New Novel Explores the Heartache, Resilience, and Thrills of San Francisco’s Queer Community in the 1980s

Santa Fe, New Mexico Oct 23, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - In Queen of the Mission: Volume Two of the Ultrasheen Mysteries, author John Jason Phillips transports readers to the vibrant, perilous world of San Franciscos Mission District in 1984just as the citys queer community faces a turning point in history. Against a backdrop of murder, prejudice, and the looming AIDS crisis, the novel delivers a gripping narrative of survival, love, and the pursuit of dreams.

At the center of this noir thriller is UltraSheen, the dazzling star of a new drag revue, whose rise to fame intersects with the sinister machinations of Dr. Lindstrom, a deranged academic determined to destroy queer culture. As Casey Johnson a cab driver turned reluctant hero joins forces with a colorful group of friends, they face a city rife with danger, betrayal, and heartbreak. Together, they navigate the treacherous waters of love, loss, and a community in crisis, all while fighting to keep the spark of creativity and resilience alive.

San Francisco in the mid-1980s was a time of incredible transformation, Phillips says. It was a moment when a community that had once been marginalized was beginning to claim its place in history, but it was also a time of immense fear and struggle. I wanted to explore that tension the joy of self-expression and the peril of living openly during a time when survival was far from guaranteed.

Queen of the Mission blends noir intrigue with LGBTQ+ history, creating a vivid portrait of a community determined to thrive in the face of overwhelming adversity. The novel weaves together the glittering world of drag performances, the gritty reality of life in the Mission District, and the quiet heroism of those who fought to preserve their chosen families and dreams, even as the world around them seemed to crumble.

For readers who enjoy suspenseful mysteries with deep emotional resonanceor those looking to discover the stories that shaped LGBTQ+ culture during a pivotal eraQueen of the Mission offers an unforgettable journey into a world where resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of identity are everything.

Queen of the Mission: Volume Two of the Ultrasheen Mysteries is available now in paperback through major retailers and online platforms.

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Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FR6XBPY7/