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In Ron Goulart's well received series featuring comedian-cum-amateur sleuth Groucho Marx, Groucho and his writer Frank Denby have made a name for themselves as detectives. In fact, in their last case, they were able to outsmart Sherlock Holmes, or at least the actor playing him. However, both men play down their sleuthing abilities and to escape their new reputation, Groucho agrees to perform in a Broadway play and Frank accompanies his wife on a business trip. When Groucho learns that Frank show more and Jane are going to New York via train he decides to join them, figuring it will be a nice relaxing journey. However, murder and mayhem somehow follow them across the country. First, before even leaving for New York they are approached by a local mobster who firmly believes that the recent murder of his associate was not a mob hit. He asks them to look into the matter and Groucho suggests that he try "Philip Marlowe, Dan Turner or some other Hollywood shamus" even though "they don't have our track record...or a strawberry birthmark right here." From there, things only get more interesting. On the train they meet Dian Bowers, the newest star of Daniel Manheim, a domineering Hollywood producer. A series of bizarre events unfolds on the train, including an attempt on Manheim's life. When they arrive in New York, Groucho agrees to escort Dian to the premiere of her estranged husband's play, but the play never makes it into the second act because a body is discovered on stage. When Dian's husband becomes the prime suspect, Groucho and Frank once again find themselves playing detective. Searching for clues in the Big Apple and trying to see if the second murder is at all connected to the death of the mobster, Groucho and Frank have their hands full. However, the pressure doesn't get to Groucho and as he hunts for clues he still has time for all of his silly gags and terrible puns. Whether or not you are a Groucho fan, "this enjoyable little tale will charm the baggy pants off you." show lessTags
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Author Information
287+ Works 5,706 Members
Ron Goulart was born on January 13, 1933 in Berkeley, CA. Goulart has been a professional writer for over forty years and has published over 180 books. He is best-known for his mystery and science fiction books and is also considered the leading authority on comic books and strips. Goulart has been nominated twice for the Edgar Award. His first show more nomination was in the category of Best Original Paperback for his novel, After Things Fell Apart, in 1971. He was nominated again in 1989 in the category of Best Critical / Biographical work for his non-fiction work, The Dime Detectives. He also writes under the pseudonyms: Kenneth Robeson, Frank S. Shawn, Joseph Silva, and Con Steffanson. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Groucho Marx and the Broadway murders
- Original publication date
- 2001-07-13
- People/Characters
- Dian Bowers; Frank Denby; Jane Denby; Groucho Marx; Nick Sanantonio
- Important places
- Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA; New York, New York, USA
- Dedication
- To Fran, Sean, and Steffan once again
- First words
- Groucho Marx solved his first Manhattan murder case in the summer of 1939.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"Even though it doesn't rhyme."
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 48
- Popularity
- 623,745
- Rating
- (3.45)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- ASINs
- 1
