Dead Pan: A Jocelyn O'Roarke Mystery [Hardcover]

Jane Dentinger (Author)

Book Description

Series: Jocelyn O'Roarke Mystery | Publication Date: October 1, 1992

Pulling herself out of a New York City depression, actress-sleuth Jocelyn O'Roarke moves to Hollywood to work on a TV movie whose cast is wrought with hidden agendas and vicious scheming plots that lead to murder.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The fourth mystery featuring actress Jocelyn "Josh" O'Roarke (after the Edgar-nominated Murder on Cue ) seamlessly connects reel life to real life. Out of work, rebounding from a lengthy romance with NYPD Lt. Phillip Gerrard, Josh is ready for a change of scene when a longtime pal, screenwriter Austin Frost, calls her to L.A. to appear in a made-for-TV film opposite former child star and recovering drug addict Ginger Jellicoe. Ginger is trying to deal with her parents' recent deaths and her complicated relationships with a host of demanding people: domineering Buddy Banks, executor of her parents' estate and the film's director of photography; his wife (Ginger's agent); his sister (who plays Ginger's mother in the film); and Ginger's wayward husband, a freelance editor. When Buddy is found dead in the locked darkroom of his on-lot photography studio, the police view Ginger as a prime suspect. While developing a romantic attachment to studio hairdresser/horse rancher Jack Breedlove, Josh teams up with engaging LAPD surfer cop Dwayne Hamill to seek out other culprits and motives. References to Arsenic and Old Lace, Gaslight and Suspicion provide hints to the clever solution. Fans of old-time movies and pop culture allusions will savor the on-the-set shenanigans in this breezy read.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

The fourth in this zingy series featuring New York actress/sleuth Jocelyn O'Roarke (Death Mask, etc.) brings her to Hollywood to work in a TV movie scripted by longtime friend Austin Frost. Jocelyn's affair with Police Detective Gerrard has soured; there's no work in New York; and Jocelyn's grateful for the job, even realizing a big part of it will be helping onetime child star Ginger Jellicoe with this comeback venture after her bout with drugs and failed marriages. Photography Director Buddy Banks is a stalwart friend to Ginger--he's godfather to her little girl Hollie, whose actor father, Tim Hayes, still seems to care about Ginger, though divorce is imminent. Work on the movie proceeds edgily until Buddy is found murdered in his darkroom. Finding out why and who (and keeping Ginger from being another victim) tests Jocelyn's wit and grit to the nth, even with help from rancher- hairdresser Jack Breedlove and Adonis-like LAPD detective Hamill. Lots of strenuously hip dialogue, convoluted plotting, and colorfully disagreeable characters in quick-cut style that's strained at times but mostly entertaining. Add a plus for vintage movie fans. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult; 1ST edition (October 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670841080
• ISBN-13: 978-0670841080
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,343,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well crafted mystery., April 22, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Dead Pan: A Jocelyn O'Roarke Mystery (Paperback)

Both good writers and good actors have the ability to make their characters believable. Jane Dentinger is both a writer and actress and she has created the wonderful character of Jocelyn (Josh) O'Roarke, an actress and director who often finds herself around murder. Josh has gone out to Hollywood to work on a TV movie. Shortly after her arrival, the director of photography turns up dead by cyanide gas poisoning. Buddy Banks was also the uncle of the former child star who has the lead in the movie. Josh immediately begins to try and ferret out the truth. Along the way, there are assaults, supposed accidents on the set, a possible embezzlement, and a secret real estate deal that she has to sort out. This is a well written and interesting mystery, full of authentic details about the acting profession. The characters are believable, the writing is good and the plot is well constructed. I have read all of the Josh O'Roarke mysteries and this one is my favorite.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Murderer Enters Stage Left, December 23, 2003

By 

Sires "I enjoy mysteries, historical and proc... (Chesapeake, OH, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dead Pan: A Jocelyn O'Roarke Mystery (Hardcover)

I read these books out of order but I don't recommend it. Dentiger has done a good job of giving a sense of closure to each book; however, the overall story arc is also important.

This story involves an attempt to save a grand old New York threatre, the Burbage, from the wrecking ball. The mystery arises from the death of an actor during the curtain call but the mystery is not the best thing about this book.

The best thing about this book is Dentinger's knowledge of actors and acting, directors and directing. Whether or not actors are really like this, they should be in order not to disappoint their fans. Dentinger is able to miss the stereotype trap with little deft touches of character.

Darkly humorous, this one is well worth reading.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jocelyn O'Roarke on the Left Coast, August 11, 2003

By 

Sires "I enjoy mysteries, historical and proc... (Chesapeake, OH, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dead Pan: A Jocelyn O'Roarke Mystery (Paperback)

Her relationship with Phillip Gerard on the rocks, Jocelyn O'Roarke heads to the left coast to take a part in a movie being produced by an old friend and to nurse her emotional wounds. The star of this movie is a former child actress who has gone through a patch of drugs and marital problems. Jocelyn's job is not just acting though. She has also agreed to coach the star and try to keep her on track.

As usual in Dentinger's books, the death does not dominate the plot. Her cast of characters from the cowboy hairdresser to the crotchety photographer "uncle" pull the reader into Jocelyn's adventure in Tinsel Town. The author does not take the obvious or easy route as she puts her characters through their paces.