Rough Pages

Rough Pages (2024) Lev Ac Rosen (Evander Mills #3)

Set in San Francisco in 1953

Andy is finally accepted by the community, and slowly coming to believe in his own worth as he solves problems for those who can’t turn to the authorities.

He also ends up–with Lee–with an unexpected title.

I’ve even made a healthy business as a matchmaker, helping folks who need dates and cover stories for outings with the company or family.

But when he finally heads out to Lavender House, or dinner with the family to celebrate the adoption of a new baby, he has a second reason for making the trip he’s avoided for months.

“I hope they don’t think of death when they see me.” I’m surprised when I say it. I hadn’t meant for that thought to escape my head.

Pat might be in trouble–they all might be in trouble.

Sending obscene material through the mail is a federal offense, right?” He lets the cigarette fall from his hand and it lands with a splatter of red embers. He stomps it out.

“Sure, but how would that be bad for you, or the family?”

He swallows and looks up at me. Pat is usually so filled with mirth and mischief, but now he looks truly scared. “Don’t you get it? We mail subscribers the books. That means we need … their names, addresses…”

Honestly, it’s surprising how much I’m enjoying these books, considering the constant reminders of what it was like to be queer in the 1950s.

“I could just trace where that number goes. Mention it to some of the boys.”

“The boys already found me once, Chief. Cracked a few ribs, but I lived.” It comes out angry, and he turns to me.

“What did you expect them to do?”

And how much we have failed to learn from the past.

Books. Imagine if they went into every house in America that had one of the books in that pile there, and dragged the occupants out in handcuffs. There wouldn’t be anyone left who ever read anything. But … maybe that’s the idea, you think? First get rid of the queer books, then all the rest of them?

This story also involves the mob, and a reporter who I really really don’t like.

Privacy is … an old-fashioned idea. The truth belongs to everyone.

Bentham and Mill and Machiavelli were wrong. The ends never justify the means.

Characters: Evander Mills, Elsie Gold, Gene Manalo, Stan, Lee, Margo Lamontaine, Cliff Carbury, Henry Lamontaine, Pearl Velez, Rina (Irene) Lamontaine, Pat, DeeDee (Dorothea) Lamb, Howard Salzberger, Rose Rainmeyer, Tim Rainmeyer, Joshua Cantor, Oscar Santos, Elena Moleno, Joseph Aldermann, Michael (Bridges) Parisi, Merle

Cover illustration by Colin Verdi

Publisher: Forge Books

Rating: 8.5/10

• Browse the archives:
  
• « « The Viscount Says Yes