Murder at the Academy Awards (R): A Red Carpet Murder Mystery (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Jerrilyn Farmer (Author)
Key Phrases: Halsey Hamilton, Burke Norris, Devon Jones (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A Q&A with Joan Rivers

Q: What kinds of books do you enjoy?

A: At my age, anything in large print.

Q: Who inspired you to become a writer?

A: An agent who told me I was too ugly to be in front of the camera.

Q: Is it true when they say that you should “write what you know”?

A: Absolutely, which is why my next book is about having thighs that are visible from outer space.

Q: Writing is a tough profession. Do you remember the first time you were rejected?

A: My wedding night.

Q: What is it like having a novel published at the age of 75?

A: I am so old, even the spine of my book has osteoporosis.

Q: Computer, typewriter or pen and paper. What tools did you use to write your first book?

A: Chisel and stone.

Q: Are you one of those writers who work at home in a dirty old bathrobe without showering for days?

A: Yes, except for the part about working at home.

Q: What’s the first step in getting a publisher interested in your book?

A: A check for fifty grand made out to “cash”.

Q: Is it true that the murder mystery was heavily influenced by fashions seen on the red carpet?

A: Absolutely. Even the dust jacket was made by Chanel.

Q: What was the most important thing that you learned while writing a book about plastic surgery?

A: Always use the spell-check when you’re still under anesthesia.

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Comedienne Rivers (Having a Baby Can Be a Scream) and mystery pro Farmer (Sympathy for the Devil) deliver the impressive first of a new series influenced by Rivers and daughter Melissa's real-life red carpet encounters. On Oscar night, their fictional counterparts, Maxine Max Taylor and her daughter, Drew, are outside Hollywood's Kodak Theater as cohostesses of a Glam-TV Red Carpet Special. During Max's interview with scantily clad 19-year-old Halsey Hamilton, Drew's childhood friend and best actress nominee, Halsey drops dead. Did she overdose or was she poisoned? The supernova had just left Wonders, a posh rehab facility in Pasadena. Whirling into sleuthing mode, Max seeks answers at Wonders, where she signs in as a Sweet'N Low addict. This smooth blend of Rivers's trademark bitchy humor and Farmer's deft plotting also offers a poignant reminder about the cost of fame for too many young Hollywood celebs. (Feb.)
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (February 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416599371
• ISBN-13: 978-1416599371
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,017 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The first of a wonderful new series - it's great!!!, January 30, 2009

By	ellen "ellen in atlanta" (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Can we talk?
Sometimes it seems Joan Rivers is everywhere - TV shows, selling her gorgeous jewelry, etc.
When I heard her say she with Jerrilyn Farmer was writing a mystery book called Murder at the Academy Awards, I couldn't wait to order it.
In fact I read the book in 2 days!
Joan Rivers' literary counterpart is Max Taylor. Max's daughter Drew, is Melissa's counterpart. They do what the real Rivers ladies do - Troll the Red Carpet at the Academy Awards and get the scoop and vie for interviews that other networks/shows are trying to grab.
Ms. Rivers' knowledge of Hollywood and the Red Carpet brings the reality to the story. I am sure the partnership between Rivers and Farmer was magic because every page of this book was a delight to read.
The plot is simple - a young starlet who had just gotten out of rehab - and had been close to Max and Drew - comes out of her limo (she was an Oscar nominee) and she collapses near Max and dies.
While everyone thinks it was a relapse of drug overdose, Max and Drew don't think that for a minute. They are sure she was murdered.
They, especially Max, go the extra mile to untangle the mystery. And there are some hilarious scenes that could only happen in Hollywood!
If this first of the series is this good, I cannot wait for more mysteries starring Max Taylor and Drew with her crew and her WONDERFUL pooch named Killer!
Bravo, Ms. Rivers! You've got a hit on your hands!!!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars JOAN RIVERS MAKES A (MILD) LITERARY KILLING, February 2, 2009

By	Alan W. Petrucelli (THE ENTERTAINMENT REPORT (ALAN W. PETRUCELLI)) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Murder at the Academy Awards is chock full of what you'd expect from a Rivers that runs deep: a red-carpet mom and daughter team (think hard), glitter and glitz, fashionistas and stars in rehab, sprinkled with a heavy overdose of real starry-eyed names. While the book doesn't make a killing, it's page-flipping fun doused with Joan's ribald wicked humor.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Joan and Jerrilyn blur fiction and non-fiction for a fun read., February 1, 2009

By	Kimberly R. Stagliano "Stagmom" (New England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was a fun read - reminded me of the great Steve Allen's murder mysteries where he'd combine real celebs with a fictional story. The concept works. I wonder why the lead characters weren't Joan and Melissa though - I think that would have made readers connect with the characters a little more.

I'd buy another Red Carpet mystery for certain. In this world, we need some fun escape!