The Death of Friends

Rating:
Summary: Super
Review: Michael Nava is a super writer. This is the second one of his series I have read, and it is a great mystery as well as filled with real life emotion. A can't put it down kind of story. Plus some really great courtroom scenes. John Grisham, eat your heart out. This guy can write better than you.

Rating:
Summary: Super
Review: Michael Nava is a super writer. This is the second one of his series I have read, and it is a great mystery as well as filled with real life emotion. A can't put it down kind of story. Plus some really great courtroom scenes. John Grisham, eat your heart out. This guy can write better than you.

Rating:
Summary: the not so gay 90's
Review: murder case in l.a.'s gay community.author shows the tragedy of a.i.d.s without being morbid. smooth style,sensitive tone and steady pacing.

Rating:
Summary: The best 'Henry Rios Mystery' so far.
Review: Who murdered Chris Chandler? I think Michael Nava could have done a few different things in revealing the killer. My first choice is to develop the villain more, but Nava is clever in getting around that in this novel. Just when we think it is over, we get another twist to make us wonder. My real problem with this book is that one chapter constantly refers to 'he', mentions a character's name, then reveals that Henry Rios (the narrator) is actually talking to another character. It was confusing and made me think that pagers were missing. But this still is the best 'Henry Rios Mystery' so far.

Rating:
Summary: Heartrending, insightful, excellent mystery
Review: Wow! I became Henry Rios as I read this story and was touched by his humanity and sensibility. Michael Nava just gets better with each of his books. This one shines a light on what it means to live your entire life in the closet and the impact on yourself, your family, your friends when you decide to step into the light. Yet it is done in the context of a compelling mystery peopled by real characters with real emotions. Nava manages to make nothing look contrived. At the end of his story you know these people and what makes them tick. And most importantly you want to know more about the fine human being that Henry Rios is.

This novel also rips your heart out whether or not you have known anyone who has died of AIDS. The caregiver's travail is not minimized but not exaggerated either. Through Nava's skillful storytelling you know just what it is like to stand by helplessly and watch someone you love fade out of your life. You know what it is like to get up the next days and weeks and go on with your own life.

This novel is much more than a simple mystery, although it is an excellent mystery novel. It is an insightful look at what it means to be gay in today's world, both upbeat and downbeat. This is a book to give to friends and to reread.