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A Night in Beverly Hills
Andrew J. Fenady Book Review

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Plot Summary of A Night in Beverly Hills
"

Five Star, Nov 2003, 25.95, 257 pp.
ISBN: 1594140685

Hollywood sleuth Alex Night serves as bodyguard and chauffeur of wealthy old tomato Cynthia Alderdyce as she attends the Annenberg New Year's Eve Party in Palm Springs. On the way home, a cop car stops them. Two thugs steal Cynthia's millions in jewelry. Alex gives chase, wounding Bogus 2, recovering the loot, and taking a bullet while Bogus 1 escapes.

With his mother pressuring him, Alex decides it is time to begin writing like his heroes Hammett and Chandler. However, he suffers writer's block until Cynthia asks him to learn about the Bogus who escaped especially since Bogus 2 allegedly leaped from the hospital roof. As Alex uncovers the truth behind the robbery by the Bogus thugs of Cynthia, he knows he has the true crime story of the century. However, he also knows that though this would make him into a successful writer, Alex cannot reveal the tale to anyone at least while Cynthia lives.

Fans of urban noirs with a salute to the movies will appreciate this engaging crime thriller. The story line centers on Alex who with asides often pays homage to classic pictures and actors. The investigation begins late in the tale, but the plot has plenty of action throughout as Andrew J. Fenady provides a solid novel that will be thoroughly enjoyed by readers.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of A Night in Beverly Hills
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
descript. of violence and chases - 10%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%




Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Time/era of story: - present (2000-2010)
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Crime Thriller Yes
Crime plotlets: - search for valuable art/artifacts
General Crime (including known murderer) Yes
Who's the criminal enemy here? - stolen goods organization

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status: - private investigator
Age: - 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use? - just the right amount
Ethnicity/Race - White/American
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist - revenge
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - California

Style
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths? - 0 (not a murder mystery)
Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
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