Overall a very strange book I was never bored. The book is a page turner, but at the end of the day it is a bit of a mess. It just kind of ties up with a sort of ending that reads between the lines like. "I am in a hurry to make my deadline for this and I am just going to tie it all up." Some of the major subplots seem to go nowhere. All in all a really weird book. I guess you could do worse, but you could certainly do a whole lot better. Strictly for fans that want to claim they've read every Stuart Woods book. Funny thing is I am not one of them. I just happened to pick it up. If nothing else, it was a real fast read. I wish I could have said that it gave some insight into the McCarthy hearings at the very least but it really did not even accomplish that. Maybe 2 stars would be a more appropriate rating but it gets the extra star for the no boredom factor.
Rock bottom Stuart Woods has been my summer entertainment for a number of years during which I have seen the quality of his books go down, down and down. This book was rock bottom. The Stone Barrington cookie cutter stories are at least entertaining but this book never started. I was down to the last three chapters still wondering when something would happen. Finally, when there was some action, it was like something attached just to make the book end. The ending came out of nowhere with no hints, no red herrings, nothing.
I could have handled there being no real mystery plot if the story of the McCarty era had been fleshed out so I learned something new but even that was just glossed over. I found myself, for the first time, skimming pages that repeated the same informtion several times and bored with the repetive and dull diaglogue such as "sure will" that appeared many times per page.
I will try again with Stuart Woods and hope for better. I recently read Santa Fe Dead and enjoyed it very much. I'm sure the talent is there but the contract for yearly books must be a burden.Stuart Woods Does it Again I'm a big Stuart Woods fan and this novel did not disappoint. I love the Rick Baron character and the 1940-50s hollywood era. This book is a true gem. Not Stuart's best work... The subject line says it all...I was so disappointed with the end of this book. What a letdown. Fast paced and entertaining I liked reading the Prince of Beverly Hills. Beverly Hills Dead was no different. The writing was crisp. Stuart Woods really knows how to make his books snap, crackle, and pop with dialogue. I became involved in the story of Rick Barron and company immediately.
Woods seems to have an infinite knowledge of aviation and the wonderful world of Hollyweird.I enjoy reading both subjects. Keep up the good work Mr. Woods!
