Boy Toy: A Mark Manning Mystery

"Boy Toy" is the first book by Michael Craft I've read and my first experience of his amateur sleuth, newspaperman Mark Manning. I loved the characters and found the plot intriguing as well as the small town Wisconsin location. I was gratified to discover that this is the latest book in a series by this author featuring the same main character, who functions as narrator of the story. This one had me guessing! I'm from Los Angeles originally, have lived in San Francisco for 22 years, and spent a year in Dubuque, Iowa going to school in the mid-1970's. The midwestern setting of this book wasn't a problem for me, even if it's where I don't want to live.My one quibble -- and it is a quibble -- is that more than once Manning describes his prairie house as having come from one of Frank Lloyd Wright's students at Taliesin in Wisconsin. Sorry, but the Prairie School was founded by Wright and his associates who worked out of Wright's original studio in Oak Park, Illinois. By the time Wright moved to Taliesin, the prairie house was on the way out and by the time Taliesin established its program of architectural apprenticeship, it was the 1930's and Usonian houses -- prairie houses were long gone by then.

"Boy Toy" is the second book I've read in the Mark Manning mystery series and they keep getting better. I consider myself a fairly new fan to the Gay Mystery genre and with authors like Michael Craft, I?m sure I?ll be a fan for a long time to come. ?Boy Toy? is written so well that it would allow for a first time reader of the series to pick up this one and fit right into the story line. The first one I read was "Name Games", which is the 4th addition to the Mark Manning series. Initially, I was worried that I'd feel like there was a disconnection with the characters since I started midway through the series. However it was quite the opposite. All the pieces of the puzzle were there to hook me into the story line and conjure up my anticipation for more. This 5th addition to the series would easily keep a first time reader spellbound. I?d go as far to say that it would convert a non-fan of this genre into a returning fan.This new story is woven closely around Mark Manning, his partner Neil and their nephew Thad who is more like their son. Thad has been living with the couple since his mother past away. We also get to visit some of our other favorite characters from past volumes and even get introduced a few fun, new ones. This is definitely a mystery that hits close to the Manning household. Since I felt connected to a lot of the characters from reading ?Name Games?, I found ?Boy Toy? was difficult to put down until I had completed it. I couldn?t wait to find out what was going to happen next with these endearing personae. Michael Craft has me anxiously waiting for the 6th addition to his Mark Manning mysteries. I may have to go back and get some further background on Mr. Manning and his past mystery exploits. Consider it done.

Having just finished reading "Boy Toy" during a hot summer in Wisconsin, I was struck by the author's uncanny accuracy in describing the story's setting. But my enthusiasm for this book runs much deeper. While I had an inkling which way the mystery was heading (sort of), I had no idea WHY until Mark Manning put everything together at the end. Page by page, I was led along, missing all the most important clues, which is exactly how a great mystery should trip you. I've read Michael Craft's earlier books and enjoyed them all, but "Boy Toy" takes the prize. More, please!

It has been both interesting and gratifying to watch Michael Craft develop as a mystery writer. With his fifth Mark Manning installment, "Boy Toy," Craft truly hits full stride. Now that Michael Nava has retired from mystery writing and two other fine series by R.D. Zimmerman and J.M. Wilson seem to be on hold, Michael Craft steps to the forefront of the gay mystery genre.Craft is ready, and "Boy Toy" really delivers. The plotting is airtight, and even though I was sure I had it figured out, a neat twist-ending proved me wrong. Craft has clearly done his homework in researching the forensics of this story, and it's safe to say I'll never again feel quite right about mushrooms. Craft also excels at characterization. Mark Manning, the hero-narrator, and his lover Neil have matured into a wonderful couple, two guys I'd love to have dinner with and know as friends. And their physical relationship now leaves NOTHING to the imagination.All told, "Boy Toy" is just about perfect. I look forward to reading many more Mark Manning mysteries.

"Boy Toy" is the latest effort in the continuing Mark Manning series, and is the best yet. Mark, his lover Neil and Thad, his nephew are developing into a stable and loving family. Their close knit circle of family also includes their housekeeper, the local sheriff and an assortment of friends and co-workers.This seems to be an honest and honourable portrayal of a family headed by a gay couple. It also allows an erotic glimpse into the relationship of Mark and Neil. Those scenes offer a great deal of character development, and make them more realistic. These are all people that the reader comes to actually care about.The story line is a simple one; set against the backdrop of local theater, and the midwestern passion for "mushrooming". A young man dies on the night of his theatrical debut as the star of a new play. His co-lead is none other than Thad; who in a moment of teen bravado had threatened the young man, and becomes a suspect. Soon there are a number of other possible suspects, and Mark does his usual succint job of running down leads and narrowing down the field.The plotting is slick and highly readable. And while I was sure I had it figured out, I found myself surprised by the ending. That's a sure sign that you've got a great book on your hands. The series gets better and better.