Rating: 
Summary: I couldn't put it down
Review: "Boy Toy" is the first book by Michael Craft I've read and my first experience of his amateur sleuth, newspaperman Mark Manning. I loved the characters and found the plot intriguing as well as the small town Wisconsin location. I was gratified to discover that this is the latest book in a series by this author featuring the same main character, who functions as narrator of the story. This one had me guessing! I'm from Los Angeles originally, have lived in San Francisco for 22 years, and spent a year in Dubuque, Iowa going to school in the mid-1970's. The midwestern setting of this book wasn't a problem for me, even if it's where I don't want to live.My one quibble -- and it is a quibble -- is that more than once Manning describes his prairie house as having come from one of Frank Lloyd Wright's students at Taliesin in Wisconsin. Sorry, but the Prairie School was founded by Wright and his associates who worked out of Wright's original studio in Oak Park, Illinois. By the time Wright moved to Taliesin, the prairie house was on the way out and by the time Taliesin established its program of architectural apprenticeship, it was the 1930's and Usonian houses -- prairie houses were long gone by then.
Rating:
Summary: Keeps Getting Better!
Review: "Boy Toy" is the second book I've read in the Mark Manning mystery series and they keep getting better. I consider myself a fairly new fan to the Gay Mystery genre and with authors like Michael Craft, I'm sure I'll be a fan for a long time to come. 'Boy Toy' is written so well that it would allow for a first time reader of the series to pick up this one and fit right into the story line. The first one I read was "Name Games", which is the 4th addition to the Mark Manning series. Initially, I was worried that I'd feel like there was a disconnection with the characters since I started midway through the series. However it was quite the opposite. All the pieces of the puzzle were there to hook me into the story line and conjure up my anticipation for more. This 5th addition to the series would easily keep a first time reader spellbound. I'd go as far to say that it would convert a non-fan of this genre into a returning fan. This new story is woven closely around Mark Manning, his partner Neil and their nephew Thad who is more like their son. Thad has been living with the couple since his mother past away. We also get to visit some of our other favorite characters from past volumes and even get introduced a few fun, new ones. This is definitely a mystery that hits close to the Manning household. Since I felt connected to a lot of the characters from reading 'Name Games', I found 'Boy Toy' was difficult to put down until I had completed it. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next with these endearing personae. Michael Craft has me anxiously waiting for the 6th addition to his Mark Manning mysteries. I may have to go back and get some further background on Mr. Manning and his past mystery exploits. Consider it done.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down
Review: "Boy Toy" is the first book by Michael Craft I've read and my first experience of his amateur sleuth, newspaperman Mark Manning. I loved the characters and found the plot intriguing as well as the small town Wisconsin location. I was gratified to discover that this is the latest book in a series by this author featuring the same main character, who functions as narrator of the story. This one had me guessing! I'm from Los Angeles originally, have lived in San Francisco for 22 years, and spent a year in Dubuque, Iowa going to school in the mid-1970's. The midwestern setting of this book wasn't a problem for me, even if it's where I don't want to live. My one quibble -- and it is a quibble -- is that more than once Manning describes his prairie house as having come from one of Frank Lloyd Wright's students at Taliesin in Wisconsin. Sorry, but the Prairie School was founded by Wright and his associates who worked out of Wright's original studio in Oak Park, Illinois. By the time Wright moved to Taliesin, the prairie house was on the way out and by the time Taliesin established its program of architectural apprenticeship, it was the 1930's and Usonian houses -- prairie houses were long gone by then.
Rating:
Summary: The Serie's Best
Review: "Boy Toy" is the latest effort in the continuing Mark Manning series, and is the best yet. Mark, his lover Neil and Thad, his nephew are developing into a stable and loving family. Their close knit circle of family also includes their housekeeper, the local sheriff and an assortment of friends and co-workers. This seems to be an honest and honourable portrayal of a family headed by a gay couple. It also allows an erotic glimpse into the relationship of Mark and Neil. Those scenes offer a great deal of character development, and make them more realistic. These are all people that the reader comes to actually care about. The story line is a simple one; set against the backdrop of local theater, and the midwestern passion for "mushrooming". A young man dies on the night of his theatrical debut as the star of a new play. His co-lead is none other than Thad; who in a moment of teen bravado had threatened the young man, and becomes a suspect. Soon there are a number of other possible suspects, and Mark does his usual succint job of running down leads and narrowing down the field. The plotting is slick and highly readable. And while I was sure I had it figured out, I found myself surprised by the ending. That's a sure sign that you've got a great book on your hands. The series gets better and better.
Rating:
Summary: Keeps Getting Better!
