3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fun, good read; though things come together a little too neatly, September 10, 2008
This review is from: Miami Manhunt (Paperback)
"Miami Manhunt" was published in July, and perhaps with good reason: It's a good "summer read." That old chestnut about being an ideal book to take to the beach because it's light and breezy proves true here. The story revolves around three friends, all gay men in their late 20s. Ray is a local newspaper journalist who has yet to find the ideal man. Ted is a local broadcast journalist working his way through the men of Miami. And Brian is a toyboy, a plaything kept by a rich publisher who spends most of his time out of town; the two are partners, but without the passion that once defined their relationship. Their stories all are about finding Mr. Right, and each character has a very different journey. The characters in "Miami Manhunt" are very well-drawn and believable. They really drive this novel. And their stories all are intriguing--until about 3/4 of the way into the book, that is, when things for everyone start coming together a little too neatly. But perhaps I was expecting something a little more realistic (the odds of the ways in which Ray and Ted meet their boyfriends are slim) from a book designed to be something else (which would be the aforementioned "summer read"). All together, this is a good book and a fun read, an excellent follow-up to the author's previous work, "Boston Boys Club."
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Where's the fun?, January 9, 2009
This review is from: Miami Manhunt (Paperback)
So many glowing reviews posted here, but I didn't feel the magic. This is one of the dullest novels I've ever read. With the characters' lifestyles and location, you'd think their lives would be interesting. But a "day in the life" as the approach goes here isn't at all gripping.
First off, there's nothing sexy or even particularly romantic going on, let alone guys just having fun. But I do recall one character who fancies himself in love dealing with love in terms of "lust" which is hardly the same thing. However, the character (an overaged boytoy who is as tired of his partner in life as his partner is of him) seems too immature and naive to be believed, and unfortunately hasn't remained sufficiently physically attractive to please his partner.
Two other characters looking for love are a local tv personality and a film critic, and we spend too much time on their jobs with them. As a reader, you end up reading reviews of imaginary as well as RL films, and with the on-air personality who profiles local happenings, and not being familiar with Miami, I can't speak to the locales or organizations he gives mention of, yet a familiarity with Miami shouldn't be a prerogative for reading the novel.
I'm writing the review and realizing I have totally forgotten all the details surrounding the fourth lead, but I think there was one. However, all the lead characters take turns in narration, with each chapter devoted to telling a segment of the story from a character's POV, and all of these guys all sound alike, speaking with the author's presumed voice, though that shouldn't be the case as their backgrounds are all different. As for the minutia, if you find yourself fascinated by every detail of every humdrum thought they have, this is great, but if you don't want to be laden with inanities, this is not so great. The only thing it shows us is how each character (ourselves?) is totally obsessed with self and pay lip service to others. But I don't think the message here is that profound, especially as the novel reads like it was written pretty easily, over the course of a weekend, and isn't meant to be a depressant, either.
A trend that bothers me, which is repeated here, is to have an author have his characters in the present novel praising the author's prior work, which is either a lot of ego at work or the latest marketing ploy, which I hope dies out soon.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Amazing Read, July 21, 2008
This review is from: Miami Manhunt (Paperback)
Ok, I finished Miami Manhunt. OH MY GOD!!!!! This was an amazing read. I did not know how Johnny Diaz was going to out do himself after Boston Boys Club, but he did. I really loved all the characters, but really loved Ted and Ray. Brian and Eros, I felt I was left hanging somewhat, but that is just my view point.
I do not want to give too much away, but when Ray had the accident and does not fight for his boyfriend, I was at the point of tears, but was not happy either.
If you are on the fence, jump over and buy the book...You will not be sad.
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