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Simeon Grist Mystery #3
Skin Deep
Hired to keep Toby Vane, prime-time's number one leading man, out of trouble, Simeon Grist is certain the job will be a piece of cake--that is, until Vane is framed for the murder of a nude dancer.
336 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1991
47 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Hallinan
44 books454 followersI'm a thriller and mystery novelist with 22 published books in three series, all with major imprints. I divides my time between Los Angeles and Southeast Asia, primarily Thailand, where I've lived off and on for more than twenty years. As of now, My primary home is in Santa Monica, California.
I currently write two series, The Poke Rafferty Bangkok Thrillers, most recently FOOLS' RIVER, and the Junior Bender Mysteries, set in Los Angeles, Coming up this November is NIGHTTOWN. The main character of those books is a burglar who works as a private eye for crooks.
The first series I ever wrote featured an overeducated private eye named Simeon Grist. in 2017 I wrote PULPED, the first book in the series to be self-published, which was actually a lot of fun. I might do more of it.
I've been nominated for the Edgar, the Macavity, the Shamus, and the Left, and won the Lefty in 2015 (?) for the Junior Bender book HERBIE'S GAME. My work has frequently been included in Best Books of the Year roundups by major publications.
I currently write two series, The Poke Rafferty Bangkok Thrillers, most recently FOOLS' RIVER, and the Junior Bender Mysteries, set in Los Angeles, Coming up this November is NIGHTTOWN. The main character of those books is a burglar who works as a private eye for crooks.
The first series I ever wrote featured an overeducated private eye named Simeon Grist. in 2017 I wrote PULPED, the first book in the series to be self-published, which was actually a lot of fun. I might do more of it.
I've been nominated for the Edgar, the Macavity, the Shamus, and the Left, and won the Lefty in 2015 (?) for the Junior Bender book HERBIE'S GAME. My work has frequently been included in Best Books of the Year roundups by major publications.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 2, 2024
Good prose, good characterization, good world building, good story, no theme.
The chief reason to read this is the banter. Both in the dialog and the narrative (told in first person). It was a joy to read.
This is actually the first Simeon Grist written and the third published. I had no trouble reading it out of sequence.
The chief reason to read this is the banter. Both in the dialog and the narrative (told in first person). It was a joy to read.
This is actually the first Simeon Grist written and the third published. I had no trouble reading it out of sequence.
December 11, 2014
When you love two series that an author has written and you discover that he's written a third, you're going to go out of your way to find the books in that unsampled series. That's what I did when I found out that favorite author Timothy Hallinan had written the Simeon Grist series well before I fell in love with his others featuring Poke Rafferty and Junior Bender.
What I found in Skin Deep was a beginning effort by someone who was trying to make his writing fit into the standard P.I. format. Skin Deep has its problems, but it shows a lot of promise and hints of Hallinan's later heroes, Poke and Junior.
The pacing of the book was slow at times and could've been tightened up, and although I liked Simeon, there wasn't enough background on him. (Probably rule #1 in the P.I. author's handbook: Never give too much away about your hero.) I have to be honest here and say that what I disliked most about the book are things that I usually don't like about P.I. novels-- everyone seems to be a sleezeball, the violence, and that arch tone that makes me grind my teeth. So if you love the standard private eye novel, chances are you're going to enjoy this one a lot more than I did.
What I did enjoy was catching so many glimpses of the writer Hallinan was soon to become. He is a writer who doesn't really fit within the confines of any one standard genre, and it took him a little time to figure out how to turn things to his (and our) advantage. The unconventional-- yet very satisfying-- solution reminded me of things Poke Rafferty and Junior Bender would do in future books. And-- like Junior Bender-- Simeon Grist knows Hollywood gossip, legends and history. On the surface, Simeon Grist looks and maybe even sounds like one of those 1930s tough guy gumshoes, but down deep he has the soft heart and smarts of those two Hallinan characters I've already mentioned.
Skin Deep may not have been a completely satisfying read for me, but I did enjoy going back to see one of my favorite writer's "origins."
What I found in Skin Deep was a beginning effort by someone who was trying to make his writing fit into the standard P.I. format. Skin Deep has its problems, but it shows a lot of promise and hints of Hallinan's later heroes, Poke and Junior.
