Tricks of the Trade

I never write reviews. However, after reading and rereading TRICKS OF THE TRADE, and buying at least five copies for friends, it's time I got the word out to everyone. This "trick" is a "treat!" The novel's story takes place in the town in which I work: Hollywood. The author, Ben Tyler, has blown the pixie dust (he's gotta be writing about Disney!) off all the pre-conceived glamour of the motion picture industry. I can only applaud him for writing the TRUTH in such a fun and extremely erotic way. I recommend this book to EVERYONE! It's not just a "gay" novel. Sex is merely the subtext. If you like the comic sophistication of Joe Keenan or the laugh out loud observations of David Sedaris, you'll LOVE this novel. I hear it's going to be a movie or miniseries. I'll be the first in line for a ticket. As one who works in casting, I already have my list of sexy actors who should play each character. TRICKS OF THE TRADE is fun multiplied to the nth degree!

I really enjoyed this book. I have to admit that the cover is what first attracted me to it. I read this book mostly while traveling on summer vacation and could not put it down. It has some characters that you really do care about and also some outrageous ones as well. I hope this is made into a movie and uses the same ad that is on the cover!!

I heard about this book from a review in UNZIPPED Magazine that said, "****! At last, a gay Jackie Collins novel! If Aaron Spelling is reading this review, he should buy it for a series. NOW!" This is a terrific book in many ways: (1) it's impossible to put down; (2) the barrage of erotic scenes don't cheat on the heat, you may need asbestos gloves when handling these pages; (3) the Hollywood guessing game of thinly-veiled celebrities in fictional form is as entertaining at those weekly blind items on the gay gossip column ...; (4) it has a nasty, biting, bitchy sense of humor; (5) it has an honestly engrossing STORY of backstabbing ruthlessness that reminded me of ALL ABOUT EVE and SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS; and (6) when it IS made into a Showtime series (like QUEER AS FOLK, which it resembles) you can say, "Oh, I read that LAST SUMMER and the book was better!" Its the ONE book I'm recommending to ALL my friends this season.

I have to admit that I bought the book solely based on the really hot cover. I mostly read non-fiction, but the story grabbed me from the second page and now I think this is THE BEST NOVEL I'VE EVER READ! There is more than enough sex to satisfy anyone who expects a hot time after looking at the cover. The writer knows Hollywood and isn't afraid to name names. I hope there is a sequel coming soon!!!

In the tradition of Jacqueline Susann with a dash of Paul Rudnick, Joe Keenan and Gordon Merrick thrown in, this debut fiction is a scorcher and a corker! The bed-hopping will certainly get your blood pressure soaring (especially some of the kinkier aspects of S/M amateur videomaking), but the ingenius plot will keep you reading and the savage wit will keep you laughing. How delightful to find a book that has the sense to be playful and comedic while at the same time offering a riveting scenario that could be next season's QUEER AS FOLK. Ben Tyler's characters are believable (they should be, they're all based on real people in Hollywood--Tyler works within the film industry and is not afraid to name names and get down low and bitchy...revenge is sweet!) and the sexy-comic plotline is irresistable. Reminded me of MISADVENTURES IN THE 213, Michael Mann's THE MEN FROM THE BOYS, and that old classic THE BOYS IN THE MAILROOM. And....yowza! THAT COVER ILLUSTRATION!!