[Free eBook] Boystown: Three Nick Nowak Mysteries by Marshall Thornton [Award-Nominated LGBT 1980s Historical Mystery]

Boystown: Three Nick Nowak Mysteries by Marshall Thornton, a Lambda Literary Award-winning novelist and screenwriter, is the 1st book in his Boystown series of gritty retro-historical private investigator mystery/crime thrillers with m/m romantic elements, free for a limited time courtesy of the author himself.

This was originally published in 2011 by now-defunct LGBT specialty publisher Torquere Press, and was a finalist for the 2012 Lambda Literary Awards in the Gay Mystery category. The series is set in Chicago during the 1980s and stars an ex-cop turned hard-boiled PI.

This installment contains 3 novella-length adventure cases in which he solves assorted crimes, even as he explores uneasy relationships with other men he meets in the course of investigation. NB: the cover image has some mild artistic nudity which may be NSFW depending on workplace, if someone’s browsing over your shoulder.

Offered DRM-free worldwide through August 8th, available at Amazon.

[Free eBook REPEAT] Dear Mr. Holmes: Seven Holmes on the Range Mysteries by Steve Hockensmith [Historical Western Mystery]

Dear Mr. Holmes by Steve Hockensmith is a collection in his Holmes on the Range series of Sherlock Holmes pastiche historical Western detective stories, free again for a limited time courtesy of the author himself, which was part of a long weekend holiday treat.

This is a collection of short stories originally published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and other venues from 2003 and onwards, accompanying the novel series published by Macmillan. The historical mystery series stars two brothers who are cowboys in Montana during the 1890s who are also Sherlock Holmes fanboys inspired to become detectives from reading his stories.

In these early tales, the brothers solve mysteries in the Wild West using the principles of deduction set forth by their role model, as well often referring to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original tales throughout their own adventures.

Offered DRM-free worldwide, available at Amazon.

[Free eBook] 2 Holmes on the Range books by Steve Hockensmith [Historical Western Mystery]

As a special treat for Sherlock Holmes fans, author Steve Hockensmith is offering two titles in his Holmes on the Range series of Sherlock Holmes pastiche tribute mystery novels, free for a limited time.

This historical mystery series stars two brothers who are cowboys in Montana during the 1890s who are also Sherlock Holmes fanboys inspired to become detectives from reading his stories. They solve cases in the Wild West using the principles of deduction set forth by their role model, as well as often referring to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original tales throughout their own adventures.

On the Wrong Track, the 2nd novel in the series, was originally published in 2007 by Macmillan’s Minotaur Books imprint, and Dear Mr. Holmes: Seven Holmes on the Range Stories is a collection of shorts self-published by the author, containing tales which originally appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and other outlets.

Offered DRM-free worldwide, available at Amazon.

[Free eBook] Sunset Island by Elliot Mackle [LGBT Historical Mystery]

Sunset Island by Elliot Mackle, a former US Air Force captain turned journalist and novelist, is the 3rd novel in his Caloosa Club Mysteries series of historical investigative mystery with m/m romantic elements, free for a limited time courtesy of LGBT specialty publisher Lethe Press.

This is the series for which the author was nominated for the Lambda Literary Award for the 1st novel, and won the International Rainbow Award for the second in the Best Gay Mystery/Thriller category. The series is set in 1950s Florida, specifically dealing with post-WWII fallout military/civilian societal fallout issues and assorted war-related crimes, starring an ex-Navy officer turned hotelier of the aforementioned club and an ex-Marine turned county detective. This installment continuing their investigative adventures, apparently featuring several sets of cases rather than focusing on a single overarching crime.

Offered DRM-free worldwide, available at Amazon.

[Free eBook] Another Together by Lauren James [YA Sci-Fi Historical Mystery]

Another Together by Lauren James is a mystery-themed short story in her Next Together series of young adult historical science fiction novels with strong f/m romantic elements, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Walker Books.

The series is centred around two young lovers who repeatedly reincarnate throughout history in order to fulfill mysterious missions before being torn apart again. This standalone short story takes place in the 1940s during WWII, and has them attempting to catch a killer at Bletchley Park, headquarters of the code-breaking circle (of which mathematician Alan Turing used to be a part). NB: I don’t know whether this particular short story has any overt sfnal elements in it, but the actual novels involve time travel and future reminiscing over past actions.

Offered in most regions worldwide except Canada & the US, available at multiple retailers.

[Free eBook] The Devil in the Marshalsea by Antonia Hodgson [Historical Murder Mystery]

The Devil in the Marshalsea by Antonia Hodgson is the 1st novel in her Thomas Hawkins series of historical murder mysteries, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Hodder & Stoughton.

This won the CWA’s 2014 Historical Dagger Award and was also a finalist for their John Creasy New Blood Dagger Award for best UK-debut crime novel. The series is set in London, England, in the 1720s, and this installment lands the protagonist in the titular debtors’ prison, where he must solve a murder whose chief suspect is his cellmate.

Offered in many worlwide regions outside of North America, including Europe, Oceania, South America, and and Japan, available at multiple retailers.