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The Man Who Died Twice
Some time between 7:30 and 8 P.M. on February 1, 1922, William Desmond Taylor -- a famous Hollywood director -- was murdered. Ernie Carter, a streetwise LA cop, wakes from a blow on the head and finds himself inside the body of Taylor some time before the murder. Suspense builds as the moment of the murder draws closer...
The explosive climax of the novel will startle the reader as much as it startles Ernie himself. An unusual, fascinating book.
The explosive climax of the novel will startle the reader as much as it startles Ernie himself. An unusual, fascinating book.
252 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1976
38 people want to read
About the author
Samuel Anthony Peeples
23 books7 followersSamuel A. Peeples (September 22, 1917 – August 27, 1997) was an American writer. He published several novels in the Western genre, often under the pen name Brad Ward, before moving into series television after being given a script assignment by Frank Gruber. He is known to Star Trek fans for his script for the second pilot episode, "Where No Man Has Gone Before", as well as "Beyond the Farthest Star", the first episode of the animated series Star Trek. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_...]
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 5, 2022
A nice little book with a sci-fi twist and filled with references to Pre-talkie Hollywood of the early 1920's. Peoples was a huge sci-fi fan and wrote the Star Trek pilot for his friend Gene Roddenberry. A bit of a historical novel as well with all the movie facts embedded in the story.
The book was from my father's library. I kept it after he passed because it was inscribed by the author. I had met people briefly on one of my father's many trips to Hollywood to visit his many friends there including Peoples.
Peoples was a good friend and colleague of my father's. They both wrote for Films in Review during the 1950's. I think this explains the very real references to Hollywood of the 1920's. Peoples even hinted at an article my father wrote about Lon Chaney, Man of a Thousand Faces.
The book was from my father's library. I kept it after he passed because it was inscribed by the author. I had met people briefly on one of my father's many trips to Hollywood to visit his many friends there including Peoples.
Peoples was a good friend and colleague of my father's. They both wrote for Films in Review during the 1950's. I think this explains the very real references to Hollywood of the 1920's. Peoples even hinted at an article my father wrote about Lon Chaney, Man of a Thousand Faces.
May 25, 2023
I thought the concept was intriguing -- what if Carter managed to prevent Taylor's murder. How would that change history, Hollywood's and the world's. But I grew tired of the details about 1922 Hollywood, the descriptions of old LA, the newspaper articles, the shenanigans of the silent era stars, and the driving down this road and that street. Could have been tightened up by about 50 pages. The writing was okay, and the ending, while not surprising, was satisfying.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews