The Gray Line

Angel and Bethany are a happy couple, even if Beth’s idea of having a child is not shared by Angel. Then, just so suddenly, Angel’s life is shattered — emotionally and psychologically —when her wife, Beth, dies in a car accident. She blames herself for the loss and to heal, she joins a grief support group, but when the members of her group begin to disappear one by one and mysteriously, she and some members of the group set out to unravel the mystery. She is aware that someone is targeting members of her group. As Angel is pulled into a world of danger and intrigue and as she faces murder, she has to struggle with her sense of justice in an environment where it is not easy to define moral righteousness. As the line between good and evil grays out in her pursuit of truth and justice, she must take critical and dangerous steps to protect herself and those she loves.

The clever and rich characterization in B. J. Cyprian’s The Gray Line is complemented by the crisp prose and superior storytelling. The opening allows readers a strong glimpse of the connection between Angel and Beth and they instantly like the lesbian couple. The action is enriched by carefully crafted backstory and streams of consciousness that highlight the internal conflict, mostly revolving around the conflicting thoughts in the mind of the female heroine. Angel is a character who goes through a lot of pain after the devastating loss. Themes of grief, loss, murder, and the quest for justice are marvelously handled. B. J. Cyprian’s world-building is impeccable, the characters are complex, and the plot unpredictable. This is a delight to read, a winner for fans of gay romance and mystery.