"Whistle Pass"

Review - "Whistle Pass" by KevaD (DA Kentner)

Great, great 1950's action/mystery/romance

Very Highly Recommended

Sometimes the past should stay there.

Charlie Harris works for a logging company now.  During his stint in the Army, in WWII, he became more than just a little close with Roger Black.  But that was ten years ago, and after the war they separated and never looked back.  That is, until Charlie gets a telegraph from Roger, asking for his help.  Using the same words they always used with each other.

What Charlie finds in Whistle Pass, though, is anything but a friendly welcome.  He's attacked on his arrival at his hotel, even though nobody should know he's there.  And when hotel manager Gabe Kasper recognizes the post-war trauma an flashbacks that paralyze Charlie, he jumps in to help. 

Roger is now the Mayor, married, keeping secrets still.  Secrets that, if Charlie isn't careful, will get him killed.  What's worse, Roger didn't send for Charlie. 

Can Charlie get to the bottom of who sent for him, and why?  Will his attraction to Gabe be enough to make him forget Roger?  Or will both men end up dead?

I loved this book.  From the first page to the last, there is action, mystery, romance, and just a damned fine, well-written story.  KevaD has crafted a fantastic book about love, regrets, and starting fresh. 

Charlie is damaged goods, living with memories that haunt him from his time in combat, but also not quite over the feelings he has for Roger.  He can't quite escape the love that lingers, but in America in the 40's and 50's, he can't live openly gay either.

Roger is a mystery.  He's married now, mayor and not the man Charlie remembers and loves.  He has an agenda, but won't share it with Charlie.  What little love he held for Charlie seems to be gone.  Although he might not mind another roll in the sack.

Gabe is the heart of the book, though.  He lives a quiet triple life; he thinks no one is aware of his liking for men, but most in the town are aware.  And his buttoned-down nature belies the fact that he's drifted into being a high priced call boy.  He's dreamily slipping his way through life in Whistle Pass, but Charlie wakes him up with a bang.  When he's called upon to be a hero, he's so wonderfully, beautifully there.

This book is a gem.  Spot-on storyline, characters that draw me in and make me care, and fast paced, tightly woven prose.  Just...damn.  Stunning.

Can't get much better than this.

Tom