Murder Book

Boystown, Book 5

By: Marshall Thornton

Narrated by: Brad Langer

Finalist, Lambda Award - Gay Mystery 2013

In the fifth book of the award-winning Boystown mystery series, it's fall 1982 and Chicago is gripped by panic after five people die from poisoned Tylenol capsules. Amid the chaos, the Bughouse Slasher takes his eighth victim, this time striking close to private investigator Nick Nowak. With the Chicago Police Department stretched to its limit, Nick takes matters into his own hands. But what will he do with the Bughouse Slasher once he finds him?

©2013 Marshall Thornton (P)2013 Marshall Thornton

resolution is bittersweet /Poor Nick

This series is amazing. Tears, laughs, cheap thrills, and suspense. I like how the author addresses current events for that time period. It makes it feel real. Everytime Nick got a clue, I got excited, and when they didn't pan out my heart plummeted down. Nick still had a big heart, because he tried to make sure mama's interests were protected. The ending is so bittersweet for me that I wept!! The narrator's voice and expressions added to my enjoyment. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this story and am giving an honest review.

Wow.. Just Wow. This is one of my favorites

Just…wow. This book left me gutted but so enthralled that I could not stop reading it. The first sentence page of this book punched me hard, but the unfolding mystery and action kept me on the edge of my seat and so deeply invested in Nick Novak. This has to be one of my favorite books and favorite series – each book in this series keeps getting better and better. It has a bit of everything: love, loss, humor, angst, sex, death, action, and revenge. It’s hard to review this book without giving away too many spoilers, but just know that this is a unique and fascinating addition to the Boystown Mystery series. It is well worth the read or the listen on audiobook. If I could give this book more than five stars I would.

HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO FOR JUSTICE?

A book from the 1980s series of how the Chicago gay community lived and the steps they took to survive. This one is about the sacrifice of a gay detective to bring in a gay serial killer. His lover, Nick Nowak, a private investigator, takes on the case to bring the killer to justice amongst the Tylenol murders. A very well-written story of the grief, determination, and psyche of Nick’s search for the truth.

The narration helps you see things as the character experiences them.

Next...

Would you consider the audio edition of Murder Book to be better than the print version?

I've only listened - have not yet read it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Murder Book?

Spoiler - Harker's murder.

What about Brad Langer’s performance did you like?

He's your 'every man'. No gimmicks, or frills. He sounds as if he's lived the story. It even sound like he actually may be from Chicago. His characterizations are dead on.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me sad. I can't imagine what it would be like to have a relative or partner go through what Nick did with Harker. I know he felt helpless; being in the dark with an illness that was unknown and untreatable, only to lose his lover to a murderer.

Any additional comments?

I know I have to, but I can't wait for number 6.

This is such a standout series!

Ever since PI Nick Nowak’s lover, Det. Bert Harker, has been on sick leave battling AIDS, he’s kept himself occupied by maintaining a murder book (case file) about the Bughouse Slasher, a serial killer who targets gay men. When Bert becomes the killer’s latest victim, Nick sets out take the man down once and for all. This excellent series has become more complex and emotional with each book and this one is extra tough as Nick deals with his feelings of anger, revenge, and loss. These rich stories are set in 1980s Chicago as the AIDS epidemic starts to take hold. Professionally, Nick’s cases are fascinating, and his personal life is sobering as more acquaintances sicken. Just a reminder that these are gay fiction stories, not m/m romances - despite having a long-term partner, Nick is not monogamous. Audio narrator Brad Langer has the perfect voice for this series, I love his performances of these great stories!