Celebrities Books

I really enjoyed the author's tale.. Lighten up readers, and yeah, he is "just a gigilo" - he happens to excel at it and is able to describe it well ! Massimo starts the memoir by explaining what the Jet Set is and how it came to be. If for some reason you've lost your sense of humour or have a case of the "oh poor me , They're fabulous and I'm not" blues, then this isn't the book for you. I for one have not the slightest scintilla of jealousy of the lifestyles of the rich and social because the daily activities are a roaring bore from my perspective- Very heavy on the entertaining and social level- it's work to play.
In any case, Massimo has figured his ticket to reaching the inner circle and staying there is simple; capitalize on his strengths: looks, a fairly pleasant demeanor, connections and his sexual aptitude. His crime? He's a man. (Does the average reader think that in all of the traditional May-December romances of the 'Jet Set' that the female isn't thinking about how to parlay her youth and appeal into some tangible assets?.C'mon- this writer tells it like it is.)
Massimo does just that, although until he gets his bearings he is more of a pawn in the hands of the dowagers he has makes deals with. The Garbo chapters are a hoot- What a fabulous portrait of a character that kept herself shielded from prying eyes, very few people have been able to write about having any sort of intimacy with this legend. I've always suspected that there wasn't a great mystery underneath it all, and that's one of the truths that this lady kept to herself- quite cunning indeed.
After the training wheels comeoff, Massimo cuts his teeth on a new woman, the eighty-something gazillionaire that seduces him , for a price... The "strings-attached" relationship is chronicled in full detail, I found it fascinating - grateful that the writers have decided to leave out none of the strategy and scheming of either party. The rest of the book's tales are revealing of this particular strata's social order- complex and inconsequential at the same time. Massimo seems surprised when he is spoken of highly at times by observers- In my opinion, he seems like a breath of fresh air amongst those snotty old windbags- I think he gave more that he took.

Excellent book written with honesty. Mr Gargia has the guts to tell what a lot of people in the world are hiding. Besides, all these stories are true which makes the book interesting and entertaining.
Allan Starkie's style is intelligent and very enjoyable as in his previous book "Fergie".

I am sorry I ever picked up this book and read it.....from the writing to the tale of the male-hooker, Massimo......it's a very sad story. I feel sorry for the people involved that they would even want the world to know that such things happened in their sad and pitiful lives. They ALL need to get a life....instead of living off ALL the others. SAD.

I picked this up at the library on the hope that it would be entertaining. It is for about the first 30 pages and then one starts to wonder - why does this poor man have no self respect? In his early days, the pictures in the book reveal an extremely attractive man and so it is hard to figure out why he basically lets himself become a gigolo to old rich women. There are also a few details I just did NOT want to know... such as him being surprised at enjoying oral stimulation from an 80 year old woman who wore dentures (note - he is about 30 at the time). Yuck! I would be embarassed if I were him but then, he does not seem to embarass easily if it will enrich him. It is also written in a "tabloid" style which gets mindless and repetitive after a while. I guess even Allan Starkie and his "PhD" could not improve the writing.

Massimo Gargia has written an account of his life among the Jet Set and what you think might be great fun is instead a pathetic and disgusting reverie of the superficial lives these people live.

After graduation from college, Gargia decided that he didn't want to work a real job so instead he used his looks and charms to worm his way into the jet set society. First up, he seduces the mannish 60 year old Cecile de Rothschild and through her, he meets her elusive friend, Greta Garbo (herself in her 60's). A brief tryst with her follows and he ends up seducing her as well, however, you can read between the lines and realize that Garbo was a woman who was not interested in sex (if anything, the chapter on her illustrates what a strange woman she was and it is evident that she probably could have used the services of a psychiatrist).

After tiring of Garbo's eccentricies and her iciness (she ignores him and is embarrassed while he chokes on a fish bone at a dinner party), he proceeds to his next conquest, a rich widow in her 80's. (Note: A strong stomach is required for the sex scenes - disgusting is no other way to describe them!) This woman (Lydia Deterding) ends up buying Gargia several apartments but their affair becomes the laughing stock of the jet set community. Believe it or not, Gargia does have some modesty and he leaves her for a nympho Countess, whose husband dies soon after they begin their affair. They enjoy the good life for a while until her funds start to get low and she kicks him out after he won't get a job.

