Sicko

by Avril Grady

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Book 1 of the Sicko Series

Pub Date Jun 23 2026 | Archive Date Apr 19 2026

Small Alligator Books

General Fiction (Adult) | LGBTQIAP+ | Mystery & Thrillers

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Description

Jamie Katz is a certified Florida Man and swamp creature, even if he is living in California and begrudgingly working as a writer for his two-time ex-husband Paul’s porn outfit, Scorch Studios. It wouldn’t be a bad gig except for Paul’s new wife and second-in-command, an uptight Southern Belle named Tater.

When Paul is found shot to death in the alley behind Scorch, every clue points to Jamie. Which is insane because why would Jamie kill one of the only two men he ever loved? Okay, yes, the obscenely expensive wedding rings Paul desperately needed back were hiding among Jamie’s nipple ring collection. And, sure, he was still sleeping with Paul, and Paul had just fired him. And, you know what, yeah, Jamie had just blown up Paul’s life and possibly marriage after getting fired. Of course he had! What, being hot isn’t enough, now he has to be a saint too?

Well, Jamie hasn’t survived four decades of his own bad ideas to go down for something he didn’t do. Between a jealous Tater and Scorch’s sketchy crew and wild porn stars, there are still plenty of suspects. So, if the cops are hell-bent on proving his guilt, then he’s just gonna have to solve this case himself.

And if Jamie’s brand of investigation means jumping into bed with every guy in California, hey, that’s just a hard day’s work.

Advance Praise

"I've never read a book like this one ..." —Booksprout

"An absolutely unhinged storyline that keeps getting better and better." —Booksprout

"I fell totally in love with Jamie. All my expectations were blown out of the water. Read this now!" —Gay Romance Reviews

"I thought it would be just another mystery read with a gay main character. Whatever this book is I was not expecting it ... It was absolutely wild." —Gay Romance Reviews

"The story balances outrageous humour with a surprisingly bittersweet look at turning forty and facing the consequences of a lifetime of questionable choices. Jamie’s voice is sharp, self-aware, and often hilariously delusional yet there’s vulnerability underneath the bravado ... I need more!" —Booksprout

"Grady’s novel is an unvarnished portrait of queer desire and the messy work of becoming accountable to the people you love. She’s crafted a protagonist who’s simultaneously self-aware and self-sabotaging, his sardonic narration cutting through sentiment with brutal honesty, especially when he reflects on his pattern of destroying relationships before they can destroy him." —Kirkus Reviews ("Get it" verdict)

"I've never read a book like this one ..." —Booksprout

"An absolutely unhinged storyline that keeps getting better and better." —Booksprout

"I fell totally in love with Jamie. All my expectations...

Available Editions

EDITION	Ebook
ISBN	9798218894122
PRICE	$6.99 (USD)
PAGES	276

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Additional Information

Average rating from 3 members

Featured Reviews

Harrison L, Reviewer

Thank you to NetGalley and Avril Grady for an eARC of this book!

I have no idea what I just read, but I loved it!

Following the misadventures of Jamie, a once-Florida-stripper twink, now a Los Angeles has been, working for his (twice) ex-husband at his porn studio as a scriptwriter. This was an amazing amalgamation of noir, dark comedy, coming-of-age, and romper fiction. I’m so glad that Jamie will return in a sequel, and can’t wait for it to come out!