This Doesn't Happen In The Movies

What happens when you take an independently wealthy man with no job experience and a love of classic detective movies? You get Reed Ferguson in This Doesn't Happen in the Movies by Renee Pawlish.

Reed is in his early thirties and although he was educated to be an attorney, he has never kept a job for long. It doesn't help that he has just enough inheritance monies that he doesn't really need to work. Reed is also an avid classic noir detective movie fan. After helping his father's friend with a small investigation he decides to hang his shingle and open a private detective office. It helps that in Colorado one isn't required to be licensed. What would any classic detective movie be without the endangered femme fatale? Enter Amanda show more Ghering with a sob story about her missing husband. Quickly Reed learns that life doesn't mimic the film arts and he acknowledges he doesn't have a clue about what he's doing. He also quickly learns that Amanda has lied to him and there is a lot more to her "missing husband" story than initially thought. A cat-and-mouse game quickly follows between Reed, Amanda, the faux FBI, the real FBI and the nefarious and a secretive group known as the X Women.

In a lot of ways this is a coming-of-age story mixed with a mystery and filled with dark humor. Reed has never had to grow up and assume much responsibility, but now he becomes responsible for the lives of a friend, his family, and his client as well as himself. This Doesn't Happen in the Movies isn't a typical mystery/detective story and that makes it rather refreshing. It is precisely because Reed doesn't know what he's doing, makes several mistakes along the way, but grows as an individual and professional that made me want to continue reading to see what's going to happen next. I laughed, I cringed and I enjoyed this fast-paced mystery. I look forward to reading more about Reed Ferguson's shenanigans in the future. show less

I always give first books in a series some leeway since main and recurring characters are being developed. That, combined with my love of noir and pulp fiction probably made me part of the target market for this book. I found the plot to be fun and a lot of the humor a help in understanding Reed. This is absolutely worth a look and served to make me interested in reading more in the series. I didn't get the feeling this was supposed to be one of those mysteries that served as a complex puzzle but rather a fun mystery where the trip with this particular new PI was every bit as important as the case itself. As such I believe it was a success.

noir, PI, amateur-sleuth, humor

A fun parody of classic noir well worth reading. The publisher's blurb gives hints and there is no need for spoilers, but that can't begin to prepare you for all the laughs both verbal and situational. The characters certainly are, and the plot is not what you think, but it all works.
Johnny Peppers does a great job of keeping himself from laughing out loud during the recording.

It all starts out with the femme fatal that walks into his office...

With a strong knowledge of film noir and hardboiled detective books, Reed Fuerguson feels he is well equiped for detective work. Though the knowledge is OK, he finds there is more to being a detective as he takes on a case of a missing husband that takes him on a wild ride. Snappy patter and cracking wise are not enough to see him through.

A fun and light read.

This was a good solid modern day detective story, in the slightly boiled vein. I like the protagonist and his computer geekie friend Cal, as well as the cast of brothers who live in Reed's building. I have the next two in the series and will be reading them at some point... Received this through an Amazon freebie day.

I'm going to begin this review with saying read this book and watch the Big Sleep (Humphrey Bogart classic) Both equally good noir mysteries! I am a fan of those old Hollywood films and I think the author has captured the essence of that style not only in the story but in the characters. The hero, the heroine, the sidekicks and the bad guy. Witty and Riveting.

This seemed amateurish in places, but was an enjoyable read.