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Sutton Albright’s life is in shambles.
He returned from the war injured, his career as a concert
pianist destroyed. Then he is expelled from college for
having an affair with a professor. Now Sutton is jobless
and nearly broke in New York, with no idea how to remedy his
situation and no desire to go home.
Jack Bailey came home from the war to
find his parents dead from influenza. Determined to
preserve their memory, he struggles to keep their novelty
shop open. His latest plan, to advertise on the radio,
isn’t working out as well as he’d hoped. When Sutton loses
his job, Jack gives him a place to stay, and they soon
discover that Sutton is able to play the piano again. Men
who love men aren’t accepted in 1919, however, and they both
have a lot of problems to deal with. Can they save Jack’s
business and find a way to be together?
Whistling in the Dark is one of the best books
I’ve read in a long time. I adored both lost, honorable
Sutton and rakish, trouble-making Jack. They made a
wonderful pair, in spite of (or perhaps because of) their
differences. The conflicts they had to work through in
order to be together, including war trauma and the
illegality of homosexuality, were believable and difficult.
Throughout the story, I rooted for Sutton and Jack. There
is a large cast of interesting secondary characters—friends,
enemies, and lots of others. Tamara Allen did a wonderful
job of portraying New York just before Prohibition. The
setting was vivid and richly detailed. With a compelling
story, great characters, and an unusual and well-drawn
setting, you can’t go wrong with this one! I am pleased to
Joyfully Recommend Whistling in the Dark, and
I can’t wait to see what Ms. Allen comes out with next. |
