Customer Reviews

Groucho Marx, Private Eye

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I anxiously awaited this 2nd book in the Groucho Marx mystery series and only recently found the time to sit down and read it. After 3 or 4 chapters I realized this is not as good as Mr. Goulart's 1st Groucho book-Groucho Marx, Master Detective-every line on every page was golden. This, however, is slow moving and not as well written as the previous book. It's almost as though it was dashed off in a hurry. The editing itself is very poor, I found several typos that made little or no sense. I hope that the 3rd Groucho book brings back that pizazz found in the 1st book. Get it? Got it? Good.

The first Groucho/detective novel was only so-so, and this second attempt is not as good. It wears a little thin, the mindless wisecracks. The Groucho persona of the Marx Brothers movies was certainly zany, but there was no serious jeopardy implied. It just doesn't work, somehow, in a detective novel, no matter how hard Mr. Goulart tries.

Groucho Marx, Private Eye

Don't let the other reviews scare you off. There are 6 books in the series, and all of them are great. Ron Goulart really knows Hollywood in the 30's and 40's. His literary, film, and radio allusions really add to the fun. The repartee between the characters is snappy and funny, especially when compared to the boring soap opera drivel in most modern mysteries. Also Ron Goulart avoids the common last refuge of poor authors; lots of swear words and detailed sexual encounters. Instead he provides a solid set of mysteries that make you wish there were more. How about it, Ron? When are you going to release number 7 . . ?