In his newest and most distinctive novel, Stephen J. Cannell channels his insider experiences into a tautly drawn noir look at the materialistic Hollywood lifestyle. Meet Chick Besta middle-aged, selfabsorbed, disaffected, California dot.com millionaire. Other than his house and high-priced foreign cars, Chicks most expensive possession is his trophy wife, Evelyn. Evelyn is good at spending Chick money, money that has pretty much run out. Another problem is his drug-addled sixteen-year-old daughter, Melissa. Though concerned about his life and family, Chick has resigned himself to a miserable state of acceptance. That is, until he, Evelyn, and Melissa take a Christmas vacation in Maui. With this, Chicks life changes Chick experiences unrequited love at first sight when he observes Paige Ellis emerging from the hotel swimming pool. His obsession, exceeded only by his need to possess her, isnt diminished when he learns that she is happily married. Instead, he befriends Paige and her near-perfect husband, Chandler. A short time later, back from Hawaii, Chicks obsession compels him to drive to Paiges house, where he runs down and kills Chandler in a drugstore parking lot. But this is just the beginning of Chicks nightmare as his life spirals homicidally out of control, resulting in the destruction of everything he holds dear. Will Paige learn the truth about Chick before its too late?
I really wanted to like this book. Come one this is Steve. Who does not love his work? One of the best in both of his fields if you ask me. Have not read all of his books, been trying to get the ones I never read or had before. But so far this has been the only book that I really have not liked. To me it liked the Cannell charm, and spunk.
Will give it another read since I couldn't get into the Shane Scully novels in the beginning years ago. And those were the first novels of his that I read. Still will get this copy to add to my selection
This book was a pick for our bookclub. We decided the book should be coined a typical chit-lik mystery. Old man suddenly falls deeply "in love" with a new bride he met on the beaches of Hawaii while she was on her honeymoon - the couples strike up a conversation, have some innoncent fun and return home.
Obsessed with the young women, the older guy begins to stalk her acros the country. At times the book is funny, predictible, weird and scary. For those who like a "light" mystery read without all the gore and details, this would be excellent. If you prefer more "meat and potatoes" to your stories, then I would suggest another book.