No Trivial Pursuit

by John Ellsworth

No Trivial Pursuit. Not When It's Your Own Daughter Missing. A front-page murder is assigned to LAPD Detective Harley Ellis and her partner. Hollywood studio head Ira Spielman has been murdered. His widow says he had no enemies. Except one, says Harley, and she must discover who that is and why. She knows he sometimes interviewed actresses alone in his Hollywood office. Harley did he make a wrong move? It's not much, but it's a starting point. She would her own daughter had a screen test with Spielman before he was killed. Robbery-Homicide Division begins an investigation that obtains the name of Harley's daughter. Is she a suspect? No, but she's a person of interest. Charges get filed. The LAPD investigation is put beneath the microscope. Will Harley's investigation of a totally different suspect be vindicated? The amazing conclusion to this thoughtful investigation culminates in a final chapter few will see coming. Second Edition With Editorial Changes If you enjoyed Thaddeus Murfee you're going to love this tough, brilliant detective, Harley Ellis. John Ellsworth is a Goodreads writer with over 59,000 ratings and a USA Today Bestseller and a Kindle All-Star and an Amazon featured author. Fans of Tracy Crosswhite and Kinsey Millhone will enjoy this riveting saga of history, suspense, and love.

Genres: Crime

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2020

About the author

Formerly a trial lawyer for 30 years, John Ellsworth is now a full-time writer of thrillers and historical fiction, with over millions of copies sold. He holds titles such as USA Today bestseller, an Amazon Bestseller and Featured Author, as well as a Kindle All-Star.

Official Website: www.ellsworthbooks.com
Official Twitter: @jellsworthbooks
Official Instagram: @johnellsworth_author
Official Facebook: facebook.com/johnellsworthauthor

Reviews

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a discount on this modern police procedural from author John Ellsworth. Thank you for sharing your hard work with me. I have read No Trivial Pursuit of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest personal opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend John Ellsworth to friends and family. He writes a fast-paced, involved mystery featuring personable characters, his plots in and around the Los Angeles area. JE writes several series - I want to read them all.

Harley Sturgis is an LA cop, 1950's, who will win your respect, a hard-nosed woman with a heart of if not gold, then certainly not dross. This mystery involves Harley's young daughter Wendy, so the hunt for the murderer of Ira J. Spielman, a Hollywood director who rapes young women on his casting couch, becomes very personal. Harley is backed by co-workers who are lively and supportive, in an investigation that grows more complex as the days go by - and her Lt. has her tied down to solving this case within 30-days or he will take the case away from her, as he should have done as soon as she admitted Wendy was a prime suspect. Can she find the actual murderer of this slime who really deserved to die? You bet.
Reviewed on February 17, 2020, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, and BookBub. Not available for review at B&N, Kobo, or GooglePlay.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the fifties, this action-packed and suspenseful story with a twisty plot will keep you guessing. Where there is big money and opportunity, there always seems to be criminal under currents.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected

I am a fan of John Ellsworth and I love Thaddeus Murfee. I was not sure how I was going to like the switch to a new series. I was hoping I would not be let down like I was with the Atlee Pine series from a different favorite author. I even went into this book without reading up on it.

My first impression of this book was it felt reminiscent of the Perry Mason books I read by Erle Stanley Gardner. Yes! I loved the tv reruns, but I read some books also. I got the 50's vibe as I read the first chapter. Then, as I continued it was obvious it is set in the 50's. Harley Ellis was not at all what I was expecting, the character or the book. I am a 45 year old woman, I love the Mystery, Suspense and Thriller genres. It is great to have a strong female lead, but I was not happy with Atlee Pine, it was too forced and completely unbelievable. And that is just to draw a comparison, because I really enjoyed Harley Ellis. She wasn't written as a hard-as-nails cliche. She is a Detective set in the 1950's when women were flooding the workplace during war-time, looking for careers, and a decent wage. This character was married, had a daughter, husband at war...She was written as a living , breathing woman.

