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David Spandau #2
Babylon Nights
Fifteen years ago, Anna Mayhew won an Oscar for Best Actress. Rich, famous, and beautiful, she had the world at her feet. Nearly forty years old, Anna is being offered these days only bland supporting roles, the kind she got her acting started with. So she spends much of her time thinking up clever and dangerous methods of self-destruction. But she may not have to kill herself after all. Anna discovers she has a stalker—Vincent, a crazed fan whose idea of love involves a straight razor and lots of blood. What better way to propel the name Anna Mayhew into film immortality? Enter David Spandau, ex-stuntman and private investigator, who has been hired by Anna’s sister Pam to protect the star. But Anna doesn’t want help—until she meets Spandau and decides she needs his intimate protection all the way to the Cannes Film Festival, where she’s slated to be a judge.
Spandau finds himself falling for Anna, as well. But there’s the not so small problem of trying to keep a woman alive who’d prefer to be dead. To complicate matters, Vincent has followed Anna to Cannes intent on a bloody consummation of their relationship and he is being tracked by Special, an opera-loving L.A. pimp trying to recover the mob-owned money Vincent stole from him.
So a deadly cat-and-mouse game that begins in the meat market of Hollywood culminates at the Roman orgy that is Cannes. Author Depp proves again to have the deadliest and most perceptive eye trained on the entertainment business today. With an enthralling, hair-raising final act, Babylon Nights is a twisted and sharply funny thrill ride that will delight Spandau fans and newcomers alike.
Spandau finds himself falling for Anna, as well. But there’s the not so small problem of trying to keep a woman alive who’d prefer to be dead. To complicate matters, Vincent has followed Anna to Cannes intent on a bloody consummation of their relationship and he is being tracked by Special, an opera-loving L.A. pimp trying to recover the mob-owned money Vincent stole from him.
So a deadly cat-and-mouse game that begins in the meat market of Hollywood culminates at the Roman orgy that is Cannes. Author Depp proves again to have the deadliest and most perceptive eye trained on the entertainment business today. With an enthralling, hair-raising final act, Babylon Nights is a twisted and sharply funny thrill ride that will delight Spandau fans and newcomers alike.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 26, 2013
LA, a PI, a beautiful/just over the hill actress and an opera loving East LA pimp all come together courtesy of one of a crazy fan in Cannes of all places. The take on LA and France is pitch perfect, the story never dull and plodding with easy set-ups like so many mysteries. This is the second book by Depp following “Loser’s Town” a surprisingly difficult book to find. According to the author’s bio he lives in California and France but hails from Kentucky (sound familiar?). Speaking of the Cannes Film Festival he writes, “…it is the largest movie market place on the planet. People come here to buy and sell movies the way Bedouin gather at an oasis to barter goats.” There are very few mystery authors I’ve found worthwhile but Depp’s writing ranks up there with James Crumley (“The Wrong Case”, The Last Good Kiss”) and Kent Anderson (“Night Dogs”)which is a retelling of his time as a police officer on the mean streets of Portland following his GREAT contemporary war story “Sympathy For The Devil” and Irish mystery author Ken Bruen that hasn’t let me down yet. Of the three, Crumley is dead, Anderson might as well be and Bruen is the only still at work. I can’t wait to see what Depp does next and even though his work stands on it’s own you can’t help but wonder if he didn’t have his younger brother Johnny Depp in mind when he created the villain in “Babylon Nights” because it would make a great film.
August 10, 2017
Anything this guy writes is a pleasure to read. Detective story but more.
October 7, 2017
I don't understand why these books aren't better known and better thought of. I enjoyed LOSER'S TOWN but I had a little difficulty with the author's decision to kill off two important characters. I think BABYLON NIGHTS is pretty well brilliant (although I could do without our antihero's wet obsession with his ex-wife. Grow up, honey). It's stylishly written, it's funny, and I haven't the least idea if his view of Hollywood, the film industry, Cannes, and the rest is (relatively) true or not (with his working history and his brother I'd expect some reality in there somewhere, to the extent that the film world indulges in reality) but I found it very persuasive. I especially like the way he chivvies you into liking really despicable characters. Maybe I'm a sucker for someone who can mouth off brilliantly (yes). I haven't read DEVIL'S DANCE yet because that's the last one, and apparently Depp hasn't written anything else?
