Murder Your Darlings

Algonquin Round Table #1

by J.J. Murphy

One morning legendary wit Dorothy Parker discovers someone under Manhattan's famed Algonquin Round Table. A little early for a passed out drunk, isn't it? But he's not dead drunk, just dead. When a charming writer from Mississippi named Billy Faulkner becomes a suspect in the murder, Dorothy decides to dabble in a little detective work, enlisting her literary cohorts.

It's up to the Algonquins to outwit the true culprit-preferably before cocktail hour-and before the clever killer turns the tables on them.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Historical, Historical Fiction, Cozy, Historical Mystery

318 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 4, 2011

About the author

When not writing the Algonquin Round Table Mysteries, J.J. Murphy is an award-winning health care writer and very busy parent of twin daughters in suburban Philadelphia.

Reviews

[Icewineanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Famed members of the Algonquin Round Table meet for lunch on a daily basis to trade wisecracks, witticisms & to play practical jokes on each other. Members include New York city writers, newspaper and magazine critics. One afternoon Dorothy Parker arrives early and finds a well-known theatre critic dead under their table, stabbed by his own pen.
William Faulkner who is new to New York, immediately becomes a suspect and Dorothy Parker spends much of the book hiding “Billy” from everyone. It seems like both the police & the real murderer are after Billy.
Mrs. Parker doesn’t actually spend time trying to solve the murder, rather she spends all of her time drinking, smoking, hiding, and trading sarcastic comments, mainly with Robert Benchley. During all of this she feels that she is being stalked, and is repeatedly questioned by police but has no insight into why the critic was murdered.
The witticisms & sarcastic comments in the beginning were very funny, and some a little risqué “You boys sure know how to treat a woman. Liquor in the front and poker in the rear.” Parker says when she enters a speakeasy......but towards the end of the book I think the author may have run out of steam as some of the wisecracks made me groan instead of chuckle.
If you’re looking for a gripping mystery, this is not the book for you. But if you enjoy reading about real life historical characters with lots of humour thrown in, then reading this book is an enjoyable way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.

[Mo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ooh, the members of the Algonquin Round Table are witty and smart and CLEVER. They are more clever than you, me, the NYPD and just about anyone else you can think of. The rest of the world are just dumb nitwits, and in case you hadn’t realized that fact, not to worry. The point will be made repeatedly, lest you forget.

If you enjoy constant one-liners uttered at totally inappropriate times, then this is the book for you. If you enjoy completely asinine and unbelievable plots fueled by CLEVER, smug, self satisfied, smart ass know-it-alls, then by all means read this book.

Did I happen to mention how CLEVER Dorothy Parker and her friends are? Oh sorry, you don’t need me to beat you over the head with that fact. The author does a thorough enough job of that herself. She gives a beating and keeps on bleating. (Ha ha!) Wait a minute, maybe I am CLEVER too!

[Andree]

Note to self: Stop almost picking up this book. You want to like it, but even though you want to like it, the description has always set up warning bells. You have now tried it. You read about 50 pages. It is exactly what you were afraid it would be. DO NOT PICK IT UP AGAIN. IT IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT IT TO BE. IT IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU WERE AFRAID IT WOULD BE.

Note to anyone else: This entire book is (as far as I can tell) "witty" one liner after "witty" one liner. It is essentially the Monty Python sketch with Oscar Wilde, except the "zingers" are less eloquent, sharper, and far crueler. Also, someone gets murdered right at the start, and the Algonquin Round Table are all apparently viable suspects (in the eyes of the police), with Bonus William Faulkner.

Basically, I don't think this works.

[Judith Starkston · Rating 4 out of 5]

J.J. Murphy’s first in his Algonquin Round Table series, Murder Your Darlings (January 2011) is a thoroughly delightful read. Part screwball comedy, part literary spoof, this mystery stars Dorothy Parker, William Faulkner, Robert Benchley and others solving a murder when a prominent drama critic is found stabbed with a fountain pen under the famous Round Table at the Algonquin Hotel. Don’t be put off if you’ve never heard of the Algonquin Round Table—Murphy supplies whatever background you need, and you don’t have to have read Parker to catch her rapid fire humor.

