What do you think?
Rate this book
Beach Reading #4
Snowman
In the fourth release in San Francisco Chronicle 's best-selling author Mark Abramson's Beach Reading series of gay mysteries, all is well in the City by the Bay. Tim Snow, recently recovered from a debilitating accident, finds himself aimless and troubled over waning feelings from his boyfriend. And just when he wants to escape all the troubles in his life, new complications arise... three M's worth of mayhem (a visit from his bigoted and big-haired cousin from Texas ), men (a handsome fashion model who's sending mixed signals), and menace (body parts found in the dumpster of Art's, the restaurant where Tim works as a waiter). As if the investigations of the police aren't disruptive enough, secrets are soon revealed that affect not only Tim's family by blood but also the treasured souls of the Castro he's made an essential part of his life.
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2010
2 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Mark Abramson
31 books36 followersMark Abramson was a bartender and producer of events such as "Pier Pressure" and "Men Behind Bars" before writing the "Beach Reading" series set in San Francisco's Castro District. He is also working on a memoir called "Castro Street Diaries." "
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 1, 2016
IF you are a Mark Abramson "Beach Reading" series fan - you'll love Snowman, Once again, Tim Snow and his colorful cast of characters - especially the fun-loving Aunt Ruth - make this an enjoyable, fun, lighthearted read; the mystery isn't deep, but the antics, charm and believability of the characters make this title one of the best in the series!!! Perfect for a lazy, sunny afternoon in the park - or, dare I say, cozy "beach reading"....
May 17, 2013
Another light mystery with the whole gang from Arts Bar and Restaurant. A little bit of who's on first, what's on second. Some fun plot twists with an HEA. This series is like comfort food for your mind.
Read
January 4, 2012I usually prefer to start a series from the beginning, but in this case my feelings are mixed: I really liked the main character Tim Snow and I’d love to read about him in the previous 3 books, but I have also learned some info on his past that make me reluctant to revisit it. I will not going into specifics since it would spoil who is willing to go back to that 3 books, enough to say that at the beginning of this book, Tim is in a long-term relationship with Nick (they are talking of getting married) and I suppose they met in Russian River Rat (Nick is from up there) and Tim is recovering from an accident that, again, I think was part of the previous book plot.
It’s really easy to like Tim, even if he is a spoiled vain gay boy; he has a wonderful boyfriend, Nick, who took care of him during his recovery, a boyfriend who, when he has to go back for only a week to Russian River, he goes with regret and taking with him Tim’s picture; he is so nice that it seems really impossible that Tim is even considering to betray him. But that is, when Nick goes north, Tim goes south towards California, in search of “distraction”, and sincerely, even if he is not consciously planning to betray Nick, he is open to possibilities. But don’t be scared romantic readers, fate likes too much these two soul mates, and it will intervene in a way that everything will click right.
What I didn’t expect, and was quite appreciated, is that the mystery part of the story is not so front stage, and, on the contrary, it’s almost detached from Tim and Nick. I was expecting for Tim to be yet another of those wanna-be private investigator, always putting their nose into danger; and instead, when Tim finds out about the murdered body someone dumped behind the restaurant where he works as waiter, he is on vacation and has no intention to cut it short for that reason. He comes back not to investigate, actually he has no intention to do so, but to try to mend his relationship with Nick, since, even if Tim is a little spoiled vain brat (and how I like him like that) he is also able to understand what and who is good to him.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1590211421/?...
It’s really easy to like Tim, even if he is a spoiled vain gay boy; he has a wonderful boyfriend, Nick, who took care of him during his recovery, a boyfriend who, when he has to go back for only a week to Russian River, he goes with regret and taking with him Tim’s picture; he is so nice that it seems really impossible that Tim is even considering to betray him. But that is, when Nick goes north, Tim goes south towards California, in search of “distraction”, and sincerely, even if he is not consciously planning to betray Nick, he is open to possibilities. But don’t be scared romantic readers, fate likes too much these two soul mates, and it will intervene in a way that everything will click right.
What I didn’t expect, and was quite appreciated, is that the mystery part of the story is not so front stage, and, on the contrary, it’s almost detached from Tim and Nick. I was expecting for Tim to be yet another of those wanna-be private investigator, always putting their nose into danger; and instead, when Tim finds out about the murdered body someone dumped behind the restaurant where he works as waiter, he is on vacation and has no intention to cut it short for that reason. He comes back not to investigate, actually he has no intention to do so, but to try to mend his relationship with Nick, since, even if Tim is a little spoiled vain brat (and how I like him like that) he is also able to understand what and who is good to him.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1590211421/?...