As I kept reading I was captivated by this murder of a movie diector/producer. The case leads off in various directions, some even hitting close to home for the Detective. The ending was not totally unexpected, but the wrap up was thorough and intriguing.

I look forward to Hollywood Division due out May 3, 2020.

[Joanie Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book in the series was a page tuner that just kept getting better. It's a good noir story with characters that feel real and has the scenery well described from that era. I love reading mysteries set in that time, and this one really fit. Glad there is another one coming and hope for many more. Harley is a solid main character and now with new husband best friend CV the stories will only get better.

[Brenda Snorton · Rating 5 out of 5]

When. I read your books, I feel like I am being transport into story and I am an active participant.

I read a lot, but ever so often you come up on a writer like John Ellsworth and he changes the name of writing with a purpose. Your writings are absorbed by the reader to a point that it is hard to fathom that the story May not have happen in the same order as written. I have read all of your books thus far not one book has been disappointing and not one has been less than the others. You just keep going up and up, you take the reader all the way. I appreciate you and highly respect you as an outstanding author. Brenda

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different Ellsworth

I have read a number of his books and enjoy them, this one seemed not as concise and clear cut. as several of the others

[Kay Hagan-Haller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellsworth's new series is a hit

Looking forward to the next installment. Harley is a female detective in 1955 in LA. Sexism rules the all male LAPD above sergeant level. Harley is a hard ass who just wants to keep people safe and bad guys off the streets and be a RHD detective. Great role model for any girl. The story also touches on the casting couch and the trauma done.

[Jan Larsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dynamic storyline that grips from the first chapter.

And doesn’t let go!

Detective Harley Ellis is a strong, courageous young
woman ably competing with her colleagues in the
1955 LAPD male-dominated world. All whilst emotional
deep wounds inflicted upon her are heeling as best
they can she and her female LAPD partner unfalteringly
pursue all leads to get to the bottom of a cold case
murder investigation.

I love John Ellsworth’s lead-characters and am an
unconditional fan of Thaddeus Murfee. Getting acquainted
with the Harley Ellis character was indeed a pleasant
surprise. I cannot wait to be plunged into Harley’s
next book!

Jan

[Jo Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harley

This is a very well written book from Author
John Ellsworth, lots of action and an introduction to a new character so be ready to be surprised. I love all of his books and would enjoy anything written by John.

[YardBoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harley Ellis: a strong 1950's woman, mother and LA Detective.

Author John Ellsworth has introduced a new series featuring a street-smart gumshoe with the backbone to prove it. She maneuvers her way thru her daughter's disappearance, Hollywood casting couches and the Mob. Enjoy the twists and turns. The action is nonstop and you'll be reading this page-burner late after your bedtime. I'm already looking forward to the sequel.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Bad

Ellsworth fan but not sure on this series. Ordered book 2, we'll see how she pans out as to whether there will be third.

[Vickie Sarmina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harley Ellis is a Detective with the LAPD in the 1950s. She was married to Bobby Ellis. He decided that he wanted to fight in the Korean War and enlisted in the Navy. Prior to his enlistment, he was a devoted father to his young daughter, Wendy. Harley received the information that Bobby has been killed in Korea. This sent Wendy spiraling downhill, since she loved her father very much. Harley tried everything to become closer to her daughter, but Wendy blamed her for letting Bobby enlist. In short, Wendy blamed her mother for her father’s death. Finally, Wendy became interested in acting and theatre. Harley thought that this interest would bring the two of them closer. Harley has some pull with getting Wendy a screen test. She dropped Wendy off to Ira Spielman’s office for the screen test. Seems that Spielman used his power as a director and producer of films over young and naive girls. Wendy was only 14; but she lied about her age and told him she was 18. Spielman raped Wendy right there in his office, and basically told her never to come back again. Wendy didn’t let her mother know anything about it, instead she decided to run away. Harley is devastated and continues to search for her daughter. Harley was reassigned to cold cases by her Lieutenant. One of the new cases that she became involved in happened to be the killing of Ira Spielman. It appears some unhappy woman used a letter opener and punctured it through his ear into his brain. With so many women, who might have done this? The Mexican Cartel and the Mafia seem to be involved in various ways. Will Harley be able to solve this case? Did her daughter kill Spielman? Will she ever find her daughter alive? What a great fast-paced book. It certainly kept the attention of the reader. The book dripped with mystery and intrigue throughout. There were multiple themes woven throughout the book. I was surprised to read some scenes that were violent, but certainly added much more to the storyline. The plot was well developed and the scenes were very descriptive. The character development was definitely on point. The reader could almost feel exactly what the individuals were experiencing at all times throughout the book. I totally enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading the next one.

[Thomas R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book, the author wrote a story that takes place in the 40s and 50s in Hollywood. The main character ( Harley Ellis) is a great character. She marries the Love of her life and they have a daughter, right before the US enteres WW2. She joins the Navy becomes an MP, her husband is not allowed to join the service because he works for a Defense Contractor that makes weapons. They have a Daughter ( Wendy) who is definitely a Daddy s girl. The war ends and Harley joins the LA Police Department. The Korean War starts and her husband joins the Navy, Wendy is over come with sadness missing her father. She blames her mother. The father dies in the war and Wendy blames her mother. The author really understands the 50s Hollywood and the Political landscape of the LA Police Department, Harley is qualified for the promotion to the elite Robbery/Homicide Division but women were not allowed to hold those positions. The story has many shocking moments and it really had me on edge. Great book and I hope the author continues writing for this character.

[Judith Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a member of the ARC team I am lucky enough to get to read the John Ellsworth books, prior to publication.
And in this book, we have Ellsworth at his best. A new book, a new female protagonist and a supporting cast of new and interesting characters.
Harley Ellis a NYPD detective is looking for her missing daughter while working with her partner on a front page story.
A movie mogul is killed and Harley’s daughter, Wendy, is one of the last people to have been in his office.
The story rapidly moves from downtown Los Angeles, to Hollywood, to Bel Air, to Las Vegas and back again until the final pages where we find out who is the real culprit – Wendy Ellis is not guilty of Murder, but who is? You will have to read the book to find the answer to that question.
This is book No 1 in a new series. I’m waiting impatiently for the next one.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Book 1 of the Harley Ellis/Sturgis series. I love the Thaddeus Murfee series so I was thrilled to discover that this will be another of John Ellsworth's series I will look forward to reading.
Set in the 1950's, it gives a rare insight into the discrimination women, in a predominantly male profession, suffered at the hands of both their colleagues and the system.
Hollywood studio head Ira Spielman has been murdered and Harley's runaway daughter has been named as a person of interest. Spielman used to interview actresses alone in his Hollywood office. Did he make a move on the wrong one? Harley needs to find the answers and the killer.
I received an A.R.C. of this book from the Author and have chosen to leave a review.

[Paulette Holloway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time and date inaccuracies

I have read most of the authors books and have always enjoyed them but there were just some things that weren’t right in this one, despite it being a great read.

1. Harley had an answering machine...not in 1955!
2. There was plexiglass at the bank she went to. That wasn’t a “thing” until the 70’s
3. Wendy was wearing an orange jumpsuit in jail; again, that wasn’t a thing until the 70’s.

There were a few others but those were the most glaring. I’m surprised the editor didn’t catch those.

Otherwise, it was a great read, as I’ve felt about all of his novels.

[Paul Fussner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing Trivial about this Storyline

From the first paragraph I was mesmerized Ellsworth has written another novel with that flows so smooth through very aspect of of what it takes for a woman to be a police officer while trying to figure out how to become a better person, mother, grandmother, wife, and detective, all while learning to deal with the loss of three fellow officer's, and her first husband. This novel has more twists and turns than a country road, that kept me turning pages from the moment I opened up book. Like all of the books I've read by Ellsworth this is must read!

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Up to Ellsworth’s usual standard

While not as good as the Thad Murphee series, this is a decent read. Some of it comes across as far fetched and not quite believable. Things happen too fast and too easily.

