Body Copy

by Michael Craven

Introducing Donald Tremaine, P.I. Once the world's number one surfer, Donald Tremaine quit at the top of his game, moved into a trailer in Malibu, and became a detective. Beautiful women don't ask for his autograph anymore. Now they ask for his help—like the stunning Nina Aldeen, who wants Tremaine to solve the murder of her uncle, advertising mogul Roger Gale, brutally slayed in his L.A. office a year earlier. The police investigation went nowhere. The suspects are many, and the victim had more secrets than anyone ever knew. But the closer Tremaine gets to the truth, the closer he comes to a killer who just might make his most complicated case his last. A novel that both honors and invigorates the classic private eye novel, Body Copy loudly heralds the arrival—with a bullet—of a major contender on the noir scene.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Suspense

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Michael Craven is an advertising writer and creative director, and is the author of two previous books, Body Copy and The Detective & the Pipe Girl, nominated for both the Nero Wolfe and Shamus Awards. He lives and works in New York City.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Donald Tremaine is a former champion surfer...no wait, don't tune out...he's a former champion surfer turned private eye. Nina Aldeen is the niece of murdered advertising big wig, Roger Gale. A year after Roger's murder, Nina hires Tremaine to try to find out who killed her uncle since the police were unable to solve the crime. The only problem is...the police didn't solve the crime for a reason; there are no clues, especially a full year after the crime. But, that doesn't keep Tremaine from trying. He takes the case!

"A beautiful dame walked into my office..." Body Copy is definitely a book in the style of classic private eye fiction but with a modern twist. A beautiful woman DOES walk into Tremaine's office, only Tremaine's office happens to be his home, a trailer in Southern California. Tremaine's a good-looking guy who totes around some emotional baggage, but it doesn't come from alcoholism or a war experience.

Of course, every PI needs a good friend in the police department, and Tremaine's friend is John Lopez. Tremaine also has a hysterical, part-time side-kick, Marvin. Marvin isn't a PI, he's Tremaine's helpful, struggling actor neighbor. And finally, Tremaine has an aged English bulldog, Lyle. Poor Lyle, he just wants to lay around and be left alone. I ask you, "What more could your star PI need"?

In following with the classic style, Craven makes use of humor, although at times it tends to be a bit rough around the edges. I'm sure he'll smooth out with more experience. I can hear echos of other writers in his humor; I'd love to see him find his own, unique style in that respect.

Overall I enjoyed Craven's debut, but I have to admit that I kind of wrinkled up my nose at the conclusion. I don't want to include any spoilers but suffice it to say, I had a bit of a hard time buying into it. That disappointed me because I liked Tremaine, Marvin, Lyle, Nina, and the plot was fun. I really wanted Body Copy to go out with a bang. It is a very good book for Craven's first time out, though.

So, if you're a fan of the traditional private eye novel, Body Copy may be one you want to pick up.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved Michael Craven’s other PI books: the Ross MacDonald fix I can’t seem to get from most Ross MacDonald. Like the other two (which feature a different PI), this book had a precise rendering of the LA I’ve known for 20 years. The characters and writing is vivid, fresh and light on its feet just like his other books. The only small ding is the solution hinges on a crazy coincidence (if I’m understanding right) and the climax is too cliched despite how strongly it’s written. Still, this is a great book to start 2021 and hopefully they only get better from here.

[pearl_seeker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't really recommend this book; I prefer his second book, 'The Detective and the Pipe Girl'.

The writing in 'Body Copy' is good, the characters are alright, some of the dialogue is pretty bad, but the biggest problem is the plot. Actually, the lack of plot is the problem. Over 35 chapters of Donald Tremaine, P.I., meeting person after person, but no forward motion in the plot. You read about his meetings, you're looking for clues, you're not seeing them -- not because the plot is so brilliant it's got you baffled, but because there isn't any plot. Seriously!

After 37 chapters of meetings and phone calls, the P.I. suddenly just pulls the answer out of thin air! No believable reason for the murder, no discernable reason why the murderer would have committed the murder. The culmination of the case leaves the reader completely dissatisfied. I don't mind a mystery I can't solve because I missed the clue(s); but a 'mystery' without a plot is really just an excuse to write a lot of scenes and then tie them all up with a 'deus ex machina' ending because it's time to solve the case.

Don't waste your time. Even as a quick summer read, it's just not worthwhile.

[Jerry Peace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can hardly believe there's only 21 reviews and 150 ratings on this novel. I love it, and Tremaine is a kind of Marlowe lite. Sure, Craven's not Chandler here, but I could see it happening someday. But, like with Raymond C., Los Angeles is a character and I like that. Tremaine gives a lot of respect to the secret workings of the subconscious and gets most of his information from just talking to people. Sound familiar? And a ton more fun than all that CSI stuff- insects hatching and dowels stuck through bodies and such. One fun quote, about an encounter with one young and beautiful lady- "Tremaine thought for a moment that he'd died and gone to heaven. But that actually came a little later." But this book is dangerous. Might make you want to buy a surfboard and move to L.A.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this 3rd but it is actually Michael Graven's 1st book. I loved the 2nd one so much I bought the 1st and 3rd. Something about his writing. In THIS book: Victim suffered another blow to the head. What killed him was asphyxiation. ... blow to head knocked him out, then the murderer calmly and easily plugged up the old air holes. Page 32.

