Another great installment in Evander Mills series. I've really enjoyed more backstory on Andy and how he's starting his business. I liked learning more about the clubs and most of the characters. Lee was such a fun addition to the solving team. I also really loved Gene and Elsie.

It's painful to know just how dangerous is was to just. . .live, and these books are just a bit sad, always, because of it. But I love the hope and joy that shines through in the times that it does. I can't wait to read the next one! ( )

What an absolutely delightful sequel. I loved getting more backstory and depth to Andy while meeting an almost entirely new cast of characters. Delightful twists and turns with so much heart, like all of Rosen’s books I’ve read so far. ( )

Most of the book focuses on Andy dealing with his new life as a private investigator specializing in queer clients and his complicated romantic interests but it's a solid plot, too, with a believable twist. ( )

The Bell in the Fog is the sequel to Lavender House and follows detective Evander "Andy" Mills. The series is set in early 1950s San Francisco among the LGBTQ+ community. I loved Lavender House, so was excited to read The Bell in the Fog.
Andy, no longer with the police force, is working as a PI out of an office above The Ruby, Elsie's queer club. He is approached by James, an old boyfriend from his days in the navy, who is being blackmailed. Andy embarks on a hunt for the compromising photographs of James and, in doing so, must face the uncomfortable truths and secrets from his days in the navy. Andy, previously lonely and isolated as a closeted gay cop, starts to make connections within the queer community, with the help of his new friend Lee, a female impersonator from the Ruby, who loves the idea of being a PI's "Girl Friday". Rosen paints a vivid picture of the times and the constant threats to queer people whether they be from a hostile government and military, a homophobic police force and hateful members of the general public.
The Bell in the Fog is a well written, immersive, unpredictable, historical mystery with an atmospheric setting and well developed morally grey characters. It was even better than Lavender House and I could not put it down. Thank you to BookishFirst for a copy to review. ( )

I loved the first book, "Lavender House," so much, and was so excited when I realized it was becoming a series. I'm happy to say that I loved the sequel as well. Andy is an excellent main character, and while I think he carries this book a bit (the first book as well), I also liked the cast of minor characters. Lee is a wonderful edition, and I particularly like the inclusion of one of Andy's past lovers, especially when the story delved into their past. I only wish there'd been more to it. But I love that there's more romance in this one! I'm really looking forward to seeing where that goes. As with Rosen's other books, I like his writing as well, and the historical queer setting will likely keep bringing me back for more.

One thing about this sequel is that it didn't feel like much of a mystery story this time around. Hopefully the next book has a tightly written mystery like the first book again.