September 11, 2010
Anna Mayhew, an almost “has been” in Hollywood, is planning her suicide. Vincent Perec, a razor wielding fan, is planning her murder. Then along comes private investigator David Spandau to put a hitch in both their plans.
Babylon Nights is Daniel Depp’s follow up to 2009’s Loser’s Town, which introduced readers to the cut-throat, seedy underbelly of the film industry through the eyes of former rodeo rider turned movie stuntman turned private investigator, David Spandau. With Babylon Nights, Depp has written a tight and well told story using his background in the film industry to craft a true noir crime novel.
The story opens with a twisted Perec standing over nude photos of the former Hollywood hottie, Anna Mayhew. After spending months on the internet tracking down the rare old photos, he traded two thousand dollars to a guy in San Diego to get them. Now the photos are his, and he’s slashing himself with his father’s razor, sending blood droplets onto Anna’s photographs. All the time, he knows his controlling Maman would take them from him if she knew they existed.
The action then cuts to the top parking tier of the trendy Beverly Center as Mayhew trades seven thousand dollars to student and neurotoxin peddler Kenny Kingston for enough poison to end her sagging career and her life. But while leaving a charity luncheon, someone gets too close to Mayhew and she realizes that her scarf has been slashed. Add in a stack of over-the-top, obsessed fan letters and it’s no surprise that Spandau gets called in to meet with her.
We are quickly immersed in Mayhew’s world as she heads off to the glittering Cannes Film Festival to serve as a panel judge, with Spandau along for ride. As the story unfolds, loose ends involving a few of Spandau’s former associates and clients are neatly tied up. In a quirky but ingenious “wrong place at the wrong time” situation, Perec encounters a hooker named Chantarelle, a pimp named Special, and a bag full of the mob’s loot. Of course, in the end, all roads lead to Cannes, with Anna being the hunter’s prey.
Depp’s stand-out talent is his ever-so-snappy dialogue. This is the stuff that makes old detective stories so darn much fun, and clearly Depp knows it and runs with it. With Babylon Nights, the story flows easily with well defined characters and more than enough intrigue to make you turn the page, or hit the “next page” bar on your e-reader. This time, Depp has done away with the non-essentials and sticks to a solid storyline while still including an interesting and somewhat satirical secondary plot with intriguing characters. Depp has wisely used his insider knowledge to enhance the story and has kept his tongue firmly planted in his cheek as the threads weave together for an I- never-saw-it coming ending.
This is a David Spandau book I’d buy and I would happily line up to see a movie version. I hope there’s a next installment so we can find out what happens after “the end.”
Source-review copy, this book was provided to me by the publisher at my request and in no way affected by review.
Babylon Nights is Daniel Depp’s follow up to 2009’s Loser’s Town, which introduced readers to the cut-throat, seedy underbelly of the film industry through the eyes of former rodeo rider turned movie stuntman turned private investigator, David Spandau. With Babylon Nights, Depp has written a tight and well told story using his background in the film industry to craft a true noir crime novel.
The story opens with a twisted Perec standing over nude photos of the former Hollywood hottie, Anna Mayhew. After spending months on the internet tracking down the rare old photos, he traded two thousand dollars to a guy in San Diego to get them. Now the photos are his, and he’s slashing himself with his father’s razor, sending blood droplets onto Anna’s photographs. All the time, he knows his controlling Maman would take them from him if she knew they existed.
The action then cuts to the top parking tier of the trendy Beverly Center as Mayhew trades seven thousand dollars to student and neurotoxin peddler Kenny Kingston for enough poison to end her sagging career and her life. But while leaving a charity luncheon, someone gets too close to Mayhew and she realizes that her scarf has been slashed. Add in a stack of over-the-top, obsessed fan letters and it’s no surprise that Spandau gets called in to meet with her.
We are quickly immersed in Mayhew’s world as she heads off to the glittering Cannes Film Festival to serve as a panel judge, with Spandau along for ride. As the story unfolds, loose ends involving a few of Spandau’s former associates and clients are neatly tied up. In a quirky but ingenious “wrong place at the wrong time” situation, Perec encounters a hooker named Chantarelle, a pimp named Special, and a bag full of the mob’s loot. Of course, in the end, all roads lead to Cannes, with Anna being the hunter’s prey.
