Customer Reviews

Lure, The

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

I gotta say, I loved that book. It didn't take me much time to finish it as it's usually the case. This book is still good after all those years.
Noel Cummings finds himself helplessly sucked into a very different life. Through it all, the reader can't help but to feel with Noel, forced by the police to be tbe bait -Lure- to capture Mr. X, the killer. To do so, he tries to find his way in New York's gay life, all along, trying to fit in.

Fascinating to the last page.

I remember that I liked "Like People in History" by Felice Picano before, and I didn't imagine that I'd read or like any other book by Mr. Picano. Guess what? I think this one is even better.

Take the mystery skills of Stephen King and Dean R Koontz, add the Character Sketches of Armistead Maupin of 'Tales of the City' and you have Felice Picano's 'The Lure'. Its truely brilliant writing, for start to finish. Picano somehow manages to capture the essence of being gay in NYC; all in a mystery novel of the highest quality. If you have not red it, get it. If you can't find it, look harder. This novel takes center place in my book collection. Mr. B Hawkins South Afric

Hi from Russia! It's three years since I've first read this book and I still consider it's the best or one of the best books I've EVER read. It's a great thriller and beautiful romance, it's funny and sad, and it's simply impossible to forget it once you've finished reading. It'll stay with you till tthe end of your life, every word of it. I can't think of a comparison that would be good enough to give you an idea what the book is like. Read for yourself, you won't need any compfrisons.

The Lure stands up as one of the best "page-turners" I've ever read. It is set at a time in New York that was loved, feared, and now, perhaps missed. You won't soon forget Noel or the most interesting cast of originals he meets and loves. Believe me, you'll be reading it under your desk at work, like I was, because you'll be compelled to read on to the end once you start. Felice Picano continues his masterful fiction in more recent works: including Like People in History -- also a wonderful book

There's nothing wrong with this book. Nothing at all. Everything Picano put into print in this fine piece of fiction is absolutely mesmerizing. It is impossible to stop reading it. It will grip you tightly and take you away to the fantastic world where Picano weaves a web of crime, corruption, love, sex, hatred, and kink.

If you read this book, you will never forget it. I think it is the finest example of mystery fiction in the last half of the twentieth century.

Heterosexual Noel Cummings stumbles across a murder in action. He tries to prevent it, but fails. Subsequently, he is drafted into service as an undercover operative searching for the killer in gay New York. When he enters the world, he can see right and wrong as plainly as black and white, but over time, he begins to question reality as he knows it. The murderer keeps on killing and Noel is always just one step away from him.

Picano is one of the best writers of this or any generation and The Lure is quite possibly the finest book he's ever written. When originally published, The Lure was on the Book of the Month club list and was an instant best seller. Time has not taken its toll on this book even though the action takes place some twenty years ago.

Set aside a few hours to be swept away to a dark and scary world where you don't know who your real friends are. You'll not regret it.

I read this before in the late 80`s it was great then and is even better the second time around. I only wish the ending was a little different. Picano`s best by far....it makes you not stop reading.

From the beginning, to the end, this book is a non-stop page turner. Main character Noel Cummings odessey into the Gay NYC life began with a scream in the night, and ended with his own uncontrollable sobs. A must read.