The Jockstrap Murder

You can tell, as you read this clever, rather elegant murder mystery, that it is written by someone NOT of this generation. I remember reading Vincent Lardo nearly 40 years ago, and I was tickled have a new series by him come to my attention. It was Lardo’s voice, an early one in gay fiction, that informed my expanding identity as a young gay man back in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This gives “The Jockstrap Murder” an oddly out-of-time feeling—men in their 20s and 30s who act and sound with a suavity and style that seems to be from a slightly earlier era. Believe me, I wouldn’t mind if younger gay writers started imitating their elders.The hero of the piece is Mike Gavin, syndicated columnist and a celebrity of sorts—or at least well-known enough to be noticed and known by people who are both rich and powerful. His live-in boyfriend of a few months standing is superstar tennis player, Jack Montgomery. Jack is charming, feckless, and far smarter than he appears to the public eye. Jack is in his late twenties, and knows what he’s doing, while Mike is “within reach” of forty. The fact that Jack and Mike are both known to be gay and untroubled by it is a detail very much of the early 21st century. Their relationship, on the other hand, feels very 1980s. This is not so much a criticism as a nostalgic note on my part. Jack is—contrary to his playboy image—a real nester; while Mike seems to be somewhat commitment-phobic for reasons that are unclear at first. Jack and Mike’s relationship forms the structural framework upon which the murder mystery is built. It is not at the center of the story; but its presence shapes and informs the action.The title plot revolves around the discovery of a rising cub reporter from a Baltimore paper strangled with a fancy brand-name jockstrap in the apartment of a newly-famous underwear model. Both the idea of a rising cub reporter at any newspaper and a hot underwear model who is known by name have cultural echoes dating back to the 1990s. These seem a little quaint today, but no matter. Lardo brings in a delicious assortment of power-types, from a gorgeous (but aging) actress, to a rather sleazy garment manufacturer, to a right-wing politician with a hidden agenda (a little too close to the bone, perhaps). Seeking justice for the slain reporter, out of a slightly penitential instinct, Mike decides to swim among the sharks to see who might have done what and for what reason.Now, if I only liked Mike Gavin a bit more.Knowing that this is a series, and that both Mike and Jack will be reappearing in future books (please!), I know I must make allowances. The truth is that both Mike and Jack come with baggage that they are only beginning to unpack. I am a very prejudiced old romantic in some ways, and Vincent Lardo’s cynical perspective on gay relationships possibly just rubs me the wrong way. But who knows? Perhaps he’ll surprise me in the coming volumes and I’ll grow fonder of Mike Gavin.For now, “The Jockstrap Murder” is a stylish new addition to a genre that gets better every day.

I read the one review that was less than flattering, and I would have to disagree. This was a really good story. My only knock was there was not a good physical description of the lead character. Or maybe there was and I missed it. But this was a great story. Old style cop and journalist story. Definitely worth reading.

Everything about it was; the plot, the characters, the lack of suspense and the writing style. I had to check from chapter to chapter to ensure I was reading the same book. It was a book trying to be something other than it was...a gay detective story. I wanted a jock strap to hang myself with half way through this book.

Problem is I just don't remember it! I read it -- as I type this I'm beginning to remember -- main character was a jerk!

No character development or story depth...very dissapointing

Lardo is a great writer. This one was wonderful, as usual. He mixes mystery, humor, syspence, and love.I recommend it!

Smooth book in great condition

GREAT!!!

I really enjoyed this book ....Witty...Clever play with words ....strong characters ....play full sex ....intriguing story line....Worth reading...the writer must be fun to talk with