Political poison /

The intrigue of Chicago politics, a top-notch detective who's also a wonderfully warm and caring single father, and the murder of a popular alderman (who's also a University of Chicago professor) make for a mystery that's perfect for summer beach reading. Detective Paul Turner is openly gay and works with no hassle on the Chicago police force. In fact, he and "Buck," his partner, use some of Paul's gay friends as sources to solve crimes. The novel is also distinguished in its secondary characters, especially the one of Turner's two sons who has spina bifida and his next-door neighbor, an elderly Italian widow who's earned several graduate degrees and who helps solve cases through people she knows in the Mob. A first-rate little mystery that's well written to boot. ~--Charles Harmon

A surfeit of good intentions sinks this latest offering from a brave, if occasionally rash crime novelist. Zubro's mysteries all feature gay characters, and he develops them boldly. In addition, he's bullish on fingering injustice (doubtless his earlier The Only Good Priest made him few friends among the Catholic clergy). Unfortunately, his laudable rhetoric and his intentions exact a heavy penalty on plot here. Paul Turner is a good gay Chicago cop with pals on the force, a loyal and abrasive partner and a hunk of a lover named Ben. Paul's also trying to raise his two boys (one has spina bifida) and find out why Gideon Giles, a college professor and city alderman, choked to death on a concoction of vegetables juiced in his very own juicer. Giles isn't, however, a very compelling victim. Gradually exposed as a chameleon who cynically associated himself with worthwhile causes, he was a wild card in the always volatile Chicago political scene, where he had mysteriously defeated a powerful city politician to become alderman. The author keeps telling us we should question this victory. We do. But we also rapidly lose interest. Zubro offers lots of nerve and political correctness, but little narrative tension. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Gay homicide cop Paul Turner (Sorry Now?, 1991) and his straight partner, Buck Fenwick, are called to the University of Chicago office of professor Gideon Giles, an educator, alderman, and media-star--and newly deceased (nicotine poisoning). Giles's commodities trader wife Laura is upset--but not unduly; his arch political rival McGee, who lost to him in the last election (inexplicably), seems pleased--but not gleeful; his media consultant leaves town in a hurry; and a fired political aide (a much hated female-harasser) can't be found. Is any one of these people guilty? Or is the murderer a jealous university colleague? All the likely suspects are trotted out, interviewed and/or gossiped about, but nothing much comes of it. Meanwhile, a young male campaign worker develops a crush on Paul; and Paul's 91-year- old neighbor arranges for him to meet a reclusive mobster and discuss mob involvement in the case--but nothing much comes of it. Finally, a small lie trips up the murderer--and reveals a motive that readers will find hardly compelling. Bland, predictable, and far less interesting than Zubro's other series featuring a gay schoolteacher baseball-pitcher lover (The Principal Cause of Death, etc.).