Harley is an interesting character. Always willing to help someone in need, she can be a bad ass when circumstances dictate.

The setting reflects Hollywood in the 1950’s when studio casting couches were the path to stardom.

Not sure if I’m sufficiently intrigued enough to read the next book.

[Louise Pledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently, this is going to be a new series, featuring female detective Harley Ellis. Being a huge fan of the Thaddeus Murfee and Michael Gresham series, I can't say that I'm nearly that enamored of this one. When Harley's teen-age daughter ran away, I was intrigued, loving books about missing children, but it turned out to be so much more than that... which is both good and bad.

While I almost always give John Ellsworth five stars, I took one away because of sex and language. I don't want them to become so familiar to me that I find myself using the obscenities!

[Tami Williamson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weak lead character. Couldn't even finish book.

I have enjoyed many Ellsworth books but, for the first time, I stopped reading this one halfway through. The main characters were weak, and completely unsympathetic. The heroine, Harley, was written as a meek 1950s woman. Very disappointed with the missed opportunity to empower a female LAPD detective in 1955 as opposed to her stereotyped female indecisiveness and weakness. Other characters not any better. Not one sympathetic, relatable lead to root for.

[Stephen Dalton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an OK read. Not great but OK. The fact that the protagonist knows her daughter is in Vegas, pregnant, 14, and a murder suspect, but she doesn't go there to get her is unbelievable. I don't care what your job is, as a mother you would get in your car and drive there. Vegas is not that far from Hollywood. There were some other things that made me shake my head in disbelief but overall it was good enough to finish.

[Curtis Rostad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minor errors stick out

Ellsworth is a good story teller, but the actual writing needs a little work. We don’t need to know what someone is wearing everyday. Police units and the word SWAT would not be invented for years, yet were mentioned in the book. The main characters got in their car to drive to a coffee shop two blocks away? And it took them 10 minutes? Two bad guys in prison were “no more” and yet two pages later are on death row. Like I said, needs some work.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning tale

Six stars for sure. Ellsworth is a genuine wordsmith. This riveting, rollercoaster ride travels back to the 1950's Hollywood, with all the gritty street crimes and glittering lights of possible stardom. On the streets are detectives trying to solve the gruesome murder of a studio executive and rapist. This thriller has many twists, turns and unexpected clips upside down. A true pleasure to read.

[joanne bisulca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent thriller

I thoroughly enjoy reading this author! He manages to keep you guessing until the very end! I only wish that whoever proof reads does a better job of catching the typos ! I worked for several years in libaries both legal and schools therefore I find it difficult to understand why we must be subjected to such gross lack of editing.

[Joy H. Lee-Story · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellsworth: One of my all-timefavorites

Ellsworth remains one of my all time favorite authors, and this book did not disappoint. Captivating, fast moving and with quite amazing characters. The death of one main character was grippjng, and I was not yet over the grief at end. Looking forward much to the next in the series. Thank you Mr. Ellsworth.

[Michael Garin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start to a great series

No Trivial Pursuit was a great read. I was not so sure at the outset because I generally expected something a bit more gritty, but happily I read on and gritty I got.
Excellent story, characters one could care about, no obvious solution until the end, who could ask for anything more.

[ursula gift · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me N Trivial Pursuit was different, but it was suspenseful, it has its twist and turns to make you concentrate on the characters. I think that John is widening our horizon on what to expect when it comes to the law. I give him his props, well done John, but it was a little short for me, hehe. Really loved it.

[Rick Mitchell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is sloppy and does not appear to be anything like 1955. A cop loses her daughter, learns she's in Vegas and does not look there? Twice women cops go alone to a male prison - in 1955? Alone? Small provable facts are off, like minimum wage. Add that to the improbability of the plot and this is one to skip.

[marilyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

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[Tina Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not trivial by any means!

This was a great first book in a series. You meet all the players and get to know them, and they are likeable. Harley is a tough woman working as a detective in the fifties when women could not climb the ladder to the top, but she got further than she thought she ever could. It has a great plot well thought out and interesting from the beginning.