Book Review: Missing in Soho by Holly Stars

(Some minor spoilers for book one: Murder in the Dressing Room by Holly Stars ahead)

Drag queen and amateur sleuth, Misty Divine, returns for the second novel in Holly Stars’ cosy, queer mystery series, Missing in Soho. Following on from Murder in the Dressing Room, the second novel picks up a year after the previous drama; Misty has become a viral sensation after taking down (quite literally) the murderer of her mentor, Lady Lady, and now she just wants to focus on her new role as host of Lady’s Bar but trouble she uncovered before is still bubbling beneath the surface, and then a detective shows up at her door.

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After narrowly escaping an attack on his life, Sylvester urges Misty to find photographer, Jeremy Edwards, who disappeared from Soho without a trace. Can Misty solve the case before the danger draws in on her, her friends, and even her community?

Much like Murder in the Dressing Room, Missing in Soho opens with drama and intrigue, drawing readers straight into Misty’s latest mystery. In case you have forgotten what happened in book one, the first few chapters of Missing in Soho are filled with continuous reminders of plot points and characters which feel rather unnecessary and somewhat annoying if you have read Murder in the Dressing Room, however they may be useful for readers who have had a big gap between reading books one and two, or who have skipped book one completely (and if you’ve done the latter, go back and read book one first, you’re missing out on the fun).

While maintaining a camp and sharply comedic undertone, reflective of the drag humour, Missing in Soho delves deeper than Murder in the Dressing Room. Alongside the investigation, the writing introduces more background on Joe (Misty) and Miles' relationship, and even begins to show a different side to the harsh and scary Auntie Susan. Stars also explores many of the issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community, some of which had previously been touched on in Murder in the Dressing Room, including: anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and backlash in politics, homophobia and transphobia, religious intolerance, and sexual harassment in supposed ‘safe spaces’.

More tension, more drama and even higher stakes fuel this pacey mystery with a glamourous twist. Misty and her trusted connections are determined to protect not only the legacy of Lady Lady but also the spaces the queer community can call home.

With a strong sense of community and an intriguingly twisty mystery to follow, Missing in Soho is the perfect follow-up to Murder in the Dressing Room. And, with Misty left on a new cliff-hanger, Stars will return with a third, and final instalment that will see Misty take on her next and perhaps most difficult case yet.

With thanks to Netgalley for the review copy of this book.

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