Johnnie Ray and Miss Kilgallen
A roman a clef about the alleged affair between '50s pop star Johnnie Ray andWhat's My Line?panelist Dorothy Kilgallen? It's hard to imagine a more unlikely premise, but the novel works surprisingly well, both as a noir thriller and as an erotic love story. (It probably helps if you don't remember what Kilgallen looked like.) The story begins with Ray's appearance as the mystery guest onWhat's My Line?in 1956; guest and panelist feel an immediate attraction for one another and begin the affair that lasts well into the '60s, despite the presence of Kilgallen's husband, radio personality Dick Kollmar. Paralleling the love affair are the stories of Ray's struggle to be recognized as a legitimate jazz singer (rather than the affected crooner of tear-jerking ballads) and Kilgallen's similar effort to reclaim her reputation as a serious journalist (which leads to her obsession with the Kennedy assassination). Her sudden death is still thought by many to be part of the Oswald-Ruby cover-up. The authors bring all of these elements together effectively, creating a moody, gin-soaked ode to nightlife and star-crossed lovers.Bill OttCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved