My Lucky Stars

I haven't had a lot of time to delve into my blog these days with work at its peak and some really badly timed trips to Orlando with the husband but I just had to find some time to write about Joe Keenan's newest tribute to Hollywood and its STARS! His newest novel, My Lucky Star is a frenetic, riotous, paean to the joyous nature of gay men's hard-wired need for celebrity watching.

Along with well known characters Philip Cavanaugh, Claire Simmons and Gilbert Selwyn, Keenan's readers find ourselves reluctantly surrounded by handsome, horny, closeted leading men, fat, obnoxious, aging former has been child stars, and malicious, backbiting, devious divas that lead us through a wonderfully exciting and sometimes frustrating labyrinth of plots, sub-plots, and plot twists that would give even the most experienced mystery readers pause. Yet, as plot-heavy as the book is, Keenan manages to get us all through the maze with the consumate skill his readers expect from this very erudite and intelligent writer.

Reading any well-written book is in itself a true pleasure. It takes a truly gifted writer to keep readers on the edge of their seats waiting for another well-turned phrase and use of a word that yes, you know, but haven't heard or read for quite awhile. Keenan is such a writer. I kept running into phrases and words that made me pause and smile at the exactness of his usage; not enough to lose my place or interrupt the flow of the reading, but just enough to make me think, Oh yeah. Perfect.

I recommend any of Joe Keenan's novels to anyone looking for a joyous read and a fun time.