Customer Reviews

Someone is Killing the Gay Boys of Verona

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

 

 

This is a very scary, spooky story set in the small town of Verona. There are enough murders and supernatural happenings to frighten anyone. Poor Sean, not only does he had to live in Graymoor mansion, but he suspects he may be the next victim, and he may just well be. I throughly enjoyed this book, but I do not advise any person to read Chapter 28 alone, or without the benefit of a good, strong drink. I have never read anything this intense. At the same time, Mark Roeder also manages to show us that in addition to hate in Verona, there are also love and strong bonds of friendship, even friendships and help from the dearly departed. This book was a great fast read.

Someone is Killing the Gay Boys of Verona is the third book in a series for author Mark Roeder. While each book stands on its own and can be enjoyed regardless of the order in which they are read, this story draws on the background of the previous two books. Tears came to my eyes when the main character of this book seeks the help of his older gay friends Nathan and Ethan, who have now been together for at least 20 years. It is an immensely satisfying read and will leave you wanting more... Like a story about the two step brothers who were killed in the Graymoor Mansion 100 years before.

This is a ghost story, but it is also so realistic of the gay youth of today who, more than any previous generation of gays are coming out of the closet while they're still in high school and demanding the right to date each other and attend the high school dances. Mark Roeder has a big, beautiful heart, and it comes through with loving clarity in this latest book.

This is an unusual book. I wasn't sure I would like it because of its supernatural twist; I like supernatural stories, but I didn't think that love stories would blend well with the supernatural. But I had already enjoyed the earlier books in the series (Ancient Prejudices, Someone is Watching, and Better Place) and I gave it a shot. I really did enjoy it. I really liked the ending it gave to Mark's and Taylor's story (from Ancient Prejudices). A very good tale, and you'll like it.

I could not put this book down. The Author, Mark A. Roeder, takes us on a journey of one boys life and he weaves all aspects of that boys life into the story. I only wish a book like this had been published when I was growing up. I can only think of how it will help so many young people come to terms with the difficulties that they have in their own lives and give them courage to be who they are. The story is a thriller. I was riveted by the characters and the mystery and the supernatural. Bravo to Mark A. Roeder who gives us a thriller that none of us will ever forget.

Mark Roeder stands out as the leading contemporary writer of romantic fiction focused on gay youth coming of age. This book, one of the Gay Youth Chronicles, concocts a fast-paced action thriller out of a frothy brew of supernatural elements, imaginative and engaging characters, and a core message of gay pride and affirmation. The plot takes the reader on a dizzying series of twists and turns, juxtaposing the gay past and present in revealing contrast. This book holds true to Roeder's formula of presenting an appealing gay teen protagonist who struggles with the forces of homophobia, clearly presented as evil. While Roeder characteristically favors happy endings, the exotic supernatural motif and a quirky cast of characters in this book make for plenty of surprises. The book is enriched by Roeder's textured and evocative description of the setting for the drama, a 100-room 19th century mansion filled with secret passageways (worthy of Dark Shadows).
Roeder's books are oriented, though not exclusively, to gay youth growing up away from the big urban gay concentrations, frequently in relative isolation. The stories offer a sense of hope, optimism, and inner strength to youth awakening to issues of sexual orientation. Roeder invariably conveys the need for and liberating effect of coming out. This book, with its zany motif of ghosts and demons, also makes for a fun and lively read in its own right. I hearily recommend it to anyone looking for compelling gay romantic fiction with a character and flourish all its own.

Riveting, emotionally charged tearjerker. I have just finished this eighth novel by Mark Roeder and would without a doubt recommend each and every one of his books to anyone with a HEART!! I have read all eight books in less than a month and a half and only wish there were eight more to read. Parents, LOVE your children...........no matter what.

Mark Roeder manages again to capture the thoughts and dreams of a young gay man. But this time, he goes even further. He deals with ways in which older gay men can be mentors and role models. Plus he captures the essence of ignorance behind the anti-gay agenda of some misguided Christians.

The picture painted is well worth examining. This book as well as the first two would make excellent materials in a high school course designed to treat the subject of gay and lesbian youth in a positive manner. It is a shame that so few schools are ready to offer such a course. The portrayal of all characters could lead to better understanding of, as well as self-affirmation by, gay youth.

Given its status as a self-published novel, Mark Roeder's SOMEONE IS KILLING THE GAY BOYS OF VERONA (a terrible title) is at a bit of a disadvantage. Thanks to vanity presses, the publishing landscape is littered with far too many badly-written examples of literary hubris that should never have seen the light of day. However, as with most of Mark Roeder's efforts, this generalization doesn't apply here. While nowhere near perfect, this gothic installment in Roeder's series of "Gay Youth Chronicles" manages to overcome its grandest faults (repetitiveness and a desperate need for editing) with an ambitious plot that straddles romantic, paranormal, and sociopolitical themes. It also boasts a harrowing, cinematic climax likely to thrill most readers. And while the voice of the teenage protagonist, Sean, doesn't always feel completely authentic (he's a 16-year-old gay boy who often refers to sex as "making love" and doesn't seem torn up *quite* enough about his friends' deaths), there's enough warmth and sincerity to the story to pull it all together nonetheless.

I have read several of the novels in this series. Whereas Roeder's storytelling has always intrigued me, he failed me on this one. The story is OK and I like that several characters from previous novels are revisited. However, this one seems almost a little far-fetched. The idea of a family living in a ghost infested mansion without electricity in this day and age (I mean pleeeeeeeease)! Anyway, as usual I enjoyed the gay theme of the novel, but truly feel M.R. has done a much better job on previous works. Additionally, there were so many typographical and gramatical errors that it almost made it a painstaking read. Come on Mark, I have always given you high scores in the past and "we" expect more from you.

This was a very disappointing book to read. As a matter of fact, I gave up. The thought that kept running through my mind is whether or not there were editors involved in the publishing process. The writing is awkward and plodding. Grammatical errors and typos are frequent. The author's style (or lack of) finally became such a distraction that I put the book down and I haven't picked it up since.