"This is a beautiful, satisfying listen."- AudioFile
"Most audiobook readers are familiar with Vikas Adam’s work. He’s a prolific narrator in the YA and romance space and the perfect choice for Lavender House....The narration kept my attention all the way through!"- Bookcrushin'
A delicious story from a new voice in suspense, Lev AC Rosen's Lavender House is Knives Out with a queer historical twist.
Lavender House, 1952: the family seat of recently deceased matriarch Irene Lamontaine, head of the famous Lamontaine soap empire. Irene’s recipes for her signature scents are a well guarded secret—but it's not the only one behind these gates. This estate offers a unique freedom, where none of the residents or staff hide who they are. But to keep their secret, they've needed to keep others out. And now they're worried they're keeping a murderer in.
Irene’s widow hires Evander Mills to uncover the truth behind her mysterious death. Andy, recently fired from the San Francisco police after being caught in a raid on a gay bar, is happy to accept—his calendar is wide open. And his secret is the kind of secret the Lamontaines understand.
Andy had never imagined a world like Lavender House. He's seduced by the safety and freedom found behind its gates, where a queer family lives honestly and openly. But that honesty doesn't extend to everything, and he quickly finds himself a pawn in a family game of old money, subterfuge, and jealousy—and Irene’s death is only the beginning.
When your existence is a crime, everything you do is criminal, and the gates of Lavender House can’t lock out the real world forever. Running a soap empire can be a dirty business.
A Macmillan Audio production from Forge Books.
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"The start of a wonderful new gay crime series. Strong historical detail provides an atmospheric backdrop. 1952 San Fransisco, closeted disgraced detective Andy is called in to secretly solve the death of the matriarch of a famous soap empire- Slowly Andy reveals family secrets, jealousies and revenge lie hidden behind the murder. Intrigue abounds, lots of twists in a great fun read. I immediately ordered the next in series. Excellent narration.Highly recommend."
— Bookworm (5 out of 5 stars)
“Terrific…Rosen’s novel is a winning homage to old-time crime fiction.”
— San Francisco Chronicle“Movingly explores the strain of trying to pass as straight at a time when living an authentic life could be deadly.”
— New York Times Book Review“Rosen’s deftly clued, noir-tinged plot successfully walks the line between hope and heartbreak, all while thoughtfully exploring the role of family in our lives.”
— Library Journal (starred review)“Rosen’s smart, bittersweet tale plays with the oldest truth of all: the price we pay for our identity in America.”
— Walter Mosley, New York Times bestselling authorBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Lev AC Rosen writes books for people of all ages, including Lavender House, named a best book of the year by Crime Reads and several other outlets. His young adult novel Camp was named a best book of the year by Forbes, Elle, and The Today Show, among others. You can find him online at LevACRosen.com and @LevACRosen.
Vikas Adam is a classically trained actor with numerous credits in stage, film, commercials, and television, in addition to his over two hundred recorded audiobooks. His narrations have garnered numerous awards and nominations, including AudioFile Earphones Awards, various Best of the Year lists, and the prestigious Audie Award. He was an inaugural inductee into the Audible Narrator Hall of Fame.