The Lure

Shocking and controversial, The Lure has become a classic of gay fiction with its candid description of New York’s gay subculture.

The works of Felice Picano need little introduction. As one of the founding members of The Violet Quill, the foremost post-Stonewall gay writing movement, (other members included Edmund White and Andrew Holleran), Picano has published many acclaimed works of both fiction and non-fiction.

First published in 1979, The Lure rocketed Picano to commercial literary fame. The book tells the story of Noel Cummings whose life changes irrevocable after witnessing a brutal murder. Noel is recruited to assist the police by acting as the lure for a killer who has been targeting gay men. Undercover, Noel moves deeper and deeper into the dark side of Manhattan's gay life that stirs his own secret desires—until he forgets he is only playing a role

With its nail-biting plot, and masterful suspense this gay thriller has lost none of its razor’s edge today and its depiction of the underground New York scene has never been more timely as TV series’ such as The Deuce, and Pose re-visit the 1970’s and 80’s.

"Explosive...Felice Picano is one hell of a writer" - Stephen King