Jeffrey Round introduces secret agent Bradford Fairfax in his new novel The P'Town Murders in a book inspired by an incident the author himself experienced one summer - being spied upon whilst he took a shower. But before we go any further, it's time to put readers confused by the setting out of their misery, P'Town is Provincetown, Massachusetts, the gayest holiday resort in the US, the perfect place for Fairfax to do some investigating.
The barest bones of the plot go something like this: when circuit party boy Ross Pretty succumbs to an overdose of ecstasy, his death is ruled accidental. That is, until his former lover and top-level secret agent Bradford Fairfax comes to Provincetown.
At first, Brad thinks he's pretty much pinned the murder on Hayden Rosengarten (yes, these character names are too good to be true), a wealthy but evil-minded entrepreneur. But then Hayden turns up dead and he won't be the last to die.
Now, not only must Brad solve a series of puzzling murders amongst the dunes and seaside cottages of this small town, but he must also find a way to stop an insidious plan to assassinate, get this, the blimmin' Dalai Lama!
There's more! Into the mix comes a bevy of supporting characters. Firstly, whilst investigating Provincetown's darker side, Brad meets up with a figure from his past: the talented, blue-haired Zachary Tyler, a man who may not be all he seems. Then there's Big Ruby, Brad's diminutive lesbian rescuer and coffee shop owner, she's got one eye on her regulars and one eye on her gun. Or what about Cinder Lindquist, the flirtatious female impersonator with a thousand faces.
Murdered gay men are not usually the stuff of light comedy mystery, but Round manages to make it work with a deft touch. Cheesy and fun, The P'Town Murders reads like a pantomime and slips down a treat.
Perhaps one of the reasons that the prose works so well is that Round is an accomplished and versatile writer who has worked with short stories, poetry, film, theatre and broadcasting. Where his previous novel A Cage of Bones was serious literary fare, The P'Town Murders is a change of direction.
The author reflects: "Did I struggle with it? Me, a serious literary author writing for fun and profit? Yes, for about three seconds." But readers will be glad that he took the leap because this is a likeable and enjoyable novel that is sure to win fans.
Two more Brad Fairfax mysteries are in the pipeline, Death in Key West and Vanished in Vallarta, and a fourth and fifth are planned beyond them. And for those who prefer slightly more sober fiction, Round's novel The Honey Locust, is scheduled for publication by Cormorant Books in 2009. Mr Round is a busy man.
The P'Town Murders: A Bradford Fairfax Murder Mystery, by Jeffrey Round
Published by: Harrington Park Press
Released: 1 August 2007
ISBN: 1560236620
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