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Boystown #0.5
Little Boy Dead
an alternate cover edition can be found here
A former Chicago police officer turned private investigator, Nick Nowak is haunted by a traumatic break-up and his abrupt departure from the department after being gay-bashed. In this Boystown prequel, it’s fall 1979 and Nick has just received his P.I. license but has no clients. Short on funds, he takes a temporary job as a driver for Film Fest Chicago. In a very short time, Nick deals with stalking fans, a crowd of protesters, and a critic’s stolen wallet that leads to murder.
30,000 words.
A former Chicago police officer turned private investigator, Nick Nowak is haunted by a traumatic break-up and his abrupt departure from the department after being gay-bashed. In this Boystown prequel, it’s fall 1979 and Nick has just received his P.I. license but has no clients. Short on funds, he takes a temporary job as a driver for Film Fest Chicago. In a very short time, Nick deals with stalking fans, a crowd of protesters, and a critic’s stolen wallet that leads to murder.
30,000 words.
66 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2012
19 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
About the author
Marshall Thornton
57 books629 followersThree-time Lambda Award-winning author, Marshall Thornton is best known for the Boystown and Pinx Video mystery series. Other novels include the erotic comedy The Perils of Praline, or the Amorous Adventures of a Southern Gentleman in Hollywood, Desert Run and Full Release. Marshall has an MFA in screenwriting from UCLA, where he received the Carl David Memorial Fellowship and was recognized in the Samuel Goldwyn Writing awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
August 5, 2016
A nice prequel to the series.
But please read it after the book 2!
I was not sure when it would be best to read it:
after the second or after the third book? The released date irritated me a bit.
Please pick up this shortie after you have been already introduced to Nick Nowak and read at least the first two books.
In the Little Boy Dead we meet Nick at the beginning of his carrier as a private investigator, shortly after he got his detective's license.
As a beginner in this field he took a job with Film Fest Chicago.
This occasional job became his first case.
A good made mystery, but no romance here.
No way to miss it if you're in the series!
March 7, 2016
FREE on Amazon Oct. 8, 2015
April 13, 2017
4 Stars
A fantastic look as we see the origins of how Nick gets his feet wet when he first becomes a PI. Never short on throwback references, this still had a solid mystery all the while playing up Nick's irresistible draw and his knack for solving crime and exacting justice.
Consider not starting this in chronological order, but rather publishing order, if you're new to the series. For one who has read all 9 books before reading this, I loved the little nods here and there at what we already know. It certainly adds more emotional weight and overall story arc significance as to how certain events occur that lead Nick to where he is now.
Regardless, a definite must for fans!
A fantastic look as we see the origins of how Nick gets his feet wet when he first becomes a PI. Never short on throwback references, this still had a solid mystery all the while playing up Nick's irresistible draw and his knack for solving crime and exacting justice.
Consider not starting this in chronological order, but rather publishing order, if you're new to the series. For one who has read all 9 books before reading this, I loved the little nods here and there at what we already know. It certainly adds more emotional weight and overall story arc significance as to how certain events occur that lead Nick to where he is now.
Regardless, a definite must for fans!
April 20, 2014
I enjoyed this crime short, nicely laid out. It reminded of an actual case. One of the things I like about Thornton's writing is that he is truly writing Nick's voice. For example Nick sees an SLR camera on a table, he does not describe it as an SLR, he just says a camera with screw on lenses because that how he knows it. It would have been super easy for Thornton to find out what it was called but he did not, he let Nick be Nick. We do not always know what things are called, so we call them other names in our minds and with friends. In this way Nick has his own voice.
I read this after reading book 1 and 2 as per my friends advise and I agree with them it was a good time to read it. I met Nick, still very fresh from the great upheaval. Still lost, still connected to his previous life. Taking his first steps alone, without his supports. His cynical veneer is still thin as he is still layering it in.
Now I have to gear myself to book 3 which is going to be intense I think.
July 2, 2015
I am glad I listened to Lena and waited to read this until I knew more about the protagonist. I usually read prequels first (everything has to be read in order), but in this case after the second book at least would be fine.
It's an interesting mystery of a stolen wallet and later a murder that turns out to be a lot worse than you might imagine. The mystery part starts much later than you'd expect.
Nick has just become a private investigator but since he doesn't have any clients he has to work as a driver for Film Fest Chicago. It turns out they need a security guy too.
It's an interesting mystery of a stolen wallet and later a murder that turns out to be a lot worse than you might imagine. The mystery part starts much later than you'd expect.
Nick has just become a private investigator but since he doesn't have any clients he has to work as a driver for Film Fest Chicago. It turns out they need a security guy too.
March 10, 2016
It is against the laws of “me”, you know, the ones that I set for myself or the ones that set themselves because I’m slightly crazy, to read any series out of order.
Ok, ok, ok.
I read this series in order all except for this one. I read this book out of order with great, great, great hesitation but a firm belief it had to be done that way.
The reviews said so and believe me, they were right.
I of course did mean to read this based on when it was published during my read of the series but one book led to two and so on and I just couldn’t stop.
I’m actually glad I didn’t. I feel this book had more of an impact on me because I had read eight books of Nick. It was insightful and just gave me another piece of Nick to throw into my basket with all his other pieces.
Well worth the read and for sure with the stress on my crazy.
Ok, ok, ok.
I read this series in order all except for this one. I read this book out of order with great, great, great hesitation but a firm belief it had to be done that way.
The reviews said so and believe me, they were right.
I of course did mean to read this based on when it was published during my read of the series but one book led to two and so on and I just couldn’t stop.
I’m actually glad I didn’t. I feel this book had more of an impact on me because I had read eight books of Nick. It was insightful and just gave me another piece of Nick to throw into my basket with all his other pieces.
Well worth the read and for sure with the stress on my crazy.
October 7, 2014
This is a fun read. It's much lighter than what I've read so far in the series. Nick has that dry, witty sense of humor, but is not yet as cynical and bitter as he is in the 1st book. The mystery is as good as always but I think you'll enjoy it much more if you've already read at least the first couple books in the series.
May 14, 2014
3.5 stars
Prequel to the Boystown series, Little Boy Dead is set right after Nick’s layoff from the Police Department. I believe that the Author’s purpose was to show a different side of Nick: he’s younger (both in age and in spirit), less “cocky”, insecure about his own future and still emotionally attached to Daniel, his former lover. As usual Mr. Thornton did a very good job.
What didn’t work for me was the mystery plot: a bit predictable and with an anticlimax ending. The culprit’s confession was too easy and unbelievable (like the ones seen on “Murder, she wrote” Tv show). The reference to was quite obvious.
Nonetheless, I liked it a lot. There’s a hot steamy sex scene in front of a window which left me aroused and deeply scared at the same time and there are a few beautiful passages.. like this:
“Walking in, I recognized the smell; it smelled like all police stations: stale tobacco smoke, mixed with the faint smell of urine, a meatball sandwich and fear – lots of fear. (…) Yeah, I recognized the way the place smelled, and I felt right at home.”
And the last few pages left me craving for …. mooooooooooore.
August 15, 2019
A quite nice introduction to the series, the criminal storyline is slightly weaker but we get to see more open and less bitter Nick.
April 8, 2012
Very good gay mystery prequel to the Nick Nowak Boystown series in which we get to meet a younger, less cynical Nick working as security for a film festival and just starting his new life as a private investigator.
Want to read
October 8, 2015Kindle freebie 10/8/15!
June 12, 2024
A good queer detective thriller, I enjoyed the period setting (1970's) it reminded me of Joseph Hansen a little, but with added sex.
June 9, 2014
This is a short but satisfying story, looking back at Nick Nowak in the time before the first Boystown book. Nick has lost his job as a cop, after being outed. He's lost his boyfriend, Daniel, for not coming out sooner. And his new PI license is not yet bringing in clients. So he takes a job driving for a film festival, that becomes a security job as well, although without two paychecks.
The festival participants are a mixed bag. When threats and murder occur, Nick's boss might prefer to keep the VIPs happy and everything under the rug until the festival is over. But we readers are aware that a compromise that might let a culprit get away is not Nick's style. He's still very much a cop, even though the department has rejected him.
