Title: The Bell in the Fog
Author: Lev AC Rosen
Publisher: Forge Books
Publication date: October 10, 2023
Length: 261 pages
Genre: Historical fiction/mystery
Source: Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley
Rating:
The Bell in the Fog , a dazzling historical mystery by Lev AC Rosen, asks―once you have finally found a family, how far would you go to prove yourself to them?
San Francisco, 1952. Detective Evander “Andy” Mills has started a new life for himself as a private detective―but his business hasn’t exactly taken off. It turns out that word spreads fast when you have a bad reputation, and no one in the queer community trusts him enough to ask an ex-cop for help.
When James, an old flame from the war who had mysteriously disappeared, arrives in his offices above the Ruby, Andy wants to kick him out. But the job seems to be a simple case of blackmail, and Andy’s debts are piling up. He agrees to investigate, despite everything it stirs up.
The case will take him back to the shadowy, closeted world of the Navy, and then out into the gay bars of the city, where the past rises up to meet him, like the swell of the ocean under a warship. Missing people, violent strangers, and scandalous photos that could destroy lives are a whirlpool around him, and Andy better make sense of it all before someone pulls him under for good.
Last year’s Lavender House was an unexpected delight — a taught, page-turning mystery set in the bad old days of 1950s San Francisco, a time especially dangerous for a closeted gay cop whose life is almost destroyed after he’s brutally outed.
In The Bell in the Fog, we continue the story of Andy Mills, now an ex-cop working as a private investigator from his office and apartment located above Ruby’s, a gay nightclub whose owner decides to give Andy a home and a chance at a fresh start. Andy is trying to pay his way and establish himself as a detective, but it’s hard to earn the trust of the wary gay community, which has every reason to mistrust and fear the police.
When Andy’s ex-lover from his Navy days shows up in his office, his life gets even more complicated, as unwelcome memories and feelings bubble up from his past. James is now a naval officer up for promotion, but he’s being blackmailed by a casual lover and has everything to lose. Reluctantly, Andy accepts the case, and is soon immersed in the search for a missing person, the blackmail photos, and the person pulling the strings.
Author Lev AC Rosen once again expertly manages to tell a compelling, intricate mystery story while also painting a picture of a particular time and place in history. Through Andy’s experiences, we see the sharply dangerous life of the underground gay community as well as the joys and love of found family. The mystery itself is well-constructed, with danger, plenty of red herrings, and plot twists galore.
The range of people that Andy interacts with presents yet another view into the time period, as we get to know drag performers, closeted lovers, wannabe stars, and various allies and enemies. Andy himself is a wonderful character, carrying the weight of past persecution and guilt, looking to rebuild a life, and figuring out where he fits in in his new chosen community. I loved seeing the through-lines and connections to Lavender House, and enjoyed Andy’s ongoing soul-searching and journey toward strength and self-acceptance.
Overall, The Bell in the Fog is a terrific mystery as well as a moving portrait of gay life in the 1950s. It’s a page-turner with heart — highly recommended! I hope there will be much more to come in this series.
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Bookshelf Fantasies 
That time period in San Francisco certainly makes for an interesting setting!
That’s one of the key things I loved — seeing the history of the community and how life was at the time.
I’m glad the sequel was so good, this is a series I’d love to start eventually😁
I hope you check them out! The books are not very long… easy to fit in!