Diverse protagonists are making waves in the murder mystery genre, and H.N. Hirsch is leading the charge with a captivating new installment in his crime-solving series. Winter, the latest novel from the former political science professor, centers on a devoted gay couple—Marcus George and Bob Abramson—who find themselves pulled into a murder investigation on a quiet college campus.
Set during Christmas break in 2004, Winter opens with Marcus, a professor at the University of California San Diego, discovering the body of a controversial colleague in his office. Suddenly, his partner Bob’s past warning rings true: “You never want to be the person who finds the body.” As Marcus becomes tangled in the case, Bob is reeling from a personal loss and the looming milestone of his 40th birthday.
Blending murder mystery with nuanced character development, Hirsch offers more than just a thrilling whodunnit. Drawing on his four-decade academic career, Hirsch gives the story a rich layer of political and historical context, while also exploring the evolving dynamics of a long-term same-sex relationship. The result is a series that is as emotionally engaging as it is suspenseful.
Hirsch introduced readers to Bob and Marcus in his 2020 novel Shade, set in 1985 Boston. Over four books—including Shade, Secrets, Murder, and now Winter—the series follows the couple across decades, tracing their journey from Harvard to Southern California, with each installment jumping forward in time.
Critics have praised the series for its intelligent plotting and deeply human characters. Jean M. Redmann, author of the award-winning Micky Knight mysteries, calls Bob and Marcus “a gay Nick and Nora, a couple you’ll want to spend time and solve mysteries with.”
Winter not only delivers a tightly wound murder investigation but also continues a groundbreaking series that centers love, loss, and identity in a genre traditionally dominated by straight protagonists. Hirsch’s novels offer a fresh take on classic crime fiction—and readers eager for diversity and depth in their mysteries will find plenty to savor.