Drag queens aren’t just dramatic. They’re deadly…

By day, shy hotel accountant Joe hides behind their desk and plays by the rules.By night, Joe takes to the stage as Misty Divine, an upcoming star of the London drag scene.

But when Misty’s mentor, Lady Lady, is found dead in her dressing room, Misty finds herself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Because Lady Lady was murdered – and as the only ones with access to her room, Misty and her fellow performers quickly become prime suspects.

Heartbroken by the loss, and frustrated by the inaction of the police, Joe is determined to uncover the killer in their midst. But what can they, a mere hotel accountant, possibly do?

This is a case for Misty Divine…

I received an advance galley of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

You know I love my drag queens, so of course, I jumped at a chance to read an advance copy of this book. I will admit that I picked this up expecting a campy, over-the-top drag queen murder mystery filled with sass and humor, and I was surprised to find a more grounded and serious tone. This tonal shift threw me at first, and I was a little disappointed. That said, this isn’t a flaw – this is the book the author intended to write, and I can’t expect them to cater to my expectations.

The story centers on Joe, a reserved, non-binary hotel accountant who transforms at night into Misty Divine, a rising star in London’s drag scene. Joe’s dual life takes a dark turn when their mentor and drag mother, the fabulous Lady Lady, is found poisoned in her dressing room. The police are quick to cast suspicion on Misty and her fellow performers, dismissing their concerns, pronouns, and identities with an unsettling air of disdain. Frustrated by the systemic lack of care from law enforcement, Misty decides to investigate the murder herself, channeling skills gleaned from her time spent binge-watching CSI with her husband, Miles.

The strongest aspect of this book lies in its characters, especially Misty Divine. The author – a drag queen herself – does a wonderful job capturing the nuance of a character like Joe, who is caught between their reserved daytime self and their bold, unapologetic drag persona. Misty’s transformation from a performer grieving the loss of her mentor to an amateur sleuth was fun to watch. The novel’s depiction of the LGBTQIA+ community’s struggles with institutional bias adds an emotional weight to the story, highlighting how queer individuals are often dismissed or disrespected by those in positions of power. The author doesn’t shy away from depicting these moments, which makes the novel feel authentic and resonant.

That said, while I appreciated the novel’s themes and character work, the pacing left something to be desired. For a murder mystery, the plot felt straightforward and, at times, predictable. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with a classic approach to the genre, I felt the narrative dragged (pardon the pun) in several places, slowing the momentum of the investigation. I also felt that the writing leaned heavily on exposition, often telling rather than showing, which sometimes made it difficult to feel fully immersed in the story.

Despite these critiques, there’s plenty to admire here. The blend of the vibrant drag world with a murder mystery is a unique premise, and the story’s exploration of identity, resilience, and systemic injustice elevates it beyond a simple whodunit. Misty Divine is a character who stays with you – her humor, insecurities, determination, and vulnerability shine even when the story struggles a bit.

While I didn’t love it, I liked it well enough, and I’m curious to see what Holly Stars writes next. Misty Divine certainly has the potential to become a beloved amateur sleuth, and I’d love to see her in another case (which the ending alludes to) – perhaps one with a bit more camp and sparkle to match her vibrant stage presence. If you’re looking for a mystery that offers more than just a clever plot – one that delves into the challenges of queer existence while celebrating the strength of chosen family – this book is worth your time.

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