This is a complete novella, and a nice look back at where the Nick we now love came from. I think it would read all right as a stand-alone intro to the series, but it's difficult to judge, coming to it after book 6. It worked well for me as a nostalgic retrospective, adding to what I know about Nick and his past.
The festival participants are a mixed bag. When threats and murder occur, Nick's boss might prefer to keep the VIPs happy and everything under the rug until the festival is over. But we readers are aware that a compromise that might let a culprit get away is not Nick's style. He's still very much a cop, even though the department has rejected him.
This is a complete novella, and a nice look back at where the Nick we now love came from. I think it would read all right as a stand-alone intro to the series, but it's difficult to judge, coming to it after book 6. It worked well for me as a nostalgic retrospective, adding to what I know about Nick and his past.
October 22, 2015
I had to keep reminding myself that this story takes place in 1979 when Nick just got his private investigator's license. I kept wondering why no one was using their cell phones. This story definitely keeps the reader's attention to the end. The cast of fairly slimy characters was well drawn and revealing statutory rape was a good cause for murder. A well put together whodunit, this story makes a good introduction to the Nick Nowak mysteries.
January 5, 2018
4 Stars
What a great look into when, where and why Nick got into the PI business. Loved the ambiance, Chicago 1979; I was really young and don't remember much of that time (also in a different city) but it also felt era appropriate. Really liked seeing how he met Ross as well.
What a great look into when, where and why Nick got into the PI business. Loved the ambiance, Chicago 1979; I was really young and don't remember much of that time (also in a different city) but it also felt era appropriate. Really liked seeing how he met Ross as well.
April 19, 2012
Things better look up soon for Nick Nowak. He's not on the Chicago Police Force anymore, money's running out, and his Private Investigator license is almost there. It's 1979 and there's no room for gay cops on the force.
When he gets a part time temp gig for the Film Fest as a driver, it also leads to his being security. But what he didn't count on? Getting hit on by a hot actor, and being involved in a finding a critic's stolen wallet. Then murder. Never a good thing.
But that's how Nick gets his feet wet in the the business.
Marshall Thornton has released this as a prequel to his "Boystown" series, which is up to four volumes now. And. It's. A. Blast!
Mr. Thornton has a snappy and dry writing style that suits the period and characters like a glove. His Nick is a smartass man's man who's just broken up with his boyfriend. In the series, he's outed and has to leave the force, gets his PI license and solves crimes in Chicago in the 1980s.
This is a terrific addition to the series, and we get to see a younger, less wise and edgy Nick, and he's a ton of fun. The mystery unfolds in a crisp manner that allows us to enjoy the action as well as the character. There's only hook ups for this Nick, no relationship to worry about, and the character is there for us to savor.
Read this one, then go buy the "Boystown" books - you'll love them. Mr. Thornton is as good as any big-name mystery writer out there, and Nick is a revelation.
Enjoy!
Tom
When he gets a part time temp gig for the Film Fest as a driver, it also leads to his being security. But what he didn't count on? Getting hit on by a hot actor, and being involved in a finding a critic's stolen wallet. Then murder. Never a good thing.
But that's how Nick gets his feet wet in the the business.
Marshall Thornton has released this as a prequel to his "Boystown" series, which is up to four volumes now. And. It's. A. Blast!
Mr. Thornton has a snappy and dry writing style that suits the period and characters like a glove. His Nick is a smartass man's man who's just broken up with his boyfriend. In the series, he's outed and has to leave the force, gets his PI license and solves crimes in Chicago in the 1980s.
This is a terrific addition to the series, and we get to see a younger, less wise and edgy Nick, and he's a ton of fun. The mystery unfolds in a crisp manner that allows us to enjoy the action as well as the character. There's only hook ups for this Nick, no relationship to worry about, and the character is there for us to savor.
Read this one, then go buy the "Boystown" books - you'll love them. Mr. Thornton is as good as any big-name mystery writer out there, and Nick is a revelation.
Enjoy!
