Anthony Bidulka

Anthony Bidulka

Amuse Bouche

I have to start by saying I think that Tony Bidulka is handsome and charming. But do I let that prejudice my opinion of his books?

Fortunately, that's not a problem, because Amuse Bouche is just as charming as Tony himself is. It's evocative and well-written; it made me want to jump on a plane and head right for France, where his first big case takes rookie private eye Russell Quant.

The mystery is intriguing, and I love that Russell keeps a file he calls "red herrings," which are there to tantalize and mislead the reader as well, yet are cleverly wrapped up by the end of the book.

     Insomniac Press  2005

Flight of Aquavit

No, this isn't about aviation; rather, it refers to the use of the word "flight" to mean a group of wines (or in this case liquors) that all have something in common.

Russell learns more about his enigmatic neighbor Sereena Orion Smith here, and gets a trip to New York. Another fine book!

     Insomniac Press  2004

Tapas on the Ramblas

I enjoyed this book, the first of the Russell Quant books I read. Russell, a former police officer who is now a private detective, is surprised to be offered a job by the granddaughter of a woman who lives in Victoria, British Columbia. But it turns out the woman, a lesbian and matriarch of a family fortune, wants a gay detective to accompany her family on a gay cruise through the Mediterranean and determine which one wants to kill her.

I'll bet Tony Bidulka had a fabulous time researching this book, and he creates lots of fun places and things along the cruise, run by a line called FOD, or Friends of Dorothy. I finally understood the title by the end of the book-- a tapa was originally a plate used to cover a bottle of wine, and there are lots of secrets for Russell to uncover here.

     Insomniac Press  2005

Stain of the Berry

This was really an intriguing read. Do you believe in the bogeyman? Do you think someone can be scared-- literally-- to death? That's the heart of Russell's case.

I loved the Canadian settings, including Russell's trip to the far north, and relished the chance to learn more about Sereena and Russell's mysterious uncle, the one whose bequest enabled Russell to change his life and become a private eye.
     Insomniac Press  2007

Sundowner Ubuntu

Canadian publishers are so cruel, don't you think? They publish books like Sundowner Ubuntu up north as much as a year before they're available down here. I've been waiting to read this for months... but it's due to be out in April, 2008, and you can bet I'll be one of the first to snag a copy.

The title refers to a cocktail served on an African safari Russell takes.
     Insomniac Press  2008

Back to The Gay Mystery Page

	Amuse Bouche I have to start by saying I think that Tony Bidulka is handsome and charming. But do I let that prejudice my opinion of his books? Fortunately, that's not a problem, because Amuse Bouche is just as charming as Tony himself is. It's evocative and well-written; it made me want to jump on a plane and head right for France, where his first big case takes rookie private eye Russell Quant. The mystery is intriguing, and I love that Russell keeps a file he calls "red herrings," which are there to tantalize and mislead the reader as well, yet are cleverly wrapped up by the end of the book. Insomniac Press 2005
	Flight of Aquavit No, this isn't about aviation; rather, it refers to the use of the word "flight" to mean a group of wines (or in this case liquors) that all have something in common. Russell learns more about his enigmatic neighbor Sereena Orion Smith here, and gets a trip to New York. Another fine book! Insomniac Press 2004
	Tapas on the Ramblas I enjoyed this book, the first of the Russell Quant books I read. Russell, a former police officer who is now a private detective, is surprised to be offered a job by the granddaughter of a woman who lives in Victoria, British Columbia. But it turns out the woman, a lesbian and matriarch of a family fortune, wants a gay detective to accompany her family on a gay cruise through the Mediterranean and determine which one wants to kill her. I'll bet Tony Bidulka had a fabulous time researching this book, and he creates lots of fun places and things along the cruise, run by a line called FOD, or Friends of Dorothy. I finally understood the title by the end of the book-- a tapa was originally a plate used to cover a bottle of wine, and there are lots of secrets for Russell to uncover here. Insomniac Press 2005
	Stain of the Berry This was really an intriguing read. Do you believe in the bogeyman? Do you think someone can be scared-- literally-- to death? That's the heart of Russell's case. I loved the Canadian settings, including Russell's trip to the far north, and relished the chance to learn more about Sereena and Russell's mysterious uncle, the one whose bequest enabled Russell to change his life and become a private eye. Insomniac Press 2007
	Sundowner Ubuntu Canadian publishers are so cruel, don't you think? They publish books like Sundowner Ubuntu up north as much as a year before they're available down here. I've been waiting to read this for months... but it's due to be out in April, 2008, and you can bet I'll be one of the first to snag a copy. The title refers to a cocktail served on an African safari Russell takes. Insomniac Press 2008