Elliott Smith Series by Dorien Grey

Elliott Smith never considered himself to be anything special, if you didn't count having wealthy parents, whom he largely ignores. His profession is buying, restoring and reselling small apartment buildings around Chicago. Gay and contentedly single at 38, he has, in addition to his globetrotting parents, a devoted sister, a police detective brother-in-law, two nieces and a nephew... moreElliott Smith never considered himself to be anything special, if you didn't count having wealthy parents, whom he largely ignores. His profession is buying, restoring and reselling small apartment buildings around Chicago. Gay and contentedly single at 38, he has, in addition to his globetrotting parents, a devoted sister, a police detective brother-in-law, two nieces and a nephew. Everything in his life is going along perfectly fine until he wakes in the hospital after being hit by a car aware of being watched by someone who isn't there. Despite being sure what happens next can be attributed to his injuries from the accident, Elliott is reluctantly, inexorably, drawn into the search to find a name for the unidentified murdered man who died next to him in the Emergency Room-and who killed him. His investigation takes him on a trail that leads from photographs to motor homes, a body hidden behind a wall for more than sixty years, old neighbors and old enemies, and a nun with a secret she does not know she holds. Along the way, Elliott also finds himself on the threshold of a new relationship with potential he never would have imagined. Elliott invites you to join him on his search in this first book of a new series by popular mystery author Dorien Grey, whose Dick Hardesty mystery series has included four finalists for a Lambda Literary Award. less

Elliott Smith's latest restoration project is a beautiful old six-unit apartment building.Unfortunately for Elliott, he discovers that Aaron Stiles, one of the tenants, has been dead for four years and doesn't know it. His partner, Bill Somers, left for work one morning and never returned. Devastated to think that Bill might have left him. Aaron suffered a heart attack and died... moreElliott Smith's latest restoration project is a beautiful old six-unit apartment building.Unfortunately for Elliott, he discovers that Aaron Stiles, one of the tenants, has been dead for four years and doesn't know it. His partner, Bill Somers, left for work one morning and never returned. Devastated to think that Bill might have left him. Aaron suffered a heart attack and died.But he is still waiting for Bill to come home, and unless Elliott can convince him otherwise, he's not going anywhere until that happens-or until Elliott can figure out which of the people most interested in seeing Bill dead killed him. less

With a new building to restore and his relationship with Steve growing more serious, the last thing Elliott needs is someone else's problem, but when lottery millionaire Bruno Caesar moves into his building he can't just ignore the man's pleas for help. Then Bruno's life comes to an abrupt end when he falls from his balcony. There's only one problem-he was terrified of heights...and never went onto the balcony... moreWith a new building to restore and his relationship with Steve growing more serious, the last thing Elliott needs is someone else's problem, but when lottery millionaire Bruno Caesar moves into his building he can't just ignore the man's pleas for help. Then Bruno's life comes to an abrupt end when he falls from his balcony. There's only one problem-he was terrified of heights...and never went onto the balcony. Bruno can't rest until the puzzle of his sudden death is solved, and Elliott and John are once again searching for answers. less

Dante Benevetti is the darling of the music world...and why not? He's handsome, talented--and arrogant as only a man convinced of his own brilliance can be. As far as he's concerned, the rest of the world exists for his benefit.So, when he hears Dane is dead, a victim of murder, Elliott isn't really surprised. Nor is he surprised when Dante comes for a post-mortem visit, demanding Elliott find out who killed him... moreDante Benevetti is the darling of the music world...and why not? He's handsome, talented--and arrogant as only a man convinced of his own brilliance can be. As far as he's concerned, the rest of the world exists for his benefit.So, when he hears Dane is dead, a victim of murder, Elliott isn't really surprised. Nor is he surprised when Dante comes for a post-mortem visit, demanding Elliott find out who killed him. Was it the well-known lyricist who was the only one in the house at the time? The talented young musician whose work Dante plagiarized? Or some unknown the great pianist had mortally offended? less