Although closely following a traditional mystery formula, Victor Banis’ Deadly Nightshade is pure erotic fantasy. In the real world, openly gay men and lesbians have served in the San Francisco Police Department for decades. In the world of Stanley Korski, however, being a gay member of the SFPD makes him so exceptional that after a single week on the force he’s brought in to investigate a homicide when eyewitnesses report that the shooter was a drag queen. Stanley’s arch patter and campy ways terrify his police detective partner, the manly and hirsute Tom Danzel. (Tom’s so manly he has to ask what a Neanderthal is.) Of course the two officers complement each other beautifully as they pursue the perp, and of course Stanley falls hard for the unattainable-or-is-he? Tom.
Stereotypes abound, but originality is hardly the point, and if Deadly Nightshade is not quite as witty as it tries to be, by the end I was intrigued enough to wonder what could possibly happen next. Fortunately, this is the first of a series, to be followed by Deadly Wrong and Deadly Dreams.
Victor Banis has written more than 150 books, including the 2008 memoir Spine Intact, Some Creases.
Recommended for large, gay-themed collections.
Reviewed by, Joyce Meggett
Division Chief for Humanities
Chicago Public Library
