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. Iā€™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. Itā€™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 ā€“no one can have that kind of stamina forever. ( )