Review: Coarse, crude, and very Hollywood!
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 04 3, 2014
Los Angeles author MZ Kelly gained his exposure for the thematic material of this first installment in his A HOLLYWOOD ALPHABET SERIES by serving in law enforcement in Southern California `dealing with violent felony offenders, making sentencing recommendations to the courts, running a jail, and developing innovative programs to keep our streets safe'. The location of his activities exposed him to the weirdo criminals, wannabe actors and other assorted characters that just happen to peer the pages of his novel. He is quick to point out at book's opening that the reason for the name of the series - Hollywood Alphabet - is that each book `contains an interesting Hollywood fact or quote from a famous movie star. As you read, look for the fact or quote, and then look for details about how to win valuable prizes at the end of this book.' And in many ways that sets the tone for the audience who will be drawn to this sort of gimmicky concept.The book's main character is LAPD Detective Kate Sexton and in the opening paragraph we are alerted to the style of both Kate's character and the story that will follow: `I turned away from the smog-shrouded city of dreams that shimmered like a mirage beyond the shuttered windows of the Pinewood Apartments as Captain Marvin Drake unloaded his Glock-9 on Detective Jack Bautista. The detective, wanted on a murder rap, tossed a bag of groceries, hopped a fence, and sprinted downhill through the gang-infested neighborhood. I lunged at Drake, pushing his gun away. At the same time, Bernie, my canine partner, strained against his leash and began running in the direction of the suspect, pulling me and my alabaster Gucci blouse through the dirt and grass. By the time I got to my feet and released the dog, my blouse was ruined, the humidity had turned my hair into a frizz-fest, and Drake was screeching like a fat turkey that had swallowed a wasp. Bautista was already over the fence, disappearing faster than a necklace on a Lindsay Lohan shopping spree.  The elderly captain's attitude and an October afternoon that was hotter than a pair of Justin Timberlake's Fruit of the Looms were wearing on me.'Kate Sexton, adrift after publication of indiscretions of her husband shared with her partners and living with her oversexed dog Bernie, her foul mouthed Brit friend Natalie and her psycho mother is a tiny apartment, is on a cold murder case while at the same time eluding a sadistic serial killer, and trying to restore the reputation of a besmirched cop friend. The dalliances of the story include moments of terror balanced by hilarity and a plethora of expletives. The writing is propulsive and despite its obvious first time around feeling shows some promise of a new Hollywood wit. Just not there yet. Grady Harp, April 14