Depp’s stand-out talent is his ever-so-snappy dialogue. This is the stuff that makes old detective stories so darn much fun, and clearly Depp knows it and runs with it. With Babylon Nights, the story flows easily with well defined characters and more than enough intrigue to make you turn the page, or hit the “next page” bar on your e-reader. This time, Depp has done away with the non-essentials and sticks to a solid storyline while still including an interesting and somewhat satirical secondary plot with intriguing characters. Depp has wisely used his insider knowledge to enhance the story and has kept his tongue firmly planted in his cheek as the threads weave together for an I- never-saw-it coming ending.
This is a David Spandau book I’d buy and I would happily line up to see a movie version. I hope there’s a next installment so we can find out what happens after “the end.”
Source-review copy, this book was provided to me by the publisher at my request and in no way affected by review.
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February 25, 2017I thought this book was funny as hell. I really enjoyed the dialog and overall story line. well done work. I'm looking forward to reading Loser's Town.
February 12, 2011
David Spandau is part time private investigator and part time rodeo cowboy. David works in Hollywood, California and is hired by movie celebrities. In his first case, "Loser's Town", David came to the assistance of heart throb Bobby Dye.
In "Babylon Nights" he is hired, somewhat reluctantly, by Anna Mayhew. Anna was a big time movie star that is seeing her career coming to an end.
David is being hired to guard Anna against a stalker who seems bent on killing her. The stalker has also come into a large sum of money that belongs to mob boss, Salvatore Locatelli. Special, a pimp, was to give the money to Locatelli, but found its way into the hands of the stalker. Now, Special must find the stalker to get the money back or be at the mercy of Locatelli's goons.
The scene changes to the Cannes Film Festival where Anna has been chosen as one of the movie critics. David is overwhelmed with the people, parties, and opulence that is part of the Fesival.
Anna and her entourage have rented a house overlooking Cannes that has been chosen because it seems to be invincible. David finds that he must play second fiddle to a French Detective who has been assigned to Anna for protection.
Let's see, we have David Spandau hired to protect Anna from a stalker, we have a French Detective hired by the Cannes Film people to protect Anna, we have a stalker on the trail of Anna who is bent on killing her who also has a large sum of money that belongs to the mob, we have Special who is looking for the stalker to get the money back for the mob, and we have the mob watching Special to see that he gets the money back for them.
Fun, Fun, fun read. The book contains enough mystery, enough action, and enough comedy to make it a delightful read. A word of caution in that the book does contain quite a bit of profanity.
In "Babylon Nights" he is hired, somewhat reluctantly, by Anna Mayhew. Anna was a big time movie star that is seeing her career coming to an end.
David is being hired to guard Anna against a stalker who seems bent on killing her. The stalker has also come into a large sum of money that belongs to mob boss, Salvatore Locatelli. Special, a pimp, was to give the money to Locatelli, but found its way into the hands of the stalker. Now, Special must find the stalker to get the money back or be at the mercy of Locatelli's goons.
The scene changes to the Cannes Film Festival where Anna has been chosen as one of the movie critics. David is overwhelmed with the people, parties, and opulence that is part of the Fesival.
Anna and her entourage have rented a house overlooking Cannes that has been chosen because it seems to be invincible. David finds that he must play second fiddle to a French Detective who has been assigned to Anna for protection.
Let's see, we have David Spandau hired to protect Anna from a stalker, we have a French Detective hired by the Cannes Film people to protect Anna, we have a stalker on the trail of Anna who is bent on killing her who also has a large sum of money that belongs to the mob, we have Special who is looking for the stalker to get the money back for the mob, and we have the mob watching Special to see that he gets the money back for them.
Fun, Fun, fun read. The book contains enough mystery, enough action, and enough comedy to make it a delightful read. A word of caution in that the book does contain quite a bit of profanity.