Review: "Boy Toy" is the second book I've read in the Mark Manning mystery series and they keep getting better. I consider myself a fairly new fan to the Gay Mystery genre and with authors like Michael Craft, I'm sure I'll be a fan for a long time to come. 'Boy Toy' is written so well that it would allow for a first time reader of the series to pick up this one and fit right into the story line. The first of the series that I read was "Name Games", which is the 4th addition to the Mark Manning mysteries. Initially, I was worried that I'd feel like there was a disconnection with the characters since I started midway through the series. However, it was quite the opposite. All the pieces of the puzzle were in place to hook me into the story line and conjure up my anticipation for more. This 5th addition will easily keep a first time reader spellbound. I'd go as far to say that it would convert a non-fan of this genre into a returning fan. This new story is woven closely around Mark Manning, his partner Neil and their nephew Thad who is more like their son. Thad has been living with the couple since his mother past away and is coming into his own as his adolescence evolves to a young adulthood. "Boy Toy" not only tells a suspenseful mystery, it also tastefully shares personal experiences between two life-partners, Mark and Neil. The author builds the mystery around the family they've built with Thad, their town, their acquaintances and their strong extended family. Many of these extended family members have subplots that continue from previous Mark Manning volumes. These subplots do nothing but add to the reader's enjoyment. We also get introduced to a few fun, new citizens to their little fictional town of Dumont, Wisconsin. This is definitely a mystery that hits close to the Manning household. Since I felt connected to a lot of the characters from reading 'Name Games', I found 'Boy Toy' was difficult to put down until I had completed it. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next with these endearing personae. Michael Craft has me anxiously waiting for the 6th addition to his Mark Manning mysteries. I may have to go back and get some further background on Mr. Manning and his past mystery exploits. Consider it done.
Rating: 
Summary: So good, but only four stars...
Review: As usual, Michael Craft, has written a superb story. Once again I am only giving it four stars due to the fact that he keeps getting better and better! He is the first author that I religiously follow. Once you read the first, you cannot stop. The stories flow and keep you entertained, aroused and intrigued! Start from the beginning and work your way through the series. After I finish writing this reveiew I am going to be reserving my copy of Hot Spot already! Good reading to you...
Rating:
Summary: So good, but only four stars...
Review: As usual, Michael Craft, has written a superb story. Once again I am only giving it four stars due to the fact that he keeps getting better and better! He is the first author that I religiously follow. Once you read the first, you cannot stop. The stories flow and keep you entertained, aroused and intrigued! Start from the beginning and work your way through the series. After I finish writing this reveiew I am going to be reserving my copy of Hot Spot already! Good reading to you...
Rating:
Summary: Simply the best!
Review: Boy Toy is one of the best books I have purchased from Amazon in a long long time, and I read plenty of books. I know when a book is good if I can't keep it down, I have to take it to class and read between breaks, or read it by the pool. I finished Boy Toy in about a day and a half. Michael Craft has written mysteries where many gay men can identify with. His books are not racy or raunchy, they portray a wonderful alternative couple in the best positive light unlike no other author I've read. If if was not for books like Craft's, my interest in gay writers would not have been peaked. Boy Toy is an excellent book to add to your collection. This mystery kept me guessing to the very end. Simply...the best!
Rating:
Summary: MARK MANNING'S LATEST WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN AND HOW DONE-IT
Review: Domesticity and family life are paying off for Michael Craft's journalistic sleuth, Mark Manning. So far, each book in the series has been better than the one proceeding it. And BOY TOY, the sixth book, is the best yet. Having left Chicago two episodes ago, Mark traded his career as a big-city reporter for that of owner/publisher (and as Charles Oakland) staff reporter of the Dumont (Wisconsin) Daily Register. His "family" began in the fourth book of the series when he gained a nephew/ward, Thad Quatrain; and in the fifth book his long-time lover, Neil Waite joined them when he transplanted his architectural business from Chicago to Dumont. Rounding out the family members in an "extended" way there are: long time friend and lawyer Roxanne Exner, housekeeper Barb Bilsten, Sheriff Doug Pierce, Register trends editor Glee Savage, managing editor Lucy Haring and Thad's could be girlfriend Kwynn Wyman. BOY TOY opens on stage at the Dumont Players Guild production of "Teen Play." Thad Quatrain, now 17, is sharing the lead role with Jason Thrush. There is little love between the two, and after a rehearsal altercation Thad has the final word by paraphrasing the play's first act curtain line, "You might not live until opening night. Remember, I'll be waiting in the wings." Naturally, Jason turns up dead on opening night and Thad is everyone's first choice for murderer. In order to protect his nephew, it is up to Mark and crew to sort through the double handful of possible suspects and solve the mystery. Which he does after a lot of rapid reading and page turning. I loved this book even though I picked the wrong person as the murderer, and you should, too! Since moving to Dumont, the Mark Manning mysteries have become more believable. The mystery in the last book centered around Sheriff Pierce; in this book it was Thad Quatrain; that leaves a lot of the supporting cast available for future episodes. And I can hardly wait!
Rating:
Summary: This one takes the prize
Review: Having just finished reading "Boy Toy" during a hot summer in Wisconsin, I was struck by the author's uncanny accuracy in describing the story's setting. But my enthusiasm for this book runs much deeper. While I had an inkling which way the mystery was heading (sort of), I had no idea WHY until Mark Manning put everything together at the end. Page by page, I was led along, missing all the most important clues, which is exactly how a great mystery should trip you. I've read Michael Craft's earlier books and enjoyed them all, but "Boy Toy" takes the prize. More, please!
| 
