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The Tom and Scott Series by Mark Richard Zubro |
Why Isn't Becky Twitichell Dead?
The Only Good Priest
The Principal Cause of Death
An Echo of Death
Rust on the Razor
Are You Nuts?
Rating: ***1/2
Note: These books should be read in order.
Tom is an English teacher in a suburb of Chicago and Scott is the world's highest paid baseball pitcher for the Chicago team. Tom and Scott get into a lot of trouble all the time as, principally Tom, investigates murder after murder, usually in an effort to save himself or Scott from being a suspect.
To an extent, these books are predictable. Tom and Scott will get in harms way and one will be injured or badly shaken up or kidnaped or tortured. Tom will have a horrific time with homophobia from the school board, other teachers, students, or union representatives. Scott will struggle with homophobia in the sports world. Even though he has tenure, Tom's job will be threatened either by a group of crazed parents or disgruntled teachers union members. They will experience tension over whether Tom will give up being stubborn and let Scott pay for things.
Sounds pat and sometimes the situations can seem outlandish, but the books are a lot of fun and very suspenseful. The sex is also hot and fun. The writer often places his two would be detectives in plots where homophobia is physically dangerous. This is especially true in Rust on the Razor when Tom and Scott go down south to visit Scott's parents for the first time. Tom is arrested for murder in Scott's home town where the Christian Right holds sway and where betrayal exists on all sides not only from the law but the people closest to Scott. The suspense is terrific as they work their way out of this one in a community that is so anti-gay that their isolation is frightening.
As the note above says, these books should be read in order, because there is history to their relationship which evolves over time and has reached a peak in the latest book, Are You Nuts? Furthermore a real understanding of this title last comes only from a grasp of the frustrations Tom and Scott have experienced over the course of the other books. It is definitely time for Tom and Scott to ask this question of not only the entire world, but themselves. The title is appropriate in every sense.
These books are good, fast reads with emphasis on action and adventure. Tom and Scott are amateur detectives, but persistant, smart, in great physical shape for the physicality of the escapades, and very much in love with one another. Maybe these are the Hardy Boys Grown Up, but they are certainly a lot of fun to be with.
