In the fifth book of the award-winning Boystown mystery series, it’s fall 1982 and Chicago is gripped by panic after five people die from poisoned Tylenol capsules. Amid the chaos, the Bughouse Slasher takes his eighth victim, this time striking close to private investigator Nick Nowak. With the Chicago Police Department stretched to its limit, Nick takes matters into his own hands. But what will he do with the Bughouse Slasher once he finds him?

“Thornton’s crisp, terse style and smart, cynical observations make for a refreshing change in the current crop of tough guys and private eyes.” — Josh Lanyon, author Adrien English Mysteries

“The character of Nick Nowak is strongly developed, the story being told from his perspective as he reasons through all the data he has and moves the case forward. And the manner in which he comes to realize what Harker was doing — and why — is dramatic and very effective storytelling. Overall, Murder Book works well as a period crime novel…” –Mysterious Reviews

The Christmas Visit Available Again for only 99 cents!

A Chicago art director in his early thirties returns to his tiny Upstate New York hometown to spend the holiday with his recently widowed father only to find himself involved with his boyhood crush, now a closeted sheriff’s deputy. It’s sentimental and sexy, with a bit of mystery stirred in.

From Rainbow Reviews, “The Christmas Visit is a compelling, strongly-written, realistic short story of love lost and found. Beautifully woven, the mystery of Travis’ marriage plus the long-held attractions make for a story that will keep readers riveted, and returning for a second and third read. Marshall Thornton delivers a not-to-be missed holiday tale of romance, lust, family secrets, and entangled relationships. Do not let this one pass you by!”

From Dark Divas, “Marshall Thornton has packed so much into this story that it amazed me. There’s heartache, anger, mystery, soul searching and of course love and romance. There weren’t just remote references to these things either. All were complete scenes told in great detail that had me totally engrossed until the very end. I don’t think I’ve ever known an author to get so much into so few pages. And the ending, well, lets just say it left me with a big smile on my face!”

Rated # 5 Delightful Divas by Helen!

Available exclusively at Amazon.com.

Little Boy Dead: A Boystown Prequel available exclusively at Amazon

In this prequel to the award-winning Boystown Mystery Series, it’s the fall of 1979 and freshly-minted private investigator Nick Nowak has his license in hand but 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. Available exclusively at the Kindle store for $1.99.

Now Available at Amazon and B&N: Boystown 4: A Time For Secrets

In the first full-length novel of the Boystown series, it’s late summer 1982 and private detective Nick Nowak is asked to find a retired gentleman’s long lost lover.

Instead, he finds himself embroiled in a decades old murder connected to the man who wants to be Chicago’s next mayor. Meanwhile, an ambitious young reporter develops a friendship with Nick’s lover Bert, making Nick wonder exactly where their relationship may be heading.

Honorable Mention, 2012 Rainbow Awards – Best Gay Mystery/Thriller

BOYSTOWN 3: TWO NICK NOWAK NOVELLAS

Set in Chicago during the early 1980s, the Boystown series follows private Investigator Nick Nowak as he works challenging cases and grapples with an even more challenging personal life.

In Little Boy Boom, Nick’s car explodes when a thief attempts to steal it. Realizing the bomb was meant for him, Nick sets out to discover who wants him dead only to find that the list of possible suspects is longer than he’d like. When he begins to run out of suspects he wonders if the bomb was truly meant for him.

Little Boy Tenor finds Nick investigating the murderer of a church choir’s star tenor, while at the same time his friend Ross asks him to discover the truth behind his lover, Earl Silver’s mysterious death. As he juggles the two cases, he becomes increasingly disturbed by what he learns.

“Fans of hard-boiled PI mystery stories, with a goodly dose of sex and violence thrown in, won’t go far wrong…” British Bulldog, Rainbow Reviews

“Nick has fast become a favorite character and we will all be anxiously awaiting the next set of tales in the life and times of Nick Nowak. Marshall Thornton has a winner with Nick Nowak.” Sensual Reads

The Boystown series can be purchased directly at torquerebooks.com, or at Amazon.com, Fictionwise.com, and other fine locations online.

Honorable Mention 2011 Rainbow Awards – Mystery/Thriller

 

FULL RELEASE

NOW AVAILABLE FOR $3.99!

Studio accountant, Matt Latowski orders an erotic massage on the one-year anniversary of a bad break-up, but is surprised when the masseur calls him a couple weeks later to ask him out on a date. Unable to say no to a freebie, Matt begins a journey that eventually leads to his becoming a murder suspect.

As the police close in on him, Matt is left with no choice but to turn the tables and become an erotic masseur himself in order to find the murderer. Along the way he meets Detective Aaron Tripp, sparks fly as Matt wonders whether the detective might be the murderer, or the murderer’s next victim?

“Marshall Thornton has created an impressive thriller that I very much enjoyed.” Chocolate Minx, Literary Nymphs

The Development: Three Jan Birch Mysteries

Set in the mid-sixties in upstate New York, Jan Birch is a housewife who lives in a planned development of small, cramped homes. As she struggles with a difficult marriage and an anti-social son, she finds herself involved in the murder of the neighborhood divorcee, her boss’s difficult divorce when she gets a part-time job and, eventually, falls in love with a man who may or may not be a murderer himself.

This short story collection includes the separately published Coffee Clutch, Bartholi’s Rest and Mountain View Terrace in one volume.

Available now at The Kindle Store and smashwords.com. Coming soon to barnesandnoble.com, Kobo, the Sony Reader Store and The Apple Store. Trade paperback edition coming soon.