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Cliffhanger
Two young men, a mysterious silver bowl, and a shuttered Victorian mansion steeped in the sadness of a family curse ...
Alex White and Xander Browne are newly-hired curators in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The rediscovery of a long-forgotten silver bowl covered in Arabic and Hebrew inscriptions sends the pair on a hunt for clues as to why it was made and by whom. Their search begins to unravel the secrets of the bowl’s origins as well as its connection to the Bencliffe family, whose centuries-old history is darkened by a legacy of madness and suicide.
What begins as a professional friendship for Alex and Xander quickly turns personal as the two find their lives increasingly intertwined in unanticipated ways. Far beyond a mere curatorial research project, the story of the Bencliffe bowl takes on the aura of destiny as Alex and Xander make discoveries together that turn their world upside down.
From neglected archives in New York and Boston to the shadowed corners of Cliffhanger, the turreted Bencliffe mansion looming over the Hudson River, the truth emerges, forcing Alex and Xander to wonder if, perhaps, their meeting might not have been a coincidence after all.
GENRE: Gay Paranormal Interracial Romance.
LENGTH: 62,374 words.
Alex White and Xander Browne are newly-hired curators in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The rediscovery of a long-forgotten silver bowl covered in Arabic and Hebrew inscriptions sends the pair on a hunt for clues as to why it was made and by whom. Their search begins to unravel the secrets of the bowl’s origins as well as its connection to the Bencliffe family, whose centuries-old history is darkened by a legacy of madness and suicide.
What begins as a professional friendship for Alex and Xander quickly turns personal as the two find their lives increasingly intertwined in unanticipated ways. Far beyond a mere curatorial research project, the story of the Bencliffe bowl takes on the aura of destiny as Alex and Xander make discoveries together that turn their world upside down.
From neglected archives in New York and Boston to the shadowed corners of Cliffhanger, the turreted Bencliffe mansion looming over the Hudson River, the truth emerges, forcing Alex and Xander to wonder if, perhaps, their meeting might not have been a coincidence after all.
GENRE: Gay Paranormal Interracial Romance.
LENGTH: 62,374 words.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 30, 2020
About the author
Ulysses Grant Dietz
15 books711 followersUlysses Grant Dietz grew up in Syracuse, New York, where his Leave it to Beaver life was enlivened by his fascination with vampires, from Bela Lugosi to Barnabas Collins. He studied French at Yale, and was trained to be a museum curator at the University of Delaware. A curator since 1980, Ulysses has never stopped writing fiction for the sheer pleasure of it. He created the character of Desmond Beckwith in 1988 as his personal response to Anne Rice’s landmark novels. Alyson Books released his first novel, Desmond, in 1998. Vampire in Suburbia is his second novel.
Ulysses lives in suburban New Jersey with his husband of over 40 years and their two almost-grown children.
By the way, the name Ulysses was not his parents’ idea of a joke: he is a great-great grandson of Ulysses S. Grant, and his mother was the President’s last living great-grandchild. Every year on April 27 he gives a speech at Grant’s Tomb in New York City.
Ulysses lives in suburban New Jersey with his husband of over 40 years and their two almost-grown children.
By the way, the name Ulysses was not his parents’ idea of a joke: he is a great-great grandson of Ulysses S. Grant, and his mother was the President’s last living great-grandchild. Every year on April 27 he gives a speech at Grant’s Tomb in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 28, 2023
I have a confession to make: American Decorative Arts is pretty much the last department I would visit in an art museum. I'm just not that interested in silver bowls and antique furniture. But Dietz's love, and the characters' love, for these objects just leap off the page. I was utterly charmed by how much this is a curator's book. Alex and Xander can walk into a room and excitedly observe that while the ROOM is in the style of the 1890s, the FURNITURE is from the 1870s and then make deductions from that fact.
I've been a curatorial assistant at a natural history museum. There are many things that are different from being an arts curator -- the quest for donations just isn't a factor when you're dealing with jars of worms like it is when you're working with antique jewelry. But some things, like the experience of walking through exhibit halls full of visitors on your way to the research spaces that they never see, were familiar to me, and I really enjoyed seeing that.
