It is always a pleasure to hear from Associate Editor,
Betty Conley. She usually works in the background for The Independent
Gay Writer, but this issue, she has given us two book reviews.Betty is a true Renaissance woman. She not only writes and edits, but she is a bird rehabilitator, an ambidextrous Mac and PC user, and also a painter. You can contact her here.
  Fingering
the Family Jewels by Greg Lilly ISBN: 1-932300-22-B Quest Books / 2004 / $14.95 www.regalcrest.biz Fingering the Family Jewels by Greg Lilly is an engaging and very well written tale of family strife. Unlike other books written in the first person, Lilly’s peripheral characters—richly written to perfection in their true southern style—don’t constantly drag the reader’s attention away from the observant protagonist, Derek Mason. He has our full attention throughout Lilly’s first novel in the Derek Mason Mystery series. Derek returns to his hometown, Charlotte, North Carolina, to attend the funeral of his beloved Aunt Walterine. It’s his first trip home in the seven years since his mother, who Derek refers to as Gladys the Bitch, sent him out of state to attend school, apparently because he was gay, therefore avoiding Charlotte's premier family from embarrassment among the city’s elite. But, was that really the reason she sent Derek away? Once back home, Derek discovers a deeply hidden family secret, one that would dash his conservative uncle's senatorial aspirations. He believes his ignorant, homophobic uncle is unfit to represent the voters of North Carolina. The secret Derek uncovers, with the help of handsome reporter and love interest, Daniel, has far more serious implications than losing one election. Greg Lilly’s portrayal of the elite southern family is realistic and believable. As is the case with many powerful families, their shenanigans often read like a soap opera. The Harris clan keeps everything to themselves—their secrets and perhaps even their genes. From page one, Fingering the Family Jewels is a thoroughly engaging read. Lilly leads the reader right smack into the thick of the plot and doesn’t let up until the last page. I anxiously await the second installment in this new mystery series by Greg Lilly. |
 Clay’s
Way by Blair Mastbaum ISBN: 1555838197 Alyson Publications 2004 256 Pages Clay’s Way starts off as our main character Sam is waking up. He then stands up on his bed and proceeds to take a leek out his window. I almost didn't read on, but I had to find out what makes this self-absorbed, parent-hating kid tick. Set in Oahu, Hawaii, Blair Mastbaum’s debut novel gives the reader a front row seat into the mind of a confused, drugged up 16 year old. Sam’s in love with 18 year old drug supplier and surfing big shot, Clay. I felt like slapping Sam upside his head more times than I can count. Mastbaum did a great job making me not particularly care for his frustrating protagonist. Clay is equally messed up. The book, from Alyson Publications, has at most two line errors, but…it's riddled with continuity errors. Two off the top of my head... "...he found a shady spot to sit." Next line, he's taking off his shirt because of the hot sun on his back. Another… "He got down off the rock and walked along the beach." Two sentences later, Sam is climbing down off the (same) rock. Throughout the book, I was distracted by these inconsistencies. That said, Clay's Way is a worthwhile read if you want a peek into the lives of Hawaiian teen sk8brdrs and surfer dudes, and what’s going on inside their heads…if anything. I will give Blair Mastbaum's next book a try. (Congratulations on being the Lambda Literary Award winner for the best men’s fiction debut novel of 2004.) |