If you’re a fan of historical mysteries, then trust us when we say this isn’t one you’ll want to miss out on. Marketed as Knives Out meets Carol, that alone should pique your interest sufficiently. But if, for some unknown reason, that hasn’t worked, check out our review to find out why Lavender House should be right up there on your TBR!
And don’t forget, you can follow Lev on twitter.
A delicious story from a new voice in suspense, Lev AC Rosen’s Lavender House is Knives Out with a queer historical twist.
Lavender House, 1952: the family seat of recently deceased matriarch Irene Lamontaine, head of the famous Lamontaine soap empire. Irene’s recipes for her signature scents are a well guarded secret—but it’s not the only one behind these gates. This estate offers a unique freedom, where none of the residents or staff hide who they are. But to keep their secret, they’ve needed to keep others out. And now they’re worried they’re keeping a murderer in.
Irene’s widow hires Evander Mills to uncover the truth behind her mysterious death. Andy, recently fired from the San Francisco police after being caught in a raid on a gay bar, is happy to accept—his calendar is wide open. And his secret is the kind of secret the Lamontaines understand.
Andy had never imagined a world like Lavender House. He’s seduced by the safety and freedom found behind its gates, where a queer family lives honestly and openly. But that honesty doesn’t extend to everything, and he quickly finds himself a pawn in a family game of old money, subterfuge, and jealousy—and Irene’s death is only the beginning.
When your existence is a crime, everything you do is criminal, and the gates of Lavender House can’t lock out the real world forever. Running a soap empire can be a dirty business.
Lavender House
Lev A. C. Rosen
Rep: gay mc, Mexican lesbian side character, lesbian side character, gay side characters, Jewish bi side character
CWs: suicidal thoughts, murder, homophobic slurs, homophobic violence (ch. 10)
Release: 18th October 2022