Four five-star Yelp reviews do you little good when you’re nailed inside a giant barrel of whiskey, which is where our intrepid private detective Barry finds himself while on the case to help his campy drag friends, all of whom have numerous secrets to hide. <br><br>If he can decide between the man he once loved and the bartender he’s falling for, successfully stay undercover as his alter-ego, Mary, Queen of Scotch, and keep one step ahead of the bad guys, plus a raucously funny meddling mom, he just might live to see that much-desired fifth review.

Mary, Queen of Scotch

“Mary,” I replied, willing my hand not to shake as I took a sip. Mary was good, I reasoned. Quintessential. I stared at my drink as I set it down. I smiled. The bar brightened as a light pulsed above my bewigged head. “Mary, Queen of Scotch.” And a legend was born—even if only in my head.


“Nice to meet you, Mary,” said the bartender. “Name’s Ray. Ray Charles.”


I shook the extended hand and grinned. “Did your parents have a penchant for blind soul singers?”


He shrugged. “Doubtful. It’s short for Raymond. As in everybody loves.” He released my hand, then pointed to the mostly empty tip jar. “Oh well. Not everybody, I suppose.” The shrug got joined with a sigh. “In any case, you performing tonight? I don’t see you on the roster.” He pointed behind me to a screen on the wall. There was indeed a roster. My name, suffice it to say, was not listed.


“Last minute addition,” I said. “I’m a friend of Chad’s.” Tangentially, but still.


Chapter 4