The characters' search for the history of the silver bowl and the Bencliffe family, which takes them to archives and museums and eventually a mysterious mansion, was quite engaging to me, as was the growing paranormal element. The ease with which various characters accepted the paranormal didn't quite ring true for me, but I was willing to suspend my disbelief about that.
I never did get a really clear picture of the layout of the mansion in my head, and the book would benefit from a floor plan as well as a Bencliffe family tree. I know that that's not a realistic ask in a self-published book, but in my ideal world, those would be there to make things easier to follow. Overall, though, their absence didn't stop me from enjoying the book.
I think Dietz is right not to tag this with the romance genre; the romance arc isn't the primary focus -- but it's there, and I liked it -- just as I liked almost everything here. So if you can enjoy a gentle book about falling in love while hunting down provenance and untangling psychic powers, read this book.
I've been a curatorial assistant at a natural history museum. There are many things that are different from being an arts curator -- the quest for donations just isn't a factor when you're dealing with jars of worms like it is when you're working with antique jewelry. But some things, like the experience of walking through exhibit halls full of visitors on your way to the research spaces that they never see, were familiar to me, and I really enjoyed seeing that.
The characters' search for the history of the silver bowl and the Bencliffe family, which takes them to archives and museums and eventually a mysterious mansion, was quite engaging to me, as was the growing paranormal element. The ease with which various characters accepted the paranormal didn't quite ring true for me, but I was willing to suspend my disbelief about that.
I never did get a really clear picture of the layout of the mansion in my head, and the book would benefit from a floor plan as well as a Bencliffe family tree. I know that that's not a realistic ask in a self-published book, but in my ideal world, those would be there to make things easier to follow. Overall, though, their absence didn't stop me from enjoying the book.
I think Dietz is right not to tag this with the romance genre; the romance arc isn't the primary focus -- but it's there, and I liked it -- just as I liked almost everything here. So if you can enjoy a gentle book about falling in love while hunting down provenance and untangling psychic powers, read this book.
December 31, 2020
I wrote it, so of course I love it. But I'm proud of it.
Two young men, a mysterious silver bowl, and a shuttered Victorian mansion steeped in the sadness of a family curse.
Alex White and Xander Browne are newly-hired curators in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The rediscovery of a long-forgotten silver bowl covered in Arabic and Hebrew inscriptions sends the young curators on a hunt for clues as to why it was made and by whom. Their search begins to unravel the secrets of the bowl’s origins as well as its connection to the Bencliffe family, whose centuries-old history is darkened by a legacy of madness and suicide.
What begins as a professional friendship for Alex and Xander quickly turns personal, as the young men find their lives increasingly intertwined in unanticipated ways. Far beyond a mere curatorial research project, the story of the Bencliffe bowl takes on the aura of destiny, as Alex and Xander make discoveries together that turn their world upside down.
From neglected archives in New York and Boston, to the shadowed corners of Cliffhanger, the turreted Bencliffe mansion looming over the Hudson River, the truth emerges, forcing Alex and Xander to wonder if, perhaps, their meeting might not have been a coincidence after all.
https://www.amazon.com/Cliffhanger-Ul...
Two young men, a mysterious silver bowl, and a shuttered Victorian mansion steeped in the sadness of a family curse.
Alex White and Xander Browne are newly-hired curators in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The rediscovery of a long-forgotten silver bowl covered in Arabic and Hebrew inscriptions sends the young curators on a hunt for clues as to why it was made and by whom. Their search begins to unravel the secrets of the bowl’s origins as well as its connection to the Bencliffe family, whose centuries-old history is darkened by a legacy of madness and suicide.
What begins as a professional friendship for Alex and Xander quickly turns personal, as the young men find their lives increasingly intertwined in unanticipated ways. Far beyond a mere curatorial research project, the story of the Bencliffe bowl takes on the aura of destiny, as Alex and Xander make discoveries together that turn their world upside down.