The pacing of the book was slow at times and could've been tightened up, and although I liked Simeon, there wasn't enough background on him. (Probably rule #1 in the P.I. author's handbook: Never give too much away about your hero.) I have to be honest here and say that what I disliked most about the book are things that I usually don't like about P.I. novels-- everyone seems to be a sleezeball, the violence, and that arch tone that makes me grind my teeth. So if you love the standard private eye novel, chances are you're going to enjoy this one a lot more than I did.
What I did enjoy was catching so many glimpses of the writer Hallinan was soon to become. He is a writer who doesn't really fit within the confines of any one standard genre, and it took him a little time to figure out how to turn things to his (and our) advantage. The unconventional-- yet very satisfying-- solution reminded me of things Poke Rafferty and Junior Bender would do in future books. And-- like Junior Bender-- Simeon Grist knows Hollywood gossip, legends and history. On the surface, Simeon Grist looks and maybe even sounds like one of those 1930s tough guy gumshoes, but down deep he has the soft heart and smarts of those two Hallinan characters I've already mentioned.
Skin Deep may not have been a completely satisfying read for me, but I did enjoy going back to see one of my favorite writer's "origins."
November 26, 2018
Simeon is hired to watch tv star, Toby Vane and keep him out of trouble. Toby is a terrific looking man with a million dollar smile. He is also a misogynist who hurts women every chance he gets. Arrogant, self centered, the guy you love to hate. Toby attracts trouble making him a difficult subject for Simeon. Then women around Toby start dying violent deaths. Is it Toby, or is someone trying to set Toby up?
April 2, 2012
Simeon Grist is a private investigator in Hollywood, and one day while consuming beverages at a local tavern has the unfortunate experience of meeting Toby Vane, famous TV personality--although Simeon doesn't know at the time who he is. He starts knocking his date about in the pub, and Simeon intervenes--and quick as you can blink, he ends up hired by the star's manager with a job babysitting Toby and keeping him out of trouble. Not an easy task by anyone's estimation! And when the brutally murdered body of one of the nude dancers Toby was seen leaving her club with is found on the stage at the club, Simeon realizes his client could be in real hot water unless he takes the time to investigate.
This book was...well, let me be honest. If I had not already read Timothy Hallinan's other series featuring Poke Rafferty, I would most likely have stopped reading this book well before my 50-page rule. It starts out...well, it's cheesy, rather amateurish and cliched, and I actually laughed in places I'm pretty sure I wasn't supposed to. However, I persevered, and it does actually get better by about mid-book although it is nowhere near the quality and calibre of the author's later writing.
The author has said that this was the first book in the series, but it was passed over in favor of two other books in the series that ended up being published before this one. I can understand why, given my initial reaction to the book. I can only assume they get better, and I think Mr. Hallinan can certainly be very proud of how much his writing has improved and matured over time, as Poke Rafferty is one of my top ten favorite mystery series ever. I will look forward to watching Simeon develop!
This book was...well, let me be honest. If I had not already read Timothy Hallinan's other series featuring Poke Rafferty, I would most likely have stopped reading this book well before my 50-page rule. It starts out...well, it's cheesy, rather amateurish and cliched, and I actually laughed in places I'm pretty sure I wasn't supposed to. However, I persevered, and it does actually get better by about mid-book although it is nowhere near the quality and calibre of the author's later writing.
The author has said that this was the first book in the series, but it was passed over in favor of two other books in the series that ended up being published before this one. I can understand why, given my initial reaction to the book. I can only assume they get better, and I think Mr. Hallinan can certainly be very proud of how much his writing has improved and matured over time, as Poke Rafferty is one of my top ten favorite mystery series ever. I will look forward to watching Simeon develop!
October 30, 2017
Same review as for the last book: tightly plotted, well written...and I'm not enjoying reading mysteries centered around the abuse of women and children. For me, these would be more effective if more were done to establish Grist's character. What drives him? What's his origin story? He's an English PhD, why does he not shy away from physical confrontation?
