“How about a ‘Maverick’ reboot?”

Burley frowned at hearing what my ninety-one-year-old friend, Jerry, had told me he wanted for his birthday. “He does realize …”

“That Andy Griffith has long passed? Of course. But he stood his ground, saying it was a birthday wish.” I had learned Jerry would soon turn ninety-two when the receptionist at his doctor’s office noted the day on his paperwork. Typical Jerry. He’d not wanted me to “go to any fuss,” and yet, were the candle on the other cake, he’d make darn sure my special day was just that. Of course, his request was impossible. He’d said something outlandish to ensure I not spend any money. But there was no way I’d allow the day to pass without at least a cake. Fortunately, Burley, another friend, was an acclaimed baker.

“He have a favorite kind?” Burley asked, perusing shelves crammed with ingredients.

“Chocolate. Straight up.” This was a bit of a guess, but his go-to candy was a Hershey bar—no nuts—and on an especially chilly Seattle day when he didn’t have a cup of Harney & Sons tea, he would fix himself a hot chocolate—never with whipped cream. “What can I say,” he’d declared between sips, “I’m a purist.”

“Let’s see here. I can do a chocolate truffle, caramel, lava, Black Forest, fudge, or”—Burley’s eyes lit up even brighter than usual—“I have a recipe for a killer German chocolate.”

Her choice of adjective sealed the deal; it secretly spoke to me. In the past year, I’d been drawn into (is there a word for “reluctance” at a galactic scale?) solving a couple of mysteries—the latest, a murder. My day job as a psychologically abused middle school teacher hadn’t prepared me for the real-as-crap perils of sleuthing. But I’d be a big liar (fun fact: I tip the scales at one-thirty and soar into the heavens at a modest five foot-four) if I said amateur detective work hadn’t forced me from my shell. That was all because of Hollister. She was another friend—my bestie, improbable as it seemed. I say that because Hollister would be played by Leslie Jones in the movie version of my life, whereas I was a modern-day Don Knotts with a Troll Doll’s red hair. Riding shotgun with Hollister was a non-stop thrill ride. It was exhausting but exhilarating. I loved her immeasurably. As I did Burley, who was readying mixing bowls and pulling exotic sugars and French flour from the shelf. As I did Jerry, who was getting a cake, though he’d complain we shouldn’t have gone to any trouble.

Looking worried, Burley said, “You’re not planning on putting candles on it. Are you?”

“It’s a celebration, not a bonfire.”

“Sweet.” Burley winked mischievously. “I got an idea.”

Two hours later, she said, “Okay, you can look.”

I uncovered my eyes. Holy Ben Matlock! Burley had created a nearly photorealistic portrait of Andy Griffith’s face in frosting on the top of the cake.

“Well?” She stood back, taking in her artwork from a different angle. “What do you think?”

Awestruck, I managed only, “It’s …”

“I know, right?”

Leaning closer, I noticed an oddly placed gold sprinkle. “Wait. Did you give Andy Griffith a nose ring?”

“You said a reboot, not a rerun.”

And with that, we carefully boxed the cake and headed to Jerry’s house.

Cirque du Slay, A Hayden & Friends Mystery Book #2
Genre: Traditional Mystery
Release: March 2024
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Purchase Link

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.

About the author
Rob Osler writes traditional mysteries featuring LGBTQ+ main characters. His debut novel, Devil’s Chew Toy, the predecessor to Cirque du Slay, was a finalist for the 2023 Anthony, Macavity, Agatha, and Lefty Awards. His short story, Miss Direction (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine), is a 2024 MWA Edgar Awards finalist. His first-ever publication, Analogue (also EQMM), won the 2022 Robert L Fish Award at the Edgars.