THE LOST PAST OF BILLY MCQUEEN

This reality-based story set in Belfast in the 1980s and today illuminates the dangers and challenges experienced by gay men in the past and present. Listeners meet young Billy, who is portrayed by Patrick Moy, and older Billy, who is portrayed by Ruairi Conaghan. Conaghan's depressed and jobless Billy gets a call from a childhood neighbor telling him of his long-estranged mother's stroke. Traveling home, he's overtaken by memories of his difficult childhood; his best friend and defender, Aine; and his great love, Conor. Then, life is interrupted by Conor's disappearance. Moy's standout character is Billy's bullying stepdad, an evangelical preacher. The story intensifies as Billy and Aine search for Conor. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2025]