Murphy’s depiction of New York in the 1920’s is rich and satisfying. Dorothy Parker and her cohorts fire off witty wisecracks that will keep you chortling. The scene in which Faulkner “finds his voice” is worth the price of admission—never has such a dense and difficult writer been rendered with such fun.

If you’re a fan of Jacqueline Winspear’s mysteries, this series is an excellent addition to her gorgeous, more melancholy depiction of the period between the World Wars. Murphy offers some serious moments when the dark shadow left by World War I breaks through the hilarity, but the merry crew generally brushes off these moments by knocking back a few illicit drinks at Tony Soma’s Prohibition era speakeasy. The reader knows that there’d be hell to pay if this were “real life” but for the moment we’re invited to relax and have fun with no clouds in the sky.

If you want to laugh, immerse yourself in New York in the 20’s with some of America’s famous literati, and solve a good who-dunnit on the way, you’ll like this book. I’m looking forward to the second in this series, You Might As Well Die. For more mystery and historical fiction reviews www.judithstarkston.com

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful old-fashioned mystery- JJ Murphy has succeed so wonderfully in utilizing the larger than life personalities..Parker, Benchley, Woolcott, FPA ect into a veritable front row seat at the most famous "Table" in history!! Full of quirky characters and laugh out loud humor...combined with a super plot- Murder Your Darlings: Algonquin Round Table Mystery is an unqualified winner!!
A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB

[Brenda · Rating 1 out of 5]

A real disappointment. Over-written by at least 30%. The characters, including Dorothy Parker, were unsympathetic and badly witty at all the wrong times. The plot was predictable, and the author managed to make a chase through a working press room, complete with catwalks over the presses, and including Round Table members, the police, organized crime figures and a muderer, completely boring. I kept hoping the story would pick up and improve; it didn't.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was in my early-mid teens, I was infatuated with the Algonquin Table & specifically Dorothy Parker. I read everything of her, as well as Robert Benchley and the rest of the crew. I fancied myself (for reasons unfathomable to me now) as one of them. And I went through a period later on of loving William Faulkner (now, not so much but tomorrow...who knows?).
And for genre reading, mystery is my favorite.

So imagine my excitement at learning of a new series, based on The Algonquin Table, featuring Dorothy Parker with a guest appearance by - I'm sure you've guessed it - "Billy" (as the characters call him) Faulkner.

And how disappointed I was not to win it in the giveaway I first saw it in. And then again excited to find it in the library.

But for all the roller coaster excitement, or maybe because of it, Murder Your Darlings: Algonquin Round Table Mystery by J.J. Murphy did not live up to my hopes.

It's a likable story with some good plot twists but the literary banter does not begin to touch the reported ripostes of the original gang. The information about the characters is interesting & nothing they say rings as untrue. Just not overwhelmingly witty and devastatingly cutting & funny. As I found the originals.

The ending however is outstanding-but I can't say too much about it because of the obvious. But I felt the end pretty much justified the rest of the book for me. Including the repartee therein.

Recommended: mystery fans & fans of Dorothy Parker, et al. As long as expectations of the latter group are not too high.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun way to learn a bit more about the Algonquin Round Table, and the many folks that were experiencing New York back in those days. A nice quiet murder investigation, with an obvious killer but with interesting motivation behind them.

[L Y N N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Love the sneakiness and wry/dry humor!

[Riccarla Roman · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Murder Your Darlings" by J. J. Murphy is a murder mystery set at the beginning of the Depression and featuring some of the greatest literary lights of the twentieth century. A body is discovered under the table used by the famous Algonquin Round Table. The victim is a critic that none of them liked. But did they dislike him enough to stab him through the heart with the pen he used (and shilled for)?

The solving of the mystery is secondary in a novel so rich with characters, it's hard to keep up. Our intrepid heroine, the witty and acerbic Dorothy Parker (one of my favorite writers) manages to get everyone involved in proving that young, aspiring Southern writer, Billy Faulkner, didn't commit the murder.

The problem is that these literary lights are well-known to people who like them, but not to the general public. Robert Benchley, Alexander Woollcott, Robert Sherwood, Marc Connelly, etc., are not familiar names to your average mystery reader, Not being your average mystery reader (but a high school English teacher). I recognized many of the famous quips that rolled off the collective tongues of these clever folk. Will everyone else? Probably not. Part of the fun of this mystery is reading these witty quotes, but only if you know the characters well.