February 28, 2016
I treasure the Beach Reading series as much as I do the Tales of the City series. I love them both, and I’m eagerly ready for book 5!
Tim believes that he and Nick need some time apart. He feels something is lost in their relationship while Nick has been nursing him back to health, (wiping his ass kills the romance). But, Nick doesn’t feel the same way, so he is respecting Tim’s wishes and has been keeping busy with rebuilding the nursery.
After a week apart, Tim decides to take some time to drive the red convertible to L.A. and visit friends of Jason’s, (his murdered ex). At the same time, Nick comes looking for Tim in San Francisco, hoping to surprise him. However, neither of their plans goes as they intend them to. Tim will discover a gorgeous fashion model, Adam, in Sam’s pool, and Nick will find body parts in the dumpster behind Arts.
Dianne, Aunt Ruth’s only child, is visiting for a spell. She is turning all their friends and co-workers off though. She’s a closed minded, rude, extreme conservative, wealthy, racist, bored house wife, Texan, and a great big witch with a capital b. Needless to say, she and her cousin Tim do not get along.
When Dianne passes out cold in Arts, the day that Aunt Ruth has feared and wished would never come, does. For Dianne’s own good, Aunt Ruth’s best kept secret will come out.
And, when Bart goes missing, (even the poor cat can’t stand Dianne’s company), his trail will lead Aunt Ruth and Nick’s grandmother, the writer, to the dilapidated apartment building behind Arts.
Tim’s psychic dreams are not as powerful and forceful as they have been in the previous books, but they are clues to the disturbing polaroids, the Ziploc of gross body parts, and a badly spelled note that his Aunt Ruth receives. Can his dreams, Teresa’s new boyfriend, the cop Peter Parker, and Aunt Ruth’s sleuthing skills save their lives before the murders get to them first?
Tim believes that he and Nick need some time apart. He feels something is lost in their relationship while Nick has been nursing him back to health, (wiping his ass kills the romance). But, Nick doesn’t feel the same way, so he is respecting Tim’s wishes and has been keeping busy with rebuilding the nursery.
After a week apart, Tim decides to take some time to drive the red convertible to L.A. and visit friends of Jason’s, (his murdered ex). At the same time, Nick comes looking for Tim in San Francisco, hoping to surprise him. However, neither of their plans goes as they intend them to. Tim will discover a gorgeous fashion model, Adam, in Sam’s pool, and Nick will find body parts in the dumpster behind Arts.
Dianne, Aunt Ruth’s only child, is visiting for a spell. She is turning all their friends and co-workers off though. She’s a closed minded, rude, extreme conservative, wealthy, racist, bored house wife, Texan, and a great big witch with a capital b. Needless to say, she and her cousin Tim do not get along.
When Dianne passes out cold in Arts, the day that Aunt Ruth has feared and wished would never come, does. For Dianne’s own good, Aunt Ruth’s best kept secret will come out.
And, when Bart goes missing, (even the poor cat can’t stand Dianne’s company), his trail will lead Aunt Ruth and Nick’s grandmother, the writer, to the dilapidated apartment building behind Arts.
Tim’s psychic dreams are not as powerful and forceful as they have been in the previous books, but they are clues to the disturbing polaroids, the Ziploc of gross body parts, and a badly spelled note that his Aunt Ruth receives. Can his dreams, Teresa’s new boyfriend, the cop Peter Parker, and Aunt Ruth’s sleuthing skills save their lives before the murders get to them first?
February 28, 2016
I treasure the Beach Reading series as much as I do the Tales of the City series. I love them both, and I’m eagerly ready for book 5!
Tim believes that he and Nick need some time apart. He feels something is lost in their relationship while Nick has been nursing him back to health, (wiping his ass kills the romance). But, Nick doesn’t feel the same way, so he is respecting Tim’s wishes and has been keeping busy with rebuilding the nursery.
After a week apart, Tim decides to take some time to drive the red convertible to L.A. and visit friends of Jason’s, (his murdered ex). At the same time, Nick comes looking for Tim in San Francisco, hoping to surprise him. However, neither of their plans goes as they intend them to. Tim will discover a gorgeous fashion model, Adam, in Sam’s pool, and Nick will find body parts in the dumpster behind Arts.
