From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

Three Nick Nowak Mysteries (Boystown #1)

Marshall Thornton

Start date: March 1, 2012

Finish date: March 31, 2012

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

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Book of the Month Club

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What Members Thought

Apr 18, 2014 Meep rated it it was amazing

Shelves: cosy-mystery-crime-detective, favourite

This is not for romance fans, a hard-boiled Chicago detective happy to 'plough' any small tight body offering a fat arse! With a nice big Fireman thrown in for giggles. A lot of messed up people in a messed up world. It's gritty, unsentimental, with a definite masculine feel.

A Humphrey Bogart detective; the main character Nick isn't 'nice' he's damaged and careless; often a complete arsehole to people, and yet there's gaps in his life that have been gathering dust for two years, showing there's This is not for romance fans, a hard-boiled Chicago detective happy to 'plough' any small tight body offering a fat arse! With a nice big Fireman thrown in for giggles. A lot of messed up people in a messed up world. It's gritty, unsentimental, with a definite masculine feel.

A Humphrey Bogart detective; the main character Nick isn't 'nice' he's damaged and careless; often a complete arsehole to people, and yet there's gaps in his life that have been gathering dust for two years, showing there's more there. He's a product of the times and attitudes around him. There's room for some waking up to himself, but the feel of this book is more based in reality than rosy fiction, will he get a HEA by the end of the series? Who knows, but it's going to be a damn fine adventure finding out!

Thornton is a great writer; though first person there's not pages of navel gazing introspection, analysing behaviour and making excuses. Nick isn't the type for it. Might be easier on him if he was. It's through reading the stories you get to see deeper.

The period is set through casual comments about presidents... and I'll admit my ignorance, I'm not American so it was boom-boxes and music mentions that told me this was the early eighties. But I liked how it was done, I fell straight into the world. Cassettes, Payphones, Typewriters! how times have changed.

I can understand why some people wont like this character and why these books wont work for everyone. Nick never turns down casual sex, and this is pre-aids scare unprotected. 'Tricks' might have wives, and boyfriends. It's not about soft warm feelings, those Nick runs from, while he'll face down one of the 'outfit' with little hesitation. I knew it wasn't going to be a HEA in the style I crave and that put me off, despite my feed exploding with good reviews (*cough* Lena) But there's something here. Something great. I want to know how Nick's mind works, if he'll ever open to a relationship - where this book ends there's possibilities, if we'll ever meet Daniel and whether that would be a good or bad thing.

The book is made up of three separate stories and can be read separately though they follow nicely into each other. The mysteries are good too. Definitely recommend giving these a try. I'm starting the next book this evening :) ...more

24 likes · Like · see review

Apr 16, 2014 Irina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical, suspense, adult, contemporary, erotica, gay, mystery, favourite, marshall-thornton, lena-rec

He is smart but reckless. He is promiscuous, yet very lonely. He might appear as cold and sometimes ruthless, but he is hurt too. And he is sexy as hell...

Marshall Thornton's vivid writing makes Nick so real, it was like watching 3D movie. I just wish I could hide and 'watch' it undisturbed ;) ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

May 05, 2014 Ije the Devourer of Books rated it really liked it

I really, really like these mysteries. First of all the mysteries are simply great. The stories keep me guessing to the very end. I don't like mysteries that unravel too quickly and the pace of these stories is just right.

Although these aren't romantic there is a sense that the main character yearns for romance in his life. We get to see him dealing with his emotional life. He is still coming to terms with the loss of his last relationship and with the loss of his job in the police force. This c ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Apr 18, 2014 k reads rated it really liked it

Shelves: queer, read-2014

A solid, well-written hard-boiled, detective novel set in the early 80's. The pacing is good, the main character has a distinct voice and the author does a nice job of evoking the period.
Thoroughly entertaining. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 09, 2012 Tamela rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, cops-pi-security, adventure, adult-fiction, mid-size, series, recommended

I wasn't sure 4 or 5... but I REALLY like Nick, so he gets a star just for himself :)

I really like the detective stories. Not all the technical mumbo jumbo but good old leg work. Smart detecting along with hard work and putting in the time to check things out pay off for him.

I like the fact that the stories are good detective stories... not just good GAY detective stories. But it seems like most of Nick's cases are based on his gay lifestyle or recommendations because he is gay.

Another thing I ...more

2 likes · Like · see review