Cirque du Slay

Description

In this rollicking mystery, perfect for fans of Steven Rowley and Elle Cosimano, the circus becomes the stage for a high-profile murder investigation.

With quirky LGBTQ+ amateur sleuths, Cirque du Slay will delight readers looking for a madcap mystery with high-flying excitement!

Pint-sized Seattle middle school teacher and gay dating blogger Hayden McCall and his best friend Hollister are invited to a fundraiser for Bakers Without Borders. The celebrity performer, Kennedy Osaka, is the artistic director of Mysterium, an upscale circus arts show combining magic, acrobatics, and a Michelin-star dinner. But Kennedy is a no-show—until she’s found dead in her hotel suite.

When frenemy Sarah Lee is discovered in the room with the body, Hayden and Hollister are on the case to find the real culprit before Sarah Lee is charged with the crime.

The suspects for the murder are as unique as Mysterium itself: a Russian trapeze artist, a cowgirl comedian sharp-shooter, an over-cologned operations director, a feisty, green-haired costume manager, and Adrenalin!, a sexy troop of Romanian male acrobats…If Hayden and Hollister are to clear Sarah Lee of suspicion, they’ll have to outsmart a killer for whom trickery is art.Praise for Cirque du Slay:
“A big-tent extravaganza in more ways than one.”
—Kirkus

“Chock full of unconventional characters, both LGBTQ+ and not, this entertaining cozy is heartwarming in the characters’ caring for one another.”
—Booklist

“From the atmospheric beginning onward, the prose is sharp and punchy.”
—Foreword

“Rob Osler brings his irresistible wit to this trapeze act of a mystery, which swings between catching a killer and protagonist Hayden’s deepening friendships with his wonderfully quirky pals. Hayden’s warmth, smarts, and self-effacing humor have vaulted him to the top of my favorite amateur sleuths list.”
—Ellen Byron, USA Today bestselling author

“Rob Osler’s debut knocked my socks off, and this devilishly clever and wickedly funny follow-up made me laugh out loud and kept me guessing to the end. Can’t wait for a third book in this clever and witty series!”
—Greg Herren, award-winning author of Death Drop

“Osler delivers the perfect combo of adrenaline, feels, and fun. Cirque du Slay is divine.”
—Raquel V. Reyes, award-winning author of the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series

“In this fun follow-up to Devil’s Chew Toy, unlikely heroes Hayden and Hollister are back on the hunt, leading to situations both hilarious and frightening.”
—Charlaine Harris, Mystery Writers of America Grand Master

“A rock-solid whodunit with a plot that keeps you guessing till the end. Funny, adventurous, and poignant, this mystery is more than clever crime-solving. What sets it apart from other cozies is the loyalty of diverse friendships that evolve into chosen family.”
—Michael Craft, MWA-nominated author of the Dante & Jazz mysteries

Praise for Devil’s Chew Toy:
“Charming and diverse characters—both human and canine—fill the pages of Rob Osler’s delightfully humorous cozy.”
—Gigi Pandian, USA Today bestselling author

“Take a disarming protagonist, a delightful supporting cast, and a pacy romp of a plot, add boundless warmth, humor, baked goods, and puppy love and you’ve got Devil’s Chew Toy.” 
—Catriona McPherson, multi-award-winning author

“An out and proud crime story loaded with charm, warmth and good humor.”
—Charles Ardai, award-winning author

“This nail-biter of a book is gut-bustingly funny, endlessly entertaining, and a little bit scary.”
—Hart Hanson, creator and executive producer of Bones

“The engaging voice, vivid setting, and loveable and diverse cast, make for a marvelous new cozy series.”
—Nikki Knight, author of the Vermont Radio mysteries

“Rob Osler’s debut has everything cozy mystery readers will love.”
—Elizabeth Breck, author of the Madison Kelly mysteries

“[An] appealing debut.”
—Publishers Weekly

“A fresh new take on the gay mystery . . . A welcome new voice.”
—Kirkus ReviewsRob Osler writes mysteries with LGBTQ+ main characters. Rob’s debut novel, Devil’s Chew Toy, was a finalist for the Anthony, Agatha, Lefty, and Macavity Awards, and his first publication, Analogue, appearing in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, won the Robert L Fish Award at the Mystery Writers of America Annual Edgar Awards. With a philosophy degree from the University of Puget Sound and an MBA from the University of Washington, he previously worked as a brand marketing executive for global agencies and corporations. After living in Chicago and Seattle, Rob resides in California with his long-time partner and a tall gray cat. US

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