Rating: 
Summary: Who Said that Life in a Small Town is Boring?
Review: Intrepid journalist Mark Manning returns in a fourth novel of mystery that deals with another celebrated murder among the citizenry of the small town of Dumont, Wisconsin. As was with his last novel, author Craft continues his first-person narrative style that is actually becoming a technique that makes Manning such an interesting character. Many of the characters from previous novels - the ones who aren't dead, of course - make return appearances in this work: Neil, Mark's lover of three years; Roxanne, a lawyer friend from Chicago; Thad, Mark's newly acquired "son" from the last adventure; Lucy Haring and Glee Savage, employees of the Dumont Register, Mark's newspaper; Doug Pierce, the local sheriff, and Merriam Westerman, radical feminist and Manning's chief adversary. Along with these, Craft introduces us to several other intriguing characters that make the town of Dumont a haven of deceit and murder. Although only one killing occurs, the list of suspects is long. At one instance, with all the twist and turns that the novel takes, I was beginning to think that our protagonist, Manning, may have been the guilty culprit. But, in his usual brilliant style, Craft strings us along until a very satisfying end, intermittently throwing in a few glimpses of "domesticity" in Manning's life with Neil and Thad. This touch never distracts from the mystery at hand; it serves to show the less showy aspects of everyone's day-to-day experience. The fact that the household is far-from-traditional is never sensationalized. In fact, with the modern "family" being as diverse as it is, Craft simply is presenting life that is probably more widespread that is commonly known. Michael Craft deserves a much wider audience. His second novel, "Eye Contact" should have been the one to catapult him to great acclaim. However, the subsequent "maturing" of Manning and company may grasp more fans and propel the author to his rightful place among America's readers. Maybe, if Craft decides in some future piece to make Thad a little bespeckled adolescent who uses magic to thwart evil...
Rating: 
Summary: Good Character Development
Review: Mark Manning, the gay publisher of a small-town Wisconsin newspaper, faces a murder investigation where the lead suspect is his friend. Is he trusting his friend too much, or is something serious wrong with this all American mid-western town? Michael Craft writes excellent characters, giving the reader Manning himself, Manning's relationships with lover, adoptive son, friends, and newspaper staff--as well as an assortment of suspects. Each of the suspects is distinctive, each with their own motives. As Manning digs deeper into the crime, a lot more than the initial 'small world of miniatures' comes apparent. Lots of axes are being ground over pornography and Manning, as newspaper editor, cannot just stand by.
Rating:
Summary: Highly engrossing
Review: Michael Craft continues to improve his style with each book in the Mark Manning series. I was utterly captivated by the story from the first page. Manning has to clear a friend of the murder charges, and the actual murderer is not one I originally suspected! I also thoroughly enjoyed the witty moments sprinkled throughout. Craft is definitely my favorite mystery writer!
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Summary: A fantastic murder mystery!
Review: Michael Craft has crafted yet another winner with Name Games. I've already ordered the rest of the Mark Manning series. I really like the characters and the plots of the two I've read have been great. Please keep them coming!!
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Summary: Craft's craftiness continues
Review: Michael Craft's fourth Mark Manning novel, once again, mixes a stellar plot with an amazing cast of characters. However, his tendency to tell not show hinders the first twenty-five pages of the novel. The previous reviews give an accurate description of the story, so I will reiterate their points. The plots of Craft's novels have become more believable and solid as his career has advanced, and the plot here is his best work. While some readers may guess the killer half-way through the novel, the untangling of side twists makes for a most enjoyable read. More and more I appreciate the moments between Mark and Neil because they reveal the tenderness of a relationship many of us lack. With the next novel I hope Craft will expand on the domestic scenes, possibly giving Neil a more active role in unwinding the mystery. Craft's story-telling may not rank him as a classic writer, but his attention to detail in the plot certainly does. His place among the pantheon of classic mystery writers is not set just yet, but with continued novels and some minor progress he will certainly interest all readers. However, if he wants to write for an audience with a more refined taste, he will have to cut down on the sex scenes. The eroticism adds to the novels' commercial value, but otherwise is unnecessary. My biggest hope for these novels is that they will remain a financial success and Craft can afford to put more of them on the market. I'm eagerly awaiting his next publication.
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Summary: A true talent to read and share with others.
Review: Mr. Craft does a fantastic job in setting a scene without losing the readers interest. His characters are admittedly flawed and that's why so many can relate. I've read all of his books and it was certainly time well spent. Keep up the great work Michael.
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Summary: Twists and Turns....
Review: NAME GAMES is a fascinating and exciting addition to the Mark Manning Mysteries. The plot lines keep getting better and more complex. This particular book is replete with clues for the "wanna-be" slueth in all of us, and a careful reading will provide the reader with all he or she needs to "figure-it-out". Porn, sex, "outing", and murder all add up to a fun read. Don't miss this one.
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Summary: Welcome Back, Mark!
Review: Name Games is book four in the Mark Manning Series. Mark Manning is a newspaper publisher. He once again had to come to the rescue and solve a murder. This time, there were many suspects, including the Sheriff, the Sheriff's deputy, the DA and a retired physician, just to mention a few. As always, the book read so well, that I felt I was there, and could actually see everything that was described. The origin of the term Name Games comes out in the story. It is mentioned a couple of times. This book is a winner! You will not regret buying it! Enjoy! By the way, my name would be Rusty LaRue! Now you will have to read the book to find out what that means!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful! Michael Craft has another winner here
Review: Name Games is book four in the Mark Manning Series. Mark Manning is a newspaper publisher. He once again had to come to the rescue and solve a murder. This time, there were many suspects, including the Sheriff, the Sheriff's deputy, the DA and a retired physician, just to mention a few. As always, the book read so well, that I felt I was there, and could actually see everything that was described. The origin of the term Name Games comes out in the story. It is mentioned a couple of times. This book is a winner! You will not regret buying it! Enjoy! By the way, my name would be Rusty LaRue! Now you will have to read the book to find out what that means!
Rating:
Summary: Another winner!
Review: Name Games is the most recent installment of a very worthwhile series. Mark Manning is the new owner and editor of a small town newspaper while he and his lover Neil are settling into their new role as guardians of his teenage nephew. The character of the nephew was introduced in the last installment, and at the time seemed poised to be a snot-nosed, homophobic punk. It was a pleasant surprise to find the character development of the nephew; Thad, coming around to be an accepting member of this family. The relationship between Mark and Neil develops more and more with each installment, and is a joy to watch. The addition of Thad makes them seem like a family, which is what a great many gay men aspire to. It's quite nice to see it play out this way. Kudos to Mr. Craft on the behind the scenes look at the miniatures hobby. As a miniaturist of many years, I have to give high marks to the accuracy and detail portrayed. Many of the scenes evoked a "been there, done that" feeling for both myself and my lover. I've been following the series since the beginning, and I am anxiously awaiting the next book. I just with it didn't take so long between installments.
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