From neglected archives in New York and Boston, to the shadowed corners of Cliffhanger, the turreted Bencliffe mansion looming over the Hudson River, the truth emerges, forcing Alex and Xander to wonder if, perhaps, their meeting might not have been a coincidence after all.
https://www.amazon.com/Cliffhanger-Ul...
March 20, 2021
This was a great standalone M-M romance paranormal mystery which kept my attention right throughout. The author's expert knowledge and background as a fine arts curator really shines through whenever Alex and Xander are 'doing their thing' in the great Metropolitan Museum of Art (oh what joy it must be to be work there). The romance arc between our two young MCs starts off low-key, progressed to sweetness and light, and kept generally to the 'fade to black' variety (which was absolutely fine by me). The paranormal mystery/curse is more on the 'lite' side of things but added to rather than detract from the overall plot.
As there is a multi-generational aspect to the mystery, I found it helpful past mid-way mark to do a family tree diagram just to keep track of the names and connections. As a further suggestion (if you're like me and appreciate being able to visualize what is being described on the written page), best to have a web-browser open to a search engine of choice - just to type in the many detailed descriptions of precious objects/furniture/jewellery/fabric ... this really made a difference to my reading enjoyment. 4.5 stars.
As there is a multi-generational aspect to the mystery, I found it helpful past mid-way mark to do a family tree diagram just to keep track of the names and connections. As a further suggestion (if you're like me and appreciate being able to visualize what is being described on the written page), best to have a web-browser open to a search engine of choice - just to type in the many detailed descriptions of precious objects/furniture/jewellery/fabric ... this really made a difference to my reading enjoyment. 4.5 stars.
January 2, 2021
** 4.5 Stars **
The cover definitely caught my attention (the house is fabulous!) but you had me at : "mysterious silver bowl", "Victorian mansion" and last but not least "Museum"!
I just adored this book! I really like the fact that all the characters come off the page as real and living personalities. I love both Alex and Xander’s characters, they feel like two matching puzzle pieces and they work so well together. The growing romance and the way how sweet they were added to the fantasticness of the book!
I've a passion for historical investigations and the mystery of Omer ben-Khalifa was absolutely fascinating, cleverly thought-out and crafted with finesse! It's a very unique story line with an interesting paranormal element which adds spice to a compelling tale.
The prose is fluid, effortless and the pacing is perfect. The author's descriptive writing have both captured my mind and fuelled my imagination. He made me feel as though I had been transported to Cliffhanger and I just didn't want to leave, I felt at home!!!
Highly recommended!
The cover definitely caught my attention (the house is fabulous!) but you had me at : "mysterious silver bowl", "Victorian mansion" and last but not least "Museum"!
I just adored this book! I really like the fact that all the characters come off the page as real and living personalities. I love both Alex and Xander’s characters, they feel like two matching puzzle pieces and they work so well together. The growing romance and the way how sweet they were added to the fantasticness of the book!
I've a passion for historical investigations and the mystery of Omer ben-Khalifa was absolutely fascinating, cleverly thought-out and crafted with finesse! It's a very unique story line with an interesting paranormal element which adds spice to a compelling tale.
The prose is fluid, effortless and the pacing is perfect. The author's descriptive writing have both captured my mind and fuelled my imagination. He made me feel as though I had been transported to Cliffhanger and I just didn't want to leave, I felt at home!!!
Highly recommended!
January 20, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
Cliffhanger was something of a mixed bag. On the one hand, it’s a solid mystery with lots of historical scaffolding, but the characters are pretty boring and there are some bizarre choices when it comes to character development.
I looked up the author’s background once I read the book and he’s a museum professional, which is clearly demonstrated in Cliffhanger. There’s an attention to detail that really comes through with regards to museum work and the process of curating. It never felt too complex though and this aspect of the book is very well done and quite engaging.
Cliffhanger is one of those perfectly okay books. It has some positives and some negatives and ends up of something as a wash. I think if you’re interested in history or like mysteries, then you’ll probably find something to enjoy here.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
Cliffhanger was something of a mixed bag. On the one hand, it’s a solid mystery with lots of historical scaffolding, but the characters are pretty boring and there are some bizarre choices when it comes to character development.
