The Lure [Hardcover]

Felice Picano (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1979

In 1979, Felice Picano rocketed to fame with the publication of this shocking, controversial thriller. Riveting and candid in its depiction of the gay sexual subculture of the era, and praised by Stephen King as "Explosive...Felice Picano is one hell of a writer," The Lure thrusts young widower Noel Hathaway into a dark universe of physical and psychological violence; an unwilling lure used by the police to unmask an elusive killer.

Felice Picano is the author of 18 books, including the international best-sellers The Book of Lies and Like People in History as well as the acclaimed literary memoirs Ambidextrous, Men Who Loved Me, and A House on the Ocean, A House on the Bay. He has been nominated for several Lambda Literary Awards and is a recipient of the Ferro-Grumley award for fiction. Formerly a longtime New Yorker, he currently resides in Los Angeles.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Noel Cummings is about to change irrevocably. After witnessing a brutal murder, Noel is recruited by the police to assist as a lure for the kill er-at-large. Undercover, Noel moves deeper and deeper into the freneticis m of Manhattan's gay highlife... --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Felice Picano is the author of 19 books, including the international best-sellers Onyx,The Book of Lies and Like People in History as well as the acclaimed literary memoirs Ambidextrous, Men Who Loved Me, and A House on the Ocean, A House on the Bay. He has been nominated for several Lambda Literary Awards and is a recipient of the Ferro-Grumley award for fiction. Formerly a longtime New Yorker, he currently resides in Los Angeles. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 409 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Pr (November 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440050812
• ISBN-13: 978-0440050810
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,287,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perspective, January 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Lure (Hardcover)

I read this book in 1980 when it was featured as the Monthly Selection of the Literary Guild book club. I have since re-read the book 2 times. The setting is definitely dated. However, I believe it is a very important work because of the fact that two different book clubs featured the novel as "Selection of the Month". In 1979-1980 a book that featured the gay community, no matter what point-of-reference was unheard of. For readers that never experienced that era, the subject may seem ridiculous. However, this novel did much for the isolated in rural areas of the country that read a "mainstream" novel on a subject such as The Lure's. This novel's importance goes far beyond the subject, setting and characters included in its pages.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Picano's best book, January 15, 2002

By 

DonMac "butchm" (Lynn, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Lure (Hardcover)

Thrilling, funny, sexy and imaginative. I've re-read this one numerous times; it holds a permanent place in my library. A great story representative of its era. Sadly so much of Picano's other work is full of pretense. This is, I think, his only book where all of his characters are just that - and likable as well. A fun ride!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling thriller set in New York's gay community, July 30, 2007

By 

Benjamin (UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Lure: A Novel (Paperback)

Noel Cummings, university professor, young and more handsome than perhaps he realises, and physically fit, has recently lost his wife Monica, but is now doing well in his new lecturing post in New York. Then while cycle on an elevated highway he witnesses an horrific murder. When he tries to report it he is first accused of the crime himself; but then later finds himself enlisted by the police in helping track down the real culprit, the mysterious Mr X. This involves going undercover in the gay community under the code name The Lure.
Noel is soon totally immersed in his assignment and gay life; but in order not to blow his cover how far will he need to go prove that he is gay? How far can he trust his police boss? How will he cope when he finds himself strangely attracted to his supposed target Mr X with his reputation for sadistic M/M preferences, and equally attracted to Mr X's beautiful and aloof female lover and model?
Noel's world is turned upside down as he is drawn deeper and deeper into a word of gay sex and drugs, as he comes to learn things about himself he never knew. The deeper he gets the less sure he is of who he can trust, and the less sure he is of who is in control.
This all makes for a thrilling suspenseful adventure, fast paced and so well written. A fascinating mystery and game of psychology that grips the reader throughout, and which is made all the more compelling with its cast of appealing characters and ruthless villains. Highly recommended.