These books are all about the primary plot. We also need a reason to be hanging out with the protagonist. People, IMHO, read Parker's Spenser novels to hang out with Spenser and Hawk: the plots are interesting but not why people keep reading. The Simeon Grist series hasn't made that leap (yet).
These books are all about the primary plot. We also need a reason to be hanging out with the protagonist. People, IMHO, read Parker's Spenser novels to hang out with Spenser and Hawk: the plots are interesting but not why people keep reading. The Simeon Grist series hasn't made that leap (yet).
December 20, 2015
I believe this is actually the 1st Simon Grist novel. A nice little PI story--I'm not enthralled with mysteries set in the entertainment industry, but Hallinan always delivers, and this was a fun listen. 3.5, IMO
May 13, 2017
"Skin Deep" is Timothy Hallinan's third published Simeon Grist novel although it was actually his debut attempt in the suspense series. The discerning reader will note that it reads like a debut novel, introducing Hallinan's much loved Los Angeles landscape but lacking the polish of his subsequent offerings. His dialogue is credible but not the sharp witted intelligent banter of his later books and the plot, while credible, lacks the compelling storyline of his second (read first in publication order) book, "The Four Last Things". In "Skin Deep", rarely does he allude to Grist's four college degrees, mostly of a humanities bent, which is one of the things that make his protagonist unique. All in all, a credible mystery, but again, a debut that promises a series that will only get better.
December 24, 2018
I'm always interested in reading a favorite author's early work. This was Hallinan's first attempt at a mystery/suspense novel. Although the first written, due to the vagaries of publishing it was the third to be published. Grist is not as strongly developed as Bender or Rafferty and the plot/style is definitely old school. The book doesn't have the voice or polish of his later Junior Bender and Poke Rafferty novels, but fans of those books may be interested to see the early traces of his more successful series. Worth reading for that, plus there are plenty of Hallinan's priceless similes and metaphors.
February 6, 2020
This was the first of the Simeon Grist books, more violent and more dirty than I like, though the sex is basically off the page, while the descriptions of women doing sexy things with few clothes are myriad.
March 26, 2017
I rarely assign five stars to a book, but thos detective novel deserves it. Make sure your faith in humanity is nice and strong before you begin reading: you'll need every bit of it.
February 7, 2019
This is the 1st book of the series. First written, and chronologicly 1st for the character, Simeon Gritz.
March 26, 2019
Good read!
February 27, 2022
interesting, but flat
June 8, 2016
2.5-3 stars.
I have heard it as an audiobook on audible.
I love Timothy Hallinan's Junior Bender and Poke Rafferty series. Where Bender series is pure fun, the Poke Rafferty series is more gritty and humane in nature. His dialogue's are very witty but he still is able to create a connection between the reader and his characters. In short, they are goood reads. So, when I found out that he had written another series in the past, Simeon Grist Mystery series, I could not believe my luck. I was planning to enjoy this obscure/forgotten series.
But once I read (or heard in this case), I understood the reason for it being so obscure. While reading, you get the feeling that he is still trying to get his plotting and characters right. This is very unpolished 1st try by the author.
I had major problems with Simeon Grist, the protagonist. In Hallinan's other two series the protagonists are the main driving force of the story. Of course they are defective merchandise (Poke Rafferty) and losers (Junior Bender), but when the going gets tough they are unraveled as emotional good caring human beings. People, you will root for. But Simeon, he is just plain jerk time after time. Condescending towards women, insensitive towards victims/people and plain bad at work. He obviously does some good work here and there, but they are few and far between. I did not feel like rooting for him.
The major mystery plot line also was convoluted and kind of lame. I was able to figure it out way before Simeon did, and believe me that does not happen quite often. The motivations are half baked and the final conclusion does not pay off and feels really improbable.
Timothy Hallinan always writes good strong female characters. His heroines are always damaged but able to take care of them. And thank god, this is not an exception. The characterization of Nana is one of the very few bright points of this novel. The other one is Hallinan's writing.It is smooth as usual and it is able to evoke real emotion. One particular eulogy scene is so well written, it gives you glimpse of his refined future self.
I know, this is the 1st Timothy Hallinan book and I should not discard the whole series after just reading one. And I will come back to this series eventually to see whether it improves or not. But I am not feeling any urgency to do so.
