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: 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: 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.
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