Star Trap [Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

Simon Brett (Author), Geoffrey Howard (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2000

The third thriller to feature Charles Paris - the philandering, paunchy out-of-work actor. The author also writes the radio and TV sitcom "After Henry".

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Simon Brett is a former radio and television comedy producer, who has been writing full-time for more than twenty years. Creator of the Charles Paris, Mrs. Pargeter and Fethering series of mysteries, his psychological thriller, A Shock to the System was filmed, starring Michael Caine. Married with three children, he lives in an Agatha Christie-style village in West Sussex, England. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From AudioFile

A new play is about to open with treachery and ruination heralding detective Charles Paris to the scene. Hired to act and sleuth, Paris investigates on location. Adeptly narrated by Geoffrey Howard, this short mystery moves nimbly. Howard's deep voice manuevers characters deftly and allows for individuation of the dramatic lead, Christopher Milton; his leading lady; and others behind the set who may be suspects. B.J.L. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks; Unabridged edition (April 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786117508
• ISBN-13: 978-0786117505
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,891,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simon Brett at the Top of His Form, March 21, 2010

By 

John F. Rooney - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Star Trap (Charles Paris Mysteries) (Paperback)

A show biz lawyer friend of Charles Paris is a backer of a new musical called "Lumpkin!" and he's afraid that a couple of accidents involving the show's crew mean that someone is out to sabotage the show. Because of Charles's reputation as an amateur detective, he gets Charles a nine-month contract for a minor role in the show to keep an eye on things. This is a godsend to Charles because he is usually out of work, and this show is probably going to be a big hit on London's West End. Charles likes his booze a little too much and as usual he's estranged from his wife Frances whom he has left "because she was so ordinary."
The star of the show Christopher Milton, playing a con man named Lumpkin, is an extremely popular TV star who has developed a comic character named Lionel Wilkins with a tag expression, "I beg yours." that is wildly popular with TV audiences. The musical, in development, is first going to tour out-of-town in Leeds, Bristol, and Brighton.
Paris learns to admire Milton's great talents, his ability to figure out exactly what an audience wants, and his theater savvy. What he grows to hate is Milton's nasty disposition, his unflinching egotism, the vitriol he lets loose on the cast members, and his biting sarcasm. He begins to suspect that Milton is behind the accidents and a death among cast members.
The show was based upon Oliver Goldsmith's "She Stoops to Conquer," but Milton infuriates cast members as he slowly turns the show into a single-minded vehicle for his TV persona. Lumpkin morphs into Lionel Wilkins, and all vestiges of Goldsmith's classic gradually disappear as Milton creates a star vehicle for himself.
Charles does some real investigative work in this one as he uncovers Milton's past. He interrogates, shadows, and puts himself in danger as conducts his sleuthing.
This is one of Brett's best Charles Paris efforts because of its fascinating plot and its psychological study of the show's star. Reading Brett is like eating comfort food; it makes you feel good and forget your problems. It's fast-paced, is funny, full of inside theater dope, and it's fun watching our anti-hero screw up. Charles at 49 is still looking for a crumpet, a cuddable girl friend.