Read this, with lower expectation and you may enjoy it. But I will suggest the other two series by the author over this any day of the week.
I have heard it as an audiobook on audible.
I love Timothy Hallinan's Junior Bender and Poke Rafferty series. Where Bender series is pure fun, the Poke Rafferty series is more gritty and humane in nature. His dialogue's are very witty but he still is able to create a connection between the reader and his characters. In short, they are goood reads. So, when I found out that he had written another series in the past, Simeon Grist Mystery series, I could not believe my luck. I was planning to enjoy this obscure/forgotten series.
But once I read (or heard in this case), I understood the reason for it being so obscure. While reading, you get the feeling that he is still trying to get his plotting and characters right. This is very unpolished 1st try by the author.
I had major problems with Simeon Grist, the protagonist. In Hallinan's other two series the protagonists are the main driving force of the story. Of course they are defective merchandise (Poke Rafferty) and losers (Junior Bender), but when the going gets tough they are unraveled as emotional good caring human beings. People, you will root for. But Simeon, he is just plain jerk time after time. Condescending towards women, insensitive towards victims/people and plain bad at work. He obviously does some good work here and there, but they are few and far between. I did not feel like rooting for him.
The major mystery plot line also was convoluted and kind of lame. I was able to figure it out way before Simeon did, and believe me that does not happen quite often. The motivations are half baked and the final conclusion does not pay off and feels really improbable.
Timothy Hallinan always writes good strong female characters. His heroines are always damaged but able to take care of them. And thank god, this is not an exception. The characterization of Nana is one of the very few bright points of this novel. The other one is Hallinan's writing.It is smooth as usual and it is able to evoke real emotion. One particular eulogy scene is so well written, it gives you glimpse of his refined future self.
I know, this is the 1st Timothy Hallinan book and I should not discard the whole series after just reading one. And I will come back to this series eventually to see whether it improves or not. But I am not feeling any urgency to do so.
Read this, with lower expectation and you may enjoy it. But I will suggest the other two series by the author over this any day of the week.
November 30, 2014
Was actually pleasantly surprised by this! Picked it up for free way back when I started using the Kindle app and never got around to reading it, so didn't really expect much when I cracked it open. The beginning didn't really do anything to dispel doubt, but once Simeon gets hired by the producers, the book really gets going. It's intelligent, raw LA gumshoe noir, with a good mystery at its core and a heartbreaking coda.
Personally, I was a bit leery of the fact that Simeon seems to have a bit of the yellow fever, but his attraction to East Asians seems more a matter of aesthetics -- the way some PIs have a weakness for blondes -- than a post-colonial buy-in to the myth of the submissive Asian woman. It was also refreshing to read an early 1990s period piece with all its talk of DOS computers and Dynasty references. I'm really looking forward to reading more of his stuff.
Personally, I was a bit leery of the fact that Simeon seems to have a bit of the yellow fever, but his attraction to East Asians seems more a matter of aesthetics -- the way some PIs have a weakness for blondes -- than a post-colonial buy-in to the myth of the submissive Asian woman. It was also refreshing to read an early 1990s period piece with all its talk of DOS computers and Dynasty references. I'm really looking forward to reading more of his stuff.
August 1, 2008
SKIN DEEP - Good
Hallinan, Timothy - 3rd in series
Los Angeles private detective Simeon Grist, seen before in The Four Last Things , stumbles through the smoke-and-mirrors world of television production in his third case. After stopping popular TV series star Toby Vane from beating up his date, Nana, in a bar, Grist is hired by Vane's producer to keep an eye on the actor until the syndication deal for the series goes through. Grist learns that Vane has a history of beating and mutilating women, a past being hushed up to save the deal--and the pots of money for everyone involved. When a friend of Nana's is found dead after being seen with Vane, Grist must determine if Vane is a sadistic killer or the victim of a set-up.
Well written but it's hard to like even the main character.
