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Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol Mystery #2
The Sinister Sitcom Caper
Sandy Fairfax, former teen idol and star of the ‘70s hit TV show “Buddy Brave, Boy Sleuth,” is now a middle-aged recovering alcoholic who realizes that making a comeback can be murder. He’s the guest star on “Off-Kelter,” a corny family situation comedy, and the lowest rated TV show of the 1993 fall season. Before rehearsals barely begin one of the actors drops dead at Sandy’s feet. He investigates, enlisting the aid of two of his new cast mates: a dwarf and an animal actor. During his snooping, we meet Sandy’s ex, his parents and his teenage son, all with their own “situations” going on. During rehearsals Sandy also encounters a beautiful choreographer—could this be love? Will Sandy solve the murder before the Friday night taping of “Off-Kelter” or will the elusive killer cancel our hero before the final credits? This book was inspired by the author’s experience working as a tour guide/page at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2013
49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 15, 2025
Next up on Sandy Fairfax’s attempt to restart his career is a guest spot on a sitcom. It’s not one of the popular sitcoms of 1993 but a low rated show that might be canceled. Still, a job is a job. Unfortunately, the tension on set is thick, and it leads to murder. With no one interested in investigating, Sandy starts to nose around. Can he figure out what happened?
Since I enjoyed meeting Sandy in book one, I was looking forward to spending more time with him. I wasn’t disappointed. While the sitcom setting does not provide the laugh a minute laughs you would get from a good sitcom, there are still some laughs and smiles. The mystery kept me guessing and reached a logical conclusion, but I would have liked to know how Sandy reached it. I loved getting to know him better, which was helped by the fact that he was home for this book. The rest of the cast was great as well. I’ll definitely be back to spend more time with him soon.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Since I enjoyed meeting Sandy in book one, I was looking forward to spending more time with him. I wasn’t disappointed. While the sitcom setting does not provide the laugh a minute laughs you would get from a good sitcom, there are still some laughs and smiles. The mystery kept me guessing and reached a logical conclusion, but I would have liked to know how Sandy reached it. I loved getting to know him better, which was helped by the fact that he was home for this book. The rest of the cast was great as well. I’ll definitely be back to spend more time with him soon.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
January 7, 2018
This second book in the Sandy Fairfax series starts off a little slow, but picks up steam soon enough.
Still on the comeback trail, Sandy gets a guest starring role on a failing sitcom, one that is more gimmick than humor. There's a dog, a dwarf, and a time travel gadget involved.
Of course, there's a no talent co-star who is difficult to work with, and she gets the usual penalty for such shenanigans--death.
Dying right in front of Sandy, he learns the studio and the police are trying to cover it up, so he decides to investigate on his own. This gets him in a peck of trouble. He is also trying to get his personal life under control. Seeing his children, reconciling with his parents, and paying attention to his money.
Light hearted fun. A series that should be better known. Hope there will be a fifth entry.
Still on the comeback trail, Sandy gets a guest starring role on a failing sitcom, one that is more gimmick than humor. There's a dog, a dwarf, and a time travel gadget involved.
Of course, there's a no talent co-star who is difficult to work with, and she gets the usual penalty for such shenanigans--death.
Dying right in front of Sandy, he learns the studio and the police are trying to cover it up, so he decides to investigate on his own. This gets him in a peck of trouble. He is also trying to get his personal life under control. Seeing his children, reconciling with his parents, and paying attention to his money.
Light hearted fun. A series that should be better known. Hope there will be a fifth entry.
March 4, 2014
Sally Carpenter has penned quite a mystery. This story is full of humor from start to finish.
Those of us of a certain age remember the posters of those teen idols hanging on our walls and anxiously awaiting the next issue of Tiger Beat. We still swoon when the much older Shawn Cassidy appears on one of talk shows. This story brings back all those memories including some of the crazy sitcoms that have appeared on our televisions over the years.
Sandy Fairfax is quite a character trying to get his life together and stay sober so his ex-wife will allow him to spend time with his kids. His parents had a much different plan for him and he strives to raise himself just a little bit in their eyes. He hopes this guest appearance will lead to more work but before the show is even taped one of the actors drops dead right in front of him. What is even worse he seems to the only concerned that a person died. The show continues to go on and the cops hardly even investigate. He becomes consumed with the need to find out what happened and why. He gets help from 2 very unlikely places. An actor from the show who happens to be a little person and a dog that is also on the show.
Very interesting characters is a unusual setting. There are twists, turns, fire and rain to add to the excitement. This is the first book I have read by Sally Carpenter but I know it won’t be the last.
Those of us of a certain age remember the posters of those teen idols hanging on our walls and anxiously awaiting the next issue of Tiger Beat. We still swoon when the much older Shawn Cassidy appears on one of talk shows. This story brings back all those memories including some of the crazy sitcoms that have appeared on our televisions over the years.
Sandy Fairfax is quite a character trying to get his life together and stay sober so his ex-wife will allow him to spend time with his kids. His parents had a much different plan for him and he strives to raise himself just a little bit in their eyes. He hopes this guest appearance will lead to more work but before the show is even taped one of the actors drops dead right in front of him. What is even worse he seems to the only concerned that a person died. The show continues to go on and the cops hardly even investigate. He becomes consumed with the need to find out what happened and why. He gets help from 2 very unlikely places. An actor from the show who happens to be a little person and a dog that is also on the show.
Very interesting characters is a unusual setting. There are twists, turns, fire and rain to add to the excitement. This is the first book I have read by Sally Carpenter but I know it won’t be the last.
January 28, 2016
Yours truly has a great series to tell you all about! A former teen idol who is attempting to revitalize his career. Sandy Fairfax was the star of a very successful television series, he played Buddy Brave, Boy Sleuth. Now a middle aged and divorced father of two whose agent has lined him up to guest star on Off-Kelter a family sitcom that is in desperate need of a ratings boost. Not only did Sandy star in a hit TV series, he also made ten gold pop records and he has a fan club that continues to idolize and follow him. He finds himself playing amateur sleuth when one of the cast members of the show is found murdered.
Will he be as brave as Buddy? Will he help the ratings, find romance and solve the crime in time for the show to go on the air? Author Sally Carpenter has created an enjoyable and entertaining story that will leave you wanting more and chuckling in recognition of those former teen idols that we have crushed on when we were young. I am a fan of this former teen idol turned amateur sleuth and can’t wait to read more. So be sure to tune into The Sinister Sitcom Caper and find out what the laugh track is all about!
Will he be as brave as Buddy? Will he help the ratings, find romance and solve the crime in time for the show to go on the air? Author Sally Carpenter has created an enjoyable and entertaining story that will leave you wanting more and chuckling in recognition of those former teen idols that we have crushed on when we were young. I am a fan of this former teen idol turned amateur sleuth and can’t wait to read more. So be sure to tune into The Sinister Sitcom Caper and find out what the laugh track is all about!
March 4, 2014
4 STARS
I liked The Sinister Sitcom Caper by Sally Carpenter. It was entertaining. It is funny, drama, and action. Plus we get to see and hear about making a tv sitcom and the different ways things were done when Sandy was the star. The story kept me guessing about what really was going on.
At first I thought the characters were all over the top, and than I was thinking about different teen stars in the past. Thought she got her characters true. I could picture different T.V. stars that I had liked and what mess they made of their lives.
Sandy was a former teen idol who now is divorced father of two teenagers. A recovering Alcoholic. Trying to go back working.
He has a guest role on a new series.
One of the actress Elsie is walking with him and all of a sudden sags to the ground. He gets her medical help right away but she dies. No one really likes her.
The major problem I have with the story is where are the police? No one asks questions or evens shows up to question anyone either after Elsie dies or other situations occurs. The only scene is when Sandy takes something to the police.
The setting is Hollywood at one of the movie studios that has been around along time.