My second quibble with the book is that there are way too many characters. You need a scorecard to figure out who's real and who's not. If a person isn't familiar with the Vicious Circle, as they were called, it gets very confusing.

Thirdly, even though I can accept historical figures as sleuths, this bunch doesn't work for me. I can't see them really solving a mystery or worrying about a virtual stranger getting blamed for a murder (the Vicious Circle - that wasn't just a cute nickname. they spent their time thinking of ways to slice each other to ribbons with their cutting remarks.)

This is the first book in a series. I'm not sure it was strong enough to make me want to continue reading. I'd rather read Dorothy Parker's work and get the real thing.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

MURDER YOUR DARLINGS (An Algonquin Round Table Mystery) is available from Penguin/Obsidian.

One morning, legendary wit Dorothy Parker discovers someone under Manhattan’s famed Algonquin Round Table. But he’s not dead drunk, just dead. When a charming writer from Mississippi named Billy Faulkner becomes a suspect in the murder, Dorothy decides to dabble in a little detective work, enlisting her literary cohorts.


It’s up to the Algonquins to outwit the true culprit—preferably before cocktail hour—and before the clever killer turns the tables on them.

My thoughts on this book are that is must have been truly difficult to take real people and fictionalize a great mystery story while still keeping true to actual happenings in their pasts. MURDER YOUR DARLINGS in a witty, sassy look back to the "roaring twenties" interwoven with a make-believe mystery that will have you following the clues right along with the whole Algonquin Round Table gang.

You do not have to know the history of Dorothy or Algonquin Round Table to enjoy the mystery, but if you do or don't, you may be checking the links above while reading to try to figure out what is fact and what is fiction. J.J. Murphy has struck the perfect balance.

You will note I have added a Dorothy Parker quote to the top of my blog, she has many. Many you may have heard several times and may not have realized she came up up with the witty quip. It was so much fun taking a trip back in history with Mrs. Dorothy Parker. A trip I highly recommend. A perfect "Escape"!!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime, a Division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in January, 2013


"Murder Your Darlings" was fun, refreshingly new and totally original.

This story brings into the roaring 20's. The days of prohibition and flappers.
These were the days when Dorothy Parker and her liaison Robert Benchley were a strategic part of the Algonquin Round table. The members of this elite group were writers and critics living in a world of their own.
Their world consisted of quick and witty remarks that brought humor into the most ghastly situations. Dorothy Parker leads the cast of characters with her fast and furious sense of humor as well as intelligence. Robert Benchley her better half and how she wished he truly was just that in every way. A perfect duo.

And then there's ...oh yes...the murder. One of their members, Leland Mayflower, is lying motionless beneath their Round Table with a pen stabbed through his chest. But what kind of pen is it and does that have any relevance to Mayflowers' murder?

There is only one witness to the possible murderer and that witness is Billy Faulkner aka the Dachshund. Who makes up these incredible names that are nonsensical and at the same time fun? None other than Dorothy Parker.
Alexander Woolcott is another rather flamboyant character to add to our list that never runs out of steam or hot air. His colorful repertoire is beyond the usual and brings so much to our story. The author informs us that "The Man Who Came to Dinner" is based on this individual who actually played himself on stage. (see Historical Note at the end of the book).
This was my first introduction to the Algonquin Round Table mysteries and I enjoyed every page. So new, bright and witty. What more could you ask for in a non-stop, run about town mystery.

Do yourself a favor and run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore or library and settle down for a great read.

[Suspense Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorothy Parker—satirist, poet and one of the greatest wits of the twentieth century—is the feisty heroine of this delightful mystery by J.J. Murphy. If her name is not a readily familiar one, shame on you. One of her most quoted lines is, “Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses.” Got it? Great.
A writer for Vanity Fair back in the roaring twenties, Parker was one of the founding members of the Vicious Circle, a stellar group of writers including Robert Benchley, Alexander Woollcott and Robert Sherwood, who lunched every day at the famed New York City landmark, the Algonquin Hotel. Their group became nicknamed the ‘Round Table’, and the table…and the hotel, still exist today. Not only can anyone have lunch there, for a little extra fee you can sit at the actual table these literary luminaries sat at back in the day. Hmm. I wonder if sitting there would mean their talent might rub on an aspiring writer.
Unfortunately, when Mrs. Parker arrives for lunch on a typical weekday, she finds she’s not the first one there. Leland Mayflower, columnist for a rival publication, is under the famed Round Table, quite dead, as evidenced by the sharp object protruding from his chest. When members of the famed Circle are suspected of doing Mayflower in, Mrs. Parker springs into action to unmask the real killer and nearly loses her own life in the process.
“Murder Your Darlings” is the first in J.J. Murphy’s Algonquin Round Table Mystery Series. The second one, “You Might As Well Die”, can’t come fast enough for me. I loved it!