Dianne, Aunt Ruth’s only child, is visiting for a spell. She is turning all their friends and co-workers off though. She’s a closed minded, rude, extreme conservative, wealthy, racist, bored house wife, Texan, and a great big witch with a capital b. Needless to say, she and her cousin Tim do not get along.
When Dianne passes out cold in Arts, the day that Aunt Ruth has feared and wished would never come, does. For Dianne’s own good, Aunt Ruth’s best kept secret will come out.
And, when Bart goes missing, (even the poor cat can’t stand Dianne’s company), his trail will lead Aunt Ruth and Nick’s grandmother, the writer, to the dilapidated apartment building behind Arts.
Tim’s psychic dreams are not as powerful and forceful as they have been in the previous books, but they are clues to the disturbing polaroids, the Ziploc of gross body parts, and a badly spelled note that his Aunt Ruth receives. Can his dreams, Teresa’s new boyfriend, the cop Peter Parker, and Aunt Ruth’s sleuthing skills save their lives before the murders get to them first?
Tim believes that he and Nick need some time apart. He feels something is lost in their relationship while Nick has been nursing him back to health, (wiping his ass kills the romance). But, Nick doesn’t feel the same way, so he is respecting Tim’s wishes and has been keeping busy with rebuilding the nursery.
After a week apart, Tim decides to take some time to drive the red convertible to L.A. and visit friends of Jason’s, (his murdered ex). At the same time, Nick comes looking for Tim in San Francisco, hoping to surprise him. However, neither of their plans goes as they intend them to. Tim will discover a gorgeous fashion model, Adam, in Sam’s pool, and Nick will find body parts in the dumpster behind Arts.
Dianne, Aunt Ruth’s only child, is visiting for a spell. She is turning all their friends and co-workers off though. She’s a closed minded, rude, extreme conservative, wealthy, racist, bored house wife, Texan, and a great big witch with a capital b. Needless to say, she and her cousin Tim do not get along.
When Dianne passes out cold in Arts, the day that Aunt Ruth has feared and wished would never come, does. For Dianne’s own good, Aunt Ruth’s best kept secret will come out.
And, when Bart goes missing, (even the poor cat can’t stand Dianne’s company), his trail will lead Aunt Ruth and Nick’s grandmother, the writer, to the dilapidated apartment building behind Arts.
Tim’s psychic dreams are not as powerful and forceful as they have been in the previous books, but they are clues to the disturbing polaroids, the Ziploc of gross body parts, and a badly spelled note that his Aunt Ruth receives. Can his dreams, Teresa’s new boyfriend, the cop Peter Parker, and Aunt Ruth’s sleuthing skills save their lives before the murders get to them first?
May 28, 2012
I love this series of books and this one, the fourth, does not disappoint. Aunt Ruth puts on her "Miss Marple hat" together with Nick's grandmother Amanda to solve the case of the body parts found in the dumpster behind Arts. Tim's cousin Dianne turns up (I wondered if her character was based on Sarah Palin as she is such a bigoted witch). Tim himself agonises over his relationship with Nick obviously resentful at having to rely on Nick since the "accident" at the end of the previous book. Altogether though another great read from Mark Abramson.
February 22, 2011
Snowman the latest in the Beach Reading series continues with Tim Snow's life in San Francisco, CA along with all of his lovers, friends, relatives, and just for fun...a couple of murders. This addition to the series is one of the better ones, and since it is the last one that's been published, I'll miss not reading about Tim's screwy life. Great series.
I give Snowman four stars.
December 26, 2012
Stumbling into the thick of yet another murder.
Tim is recovering after the truck accident and having doubts about Nick's commitment is it love or just guilt over the accident? After finding his Aunt Ruth at Sam's his cousin Dianne shows up to throw more oil on the fire with her multiple bigotries. Tim's dreams start up again with scenes of murder and mayhem. Bad cops and drug dealers all mix with the residents of the Castro in the final climax.
Overall a good read.
Tim is recovering after the truck accident and having doubts about Nick's commitment is it love or just guilt over the accident? After finding his Aunt Ruth at Sam's his cousin Dianne shows up to throw more oil on the fire with her multiple bigotries. Tim's dreams start up again with scenes of murder and mayhem. Bad cops and drug dealers all mix with the residents of the Castro in the final climax.
Overall a good read.
November 27, 2013
4 books into the series and it is only getting better!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews