Close-Up

Margot O'Banion Mysteries #9

by Kit Sloane

Margot and Max know how to cope with the murderous egos, high flying aspirations, and obsessive dreams of moviedom's biggest and most revered stars. They understand that, for some, Hollywood is a takeout heaven-send out for what you want and it will quickly be delivered. But what happens when what is coveted doesn't grow on trees? In CLOSE-UP, our daring hero and heroine witness greedy players scheming to cultivate their own needs and desires-fabricating fame, fortune, and unfaithful friends. ***** A graduate in Art History from Mills College, Oakland, California, Kit has published short stories and many articles on the art of writing and the writing business. She served as first fiction editor for Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine. She especially enjoys lecturing about the writing world and mentoring new writers. She is a long time member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Mystery Women of the UK and was named one of Mills College's Literary Women for 2007. Kit and her professor husband live on a small hilltop horse ranch in Northern California's sublime wine country.

222 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2011

About the author

KIT SLOANE ....A GRADUATE IN Art History from Mills College, Oakland, California, Kit has published short stories and many articles on the art of writing and the writing business. She served as first fiction editor for Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine. She especially enjoys lecturing about the writing world and mentoring new writers. She is a long time member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Mystery Women of the UK and was named one of Mills College’s Literary Women for 2007. Kit and her professor husband live on a small hilltop horse ranch in Northern California’s sublime wine country.

Reviews

[Lizzie Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

With charismatic Max Skull is in the midst of making his latest film, The Dead, his partner film editor Margot O’Banion doesn’t have much to do at this stage, her works starts when the film is in the can, so Margot spends time getting to know everyone on set. Including, fiery Carla Devine the make-up artist.

Relaxing at home watching a news broadcast, after a day of filming Margot spots former television actress Verna LeTrent, famous some decades back for her role in a popular TV Crime series The Family which ran for nine years. It appears that Verna has had a fire at her house. Max thinks that she looks so good he will offer her a cameo role in his film.

Soon Margot is caught up in rumour and gossip. With one of the cast is murdered and a friend missing, things begin to look decidedly suspect. As in previous books Margot gets herself inadvertently in some sticky situations. But just what is the significance of a piece of footage and a scrapbook?

With many interesting and well-defined characters, all who have secrets, the story keeps you intrigued. Kit Sloane is masterclass at creating tension. This is the ninth book in the series and I have enjoyed everyone of them. Whilst always being a big Margot fan my liking for Max grows with each book.

Highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Hayes
Earlier books in the series are Final Cit, Bad Actors, Last Words, Grape Noir, Extreme Cusine ,Location, Location, The Fat Lady Sings and The Magicians.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel centered upon the human tendency to want to have their fifteen minutes of fame. What, however, happens to those that have lived a great deal of their lives in front of the camera and society, only to become, forgotten?

Our favorite motion picture sleuths, Margot and Max are shocked to see a well known older actress in front of her burning home on the evening news. Max 'sees' Ms. Verna LeTrent as the perfect person to portray a grandmother in his current feature!

Margot quickly becomes embroiled in the backstage lives of this new, but someway intertwined group. What does the Actress, Action Actor, Make-up Artist, and Agent have in common? What is going on? And, when Ms. LeTrent suddenly dies, although she is 83yrs old, Margot becomes worried.

This complex novel of personalities and fame makes you think as you read...what would you be willing to do to have your final fifteen minutes of fame....?

An excellent study of human nature, complex movie making and humor keep you turning the pages without wanting to stop.