I looked up the author’s background once I read the book and he’s a museum professional, which is clearly demonstrated in Cliffhanger. There’s an attention to detail that really comes through with regards to museum work and the process of curating. It never felt too complex though and this aspect of the book is very well done and quite engaging.
Cliffhanger is one of those perfectly okay books. It has some positives and some negatives and ends up of something as a wash. I think if you’re interested in history or like mysteries, then you’ll probably find something to enjoy here.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
Read
January 11, 2021A real page-turner!
January 12, 2021
4 stars
August 7, 2023
Sweet slice of life story
This is the story of two young men, and their discovery of a shared legacy. It wanders a bit, and moves from mystery to romance to slice of life pretty randomly, but it was a nice, quiet read, and I loved the museum curation details.
This is the story of two young men, and their discovery of a shared legacy. It wanders a bit, and moves from mystery to romance to slice of life pretty randomly, but it was a nice, quiet read, and I loved the museum curation details.
May 26, 2021
It's been almost a week since I finished reading this book. I wanted time for it to settle in my head before I wrote the review, mainly because I cannot seem to find a good genre to slide it into - and that can make reviewing it a difficult task. Why? Certain genres have elements that we come to expect, and we tend to judge a book on how well they have adhered to those creative styles inherent in particular tropes.
This just broke the mould.
Xander and Alex are two young curators at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, who stumble upon an object of great curiosity. Through investigation and research, they discover the hidden meaning behind the museum piece, its connection to both of them, and learn about their own family history in the process. From this aspect alone I could classify this as a Cozy Mystery.
The way this book has been written is deliciously elegant, masterfully detailed, and had me immersed in the world of museum antiquities - a world, I assure you, I know nothing about. Yet Dietz managed to take me by the hand and effortlessly show me what it's like to receive a donated piece worthy of being housed in a museum, the immense amount of detail that goes into the research and description of said object, as well as the reverence shown to such priceless artifacts.
I'm sure some of you are thinking - how boring - and yet it totally wasn't! Dietz managed to weave a mysterious paranormal theme throughout this novel that kept you turning the pages wondering what was going to happen next. And the way the 'magic' happens to the characters and is accepted by others in the story, along with the high level of writing skill from Dietz would have me place this work in the Magic Realism category.
There's a very sweet and natural growth of a relationship between the two main characters. I hesitate to say that this would be a Paranormal Romance, as the relationship, although important, wasn't the driving force behind the plot - and yet it is delightful and graceful - and the way both sets of families accept their sons' choices in romantic partners is heart-warming too.
There was one other element in this story that had me loving the entire work even more. Family history. I confess I don't know mine that well. My brother is the family historian and one day I'll have to pump him for all the glorious details. But I suspect I'm not alone in this lack of understanding regarding my roots, where I came from, and who the players were that went before me. What a massively important chunk of information I am missing from my life. This story emphasizes our interconnectedness and realization of who we are by acknowledging our own personal histories.
In short - this book puts family first. Despite sexual orientations, race, or class, the integrity of the family structure is the primary focus. Secondly, the lavish details of the rich upper-class families of New York are sure to put you in the mind of an American, modern-style, Downtown Abbey.
A highly recommended read.
This just broke the mould.
Xander and Alex are two young curators at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, who stumble upon an object of great curiosity. Through investigation and research, they discover the hidden meaning behind the museum piece, its connection to both of them, and learn about their own family history in the process. From this aspect alone I could classify this as a Cozy Mystery.
The way this book has been written is deliciously elegant, masterfully detailed, and had me immersed in the world of museum antiquities - a world, I assure you, I know nothing about. Yet Dietz managed to take me by the hand and effortlessly show me what it's like to receive a donated piece worthy of being housed in a museum, the immense amount of detail that goes into the research and description of said object, as well as the reverence shown to such priceless artifacts.
I'm sure some of you are thinking - how boring - and yet it totally wasn't! Dietz managed to weave a mysterious paranormal theme throughout this novel that kept you turning the pages wondering what was going to happen next. And the way the 'magic' happens to the characters and is accepted by others in the story, along with the high level of writing skill from Dietz would have me place this work in the Magic Realism category.
There's a very sweet and natural growth of a relationship between the two main characters. I hesitate to say that this would be a Paranormal Romance, as the relationship, although important, wasn't the driving force behind the plot - and yet it is delightful and graceful - and the way both sets of families accept their sons' choices in romantic partners is heart-warming too.
There was one other element in this story that had me loving the entire work even more. Family history. I confess I don't know mine that well. My brother is the family historian and one day I'll have to pump him for all the glorious details. But I suspect I'm not alone in this lack of understanding regarding my roots, where I came from, and who the players were that went before me. What a massively important chunk of information I am missing from my life. This story emphasizes our interconnectedness and realization of who we are by acknowledging our own personal histories.
In short - this book puts family first. Despite sexual orientations, race, or class, the integrity of the family structure is the primary focus. Secondly, the lavish details of the rich upper-class families of New York are sure to put you in the mind of an American, modern-style, Downtown Abbey.
A highly recommended read.
June 13, 2024
4.5 stars
This had a very complicated plot that was at times hard to follow because of all the similar names and multiple generations over hundreds of years. Yet it was fascinating and I learned a lot about antiquities as I read (and I looked up tons of things to learn more). It was interesting enough that it was a five star read for me until the very end when I realized there hadn’t been much conflict, none really between any of the characters. It was like that Star Trek The Next Generation world where all the main characters got along with everyone else and they were all great friends except this had all the secondary and even tertiary folks Getting along great, too.
The research was excellent. Either the author worked at the Met or knew someone who did or he did a lot of research. He also knew lots about antiquities of varied provenances. I know he was a curator himself but this was beyond one branch or area of study. It was truly impressive.
Some of the descriptions were amazing. One was about an elaborate bowl and with using erudite verbiage which was descriptive and beautiful at the same time, the author gave me a perfect vision of the unusual bowl within a few sentences. Others, like that of the house, were really confusing.
The book is short but slow reading because of the complexity of the writing. It’s formal but not stiff. However, everyone speaks similar perfect grammar so the few times someone says an expletive it’s truly shocking. I really liked how the mentions of them having sex were both non-explicit and intimate.
The way the two called each other Mr. White and Mr. Blacke at times was adorable. I loved that people who were older or even seniors weren’t considered old. It was so refreshing. It was a little odd, though, that the octogenarians could climb multiple flights of stairs carrying overnight bags.
To be honest, one of my favorite things about this book is that it dealt with the pandemic. It wasn’t a focus of the book, only being present for a small chunk, but it wasn’t glossed over either.
One thing that I didn’t prefer was that all the dinners, drinks, desserts, and general food and drink choices and behaviors were very similar. For example, everyone had cocktails before dinner. Dessert was generally ice cream with fruit. The meals themselves were heavy American fare.
It was all so formal. One of the MCs, in his mid-twenties, carried a handkerchief. A schoolteacher in her fifties referred to things like, “the autumnal weather.” Someone used to working with kids all day is very unlikely to speak that way.
In fact, so much was similar. Both were born to educated, well-do-parents (although one had middle class parents and the other came from money as they say). They lived in long held homes with their families rather than having their own tiny place with ten roommates in a studio. They had similar backgrounds. They both had loving, easy-going and accepting parents. Several of the characters, including one MC, had servants.
I was gladdened by the acceptance. It was a refreshing change from most books where at least one parent is a raging homophobe or mentally ill or substance abuser. It was nice to have a Black family that was educated and together but still remained in Harlem, not necessarily thrilled with gentrification.
There were a few of times when the POV went to universal narrator. For example, the book is from Alex’s perspective but at one point he lies down, “unaware of Xander’s eyes watching him.” It didn’t feel like a change of POV to the other person because the other person wouldn’t refer to his own eyes that way. A couple of other times it was like the narrative was speaking to the viewer directly. I didn’t mind it but it was different for a modern book.
