A Conspiracy of Ravens: a one-hand read [Paperback]

William Maltese (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 21, 2003

AFTER NIGHTFALL.Inside the grounds of the infamous Tower of London.Patrick whose Irish lover, Ian, was killed by an English homicidal butcher behind the wheel of a speeding car.Tad whose American parents have sent their erring son to live with Brit relatives, one of whom is a Tower yeoman.Six Tower Ravens, the subjects of legend that predicts-they gone, the British Empire soon to follow.A man and five Tower Ravens murdered. One man determined to see the sixth bird dead, no matter the consequences.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Makes me nostalgic for those earlier days of gay fiction when this would be the norm not the pleasant exception. -- Alex von Mann, author SLAVES

Short, fast-paced, excitingly sensual, compared to its long-winded, snail-paced, exceedingly dull competition! -- Joey, author DIARY OF A HUSTLER

What a great-great book to read while doing "other things". -- Cort Forbes, author YOUNG CRUISERS

From the Publisher

The publishing world has long recognized William Maltese (probably because of his university degree in Marketing/Advertising) as an excellent judge of the gay-book market, where it's been, where it's at, where it's headed. Maltese wrote successful short-stories when short stories were big (his CALIFORNIA CREAMIN' into its second edition), he wrote mysteries (his Stud Draqual Mystery series) when mysteries were big, he wrote plot-lead novels (SS MANN HUNT) when plot-lead novels were big. So, when he said he wanted to do a One-Hand Read series of books just like the books he did for Greenleaf Classics, back "in the good old days", at the very beginning of the serious publication of gay-genre fiction, we said, "Why not?" Maltese truly believing the pendulum is swinging away from longer, plot-leadened gay books, to the shorter, faster-paced gay fiction of another day, wherein plot takes a backseat to character interractions. So, if you don't have the time to devote to figuring out a three-hundred page novel filled with gay angst and a plot so complicated you need to be Einstein to figure it out, A CONPIRACY OF RAVENS: A ONE-HAND READ is definitely the book for you.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (August 21, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595291627
• ISBN-13: 978-0595291625
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,899,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've been in the business of writing books for a very long time, and I derive particular enjoyment from visiting different places and then trying to relay the "essence" of those places to my readers. Likewise, I'm very adventuresome as regards trying new things, whether it be exotic and strange foods and/or other more personal "things".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BLAST FROM THE PAST!, October 3, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: A Conspiracy of Ravens: a one-hand read (Paperback)

Has William Maltese gone all nostalgic for those early gay novels (short, fast-paced, and concentrating more on character interaction than on plot line)? Or, has the market-savvy author merely read the Tarot Cards and seen the "why" behind major publishers cutting back on their gay lines, some gay imprints (like GMP and Stonewall Inn) biting the dust because of decreased sales? In that, what Maltese delivers in A CONSPIRACY OF RAVENS: A ONE-HAND READ is just what the title advertises (and just what the "doctor" ordered). And he does it with the aplomb of someone who used to mass-produce just this kind of book for the likes of Greenleaf Classics, Frenchy's, and Hamilton House, back in the gay-novel heyday. And, I for one, am glad to have this format back on the stands and being written by such a proficient author. Myself a bit curious as to why this short and fast-paced format ever disappeared in the first place, what with readers (myself included), raised on fast foods, fast computer games, and fast-fix TV, having way too short intention spans to spend all of the time required to figure out some of the complex plot lines and three-hundred page gay tomes publishers have been serving up for the past few years. Not to insinuate that A CONPIRACY~ doesn't have a plot line, thereby written purely for prurient interests, because it certainly has all the plot it needs, and more than enough of it to keep us turning the pages. It's just that Maltese, with his usual expertise, has managed to take a real legend (that has the British Empire destined for its final fall if and when the Tower Ravens ever leave the infamous Tower of London grounds), and has placed it within a context that would have any gay guy welcome this book as his sole companion for any night initially scheduled to be spent home alone. Right (or should I say "Write"?) on, William! More, more, more!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plot Twists and Unhappy Endings, January 27, 2007

By 

Reading Is Fundamental - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Conspiracy of Ravens: a one-hand read (Paperback)

I read this book in under a couple of hours, 78 pages, and it did not disappoint. Everytime I thought I knew what was going on, bam!!, it changed. Maybe its because there is so little story (lots of graphic sex) that you can't beat the author at his game. This I did find refreshing.

There are 2 major couples with a 3rd resulting from the tragic event in Ireland. I was sad at the demise of the Ireland couple but did not get the impact of that hurt until I will reading about the British couple.

This isn't my type of story though, I like love stories with happy endings.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You won't be disappointed, April 11, 2004

By 

Johnny (New York, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Conspiracy of Ravens: a one-hand read (Paperback)

Make no mistake, William Maltese's book, "A Conspiracy of Ravens, A one-handed read," has been aptly titled. For those looking for excellent gay erotica, "A Conspiracy of Ravens," is a must. While Maltese's book does have a plot, this is a short, 78 page, sex-driven piece of work. The plot serves as a scaffold for the explicit and frequent sexual passages, and while the story line does indeed enhance the read, it doesn't in any way leave the reader confused as to its purpose, to support the sexual passages, which are done to perfection.
The plot, while seeming secondary to the true purpose of this book, is an absorbing story about American-born Patrick, who is sent to school in Ireland. While he's there, his Irish lover, Ian, is murdered during an anti-British political demonstration, leaving Patrick bereft and grief-stricken. We learn of an English legend concerning the ravens of the London Tower, and what will happen when the last one dies. When Patrick travels to London, his need to respond to Ian's senseless murder, the British he feels are responsible, and the fate of the London Tower ravens all come together.
For those looking for excellent gay erotica with an interesting story to support it and carry it along, Maltese's "Conspiracy of Ravens," is highly recommended and will deliver.