Molly Boys

MM/Gay Victorian Mystery Suspense/Slow Burn Romance with a Supernatural Twist (London Underside, Book 1)

By: Vawn Cassidy

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

London 1885:

For Lord Everett Stanley, escaping his fate seemed impossible. As the second son, he’s destined for ordination and the life of a Reverend, but he’s hiding a dangerous secret. The laws punishing homosexuality by hanging may have been repealed but he and others of his kind are far from safe. Given no other choice, they take solace in the underground molly houses of London. Now that fragile world is threatened when the East End is rocked by a series of gruesome murders.

Inspector Archibald Franklin worked hard to overcome his working-class roots, making a name for himself as a respected inspector of Whitechapel’s H Division, but when he begins to investigate the deaths of several beautiful young men, fate throws him into the path of the handsome and enigmatic Lord Stanley. His gut instinct tells him the young lord knows more about the murders than he lets on, but the closer he gets, the more Everett calls to him in a way he’s tried to deny his whole life.

As a reign of terror grips London, they are drawn together in order to stop a monster, but for Archie, the growing feelings he has for Everett are a betrayal of the very laws he has sworn to uphold. And as the killer closes in, the two men find themselves bound together by a passion that may be their ultimate salvation or their utter destruction…

©2023 Wendy Saunders (P)2024 Wendy Saunders

A Great Mix of Mystery, Suspense, and Romance

Engaging characters, and (without spoilers) this series is heading in an intriguing direction with hinted at character arcs that IMO are a more interesting than some other M4M 1880s/1890s mystery fiction. And terrific narration.

The moral conflict of the era in which the story was set.

The ending even for book one of a series was extremely harsh and left a bad taste.

Ready for Book 2!

Joel Leslie never fails to satisfy with his realistic and easy to distinguish character voices. I have enjoyed the other two Vawn Cassidy series I've read but this one is, so far, a whole new level of quality. Interesting and enjoyable characters, nice twist on a literary classic, and an intriguing set up for a slow reveal "mystery" that's yet to unfold. I particularly like the "not happily ever after... yet?" feel of the ending. Sometimes, reading books that tie everything up in a nice pretty bow gets boring.

Fascinating story, beautifully narrated

Wow, a totally unique story. Just when I thought things were wrapping up neatly, another twist came and I was sideswiped. As always, Joel’s narration is perfection. I cannot wait to listen to the next installment.

Dark Mystery

This is a great mystery story. The plot is complex, the MCs and the side characters are well written, and it feels like a dark noir. It has a slow burn element BUT it is NOT really a romance. Highly recommend if you want mystery and not romance. It is very different from the Dead Serious series. **spoiler ahead**


This does not have a HEA or a HFN. The story will continue in the series so who knows but the ending was depressing for lack of a better word. I was looking for a mystery romance and I probably would not have listened to it right now if I had known it would end on such a sour note.