Step into the shadowy, witty world of Donald Strachey, Albany’s only gay private detective, where mysteries unravel with a side of sharp humor and heart! Written by Richard Lipez under the pen name Richard Stevenson, the Donald Strachey series blends classic hardboiled detective vibes with groundbreaking LGBTQ+ representation. Set against the evolving backdrop of gay rights from the 1980s onward, these novels follow Strachey and his partner, Tim Callahan, as they tackle complex cases and personal challenges in New York’s capital.
With 17 books, four of which became films for the LGBT network Here!, this series has carved a unique niche in mystery fiction. Ready to meet a sleuth who’s as charming as he is tenacious? Let’s dive into the world of Donald Strachey!
How Donald Strachey Began
In 1981, Richard Lipez, an openly gay journalist, launched the Donald Strachey series with Death Trick. Writing as Richard Stevenson to shield his identity, Lipez drew inspiration from his own struggles with sexual identity and a desire to challenge crime fiction’s stereotypes of gay characters as villains or victims. Influenced by Raymond Chandler’s gritty style, Lipez created Strachey as a witty, relatable gay intellectual—a nod to biographer Lytton Strachey—defying the macho gumshoe trope. Set in Albany, the series captured the vibrant pre-AIDS gay scene, blending social commentary with gripping mysteries.
The Heart of Donald Strachey
The series kicks off with Death Trick (1981), where Strachey hunts for Billy Blount, a gay heir accused of murder, navigating Albany’s underworld with sharp wit. On the Other Hand, Death (1984) sees him protecting a lesbian couple from extortion and murder, weaving in themes of homophobia and resilience. Ice Blues (1986) ups the stakes as Strachey finds a body in his car, unraveling a political conspiracy. Third Man Out (1992) tackles the controversial issue of outing gay public figures, blending humor with moral complexity.
These novels shine through their Albany setting, a gritty yet vibrant stage for Strachey’s investigations. Themes of LGBTQ+ rights, love, and identity pulse through the series, with Strachey and Tim Callahan’s evolving relationship offering emotional depth. Lipez’s snappy dialogue and zany plots keep the tone light, while his unflinching look at issues like AIDS, conversion therapy, and societal prejudice adds weight. The series’ mix of classic PI tropes and queer narratives makes it both timeless and trailblazing.
Why Donald Strachey Resonates
The Donald Strachey series broke ground by centering a gay detective in mainstream mystery fiction, offering authentic representation when it was rare. Its blend of humor, heart, and social critique resonated with LGBTQ+ readers and beyond, earning translations into German, French, and Spanish. The Here! films, starring Chad Allen, brought Strachey to new audiences, cementing his cult status. Even after Lipez’s passing in 2022, the series endures through reprints by ReQueered Tales and a posthumous novel, Chasing Rembrandt (2023), proving its lasting appeal.
- First Book: Death Trick (1981)
- Total Books: 17
- Author: Richard Lipez (as Richard Stevenson)
- Film Adaptations: 4 (Third Man Out, Shock to the System, On the Other Hand, Death, Ice Blues)
- Award: Red White Black and Blue won the Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Mystery (2011)
About Donald Strachey
Grab Death Trick and dive into Donald Strachey’s world of mystery, wit, and heart—perfect for fans of clever sleuths and bold stories!