There were a couple of inconsistencies in the historical context of their genealogies and the gift and gender and Alex’s mom, etc., that I can’t explain without giving it away but that didn’t totally add up.
Still, as I said, this was a five star read until the end when everything continued to work out perfectly with no conflict. The final chapter felt self-indulgent as if the author were writing his idea of a perfect life.
The epilogue was bittersweet. It was a good ending but made me cry.
Yet with all of the negatives, I really adored this and hope that the author continues to write and publish.
This had a very complicated plot that was at times hard to follow because of all the similar names and multiple generations over hundreds of years. Yet it was fascinating and I learned a lot about antiquities as I read (and I looked up tons of things to learn more). It was interesting enough that it was a five star read for me until the very end when I realized there hadn’t been much conflict, none really between any of the characters. It was like that Star Trek The Next Generation world where all the main characters got along with everyone else and they were all great friends except this had all the secondary and even tertiary folks Getting along great, too.
The research was excellent. Either the author worked at the Met or knew someone who did or he did a lot of research. He also knew lots about antiquities of varied provenances. I know he was a curator himself but this was beyond one branch or area of study. It was truly impressive.
Some of the descriptions were amazing. One was about an elaborate bowl and with using erudite verbiage which was descriptive and beautiful at the same time, the author gave me a perfect vision of the unusual bowl within a few sentences. Others, like that of the house, were really confusing.
The book is short but slow reading because of the complexity of the writing. It’s formal but not stiff. However, everyone speaks similar perfect grammar so the few times someone says an expletive it’s truly shocking. I really liked how the mentions of them having sex were both non-explicit and intimate.
The way the two called each other Mr. White and Mr. Blacke at times was adorable. I loved that people who were older or even seniors weren’t considered old. It was so refreshing. It was a little odd, though, that the octogenarians could climb multiple flights of stairs carrying overnight bags.
To be honest, one of my favorite things about this book is that it dealt with the pandemic. It wasn’t a focus of the book, only being present for a small chunk, but it wasn’t glossed over either.
One thing that I didn’t prefer was that all the dinners, drinks, desserts, and general food and drink choices and behaviors were very similar. For example, everyone had cocktails before dinner. Dessert was generally ice cream with fruit. The meals themselves were heavy American fare.
It was all so formal. One of the MCs, in his mid-twenties, carried a handkerchief. A schoolteacher in her fifties referred to things like, “the autumnal weather.” Someone used to working with kids all day is very unlikely to speak that way.
In fact, so much was similar. Both were born to educated, well-do-parents (although one had middle class parents and the other came from money as they say). They lived in long held homes with their families rather than having their own tiny place with ten roommates in a studio. They had similar backgrounds. They both had loving, easy-going and accepting parents. Several of the characters, including one MC, had servants.
I was gladdened by the acceptance. It was a refreshing change from most books where at least one parent is a raging homophobe or mentally ill or substance abuser. It was nice to have a Black family that was educated and together but still remained in Harlem, not necessarily thrilled with gentrification.
There were a few of times when the POV went to universal narrator. For example, the book is from Alex’s perspective but at one point he lies down, “unaware of Xander’s eyes watching him.” It didn’t feel like a change of POV to the other person because the other person wouldn’t refer to his own eyes that way. A couple of other times it was like the narrative was speaking to the viewer directly. I didn’t mind it but it was different for a modern book.
There were a couple of inconsistencies in the historical context of their genealogies and the gift and gender and Alex’s mom, etc., that I can’t explain without giving it away but that didn’t totally add up.
Still, as I said, this was a five star read until the end when everything continued to work out perfectly with no conflict. The final chapter felt self-indulgent as if the author were writing his idea of a perfect life.
The epilogue was bittersweet. It was a good ending but made me cry.
Yet with all of the negatives, I really adored this and hope that the author continues to write and publish.
