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MacGuffin
THRILLING HOLLYWOOD NOIR WITH A HORRIFIC WEB OF INTRIGUE & SUSPENSE (ARTISAN BOOK REVIEWS)HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, AUGUST 2005.Rich MacGuffin, an aspiring actor with a talent for acting but a distinct lack of tinsel town looks, struggles to find work that will lead him on the road to stardom.When a series of murders takes place by an elusive serial killer nicknamed THE HOLLYWOOD SPECTRE, and one of those victims is the star in a movie in the process of being shot, MacGuffin comes up with a unique idea that will land him the starring role.Finally, MacGuffin gets his chance to show his acting ability, and he shines. But the killer is still on the prowl and seeking revenge against those from his past. MacGuffin unwittingly becomes involved with the LAPD and FBI as they hunt the killer and the bodies stack GenreLA NoirSuspense or Dark SuspenseWeirdBlack or Dark ComedyHard-boiled noirPolice Procedural (serial killer)Romantic ThrillerHollywood NoirDetectiveAction ThrillerWhodunitIn PerilMeta NoirOnce Upon A Time In Hollywood NoirHollywood Film NoirHitchcockian Suspense Thriller
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 27, 2020
Sometimes a book takes a while to get going. It starts slow, builds the world, and sets the stage. And then sometimes a book wastes no time in cutting off fingers and heads and generally making a mess of things. That's the path taken here.
In true noir fashion, the story is slightly complicated, the heroes have questionable moral character, and there's not a lot of unnecessary fluff. There are lots of characters, many of whom have backstories and connections that aren't obvious until much later in the book, and I appreciated that most of the bigger plot surprises happen towards the end. But some of the characters could have been flushed out a little better (like Caroline, how did she get all mixed up in this?). The book moved almost too fast at times.
While technically it's a whodunit for the good guys, readers will know who the bad guy is almost from the first page. Sometimes this can be detrimental - it takes away the mystery - but it works. The story also bounces the point of view so readers can see perspectives from almost all the characters (I think *all* the characters actually get at least one little section from their point of view, which is nice yet sometimes confusing), and the fact that we know who the bad guys are makes their POVs especially worthwhile.
I really only have a few very minor issues.
All the POV changes, especially in the beginning, are a little confusing to keep straight. There are so many characters, and so many names to keep straight, and frequent POV changes . . . I found myself rereading early passages trying to understand everything. I eventually just decided to forge ahead and figure it out somewhere along the way (which I did). But there is a lot going on.
And some of what happened just seemed . . . unlikely. I don't want to give things away, but there were plenty of times where I just wondered how things were possible, how seemingly serious injuries were non-events, how people fall from really high places into a lake full of very dangerous things and it was no big deal, etc. I don't hate these unlikely things but I found myself questioning these in the middle of reading, which detracts from the experience. If the book was playing in the fantasy or sci-fi realm or something, these things could be excused as part of the world; but the book is set - even if loosely - in a very realistic Hollywood environment. It just asked for too much faith sometimes.
But, overall, the book was solid and I enjoyed it. If you like noir and you're not squeamish, it's easy for me to recommend it.
In true noir fashion, the story is slightly complicated, the heroes have questionable moral character, and there's not a lot of unnecessary fluff. There are lots of characters, many of whom have backstories and connections that aren't obvious until much later in the book, and I appreciated that most of the bigger plot surprises happen towards the end. But some of the characters could have been flushed out a little better (like Caroline, how did she get all mixed up in this?). The book moved almost too fast at times.
While technically it's a whodunit for the good guys, readers will know who the bad guy is almost from the first page. Sometimes this can be detrimental - it takes away the mystery - but it works. The story also bounces the point of view so readers can see perspectives from almost all the characters (I think *all* the characters actually get at least one little section from their point of view, which is nice yet sometimes confusing), and the fact that we know who the bad guys are makes their POVs especially worthwhile.
I really only have a few very minor issues.
All the POV changes, especially in the beginning, are a little confusing to keep straight. There are so many characters, and so many names to keep straight, and frequent POV changes . . . I found myself rereading early passages trying to understand everything. I eventually just decided to forge ahead and figure it out somewhere along the way (which I did). But there is a lot going on.
And some of what happened just seemed . . . unlikely. I don't want to give things away, but there were plenty of times where I just wondered how things were possible, how seemingly serious injuries were non-events, how people fall from really high places into a lake full of very dangerous things and it was no big deal, etc. I don't hate these unlikely things but I found myself questioning these in the middle of reading, which detracts from the experience. If the book was playing in the fantasy or sci-fi realm or something, these things could be excused as part of the world; but the book is set - even if loosely - in a very realistic Hollywood environment. It just asked for too much faith sometimes.
But, overall, the book was solid and I enjoyed it. If you like noir and you're not squeamish, it's easy for me to recommend it.
December 19, 2021
Action Packed
Just don't take it all too seriously! It's a high action, thriller with a super villian. From page one, it will take you on a fast ride. A stretch for the imagination but has alot of energy.
Just don't take it all too seriously! It's a high action, thriller with a super villian. From page one, it will take you on a fast ride. A stretch for the imagination but has alot of energy.
August 8, 2020
Action pack
If you are looking for a book that is action pack from start to do ah here’s your book. Wonderful crime story where once you got the facts straight there is a wrench thrown in there. Recommend it to anyone who like a crime story.
If you are looking for a book that is action pack from start to do ah here’s your book. Wonderful crime story where once you got the facts straight there is a wrench thrown in there. Recommend it to anyone who like a crime story.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews