The GLBTRT has been reviewing books and movies in its newsletter since the early 1990s. Trace the evolution of queer publishing through these historic reviews. This review was originally published in Vol. 4, No. 2, Summer 1992.
Dorothy Tell’s first book, Wilderness Trek, was a story of six women who go camping together, and the adventures they have. One of the strongest and most engaging characters from that book, Poppy Dillworth, is now the heroine of her own murder mystery series. The Hallelujah Murders is Tell’s latest effort, and the best.
A sixty-five year old lesbian detective isn’t your average dyke, but Tell writes of her with so much verve and wry humor that Poppy seems like a friend by the end of the book.
Poppy and her new partner, Belle Stone, are called by old friends to investigate the death of a woman who was leading a local movement to save a river. Fairly predictably, the good gals are in favor of saving the river, and the bad guys are on the side of damming it and creating a large recreational lake (and some handsome bank/real estate profits). It isn’t all simplistic, however, with some bitchy women and nice young men thrown into the process. When a prime suspect commits suicide, things get even messier. And the ending is something of a surprise. The story is tremendous fun to read. The author has a strong sense of place, in this case Texas. In her hands, the weather and the geography become part of the tale.
The book is suitable for collections of contemporary lesbian/gay fiction and mysteries. It’s especially positive in depicting older lesbians – aches, triumphs, and all.
Reviewed by Susan Lee Sills
University of California, Irvine
Irvine,CA
