Richard Stevenson

Richard Lipez (born November 30, 1938 in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania) is an American journalist and mystery author. Richard currently resides in Massachusetts. He is most known for his Donald Strachey mysteries, which were originally published under the pen name Richard Stevenson. Lipez is openly gay.


Death Trick:

When the sensational murder of a gay man hits the headlines in Albany, New York, the prime suspect turns out to be a young gay activist who has disappeared. His socially prominent parents call in Don Strachey, a low-key but cocky detective known for getting results when the police can't and known for his connections in the gay community - his community.

On the Other Hand:

When the giant Millpond Company finds its plans for a mega-shopping mall stymied by the refusal of an elderly lesbian couple to sell their home, the ladies are subjected to ugly vandalism and frightening death threats. The powerful director of Millpond in turn hires Don Strachey, Albany's only gay detective, to protect the ladies, find the culprits, and clear the corporate name. Strachey accepts with misgivings that deepen rapidly as kidnapping, extortion, and murder darken the lives of Albany's gay community. Fast-paced, deftly plotted, and superbly written, this is one of the best Strachey novels yet.

Ice Blues:

An icy Albany winter—and unwelcome surprises of one frozen corpse, numerous ominous threats, and a couple million dollars!

The toughest gay private investigator in mystery literature is back—with a frozen corpse in his back seat and an urgent need to find out who put it there. Ice Blues: a Donald Strachey Mystery brings back the popular wisecracking detective in a fast-paced, suspenseful, and flat-out enjoyable suspense mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. Strachey soon finds himself in possession of two and a half million dollars—and becomes the target of criminals who will stop at nothing to get it. To unravel the puzzle, he has to confront a political machine, civic corruption, and family tragedy.

Third Man Out:

Which powerful mystery man killed the gay activist for outing him? After an attempt is made on his life, Queer Nation activist John Rutka asks tough-as-nails gay private detective Don Strachey to provide him with protection. Why does someone want to kill him? The activist's efforts at outing closeted gay homophobes have earned him a multitude of enraged enemies who would just as soon see him dead. After Strachey refuses to help, the man's body is found savagely murdered in apparent retribution for his deeds. Now, because of this, the reluctant Strachey feels obligated to investigate. Third Man Out brings back one of the most popular gay heroes in mystery fiction, Don Strachey, a private investigator as hard-boiled as they come, along with his lover, Tim Callahan, in a topical and very entertaining mystery dealing with the ethical issues of outing.

Shock to the System:

Donald Strachey is asked to investigate the suspicious death of Paul Haig by three different people-Haig's homophobic mother, his ex-lover, and the psychiatrist hired to "cure" him of his homosexuality. Just as he gets started, however, all three remove him from the case, leaving Strachey with a brutal murderer that now everyone wants left alone.

Washington Post

Believe me, it's a lot of fun and much of it is very wicked fun indeed. . . . Don't think for a minute that Stevenson's writing just for gays. (Washington Post)

Chain of Fools:

Private Investigator Donald Strachey is asked to look into the events surrounding the months-old murder of Eric Osborne. His death, originally believed to be a random attack, takes on new significance when Janet Osborne, Eric's sister, survives an attempt on her life. Skeeter, Eric's lover, believed both attacks were meant to silence them before the sale of their family's newspaper. drawn into a complex family feud, Strachey must unravel the secret behind the attacks before he tries again...

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