Lev AC Rosen is back with Rough Pages, another brilliant instalment in the Evander Mills historical fiction mystery series. This time, books are at the heart of the story and a little of the history behind queer literature in the 1950s is dabbled throughout the plot. With wonderful prose, extremely relevant themes and messages, and a fabulous cast of characters, Rough Pages is a must-read for all.

Set in vibrant 1950s San Francisco, Rough Pages asks who is allowed to tell their own stories and how far would you go to seek out the truth. Private Detective Evander “Andy” Mills is drawn back to the Lavender House estate for a missing person case. Pat, the family butler, has been volunteering for a book service that specialises in mailing queer books to a carefully guarded list of subscribers. With bookseller Howard Salzberger suspiciously missing along with his address book, everyone on that list – including some of Andy’s closest friends – is now in danger. A search of Howard’s bookstore reveals that someone wanted to stop him and his co-owner, Dorothea Lamb, from sending out their next book. Evidence points not just to the Feds, but the Mafia, who would be happy to use the subscriber list for blackmail. Andy must manoeuver through both the government and the criminal world, all while dealing with a nosy reporter who remembers him from his days as a police detective and wants to know why he’s no longer a cop. With his own secrets closing in on him, can Andy find the list before all the lives on it are at risk?

A return to Lavender House brings with it a pleasant new addition to the household, making the stakes even higher for Andy. While they aren’t family, Lavender House is as close as he may get to finding a family now, so he needs to do everything possible to protect them. This, paired with his own relationship tensions and the external pressures of the reporter prodding into his personal life and his old police chief calling for a meeting, puts a lot of pressure on Andy’s shoulders. The tension is carried throughout the novel and it works so well with the plot progression and character interactions and dynamics. These tensions also keep the pace from slipping, constantly feeling like there is a timer ticking down to find out what has happened before it is too late.

Not only is this a book about books, but it is a book about the history of queer books, queer readers, and queer authors. It is a brief snapshot into the lives of LGBTQ+ folk at a time where being alive was a criminal offence. A time when trying to find a place in the world could cost you your job, your family, and even your life. It is a stepping stone to open yourself up to the opportunity to learn more, as I certainly will be doing over the New Year break. Rough Pages asks the question who deserves to have their stories shared and read? It grapples with the conflict between queer identities and traditional stereotypes and “concerns”. I highly encourage readers to pick this up (though I personally would start at the beginning and read the Evander Mills series opener Lavender House to get into the setting and social landscape of the novel).

The more I read of these characters, the closer I feel to them and the more I want to learn about the lives of those during these years of oppression and cultural shift. I know there is still a lot to learn and work towards for equality and understanding for LGBTQ+ peoples, and it is through books like Lev AC Rosen’s that realities are brought to my attention, and the attention of other readers unfamiliar with the histories of these minority groups. I am learning more with every book I add to my tbr, every book I pick up and read, and every time I return to my library account to find more books like it. It is a very enlightening process and an educational opportunity I implore everyone to take up.

Rough Pages is a gem of a read and a fantastic novel filled with intrigue, tension, suspense, and beautiful characters. Lev AC Rosen is an incredible author with a keen sense of historical accuracy, imagery and wisdom. I look forward to reading more Evander Mills mysteries.