Customer Reviews

The Reporter (Maxi Poole Mysteries)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When he lived Oscar winning actor Jack Nathanson was the poster boy for all that is bad about Hollywood. Now he lies murdered in a lurid coffin proving that he represented more than just bad taste. His two ex-wives and his widow attend the ostentatious funeral as only the movie industry could perform for one of their own.

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department arrest Jack first wife, actress Debra Angelo. His second spouse, TV reporter Maxie Poole refuses to believe that Debra committed the crime. Unable to allow an injustice to occur, Maxie begins to investigate the death of her former husband. She knew much of Tinseltown hated Jack, but not how many would willingly go out of character to put a couple of bullets into him. However, soon Maxie is struggling to prove her own innocence as more homicides follow.

THE REPORTER takes a Jackie Collins type novel and places it inside a who-done-it. The story line is at its best when it shines a gossipy light on Hollywood through Maxie's engaging inquiries. However, the problem with the tale lies in the original arrest of Debra on evidence that the Inquisition would have rejected as too insubstantial. The tale is a fun to read throwaway, as the plot is not quite Collins or a solidly based La-La Land mystery.

Harriet Klausner

THE REPORTER is an easy read, and a fun read as well.

Author Kelly Lange, herself a well-established news reporter in Los Angeles, has written a mystery featuring a well-established news reporter in Los Angeles. Not surprisingly, Ms. Lange offers wonderful background information for her story in addition to the actual plot.

THE REPORTER is frothy in content, but it also is plausible, and its setting is fascinating. The workings of the newsroom, as described by Ms. Lange, are particularly interesting.

Readers will come away with the sense of having been given a peek into the strange yet opulent lives of that group of people who, in Hollywood--and only in Hollywood--pass for the upper class.

Kelly Lange is poised to have a second career as a successful author.

Kelly Lange's new novel, featuring newswoman Maxie Poole, is great fun to read. Even if one does not enjoy the guessing game of "Who's the REAL Hollywood Figure" in the story, the mystery and the witty dialogue are engaging enough to make one eager for the next "Maxie Poole." (There is additional pleasure, of course, in putting REAL NAMES to the fictional characters, but this aspect of the novel is by no means vital to the reader's enjoyment.) Kelly Lange is a skillful storyteller, with a classic novelist's ability to make characters come alive on the page, combined with a journalist's gift for noticing the precise details which add richness and texture to the plot. "THE REPORTER" is a total pleasure for mystery fans. I recommend it without reservation.

Unbearable beginning. Who ever told this woman she could write? Nothing about the set-up works. The characters and the plot are trivial, and the floating point of view is ungrounded. There is no sense of a central intelligence behind the story. Yarrrrgh. I lasted only 11 pages. I'm being kind to give it two stars. If people in Hollywood are like this, I'm glad I'm not there. I remember seeing Kelly Lange on TV, too, and thought she was pretty good. I think it's hard to make the transition from journalism to fiction, which is much more demanding. For her, it didn't go well.

Fun, fast page turner with entertaining and surprising twists throughout. What "Lucky Santangelo" is to Jackie Collins, "Maxi Poole" is to Kelly Lange: fiesty, fresh and up to her pretty neck in trouble of the most glamorous kind! Buy two copies, 'cause you'll want to share it with a friend. One of the nicest bonuses is discovering the creative and humorous side to one of Los Angeles' most respected newswomen, Lange. Glad this is to be one of a series...I have a feeling Maxi Poole has more trouble ahead of her!

Great combination of mystery and juicy behind the scenes Hollywood! Great summer beach reading! I was disappointed when it ended. Can't wait for next book.