Synopses & Reviews
A close mutual friend asks Mark Manning and Neil Waite to one of the most daunting, taxing and potentially dangerous of all human rituals—a wedding. The friend, Roxanne Exner, is marrying Carl Creighton, a candidate running for lieutenant governor in Illinois. The wedding comes off with nary a hitch, but the reception is a different matter. A local matron and major donor to the campaign of Creightons rival is killed in what appears to be a freak electrical mishap. Authorities, however, soon discover that the electrocution was no accident, and Roxanne becomes their prime suspect. As Roxannes prospects grow dim, its up to Mark Manning to solve this most shocking of murders.
Critical Praise for Michael Craft:
“Another sly retro puzzler complete with formal gatherings, understated gossip, half a dozen red herrings, and clues by the bushel. The best of Marks six cases to date.” -Kirkus Reviews on Hot Spot
“A classic mystery puzzle...an entertaining novel that challenges the readers deductive reasoning skills...the finest entry yet in a distinguished series.” - Bay Area Reporter
on Boy Toy
“Committing the perfect crime requires almost as much skill as writing a novel...Craft has once again succeeded at writing the perfect novel about a murder committed-almost-as perfectly.” - The Bottom Line on Hot Spot
“Written with Crafts customary wit and charm, Boy Toy is a quick, enjoyable read, perfect for a day at the beach or the plane trip to St. Croix.” - Lambda Book Report on Boy Toy
“In this danse macabre, Manning is only one of many characters to find himself in a hot spot...An entertaining read.” -Echo Magazine on Hot Spot
“A richly drawn cast...lively banter...a sexy, entertaining addition to the series.” - Booklist on Boy Toy
Synopsis
During his distinguished career as a journalist, Mark Manning has seen it all--riots, murder, political corruption, and every manifestation of the dark heart of the human species. But even his proven emotional resources will be stretched when the home he shares with his lover, architect Neil Waite, and his ward and nephew, Thad Quatrain, becomes the site of one of the most daunting, taxing, and potentially dangerous of all human rituals--a wedding.
Roxanne Exner, best friend to both Mark and Neil, is having her nuptial ceremony at their house in the normally bucolic Dumont, Wisconsin, partly because Carl Creighton, her husband to be, is in the final weeks of his campaign for lieutenant governor of Illinois. For Roxanne, Dumont will afford some needed distance from the campaign, and for the city of Dumont, it will be the social event of the season. The wedding, despite everyone's fears, comes off with nary a hitch. The reception, however, takes a disastrous turn when a local matron, who happens to be a major donor to the campaign of Creighton's rival, is killed in what appears to be a freak electrical mishap.
Authorities soon discover that the electrocution was no accident. Then another shocker--Roxanne herself becomes the prime suspect. If Roxanne is ever to enjoy her honeymoon, and if Carl and his running mate are to stand a chance of election, Mark finds himself in a race against the clock to solve a most perplexing murder.
Synopsis
Mark Manning hosts a wedding for his best friend, only to end up with one of the guests murdered by an electrical malfunction.
About the Author
Michael Craft is the author of several previous mystery novels. He splits his time between Palm Springs, California and his home in Kenosha, Wisconsin.