The Cutbank Path - Living Upstairs, Bk 2 Author:Joseph Hansen The year is 1952 and it is a tumultuous year for young Nathan Reed, the aspring writer. He and his lover Steve are living in the poisionous atmosphere of the McCarthy Era, leading to unforseen changes in their lives and their relationship. Mr. Hansen is best known as a mystery genre writer, and he brings the essense of that genre into this novel... more »: the only truth is that nothing is as it seems. There are suspenseful whodunnit plots, as well as quiet foreshadowing in this book that keep Nathan and the readers wondering until the end - and beyond! Through it all, like a trooper, Nathan does his best to stand up against the ominous web of deceipt and injustice that threatens his world. Mr. Hansen is superb at conveying the physical feel of living in the Hollywood Hills in a rundown house, and at drawing out the unpleasant truth from the cast of quaint neighbors and friends with their own tales to tell. The novel is most satisfying in this sense of exploring the trying and pivotal time in history through the people and circumstances surrounding Nathan. And as for Nathan himself, he grows and learns through each experience, but clearly has more forks in the road to travel down until he finds his own truth about life and love.« less