KitKat Reads #LGBT #Cozy #Mystery Small Town Scandal by J.J. Brass

Title: Small Town Scandal
Author: J.J. Brass
Genre: LGBT / Small Town / Cozy
Status: Read
Cats?: None

KitKat Says:

Agatha Vanderjagt is a crotchety old woman who lives alone in the small town of Hillsgrave. She also happens to be a retired schoolteacher.

Chris is a trans man and former student of Miss Vanderjagt's. As his ex-girlfriend points out, he's serious about taking care of animals and elders. That's why he cares for dogs full-time and gives Agatha a hand around the house after work.

When Agatha gets a blackmail letter, Chris is the only one she can turn to. The blackmailer has come across sexy black-and-white photos--photos of Agatha and her lesbian lover from long, long ago.

Chris drops everything to help solve the mystery of who is demanding money from Agatha. He obviously feels a deep sense of responsibility toward his former teacher, because he goes on helping her even when she shows him zero gratitude. The back-and-forth between Agatha and Chris is hilarious and all too real at times. They feel like family, like a grandmother and her grandson. They irritate each other constantly, but they always stick together. To me, this is a family mystery--a shining example of chosen family in a small-town setting.

As for the mystery, there are plenty of suspects to choose from. Agatha isn't the most beloved figure in town. When you see the way she talks to people you'll understand why! There's also a romantic B-plot about Chris and his ex-girlfriend... who happens to be the only person in town who freely admits to having seen the photographs Agatha's being blackmailed about. Hmmm...

If you're looking for a cozy small-town mystery with a hearty dose of queer representation, look no further. Small Town Scandal by J.J. Brass is the book for you!

Find Small Town Scandal at Amazon

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