Hiding from one’s own life, facing past demons, cults, HIV status, disappointed parents, death, murder, and more are combined in this introduction to Thompson’s new character. Based in the San Francisco/Oakland area, Archer Barron is a law school graduate who never took the bar, an HIV-positive drag queen of multiple personalities, and an ex-member of a Santeria cult.
When a current member of the cult approaches Archer for help, he experiences a stream of memories and past acts centering around his involvement with the cult. As Archer reacquaints himself with this business, the cult’s leader is murdered. But this is more than a murder mystery; the book also explores Archer’s reasons for cross-dressing and his desire to express his feminine side. He also works to find his true self through an exploration of religion and his career.
The issue of rape on college campuses is also dealt with as Archer encounters disturbing instances of this violent act through his job as a university night watchman. Readers will be drawn into Archer’s story as he meets with old lovers, faces HIV status in present-day California, and explores his time with the cult of Santeria.
Thompson examines several important topics in this novel, and it is an important work to include in any fiction collection.
Reviewer: s.n.
