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booksthatburn's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
*I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
A DEATH AT THE DIONYSUS CLUB doubles down on the dangers of being a closeted homosexual in a homophobic society when Ned and Julian investigate a series of murders among the members of a particular men's club, all while trying to avoid letting the lead detective know what the victims have in common.
This is a stellar example of story with homophobia entrenched in the worldbuilding in ways that affect the characters and make certain actions dangerous, but without filling the pages with slurs or overt bigotry. Their world is a dangerous place to be a man who likes men, and even though they are helping investigate a crime they're very aware that they could be locked up any minute for what they do at night. It's a story of trying to do the right thing and stop a strange series of murders at what might end up being a high personal cost. I like Ned and Julian as a couple. By making most intimate scenes fade to black instead of being explicit, the story stays focused on romance instead of sex, which may suit some readers who want a gay romance which doesn't double as erotica.
As a sequel, A DEATH AT THE DIONYSUS CLUB focuses on Ned and Julian as they are more often in each other's company, working together on cases during the day and sharing a bed most nights. They're trying to carve out a space to be themselves, something which is made harder by knowing their late night activities are illegal for no reason except prudish bigotry. The worldbuilding delves a bit more into the magic system, mostly by looking into magic which doesn't conform to the modern system and reacts badly when the two are mixed.
This doesn't specifically wrap up anything left hanging, but it does feature some professional and relational developments for several characters from DEATH BY SILVER. There's a new storyline which focuses on a string of bizarre deaths where men are being found with their hearts missing, and it gradually becomes clear that what they have in common is their sexual proclivities and their attendance at the Dionysus Club. That mystery is both introduced and resolved here, and while the plot wraps up neatly enough that this might stay as a duology, I have hope that it will turn into a longer series in this reprint with a new press.
A DEATH AT THE DIONYSUS CLUB doubles down on the dangers of being a closeted homosexual in a homophobic society when Ned and Julian investigate a series of murders among the members of a particular men's club, all while trying to avoid letting the lead detective know what the victims have in common.
This is a stellar example of story with homophobia entrenched in the worldbuilding in ways that affect the characters and make certain actions dangerous, but without filling the pages with slurs or overt bigotry. Their world is a dangerous place to be a man who likes men, and even though they are helping investigate a crime they're very aware that they could be locked up any minute for what they do at night. It's a story of trying to do the right thing and stop a strange series of murders at what might end up being a high personal cost. I like Ned and Julian as a couple. By making most intimate scenes fade to black instead of being explicit, the story stays focused on romance instead of sex, which may suit some readers who want a gay romance which doesn't double as erotica.
As a sequel, A DEATH AT THE DIONYSUS CLUB focuses on Ned and Julian as they are more often in each other's company, working together on cases during the day and sharing a bed most nights. They're trying to carve out a space to be themselves, something which is made harder by knowing their late night activities are illegal for no reason except prudish bigotry. The worldbuilding delves a bit more into the magic system, mostly by looking into magic which doesn't conform to the modern system and reacts badly when the two are mixed.
This doesn't specifically wrap up anything left hanging, but it does feature some professional and relational developments for several characters from DEATH BY SILVER. There's a new storyline which focuses on a string of bizarre deaths where men are being found with their hearts missing, and it gradually becomes clear that what they have in common is their sexual proclivities and their attendance at the Dionysus Club. That mystery is both introduced and resolved here, and while the plot wraps up neatly enough that this might stay as a duology, I have hope that it will turn into a longer series in this reprint with a new press.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Blood, Gore, Sexual content, Alcohol, Murder, Sexism, and Death
Minor: Animal cruelty, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Racism
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