One look at the cover art will give the clue that this is not a book about a man investigating wardrobes and while the combination of gay romance and crime story is quite common generally, it is relatively new to South Africa - which makes Timothy Owens’s debut rather special.

Aaron is a gorgeous rich boy who simply can’t understand what his friends see in sex – until he is seduced by Bo, a waiter with a mysterious Irish accent [mysterious because he was born and bred in South Africa] and discovers that he’s gay, which everyone else knew all along.

Although the focus of the story is Aaron’s sexual awakening, it all starts with his doing a favour for his best friend Joe, who is worried about Candice, his girlfriend, and asks Aaron to follow her. It seems Candice is actually Robin Hood – or should that be Robyn Hood? – stealing from the rich to give to the poor. The trouble is Joe is a ‘public prosecutor’ who cannot overlook her breaking the low, no matter how worthy the cause.

The writing is jejune, the editing too terrible with “continuity” errors and inconsistencies galore but the story is energetic and fun, a heartfelt romance set against the welcome background of Johannesburg and peopled with characters who although stereotyped are none the less endearing. ( )