January 31, 2021
5 Stars
Book:Cliffhanger
Author:Ulysses Grant Dietz
Publisher: JMS Books LLC
Published 12/30/2020
Pages:209 Pages
Genre: Multicultural Gay Fiction
Rated:Mature
Ulysses Dietz gifted me with this book, and I must admit Cliffhanger is what I would expect from this young man, meticulous, straight forwarded and intriguing. The story is set in New York City, a place familiar to me as well : as the story unfolds I ‘see it’ rather than read it with the authors bold desccriptions.
Two young men, a mysterious silver bowl, and a shuttered Victorian mansion steeped in the sadness of a family curse ...
The reader is immersed into the mystery as two young men meet, each beginning new jobs as curators in different sections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. Alex White from a very wealthy NY family, and Alexander Browne who also shares a upper class heritage meet and are soon trying to unravel the secret of a forgotten inscribed bowl Xander finds in his departments possession.
While friendship grows and their relationship changes and deepens to more, we follow with them finding information about the bowl going back centuries with Alex’s family and then ironically twists thru Xanders. Mr. Dietz takes the reader thru a legacy of family madness and suicide as the young men find their lives are intertwined before birth, and the bowl is part of their destiny.
So many secrets are ferreted out; new families are discovered just moments away. Homes of the present and past are described vividly along with the new Mansion Cliffhanger, its opulence and grandeur. All through the story, Alex and Xander grow and realize the possibility that possibly their meeting was always meant to be, not just a coincidence.
The story of the bowl and its secrets of the dark unhappiness it brought was a magical tale, told by a wonderful storyteller…..Thank you Ulysses, for letting us see these two have a long and happy life…….a great read…..and a what happens now ending……
Book:Cliffhanger
Author:Ulysses Grant Dietz
Publisher: JMS Books LLC
Published 12/30/2020
Pages:209 Pages
Genre: Multicultural Gay Fiction
Rated:Mature
Ulysses Dietz gifted me with this book, and I must admit Cliffhanger is what I would expect from this young man, meticulous, straight forwarded and intriguing. The story is set in New York City, a place familiar to me as well : as the story unfolds I ‘see it’ rather than read it with the authors bold desccriptions.
Two young men, a mysterious silver bowl, and a shuttered Victorian mansion steeped in the sadness of a family curse ...
The reader is immersed into the mystery as two young men meet, each beginning new jobs as curators in different sections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. Alex White from a very wealthy NY family, and Alexander Browne who also shares a upper class heritage meet and are soon trying to unravel the secret of a forgotten inscribed bowl Xander finds in his departments possession.
While friendship grows and their relationship changes and deepens to more, we follow with them finding information about the bowl going back centuries with Alex’s family and then ironically twists thru Xanders. Mr. Dietz takes the reader thru a legacy of family madness and suicide as the young men find their lives are intertwined before birth, and the bowl is part of their destiny.
So many secrets are ferreted out; new families are discovered just moments away. Homes of the present and past are described vividly along with the new Mansion Cliffhanger, its opulence and grandeur. All through the story, Alex and Xander grow and realize the possibility that possibly their meeting was always meant to be, not just a coincidence.
The story of the bowl and its secrets of the dark unhappiness it brought was a magical tale, told by a wonderful storyteller…..Thank you Ulysses, for letting us see these two have a long and happy life…….a great read…..and a what happens now ending……
August 4, 2024
'Cliffhanger' by Ulysses Grant Dietz
I really enjoyed this storyline, what with all the mysterious (and possibly dangerous) artifacts.
Were they cursed? The artifacts, the people, or both?
This whole storyline held my interest, although there did seem to be a few...um, "gaps" (for want of a better explanation) in the history of the artifacts and the people who had long-ago dealings with them. Guess I just wanted more...
Anyway, I could relate to most of the museum curator history info, looking from an artist's pov, and even though I'm not that knowledgeable about artifact/art histories (I try, just get confused sometimes, lol), still, all the work that went into tying things together, past, present, and future of the artifacts info was fascinating!
Wow, did this storyline take us readers on a looping ride (in a good way) trying to figure it all out!
