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The Gatsby Game
The Gatsby Game offers a possible solution to a real unsolved Hollywood mystery—the 1973 death of David Whiting during the filming of the Burt Reynolds’ film, "The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing". Whiting was found dead in the motel room of the actress Sarah Miles, causing a worldwide uproar that has been called one of “Hollywood’s 10 Most Notorious Scandals.” Anne personally knew Mr. Whiting, and has a convincing theory about what really happened that fatal night.
250 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2011
8 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Anne R. Allen
28 books80 followersAnne R. Allen is the author of 10 rom-com mysteries published by MWiDP, Kotu Beach Press, and Thalia Press: FOOD OF LOVE, THE LADY OF THE LAKEWOOD DINER, and THE GATSBY GAME (now available in a boxed set BOOMER WOMEN: THREE COMEDIES ABOUT A GENERATION THAT CHANGED THE WORLD), plus the Camilla Randall Mysteries: THE BEST REVENGE, GHOSTWRITERS IN THE SKY, SHERWOOD, LTD, NO PLACE LIKE HOME, SO MUCH FOR BUCKINGHAM, THE QUEEN OF STAVES, GOOGLING OLD BOYFRIENDS, and CATFISHING IN AMERICA.
She co-authored HOW TO BE A WRITER IN THE E-AGE: A SELF-HELP GUIDE with PAY IT FORWARD author Catherine Ryan Hyde. And Catherine wrote the foreword of her latest guide: THE AUTHOR BLOG: EASY BLOGGING FOR BUSY AUTHORS.
Anne R. Allen's Blog (which she shares with New York Times bestselling author Ruth Harris) was named one of the Best 101 Websites for Writers by Writers Digest.
She co-authored HOW TO BE A WRITER IN THE E-AGE: A SELF-HELP GUIDE with PAY IT FORWARD author Catherine Ryan Hyde. And Catherine wrote the foreword of her latest guide: THE AUTHOR BLOG: EASY BLOGGING FOR BUSY AUTHORS.
Anne R. Allen's Blog (which she shares with New York Times bestselling author Ruth Harris) was named one of the Best 101 Websites for Writers by Writers Digest.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 3, 2015
The Gatsby Game begins in a chaotic way in the aftermath of Alistair Milbourne's death--was it a murder, a suicide, or an accident? For the first couple of chapters, I wasn't sure I wanted to stick with this book to the end; however, once the backstory began to unfold, I was hooked.
There is both a nostalgic and vintage feel to this book. The nostalgia comes from being carried back to the late 60s and early 70s, with Watergate, hippies, free love, Vietnam and The Beatles. (Perhaps not so appealing when you think of it that way.) The vintage feel comes from the main male character, Alistair Milbourne, and his obsession with living like Jay Gatsby, always appearing as though he had stepped out of a 1920s drawing room. A complex character, amidst a number of complex characters, including the female main lead and narrator, Nicky Conway (a nod to the narrator of The Great Gatsby, Nick Carraway).
For the most part, The Gatsby Game is not a feel good book, although the ending left me smiling. I know some have categorized this as a cozy mystery, but I'm not really seeing that. It's darker and more intense than a typical chick lit cozy. For that, I am very thankful. The Gatsby Game is far from fluffy. Most of the lighter characters have dark undertones and secrets. These layers lift this book beyond the usual fluff.
Author Anne R. Allen is an intelligent writer, and she knows how to tell a good story. I will definitely be looking for more of her books in the future.
There is both a nostalgic and vintage feel to this book. The nostalgia comes from being carried back to the late 60s and early 70s, with Watergate, hippies, free love, Vietnam and The Beatles. (Perhaps not so appealing when you think of it that way.) The vintage feel comes from the main male character, Alistair Milbourne, and his obsession with living like Jay Gatsby, always appearing as though he had stepped out of a 1920s drawing room. A complex character, amidst a number of complex characters, including the female main lead and narrator, Nicky Conway (a nod to the narrator of The Great Gatsby, Nick Carraway).
For the most part, The Gatsby Game is not a feel good book, although the ending left me smiling. I know some have categorized this as a cozy mystery, but I'm not really seeing that. It's darker and more intense than a typical chick lit cozy. For that, I am very thankful. The Gatsby Game is far from fluffy. Most of the lighter characters have dark undertones and secrets. These layers lift this book beyond the usual fluff.
Author Anne R. Allen is an intelligent writer, and she knows how to tell a good story. I will definitely be looking for more of her books in the future.
November 15, 2011
This novel has two incredibly strong points. First of all, Anne R. Allen is somewhat of a story structure wizard. THE GATSBY GAME starts in chaos and bad feelings like a Jim Thompson novel, but when takes a 180 turns and become a cozy chick lit mystery (think Zeltsterman's Julius Katz books), with Fitzgeraldesque undertone (that's kind of part of the concept though).
But what makes THE GATSBY GAME such a strong, universally appealing novel is that despite it's chick lit and romance undertone, Anne R. Allen doesn't write female fantasies for male characters. She writes seducing men. Extremely seducing men. Alistair Milbourne is a charmer that will appeal to any crowd. One of the strongest protagonist I've read in 2011. THE GATSBY GAME is a groovy mystery and Anne R. Allen has a great pen to draw light hearted and sensual relationships. Great book.
But what makes THE GATSBY GAME such a strong, universally appealing novel is that despite it's chick lit and romance undertone, Anne R. Allen doesn't write female fantasies for male characters. She writes seducing men. Extremely seducing men. Alistair Milbourne is a charmer that will appeal to any crowd. One of the strongest protagonist I've read in 2011. THE GATSBY GAME is a groovy mystery and Anne R. Allen has a great pen to draw light hearted and sensual relationships. Great book.
May 28, 2013
I've been a fan of Anne Allen's for a long time, and THE GATSBY GAME is my new favorite.
I thought when I opened the book I would read for "just a minute" but as with Ms. Allen's writing, a minute lasted four hours until I was finished with the book.
I love cozy mysteries and this was right up my alley. The skill with which she culls up the past and provides a satisfying conclusion for the "murder" is simply brilliant. Along with her flawed cast of characters, fit for any dysfunctional family, Ms. Allen's brand of snark is readily apparent. And I so love her snark.
Anne Allen has another winner on her hands!
I thought when I opened the book I would read for "just a minute" but as with Ms. Allen's writing, a minute lasted four hours until I was finished with the book.
I love cozy mysteries and this was right up my alley. The skill with which she culls up the past and provides a satisfying conclusion for the "murder" is simply brilliant. Along with her flawed cast of characters, fit for any dysfunctional family, Ms. Allen's brand of snark is readily apparent. And I so love her snark.
Anne Allen has another winner on her hands!
June 6, 2013
Nice take on a true life situation I remember well from my early teens. I enjoyed Ms. Allen's writing style and the book was done before I was ready. Good summer reading.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews