I wondered why Stuart Woods wrote only two novels in this series, then I read the reviews. I must have much lower standards, because I enjoyed the plot and the characters. Set in the late 1940s, the plot brought out HUAC, the hunt for communists in the movie industry. Mostly, it set up a couple of characters that we meet in the Barrington novels. Fun read. ( )

First edition as new

If I put as much thought into this review as the author put into his character development in this book, the review would run dry right about now. ( )

I picked this book up at a resale shop because I have seen this author popularily displayed in bookstores. So, I thought I would give him a try. I like murder mysteries and thought Beverly Hills Dead would be a good one to read. I was very disappointed. The murder occured 3/4 through the book. The main theme is about the movie industry after WW2. I should have researched this author/book more before buying it. ( )

Good Grief! Rick Barron must have been on some type of speed this entire book. I’ve never encountered anyone so freaking organized, much less a M.A.N. I needed a vacation just to rest I was so worn out from trying to keep up. Woods does an excellent job of fictionalizing the workings of a movie studio in the late forties. Totally unbelievable, but entertaining none the less. It’s probably a good thing that Woods ended it the way he did, other wise Baron would have had to succumb to exhaustion at some point –no one can have that kind of stamina forever. ( )