Rating: 
Summary: A page-turner, hard to put down, an excellent read.
Review: In three years I've not picked up a novel that kept me interested past the first few pages. But that changed with TOYER! Actor turned author, Gardner McKay (Adventures in Paradise) has a great style--concise, crisp, provocative. He withholds and surprises with every chapter. And what an intriging, inventive character/plot he has created. I've told five friends about this book. What a thrill to get back to pleasure reading, that is scary, intense, sexy and frightening, all at once.
Rating: 
Summary: A Ghoulish but Intriguing Story
Review: The premise behind this book is mind-boggling - a psychopath who doesn't kill, but rather leaves his victims in a state of physical perfection, while totally destroying their minds. This book had all the promise of a really compelling story. Unfortunately, many of the characters were at best irritating. Maud Garance, the psychiatrist who tries to help Toyer's victims, and one of the books main characters, was especially unpleasant. Actually, the one character who was fairly likeable was Toyer himself. The book was written in an almost subdued, languid style, which contrasted nicely with the gruesome subject matter. However, this languid style begins to drag towards the end of the book, and I found myself impatient for things to happen. All criticism aside, it was entertaining and unusual. Perhaps not one of the best I've read, but well worth the time spent reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Waste Your Time
Review: A mediocre story, poorly written and horribly read (by the author).The monotone of the reader is so bad that it takes a while to realize the shortcomings of the actual story. The characters are one-dimensional, and the items that might make them more interesting are only hinted at, never explored. There are far more well-written thrillers out there. Take the time to find one of them, and leave Toyer on the shelf.
Rating: 
Summary: Toyer
Review: I am a long time fan of Gardner McKay the author, I met him when he performed a play back in the early 1960's when I was a teenager. This story scared me so much I was afraid to even reply but I enjoyed the book very much. It is beautifully written and so real. The characters are very believable and seem to come alive on the written page. I want to read more of the author's books, anything he has written or performed. I have been writing all my life and wrote the last chapter of a murder mystery. The main character of the book sort of reminds me of the character in my book, but more intense and frighting. I hope this book becomes a movie.I'm am thrilled that Mr. Mckay has made such a success with his writings. Also the audio cassette is very dramatic and well performed. A must for all old time fans and new ones as well.
Rating:
Summary: Different
Review: Written from several points of view, Toyer is a serial murder mystery unlike most others, especially in the fact that the murderer doesn't kill his victims. Rather this person, which a newspaper reporter dubs 'Toyer" (because he toys with his victims and the police) permanently disables his victims by cutting off their spinal cord from their brain, effectively turning them into living vegetables.Maude Garance is the doctor who treats Toyer's victims. The knowledge of what Toyer has done to his victim's sits heavily upon the shoulders of Dr. Garance, who calls the victims 'little flowers' and thinks of the photos taken by the victim's families as 'still life portraits'. She finds herself enraged at the havoc that Toyer causes for the victims and their families, who have lost a member, who they can't even grieve for because they are still alive. This, of course, sets up a conflict between Dr. Garance and Toyer, and it is this conflict which becomes the central story to this novel. There are other subplots and minor stories, which I will allow the reader the fun of discovering. There are some plot holes in this novel, and a few character motiviations which I find frankly unbelievable under most any circumstance. That being said, McKay writes his characters so well, with such depth and nuance, that the reader feels willing to suspend disbelief and trust the author to bring it all off in the end. Here the author brings us imperfect, and not even entirely likable, sympathetic characters, as well as a bad guy that you can't quite hate altogether. These character formulations, along with some plain old fashioned good prose writing, bring Toyer together as an imperfect, but still very good novel. Readers who enjoy James Patterson, and are looking for something slightly similiar with better prose, will likely enjoy this novel, as will readers who enjoy novels that have a dark feel almost all the way through.
Rating:
Summary: Give Away
Review: I cannot believe that Gail Johnson told who Toyer is in her review. I have read about half of the book and, although it may not be the best pyschological thriller I have ever read, I was having fun trying to guess who Toyer actually is. I am surprised that someone would give that away in a review. The book is enjoyable and a good weekend read.
Rating:
Summary: Toyer
Review: Fantastic book! Hats off to this author! Hard to put down even from page 1. Just when you think you can breathe easily and the horror has ended, it jumps right back up! A must read for suspense lovers!
Rating:
Summary: I love it!!
Review: First of all it was the picture on the cover that got me to pick up the book. Sad to say I waited a whole a year to read it. (I'v been busy.) Anyway, I had a difficult time reading the first chapter. But as I turn the pages I noitce I started to like it more and more. And, the fact that Toyer (Peter) is 6'2, about 165 lb and seems to know how to use his rod, really help a lot. Anyway, I hope McKay turns this novel into a movie. It will be a rated "R".
Rating:
Summary: 3 stars so far, if not more.. 1 chapt enough to Impress.
Review: I am a bookworm. I love books & read them daily. RARELY do I come across a book that intrigues me simply because it is original. Because the author's view is distinctive. It isn't the same old stew your mother/"authors" has(ve) been feeding you. It's different. On another level. Sometimes difficult for even a word-hungry person like me to understand. Even if the ending "fizzled out" as another critic put it (which I've yet to come to that chapter), the beginning shows more than enough promise. There is talent. I'm more than willing to read through mistakes while this author finds his writing perfection. I read the obit for a Gardner McKay. I hope it is another person.
Rating:
Summary: Complete Waste
Review: After 50 pages, I just skipped to the end, more in the hope the cat was unharmed than any of the characters. The plot was totally unbelievable, the writing was unprofessional, and the story was a joke. Newspaper articles about a serial maniac, who has already maimed 10 women appearing on page 3?? A DA who could care less? A doctor who foolishly allows a strange man access to her home, without any clue whatsoever that he might be stalking her? I could go on and on----bottom line: don't bother with this book. 2-9-02.
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