Genre: Horror, Leather, BDSM
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Leather Head
Gable is just playing dress up for San Francisco’s leather S&M fair, but Leather Head isn’t playing. His friend Shawn warns him to be careful what he’s advertising for since the community has been rocked by four brutal murders. Gable still thinks it’s all in fun, but it isn’t.
Desire can be deadly.
Leather Head: Unmasked
After escaping the death grip of Leather Head, Gable needs a weekend getaway in Palm Springs with best friend, Shawn.
In New York, Andrés and Tyler take that trip to the West Coast they’ve talked about for so long.
In Arizona, Granger and his much younger boyfriend Liam head to Palm Springs to celebrate Pride weekend and decide to stay at a gay resort known to be the wildest in town.
After a narrow escape from the police, Leather Head battles the inner demons from his past that have molded him into the monster he is. But this doesn’t stop him from looking for more of what feeds his dark soul, even while on the run.
Fate draws all of them together for a climactic weekend in Palm Springs. For some, it was the wild weekend they needed. For others, things turn so dark that they wonder if they will get out alive.
It’s up to Leather Head to see who does. That is if he’s not caught first.
The Review
Leather Head
The San Francisco the club called the Pad Lock caters to leather kink. Some young men go there to experiment, and some are more experienced. Fear still reigns with the deaths at the hands of the “Folsom Street Serial Killer,” aka Leather Head.
Three young men have met their fate in the dark world: Tomas, Carlos, and Ahmed. There’s room for a number four.
Still, nothing is going to stop Gable from celebrating SF’s leather events. He’s decked out in very little leather, even though it’s not really his thing. But he’s eager to experiment. He meets up with his best friend Shawn, who warns Gable to be careful. Shawn even goes as far as checking with the bartenders Kevin and Larry about the Leather Daddy that Gable leaves with.
Is this the last time they will see each other?
Leather Head: Unmasked
In Palm Springs, there’s a Gay Pride Celebration going on. It seems everyone is looking for fun in the sun, relaxation, hooking-up and a great vacation. In the midst of the celebrations, few worry about the danger that lurks in the darkness.
Friends Tyler and Andres have faced the terror of Leather Head before. They’re ready to forget about it and have some fun in Palm Springs.
Gable and Shawn are best of friends, and decide they deserve a vacation after the terrifying experience escaping the clutches of Leather Head.
And Granger and his husband Liam are also vacationing in Palm Springs. Granger is forty-three and Liam in his twenties. They have a very good understanding about their open relationship. Both are looking forward to a little fun. Granger takes a lot of pride in Liam, and is respectful of him being cautious.
With Leather Head escaping law enforcement, who will be his next victim?
With both “Leather Head” and “Leather Head: Unmasked”, Matt Converse brings us curious young men who want to experience the leather scene.
These stories are dark – gruesome with psychological undertones. Some of these young men have had experience but never want to take it too far, and always think that safe-words would save them.
“Leather Head: Unmasked” continues the stories of Tyler and Andres and Gable and Shawn from the first book – their friendships are solid, strong and protective. It also adds a new couple, Granger and Liam, who clearly respect and love one another.
As Leather Head’s story unfolds the fear, emotions and reactions to him are revealing, as are Leather Head’s own insight into himself and choices that he has made that brought him to this point.
I read the entire series starting with the prequel Where Evil Begins. It’s up to you how do take the “Leather Head” series – a gory horror fest, or something deeper and darker.
Converse did a great job with each story, and the variety of characters it’s built around. The whole series was entertaining and held my interest throughout with its dark humor, suspense, thrills, and its deep dive into the psychological side of horror.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.