About the Author 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.
M**R
Interesting but muddled
Controversial when it was first published, now a vivid depiction of 1970’s gay life ion New York almost a period piece. Otherwise it is a confusing and perhaps confused tale of psychological manipulation reminding me of The Manchuria Candidate. Everyone knows more than they appear to about a grand conspiracy to frame a gay night club entrepreneur having also used psychological techniques to murder various people - I did not grasp why most of this happened. The only explicit sex is heterosexual a juxtaposition with some meaning but what is it doing in this book? We leave the two main characters suddenly in love and we never do find out what is in the locked “red room”.
H**.
THE BEST OF ITS KIND....
THE BEST OF ITS KIND....written ages ago .. but to this day one of the best ... and worth re-reading it ..houseguests are never allowed to borrow it .. this book will never leave my library...
J**E
Very entertaining
Great thriller with a gay twist. Got me on edge from beginning to end. It is no Dostoievsky but it is well written and great entertainment. Ideal to take on holidays
B**N
Compelling thriller set amidst New York's gay community
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.
K**Y
Brilliant Gay 1970's thriller
Brilliant and evocative gay thriller set in New York in the 1970's. I had heard about this book before but have just bought this new edition, and it doesn't disappoint. Great to see it back in print and looks good too
C**S
The Lure
The lure is one of the best gay crime books I have read. From start to finish you will not put it down. One of Picano's best works.
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