Perhaps only in a Lev Raphael title would Death of a Constant Lover refer to the 18th-19th century Swiss/French novelist Benjamin Constant rather than its ordinary adjectival meaning! Once again, Raphael's work transcends the categories into which it is tempting to place it. Yes, he writes "academic mysteries," in that they are set at the fictional State University of Michigan; yes, he writes "gay mysteries," in that his English professor and amateur detective Nick Hoffman is a gay man. But the quality of Raphael's writing makes his books stand out far beyond the typical entries in those fields, and Death of a Constant Lover is a fine example of the author's craft. The novel is well-plotted, and as always, the characters are well-developed. In particular, Nick and his partner Stefan are eminently likeable, and in depicting the relationship between the two men Raphael gives an engaging portrait of the domestic life of a gay male couple. In this book, too, the usually discreet author provides a lyrical description of the callipygian charms of graduate student Delaney Kildare, on display as he showers after a workout at the gym; gay male readers, as well as straight women, will probably relish the loving detail! Death of a Constant Lover, with its sophisticated writing and engrossing story line, is a fine addition to the Raphael's Nick Hoffman series. ( )