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Neil S. Plakcy
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The Russian Boy Kindle Edition

by Neil S. Plakcy (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 50 ratings
There are three Russian boys at the center of this sexy gay romanceby Neil S. Plakcy.

Alexei Dubernin, the teenaged son of a Russian count longs to paint like his Impressionist idols. This desire brings him in contact with the Russian maestro Fyodor Luschenko in Nice, France, in 1912, as the Russian aristocracy celebrates its last few years of prosperity on the Riviera.

Luschenko paints an erotic portrait of Alexei, called Le Jeune Homme Russe, or The Russian Boy, which is received with scandal, then acclaim. Then, in the present day, the painting is stolen while being restored-- by another Russian boy, an art student in Paris named Dmitri Baranov.

Dmitri’s desperation to remain in Paris after his fellowship ends leads him into unsavory company, bringing him, and the painting, back to the Cote d’Azur, where someone is willing to stop at nothing-- including murder-- to possess this magnificent work of art.

Hard on Dmitri’s trail, and that of the painting, is his boyfriend, American art student Taylor Griffin, and Rowan McNair, a disgraced former professor of art history turned art detective. Partners change, affairs are begun and ended, and dead bodies appear with a disturbing regularity.

In alternating narrations, Alexei, Dmitri, Taylor and Rowan tell the story of the painting, its theft, and a series of love affairs between older men and their younger protégés. By turns sexy, dangerous and romantic, The Russian Boy is a story of love and art that spans the ages.
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  1. Print length
    355 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    November 20, 2013
  5. File size
    6.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Get more Plakcy in his marvelous new romance, The Russian Boy (2011, in Kindle Edition at amazon.com). Plakcy recaptures the romantic intrigue of Hitchcock's classic, To Catch a Thief, in this tale of love and art theft set in Nice, with a mature romantic hero reminiscent of the luscious (and bisexual) Cary Grant.

About the Author

Neil Plakcy is the author of the Mahu mystery series, about openly gay Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa'aka. They are: Mahu, Mahu Surfer, Mahu Fire, Mahu Vice, Mahu Men, Mahu Blood and Zero Break (2012). He also writes the Have Body, Will Guard adventure romance series, Three Wrong Turns in the Desert, Dancing with the Tide and Teach Me Tonight (2011). His other books are the Golden Retriever Mysteries In Dog We Trust and The Kingdom of Dog, as well as the novels GayLife.com, Mi Amor, and The Outhouse Gang and and the novella The Guardian Angel of South Beach.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B005JL4VFA
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Samwise Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 20, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 355 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 50 ratings

About the author

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Neil S. Plakcy

Neil S. Plakcy

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Thanks for reading! I’d love to stay in touch with you. Visit my home page at www.mahubooks.com, where you can subscribe to one or more of my newsletters. I hope you'll also consider following me at Goodreads to see what I'm reading, and subscribe to my author page at Facebook where I post news and giveaways.

I've wanted to be an author since I was about sixteen, when a high school assignment on A Separate Peace showed me how powerful writing can be. At the University of Pennsylvania I studied creative writing with Philip Roth and Carlos Fuentes; I went on to receive my MFA from Florida International University.

My first published novel was Mahu, about a Honolulu homicide detective dragged out of the closet during a tough case. I put a lot of myself into Kimo Kanapa'aka, the hero, and yet he’s very much his own character, and much better than I am! He has had a powerful hold on my imagination for many years. I love writing about him and hope to keep doing so for a long time. He’s also the source of my favorite reader question. A few years ago, someone emailed to ask if he was circumcised.

My first reaction was “Man, I’ll bet Stephen King doesn’t get questions like that.” But then, his are probably even weirder. I went online and did some research and discovered that at the time Kimo was born, hospital circumcisions were common. So there you go.

My path to publication was a long and checkered one, as is the case with many authors. My first published stories were magazine erotica, and I still like to keep my hand in (no pun intended) with that kind of writing. But for the most part now I write mystery and romance—all my books seem to have both those elements, though in different proportions.

I began writing the golden retriever mysteries because I spent so much time walking my golden, Samwise (yes, I’m a Tolkien geek). He had so many funny habits and such a strong personality that I just knew I had to write a book that featured a dog like him. (Fortunately, Sam had no habit of finding dead bodies.)

I live in Hollywood, Florida now, with my partner and our golden retrievers, Brody and Griffin.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
50 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's engaging plot and mystery elements, with one review noting how it serves as an entree to two stories. Moreover, the writing is well-executed, and customers describe it as super romantic and sexy. Additionally, they appreciate the relationships portrayed in the book, with one review mentioning how they are interwoven quite well.

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12 customers mention "Story quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, praising its good plot and well-done mystery elements.

"...Yes--THE RUSSIAN BOY is erotic and sexy, but it is also a well-written book about love and relationships." Read more

"...Each story is nicely done. The historical one was my favorite, which is really saying something as I'm not generally drawn to historical fiction...." Read more

"...Even without that portion, this was a wonderful book. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters...." Read more

"...The book is full of mystery, intrigue and m/m romance (and sex) mostly with a older/younger dynamic to it...." Read more

6 customers mention "Writer"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's writing style.

"This is the third book I've read by Plakcy. He is a great writer, which is a rarity in the genre...." Read more

"...are not, and skim the best parts as I did, Niel Plakcy is such a good author the rest of the book will more than cover the cost of the book...." Read more

"...it gets the rating this high is because technically I found it well written...." Read more

"I liked the authors' method of having two stories leading to the ending...." Read more

5 customers mention "Romance"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book romantic and sexy.

"...Yes--THE RUSSIAN BOY is erotic and sexy, but it is also a well-written book about love and relationships." Read more

"...The book is full of mystery, intrigue and m/m romance (and sex) mostly with a older/younger dynamic to it...." Read more

"...The storyline kept my attention and the romantic moments did not feel contrived or gratuitous. It was difficult to set the book down." Read more

"...model, the thief and likeable cast of characters, as well as some fun erotica. For the older reader, our hero is over fifty." Read more

3 customers mention "Relationship"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the relationships in the book, with one noting how well they are interwoven throughout the story.

"...erotic and sexy, but it is also a well-written book about love and relationships." Read more

"This story was mystery and romance with both interwoven quite well...." Read more

"...Some of the characters were a tad cliche and boring, but the relationships established and the mystery aspect were well done." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Sharon R. Potts
    5.0 out of 5 stars Erotic, sexy and well-written!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    THE RUSSIAN BOY revolves around an erotic painting of the same name. Set in Nice, France,we follow the theft of the painting by a young Russian art student named Dmitri, who is looking for love and money in all the wrong places. Enter Rowan, a disgraced American professor-turned-detective whose job it is to recover the painting. Rowan's search for the painting leads him to Taylor, an American art student who has to choose between helping the attractive detective and exposing his former lover. While things heat up in present-day Nice, we return to 1912 Nice where we learn of the intense love affair that inspired the painting's creation.
    Yes--THE RUSSIAN BOY is erotic and sexy, but it is also a well-written book about love and relationships.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Derrick Dodson
    4.0 out of 5 stars More fun from Plakcy
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2012
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    This is the third book I've read by Plakcy. He is a great writer, which is a rarity in the genre. This book jumps back and forth between Nice near the end of Imperial Russia as a famous Russian painter creates a groundbreaking nude portrait of his apprentice, the son of a Count, and the current day as the theft of the painting is investigated. Each story is nicely done. The historical one was my favorite, which is really saying something as I'm not generally drawn to historical fiction. That portion of the story was sweet, but ultimately sad. With tortured artists it couldn't be any other way, though. The contemporary section has theft, murder, kidnapping, and rape. There is plenty of happily ever after, though.

    As a warning, there is some rape in this novel. It isn't gratuitous, but it is there. There is also some cross-generational romance including a relationship between the artist teacher and his apprentice. If either of those subjects offends you, You may want to avoid this title. If you can deal with those, "The Russian Boy" is well written and has a good plot.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Elisabeth Huhn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Niel Plakcy is an amazing author
    Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2015
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    Niel Plakcy is one of my most favorite authors. I've enjoyed every book I've read of his, including this one. It's taken me a while to get to this one, because as a (somewhat prudish) lesbian I'm not exactly in the target audience. But I finally realized that they invented skimming through some of the paragraphs containing the the most graphic descriptions just for my situation. Even without that portion, this was a wonderful book. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. I've always enjoyed art history as a hobby, and it plays a central role in the story. The plot and pacing kept me engaged to the last page. And the locale is delightfully captured. I've never been to Nice, but the descriptions of the light and the water came alive for me. There is something for everyone in this book, and particularly if you are in the target audience you will enjoy the book. But even if you are not, and skim the best parts as I did, Niel Plakcy is such a good author the rest of the book will more than cover the cost of the book. Read this book, you'll enjoy it. Then treat yourself to reading ten more by this very talented author.
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  • Sirius
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not impressed unfortunately POSSIBLE SPOILERS IN THE REVIEW
    Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2011
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    REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS, BEWARE.

