Lawrence (Hugh: A Hero without a Novel) offers a poignant coming-of-age story about a sex worker in 1771 London. William Dempsey, 18, has nowhere to go, having been caught stealing from clients at Marathon Moll, the bawdyhouse where he proudly worked as Blue Billy until Moll, the proprietress, threw him out. He’s also been sent away by the Marquess of Argyll, his former patron to whom he’d falsely promised his devotion, after the nobleman learned he was having an affair with another man. Billy’s life story is defined by rejection; as a child, he was cast out by a vagabond band of thieves for his lack of finesse in their tradecraft. With nowhere to go, he returns to Moll, who agrees to take him back temporarily. After Billy is beaten by a vicious client he finds on the street, he realizes he must make a choice: beg the marquess to take him back; continue to work at Moll’s despite no longer being the star of the house; shape up his thieving abilities and return to the vagabonds; or pursue Moll’s carpenter, a quiet, reserved man with a sad history who takes a romantic interest in Billy. Lawrence delights with his vibrant character portraits and fruitful mining of the period’s social mores. Readers will enjoy Blue Billy’s quest for love and belonging. (Self-published)