Idyll Fears is the second book in the Thomas Lynch series, where the gay Chief of Police must deal with homophobic opposition as well as a frantic search for a missing six-year-old with a rare, life-threatening medical condition.

Thomas Lynch is the Chief of Police in Idyll, a small fictional town in Connecticut. Part of the drama in Idyll Threats—the first book in the series—was Lynch being outed as gay. While still a big deal today, back in 1997—when this book is set—it was an even bigger deal for a high-ranking public figure to be gay. Particularly in a small town. It was big news, it was scandalous, and not everyone wanted (or wants) to be a poster child or role model for underrepresented groups.

Chief Lynch is now dealing with the fall out of being outed, and he’s not sure if he’ll stay in Idyll. The town is still buzzing, and Lynch is still getting to know the town, the men on the police force, and his formidable secretary, Mrs. Dunsmore, an older woman who has been in her position for a long, long time. Anonymous, homophobic phone calls are being made both to his home number and the police station. The calls are logged, complete with the caller’s phone number thanks to the new technology of *69, which the callers aren’t sophisticated enough to realize is being used. “Homo,” “Queer,” “We don’t want your kind here.” Happy Holidays, Chief!

Read more of this review on Criminal Element at https://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2017/09/review-idyll-fears-by-stephanie-ga... ( )

I enjoyed reading this mystery because the main character was a very likeable curmudgeon. He is a gay police chief in a small town that doesn't appreciate diversity. The story is mainly about the small town lifestyle where the citizens are judgmental and believe everyone else's behavior is their business and therefor suspect or offensive. The police chief has some discriminatory hateful interactions which I don't really buy into, but that's one of the plots in the story. I have a friend that is gay police chaplain and his partner is also a gay policeman, so I don't think it is that unusual or rife with hate crimes. The mystery is really a non-mystery because it is just a conspiracy, and no crime was ever committed except reporting false crimes. The plot is a nonevent, but the better is learning about the main character because I am sure this book will become part of a popular book series. ( )

4.5 stars. ( )

Good story, a fast-paced police procedural about a child-kidnapping.
The hook for me was the gay police chief. He's not that attractive a character for most of the book. He goes around with a chip on his shoulder, feeling hard put upon. It gets better as the story progresses and he's OK at the end.
This is the second in the series and I'll be adding the first one to my reading list.
Recommended. ( )