Snitch, the second novel in Dharma Kelleher‘s Shea Stevens series is as fast, thrilling, and improbable as they come. And that’s what makes it such a fun read.
Shea Stevens just extricated herself from her involvement with the outlaw MC’s she swore off. Until a new club, headed by Labrys, who happens to be an exgirlfriend of Shea’s, comes to town. And when people start dying from a laced party drug, all signs point to the Athena Sisterhood. The MC headed by Labrys. At the mercy of the local PD, because of the informant contract she signed to keep out of prison, She is instructed to infiltrate the Athena’s, and find out who is dealing the drugs.
Shea has been working too long of hours at Iron Goddess, her custom bike shop, and her current girlfriend, Jessica is pissed. Shea was granted custody of her niece Annie, but Jessica’s been the one taking all of the responsibilities.
Getting involved with the Athena’s, and becoming their newest prospect was not in Shea’s plans, but digging out just who’s dealing the drugs is becoming harder and harder to suss. It’s not the Confederate Thunder, who insists that the Athena Sisterhood either stop wearing their cuts (the vests that declare their membership in the MC), submit to having the Thunder over them (which will never happen because they are committed to feminist causes and will not submit to a bunch of racist, homophobic, misogynistic a$$wads), or disband.
But the Thunder isn’t dealing, they sold their entire stash to someone. Indigo, the next best bet isn’t dealing either, the mysterious deals she’s been making are for her hormones. It’s not Labrys either, her deals are from sporting bets. So just who is it, and why are they so set on trying to kill Shea?
With fast paced dealings from the very beginning, Snitch is the perfect follow-up to Dharma’s first book in the series, Iron Goddess. This one focuses on the feminist sisterhood, and the power of women and the bonds of sisterhood and friendship. Rooted in intersectional feminism, Snitch reminds us that feminism comes in all shapes, sizes, and colours. From cis-het white women, to trans lesbians of colour, we are all women, and throwing one group under the bus damages us all. And Dharma reminds us of this in a seamless way, of including women of all walks into her books, without making it a “teaching point”.
Dharma is on the shortlist of my favourite LGBTQIA authours, which makes reading her writing that much better. And reading books by more LGBTQIA authours should be important, more now than ever. Step out of your comfort zone, read Snitch, seek out other subversive authours, support them, and #RESIST!
Robin is a semi-coherent, almost sentient being. She has some strange ideas, and some even stranger friends. Disabled, queer, agnostic, accident-prone & other adjectives.
She loves music, and talks about new releases from bands frequently. She also enjoys going to shows to recap them, and listening to albums by bands that "mainstream" music isn't interested in, because they're often the best music out there.
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