Gay and Lesbian Characters and Themes in Mystery Novels: A Critical Guide to Over 500 Works in English

Perhaps John Jasper, in Charles Dickens' The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1870), was the first homosexual in a mystery novel. For over 100 years thereafter, depictions of gay men and lesbians were generally unsympathetic.Over 500 novels with homosexual characters or themes, both mainstream and those specifically for gays and lesbians, are examined in the present work. Each entry includes a plot synopsis and critical commentary. Where appropriate, biographical information is provided on the author.