Stories of Belonging

Life, Love, Loss, and the Courage to be Seen

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Provincetown, A. C. Burch’s mysteries explore chosen family, resilience, and the complexities of identity. Having trained as a musician, he brings a lyrical sensibility and deliberate rhythm to narratives praised for their emotional resonance, wit, and insight.

Drawing inspiration from Provincetown’s vibrant queer and artistic communities and the luminous energy of South Beach, his work offers an evocative glimpse into the beauty of connection and self-discovery.

The Distance Between Us

Book Two of The HomePort Chronicles

A Shocking Death Shakes a Seaside Community

(Think Miss Marple Meets Ru Paul)

When Celia-Jane Strongue, a widow seeking a fresh start, is found dead in the studio of celebrated artist Mavis Chandry, suspicion falls on Helena Handbasket—Provincetown’s beloved female impersonator.

Helena, the sharp-witted director of the Staunton Museum & Trust, suddenly finds herself a suspect in a crime that threatens not just her reputation, but the very fabric of the seaside resort’s artistic legacy.

As Helena delves into a tangled web of secrets, stolen paintings, and long-buried histories, she must use every resource at her disposal, including her wardrobe, to unravel the truth before the real culprit destroys everything she and her chosen family have built.

The Distance Between Us — LGBTQ+ Mystery by A. C. Burch — Provincetown — Book Two of The HomePort Chronicles

“The mystery charms and surprises, but the novel’s deeper joy is its enticing depiction of a town and its people proudly out of the mainstream—the prose, plot, and dialogue gush and bubble like champagne uncorked.”

-BookLife by Publisher’s Weekly, Editor’s Pick

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The HomePort Journals

Book One of The HomePort Chronicles

A Young Man Fleeing Heartbreak and Betrayal Finds a Second Chance at the Tip of Cape Cod

(The estate’s historic, the residents are eccentric, and the tea is always spiked)

Arriving by chance at the historic HomePort Estate, Marc Nugent finds himself embraced by an eccentric collection of outsiders including its enigmatic owner, the reclusive Lola Staunton—and the sharp-witted and unforgettable female impersonator, Helena Handbasket.

“Burch’s exquisite descriptions of Provincetown bring the Cape to life, and the more he reveals about the delightfully crotchety Dorrie and Lola and the effervescent, tragic Helena, the more captivating they become.”

-Kirkus Reviews

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A Book of Revelations

We All Keep Secrets—Even From Ourselves

Eight short stories exploring the complexities of identity, ambition, and human connection

(They say the truth will set you free, but not before it hands you the bill)

Private Quarters: A coming of age story. With cocktails.

Curtain Call: A spurned “mistress” crashes a memorial for her ex-lover’s wife.

Götterdämmerung: The complex relationship between a maestro and his protégé.

Convergence: An aging artist and would-be socialite hosts a disastrous dinner party.

The Honoree: A do-gooder’s past unexpectedly threatens her future.

Last Chance: A gay detective investigates a murder case where nothing is at it seems.

The Midnight Suitor: A nephew unearths an old family secret–with a modern-day twist.

Even In Death: Mourners who are strangers “bond” at a charlatan’s wake.

A Book of Revelations — LGBTQ+ Short Fiction by A. C. Burch — Stories of Identity and Belonging

Illustrations by Madeline Sorel

“Burch weaves a collection of crackerjack plot twists in which unlikely heroes seize the day.”

-Kirkus Reviews

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