LOOKS ARE DECEIVING

A gay Latino writer turns detective when a series of apparent hate crimes rocks his small town in VanPatten’s mystery.

Aspiring middle-aged novelist Will Christian is pedaling hard on his daily cardio bike ride in the fictional town of Mañana in California’s fertile Central Valley when he comes across a flock of vultures devouring a large carcass. He queasily recognizes a human hand rising from the remains, which are soon identified as those of 22-year-old Sergio Ramirez; like Will, he’s gay and Latino, and Will’s writerly curiosity kicks in as he begins to wonder if the man’s death could be a hate crime. His week is made even more eventful when he meets José Torres, a handsome grocery store worker who seems to be his perfect romantic match, while out shopping. Will’s fascination with the murder mystery is heightened when the body of another handsome, young, gay Latino man is found; at the same time, Will remains troubled by a memory of his high school friend, who may also have been killed for being gay and Latino. But as Will finds himself drawn further into the investigation, asking locals for help and pursuing potential leads with a dating app, he could become the killer’s next target. VanPatten presents an affable and relatable amateur detective in Will, and the story immediately draws readers in by placing the gruesome discovery of the first body in the opening paragraphs. Will’s immediate attention to the possible racial aspect of the crime and the account of his first meeting with José have a feeling of authenticity, as does the men’s encounter with a local homophobe. However, some readers may wish that the author had explored some facets of the narrative more deeply, such as the history of Will’s close relationship with his lesbian sister. The story has some lighter moments, but the story also presents a keen exploration of American racism, which, as Will says, “coursed through this country’s veins like cheap vodka in a drunk’s bloodstream.”

A highly readable whodunit that’s well grounded in social issues.