The Old Deep Dark by Ellen Hart

Country Western singer and TV reality star Jordan Deere has been found with a fatal gunshot wound. Could it be because he had just finished writing his sensational memiors.  How is this murder linked to the skeleton found inside the bricked up walls of an old theatre just bought by his wife Cordelia? Murder most foul is afoot. Jane Lawless PI is out to discover the truth and she is going to get help whether she likes it or not , with her best friend, now widowed, Cordelia and her sister Octavia. This story is thoroughly engaging, well written and very very satisfying. 

Citation: Hart, Ellen. The Old Deep Dark, New York, NY. :Minotaur Books, 2014

Lessons in Murder by Claire McNab

Introducing the irascible DI Carol Ashton who is called to uncover the truth behind the murder of Bellwether, Sydney teacher, Bill Pagett. He has been found with a hole in his head and a bloody drill by his side. Six teachers are mixed up in a tangled web of deceit and one, the lovely “straight” Sybil Quade is the prime suspect.  When professional and personal lines become blurred, DI Ashton, has quite a lot of work cut out for her. This story will keep you guessing until the end, but by then, will it be too late?

Citation:  McNab, Claire. Lessons in Murder, Tallahasee Fla.: Bella Books, 2004

Good Bad Woman by Elizabeth Woodcraft

“Working class lesbian barrister” Frankie Richmond discovers that her one time client, Saskia Baron, may be involved in more than a drunk and disorderly charge. A murdered man turns up grasping Frankie’s car’s number plate, and now more pieces of planted evidence are turning up, framing her. Frankie has a hard time getting ahead of the ball game.  It is not only murder that has Frankie frazzled, so too her new bi-sexual lover, Margo.  Unknown to Frankie, Margo has links to the dead man and Saskia. What else is she hiding, is she all that she seems? Frankie has to find out and find out fast. This plot is complex and fast paced and is highly recommended. 

Citation: Woodcraft, Elizabeth. Good Bad Women, New York, N.Y.: Kensington Books, 2002 

Death by the Riverside by J.M. Redmann

Mickey Knight is out taking a few snaps for a client when she discovers something is not quite right down by the river. Indeed she finds a dead body and some nasty thugs. Mickey is chased through seedy swamp lands and slugs it out with her pursuers. To get to the truth, Mickey meets the beautiful Dr Cordelia, the transvestite Eddie, and uncovers some uncomfortable home truths. Redmann’s prose is hard hitting and this offering is action packed with twists and turns around ever bend. If you are a fan of hard boiled classics like Sam Spade and Mike Hammer you will love this award winning gem.

Citation: Redmann, J.M. Death by the Riverside, Chicago IL. :New Victoria Publishers, 1990

Amateur City

Kate Delafield is a LAPD officer, lesbian and respected investigator. She is smart, strong, and more than a little complicated. Kate and her partner Ed are sent to solve the mystery of the murdered executive, what can his secretary offer, and will it help the case? With rich detail and clever clues this book is a high speed ride through the mean streets of L.A. This is the first of nine books, in the Kate Delafield series. It’s a must read lesbian sleuth mystery, as it marks the very first offering in the modern lesbian mystery genre. 

Citation: Forrest, Katherine V., Amateur City, Tallahassee Fla.: Naiad Press, 1984