Scan barcode
kaje_harper's review against another edition
4.0
The three novellas in this book comprise three cases for PI Nick Nowak. They are imbued with the feel of the era in which they are set - pre-AIDS in the early eighties in Chicago. Being gay is no longer illegal, but it does lead to harassment, some of it from the authorities themselves. In this brief span of time, when gay sex is not a death risk from either law or disease, it's a more casual thing. "We're guys, it feels good, why not..?" Although there are longterm gay relationships, including Nick's failed disaster of a relationship with his ex-boyfriend Daniel a year and a half earlier, there is also a lot of casual "We're both gay - let's fuck" sex.
Nick tells himself he's content with available hot bodies, and his investigative career, but there is a wistfulness that pervades his stories. He's never had closure on what happened with Daniel, he lost his police job and his fellow boys in blue now harass him periodically, and for all his casual sex, he's clearly unsatisfied and searching. The last novella ends with a possibility for more, and I will be moving quickly to book 2 (stories 4-6) to see what happens.
The cases are interesting, not complex, but plausible. To me, they serve more as a very good framework for the progression of Nick as a man, and for the exposition of a time and place that would change, drastically, in a very short span of time. Recommended.
Nick tells himself he's content with available hot bodies, and his investigative career, but there is a wistfulness that pervades his stories. He's never had closure on what happened with Daniel, he lost his police job and his fellow boys in blue now harass him periodically, and for all his casual sex, he's clearly unsatisfied and searching. The last novella ends with a possibility for more, and I will be moving quickly to book 2 (stories 4-6) to see what happens.
The cases are interesting, not complex, but plausible. To me, they serve more as a very good framework for the progression of Nick as a man, and for the exposition of a time and place that would change, drastically, in a very short span of time. Recommended.
kaje_harper's review against another edition
5.0
In this second trio of mystery novellas about Chicago ex-cop and PI Nick Nowak, we see more interesting cases, and gain some insight and depth into Nick himself. We see just a bit more of Daniel, Nick's ex, and begin to feel some of the stresses and background that drive Nick. The tension, on sexual, emotional and professional levels, between Nick and Harker adds interest, and they begin working out their relationship. And yet Nick still pines after the deeper feeling he remembers having for Daniel, and is unable to say no to the frequent propositions he gets from young men he meets.
In this on-the-brink-of-AIDS era, we also hear the first rumblings of the "gay cancer" as a confusing condition is appearing primarily on the coasts. It adds enormous poignancy to the book, and to the casual frequent sexual encounters of both Nick and those around him. I found myself in the back of my head thinking about who had done what with whom, and trying not to get too attached to too many characters who, as this series follows life, will be finding out whether the virus leaves them as one more funeral and a name crossed through in an emptying address book.
The casual no-condom sex is entirely fitting for the era, when a condom was for birth-control not death control. And part of me also ached thinking of the loss of the simplicity and connection of the era, when a dozen men could be fuck-buddies, and all that care and calculation didn't have to be part of the equation. Not that Nick doesn't make some bad choices in saying yes to blow-jobs and often fucking from just about anyone, even if they're part of an ongoing case. And not that there weren't other STDs at the time. But it's a little like watching a minority group poised for their Tiananmen square, thinking freedom's coming as societal rules ease, not knowing that the tanks are rolling in.
At the end of the book, Nick and Harker are moving toward a real relationship, and the romantic element is stronger than in the past book. But this is still primarily one man's story, and a blend of mystery, history, and relationships. Significant spoiler: Except that this series is too good to miss.
In this on-the-brink-of-AIDS era, we also hear the first rumblings of the "gay cancer" as a confusing condition is appearing primarily on the coasts. It adds enormous poignancy to the book, and to the casual frequent sexual encounters of both Nick and those around him. I found myself in the back of my head thinking about who had done what with whom, and trying not to get too attached to too many characters who, as this series follows life, will be finding out whether the virus leaves them as one more funeral and a name crossed through in an emptying address book.
The casual no-condom sex is entirely fitting for the era, when a condom was for birth-control not death control. And part of me also ached thinking of the loss of the simplicity and connection of the era, when a dozen men could be fuck-buddies, and all that care and calculation didn't have to be part of the equation. Not that Nick doesn't make some bad choices in saying yes to blow-jobs and often fucking from just about anyone, even if they're part of an ongoing case. And not that there weren't other STDs at the time. But it's a little like watching a minority group poised for their Tiananmen square, thinking freedom's coming as societal rules ease, not knowing that the tanks are rolling in.
At the end of the book, Nick and Harker are moving toward a real relationship, and the romantic element is stronger than in the past book. But this is still primarily one man's story, and a blend of mystery, history, and relationships. Significant spoiler:
Spoiler
And then the cold wind carries the words about Harker - he was tired and losing a little weight from working so hard, and he had a dry cough he couldn't shake. If you know the era, hearing that makes you want to walk away, now.notime's review against another edition
3.0
Still enjoying the story and like the growing pains that Nick is going through. But urgh, was that dubcon scene really necessary? Everyone wanting Nick to fuck them is getting a bit ridiculous too. I'm afraid it's about to become a bit more melodramatic that I'd like it to but that's for the next book to show me.
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.
gabeisnotanangel's review against another edition
5.0
Great stories
Loved these. Fun early eighties vibe. I kind of see Nick looking like Tom Sekeck. Writing is good very PI lit type. Characters feely barely sketched but full for all the bareness. Good stuff.
Loved these. Fun early eighties vibe. I kind of see Nick looking like Tom Sekeck. Writing is good very PI lit type. Characters feely barely sketched but full for all the bareness. Good stuff.
writerlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Three short stories that introduce the reader to Nick Nowak, private eye, dismissed police officer of the Chicago PD and exiled from his family for being gay. This is Chicago in 1980. These are noirish stories where we learn about Nick's life, how he deals with the job, his isolation from his fairly large Polish family who are all connected to the Chicago PD one way or another.
The casual hook ups, the gay community as it were, the pre-AIDS times (but right at the beginning of the awareness of AIDS) are well portrayed. This is a bit rough around the edges as far as writing goes but it fits with the characters, the times and the place.
More like 3.5 stars. I will be reading more of this series.
The casual hook ups, the gay community as it were, the pre-AIDS times (but right at the beginning of the awareness of AIDS) are well portrayed. This is a bit rough around the edges as far as writing goes but it fits with the characters, the times and the place.
More like 3.5 stars. I will be reading more of this series.
writerlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
A good follow up the initial series of novella. A little darker in tone, the foreshadow of AIDS is present, the 80's vibe is strong and well done. Some actions from the first series of novella come back to haunt Nowak and there is a strong sense of coherence with all three novellas. Definitely will continue to follow up the adventures of Nick Nowak, Chicago private dick.
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
2.0
Okay, after reading this one, I really know it: this series is not for me.
I don't like Nick, I can't empathize with him, and the mysteries are... not that good. I thought my issues come for reading first the two prequels, but nope, it's the whole thing.
I'll try later with other books by this author, but this was my last Boystown.
I don't like Nick, I can't empathize with him, and the mysteries are... not that good. I thought my issues come for reading first the two prequels, but nope, it's the whole thing.
I'll try later with other books by this author, but this was my last Boystown.
shelbanuadh's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I liked the mysteries in this more than the prequels. Nick is also slowly growing on me.
There is a lot of sex, bordering on too much, in my opinion... I'm hoping that it's going to serve some purpose other than as just smut as the series progresses.
There is a lot of sex, bordering on too much, in my opinion... I'm hoping that it's going to serve some purpose other than as just smut as the series progresses.