George Clay

Bless Our Sleep

This gripping novel follows George Clay, a gay private investigator fresh out of the Navy, as he navigates a complex case involving murder, smuggling, and forbidden desire.

When George is hired to find a missing signet ring, he stumbles upon the body of a teenage boy in Matheson Hammock Park. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of corruption involving privileged teens, Cuban exiles, and dangerous criminals. Complicating matters is George's growing attraction to Alex Reyes, a handsome Cuban exile with his own ties to Miami's underworld.

"Bless Our Sleep" offers a fresh take on the classic hardboiled detective novel, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the power of love to transcend social boundaries. Set against the backdrop of a changing Miami, where the sexual revolution clashes with conservative values, the novel provides a vivid portrayal of a city in flux.

Michael Nava, author of the Henry Rios novels, praises the book:

"Bless Our Sleep is the best kind of classic noir, richly atmospheric with a flawed but sympathetic hero trying to untangle a complex web of money, sex and politics to avenge the murder of an (almost) innocent. There's nothing sentimental about Bless Our Sleep but it does have heart—the heart Clay wears on his sleeve. I highly recommend this moving and entertaining novel."

"Billie Jean" in Thriller

I was delighted to be invited to contribute a short story to the amazing Thriller anthology. I love the story I wrote, "Billie Jean," inspired by the Michael Jackson song.

My 1968 gay private eye, George Clay, has a problem. His boyfriend is accused of fathering a child during a one-night stand. But George knows it's not true, because they were together that night. How can he save his boyfriend's honor without outing him?

"Cabbage Key" in Cupid Shot Me

The second George Clay story is "Cabbage Key," which appeared in the Valentine's Day anthology Cupid Shot Me. Michael Nava wrote the introduction to the collection, and mine was one of his two favorite stories!

A romantic Valentine's weekend at a secluded island resort turns deadly when George Clay and his boyfriend Alex Reyes witness a murder. When a local mobster threatens to expose their relationship unless George investigates the killing, the PI must navigate dangerous waters – both literally and figuratively. Set against the backdrop of 1969 Florida, this atmospheric mystery weaves together Cuban exile politics, organized crime, and one man's struggle to balance his professional integrity with his personal life. "Cabbage Key" captures both the natural beauty of Florida's Gulf Coast and the complex social dynamics of Miami during a pivotal time in history.

"Heir Apparent" in Groovy Gumshoes

"Heir Apparent" is the first story I wrote about George Clay, a gay private eye in Miami Beach in 1969.Michale Bracken, an excellent writer and editor, was putting together an anthology about private eyes in the 1960s and he invited me to submit a story.

George's voice is a bit darker than my usual-- because after all, he's living a closeted life in a very different time. It introduces his boyfriend, Cuban exile Alex Reyes, and highlights the differences between wealthy and poor Miami.

The story appears in Groovy Gumshoes, and then I expanded it into the first George Clay novel, Bless Our Sleep.

"Lost Boy"in Black Cat Weekly 101

When a ten-year-old Indian boy vanishes at Miami International Airport, George takes on the case at the urgent request of his flight attendant neighbors, Sandi and Patti. It seems simple enough - a child separated from his vacationing family in a crowded terminal.

But as George digs deeper, he uncovers an unexpected connection to Hindu funeral rites and a grieving widow's desperate plan. Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1960s Miami, this compelling mystery showcases George's keen instincts and understanding of cultural traditions as he races to reunite a family before their Florida vacation becomes a permanent nightmare.

"The Missing Delegate" in Private Dicks and Disco Balls

When an eighteen-year-old delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention vanishes in Miami Beach, George is hired to track him down. Navigating through a city transformed by protesters, hippies, and political activists, George's search leads him from Flamingo Park's makeshift tent city to the darker corners of Miami's underground scene.

As he races to find the missing delegate before the convention begins, George must confront both the dangers of the case and his own complicated relationship with identity and sexuality in 1970s Florida. This atmospheric mystery captures a pivotal moment in American history while exploring themes of self-discovery and personal freedom.

"Oyster Creek" in Crime Hits Home

I've been a member of Mystery Writers of America since I began my career as a crime writer, and one of my bucket list items has been to have a story accepted for their annual anthology. That wish came through with "Oyster Creek,"  is in Crime Hits Home, edited by SJ Rozan.

When George receives news of his mother's death in a hit-and-run accident, he returns to his Maryland hometown seeking answers. In Wright's Head, a close-knit community on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, George uncovers surprising truths about his mother's life – and death.

As he navigates through long-buried secrets and small-town whispers, he must confront both his family's painful past and his own conflicted feelings about love and identity. This poignant mystery explores the complexities of family bonds, hidden relationships, and the steep price of truth in a town where everyone knows everyone else's business – or thinks they do.

Also reprinted in Black Cat Weekly #123 and short-listed in Best Mystery and Suspense Stories of 2023. 

"The Shandiclere" in Black Cat Weekly #150

When George agrees to escort his flight attendant neighbors Sandi and Patti to a seedy riverside bar to see a country singer perform, he has no idea he's about to be pulled into a deadly investigation. After a talent booker for The Jackie Gleason Show is found murdered behind the bar, George must navigate the dangerous intersection of the music business and organized crime to clear an innocent man's name.

Set against the gritty backdrop of 1960s Miami, this atmospheric mystery weaves together mobsters, musicians, and murder as George races to catch a killer before becoming the next victim. I was delighted to place it with Black Cat Weekly.