Reviewed by Susan Santangelo author of “Retirement can be Murder” for Suspense Magazine

[Michael O'Leary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Your Darlings by J.J. Murphy is book #1 in the 3-book Algonquin Round Table series. I had already read books 2 and 3 in the series and was fortunate enough to find this first book in a used bookstore. The author takes fictional liberties with many of the actual literary figures of the time who lunched daily at the Algonquin hotel at the "Algonquin Round Table". These literary characters include Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, Alexander Woollcott, Robert Sherwood, and many other famous and fabulous literary cohorts. It is cleverly written, with a great deal of Parker's and Benchley's wit, and is a great mystery. I highly recommend all 3 books in the series.
From the Publisher:
One morning legendary wit Dorothy Parker discovers someone under Manhattan's famed Algonquin Round Table. A little early for a passed out drunk, isn't it? But he's not dead drunk, just dead. When a charming writer from Mississippi named Billy Faulkner becomes a suspect in the murder, Dorothy decides to dabble in a little detective work, enlisting her literary cohorts.

It's up to the Algonquins to outwit the true culprit-preferably before cocktail hour-and before the clever killer turns the tables on them.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Never let the facts get in the way of a good story." That well-known line is used to describe the members of the Algonquin Round Table in Murder Your Darlings. I was unable to chase down the exact origin of the quote - it's attributed to a variety of sources - but it fits this book and it's cast of characters perfectly. Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchly, William Faulkner and company are, of course, real people portrayed in a fictitious murder mystery. The author admits taking liberties with the timeline to fit his story, but the blend of history and mystery is just right. Once the story was complete, I was intrigued enough to do some further reading on the Round Table regulars.

The mystery plot isn't anything to write home about and the ending is...odd, but the combination of real characters, and Parker and Benchley's quick, acerbic wit make this a unique story that's worth the read. I'll be on the lookout for the second book in the series, You Might As Well Die.

[M. Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this madcap mystery starring Dorothy Parker, the 20th Century's "Queen of the Quip," her colleagues at the famed Algonquin Round Table and sundry famous contemporaries. This book was wonderfully witty and often hilarious and was a delight to read.
Arriving at the Algonquin dining room a bit early for lunch, Ms. Parker discovers under the table, the body of a literary rival stabbed to death with a fountain pen. With the help of her cohorts, she sets out to solve the case. Despite many uproarious misadventures, this engrossing mystery draws to a conclusion as the gang embarks on a wild race from the Algonquin to Greenwich Village in a frantic attempt to nab the killer and save a colleague.
I enjoyed this book from cover to cover and can't wait to read the next installment in this series.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

After I finished reading this book, I wanted to go to a murder mystery dinner!! This was a great "first in a new series" featuring Dorothy Parker and the Algonquin Round Table gang. Filled with smart remarks full of wit and some could say heart, this story had me smiling and wanting more! This is a great read for those that enjoy literary figures and the time period of prohibition and New York in the 1920's. I wasn't familiar with many of the characters prior to beginning this story, but wanted to learn more as I read further (they are based on real literary figures from the time period). I appreciated the historical notes that the author included at the end of story. I'm not much for historical time period books but wanted to try something new and I'm glad I did. Definately looking forward to more in this series!

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever historical mystery starring the key members of the famous Algonquin Round Table -- such prominent writers, critics and humorists as Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, Alexander Wolcott and other well-known Manhattan literati.

Set in the roaring 20s, this novel features sparkling prose, an enjoyable, twisty plot, many actual quotes from Parker and Benchley, and even a starring role for a young up-and-coming writer from Mississippi, Billy Faulkner. Prohiibtion-era NYC comes alive, with frequent visits to illegal speakeasies, Broadway plays and long, liquid literary lunches, and an exciting chase scene through lower Manhattan.

