no relation), who is learning to roller blade rather badly. Elizabeth is in her 70's. Her ex-boyfriend, whom she still dates, is Johnny, the newest star of a television mystery series. And her best girlfriend is Dweena, who used to be Edward, a disgraced stock-broker. No one really knows how far Dweena went with her change, but when Edward was kicked out of his brokerage, he became Dweena, and is now a bouncer at a nightclub.

One of Wilson's drawbacks is her lack of descriptiveness and Dweena is no exception. But she is apparently quite stunning, drawing looks of the right kind on the street. She wears a different wig every time they go out and apparently is somewhat of a fetish dresser.

Dweena gets drawn into the plot because she is the only one of the gang who has her driver's license, though it is under Edward's name. As the book opens, we find Johnny driving with his learner's permit, and Dweena riding shotgun. Brenda is in the back seat with Norbert and Neena, brother and sister, who have asked a favor of the gang. When they drive up to the morgue we find what the favor is. They dump the body of Norbert and Neena's uncle Buddy out of the trunk and drive off. That sets the stage for much zaniness to follow.

Dweena is a constant character throughout the rest of the book, providing excellent sidekick support for Brenda and much titillation for us. I even think she displays better detecting skills than Brenda at one point in the book.

Barbara Jaye Wilson has written one previous book that I know of, "Death Brims Over", and one yet to be published, "Death Flips Its Lid". I don't know yet if Dweena is a continuing character. She certainly appears to be. Of course, your library lady will let you know.


Another good book to take a look at is T. Jefferson Parker's latest, "Where Serpents Lie". You may know Parker from his excellent work, "Laguna Beach", or possibly "The Triggerman's Dance". Parker is an author I always read, even though he has never had TG elements before. His characters are always well-drawn and sympathetic, though flawed. He is one of the best suspense authors working today.

In his latest, a serial child molester, Horridus, has been attacking young children in the San Francisco area. When he is finished with them, he dresses them like angels, attaches a snakeskin to their gowns and releases them. The detective, Terry Naughton, struggles to put together the clues before more are attacked. He also, in Parker's inimitable way, struggles with his own personal demons. This book is a rarity, as authors usually shy away from putting children in jeopardy, because it's too painful. But Parker actually does this even though anyone who has ever had children will flinch at reading this. But he succeeds in capturing our interest and even manages to create some very slight sympathy for Horridus.

I don't want to go into too many details about Horridus' background, as it is part of the discoveries in the book. But it is right out of one of our most enduring fantasies. However don't buy or read this book for a thrill. Instead expect to be challenged, as the logical consequences of that fantasy are examined. Is the effects of his childhood treatment a possible consequence? I think so, though most won't go to the extremes the villain here does. But it disturbed me greatly and I think this book fully expresses the ancient Chinese curse, "be careful what you ask for, as you might get it!".

If you've read the book, tell me what you think. And as always, I'm looking to hear about your discoveries. You will not find it easy to locate one I haven't read. But some great ones have been discovered by several of you. So keep 'em coming!



Bibliography
  • Parker, T. Jefferson, "Where Serpents Lie", Hyperion, 1998, ISBN: 0786862874 (Hardback)
  • Wilson, Barbara Jaye, "Accessory To Murder", Avon, 1998, ISBN: 0380788217 (Paperback)
  • Wilson, Barbara Jaye, "Death Brims Over", Avon, 1997, ISBN: 0380788209 (Paperback)
  • Wilson, Barbara Jaye, "Death Flips Its Lid", Avon, October 1998, ISBN: 0380788225 (Paperback)
  • TGF's Home Page