The Tallulah Bankhead Murder Case

Jacob Singer #3

by George Baxt

Joe McCarthy is rooting out suspected communists, among them the guests scheduled for Tallullah Bankhead's radio program, "The Big Show," and the situation only worsens when the guests--and Tallullah herself--come under suspician of murder

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery

228 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

George Baxt, the US playwright, scriptwriter and novelist, in New York City, USA.

He began his career as a radio announcer, an actors' agent, and television scriptwriter. He claimed that as an actors' agent he threw James Dean out of his office because he needed a bath. George Baxt's career developed into scriptwriting cult horror films. He made a contribution to The Abominable Dr Phibes, although it was uncredited. His first novel A Queer Kind of Death, (1966), introduced the detective Pharoah Love who was the first in the genre to be both black and openly gay. The novel was very well received and marked the start of a new career in writing. Two further Pharoah Love novels soon appeared and were widely regarded as superior to the first. Nearly three decades passed before the final outings of Pharoah Love in two novels.

Meanwhile George Baxt introduced the detective duo Sylvia Plotkin and Max van Larsen, but these were soon abandoned and several non-series novels were produced. Starting with The Dorothy Parker Murder Case, George Baxt then began to use his knowledge of Hollywood life by using celebrities as characters in a series of detective novels.

He died following complications after heart surgery.

Interesting obituary here: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obi...

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am evidently on a George Baxt bender (been exposed to all the alcohol fumes from Dorothy Parker and tallulah's cocktails, I guess)---this is my third book of his this week. (not a major accomplishment, I assure you).

This, like his Dorothy Parker and Alfred Hitchcock stories, is more notable as a character study of an iconic character than as murder mystery, but that is also what makes it enjoyable.

There is a big dose of the tragic problems encountered by entertainment industry luminaries during the McCarthy era and that gives the book some heart to add to Baxt's humor.

[Della Tingle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whew! I am so proud of myself for finishing this! There are many characters: some real; some imaginary. This is a busy, busy read from start to finish! There are so many deaths, both murder and suicide. This book is simply a lot!!!!!!! I was thinking I would only give it 2 stars, but the ending helped it earn three! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I do not want to read the other Murder Case books.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this. I enjoy old Hollywood and knew most of the famous names mentioned. I found it funny that the author wrote himself into the story. The story fell a bit flat for me.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The inimitable Tallulah, starring on her radio show, is disturbed when she is not allowed to use artists who have been blacklisted. People are dying of stress-related ailments, and some commit suicide. Then one of the leading government informants is murdered. There are almost too many suspects to count. Police detective Jacob Singer is introduced to Tallulah by his old friend Dorothy Parker, and Tallulah, ever eager to be the center of attention, decides to help him detect.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED this vintage mystery. It was catty. It was witty. It was swift moving. It was smoky. It was intelligent. It was steeped to the gills in the juice of the grape (and a few other fermented substances). It was true to the "real life" character's images. The author himself was a minor character in it. It made good use of historical context -- the pressure felt by the many, many people harmed by the HUAC activities in the '50s and the resulting blacklist. Tallulah was outrageous, and Dorothy Parker was cynical, and Estelle Winwood was daffy, and Patsy Kelly was clingy, and the host of other names name-dropped was just fun. This is the first book by Baxt I have read and it will NOT be the last!

[John Kenrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent fun!

Delighted to find this on Kindle since my paperback copy was disintegrating. Show biz veteran George Baxt wrote a series of very enjoyable mystery novels featuring golden age stars, and this one featuring Tallulah Bankhead was one of the best. He brings Tallulah back to life brilliantly, along with a stellar mix of real life celebrities and well defined fictional characters. There are laughs galore and an excellent mystery - all wrapped in the insanity of the McCarthy/HUAC blacklists. Treat yourself to this outstanding book - and here's hoping more of Baxt's novels show up in electronic form!

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so great a murder mystery, but honestly, the joys here are the zingers and counting the number of drinks and cigarettes Bankhead and company consume in the scenes. The McCarthy Red Scare and HUAC eras are carefully detailed. Proofreader a little sloppy: Oscar becomes Oliver the next page then Oscar for the book's remainder.
I was diffident about Tallulah Bankhead before I read this novel and I like her so much more now thanks to George Baxt.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

yep, really great