The Gay Male Sleuth in Print and Film

In 1953, Rodney Garland's The Heart in Exile was published, marking the first time a gay sleuth was featured in a novel. Although nearly ten years would pass before another figure of this kind would appear in print, such characters have increased significantly in the years since. Providing a context for this unique subgenre, scholar Drewey Wayne Gunn examines the history of the gay male sleuth - from its beginnings in that first novel, through the pulp novels of the 60s and 70s, and then into mainstream works that continue into the 21st century. In his overview, Gunn argues that the cognitive processes the sleuth must follow in order to solve the mystery function as a paradigm of the stages of self-actualization all gay men go through in order to achieve wholeness. The second part of this volume is an annotated bibliography listing books with gay and bisexual sleuths and secret agents that appeared between 1953 and 2004. Also included are annotated lists of other books of interest (1929-2004), books where the gay sleuth has only a supporting role, does not self-identify as gay (but seems to qualify as homosexual or bisexual), ends up in a homoerotic relationship, or is involved in a more psychological question rather than a true mystery. The third section is an annotated bibliography listing films and videos with gay sleuths that appeared from 1966-2004, along with other films and videos of similar interest, from 1948 to 2004. The author provides a list of relevant critical and bibliographical resources as well as a list of the Lambda Literary Awards finalists from 1988 thru 2004. The index lists all titles, writers, and sleuths. With more than 600 novels, over 100 movies, and nearly 20 television or video series, this is the most comprehensive bibliography ever assembled on this unique subgenre.