Rating: 5 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | iBooks | Amazon UK
Length: Novel
Well, even though past Reading Challenge Months at Joyfully Jay have always brought little gems to the surface, I must say my “New-to-Me” author for the 2018 challenge month pushed all the right buttons. To let you know just how much I adored Frank W. Butterfield’s story, The Unexpected Heiress, I immediately went out and bought the second in the Nick Williams Mystery series and fully intend on buying every single one of these delightful mysteries, which I believe total somewhere in the neighborhood of seventeen. Set in the 1950s in San Francisco during a time where being gay was not only dangerous, but career ending, we meet Nick Williams, the richest man in town who works as a private detective when he actually decides to take a case. Mysteries, mayhem, and murder tend to fall into Nick’s lap and this particular case hits home when his own sister (and the only person he likes in his family) ends up dead from a horrific car accident that happens due to cut brake lines.
To give us a real understanding of Nick, the author crafts a fascinating back story that includes a gay uncle who made a fortune in some not so legal ways and left most of it to Nick upon his death. Nick’s father contested the will and failed in his bid to get the money, as did many of Nick’s relatives. His father is selfish, cold, and abusive in many ways and Nick takes great delight in thumbing his nose at the old man. However, it’s Nick’s ‘husband,” Carter, who often steals the scenes in this novel. Carter is a fireman who had an unfortunate run in with a fire truck and is recovering from knee surgery. Standing much taller than Nick and massively larger in a delightfully muscular way, there is no doubt of the love that exists between these two men. Neither man tries to hide their relationship, primarily because Nick’s wealth and status allow him to be free with flaunting it. However, as Nick will come to realize during the course of investigating just who murdered his sister and why, being gay can mean anything from public humiliation to a loss of job in this very homophobic time era. When his tendency to put homophobes in their place ends up creating collateral damage to his friends, we see just how determined a man Nick is to safeguard those he loves.
Butterfield creates this delightful community around Nick and Carter, which includes a fellow gay fireman, Nick’s ex-boyfriend and personal lawyer, a gay cop who is Nick and Carter’s best friend, and a crackin secretary who can hold her own with Nick’s quick wit and hectic pace. Honestly, I cannot begin to tell you how this author manages to recreate an era that was exploding with Hollywood stars and some real political intrigue; after all, this was the era of the cold war and witch hunts were rampant. The author takes great care in recreating this point in time and the players he puts in place in his novel all feel very genuine. However, the strength of this story wasn’t just in its attention to details, but in the relationships of the characters who walked its pages.
This story simply sang as it moved rapidly through the mystery surrounding the death of Nick’s sister. Nick is a smart guy and as he moved from clue to clue and cracked open the real reason his sister was murdered, it all pointed back to a past he was loathe to think about. Through this entire story we are constantly reminded of how kind Nick is and that he is generous to a fault and very aware of how his actions affect those people he associates with every day. When his mouth causes a few of his friends to lose their jobs after being outed as gay, Nick spins a solution at the end of this novel that is brilliant and effective, not to mention it sets up the following installment quite nicely. But I have to tell you that it is the relationship between Carter and Nick that really makes this novel shine. They are just beautifully written and with every interaction you find yourself wanting more and more. Be forewarned, if you are one who must have intimate sex scenes in your novels you will not be finding them in this book. While there are many instances of fade to black moments and mention of lots of showers that end in cold water, there is actually very little on the page sex. Honestly you will not miss it—I guarantee you will fall in love with these characters and be completely satisfied by the way this story is crafted.
I am thrilled with my new to me author choice! The Unexpected Heiress by Frank W. Butterfield is outstanding and I highly recommend it to you!
This review is part of our Reading Challenge Month for New-To-Me Author Week! Leave a relevant comment below and you will be entered to win one of six $20 gift cards to NineStar Press. Commenters will also be entered to win our amazing grand prize sponsored by Dreamspinner Press (a Kindle Fire filled with Dreamspun Desires/Beyond books, plus a 3-month subscription!). You can get more information on our Challenge Month here, and more details on New-To-Me Author Week here, including a list of all the books in this week’s prize.
Thank you so much for the review, Sammy. I must recognise this has been in my Kindle for a while, but I did not feel like reading it… And now I cannot wait to start reading it. LOL!
I have read two more in the series—it is just a fantastic cast of characters. I hope you enjoy it!
Thanks for the review, Sammy. I enjoy mystery, of course, but not sure with the historical/timeline of this book. Will have to contemplate it.
Don’t let the historical stop you. It’s a really well done series!
Thank you for the review the series sounds so good now I’ll have to add them to my TBR!
Wonderful review. Your enthusiasm for the story and the characters piqued my interest so much, I just purchased all 24 books! Persuasive and engaging review. I now have another 2 dozen books added to my embarrassingly long TBR list!
I’ve read four so far and am loving them. Hope you enjoy it!
Thank you for pointing this series out. I don’t think I would have come across it otherwise and it sounds interesting.
I for a rule do not read Historical, however I have enjoyed each and ever one of the Nick and Carter stories. You get to know each character from book to book,and I can’t wait for the next one.
I love Reading Challenge Month, the recommendations by reviewers and readers is amazing. I did a little research and this series currently has 24 books. Thank you so much for bringing this author to my attention.
The time period, San Francisco setting, and colorful characters sound perfect for me!
Now I’m excited…I got two of these, Unexpected Heiress & Voluptuous Vixon, probably for 0.99 or maybe free, but I couldn’t really get motivated to read them. Your review has me anxious to get started.
Thanks! 🙂
What a fortunate choice of a new to you author, Sammy, and how wonderful that the series comes already 24 books strong! I like both mysteries and historical stories so have already downloaded a sample. Thanks so much for the review.
I have been reading Nick and Carter since almost the beginning. I am so glad that he is receiving the credit he deserves. Each new book is like catching up with old friends. Enjoyed your review.
Thank you for the review. I haven’t read a book by this author yet. I do like mystery so it definitely appeals.
Thank you for the review. I haven’t read a book by this author yet. I do enjoy mystery and this does appeal.
I’ve only recently found out about Butterfield’s series, but I haven’t yet dived in. I don’t see a thing about it that I won’t love, though. I actually have the first on audio, and I hope it translates as well for me as it did for you in text. Thanks for making it move up my tbr, Sammy.
Wow, I’ve never heard of this and I don’t think I would have picked it up based on the cover/title but this sounds really good! Might have to add it to my tbr. Thanks for sharing your review!
Thank you for your review this sounds really interesting but after seeing on Amazon that there are already 24 books in this serie, i think i’m going to pass. I don’t think i can fully commit myself to a 24 book serie 😉
I’ve never heard of this author either. Thank you for your review. I might have passed it by because I don’t usually read historical fiction, but it sounds like it’s worth a try.
I’ve had this book in my TBR list for more than a year. Historical and/or mystery are my favorite stories but I think I’ve never found the moment to read it because of the cover. So this one seems one of these don’t-judge-a-book-by-its-cover cases. After your review it’s now at the top of the list of next readings.
This series sounds really interesting. I like historical but I don’t think I’ve read one from this time period. The cover stands out also. @Angela, 24 books sounds daunting, but I can commit to the first one. I’m putting this on my TBR.
Thanks for the review and bringing out a series I have never heard of.
I so want to read this now! Although 24 books is a long commitment 🙂
Gay SF, firefighting, detective work, and there are SEVENTEEN OF THEM? I feel faint. My wallet feels faint.
LOL, yes that is daunting! But you can do it!