By this time, Gargia has lost his looks and he romances a magazine editor and decides to start a magazine called "The Best", based on a frivolous awards event that he created (a big excuse to hold yet another big party bash). After all, can you really take an award seriously whose recipients include LaToya Jackson, Fidel Castro or Ivana Trump???

Gargia wraps up with stories about the Royal Family and how he ingratiated himself into their circle. Some rumors about a possible Princess Diana conspiracy are lightweight, at most. If Gargia's book does serve any worthwhile purpose, it does show how frivolous and wasteful the "Jet Set" live their lives.

I have seen this book before and decided to get it for myself, so I can ponder over the different chapters, and personages at leisure. Filled with one surprise after another, the book delivers photos masterfully done, interwoven with stories of people we know that share a common bond... horses. It is a great gift for the horse lover or the person that likes to read about people in the world of celebrities. Again, I must emphasize that the pictures are truly stunning and well composed. Having been a photographer for over 40 years, I always pay more attention to the details, composures, and art-full feel of pictures, and these photos are charming and "story telling" in their own light. One picture is worth a thousand words, is very true in this book. Buy it, enjoy it, keep it and give it.
Vern

This book has some really well taken photography shots of people and their horses. It dosen't lie in its title...alas..the title is incredibly accurate...it shows a bunch of celebrity with their horses and a few with the dogs also.

Did I say the photography was wonderful?...It is.

The choice of the persons included in this book was well thought out..as she included several minority persons for which I give high marks for doing so..as minorities are very poorly represented in most equine books.

The horse crazy among us..(like Myself) will devour this book in less than 30 minutes if you read it..and even faster than that (maybe) if you just look at the pictures. Teens..young adults...minority horse lovers should jump on it...because it contains people that you have seen ..that could be you or your kids in it..and for that reason..it is excellent for the younger crowd too !!!

It isn't smart..or difficult..or magical...or knowledgable......its a good look at American Celebritys the horses they own..and how they got connected to them.

Where should I start? With the many blurry, grainy photos? Or the photos of celebrities and horses that are hugely under exposed so the "background" can come shining through? I thought I'd get to see celebrities with their horses - in focus. Disappointing photography.

The interviews sound somewhat "canned" and "redundant". As though the celebrities were asked to fill in a form and then the interview was written from the form.

Why two stars? Page 1, Richard Gere and his horse; Page 13 Robert Duvall and horse; Page 89 Kim Novak and her horse.

I've been a horse lover since I got my first pony at the age of six. I am also a working entertainment reporter, so I am always on the lookout to talk to celebs who have horses -- but this book taught even me a few things! Who knew Chevy Chase has Icelandics? That's my favorite breed!

People We Know, Horses They Love is not only very well-written and informative, but the pictures are beautiful too. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because that rating for horse/picture books is reserved for Robert Vavra :)

Staci Layne Wilson

This oversize book with photographs by Linda Solomon is exactly as advertised by the title. We see photo-montages of stars like Robert Redford with his favorite horses. The text burbles on about his screen credits and career and the Sundance film festival. Robert Redford talks about his (horseless) childhood and why and how he learned to ride. The other stars that Rappaport and Wilkinson interview and photograph are Gisele Bundchen (super model from Brazil), Chevy Chase, Robert Duvall, Richard Gere (who raises Appaloosas), Melissa Gilbert and Bruce Boxleitner, Whoopi Goldberg (who currently doesn't own any horses, so was photographed with NYC's finest mounted police), Kelse and Camille Grammer, Joe and Billie Perry (Friesians), Katharine Ross and Cleo Elliott, Jane Seymour (who prefers driving to riding), Maria Shriver, Robert Wagner and Jill St. John, Jeff Bridges, Christie Brinkley, William Devane, Morgan Freeman, Kim Novak, Jack Palance, and Dennis Quaid.

The book has two other, shorter sections titled "Pro and Show" and "Healing Hands, Healing Horses." My favorite interview was with ex-jockey Julie Krone. What a gutsy, determined athelete! There are also short articles on the U. S. Equestrian Team, Dressage, and horse healer Buck Brannaman.

"People We Know, Horses They Love" is a pleasant hodge-podge. I would recommend it to star-struck teenagers who also happen to love horses.

This was my first book written by Judith Henry Wall and I am an immediate fan of hers. This book was super intense and kept me on the edge of my seat. I could not put it down and read it in a few days. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a good read. I'm looking forward to reading other books written by this author!!!!

I loved this book. I thought it was beautifully written and loved each character, even the evil ones. Each character was built up, you didn't have to just "guess" why he/she was the way they were. Plus I just loved Jamie, and in the end, thank Gus for what he did for her. This book will make you think things through when faced with a situation that looks good, but doesn't feel good.

The Surrogate is a story of a young woman with financial problems contracting with a rich family as a surrogate mother to produce a baby. She finds that there are deeper mysteries and hidden motivations during the pregnancy, hightails it away from the isolation she agreed to, and tries to escape the family's wrath, baby in tow.

It is intense, a well-paced story, and a believable rendition of a frantic surrogate on the run.

The bad guy, however, is the classic ultra-rich, orders people killed, has hitmen always around to do his bidding, women on command, government in his pocket, et cetera, kind of guy. In other words, he is hard to escape. Use an ATM or make a phone call? You are located. Stay too long at one place? The black vans show up.

This is a nifty story about the concerns and trials of a surrogate working with a very weird family. The weirdness of the family detracts from the story. Consider this book briefly entertaining.

This book is about a desperate girl who became a surrogage mother for the money and found herself moving from "the pan into the fire" when she realized she was in danger and had to literally run for her life and that of her baby's.

I liked this book because I found myself pulling for the surrogate mother all through it. She faced so many difficulties and obstacles and was so smart and clever. I particularly liked her demanding to have a dog when she was going to be kept on the ranch because she had the foresight to know she'd get lonely being cut off from the world. If I had been in her shoes, I probably would have given up much sooner. I admired her bravery, resourcefulness, cleverness, and love for the baby she carried. I felt so sorry for her when she was having the baby all alone. It was defitely a "cloak and dagger" novel that was pretty believable. That's what I thought made it so interesting and even a bit scary to think something like that actually could happen. I wish the author would have let Jamie's dog live though--that was very sad when the dog got killed.

Although this book portrayed the primary Christians as big hypocrites, it did also include a few who really did show God's love to Jaimie. I thought Joe was very smart too and was so happy when they found each other after all those years apart and he was willing to help her. He was really great!

Karen Arlettaz Zemek, Author of "My Funny Dad, Harry"

Try as I might, I still can't stifle my perpetual yawn having read Judith Henry Wall's THE SURROGATE. Excited to see an Oklahoma author with a Simon & Schuster trade paperback title, I began this book with great expectations. Yet I was instantly disappointed by writing that was trite, uninspired, and one-dimensional--prose as flat as the Texas panhandle where much of this novel is based. And what makes matters worse is this tired prose tries to tell the story of a young mother on the run from some nasty Bible thumpers; and the implausible ending is an absolute howler.

As to her villains, Ms. Wall unimaginatively perpetuates the stereotype of evil evangelicals--abusive hypocrites who wield their power over the masses by influencing elections and presidents. The result is one series of contrived cliches after another--trite storytelling that is literally agonizing to read. And the dialogue? How's this as a corny and hapless example?

"You are my hero. And you are the only man that I've ever loved and ever plan to love."

"And you are the love of my life. We are going to get through this, Jamie. We have to."

Quick. Give me some gravel to gargle so I can get the icky taste out of my mouth. But alas, such is the myopic nature of this alleged romantic thriller. And as an observation to lend credibility to the story, no one will ever find a Gen Xer named Joe or Lester; nor will any young 21st Century mother name her infant Sally Ann. Such is the annoying nature of the reading experience THE SURROGATE so aptly provides.
--D. Mikels, Author, THE RECKONING

I'll give this 3.5 stars. It's a deeper look at the woman behind the movie, Erin Brockovich. With wit and grace Erin tells the story of her broken marriages, the drug addiction of two of her children, and how she got through proving a difficult case against PG&E. Erin's honesty is refreshing, and I enjoyed her stories of talking to herself until she could figure out what to do. She says that sometimes you have to make your own decisions rather than relying on the advice of friends and I think that this is a valuable gift. There are times when you cannot reach your friends or you know that your situation is beyond their experience so the only person that can really help you work through it is YOU.

Erin's straight-shooter personality comes out in this book on every page. While she did have help writing the book, you can't help but notice Erin's voice.

