When a burlesque performer dies onstage during a show, the show's MC investigates, delving deep into the seedy and seductive world of bump-and-grind.
The Corpse Wore Pasties (Hard Case Crime)
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The self-styled burlesque mayor of New York City makes himself the hero of his entertaining hard-boiled debut. Suspected of murder after a striptease artist dies dramatically onstage, performer and emcee Porkpie—named for his trademark hat—sets out one kick-step ahead of the cops to find the real killer. It doesn't help that victim Victoria Vice was generally loathed for plagiarizing the distinctive acts of fellow ecdysiasts Cherries Jubilee, Jillian Knockers and Eva Desire. Much of the fun lies in Porkpie's witty and telling observations of life in the raunchy burlesque world, and the tone is more playful than pornographic despite plentiful references to sexual activity. Readers will enjoy the twists and action and hope for future Porkpie investigations. The book will be launched with a live burlesque show in New York City. (Dec.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Author Porkpie, the self-proclaimed Burlesque Mayor of New York City, makes himself the star of this winsome first novel. Porkpie is NYPD’s prime suspect in the murder of Victoria Vice, a burlesque dancer known for plagiarizing other dancers’ acts. Jonny assumes that one of the other dancers on the program is the murderer, and he decides he must uncover the truth to avoid 25 years in prison. In the course of his investigation, he is chased, half-naked, across the Brooklyn Bridge by a heavy-metal band and finds himself hanging from chains, completely naked, in the dungeon of a dominatrix. He also offers knowing insights into the craft of burlesque; for example, to properly apply pasties, heat the adhesive—it makes them stick better. Porkpie’s style is diligently tongue-in-cheek, and it works. Fans of hard-boiled crime will enjoy this romp, and in an increasingly coarse popular culture, the inside look at burlesque seems, well, almost wholesome. --Thomas Gaughan
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
As a member of the burlesque community that serves as the setting for this book, I can honestly (and in spite of my bias!) say that this is an authentic peek behind the scenes at the world of pasties and puns. The tone and the language roll like the script of an old burlesque number updated for current sensibilities--with retro flair, but still fresh and fun. It's a perfect mystery for an airplane or beach read!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a book that will be more interesting to devotees of burlesque than to devotees of crime fiction, though the latter will enjoy it. "Jonny Porkpie," the self-appointed Burlesque Mayor of NYC, has penned a Hard Case Crime novel. The plot is straightforward: a burlesque queen (or princess minus) has a bad habit of imitating other peoples' acts. Make that: stealing other peoples' acts. Her stolen act this time around involves the drinking of what appears to be poison. Unfortunately for her the poison turns out to be real. Since Jonny Porkpie (named for his favorite style of hat) was charged with the responsibility of handing her the prop he becomes the principal suspect in her murder case. Thus, he is forced to dodge the fuzz (make that: the cops) in order to investigate the case and bring the actual killer to justice.
The crime story is a tad thin and there are no shocking surprises. The strength of the book lies in the author's ability to evoke the world of burlesque--a quaint, arch, self-conscious world of puns, pasties and double entendres. The result is more cozy than crime fiction, since it takes place in an enclosed world which, in this case, also has strong retro- elements.
It's all good clean fun, less sexualized than daytime television, and a very competent first novel. Essentially it is what it attempts to be, not James Lee Burke, James Ellroy or Elmore Leonard, but a short, amusing look at a sweet, vaguely adolescent, vaguely adult subculture. Enjoy.
The crime story is a tad thin and there are no shocking surprises. The strength of the book lies in the author's ability to evoke the world of burlesque--a quaint, arch, self-conscious world of puns, pasties and double entendres. The result is more cozy than crime fiction, since it takes place in an enclosed world which, in this case, also has strong retro- elements.
It's all good clean fun, less sexualized than daytime television, and a very competent first novel. Essentially it is what it attempts to be, not James Lee Burke, James Ellroy or Elmore Leonard, but a short, amusing look at a sweet, vaguely adolescent, vaguely adult subculture. Enjoy.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
To be honest I was a little startled when a friend bought this for me, but the minute I started reading it, I was charmed. The narrative voice is strong and witty, and the behind-the-scenes glimpse of burlesque left me with a whole new respect for the performers. The novel--like a good burlesque act--relies on character and humour, and is a delightfully light version of the classic hardboiled detective story.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
HILARIOUS!
I loved reading this book and getting to see behind the curtains of the NY burlesque scene. Hilarious book that makes you feel like you are getting awesome juicy gossip, even if... Read more
Published 19 months ago by HVH
OK Read But Not As Good As Other Hardcase Books.
It was a fun read set in an interesting milieu. The weak point is the ending. I am still not sure of the motive for the central crime. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Bonner '62
fun twist on the genre
The Corpse Wore Pasties is a fun twist on the genre of crime fiction. At its core, it's something of a classic mystery, with the "detective" trying to determine which of the... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Daniel J. Connelly
Sexy thriller
This has it all, and that's not even adding the burlesque beauties! One of those classy Hard Case novels that makes you appreciate Hard Case bringing new life and new fans to these... Read more
Published on April 12, 2010 by Noir Fan
A burlesque-style mystery
Victoria Vice is dead. She died on stage (and I don't mean figuratively) doing a burlesque act pilfered from a colleague. Read more
Published on April 8, 2010 by Craig Clarke
Like a burlesque show in your very own living room!
As a recent addition to the 'accidental detective' genre, "The Corpse Wore Pasties" is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Read more
Published on March 11, 2010 by Chris N.
A really fun ride, courtsey of Jonny Porkpie
If you're a burlesque performer, or a follower of the scene, you'll love this book for its behind the scenes look and its inside jokes....but fear not! Read more
Published on March 11, 2010 by Lynnette M. Kucharski
funny and sexy
Jonny Porkpie has done a brilliant job of creating sultry characters and placing them in ridiculously provocative situations, and combined with plenty of self-deprecating humor and... Read more
Published on March 10, 2010 by SuperGirl
Fun & Sexy!
A fun, fast-paced caper with colorful characters set in the sexy world of New York Burlesque. Jonny Porkpie brings an insider's view, a quick wit and a way with double entendre. Read more
Published on March 8, 2010 by Jennifer McClelland
Worst of the series
I've read 80% of the Hard Case Crime series and this is by far the worst. Mr. Porkpie is obviously full of himself and seems to think himself a diligent detective and a brilliant... Read more
Published on February 12, 2010 by MN Book Guy
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