This debut novel is great fun, but also has a darker tone and characters with depth. I look forward to reading the 2nd book in J. J. Murphy's series, You Might As Well Die.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Your Darling, the first Algonquin Round Table Mystery, by J.J. Murphy is an excellent whodunnit staring some of New York's most elite writers of the 1920s. After a prominent drama critic is murdered and left under the famous Algonquin Round Table, it is up to Dorothy Park, Robert Benchley and their witty crew to uncover the real murderer before a young William Faulkner takes the fall for the crime.

The novel is a really fun read, not only because the story is well written, but the witticisms of Parker and Benchley are spot on. While the crime is intriguing, it's the response of the Round Table at ever twist and turn of the mystery that the reader is just waiting to see. Since this is the first in a series of books, I cannot wait to read the rest of them.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if this book is going anywhere, but it's so funny that I don't care either. Lunch, anyone?

Edited to say:
I give this book 3 and a half stars. It got four stars for being a pretty good book, but there's a gratuitous and extreme animal cruelty scene for which I'm penalizing it half a star.

Other than that, I enjoyed hanging out at the 'Gonk with Parker and her literary friends. The mystery was good, the dialog was great. The animal cruelty appears towards the end in what I can only describe as a high-speed chase scene. It was really weird. All of a sudden, a Keystone Kops feature broke out in the middle of my novel.

But, pretty good read if you're into history and/or breathtaking insults.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must confess....I've never heard of the Algonquin Round Table Or the Vicious Circle. My only excuse is that I have never had more than a cursory interest in the prohibition/flapper/post WW1 era. That may change with this book. Any group of literary/artistic talent acquainted with each other fascinates me and I really enjoyed this novel.I found the witty banter very fun and the tension between the main characters satisfying. The mystery was interesting.
Overall, a good read and one I look forward to exploring more of.

[C.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice start and good use of period details in introducing us to the various members of the Angonquin Round Table. You understand where the term "Vicious Circle" come from but you also understand that this group did support each other, somewhat. It all starts when a critic is killed and found under the famous round table at the Algonquin with a pen sticking out of his chest. Along the way we meet notables and criminals in order to get to the truth.

[Jan C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining. Not one of the great works of art or even a great mystery. But entertaining. Captures the time period (even if he does shuffle it around a bit) and the real life characters.

Plus I didn't know that The Portable Dorothy Parker has never been out of print.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

First in a new series with Dorothy Parker as our detective. The book is well plotted and has some interesting twist and turns. At times it felt like a slap stick comedy from the 30s. Many names from the literary world of the early 20th century are thrown out and had to be looked up to understand some of the plot points. One dislike was a chase scene near the end of the book. Didn't seem like it was needed or didn't have to go on so long. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I am currently reading the Dorothy Parker biography as well as the Portable, the back-and-forth wisecracks in this book are very familiar. Dorothy and the whole Round Table gang appear here and when another theater critic is killed, they all become suspects. Parker and Benchley solve the crime of which Faulkner is accused.

Not a great mystery and sometimes there is just too much talking, but it can be enjoyed for what it is.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It felt like it could have been a movie made from the 20's or 30's. I was laughing a lot while reading, and I liked the characterization of Dorothy Parker and Robert Benchley. Even though, I'm not a big fan of reading books about real life people in fiction. I'm very much looking forward to the second book in the series.

[Mynnette Kitchen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea. I had a hard time getting into it and then I felt the whole book was just a retelling of the plot over and over all the time going nowhere. Half way through I didn't even care who the murderer was anymore. I also found the ending incredibly anticlimactic.

[Kyrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the banter between the members of the Round Table. I'm glad I never had to sit with them.

While I figured out who committed the murder fairly rapidly, the reason behind it wasn't as obvious.

[Laura Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Dorothy Parker-inspired murder mystery for all those who love wit, wisecrackers and the literary lifestyle. Highly recommended. Looking forward to more in this series!

[Daniel Marks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and fun murder mystery set amongst the fictional literati of 20s New York. Dorothy Parker's snarky quotes are a character unto themselves!