I was very surprised as I read the book to find out about the hardships Erin had to endure both before and after the PG&E-Hinkley case. She tells of how almost all of her money went into a misrepresented house and taking care of her kids' addictions. She also tells the truth about "Jorge" from the movie and her dealings with Ed Masry.

She mentions the movie a few too many times throughout the book, so it gets a little irritating after the 10th time. However, I do appreciate her attempts at contrasting the movie with what really happened. It's just that several of her mentions of the movie are in little side comments that aren't really talking about the movie, but about the fact that her life SEEMS great because Julia Roberts played her, but that her life isn't great. This is fine, and needed to some extent, however, it happens many times throughout the book. Still, this is not enough to detract from the humorous, down-to-earth tale of the life of Erin Brockovich.

What a great lady! It was nice to read the real-life stories behind the Hollywood hype ... but the biggest surprise was that the truth was often more interesting and dramatic than the dramatization. Brockovich offers concrete advice to those who are trying to improve their lives -- she's a role model and inspiration to people everywhere. I also recommend "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Little Book of Wisdom" by Taro Gold. I have found much inspiration from both of these books.

That's the only reason for this book to be. Having not seen the movie, I can't say I knew much about her story when I picked up the book. After reading the book, I still don't know a lot about it.
The account she gives in here of her life and the how eponymous movie was made is kind of interesting. The motivational schpiel that makes up most of the book is kind of gloopy and cliche. But going around and making inspirational speeches is her sideline these days, so it must be working for her.

What an inspirational book. Simple and logical advice. I really enjoyed the book. Easy reading and didn't go on to long like other self help books. I recommend it as school reading and should be in libraries.

Kind of like the car rental commercial.... not exactly what
I was hoping for. Erin cites her own personal effort, which
nobody can deny, for sure, but beyond this life-theory, there's
little more to this book. A better title would have been:
"I should have listened to my father...he was right." I'd
be really interested in a book on parenting by Mrs. Brockovich's
father. He seems like a really level headed guy.

I would like to read something by her other than chick-lit. It's not her thing, and you kind of feel it.
The subject was interesting, but the story predictable. And some of the characters have more substance than others.
I personally did not like this venture very much, but I will definitely give Libby Street another chance.

You know how sometimes when you read a book that's written by two different people, you can always tell where one put the pencil down and another one picked it up (Nanny Diaries, anyone?!)?? This book is NOT like that! The girls manage to write in perfect harmony, and the story flowed wonderfully! I really loved this book, not just because I'm fascinated by papparazzi and Hollywood just like everyone else, but because it was so addictive and realistic. And funny!!

This book is enjoyable, not brilliant or unputdownable but its the perfect read to relax and unwind. No thinking required just read and relax

This book was a true page turner! The story is funny, quirky and made me laugh out loud too many times to count. Chick Lit at it's best.

Pleasurable read for a summer's day! Captivating pace, each page makes you want to get to the next charming encounter between the characters. I loved this book soooo much - 'ya gotta check it out for yourself.

This is an amazing inside look at Jordan/ Katie Price you can't find anywhere else. She's as real as real gets, answers all of your questions and is totally up front with everything! She hides no secrets and just wants respect from others. I'm a HUGE fan and she is def. one of my idols! She's made her money the right way and after all these years is still on top! Congrats Katie!!!

I'm so excited that I got this book through your service! This book is only available in the UK!!! Excellent condition paperback book with lot's of pictures! Her story is amazing. I just love her! Thank you for having it in stock!!!

Being an American I first heard of Jordan/Katie Price on an "E" TV channel reality show. Normally I can't stand reality TV but for whatever reason, I tuned in. I was very intrigued by both Katie and her now husband Peter from the get-go. I decided to buy her first autobiography because I was curious. I must be honest...I wasn't expecting much. I knew she had a ghost writer but I figured it would be Katie/Jordan talking about how awesome she was and how beautiful and that everyone else was crap. I was pleasantly surprised. She seems very down to earth and genuinely a good person. Sure, she has the trappings of fame that many celebrities have but she seems to have gotten a really bad rap from the public and press. I haven't heard most of the stories that she talks about or anything new that has happened to Katie because I don't frequent England but I think that she was able to express what has happened to her in her life in a very realistic and entertaining way. I don't know of many of the people she talks about because they are primarily British but it was still a fun read. I highly recommend this book to anyone and I am looking forward to her next autobiography that I just received.

