Capital Queers

Jeri Wright

Alex, our narrator, pulls it all together. When outside forces make the case begin to resemble a treasure hunt, he keeps his sights on the goal of justice for his two friends. The story is told with a sense of humor, but there are some serious moments as well. This was fast paced, entertaining, and all in all a good read.
— The Mystery Reader Online \

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Chicago-based narrator Alex Reynolds, the self-proclaimed "queer-in-residence at the CIA," and his "husband," Peter Livesay, have been close friends and neighbors of Mason LaPere and his lover, Ryan Morton, for years. Despite the long-standing friendship, however, there are two things Alex can't stand about the couple: their West Highland terrier, Muffin, and Mason's beloved collection of antique dolls. Alex ends up inheriting both when he finds Mason brutally murdered and then a few days later, Ryan, killed by the same ritual method of evisceration. Peter, Alex and Alex's feisty British mum are stumped about the motive for the murders until they receive a visit from two State Department agents looking for a mysterious artifact that Mason may have bought while on a trip to Washington, D.C. The trio use their connections to CIA agent Larry Nelson to find out more about this arcane object and to uncover an Eastern religious order bent on protecting their sacred talisman by any means necessary. Suddenly, Alex and his friends find themselves ensnared in a web of international intrigue that stretches from Thailand to Chicago to D.C. and back. This third series installment (following Federal Fag) is packed with sharp humor and several well-placed jibes at straight society. The pace is quick, but the novel too often sacrifices substance for wit. Readers whocan forgive the archness as well as the overly ambitious attempt to cast two upwardly mobile gay men and one's mother as CIA moonlighters will find this to be a very entertaining read. (June) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Lovers Alex Reynolds and Peter, who live with Alex's British mum in Chicago, are stunned by the murder of a nearby gay friend who collected pricey dolls. Whoever killed the man trashed the doll collection looking for something; not finding it, he returned and killed the guy's lover. Alex, Peter, and Mum mount an offensive when the perps and government agents accuse them of hiding the "stolen" object. Lots of talk and not a little action ensue despite the lean plot, but fans of the series (Federal Fag) will fall for Alex's loquacious jabber, Peter's calm support, and Mum's lively intelligence. For most collections. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Jeri Wright

Alex, our narrator, pulls it all together. When outside forces make the case begin to resemble a treasure hunt, he keeps his sights on the goal of justice for his two friends. The story is told with a sense of humor, but there are some serious moments as well. This was fast paced, entertaining, and all in all a good read.
— The Mystery Reader Online