Eye Contact

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic summertime read with provocative storytelling
Review: The second in the Mark Manning series, Craft tells a tale of political intrigue mixed with religious and sexual overtures. The reader becomes totally engrossed as the story centers around a most sinister plot involving the religious right, the President of the United States, and the cut-throat world of journalism. The story also delves into the main character as he struggles with his sexuality and his relationship with his lover, Neil. This is a must read for all who enjoy vivid storytelling populated with intriguing characters. It is a perfect follow-up the author's first in the series, "Flight Dreams."

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating
Review: The second in the series of the Mark Manning mysteries is far more engaging than the first. Mark develops more as a character and mericifully finally displays the frailties of humanity. Neil, his lover, emerges as a more substantial person. The story line takes interesting twists and turns, thereby making the mystery less predictable and more satisfying to the reader. There is absolutely more writing maturity in this offering than in FLIGHT DREAMS. Give it a try, but I recommend you begin with the first book in the series and read them in sequence. While FLIGHT DREAMS is not nearly as satisfying, it does set the tone for the series.

Rating:
Summary: Flawed but entertaining
Review: This is really the perfect set-up for an gay amateur sleuth series. Mark Manning is a prize-winning journalist who has recently come to terms with his sexuality (right before his mid-life crisis). Book two is a stronger novel in many ways from the first book of the series. It's less arty-farty and more focused on the mystery. All to the good. I'm getting tired of the perennial Roxanne (in real life this woman would be a pest), and I would like to see her the victim in the next novel (no such luck). I thought the final wrap up was a little too fast and too sketchy: and-we-all-lived-happily-ever-after was the feeling I got. I expected some explantion, some fallout for Manning's behavior. It would have provided depth to what feels like a symbolic relationship (instead of a real one). Not bad though--and with a little editorial direction, this could be a great series.