Tom
January 20, 2017
I was surprised this prequel was so lengthy. Felt like one of the short stories making up volume 1. Word of advice, read this before novel 4 since things really start to change in volume 4 and the difference will be too noticeable.
P.S.: That cover! The belly button looks a bit weird but those jeans pulled so low... Whee!
P.S.: That cover! The belly button looks a bit weird but those jeans pulled so low... Whee!
January 29, 2021
This prequel to the Boystown novellas is a nice introduction to Nick Nowak at the start of his career as a PI after being ousted by the Chicago PD for being gay. He starts his PI career as a driver for a film festival because he needs money now and his ad in the yellow pages doesn't come out for another few months. (The days before the internet! :P ) This has the early 80s vibe to it, complete with lack of condoms and cell phones. Nick's not a very nice guy in this one. I hope he mellows out as the series goes on. I don't care much when the MC just has random hookups, but I can live with it for now. Nick's clearly on rebound, so I'll give the guy a break. The mystery was tight and wrapped up nicely, and the whodunit wasn't obvious for once. I was distracted by the typos and at one point, a whole section of the story is repeated. I don't know if I just got a faulty file or what, but that was annoying.
Overall, I liked it, but Boystown #1 is going to have to show me a bit more if I'm going to continue with the series.
Overall, I liked it, but Boystown #1 is going to have to show me a bit more if I'm going to continue with the series.
November 21, 2016
I have read this first, and apparently I shouldn't. Still enjoyed it though. It was a nice mystery, but I felt terrible to think being gay could have that devastating effect on your life in 1979.
Awesome first book, can't wait for Boystown 01
Awesome first book, can't wait for Boystown 01
June 8, 2014
It's over...
What am I gonna do?????
It's fuckin over :(
What am I gonna do?????
It's fuckin over :(
December 29, 2020
Great prequel to the Nick Nowak series.
July 31, 2021
This is the first book by Marshall Thornton that I've read and although I'm not a huge fan of murder/mysteries right now, I did enjoy the story. Nick has recently left the police department and takes on a temporary job as driver for a film festival. Over a two week period he is faced with child porn, murder, a stolen wallet, protesters, and people so up themselves they meet themselves coming back. 1979 was a time of hippies, smoking and also a time where gays were having a hard time once their sexual orientation came out.
I enjoyed the story and would definitely read more of Marshall's books.
I enjoyed the story and would definitely read more of Marshall's books.
January 21, 2018
Short story from Nick's start as a P.I.
Well....he has his licence, but he's not employed as a P.I. yet.
Doesn't really matter when you read it in the series, it's not going to spoil anything.
I just love anything with Nick in it.
Interesting case...and Nick didn't drop his pants at every opportunity.
I've only read book 1 and 2 so far....but I hope I don't reach the end of this series any time soon.
Nick is just a great character.
~~~~~~~~~~~
re-read 1/21/18
I love Nick. This is Nick's first case. Sort of, he wasn't paid to solve the case, but you know Nick, he can't leave it alone.
The case was interesting. I liked the window sex scene.
I'll read any case that involves Nick.
Well....he has his licence, but he's not employed as a P.I. yet.
Doesn't really matter when you read it in the series, it's not going to spoil anything.
I just love anything with Nick in it.
Interesting case...and Nick didn't drop his pants at every opportunity.
I've only read book 1 and 2 so far....but I hope I don't reach the end of this series any time soon.
Nick is just a great character.
~~~~~~~~~~~
re-read 1/21/18
I love Nick. This is Nick's first case. Sort of, he wasn't paid to solve the case, but you know Nick, he can't leave it alone.
The case was interesting. I liked the window sex scene.
I'll read any case that involves Nick.
July 27, 2016
I've not read the other Nick Nowak stories which are chronologically after this but written before so had no preconceived notions. It was a pacy read, with a good who dunnit, with a good few baddies to choose from. The late 70's references were fun and they clothes, well it was the 70's! From reading blurb in the following stories Nick gets a partner but he breezes through some easy lays in this one as well as suffering from his having to leave the police for being gay.