    More like 2.75 stars. And the only reason it gets the rating this high is because technically I found it well written.

    As much as I love Mahu series by this writer, this one was mostly a dissapointment for me. I was dissapointed with the research that author did (or lack thereof). Granted, most readers are likely not to be bothered that the character who is from Odessa is being called a Russian character in the story. However, I was bothered by this seemingly minor niggle. I would have been just as bothered if the writer would have called the character from Barcelona French man, or Italian man, unless of course it is established that the character who lives in one country is the character of such descent (which was not established in this story). The more serious lack of research is of course Dimitri's behavior. Lets just say that it is highly unlikely that somebody in Dimitri's circumstances who does not have connections already would have received a free fellowship to study abroad, regardless of how talented he is. Is it wrong? Of course it is, but my point is that Dimitri would be highly unlikely to need the money in the first place. And if it was an exception, it again should have been established in the story.

    Lets also not forget that every Russian (or Ukrainian) character in the *present* part of the story is a criminal of some caliber. Obviously it is writer's prerrogative to portray the characters like that, but personally I am mightily tired of seeing that the only profession that most of the writers chose to give the characters from the part of the world where I am originally from is criminal. I have seen some exceptions, but would have been nice to see more. Again, I am not downgrading for that, as I said I am tired of stereotypes, but of course if thats how the author sees Russians and/or Ukrainians, thats his right. There are certainly plenty criminals in existance.

    One of the main characters Rowan creeped me out. I freely admit that I am not a fan of May/December pairings, however I have read several books where author convinced me that these guys have a chance at happiness, age difference or not. This did not happen here. It felt as if despite feeling shame for what happened in the past, Rowan still wanted same thing while being ashamed again and most importantly viewing another guy as a boy and not his equal in any way.

    I also did not get what was the point of the historical interlude, besides telling us the history of the painting. I did not become emotionally attached to the couple there, I thought Rowan summed up the story in two sentences and it was enough for me.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Andros85
    5.0 out of 5 stars "Your parents must never find out what we do together."
    Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2019
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    Author Neil Plakcy's novel THE RUSSIAN BOY revolves around a single painting from when it was painted in 1912 to being restored at an art institute in present day Paris to its being stolen by one of the students enrolled at the art institute. The book is full of mystery, intrigue and m/m romance (and sex) mostly with a older/younger dynamic to it. It is truly the perfect novel about "love and art that spans the ages!"
    One person found this helpful
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  • Donald R. Dorward
    4.0 out of 5 stars Story About a Painting
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2013
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    I liked the authors' method of having two stories leading to the ending. They complemented each other--one the provenance of the painting, and the other a modern adventure of it's rediscovery after being stolen. Is there a painting "The Russian Boy"? It didn't matter. It gave the entree to the two stories. I loved it.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Alan
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2017
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    An intriguing story that keeps you hooked and the relationship between the older and younger guy is very sweet. Well written and well worth reading. I look forward to reading more novels by this author.
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  • R H Warwick
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not a Mahu book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 19, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    His Mahu books are very Good. This book is good and interesting.
    Its a long time that I've found a book that has some older men,
    in it and part of the love interest. Most books have males in their 20s
    to late 30s. This book did have these kind of male, but also males in their
    50s. So it was good it have the mix of the ages, this did give the book a
    good mixture to the story. The story was a very good murder mystery.
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  • cindy
    5.0 out of 5 stars wow!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 25, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Everything you wanted to know about aspects of BDSM....told in good detail. the development of the relationship as well as the hot sex just made it a wonderful read...well done to Sir Plakcy!!
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  • Ralph
    4.0 out of 5 stars A short but very good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Only about 200 pages long but a good fast paced story. Very good read. Buy it you will enjoy it.
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