Those who know Latham's western novel,
Code of the West (2001), will fondly recall the hero, Jimmy Goodnight, who almost single-handedly invented the Texas cowboy in the 1870s. Flash-forward to the present day: Chick Goodnight has come to Hollywood to write a movie about his great-great-grandfather. He bunks with his cousin, a starlet who hopes her big break is just around the corner. When she dies suddenly, Chick takes on the responsibility of finding out how and why. Chick is an amiable sort, and his supporting cast, including the movie's director and producer and an upwardly mobile stuntman, are sharply drawn as well. Latham, who's written for the big screen (
Urban Cowboy), clearly knows his way around Tinseltown, and it's a lot of fun to watch Chick, a Hollywood newbie, try to navigate his way through the shark-infested waters. Combining traditional mystery elements with the Hollywood insider novel, this thoroughly enjoyable tale will appeal to fans of Elmore Leonard's
Get Shorty (1989) and
Be Cool (1998).
David PittCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"Aaron Latham's page-turning novel,
Riding with John Wayne, is at once a love story, a murder mystery, and a funny exposé of the movie business in Hollywood and on location in West Texas. And it's populated with odd-ball characters who add spice to the mix." -- Larry L. King, author of
In Search of Willie Morris"
Riding with John Wayne is extraordinary entertainment. I read it in one sitting. The characters are rich. The story is compelling -- and accurate. This novel describes the drama behind the making of a movie in exquisite detail." -- David Brown, producer of
A Few Good Men and
Angela's Ashes"Hollywood and the Old West collide hilariously in this lively tale of cinematic skullduggery." -- Peter Bart, editor in chief of
Variety"A series of murders, a Hollywood set transported to West Texas, and a smart, sexy cowboy hero -- I can't think of a better combination of elements for a killer read. Aaron Latham is back in the saddle in winning style in
Riding with John Wayne. His insider knowledge of the movie business and big cowboy heart give us a witty, fast-paced, mysterious ride through the very wild west that he knows so well." -- Linda Fairstein, author of
Death Dance
