The Queen of the Mission

Queen of the Mission transports readers to San Francisco’s Mission District in 1984, where a community of drag performers, cab drivers, and lovers fight to keep their dreams alive against a backdrop of prejudice, murder, and the looming AIDS crisis. At the heart of the story is UltraSheen—the dazzling star of a new drag revue—whose rise to fame collides with the twisted schemes of Dr. Lindstrom, a deranged academic obsessed with punishing queer culture. As Casey Johnson, the cab driver turned reluctant hero, and his circle of friends battle through danger, betrayal, and heartbreak, the Mission District itself becomes a stage for resilience, creativity, and survival. Blending noir thriller, LGBTQ+ history, and raw human drama, John Jason Phillips delivers a gritty yet tender novel that captures the peril and triumph of San Francisco’s queer community at a turning point in history. Both suspenseful and heartfelt, Queen of the Mission is a testament to courage, chosen family, and the indomitable spirit of a city.