Yes, I've read Penhallow. (I've read all her mysteries and only one of her romances. I am difficult like that.) But only once. I'm sure, since you've read it yourself, you understand why that is.

And while the gay character was characterised really poorly, no one was saying, ew! Gay man! Bad!

Well, sort of. I mean, Hemingway was basically recoiling in horror at having to interview him. But, yeah, I was surprised it was openly discussed at all. Although - hmmm. American novels of the early fifties? Now I'm curious to know if there are any gay characters in them.

(And we ALWAYS get the evil bisexual. Bisexuality is the leading cause of murder, doomsday plots, and apocalypses, didn't you know that?)