MADreads

Tis the season

February 8th, 2008 Jane J. - Central Library

Oscar Season that is.  Mary McNamara’s debut novel is two parts show business and one part mystery.  This mix is just about right and Ms. McNamara’s experience as a television critic for the Los Angeles Times makes the scandalous doings of the “beautiful people” seem all the more plausible.

Juliette Grayson is the PR director of the Pinnacle Hotel in Los Angeles.  The Pinnacle is the place to be during the weeks leading up to the awards and Juliette is run off her feet making sure the hotel runs smoothly and all the stars are kept happy.  Her already crazy schedule is thrown for a loop when the out of control Oscar producer starts staging murders to hype the event.  When the murders become real, Juliette is determined to protect the hotel and find the killer.

As a long-time mystery reader I thought the wrap-up of the mystery was a little unsatisfactory, but I loved the behind-the-scenes look at this gaudy, crazy, no-holds-barred world.  Determining who’s lying and who’s just acting was all part of the fun.

Entry Filed under: Mystery, Recreational Fiction