this easy to read autobiography is one that i could not put down once i started. i first became acquainted with katie price/jordan on the E network and was hooked at once. her willingness to let cameras in her private sanctum is only matched by the brutal honesty in this book. she pulls no punches and illustrates the possibility of evolving from a scarred damaged young girl into a successful self empowered woman in control of her life and loving it. she highlights all the people, like family, that have aided her in her quest to become a superpower. her willingness to fall in love despite her trials also proves to be very beautiful, only matched by her devotion to her son.
this is a fun book and if you ever have the chance to see her on television you will soon realize that it is her voice in this book, loud and clear.enjoy

Great read! She really lets us in her life and tells all. She didn't hide anything or how she felt and she wrote how she speaks, which makes you feel like she is talking directly to you. The book is very interesting and lets you know who she really is. Katie Price is genius!

How intersting this book is! Seeing "famous" people sharing advice about life. The author had an interesting question, the answeres are special!

There is nothing very interesting about this compilation of letters, which in most cases are from minor celebrities. This is the 30-second version of the book:

Hi, I'm Rachel, and I need to do a project to get a Girl Scout patch. In your opinion, what are the most important lessons in life? My dad says perseverance and my mom says family.

Thank you!

Rachel

*******

Here's the generic response, plus or minus an occasional comma:

Dear Rachel: Your parents are right.

Sincerely,

______________ (fill in the blank with celebrity's name)

I am not exaggerating. Maybe there is certain value for a teenager, but for an adult, what's there that we don't know already?

Although the author was an 11-year-old Girl Scout at the time, young readers won't be familiar with many of the people who replied to Rachel Chandler's request concerning life's most important lessons. Therein lies a unique opportunity for teachers to integrate history, writing, and character education all at the same time. Adults will enjoy the book. Over time, younger audiences might learn to appreciate the value of Rachel's work and contribution.

I was extremely impressed that a young girl from where I live (small city of Roanoke) could have such an impact on so many famous people - dignataries, writers, actors, and other celebs. It was an awe-inspiring view on life's important lessons shared in similarities by most people throughout the world. A round of applause for this SUPER Girl Scout - a fine example of what youth should be doing today.

Opening this little book I was struck how turgid this was. This girl should get a hobby and stop bothering the famous and the busy. She might distract William Jefferson Clinton from the important work of the country. This would be great to start a bonfire with.

Ladies, get your credit cards out (or borrow a friend's), get your car to the mall (or catch the bus), buy this book now (do what you must)! I am not even kidding you for one second. This is a beautiful book. This book will make you proud to be (check one): 1. Black 2. An admirer of black beauty 3. Female 4. Male 5. Visually adept. All I got to say is Gary Dourdan, my dear, God Blessed You. God Bless You. All the other fine young specimens and the infinitely talented stylists, editors and photographers, "y'all GO"! (Specifically, GO directly back to the drawing board and do this again...serially,pleeeeeease!) Love... me.

D'Angelo, the cover man, is not to be found inside. The title is much too broad; a more accurate title would be, "Fashion Styles of Some Rich & Famous Black Males." As for bodies, they are mostly clothes hangers here; the amount of skin on the cover is misleading. The contents rate as PG because of a couple behinds and a few covered crotches; there is no full, frontal nudity whatsoever. I don't know how anybody gets any soul out of this book, unless they see it in the eyes of some portraits or glean it from scattered quotes of fashion magazine staffers, usually a phrase or single sentence each, as the quotes, along with some other one-sentence observations by the author, are the only text. Therefore, the cover and title are cheap, bookselling tricks, but the book price is not cheap. A used copy, however, IS cheap, as buyers turn into sellers. Although a book about men of color, I am surprised that black & white plates out-number color 3:1, as I count about 90 b&w and 31 color photo's. I am a fan, too, of some of the people featured, but, to me, this is no reason to gush about the book as a whole. Although I could ooh and ah about some of the photo's, there are a like number of dogs and mediocre shots. What could form a pop-culture chapter itself is the number of celebrities who must have paid a lot for elaborate fantasy scenes shot by highly-paid photographers. I would not feel good about seeing this sort of arrogance if I shelled out a lot for their books, CD's, magazines, ticket prices, etc., the profits of which finance such folly. The author sees Black male fashion from a mainly GQ-type perspective, which may be right in-step in certain parts of Manhattan, but, from here in 'da hood, its seems like he's in an ivory tower. He has a new book coming out, with a similar cover and title, of which I will be suspicious. Except for a few unkwnowns, I expect that everyone involved is highly paid--subjects, photographers, fashion industry, etc.--and I wonder if people paid to be in this book, either in the form of their likeness(es) or their work; it would explain a lot.

Unlike most of the reviewers here, I got to meet some of the guys here either in concert, from the 'hood etc. All left a bad impression on me, so to see them so marvelously pictured here is confusing.

I agree Shannon. Gary Dourdan is SWEET! Someone should do an entire book on him!

Have owned this book over six months but just had to get my twocents in on a review. My purchase was based solely on the frontcover showing the gorgeous black rapper- D'Angelo. Since his MTVvideo titled "Untitled" was one of the hottest & sensual videosever to hit the TV screen, I naturally assumed Mr. Thomas wouldtreat all his purchasers to a D'Angelo collection highlightinghis extremely buffed 'bod. Or maybe he could have given us JamieFoxx instead spoofing D'Angelo on his syndicated weekly program.I salivated alot at the other photos- many too small but in the end it galled me that MY MAIN MAN was really a "no show!"

Everyday when I come home from work, I feel a bit let down with my personal performance. It's a good thing Lee Ellis had the time, money, and energy to prepare this book...it's like it is geared just toward me. There's no way around the fact that I am dissatisfied with my dead-end job in a Baku fishmarket, but I can find an escape by writing to various celebrities and getting their autographs. After all, whatever they write on a used napkin is more valuable than my life--they are idolized in America and around the world, and with good reason. Possessing a piece of them is like possessing eternal happiness. They have succeeded where others have not, and our blind grovelling to them is well-deserved. When I got an autographed picture of that guy who plays Kenny Bania on SEINFELD, my life was complete. He has succeeded in life, and so has Lee Ellis. May it be Allah's will that Lee Ellis someday be considered among great writers like George F. Will, John Steinbeck, and of course Chaucer. He is truly a great man who has helped me feel like a success, and he can help you, too. Order the book--your first step toward happiness and fulfillment.

I don't know about you, but I buy a book like "The Celebrity Address Directory" to save time and money. Sure, I could go on the Internet and find some of the addresses in this book but would it be worth it? I would spend many hours plus contend with the aggravation and frustration of the crashing of my computer and not being sure if I got a current address. That's why I say let the author do all the research. I sit back and let him put up with long hours and compiling the names and addresses. I can't go wrong buying this book. If I get a return to sender, I just notify the publisher and they research the address for me. They will even research a name that's not in the book.

What could be better? This book has the best categories of celebrities to choose from, the best names with address to choose from and the best guarantee of any celebrity address book. I've been collecting autographs by mail for a long time and I'll stay with "The Celebrity Address Directory."

...and rather misleading - the large quantity of addresses the author claims is due to the fact that a large number of people are "lumped" under a common address - for instance, all Olympic athletes, past and present, are given a generic address of the U.S. Olympic Committee, all members of congress are listed together, all members of a sports team are listed with one address, etc. Much of this "information" can be found for free on the Internet.

The book is also poorly organized when compared to others on the market - a straight alphabetical approach would be easier to use. I returned this one day after I bought it - I've found the books by Mark Allen Baker to be better.

Using the "Celebrity Address Directory & Autograph Collector's Guide 2001" has been a thrill. I must say that even though there are some letters that come back my successes are so exciting that they completely outweigh the returns. I have been building a collection slowly and am enjoying my new hobby more than I ever imagined. I've done real well with football players. The presidents (living) I did real well except Ford, and I love the signed photos John Glenn sent and personalized one for each of my 2 kids. I don't mind personalized autographs because I'm not into it for money, I just like to frame and display them. Actors have been great; I have received some fantastic pictures with autographs but occasionally get the mass-produced facsimiles. Oh well what can you do. I prefer to send my own pictures since the ones I pick are usually a lot better than the ones they send. Some of my favorites include....Newman, Pacino, Duvall, DeNiro, Travolta, Jane Fonda, Sophia Loren, Mickey Rooney, Sarandon and too many to list.

