Death Was in the Picture

Kitty Pangborn, shamus's assistant to Dex Theroux (Death Was the Other Woman: A Mystery), gets to meet the man of her silver screen dreams while on a case: Hollywood leading man Laird Wyndham is accused of murder, and it's up to Kitty, Dex, and Mustard (their driver and "procurement" specialist) to get to the bottom of the accusations. Kitty finds it hard to distance herself professionally; she's terminally star-struck at meeting Laird in person, so much so that she forgets to take notes (she's seen every film he starred in). But Kitty and Dex quickly dig up some unsavory truths on Laird's offscreen persona; an estranged wife, a jilted lover and several employees paint a less-than-glowing picture of a man with a hot temper and lusty appetites that know no boundaries. The behind-the-scenes views of the 1930s-era film studios (and Production Code politics) are fascinating, and there's a moment of sheer comedic genius as Kitty goes undercover as an extra in a futuristic sci-fi film. Depression- and Prohibition-era LA play less of a starring role in "Death Was In The Picture," although architecture is still described in detail, and there are frequent mentions of Okies and the down-and-out. Kitty's own domestic life is largely absent, other than Marjorie's attempts to create dishes out of unappetizing substitutes when cash is low. She has her moment to shine in a designer Jean Patou silk beaded dress at a swank party, and does a lot of detective work trying to sniff out the truth behind Laird Wyndham and the sinister Xander Dean. Richards' novel is full of film noir touches and 1930s jargon that make it a pleasure to read. If you enjoyed "Death Was In the Picture," you might also want to check out Ghost of a Chance: A Marjorie McClelland Mystery, The War Against Miss Winter, This Dame for Hire: A Novel and Too Darn Hot.

Set in glamorous Hollywood deep in the Great Depression Era, just after the 1929 crash, this old-fashioned detective novel is the second featuring PI Dexter Theroux and his secretary-Girl Friday, Katherine (Kitty) Pangborn. Initially, Dex is retained to follow and observe a movie star. The target is arrested for the murder of a woman at the party at which Dex is observing him. And in a twist, Dex drops the original client and now represents the movie star who hires him to find the real murderer. There are vivid descriptions of life during the Depression years, with shortages of money and food, as well as observations and background on the movie industry. The author includes a couple of things this reader never knew, i.e., Los Angeles had a subway system in 1931, and while the infamous Hays Office was established with the help of the studios, it was ignored until strong-arm tactics forced compliance. The plot is well-told and -written, and lovers of the genre will not be disappointed.

Super fun read! This book is full of 1930's slang and details. I'm not a big fan of private eye stories, but this one is told through the point of view of the P.I.'s secretary, Miss Kitty, which seems to give a lighter tone to the story. I couldn't put this book down, and while I was able to guess at some of the details early on, I was surprised at the ending. This is the best mystery I have read in years, and the most fun I've had reading a book in quite a while .

In 1931 Hollywood secretary Kitty Pangborn continues to work for dissolute private investigator Dex Theroux even though she stepped into all sorts of trouble (see DEATH WAS THE OTHER WOMAN) while her employer spent time toasting the J brothers (Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Jose Cuervo). She is grateful that Dex is clean and sober when a paying client arrives. He says he represents interested nameless concerned citizens who want to hire him to conduct surveillance of movie star Laird Wyndham, as they think his morality is dubious at best. Although he has doubts about the surveillance, he needs the money so accepts the case. However, his gut instincts prove right when the police arrest Laird charging him with murder. Desperate to clear his reputation, Wyndham hires Dex to find the real killer. The latest Dex-Kitty Depression Era Hollywood investigative thriller is a superb period piece. Once again Kitty does yeoman work to keep Dex away from the J crowd. Dex is at his best in a one thing leads to another scenario with his gut constantly telling him to drop the case and turn to alcohol to numb the feelings of being a loser. Historical mystery fans will enjoy this fine 1930s whodunit as well as the previous Panghorn-Theroux case (see DEATH WAS THE OTHER WOMAN). Harriet Klausner