Elementary, My Dear Groucho: A Mystery Featuring Groucho Marx

As far as mystery novels go, there isn't too much to recommend this one: The mystery isn't all that mysterious, the loose ends are much too tight, and the solution is revealed several chapters before the great reveal. Howoever, its not the mystery that makes this book a page turner, its the characters. Any fan of the dry smart-aleck humor that defined Groucho Marx will have no trouble diving into the sharp dialogue and priceless situations that are the true stars of the show. There are also enough real-life 30's personalities sprinkled throughout the narative (an alcoholic Dashell Hammett, and an annoyed Joan Crawford giving Groucho the finger, for example) to delight lovers of that golden era of entertainment. If you are a true Detective Novel buff, then there's nothing here to thrill you. But fans of Captain Spalding and Rufus T. Firefly will have found an instant favorite.

While investigating a murder on a Sherlock Holmes movie set, Groucho gets to gather all the witnesses and reveal the culprit in classic detective style. Mr. Goulart has crafted a story which succeeds in being both an effective mystery and truly funny. As I've come to expect from this series, the story is surprisingly deep, with Mr. Goulart also giving an interesting glimpse into the politics and attitudes of the times. I'm eagerly awaiting the next volume!

I happened upon this book in the library. What a good read; what a good mystery writer Ron Goulart is. Characters are well developed. Dialogue carries the plot forward. Groucho is true to form...and contrary to what the book infers, I loved "Room Service."I highly recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers and can't wait to get the others in the series. And if you're reading this review, Mr. Goulart, hurry and write more. This fan is waiting.