Oh, almost spaced out mentioning what a sweet MM love story this was!
(I'd definitely read more from this author)
I really enjoyed this storyline, what with all the mysterious (and possibly dangerous) artifacts.
Were they cursed? The artifacts, the people, or both?
This whole storyline held my interest, although there did seem to be a few...um, "gaps" (for want of a better explanation) in the history of the artifacts and the people who had long-ago dealings with them. Guess I just wanted more...
Anyway, I could relate to most of the museum curator history info, looking from an artist's pov, and even though I'm not that knowledgeable about artifact/art histories (I try, just get confused sometimes, lol), still, all the work that went into tying things together, past, present, and future of the artifacts info was fascinating!
Wow, did this storyline take us readers on a looping ride (in a good way) trying to figure it all out!
Oh, almost spaced out mentioning what a sweet MM love story this was!
(I'd definitely read more from this author)
September 16, 2023
There are things to love in this, particularly if you want a look at the ins and outs of a major museum. Details of the life of an assistant curator, down to the trust fund, are fairly accurate. There are some odd character decisions, for reasons I’m not quite sure about one character called his adult son “honey” and “sweetheart” while that adult son calls his father “daddy”. It was an odd dynamic. The writing is also curiously, flat, and every incident, from a decision about breakfast to a foiled gunman, is given equal weight. The biggest problem for me is that the book reaches a natural conclusion but doesn’t stop. It keeps going on into the future, and on and on and on. The narrative could easily be carved down by half and been the better for it.
This was my first book by this author and I doubt there will be a second.
This was my first book by this author and I doubt there will be a second.
December 23, 2021
I did quite enjoy this - it is more a history lesson than anything but that didn’t lessen my enjoyment.
I did find some bits hard to keep track of, how many greats were involved in grandfathers, the exact reason for the vessel, which Homer was who.
This spans ultimately 60+ years in Alex and Zander’s lives - with the last chapters catching up on decades, with a teary eye too - and a ‘uhuh’ right at the end.
The curating and investigation take up a lot of time, with the personal relationship taking place off page mostly.
Because of the time elapsed, there are big leaps at times.
Not sure I would class as a paranormal really (although they do feel feelings), just an entertaining tale!
I did find some bits hard to keep track of, how many greats were involved in grandfathers, the exact reason for the vessel, which Homer was who.
This spans ultimately 60+ years in Alex and Zander’s lives - with the last chapters catching up on decades, with a teary eye too - and a ‘uhuh’ right at the end.
The curating and investigation take up a lot of time, with the personal relationship taking place off page mostly.
Because of the time elapsed, there are big leaps at times.
Not sure I would class as a paranormal really (although they do feel feelings), just an entertaining tale!
September 30, 2023
Cliffhanger is gentle, cozy, and bittersweet (although mostly sweet). It's not an action-packed story--though it has its moments--but that's really not what it's "for." It's more of a love letter to museums, the curatorial profession, the decorative arts, and, most of all, to love itself. It's a story about the interconnectedness of people and things, and the sense of wonder that comes with discovering those connections. As someone intimately familiar with the joys of poring through old archives and museum records, I enjoyed it immensely.
Shelved as 'dnf'
November 17, 2023Some interesting moments, but overall a very dull, told rather than shown, mystery about two new assistant curators at the Metropolitan Museum who investigate a mysterious silver bowl. The romance here is pretty non-existent; the focus is far more on details about decorative arts and what it is like to work as a museum curator. DNF at 50%
February 8, 2024
4.25 stars
Unexpectedly gentle. After the quiet mystery and resolution, the epilogue almost feels like a blessing. This is sedate -- gentle kisses and holding hands, not furious, loud passion. But the language is beautiful and full of obvious love for museums and history. This is so very worth the effort!
Unexpectedly gentle. After the quiet mystery and resolution, the epilogue almost feels like a blessing. This is sedate -- gentle kisses and holding hands, not furious, loud passion. But the language is beautiful and full of obvious love for museums and history. This is so very worth the effort!
January 7, 2021
Loved it.
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