Boystown 4

A Time for Secrets (A Nick Nowak Novel)

By: Marshall Thornton

Narrated by: Brad Langer

In the first full-length novel of the Boystown series, it's late summer 1982 and private detective Nick Nowak is asked to find a retired gentleman's long lost lover. Instead, he finds himself embroiled in a decades old murder connected to the man who wants to be Chicago's next mayor. Meanwhile, an ambitious young reporter develops a friendship with Nick's lover Bert, making Nick wonder exactly where their relationship may be heading.

©2012 Marshall Thornton (P)2013 Marshall Thornton

The Secret is Out

If you could sum up Boystown 4 in three words, what would they be?

Gritty, suspenseful, addictive.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Boystown 4?

When Nick realizes he really loved Harker.

Which scene was your favorite?

Can't pinpoint just one.

Who was the most memorable character of Boystown 4 and why?

Nick. He is smart and stupid at the same time. I keep wondering when he's going to wise up and stop being so clueless about what's going on around him. (No spoilers)

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for the 5th audiobook.

Everything!

People live through this for real ,and to be abe to throw romance and mystery through such heartbreaking times in book , Amazing

This Series Just Gets Better and Better

A Time for Secrets is the fourth book in the Boystown series, a 1980s mystery/thriller series that follows the life of Nick Nowak, a former cop turned private detective. This series is best read in order to understand all the intricacies of the plot and character development.

Nick Nowak has not only captured my attention but also my heart. This is a flawed man who’s stubbornly making his way through a world that is hostile towards him and his boyfriend. While Bert comes to terms with his illness, a deadly mystery becomes Nick’s next case. This summary does not do justice because I’m not sure how I can convey exactly how much I love this book. Marshall Thornton is a talented writer who expertly writes about tough emotions with a keen eye, and keep the story entertaining and addictive. There were moments where my heart felt like it was breaking, but then it was pieced back together by tender moments. I know that there will be further heartache in the series, but there will also be redemption, humor, mystery, action, and amazing sex scenes. All in all, this is a fantastic series.

Triggering, getting interesting now

4 Blue Roses
4.5 Blue Flames
Narrator Brad Langer dryly delivered the Nick Nowak Mysteries series. His emotionless monotonous narration is as old skool as the plot itself, which for some reason drew me deeper into the life of the most sexually active private investigator; Nick Nowak.

The cases he investigates are kind of intriguing. The longer I listened, the more I wanted to hear. The plot time is depicted in the 1980s. It’s the time of no lube or condoms, only spit, and if you are lucky maybe vaseline. Venereal diseases and GRIDS, or gay-related immunodeficiency syndrome, is just being noticed. Nick, is a dude who has a lot of sex. If it’s male and willing, he is fucking it. I’m not judging, good for him, the more sex the better, but unfortunately in hindsight, we know what happens with HIV. Each time Nick is having sex, I see more and more men getting infected. That left me conflicted between listening and enjoying hot sex scenes.

The victimization of gay men is vividly described, the book conveys a silent internal truthfulness, a very lifelikeness of being gay in the 1980″s, and the reality or consistency of the sad world these characters lived within.

I do recommend this series. It’s one of those, you would miss if you don’t experience it.

A juicy historical case!

Nick: “Everything about my life, everything about my work told me that secrets were like knives. But they didn’t just cut both ways, they cut anyway they could”.

Gay PI Nick Nowak is caught up in an involved case with three murders when he is asked to find someone for a client. Nick encounters high-level corruption, intimidation, and entrapment as he seeks justice for those killed. At home, Nick’s boyfriend, Bert Harker, continues to fight AIDS-related illnesses - it’s sobering and sad. I love every book in this series but I’ve really enjoyed the move from short stories to longer more complex novels. I like that there is no easy fix to this case, it feels more real. I also appreciated the historical change in politics noted in this story where the ‘gay vote’ is courted for the first time. Just a reminder that these are gay fiction, not m/m romance: Nick has a long-term partner but is not monogamous. Audio narrator Brad Langer does an excellent job of these books, I thoroughly enjoy his performances.

Good listening

If you could sum up Boystown 4 in three words, what would they be?

Although Im not gay, its still an awesome book! Hot & Heavy as long as your open minded! Love the series but sad its ending at 5!!!

Some conclusions and sadness

I think Brian and I both see Nick the same way, and I love that Babylon boi!! Three great stories, and finally someone evil is forestalled from one agenda. The sneak peek of book 5 starts with a shock, and I'm already crying about it. It seems one step forward and one huge push backwards. Needing book 5 now. The narrator's voice and expressions were excellent and added to my experience. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this story and am giving an honest review.

Not what I expected, but loved it!

This is my first review which is embarrassing because I've listened to a lot on Audible. First, I'll say I love this book because I really do. Next I'll say it wasn't what I expected. I read this one out of order and now I have to go back and start from the beginning because this book just really ticked all my boxes and it felt so real. It had this cool, gritty detective vibe about it, kind of cheesy but classic. I didn't think I liked it at first, but it grew on me until I loved it. The narration was great and I loved the MC because he's so real and imperfect. He's romantic and steamy and a downright jerk sometimes but he won me over. Please forgive the sloppiness of my first review, but I thought this was a great book and I plan to listen to the rest in the series. I also really like some of this author's other books, which have a different feel to them. This was just old school detective style. Also, it takes place in the 80's and the authenticity of the time period and the education I got with the struggles in the book really impressed me.

BOYS BOYS BOYS

Where does Boystown 4 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Nick 's witty thoughts
Nick 's vast selection of quick BJ's
Nick 's thought processes...always in PI mode

and ALL the other great things in this book puts me in a very happy place!!! that's all the time I have folks. off to book 5 with Kleenex and IF, with Nicky

EXCELLENT

What did you love best about Boystown 4?

The writing is great.Mr Marshall is a very gifted writer.The story ,as all the Boystown , is original and good.

Have you listened to any of Brad Langer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Mr Brad Langer performance is impeccable.Connects with how I imagine Nick perfectly.