Boystown

Three Nick Nowak Mysteries

By: Marshall Thornton

Narrated by: Brad Langer

A former police officer turned private investigator, Nick Nowak is haunted by his abrupt departure from the department, as well as, the traumatic end of his relationship with librarian Daniel Laverty. In these three stories set in Chicago during the early eighties, Nick locates a missing young man for a mysterious client, solves a case of arson at a popular nightspot, and goes undercover to prove a dramatic suicide was actually murder.

When he isn't detecting, and sometimes when he is, Nick moves through a series of casual relationships. But his long suppressed romantic side surfaces when he meets Detective Bert Harker. Will he give love another chance? Or, will he continue to bury himself in the arms of strangers?

Finalist for Lambda Literary Award - Gay Mystery 2012

©2009 Marshall Thornton (P)2013 Marshall Thornton

Gritty, gay PI stories

If you like hard-boiled PI stories (think Raymond Chandler) and centering on the gay community you will like this series. there is no romance in this book - but there is sex. Sex that is just as grim and gritty as the story they are set in.

I. LOVE. BOYSTOWN.

I don't do re-read normally. I have a re-read shelf, but it has more a symbolical character, it's a way to show how much I enjoyed a book. Well, I did a re-read already but it is a big exception.

I am not sure that listening to an audio book after you've already read a book falls in the category re-read.
I think that if a narrator doesn't match you, you might even regret to listen to it. But if he does it perfectly, it could be a great experience that opens totally new perspectives. I wish I could have more of audio books, in the first place of the books I like, but the English audio books are unfortunately so ridiculously expensive in Germany, that I'd most likely won't have too many of them.

A narrator Brad Langer and Nick Nowak's POV fit PERFECTLY together, and I just want to say, that my second READ -actually it was listening to- of Boystown series, when I know already how it goes on, was not less thrilling but even more exciting.

I. LOVE. BOYSTOWN.

Not really my genre

I really tried to like this series, it is just too gritty PI for me. I am sure there are folks who will love this series. Folks who are into noir will dig this, it just isn't my genre.

The detective is a tough as nails type. Replace the doxy gals with guys, cause it is an MM read. That wasn't a real issue for me, but I know some who are not into the genre.

There is open bedroom door steam, not quite as detailed as an erotic but plenty of naughty bits. I just found those interactions as more rough and tumble as well. I like sweet words and feelings in my steam.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Brad Langer, who does a great job with the material. He has a wonderful gruff edge to his voice that perfectly fits the material. I would love to hear him read another smexy book, cause his voice is delicious. His pace is smooth and he adds great energy to the narration.

Overall this was a good read, just not my taste. I think people who are into the genre will really appreciate the quality of the writing.

Disclosure – I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts opinions and ratings are my own.

*** If you found this review at all helpful, please take a moment to let me know. I love reading and sharing my opinions with other readers. Thanks for taking the time to read my review! You can see more audiobook reviews on my blog Eargasms Audiobook Reviews ***

So Much Fun! Nice Performance by B. Langer

I see why people love this series, and why it's so addictive! Three clever mysteries, and Nick is just perfect.

I really enjoyed the narrator, Brad Langer. He's a great fit for Nick's character - he's got that sexy, gruff, real-man town perfectly.

Three little mysteries

Nick is definitely a man of the 1980's and the story reads as though told by a man from that generation... So there is no anachronistic shock to deal with; we have smoking, drinking, unprotected sex (as AIDS was still ahead) and a dour attitude towards policing in Chicago. All in all a great listen/read.
I believe Brad Langer as Nick so the narration works well.
I believe Nick as a PI so the story base works well.
Yes, I'll read again. Also, adding the rest of the series to my TBR pile.

Gritty and So Good

Marshall Thornton’s book takes place in the 80’s and showcases modern gay history. For example, the Gay Pride Parade was just a few years in, unprotected sex (and lots of it) was the norm, gay men weren’t accepted in public positions, and so much more. Written from Nick Novak’s perspective, a gay retired policeman turned PI, the glimpse of life as an attractive gay man is enviable in domestic ways, and sad in others. Nick Novak leads an uninhibited lifestyle, the details are explicit and gritty and so sexy.
Thornton writes a good murder mystery as well. So if you’ve not discovered his Boystown series yet, and this genre is one you enjoy, I guarantee you’ll be pleased with these books.

80"s setting

This was interesting. It was set in the 80's, so there was a totally different attitude towards gay people, no condoms were used ever, and the word fidelity meant nothing. The MC was having sex with everyone he came across and plenty of vaseline was used!
Overall, it was entertaining and the narration was ok.

Three mysteries...

This was my first introduction to this author and narrator. I enjoyed the stories and felt they had enough depth.

Excellent!!

You won't regret geting this one. 3 stories of mystery and sex. I'm buying the next one!

Triggering, quaint story

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.