He was always surprised at the REASONS PEOPLE FOUND TO KILL EACH OTHER. Page 34

poseur play
noun po·seur \pō-ˈzər, ˈpō-zər\
 
:  a person who pretends to be what he or she is not :  an affected or insincere person page 54

The victim's wife's name is EVELYN Page 14

[Ted Lehmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

First novel that doesn't achieve it's goal of creating a tension filled, exciting story. Because I had read Craven's third book, The Detective and the Chinese High Fin and liked it, I thought I'd take a look at his two earlier books to watch how his writing grew. I was disappointed by Body Copy, but I'm, although I've just started read it, intrigued by the setup and the emerging situation. I like reading books in series chronologically, partly to watch the character develop. Craven's second novel, The Detective & the Pipe Girl, feels much more sure handed than this initial effort.

[Margaret Shumaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this

It's really hard to find a good mystery with characters who are interesting and can care about. I really loved this, great main character who is smart and clever and not super human. The plot was also interesting as was the setting, Los Angeles. I hope this author keeps on writing.

[Noni · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written. The writing is bland and repetitive. I physically cringed a couple times at the awkwardness of the dialogue and descriptions. At first I thought it was a character choice, but after reading more I realize it's just the author.

Glad to be done so I can move on to something better…

[Burt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Body Copy is a compelling mystery set in Los Angeles. The pages turn with ease and the plot is very intricate. However, the book isn’t always believable and the private eye can be a bit pompous.

I’d read another of Craven’s books, but there was some room for improvement in Body Copy.

[DD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked it. First book I am reading by Michael Craven. I intend to read the others. Found this book to be a very easy read, good story line, not a scary thriller but a good mystery.

[geoff tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

BODY COPY is an advertising term and one of the characters in the book works in advertising so i think it’s a pun or maybe an allusion

[Cynthia Cadenhead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really didn't need all the driving directions of where the P.I. was going.

[Desiree Bowling · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, fast read. Author was a little to detailed on driving routes, didn't seem necessary

[Gayle Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast read. I liked the characters.

[CGregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. I did enjoy a great deal of it but not until about half way through. It was definitely easy to read and I like it when I don't have to 'work' to read a book. There were a couple of 'scene errors' in there but I got past them. What I liked most about it was the main character; he wasn't more than what he should have been. Wasn't the best in his field as a P.I.; wasn't the toughest guy or some super spy or some once secret undercover mercenary or specially skilled military soldier.

He had some OCD, he had some runaway thoughts, had a cooky quirk but he also had talent. The story almost slammed to a halt toward the end but perhaps not so noticeably. Looks like I'll be reading another Michael Craven novel in the future if he continues to write.

6/20/13 - started
6/25/13 - finished

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the setting of this book since I was born in California. Donald was a little jaded and I liked that. It wasn't phenomenal to me because I generally don't like murder mysteries. The way their plots are told are just not that interesting to me since they seem to be similar. I just don't find myself gaining anything from reading murder mysteries.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, quick read in the film noire style. Good mystery, good characters, and i didn't guess the ending. Could have been out of the 1940's, except that the main character is an ex-surfer. I hope there will be more in the series.

[Diane Toomey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feel-good plot with loads of confidence. Makes me want to take a drive on PCH. At night. For what it is, a terrific treatment which left me missing Donald for a few days, there...I hope this is the beginning of a series; let's hope!

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just didn't do it for me. It was difficult to get into because there just wasn't that much to be interested in. I'm still pretty surprised by the number of really good reviews this received on Amazon. Go figure...

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

It starts a little slow, but once you get into o it it begins to move along pretty well. I liked following Tremain's thought process, even though there were more jumps than I could have made on my own. 3.5 stars.

[Emily Aldrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great easy read, awesome story-line. You really connect witht the characters.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ex surfer turned PI keeps the action moving..I liked this first adventure with "Insane" Tremaine..this who-done-it kept me guessing til the end. Encore.

[Barbara Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up on way to Airport as he is a Boulder author - okay but nothing special. Quick read.

[Tom Hicks]

I love PI novels and being that this is his first one, it's a keeper. Looking forward to many more. Pick this one up at the book store. You won't want to put it down.

[Homerun2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Not a bad book. Appealingly quirky hero. Plot held up well. Not a ton of depth but fun and smart.

[Christina Bjenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!!!!

[Christopher Swann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, solid first mystery by a high school classmate of mine. I'm interested to read the new novel Michael apparently has coming out this year.

[Martin Weiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mystery. Craven has a modern Ellroy LA noir style that is fun to read.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waiting for his next novel.

[Bruno Ribeiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystery crime book mentioning the Advertising agencies world? Yes, please. That was a very fun and nice book to read. Really well written. :)