Devil's Chew Toy
A Novel
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5.0 • 3 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
2023 LEFT COAST CRIME LEFTY AWARD NOMINATION: Best Debut Mystery Novel
2023 AGATHA AWARD NOMINATION: Best First Novel
2023 ANTHONY AWARD FINALIST: Best Novel
2023 MACAVITY AWARD NOMINATION: Best First Mystery
A POPSUGAR BEST MYSTERY OF 2022
A BOOKRIOT BEST MYSTERY OF 2022
A CRIMEREADS BEST MYSTERY OF 2022
Perfect for fans of T.J. Klune, Becky Abertalli, and David Levithan, this hilarious, big-hearted LGBTQ+ mystery follows an unlucky in love—and life—gay relationship blogger who teams up with a take-charge lesbian and a fiesty bull terrier to find a missing go-go boy and bring down an international crime ring.
Seattle teacher and part-time blogger Hayden McCall wakes sporting one hell of a shiner, with the police knocking at his door. It seems that his new crush, dancer Camilo Rodriguez, has gone missing and they suspect foul play. What happened the night before? And where is Camilo?
Determined to find answers, pint-sized, good-hearted Hayden seeks out two of Camilo’s friends—Hollister and Burley—both lesbians and both fiercely devoted to their friend. From them, Hayden learns that Camilo is a “Dreamer” whose parents had been deported years earlier, and whose sister, Daniela, is presumed to have returned to Venezuela with them. Convinced that the cops won’t take a brown boy’s disappearance seriously, the girls join Hayden’s hunt for Camilo.
The first clues turn up at Barkingham Palace, a pet store where Camilo had taken a part-time job. The store’s owner, Della Rupert, claims ignorance, but Hayden knows something is up. And then there’s Camilo’s ex-boyfriend, Ryan, who’s suddenly grown inexplicably wealthy. When Hayden and Hollister follow Ryan to a secure airport warehouse, they make a shocking connection between him and Della—and uncover the twisted scheme that’s made both of them rich.
The trail of clues leads them to the grounds of a magnificent estate on an island in Puget Sound, where they’ll finally learn the truth about Camilo’s disappearance—and the fate of his family.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Gay Seattle school teacher and blogger Hayden McCall, the self-described "quiet and reserved" narrator of Osler's appealing debut, is startled when, after spending a chaste night with super-hot (and nice) Camilo Rodriguez, he learns that his new acquaintance, whom he met at a dance club, has gone missing. Since Hayden's afraid that the police won't be very diligent in looking for a gay Venezuelan go-go boy, he begins a search on his own, encumbered with Camilo's bull terrier, Commander. He soon turns up hints that Camilo may be in serious trouble. But he also finds allies as the investigation develops, including two lesbian friends of Camilo, Hollister and Burley, who inform him that Camilo is a Dreamer whose parents were deported years earlier. Along with Hollister's sage uncle, these new friends help Hayden realize that he's actually a more responsible, competent person than he imagined, able to confront villains such as a too-gorgeous-to-be-good bisexual dancer and an unnervingly eccentric pet-store owner. The characters' convincing banter and generally believable actions lift this relaxed, comfortable yarn. Readers will hope Hayden and company will be back soon.
