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Death By Hollywood (2003)
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Fiction Review by The Mortician
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01.09.05
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This is Steven Bochco's first novel. You know who Bochco is---the creator of such fine television shows as HILL STREET BLUES and NYPD BLUE.This book is a profane scorcher and wickedly satirical. It's about a struggling screenwriter who witnesses a murder (committed by a Jane Fonda-inspired character; she kills an acting coaching she's having an affair with who tries to blackmail her).The screenwriter witnesses the murder via his telescope (a'la BODY DOUBLE) and instead of reporting the crime, he gets involved with all the participants so he can get inside their heads and write the 'best screenplay of his life.'What he doesn't expect is to fall in love with the murderess or to find such a loyal friend with the cop who is working the case.Of course, good things never last in Hollywood, and soon everyone is intertwined romantically and double-crossing each other right up until the wicked twist ending, which will leave you grinning and wanting more.A classy but coarse read, short and to the point, Bochco's experiences in the entertainment industry and observations about the biz are priceless and true, it makes the novel a breath of fresh air. The plot isn't too original, but it's not the tale, it's how it's ultimately told, and that's what makes this PLAYER meets BASIC INSTINCT meets BODY DOUBLE so engaging.I doubt this book would make a good movie---because the life of the thing is in Bochco's irreverent observations, which would be impossible to translate to the screen. You'll love the section where he gives payback to the David Caruso NYPD BLUE fiasco, although Caruso did eventually bounce back with the last laugh by starring in CSI...Highly recommended!
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Rating: nan out of 10.0 - votes cast total
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