November 7, 2011
It took me forever to finish this book because I was a little tied up with life lately. I kinda feel guilty going home and looking at this untouched book... but I was just basically very tired to pick it up, more so flip the pages. Until yesterday, by the pool side... I managed to finish it at last! :)
Depp has somehow transported me to the fascinating worlds of a fading Hollywood star, a psychotic fan, an ex-stuntman now problematic private detective and a black pimp. I witnessed and understood the passion of Anna who prefers dying than being tagged as a "has-been"; I became interested in the life of David, who would drink to drown his heartache; The crazy stalker who threatens Anna's life, and the very amusing pimp named Special.
This book is filled with surprises... a good read for me, if I must say. I liked how the love story between Anna and David developed. I even liked the ill-fated romance (or was it?) between Amalie and Vincent. Even though Vincent is the antagonist here, the author managed to make me sympathize with him... he gave him a heart through Amalie. Even Special, who surprised us in the end, is a very intriguing character indeed.
I know there are a lot of little questionable twists in the story, like how Anna all of a sudden changed her mind about killing herself when she paid a significant amount of money for the vial that would do the trick. For me, the reason was just not established well - if David's presence or Vincent's threat... I guess only Anna knew. But anyway, overall, this book is fun and entertaining.
Depp has somehow transported me to the fascinating worlds of a fading Hollywood star, a psychotic fan, an ex-stuntman now problematic private detective and a black pimp. I witnessed and understood the passion of Anna who prefers dying than being tagged as a "has-been"; I became interested in the life of David, who would drink to drown his heartache; The crazy stalker who threatens Anna's life, and the very amusing pimp named Special.
This book is filled with surprises... a good read for me, if I must say. I liked how the love story between Anna and David developed. I even liked the ill-fated romance (or was it?) between Amalie and Vincent. Even though Vincent is the antagonist here, the author managed to make me sympathize with him... he gave him a heart through Amalie. Even Special, who surprised us in the end, is a very intriguing character indeed.
I know there are a lot of little questionable twists in the story, like how Anna all of a sudden changed her mind about killing herself when she paid a significant amount of money for the vial that would do the trick. For me, the reason was just not established well - if David's presence or Vincent's threat... I guess only Anna knew. But anyway, overall, this book is fun and entertaining.
March 28, 2013
Babylon nights was a solid read. As a fan of changing perspectives, I really enjoyed Depp's abuse of the feature. Covering all of the characters, Depp managed to sustain an objective story while also giving everyone equal development.
The psychology of Perec was interesting, the interactions between Anna and David were deep and three-dimensional, and I'm not sure if there's any fictional character I've loved more than Special.
I have practically no complaints about this book, although I know for a fact it won't be for everyone's taste. It isn't laden with sophisticated extended metaphors or has the narrative language the writers of the Oxford English Dictionary would add in. It's also moderately shallow emotionally, but I don't think that damaged the book's impact too much.
The psychology of Perec was interesting, the interactions between Anna and David were deep and three-dimensional, and I'm not sure if there's any fictional character I've loved more than Special.
I have practically no complaints about this book, although I know for a fact it won't be for everyone's taste. It isn't laden with sophisticated extended metaphors or has the narrative language the writers of the Oxford English Dictionary would add in. It's also moderately shallow emotionally, but I don't think that damaged the book's impact too much.
October 22, 2011
This is the second crime fiction novel by Johnny Depp's half brother, and it's a fairly interesting expose of Hollywood, and the mean streets of contemporary Los Angeles. And again, he features the, "Hollywood Stunt-Man/Cowpoke/PI", David Spandau. This time out, Spandau has been employed to protect a slightly over the hill (she's 43) starlet from a psychotic stalker. And, she needs PI Spandau to accompany her to France where she has been invited to be a judge at the Cannes Film Festival. The characters are fresh and engaging, and the action is fast paced. I hope that this series continues for many more novels.
January 30, 2011
I enjoyed it David Spandau is a reluctant hero at best and the story seemed to ramble a bit. It was hard for me to maintain attention and my involvement with the Characters was limited. There were some nice scenes in Cannes and Nice, but I believe if they had been fleshed out more it would have added immensely to the story.
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July 30, 2011Smart talking loser private eye hired by snarky fading starlet after threat from wacko.
April 14, 2015
Good for fans of private investigator stories set in Hollywood with gritty characters and psycho fans. I liked it.
February 2, 2016
The writing style and gratuitous foul language did not suit me.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews