Customer Reviews

In a Teapot (Scott Elliott Mysteries)

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IN A TEAPOT is a small gem, a story of revenge carefully planned over a period of time. The writing is flawless, the story is short enough to read in an evening and long enough to satisfy. Faherty writes with humor and a light touch, murder notwithstanding.

The year is 1948. An independent producer wants to cast members of Hollywood's aging "British colony" in a movie version of Shakespeare's final play, "The Tempest." Names like Ronald Colman, Charles Laughton and Basil Rathbone are bandied about.

So far, the only actor to sign a contract is Forrest Combs, who's dating a burlesque queen. The producer knows that the Brits won't sign if there's a hint of scandal. Unless Combs gives up the girl the movie won't happen.

Enter Scott Elliott, a former actor now working for Paddy McGuire, president of the Hollywood Security Agency. Their specialty, as Scott observes, is pulling clients out of a jam. "Also hushing up, paying off, and leaning on."

An example of Faherty's smooth and judicious use of language is this brief exchange when Paddy and Scott meet with Jeffries, the producer:

QUOTE:
"It may mean some money changing hands," Paddy observed.
Jeffries took a pen from his pocket and wrote a figure on a damp cocktail napkin. I counted three zeros when he pushed it across to Paddy.
"Promise her that much to forget she ever met Combs. And a second payment the day we finish shooting."
Paddy tucked the napkin into his watch pocket. "Consider it done," he said.
END QUOTE

As Scott and Paddy drive away, Paddy says, "I smell a fish," and the story takes off.