The affair of the porcelain dog

by Jess Faraday

Paper Book, 2011

Status

Available

Call number

PS3606.A66A68 2011

Publication

New York : Liberty Edition, 2011.

Description

London 1889. For Ira Adler, former rent-boy and present plaything of crime lord Cain Goddard, stealing back the statue from Goddard's blackmailer should have been a doddle. But inside the statue is evidence that could put Goddard away for a long time under the sodomy laws, and everyone's after it, including Ira's bitter ex, Dr. Timothy Lazarus. No sooner does Ira have the porcelain dog in his hot little hands, than he loses it to a nimble-fingered prostitute. As Ira's search for the dog drags him back to the mean East End streets where he grew up, he discovers secrets about his own past, and about Goddard's present business dealings, which make him question everything he thought he knew. An old friend turns up dead, and an old enemy proves himself a friend. Goddard is pressing Ira for a commitment, but every new discovery casts doubt on whether Ira can, in good conscience, remain with him. In the end, Ira must choose between his hard-won life of luxury and standing against a grievous wrong.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member GirlMisanthrope
Over 4 stars? Oh yes, it's that good. Find yourself immersed in Victorian England. Furthermore, immersed in gay society, traversing the careful efforts gay citizens had to make to have a relationship. In this time period, when class determined where you could go, eat, shop, work, the author does an
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amazing job describing how clothing, from head to toe, signaled one's standing.

Ira, orphaned at a young age, supports himself by selling his body until he is taken in by one of his regulars. He is ensconced in a beautiful home and given the My Fair Lady treatment by his benefactor. When our story begins, they have been together for 2 years. His benefactor, Cain Goddard, just happens to be a crime lord and renowned for his ferocity with street justice.

Ira is simply enjoying resting in their morning room in his silk robe while reading erotic literature when Goddard asks him to retrieve (read: steal) an object that contains damning evidence currently being used by a blackmailer. Events pull Ira into the seedy world of the opium trade, child trafficking, and into protecting old friends. Mystery, intrigue, adventure, shocking twists, and lovely accessories.

It's a wild ride and you will be able to smell the stench of the Thames, feel the itch of Ira's tweeds, and visualize the gritty East End of London. Very well done and the author's next installment is highly anticipated.
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Awards

Lambda Literary Award (Finalist — 2012)

Language

Original publication date

2011-06-04

Physical description

236 p.; 22 cm

ISBN

1602822301 / 9781602822306

Barcode

32345000050071
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