Thrillers and mysteries are a staple of fiction. Nothing gets us turning the page faster than a mystery that keeps us on the edge of our seats. For this week’s Three To Read, we want to highlight three amazing mysteries and thrillers that feature LGBTQ+ characters and narratives. Intersectionality within the books we read is important, as it reflects our own diverse reality. This week’s selections drastically differ in tone, subgenre, and characters. What they have in common is a thrilling story from front to back and fantastic queer representation. Let’s get into our picks!
HOT PICK
Hammajang Luck by Makana Yamamoto
SYNOPSIS:
Edie has spent eight years in prison thanks to Angel, the woman who betrayed them. After Edie is paroled early, they struggle to stay afloat and avoid turning to crime again. They need money and fast, so when Angel returns offering the heist of a lifetime, Edie must put aside their personal differences in order to support their family. Their target: the trillionaire tech god they failed to put down last time. If Edie is to succeed, they must trust Angel, which may prove harder than defeating their target.
WHY:
This has all the classic elements of a heist story, but at its heart are the characters. Edie assembles a crew of trans, nonbinary, butch and femme lesbians who become more than just co-workers. Their queer identity isn’t a point of tension either, yet it delves into the social disparities in their futuristic cyberpunk world. Hammajang Luck is also steeped in native Hawaiian culture as it switches between English and Hawaiian Pidgin, which gives it a very cozy feel in spite of its high-octane premise. This book is perfect for those who love heists, sci-fi, and unabashedly queer and sapphic characters.
BEACH READ
It’s Not the End of the World by Jonathan Parks-Ramage
SYNOPSIS:
In 2044, America has become the near-dystopia we all fear. Climate change has ravaged the country: Miami is underwater, and California is burning. Right-wing militias have created an authoritarian regime, which is destroying America, yet that doesn’t stop Mason Daunt and Yunho Kim from throwing a $100,000 baby shower. Even as an apocalyptic event hits LA on the day of the shower, the couple refuses to cancel. That is, until Mason is hit with a shocking twist that could endanger his entire family.
WHY:
For many Americans, this apocalyptic future is hitting a little too close to home. Yet, It’s Not the End of the World asks readers how we can find hope in the midst of some of the most hopeless moments. It’s an ambitious eco-thriller that never slows down with wacky elements you wouldn’t think to mesh, such as zombie-like creatures, monstrous pink smoke, robotic panthers, AI, and Apple Wallet brain implants, just to name a few. The writing itself also takes bold strokes with POV switches and time jumps, so if you want an absurdist yet not-so-far-fetched take on the future, this upcoming release is a must-read.
DARK HORSE
Blessed Water by Margot Douaihy
SYNOPSIS:
In the second instalment of the Sister Holiday Mystery series, Sister Holiday is back with a new mystery to solve with former fire inspector Magnolia Riveaux when the body of a priest is discovered floating in the Mississippi River and another vanishes. After the events of the first book, Sister Holiday now has her apprentice PI license and starts her own private detective agency with Riveaux. With a torrential downpour drawing near, New Orleans’ Sister Holiday and Riveaux spend the next three days following the clues as they dive headfirst into another mystery.
WHY:
The first novel in the Sister Holiday Mystery series, Scorched Grace, is Douaihy’s debut novel. This book is all parts quirky and crime-filled. Sister Holiday isn’t your average nun at the Sisters of Sublime Blood. She’s a former rock band member sporting loads of tattoos and an amateur sleuth. Blessed Water is the perfect summer mystery with an unconventional queer protagonist.
We must always champion queer stories and authors all year round, not just during Pride Month. Check in next week for more great book recommendations in a brand new edition of Three to Read!
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