This is the second Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol Mysteries. I would like to go back and read the first book. I hope their is another Sandy Fairfax Mystery coming soon.
I was given this ebook to read for purpose of reviewing it and being part of its blog tour.
I liked The Sinister Sitcom Caper by Sally Carpenter. It was entertaining. It is funny, drama, and action. Plus we get to see and hear about making a tv sitcom and the different ways things were done when Sandy was the star. The story kept me guessing about what really was going on.
At first I thought the characters were all over the top, and than I was thinking about different teen stars in the past. Thought she got her characters true. I could picture different T.V. stars that I had liked and what mess they made of their lives.
Sandy was a former teen idol who now is divorced father of two teenagers. A recovering Alcoholic. Trying to go back working.
He has a guest role on a new series.
One of the actress Elsie is walking with him and all of a sudden sags to the ground. He gets her medical help right away but she dies. No one really likes her.
The major problem I have with the story is where are the police? No one asks questions or evens shows up to question anyone either after Elsie dies or other situations occurs. The only scene is when Sandy takes something to the police.
The setting is Hollywood at one of the movie studios that has been around along time.
This is the second Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol Mysteries. I would like to go back and read the first book. I hope their is another Sandy Fairfax Mystery coming soon.
I was given this ebook to read for purpose of reviewing it and being part of its blog tour.
February 27, 2014
This book starts with Sandy Fairfax heading to guest star in Off-Kelter. Sandy is trying to get back into the sing of show biz after being out for a while. He winds up meeting a colorful group of people. It doesn't take long before someone winds up dead and right infront of Sandy. Now it's up to Sandy to figure out what is going on??
You can tell by reading this book that the author knows quiet a bit about Hollywood and studios. While reading this book I felt like I was walking around with Sandy at the studio. I think it is great when an author can pull you in and have you right there with the characters.
Can't wait to see what she comes up with next! Definitely a fan of hers with this series and this is the second book I will definitely be looking into the first book.
You can tell by reading this book that the author knows quiet a bit about Hollywood and studios. While reading this book I felt like I was walking around with Sandy at the studio. I think it is great when an author can pull you in and have you right there with the characters.
Can't wait to see what she comes up with next! Definitely a fan of hers with this series and this is the second book I will definitely be looking into the first book.
February 14, 2014
this is the 2nd book in the series (which I did not know!) and was interesting to see a guy as the lead in a cozy...usually it is a female. But it was fun to see this former child star getting his life back together and solving the crime. I thought the dwarf, Joseph, was a hoot!
I liked how at the end of the book there was a list of Sandy's credits (music and film/tv) and even a trivia quiz.
This is going to be a fun series.
I liked how at the end of the book there was a list of Sandy's credits (music and film/tv) and even a trivia quiz.
This is going to be a fun series.
February 18, 2014
This is the second in the Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol Mystery Series. Sandy Fairfax is a "has been" trying to make a come back. He finds himself in cast as a guest star in a sitcom and involved in a murder. Now, he's been cast as a detective before, so why not get involved in solving the murder. The other characters are all unique and the quick humor that characterizes a sitcom flows through the story. This is a good combination of humor and mystery, a fun read.
December 14, 2015
*Barbara Jean will be posting her review of this entertaining and fun mystery!*
September 6, 2018
I am a fan of Sally Carpenter's Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol mystery series. I enjoyed The Sinister Sitcom Caper which is the second book in the series. In this installment, Sandy is a guest star on a family comedy t.v. show called Off-Kelter. Rehearsals begin and as Sandy is getting to know his fellow actors, Elsie Bloom, the Kelter family's housekeeper, drops dead! Sandy goes into sleuth mode with the help of fellow actor, Joseph Graves, the housekeeper's neighbor. There are many possible suspects, secrets, a visit to Sandy's parent's house, interaction with Sandy's ex-wife and children, and lots of humor. I like this series because it is different than most of the other mystery series that I read. It is the story of a former teen idol who has sobered up and is trying to make a comeback. I look forward to more stories about Sandy in the future!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews