Such an amazing story told in such a beautiful way that you truly don't feel 'BAD' after reading the awkward situations this young girl endored!! A completely original writing style adds to the romantic feeling of the entire book, which is a series of short stories about life in a Hardcore Hollywood, most kids couldn't even dream of. With each chapter, you expect to somehow get to the sunshine of her tormented life (ya know, like in the movies!) but, luckily, this book is reality, rather than a predictable movie and it stays true to it's "poetic integerity" throughout! Good luck putting this one down...there's nothing predictable about this book, it's truly BEAUTIFUL, somehow!

This book takes you into the heart and soul of an inner city free school. It's a beautiful human story about love and courage. It's also an excellent example of an ongoing experiment in real living and learning, real in the sense of actual, effective and happening. The school is free in two ways. You can go there without paying and rules are not prescribed. Chris Mercogliano does an excellent job of showing us both sides of this coin. If you're a parent, grandparent or soon to be a parent read this book!

Extortion, kidnapping and murder complicate Strachey's attempts to protect a lesbian couple from a vicious campaign of intimidation.

On this second Strachey "outting" twists and turns abound, there is an amusing cast of friends and foes, numerous sexual escapes and plenty of laughs. But best of all is the evolving relationship between Strachey and lover Timmy Callahan, which provides (along with the wittiest repartee in any gay mystery of recent memory), some genuinely tender moments

Being familiar with the story, I was indeed, anticipating its publication to judge if it had, indeed, been done justice. I was not disappointed. A quick read--filled with humor--never maudlin--which relates the story of the first Roman Catholic Nun to be permitted to legally become a mother--and her adopted daughter, Barbara, who was initially HIV positive, later to develop full blown Aids. The story produces a well spring of emotions in the reader. Place on your "must read" list.

New York based Jay "J Bird Plankton is a typical right wing shock radio DJ. However, his harangues obviously upset some people because he has become the target of a campaign of harassment and pranks by the Forces of Free Faggotry, a 1970s gay rights group long since extinct. Because of his former ties to the three Fs, Albany private detective Donald Strachey is hired to learn what they want, end any threats, and save J-Bird's image, which is more important than his life.

Donald manages to locate two former members, but both deny any involvement nor accept any of their middle-aged colleagues harassing anyone. However, the attacks escalate until J-Bird's gay bashing sidekick is kidnapped. With the help of a former three F member, farmer Thad Diefendorfer, Donald tries to rescue the victim.

Fans of gay mysteries will enjoy the sharp digs at politicians and radio jocks that used and use the homosexual community to further personal ambitions. The mystery is secondary to the jabs and hooks that Richard Stevenson throws at the bashers with their divide and conquer philosophy. Readers who want a strong investigative tale need to look elsewhere, but those in the audience who relish a series of left right humorous combos will want to read TONGUE TIED because Mr. Stevenson is anything but that with this amusing tale.

Harriet Klausner

As one familiar with the author's newspaper work, it came as no surprise that his book would be such a compelling read. I look forward to his next effort.

I liked the photographs the most. They were the first things I looked for in the book. My dad put my name in it too!

Grondahl captures the man, his personal world and his public world, notably Albany New York. The book will be good reading for anyone but especially fascinating to people interested in politics. Corning was a great character. A patrician who had the common touch and whose office was readily available to anyone, and immensely charming. Many otherwise savvy people--like Governor Cuomo--- have glossed over the tight and largely negative effect of his 42 years as mayor of Albany to cite him as a public servant exemplar.

Grondahl's biography of Corning compares to the great biographies of Robert Caro--about Robert Moses and Lyndon Johnson. Authoritative, full of passion, insightful, and great story well told. Highly recommended!

If you've read one of Stevenson's "Donald Strachey" mysteries, you will want to read the whole series, and then you will be eagerly waiting for his next mystery to be published. Stevenson's mysteries are addictive, mainly because the characters are so believable, there are more twists and turns to keep you constantly guessing, and they are not boringly serious, they can be quite funny at times.

This story opens as Albany's gay Private Investigator, Donald Strachey, is asked to investigate the death of Phyllis Haig's, gay son, Paul. Apparently the mother believes his lover, Larry, killed Paul, and that it was not a suicide as the police seem to believe. Vernon Crockwell enters the story as the controversial psychologist whose practice is devoted to "curing" homosexuals. Strachey ends up with three clients who want to hire him, to find out the truth, but Strachey soon becomes aware there are a lot of unanswered questions. As the story reveals, Paul Haig's death is much more complicated then he expected. Prepare yourself for a lot of surprises with this one.

The interaction between Donald Strachey and his long-time partner, Timmy, is always well done, and very realistic. All lovers of good mysteries, whether gay or heterosexual, will appreciate this book. Stevenson is a fine writer who knows how to weave a shocking and gripping mystery.

Joe Hanssen

Strachey, as usual, is a fun read, and this is a well constructed murder mystery, filled with enough twists and turns to keep the reader on his toes. Of course, our hero occasionally heads in the slightly wrong direction but that's part of his charm. There's an interesting, if rather frightening, focus of sexual aversion treatment which ties the strange cast of characters together. Another Stevenson success!

Very good read. Stevenson is second only to Michael Nava.

around a murder. I like the angst that Donald feels when he becomes involved with a central figure in his case. The patronizing parents are a good, but overdone touch. In all, it is a pleasant read.

In the series opener Albany P.I. Donald Strachey takes on a sensational murder case within the gay community--which just happens to be right up his own alley.

The underappreciated Stevenson writes a clever mystery made memorable by his portrait of gay life from over a decade ago (remember bath houses?). Appealing, believable characters (Timothy Callahan, Strachey's Jesuit-educated lover, is a creative gem), and a wicked sense of humor lift this novel "straight" out of the genre category

Albany P.I. Donald Strachey and his lover, Timmy take a trip to Washington, D.C. to visit their friend Maynard, and to go see the AIDS Memorial Quilt. All goes well until they discover a panel for Maynard's ex-lover, who is alive and well, and whom Maynard had just seen two weeks ago while in Mexico. Now the action has begun. As this fast paced mystery continues, there's a drive-by shooting, and the police even suspect Donald and Timmy are involved. This is a gripping story that is filled with carefully crafted and unexpected turns, which kept me turning the pages as fast as I could read them. This is the reason I look forward to these "Strachey" mysteries. They are intelligently written, and often laced with good-natured humor.

If you have never read Stevenson's mysteries, you are missing out on some great writing. I think once you have read one, you will want to read the whole series. They are all connected, but can be read independently. This is another one of Stevenson's master mysteries, and one I really enjoyed. I look forward to every book he publishes. I just wish he would put more than one out a year. Highly recommended, that's for sure!

Joe Hanssen

My hobby is reading mysteries. The nice thing about a series is that if you liked the book, you are likely to enjoy the others. Richard Stevenson is my favorite author; His Donald Strachey books are my favorite series. His current, Strachey's Folly, contains all what I have come to expect: It is a real page turner; characters are believable; well crafted mystery; twists and turns keep you guessing. This story begins with the discovery that a memorial panel in the AIDS quilt is dedicated to someone who has been seen alive two weeks ago. The characteristics that really distinguish this book [and this author] from others are many. Humor, often rye, sassy, and ribald, sometimes subtle and ironic, fills the pages. Some times the humor, all in context and original, has me literally rolling on the floor. The author is socially conscious. His detective, Donald Strachey, has an ongoing personal & romantic relationship with his lover that provides foil to the main story l! ine and a secure base for the reader. Their interrelationship is fully developed.