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lezreadalot's review against another edition
3.0
My heart thumped a little faster. I was either in love or about to tell a lie.
(Spoiler alert: he told a lie.)
I enjoyed revisiting Nick as he traipses around Chicago solving crimes and getting more ass than a toilet seat. I found the writing and mysteries in these short stories to be better than the first set; I had a lot of fun trying to figure out what was going to happen. Nick's personal story was engaging as well, though I'm pretty dissatisfied with the explanation (if that really was an explanation) for why he suddenly got so violent with civilians in "Little Boy Blond". And I have to say, the big twist in "Little Boy Silent" annoyed me intensely.
I honestly didn't expect what happened int he last story, and I'm sure it won't turn out all peachy like Nick might expect. Looking forward (mostly) to coming back to this in the future.
(Spoiler alert: he told a lie.)
I enjoyed revisiting Nick as he traipses around Chicago solving crimes and getting more ass than a toilet seat. I found the writing and mysteries in these short stories to be better than the first set; I had a lot of fun trying to figure out what was going to happen. Nick's personal story was engaging as well, though I'm pretty dissatisfied with the explanation (if that really was an explanation) for why he suddenly got so violent with civilians in "Little Boy Blond". And I have to say, the big twist in "Little Boy Silent" annoyed me intensely.
Spoiler
I get that Lydia was a lying asshole, but I hated that the big 'gotcha!' moment was the fact that Harlington's dick had been amputated. You don't need a penis to be a rapist or abuser, which that whole sequence seemed to imply. I wish Lydia's lie had been exposed in some other way.I honestly didn't expect what happened int he last story, and I'm sure it won't turn out all peachy like Nick might expect. Looking forward (mostly) to coming back to this in the future.
grapeapril75's review against another edition
3.0
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 www.eargasmsaudiobookreviews.com ***
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 www.eargasmsaudiobookreviews.com ***
olizia's review against another edition
3.0
Nick me recuerda un poco a Torrente xD, en serio, no puedo dejar de leerlo pero a la vez me produce rechazo. Así me tiene esta serie.
victorian221b's review against another edition
3.0
I agree with some of the reviews that the mysteries in this book are much more interesting. You also get to see Nick delving deeper into his own issues and why he is still struggling with relationships. I think I feel a little more sympathetic towards him here than in the first book.
annen's review against another edition
I have no idea why this series is rated so highly, so far it's been sex, sex, sex, some mystery solving, remorseless slapping of a woman, punching a man for a little information, condoning drug use, coercive sex that turns into rape that turns into consent. Then more sex with anyone and everyone anytime.
There seems to be few if any redeeming qualities in the MC.
I get that it's an 80s book but it's crazy just how much of an unlikeable guy Nick is.
There seems to be few if any redeeming qualities in the MC.
I get that it's an 80s book but it's crazy just how much of an unlikeable guy Nick is.
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
4.0
A very smart lady wrote in her review that the one thing Nick can't change is his sexuality and that observation for some reason has stuck with me. It's not because he should be something other than he is; it's more a comment on life. We all have things we can't change and that shapes us and guides us and influences us, regardless of our wants and desires. I think this second look into Nick Nowak pretty much hammers that concept down with brutal consistency. Nick wants a lot of things. He wants to find answers to his cases. He wants Harker to move in with him. He wants an object of his lust to not be straight. He wants to go back in time and do things differently. I could go on and on about what he wants, but as with his sexuality, there are just some things that Nick can't change. I know it, he knows it. And it sucks.
So the promiscuity continues. Him being a guy magnet works to his advantage and yes, the menages and drug use are present again. I just worry about all the unprotected sex. It gives me a lot of anxiety. I shouldn't harp on that because this story is not only about sex. It's about Nick and his cases and the political/personal/social ramifications as he finds the answers he's paid to find. It's also a commentary on homosexual history - the evolution of coming out, tolerance, intolerance, the community and lifestyle, and the barest inkling of AIDS making its presence known.
Underlying that is a pervasive sadness, bringing me back to my initial statement. Nick hasn't been able to get past his love of Daniel. Obviously that does not stop him in the bedroom, but he's alone and lonely despite his complicated relationship with detective Harker and his many other dalliances.
I'm definitely intrigued. I'm caught in this uncomfortable, sometimes depressing, sometimes triumphant but always interesting story about this man. I want good things for him. I want him to be happy. However I'm pretty sure I'm going to be disappointed. Regardless, I'll persevere and read on in the hopes that I'm proved wrong... but that ending? It foreshadows otherwise.
So the promiscuity continues. Him being a guy magnet works to his advantage and yes, the menages and drug use are present again. I just worry about all the unprotected sex. It gives me a lot of anxiety. I shouldn't harp on that because this story is not only about sex. It's about Nick and his cases and the political/personal/social ramifications as he finds the answers he's paid to find. It's also a commentary on homosexual history - the evolution of coming out, tolerance, intolerance, the community and lifestyle, and the barest inkling of AIDS making its presence known.
Underlying that is a pervasive sadness, bringing me back to my initial statement. Nick hasn't been able to get past his love of Daniel. Obviously that does not stop him in the bedroom, but he's alone and lonely despite his complicated relationship with detective Harker and his many other dalliances.
I'm definitely intrigued. I'm caught in this uncomfortable, sometimes depressing, sometimes triumphant but always interesting story about this man. I want good things for him. I want him to be happy. However I'm pretty sure I'm going to be disappointed. Regardless, I'll persevere and read on in the hopes that I'm proved wrong... but that ending? It foreshadows otherwise.
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
4.0
I don't think I can really add to the reviews that are already out there but just in case...
-This is not a love story.
-This is set in 1981 before the AIDS crisis became known.
-Police corruption is common
-Intolerance and bigotry is sadly the norm.
-Safe sex is just a distant afterthought or no thought at all.
-There is drug use, menages, and a lot of eyebrow raising promiscuity. A LOT.
So this book contains 3 short stories, peeking at the life and times of private eye Nick Nowak and the cases he comes across. He may be emotionally distant with quite a lot of baggage due to a horrible incident, but that doesn't mean he hasn't got a conscience or doesn't care. Though some actions made me uncomfortable and I might not have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of this in regards to romance/puppies/rainbows, it was still full of smart writing and I look forward to the next chapter.
-This is not a love story.
-This is set in 1981 before the AIDS crisis became known.
-Police corruption is common
-Intolerance and bigotry is sadly the norm.
-Safe sex is just a distant afterthought or no thought at all.
-There is drug use, menages, and a lot of eyebrow raising promiscuity. A LOT.
Spoiler
Seriously Nick must be one helluva looker because he barely has to bat an eyelash to get every gay man on his dick - scuse my language. But really - that is no lie. I don't think he had to work for any of his dalliances; sometimes it seemed like a chore to him. Apparently he's one lucky bastard and I mean that in the kindest, most complimentary way.So this book contains 3 short stories, peeking at the life and times of private eye Nick Nowak and the cases he comes across. He may be emotionally distant with quite a lot of baggage due to a horrible incident, but that doesn't mean he hasn't got a conscience or doesn't care. Though some actions made me uncomfortable and I might not have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of this in regards to romance/puppies/rainbows, it was still full of smart writing and I look forward to the next chapter.