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Amos Lassen wrote on 02/27/2011:

Sherman, Scott. “First You Fall”, Alyson, 2008.
A New Gay Mystery
Amos Lassen
It is good to have a new gay mystery and Scott Sherman’s “First You Fall” is just that. We meet at the opening young Kevin Connor, a hustler who becomes a detective because of some of the things that happen to him. When his friend’s death is ruled a suicide, Kevin sets out to prove that it was a murder. To complicate matters, the dead man’s children weren’t in agreement about their father’s lifestyle and really only want their inheritance. On top of that, Kevin’s mother who knows nothing about his gayness or his “profession” comes to live with him. Thus the seeds are planted for a very good read.
Kevin is a high price hustler and cute as can be. He loves his work but will not allow himself to fall in love because he is still hurting from a recent breakup. He has other problems as well—he suffers from a mild form of Attention Deficit Disorder and when things get really heavy for him, he conveniently passes out. This is what happened when he went to visit his friend Allen. He found his body on the sidewalk in front of his apartment building. When the officer tells Kevin to step back, Kevin realizes that the cop is his ex, Tony, and he soon joins Allen on the ground. Kevin then joins up with Freddy and Marc, two friends, and the three are off to solve the crime.
This is the kind of book that once you begin, you do not want to stop and you can’t help but fall in love with the hero, Kevin. Even though this is a mystery there is a lot of romance and Sherman has created quite a cast of characters. The dialog is witty and fun and the ending will leave you amazed.
Gay mysteries have been few lately so it is really good to have a new one appear. “First You Fall’ will keep you laughing, swooning and guessing.

bigbearphx wrote on 06/05/2008:

Kevin Connor is a 23 year old blonde, twinkish high-priced "call boy"/gay escort who loves his work and friends, but is reluctant to allow himself to fall in love, still smarting from his breakup with Tony, his first love in high school. Kevin also suffers from a touch of Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, and complex emotional situations can sometime overwhelm him to the point he passes out. So, when he goes to visit his friend and mentor, Allen, and finds the man's body on the sidewalk in front of his high-rise NYC apartment building, and is told to step back by the officer on duty - who turns out to be his long-lost ex, Tony - Kevin soon joins his friend lying on the sidewalk. Ultimately, Kevin teams with his flamboyant best friend, Freddy, with some help from his computer-hacker friend/client Marc, and - despite distractions from a myriad of kinky clients and an unexpected visit by his overbearing mother - vows to prove wrong the police's finding that Allen committed suicide. It's a journey that uncovers secrets about the dead man's adult children, a sinister "gay conversion" program, revelations about people you thought you knew well, and agonizing over trying to reconcile with his (now married) ex.

With several major gay mystery series having wrapped in the past five years, there is definitely a need for some fresh ideas in that genre, especially utilizing characters that are likeable, relatable, intelligent and realistic. First time novelist Sherman hits on all four cylinders there, and infuses just enough humor in his book to keep the reader smiling as well as enthralled, making it hard to put the book down even for a minute. Looking forward to his announced sequel, and hopefully much more after that. Absolutely recommended highly, with a full four hustling stars out of four!