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Susan
(03/07/08)
Engaging, but not for every book group
I liked the book and thought it was well-written, especially the descriptions of the characters and the setting. The plot was full of twists and kept me engaged right to the end. Because the setting and much of the plot concern the predominantly gay community of Provincetown, this isn't the right choice for all book groups. That aside, this book could lead to good discussions about cults and other groups.
Beverly
(03/03/08)
Mystery, love story, travelogue ?
I had a very difficult time with this first novel. The plot is convoluted to the point that I had a problem trying to sort through all the main characters. Each chapter brings another element into the plot with expansive, even rambling description that does nothing to move the story along. I felt I was being exposed to the author's diligent research. I would not recommend this book.
Barb
(03/03/08)
A so-so book
I found the first part of this book hard to get into, and the gay aspects of the story bothered me, not because I'm anti-gay, but in the way that gratuitous sex in any book would bother me. However, the second half of the book was much better, and once the story picked up, it was hard to put the book down. I enjoyed following Mark around, trying to help him figure out who was behind the nasty goings-on in Provincetown while trying to keep himself out of harm's way, and was as surprised as he was when the murderer was finally revealed.
Anne
(03/03/08)
The Fisher Boy
I had a really hard time with the first half of this book but the second half rolled out like a great murder mystery. As another reviewer said, there are many references to the gay characters' relationships and their preferences which will be a turn off for some readers. What drove my rating of the book was the uneven plot and character development; and that the upscale New England beach town had more presence than the characters in the first half of the book. In the second half it was the exact opposite. Whether this is a deficiency or the intention of the author the reader can only guess but I much preferred the pace and the characters in the second half when it turned into a race to the finish to find out who dun it and see who would survive.
Anne
(03/03/08)
The Fisher Boy
A young gay man struggles with the issues of his parentage, the murder of someone close to him, and the difficulties of developing a meaningful relationship with his male partner. Set in the Cape Cod resort area during the summer, the novel follows Mark Winslow as he attempts to solve a murder and at the same time answer some of the questions about his own life. Genre: Gay Fiction
Vicky
(02/29/08)
An exploding second half...
While I wasn't bored, I felt somewhat "ho-hum" and I was into half of this book and I still could not figure out where it was going...then, boom! Suddenly, there were new characters, new twists, a new focus. The plot flew into directions that I had no hint of in the earlier part of the story. Strange, interesting characters appeared and then I couldn't stop reading...I had to see where this story was leading. I will admit, for someone who reads 3 or 4 books a week, this mystery had me puzzled until the last few pages. This book is different but well worth the reader's time and my hat's off to any author who can keep me guessing until the end.
Kari
(02/28/08)
The Fisher Boy
I normally don't read mystery books, but thought the description of this one sounded like it would be a little different, more fun, in a way.
I was also not prepared for how much of the book was about gay people/being gay/gay issues. I found that I had a hard time getting into the whole premise, and I really didn't like any of the people in there much either. I have nothing against gays, I just don't find it interesting to have a book go on about it that much. For some reason, the story never grabbed me and I just didn't care about the characters or their situation, which to me is an important part of whether I like a book or not. So I must say that overall I was disappointed by this book, even though it did have some fun moments now and then.
Mary Ellen
(02/26/08)
Provincetown Sets the Stage
The Fisher Boy is a colorful book bringing together cultural clashes, mayhem, and a murder. The main character, Mark, is trying to launch a club act with a group of friends. The book gives a real feel for the summer community in Provincetown, and the push and pull of gay visitors, the resident community, the wealthy and their groupies. The murder focuses the story and sends Mark, who becomes the suspect, on a quest to deal with the dark forces in his life and a mystery from the past. Edgy and unsettling.