A sensual, clever, uniquely transgressive queer horror interpretation of a Conan Doyle novel.
A classic detective adventure gets a carnal revamp in this erotica.
By turns darkly ominous and sexually explicit, McOmber’s novel inventively reimagines Sherlock Holmes and his trusty assistant, Dr. John Watson, as they investigate a series of murders plaguing the mysterious countryside of Dartmoor in southwest England. As a forgery case has delayed Holmes’ arrival, Watson—rewritten as a frustrated, lonesome, yet incurably randy gay man—begins independently poking around the ancient bogland of Grimpen Mire. He seeks clues to the murder of Sir Charles Baskerville, who has been “buggered to death,” with animal paw prints scattered around the corpse. The Baskerville family legend is steeped in curses, sorcery, and witchcraft, as devilishly detailed by Dr. Mortimer. The physician is tending to Charles’ cousin Henry, who is afflicted with delusional hysteria. At Mortimer’s direction, a medieval priapic contraption is crafted, meant to relentlessly impale Henry. When it fails to quell his ailment, Henry panics that he will be the next Baskerville to be slaughtered. Watson—who colorfully narrates the story through a series of vivid events, coital dalliances, and historical facts—is skeptical that a rumored “enormous spectral hound” murdered Charles until the estate’s young, strapping servant, Barrymore, leads the smitten sleuth into some catacombs. There, an otherworldly portal hosts a variety of mythic beings and creatures. After the two men have sex, other corpses turn up, but Watson is most concerned with what he witnesses when local witch Beryl Stapleton magically teleports him from Merripit House, outside of Grimpen Village, to 221B Baker Street in London. Holmes, now revealed as Watson’s life partner, is entertaining another man. When Watson is ambushed from behind by an unknown assailant, he flees to London to regroup with Holmes and solve the case, but more surprises await. In this ingenious, stimulating novel, McOmber adds depth to Arthur Conan Doyle’s TheHound of the Baskervilles with era-appropriate details on the gay guilt and shame that consistently darken and demoralize Watson’s identity. The protagonist’s emotional pain is only suppressed with an opium tincture that he keeps close at hand. Exploring the story’s spicy blend of same-sex carnal and supernatural elements, fans of edgy erotic fiction will consider McOmber’s sexy, twisty, and creatively imagined revision a gothic triumph.
A sensual, clever, uniquely transgressive queer horror interpretation of a Conan Doyle novel.Pub Date: Oct. 9, 2022
ISBN: 9781590215197
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Lethe Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A heartfelt and hilarious read about books, sisters, and writing your own love story.
A cutthroat literary agent finds herself stuck in a small town with the grumpy editor she despises.
Nora Stephens knows she isn’t anything like the heroines in small-town love stories. She’s not sweet or unassuming, and she definitely doesn’t own a Christmas tree farm or a quaint B&B. With her Peloton obsession, high-powered job at a literary agency, and expensive shoes, she’s the villainous girlfriend who gets dumped when the hero realizes he really wants to leave New York City and embrace the simple life in a small town. But Nora has no interest in slowing down—she embraces the hustle of her life, enjoying the city and spending her time either negotiating for her clients or helping her pregnant sister, Libby. When Libby suggests they take a girls’ trip to Sunshine Falls, a picture-perfect North Carolina town, Nora agrees. Trying to make her sister happy, Nora throws herself into Libby’s checklist of classic small-town experiences. But there’s one brooding, annoying wrench in her plans: editor Charlie Lastra. He and Nora met years before when he brusquely rejected one of her books, and now he’s here in Sunshine Falls for some reason, terrorizing her by having the nerve to be both good-looking and funny. As Nora and Charlie get to know each other, she learns that there may be more to him than she suspected. But Nora’s also concerned about her relationship with Libby—they’ve been close all their lives, but now something seems off. Can Nora get her happily-ever-after even if she doesn’t want to ride off into the small-town sunset with a lumberjack? As in People We Meet on Vacation (2021), Henry creates a warm, sparkling romance brimming with laugh-out-loud banter, lovable characters, and tons of sexual tension. High-maintenance, high-strung Nora shows that uptight, goal-oriented women deserve romance, too, and Charlie is a perfect grumpy hero with a secret soft side. What’s more, Henry never falls into the easy trap of vilifying either small towns or big cities, allowing her characters the room to follow their dreams, wherever they lead. And while the romance between Nora and Charlie is swoonworthy and steam-filled, it’s Nora’s relationship with Libby that really brings the tears.
A heartfelt and hilarious read about books, sisters, and writing your own love story.Pub Date: May 3, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-44087-2
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Berkley
Review Posted Online: Feb. 4, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
PERSPECTIVES
SEEN & HEARD
This captivating, deeply emotional, and incredibly sexy romance is a balm for the soul.
A blossoming romance infringes on a successful businesswoman's professional aspirations, making her reevaluate her priorities.
At an exclusive party, talent manager Hendrix Barry has an instant connection with billionaire tech mogul Maverick Bell. When he learns that she’s navigating her mother’s Alzheimer's diagnosis, he relates to what she’s going through, having had similar experiences with his grandfather. Maverick makes Hendrix feel seen and understood like no one else, but he’s the recent ex-boyfriend of a woman Hendrix is going into business with as she works toward her goal of executive producing a television show. She tries to set boundaries that would keep him as a friend despite their obvious mutual attraction, but when he expresses interest in her venture capital fund focusing on Black women–led businesses, it leads to spending more time together, and the lines of friendship, business, and pleasure become tangled and blurred. Ryan excels at crafting thoughtful, mature characters who have to manage complicated situations with care and grace. Maverick’s dogged pursuit of Hendrix and the delicious ways he woos her using his wealth and persistence frame him as a determined, headstrong hero. Paired with a weaker heroine, he could have been overbearing, but Hendrix is his perfect match, equally as strong-willed and tenacious. They bring out each other’s softer, more vulnerable sides as well, and both have compassionate hearts. The spicy romance is the core of this satisfying story, but the novel doesn’t shy away from—and is made richer for the inclusion of—hardships like caring for an aging parent and confronting racism in the world of business. The tale also highlights the importance of community and the value of supportive, platonic love through the wonderful cast of side characters.
This captivating, deeply emotional, and incredibly sexy romance is a balm for the soul.Pub Date: May 13, 2025
ISBN: 9781538706855
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Forever
Review Posted Online: May 30, 2025
PERSPECTIVES
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