Hallinan, Timothy - 3rd in series
Los Angeles private detective Simeon Grist, seen before in The Four Last Things , stumbles through the smoke-and-mirrors world of television production in his third case. After stopping popular TV series star Toby Vane from beating up his date, Nana, in a bar, Grist is hired by Vane's producer to keep an eye on the actor until the syndication deal for the series goes through. Grist learns that Vane has a history of beating and mutilating women, a past being hushed up to save the deal--and the pots of money for everyone involved. When a friend of Nana's is found dead after being seen with Vane, Grist must determine if Vane is a sadistic killer or the victim of a set-up.
Well written but it's hard to like even the main character.
July 10, 2012
Much as I like Junior Bender and Poke Rafferty from Tim Hallinan's other series, I found it difficult to connect with Simeon in this mystery. Hallinan did a great job of making me hate the actor Simeon is hired to keep out of trouble, and there are terrific descriptions of the seamy club, the nude dancers, and the greasy owner, but during the first half of the book I kept hoping Simeon would just walk away from the whole mess.
December 9, 2012
Good mystery set in Hollywood about a spoiled and perverse TV actor whose TV 'managers' hire the book's main character, a PI, as his minder to keep him out of the papers (for doing stupid stuff) for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, several exotic dancers he is acquainted with turn up dead; he is alibied, but just barely, by another dancer. Good, suspenseful writing. Wonder if he's written anything else.
September 4, 2014
Although published and listed as third in the Simeon Grist series, this is the first written by Hallinan. Unfortunately, it shows. The characters are either poorly drawn or over the top. The plot moves forward in jerks and starts. The dialog isn't up to Hallinan's usual quality. All in all, it's not a terrible first book, but because the publisher released it as the third in the series, it's a huge disappointment.
February 25, 2015
Seamy underside of Hollywood
I gave this ebook four out of five stars. Simeon Grist is a private eye hired to keep a sick film star out of trouble. Toby Vane likes to beat up women. But then a woman is brutally murdered and Simeon must find out if Toby did it. This is a funny/sad book. Funny parts include Simeon's housekeeping and computer skills.
I purchased this book during a 24 hour sale at Amazon for free in May 2012
I gave this ebook four out of five stars. Simeon Grist is a private eye hired to keep a sick film star out of trouble. Toby Vane likes to beat up women. But then a woman is brutally murdered and Simeon must find out if Toby did it. This is a funny/sad book. Funny parts include Simeon's housekeeping and computer skills.
I purchased this book during a 24 hour sale at Amazon for free in May 2012
September 4, 2012
A down-at-heels private eye (is there any other kind?) takes a job baby-sitting a TV heartthrob who likes to hit women. Keep him out of trouble till the syndication rights sell and everybody makes out like a bandit. If only bandits were all our hero had to worry about on his little tour of the Hollywood gutters... SoCal decadence from a top-shelf writer.
January 16, 2013
This may have been his first novel (even if it was published AFTER his second and third novels), but it sure doesn't read like it! A great story and great characters, both the good-guys and the bad-guys. A page turner and characters you love, what more can you ask for. This book is a steal at $2.99!
August 23, 2022
My first Simeon Grist novel in the rather confusing series numbering.
I quite enjoyed it, though at times I found the constant wisecracking to be quite wearing.
I may well return 6 the series, but will need a break first.
I quite enjoyed it, though at times I found the constant wisecracking to be quite wearing.
I may well return 6 the series, but will need a break first.
April 26, 2016
3 1/2 stars. I love Simeon Grist! This was actually the first book but he didn't get it published until after books 2 & 3 were published. I'm pretty anal about reading my series in order but this one didn't really seem out of place. Fun read!
November 25, 2011
goofy, not serious like his thai series. but occasional fun
August 22, 2012
Great book
June 9, 2014
Grist
Someone Grist is hired to babysit a TV star and keep him out of trouble. He succeeded nicely! Great novel!!
Someone Grist is hired to babysit a TV star and keep him out of trouble. He succeeded nicely! Great novel!!
December 28, 2014
Yikes! A really nasty one, but intriguing and engaging nonetheless. I love Hallinan's descriptions -- a lovely mixture of humor and nastiness!
August 14, 2015
Loved the first half, very witty and fresh but the seams started to show and the characters became not so enjoyable. Above average though....
Read
December 12, 2015Nope.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews