Boy Toy : A Mark Manning Mystery

Rating:
Summary: Another GREAT Mystery
Review: Once again, Michael Craft has given us another wonderful, funny, page turning mystery in the lives of Mark Manning and Neil Waite. Each of his books is a joy to read and I for one can't put one of his books down without anticipating picking it up again to find out what happens next.

Thank you, Michael for inspiring me with your wonderful stories of friendship, love and honor.

Rating:
Summary: Perry Mason....watch out...you have MAJOR COMPETITION
Review: The latest in the Mark Manning mysteries is hot,complex,and clever. The story provides the reader with a wonderful read, and an excellent lesson in how to select and prepare wild mushrooms....too fun! The "regular crew" is in the story, plus some added excentrics, all adding up to a fascinating story. The ending is unexpected and EXCEEDINGLY SMART!. Read this one, as well as the others in the series. NOTE: If you opt to read the entire series, read them in their proper sequence. It makes the stories all that much more fun.

Rating:
Summary: Nancy Drew in Drag
Review: This book was pure (...).
Prissy sissy boy Mark Manning and his "younger" boyfriend Neil set to out discover who has murdered Jason Thrush, town jock, heart throb, and big old closet case. In their search for the killer they introduce us to a gallery of mid-Western stereotypes, vanilla gay sex, and the study of poisonous mushrooms. It sounds like the book could be amusing but believe me, it's not.
The writing reads like the writer took a creative fiction course off the back of a matchbook cover. Everyone's clothes are "crisp"(do they put starch in the rinse cycle in the mid-West?). Mark, our narrative protagonist, is so narcissistic it takes him more than a hundred pages just to get the story going. Until then all we learn about is "him."
The ending is pretty dumb. There's the whole pedophile thing which the author tries to justify, and not well, just makes himself sound sleazy while doing it. I finished the book and I thought all the characters were just pretty nauseating. Most of the story takes place around a high school production of what sounds like a really bad play. The story could have been amusing on the lines of, as say,a mystery version the film " Waiting for Guffman." Instead, it just reads like silly attention seeking queeny dribble.
I really hope that people aren't so desperate for gay themed literature that they'll continue to read this junk. It's cheaper to pick up a copy of Soap Opera Digest.

Rating:
Summary: A Sexually inviting, manly thriller!
Review: This has to be the second best gift that I had recieved for my birthday! I'm really into mysteries, and this just tickles my pickle knowing that there are homosexual writers out there that enjoy writing! Anyways, I totally enjoyed this book! It was suspensful and had various scenes that were so scary, that I had to check to see if my door was locked! Also, it has some delicous... parts! Yum! This is a must for every reader that enjoys mysteries!!

Rating:
Summary: Boy Toy [Mark Manning Series]
Review: This is a good Who-dunnit. Even after several clues there is a turn of events you don't expect. A real stunner. I couldn't put the book down. It's a pity I have to wait for an other year on the next Mark Manning...

Rating:
Summary: Two dimensional charaters in gay "who done it?"
Review: This story involves a lot of two dimensional characters in a highly improbable mystery. One the face of it both the ideas and the people that make up this story are compelling, it's true they do have potential but the writer misses this through lack of deep analysis and a poor approach to plot. I found this book to be both a waste of time and money.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: This was only my second book by Michael Craft--I very much enjoyed it. The plot twist at the end is a little predictable, but it is delicious getting there! The characters are well drawn, and it is nice to see Neil and Mark continue to grow and mature. At the top of the list for summer reading!