The second novel in Richard Hawke's Fritz Malone series is a tense, well-written thriller. A late-night TV host named named Marshall Fox is arrested for the grisly murders of two women he was involved with, but is he the culprit? Once Fox is behind bars, the murders continue, and New York PI Malone has to put the pieces together and find out the answers. Along the way, he may discover some dark truths about himself. Hawke's excellent characters, twisty story and lean writing style make this a good bet for thriller fans. If you like Michael Connelly or Robert Parker, give Mr. Hawke a try. Also, seek out the first in the series, Speak of the Devil.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first installation of the adventures of NYC gumshoe, Fritz Malone and am sooooo happy to see that Richard Hawke is continuing the series. Yeah!

Worse than his last book. Too many questions being asked all the time. Rambles on and on.

Having written only two books, Richard Hawke already has earned himself a place on the "must read" list of detective fiction fans. SPEAK OF THE DEVIL introduced Fritz Malone, a very different (and memorable) private investigator whose territory is New York City. It must be noted that Hawke doesn't write straightforward crime novels; to say that he deconstructs the genre would be inaccurate, but he certainly stretches and tests its boundaries. The result is an implicitly edgy narrative that creates an atmosphere in which anything might happen.

COLD DAY IN HELL centers on Marshall Fox, a wildly popular late-night television personality whose professional and personal life is fodder for daily morning water cooler discussion. The fact that Fox is a bit of a rake only fuels his reputation. But when two women who are linked to him are found brutally slain in a unique, sinister fashion, he is charged with their murder. The trial is, as one might expect, a circus --- it is even referred to as "O.J. East" --- and the testimony of Robin Burrell, one of Fox's many ex-lovers, regarding his points of arousal only serves to further inflame the rabble. Burrell, who happens to live across the street from Malone's significant other, retains Malone to deal with the avalanche of harassing mail and phone calls she receives.

When Burrell herself is murdered in a fashion similar to those for whom Fox is on trial, it raises the issue of whether Burrell has been executed by a copycat killer or if the D.A.'s office is trying the wrong man for murder. Malone is working with Megan Lamb, an emotionally troubled New York police detective assigned to the investigation. They begin digging into Fox's life and discover no lack of suspects or motives for any of the killings. When yet another brutal murder occurs --- similar but not identical to the first three --- Malone comes to the realization that knowing Fox is dangerous, and investigating the murders of his associates might be even more so.

Hawke is not afraid to take chances with his plot or characters. I about dropped the book at the end of Part 1 and then again near the violent climax of this exciting work. Hawke's ability to tinker with the form of his narrative while keeping the story true to the genre results in a unique, and ultimately addictive, reading experience. Pick up COLD DAY IN HELL and prepare to lose your preconceived ideas of what a detective novel can be.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

Hawke's Fritz Malone was a great character in the debut novel by Hawke, Speak of the Devil. He was funny and likeable. He a had a great girlfriend and great relationship with her that added to the book. He also had a relationship with the girlfriend's father (his former partner) who added spice, wit, wisdom and and color to the book. Unfortunately, these aspects were missing in Cold Day in Hell resulting in a middle of the road mystery. Fritz' humor was in check. He and the girlfriend were shallowly on the outs because of Fritz' case and the father never appeared.

Fritz is a unique PI. He has an excellent rapport with the NYPD - how many fictional PI's can say they have good relations with their local police force? He shows humor without being cynicism - although less humor in this novel than in the first. He is generally a good guy for whom it is easy to root.

Cold Day in Hell opens with a murder that looks like it was committed by the same perpetrator that committed two prior murders. That suspect is a late night TV star currently being tried for the first two murders. Is it a copycat? Is the star innocent? The victim was a lover of the star and had testified in the nationally telecast trial. Soon a second murder occurs that also points to the TV star and Fritz is on the case.

The mystery is fairly good. There are plenty of suspects and motives to keep the reader hopping. However, I found the presentation a bit disorganized. I also found that Fritz' involvement was a bit far-fetched. He had no client nor interest, except that he had met the first victim - who lived across the street from his girlfiriend - to look into hate mail she had received after testifying against the TV star.

As good a character as Fritz is, the other characters in this book, especially the show biz ones seemed boilerplate. There is an excellent police woman who does have depth and is interesting. She and Fritz carry the book.

All in all, this was a decent murder mystery. I don't know that if this were the first book I read by Hawke that I would read any others by him. However, his Speak of te Devil was so excellent, I look at this as a temporary misstep - that was still okay - and I look forward to his next one.