crime ink - COMING SEPT. 2, 2025
Prepare for intrigue, suspense, and unforgettable twists in this groundbreaking anthology of queer crime fiction.
In 2023, crime fiction anthologies featured 517 stories across 30 titles—but shockingly, fewer than 1 percent were penned by LGBTQ+ writers. Crime Ink: Iconic (An Anthology of Crime Fiction Inspired by Famous Queer Icons) is a resounding response to this glaring disparity, offering a vibrant collection of stories by and about queer authors and characters.
Drawing inspiration from queer icons—James Baldwin, Oscar Wilde, Candy Darling, Radclyffe Hall, Babadook, Megan Rapinoe, Laverne Cox, Dolly Parton, Vita Sackville-West, and many more—these tales span the rich spectrum of crime fiction, from cozy mysteries and whodunits to noir, psychological thrillers, and police procedurals. Each story is a testament to the depth, ingenuity, and thrilling originality of queer voices in the genre.
This anthology showcases an incredible array of talent, including New York Times Best Crime Novels of 2024 honorees Margot Douaihy, Robyn Gigl, John Copenhaver, and Katrina Carrasco; Lambda Literary winners Ann Aptaker, Greg Herren, Ann McMan, and J.M. Redmann; and other celebrated writers like Cheryl Head, Penny Mickelbury, Christa Faust, Jeffrey Marks, and Kelly J. Ford. But that’s not all—this collection also includes many more decorated and emerging voices, ensuring a dynamic reading experience that is as inclusive as it is entertaining.
With a foreword by Ellen Hart and an afterword by Katherine V. Forrest, two luminaries of queer crime fiction, this anthology is more than a collection of stories—it’s a movement. Bursting with intrigue, twists, and unforgettable characters, Crime Ink: Iconic is essential reading for fans of crime fiction and anyone who craves representation in the stories they love.
“A necessary work of art that brings us closer to a world that still believes in hope.”
—S.A. Cosby,
Bestselling Author of King of Ashes
“Crime Ink: Iconic is a jewel-toned assortment of chocolates—delicious, delightful, and deadly. I devoured it.”
—Joshua Moehling,
USA Today Bestselling Author
Some women aren’t meant to be mothers…
nEVER SAY DIE
Detective Rory Scott was in college when six-year-old Savannah Armitage vanished and the body of a missing teen was found nearby in a shallow grave. The case went unsolved, but Rory’s stepfather was convicted in the court of public opinion. When Rory’s mother refused to leave her husband, Rory broke familial ties.
Six years later, Rory has built a life with her girlfriend Cade. When another child disappears and the unidentified body of a missing teen is found nearby, Rory knows it’s more than a coincidence. She steps in as the lead investigator, determined to find the killer and bring home the missing girls. As media swarms law enforcement for details, the state steps in, and a rookie special agent yanks Rory’s case.
In a renegade move, Rory teams up with Savannah’s mother, a woman still desperate to find her daughter alive. When the investigation leads to the two people Rory most wants to avoid—her own mother and stepfather—Rory must face the fallout of her estrangement.
Publishing March 10, 2026.
PREORDERS AVAILABLE NOw
C-SPOT REVIEWS on DEADEYE
“Doench has created a compelling series that balances character and plot. Her writing is top notch – you become completely immersed in the settings, the action and the character.”
THE LESBIAN REVIEW on FORSAKEN TRUST
“What’s not to love? This is a proper police procedural with lesbian characters that are not propped up by a romance. I’m ecstatic that this kind of book is being created; it shows how much the lesbian fiction market has grown in the last few years. This book gives lesbians (and others) a really good story that you would probably see on Law and Order, CSI, or Rizzoli and Isles without the heteronormative characters or the need to ‘ship’ characters.”