Despite it being a murder story, it was lightly written, well paced and a good read.
Despite it being a murder story, it was lightly written, well paced and a good read.
April 28, 2013
Prequel to the series. Written after the first novels were written. We meet Nick Nowak as he begins his life as a private investigator and takes a side job as driver and security person for a film festival. This short novella establishes Nick's fears, what drives him, how he does things. Nowak is right from the start a get his man kinda of private dick.
The pacing of the story holds up, the twist at the end also. It does deal with subjects reminiscent of a certain American/Polish film director. So it might be triggery for some.
Overall, good prequel.
The pacing of the story holds up, the twist at the end also. It does deal with subjects reminiscent of a certain American/Polish film director. So it might be triggery for some.
Overall, good prequel.
May 6, 2016
Note that there is a missing chapter. You need to update the book if you haven't downloaded it in May 2016.
I very much enjoyed this mystery involving Nick. It sets up the rest of the series. We get to know more about how he got started.
I very much enjoyed this mystery involving Nick. It sets up the rest of the series. We get to know more about how he got started.
January 12, 2021
The best I can say about the story is that it was an interesting glimpse into a very different life.
We follow Nick Nowak, a guy recently fired from the police force for being gay. A few weeks before receiving his PI license, he takes a side job as a driver/security guy for an obscure film festival. But the job turns out to be far more interesting than he expected.
The main plot was okay. Unfortunately, constant 70' references meant nothing to someone who was not alive back then. And sex scenes, though steamy, felt gratuitous - especially the second one, with a character who had absolutely no role in the story and the conclusion identical to the first scene. It only made the protagonist unsympathetic.
Overall it was okay, but I don't think I will continue with the series.
We follow Nick Nowak, a guy recently fired from the police force for being gay. A few weeks before receiving his PI license, he takes a side job as a driver/security guy for an obscure film festival. But the job turns out to be far more interesting than he expected.
The main plot was okay. Unfortunately, constant 70' references meant nothing to someone who was not alive back then. And sex scenes, though steamy, felt gratuitous - especially the second one, with a character who had absolutely no role in the story and the conclusion identical to the first scene. It only made the protagonist unsympathetic.
Overall it was okay, but I don't think I will continue with the series.
May 6, 2020
Some of the reviews suggested reading this book after book #2, but by the time I saw that, I had already started this one. Part of me wonders if reading book #1 and 2 first would have given me a better experience.
Honestly, it was a nice read, but it left me feeling really weird. Like, not exactly sad, but kind of gloomy? I don't even know to describe it. I just feel like my mood went down the more I read it. I felt so bad for Nick throughout the story. At first, all those sex scenes really annoyed me because it seemed like Nick was just having random hookups left and right. But now I wondered if it was because he had been through a lot? Or maybe that's just how things were.
Honestly, it was a nice read, but it left me feeling really weird. Like, not exactly sad, but kind of gloomy? I don't even know to describe it. I just feel like my mood went down the more I read it. I felt so bad for Nick throughout the story. At first, all those sex scenes really annoyed me because it seemed like Nick was just having random hookups left and right. But now I wondered if it was because he had been through a lot? Or maybe that's just how things were.
October 18, 2020
What an honor to start the award-winning Boystown series with the very first of the prequels. Marshall Thornton introduces us to Nick Nowak who has recently received his Private Investigator's license and is desperately in need of work. He accepts an offer to serve as a driver for Film Fest Chicago and also as security for a filmmaker who had been receiving some very disturbing mail. Taking place in 1979, Mr. Thornton gives us some initial insight into the protagonist's beginnings in law enforcement and his need to travel a slightly different career path. We briefly encounter a couple of characters we will see again in other books of this simply incredible series.
February 5, 2019
I'm pretty sure this wasn't meant to be read as an introduction to the series. It's interesting, but not enticing.
I'll be reading the rest of the series, of course, because it's a classic, and I want to know what all the fuss is about, and I kinda like Nick.
Let's see how it follows
I'll be reading the rest of the series, of course, because it's a classic, and I want to know what all the fuss is about, and I kinda like Nick.
Let's see how it follows
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews