Customer Reviews

Hot Rocks (Nick Hoffman Mysteries)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had never read any Nick Hoffman story - nor anything, in fact, by Mr. Raphael - so it was with some apprehension that I picked up Hot Rocks. My fears were quickly put to rest: it's a welcoming introduction to the series for anyone, irrespective of their familiarity with Hoffman, Raphael, the State University of Michigan, Michigan Muscle or any of the other wickedly satirical devices Raphael uses. It's terribly funny and the mystery itself holds together and keeps your attention throughout. I plan on reading more by Raphael based on my enjoyment of this book.

The social observations in this series have always been a hilarious mix of the thoughtful and witty, but Raphael's seventh mystery outdoes the rest as it charts delightful new territory: the luxury health club. Filled with the fitness-obsessed, it's an ideal setting for murder, and Raphael does a deft job of limning all the different personalities and motives that one finds in this super-charged environment rife with envy, jealousy, and murderous rage. But you don't have to ever have done even one push-up to enjoy the details, the insights, the luscious character descriptions, and Raphael's expertise as a mystery writer. I'd consider this the best-plotted mystery of the series since The Edith Wharton Murders, which I remember as having received rave reviews all over, including from the New York Times, and rightly so. This one, appropriately enough, is much leaner. You always hope that the books in a series will get better, and here you will not be disappointed.

Ah, how I wanted to find another gay sleuth. Since Fred Hunter and his series will no more be as Fred has passed on, this series gives me just what I need. Nick, Juno and Stephan are quite a combo, and since this is my first read in the series, I am sure this book is no exception.

As other reviewers have stated, the murder takes place in a upscale Health Club steam room, and the victom, Vlado, is one of the most popular of the personal trainers at the club. Nick and his bizarre, Divine Miss Juno character take their romp through the steeets of this Michigan burb to find the guilt, and in the process discover much about their own personal demons. But the ride is fun, light fare, and a perfect book for the beach and a cool drink.

But what makes this such a wonderful read is Raphael's view of society, especially as it relates to social doctrine, religious hypocrisy and relationship turmoil. This is a quick read, and you will want to go immediately and get another Hoffman installment.

This book is a page turner! If you have spent any time at all in a health club, you will easily identify these "gym" types and the unique atmosphere that a health club/gym creates. I found the book to be very creative, amusing, and a twist as the mystery is solved makes it all the more enjoyable.

Hot Rocks is a laugh-out-loud murder mystery. I'm not even a fan of the genre, at all, but I loved this book. You'll feel very smart if you get all the references, a pleasant aspect of reading this novel.

...and usually think they're each a good, solid, 4 star.

His new one, Hot Rocks, is the best in terms of writing. Don't know what the slight difference is between this one and his previous books, but it's something.

I also enjoy his comments on the Salon website. Always to-the-point.

Anyway, enjoy his latest novel.

As an escaped academic, I always enjoy spending time with Nick. This time, he's found the body of the hunky head trainer at Michigan Muscle, the health club near SUM. As Nick and Juno peel back the layers of the wealthy and bored people who work out at the club, many secrets and deceptions are revealed. Nick also has to deal with secrets in his relationship with long-term partner Stefan, a moody writer with a complicated past. Raphael sprinkles allusions to pop culture and current events throughout the novel, adding to the ambience and connecting SUM to the real world. It helps to have read the previous entries in this series to understand all the backstory, but it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone.

Utterly delightful! Chock full of literary asides and "dishes" to keep the reader going while Nick, in this latest of sleuthing adventures, tries to solve yet another nefarious deed in Michiganopolis. Curl up with this charming romp with a wine referred to in the book and you've got a wonderful read.

Lev Raphaphel does what almost no other mystery series author manages to do. He creates more that just a story, more than just a puzzle to be solved. Indeed, these elements are very much present. There is intrigue, drama, suspense. There are twists, turns, surprises. At the same time, the characters in Hot Rocks are very relatable, very human. It is an absolute joy to spend time with them. I felt as though I was among friends, sitting with Nick and Juno at cafes, leaning on the edge of the island as Nick and Stefan cook, as they love and support each other, or as they deal with the obstacles in their personal and professional relationships.
Unlike most novelists - mystery and otherwise - Raphael doesn't just craft a tale. He takes the reader on a journey. Nick, the narrator and guide, provides warmth and companionship, excitement, ascerbic wit and biting, honest social commentary. When I got to the last pages of Hot Rocks, I experienced the immense satisfaction that comes from a conundrum solved, a climactic wrap-up to steadily increasing tension and building excitement. At the same time, I found myself feeling sad that I would have to say good bye to Nick, Stefan and Juno. It was like saying so long to old pals. I had had the fortune of riding along with them as they went on their riveting sojourn into the world of murder and crime. And I had the privildge of being a part of their lives - their conquests and their failures, their intimacies, their opinion and thoughts. I experienced the curiosity, the surprise, the tremendous rise of energy and the final, utterly satisfying climactic ending. And then it was time to say good bye. I miss them already.

Lev Raphael's latest mystery, "Hot Rocks" in his Nick Hoffman series, is the best yet. This time Nick finds murder and intrigue at his very posh health club. The results are witty and suspensful and sometimes downright hilarious.

The cast of suspects includes hunky trainers, frumpy wives, arrogant club members and wealthy right-wing club owners, none of whom are exactly what they seem. Nick's fellow sleuth in the adventure is his delectable colleague Juno Dromgoole, for whom he harbors some very ambivalent feelings. Their banter will have you laughing out loud.

Raphael's stylish books are a pleasure to read, for they are as much social commentary about the world we live in as mystery. He writes with such wit and grace that we eagerly await the next adventure of Nick Hoffman and his partner Stefan.

Rudite Robinson