The Case of the Missing Drag Queen takes place in 1982—the first year for Diet Coke, USA Today, Carmike Cinemas, and Olive Garden. Chariots of Fire beat out On Golden Pond and Raiders of the Lost Ark for the Best Motion Picture Oscar. Bette Davis Eyes won the Grammy for Song of the Year.
I came out as a gay man in 1979. I was 21, which seems late by today’s standards, but was common at the time. Nobody famous was openly homosexual. Even Liberace claimed to be straight. Like many of my contemporaries, the first visit to a gay bar flipped the switch.
An absolute absence of positive role models caused the delay. We grew up believing homosexuality was a mental illness and a crime. Homosexuals were either dirty old men who hung out at bus stations and movie theaters or sissies who dressed as women.
A female friend dragged me kicking and screaming to the local gay bar to dance. Much to my surprise, the place was packed with guys like me. More than a few were downright attractive. The light came on and I knew. These were my people. This is where I belong.
By day we tried to conceal our gayness from coworkers, classmates, old friends, roommates, and family. Gay bars were necessary. They were a refuge from widespread homophobia, a safe space where no filter was needed, and the only place to meet other gay men.
We don’t need gay bars anymore, and while I’m grateful for the progress and technology that rendered them obsolete, I’m also a little sad. I had the time of my life. The Case of the Missing Drag Queen is a trip back to the golden age of gay bars.
Title: The Case of the Missing Drag Queen by Michael Rupured
Luke Tanner Mystery Series Book One
Publisher: DSP Publications
Genre: Contemporary, Gay, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 210 pages/Word Count: 60,018
Summary:
A Luke Tanner Mystery
Broke, saddled with a mountain of debt, and dependent on his Aunt Callie’s support, aspiring writer Luke Tanner has returned to Kentucky to put his life back together after a failed five-year relationship.
On his twenty-fifth birthday, Luke meets diminutive Pixie Wilder, a long-time performer at the Gilded Lily. After headliner Ruby Dubonnet doesn’t show up, Pixie takes her place as the star of the show—a motive that makes her a suspect in Ruby’s disappearance.
Luke reluctantly agrees to help his newfound friend clear her name. He and Pixie set out to find the missing drag queen, and in the process, put themselves in danger.
Add to Goodreads.
Purchase Links: DSP Publications * Amazon * B&N * Kobo
Author Bio
Michael Rupured writes stories true enough for government work about gay life from the 1960s to today. This life-long Southerner was born in Fayetteville NC, grew up in Lexington KY, and after 18 months in Washington DC, moved to Athens GA where he’s lived since 1999. By day, he’s senior faculty in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Georgia. He’s an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, the Kentucky Wildcats, and any team playing the Florida Gators. In his free time, Michael tinkers with his garden, plays with Toodles (his diabetic chihuahua), and keeps up with his many friends around the country. Previous novels include Until Thanksgiving (thriller), No Good Deed (mystery/thriller), Whippersnapper (regional), and Happy Independence Day (historical).
Author Links: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Email * Goodreads