The Stand In [Kindle Edition]

Brad Geagley (Author)

Book Description

Mystery set in 1957 Hollywood. If you were a studio mogul what would you do if you discovered your leading man was a serial killer? How do you protect your film? How do you protect your studio? And ... your leading lady? Louis Solomon, head of Centurion Studios, is deep in production on his very troubled wide-screen spectacular, “A Tale of Two Cities”. The picture is not even half done and is hemorrhaging money. This is largely due to the temperamental antics of the picture’s leading man, Rick DeNova. Riddled with drugs, extremely volatile, Rick has been the cause of a five-week shutdown for beating his leading lady and one-time lover, Lola Chandler, half to death. While she recovers, Louis must find the money to complete the picture and keep the truth away from the press. Unfortunately, this is precisely when Darren Cates, captain of the Ramparts Division of the LAPD, brings Louis the even more horrifying news that Rick is suspected in the strangulation murders of a series of blond starlets up in the Hollywood Hills. Luckily, Cates is being paid by Centurion to keep its stars out of trouble. But drugs and traffic violations are one thing – murder quite another. Louis must scramble to complete his picture, save his studio, and keep his leading lady alive. Enter Eddie Baines, a small-town actor from Texas, hungry for fame. Unluckily for him, he bears a striking resemblance to Mr. DeNova, which has prevented him from getting any parts. Why should the studios hire an ersatz Rick when the real one is working down the street? Even Eddie’s distinctive horseshoe-shaped cufflinks do not bring him the luck he needs. But when Rick’s photo double goes missing, Eddie is hired to replace him. Seeing the uncanny resemblance between Rick and Eddie, Solomon hatches a diabolical plan – if anyone in the press discovers that Rick might be linked to the murders Eddie will be blamed. The young Texan is the perfect foil and the perfect fall guy. But in Hollywood, as ever, nothing is as it seems.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I was captivated by this murder mystery that remained a mystery until the end...Geagley's attention to detail in describing the movie industry provides realism that in turn gives the reader an impression of credulty as the strange tale unfolds."--Arleen Alleman, author

From the Author

The Stand In is set in the year 1957, a time when Hollywood was reeling from two terrible blows; the Studio System was imploding and television was taking away its audience.  I have always loved the decline of an era, when everything begins to curdle. My historical novels have always been set in the sunset of an empire; and the same holds true for "The Stand In".  Give me a story of corruption and intrigue over brave, honest pioneers any time.

When I write, I like to shut out the world with my headphones full of moody music.  I therefore listen to film scores, with their many dissonances and blessed lack of song lyrics.  In fact before I begin a book, I choose an album that becomes its own de facto soundtrack.  In the case of "The Stand In" I listened to a compendium of themes by the composer Alex North, another of my idols, who can break your heart in six notes.  Another album was the music to the film "The Bad and the Beautiful", a picture with Kirk Douglas and Lana Turner that purported to show all the dirt attendant to the filmmaking business.   Needless to say, with its lush romantic and themes and tawdry brass accompaniments it was the perfect background music for "The Stand In".

I loved writing this book, because I mined my own life for its details.  I remember going as a kid to the same restaurants my characters go to and traversing the same streets that they themselves walk.  Hollywood was much more splendid then - largely because it was a closed set.  The studios were fantasy fortresses that you had to storm if you wanted to go inside; they weren't owned by huge entertainment conglomerates which today give tours of their back lots for the price of a ticket and spill all their secrets in their marketing campaigns.  Something has been lost, I think, in the total exploitation of every aspect of film making.  Glamour, I think.

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Product Details

• File Size: 536 KB
• Print Length: 257 pages
• Publisher: BookBaby (December 13, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006M3YH0I
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #665,008 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book! April 23, 2012

By Mary L. Doyle

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Stand In is a well writen, fun and engrossing read. Geagley has managed to develop full, interesting characters who keep us guessing right up till the end. His obvious inside knowledge of the movie industry shows. If you're looking for a good page turner for your beach weekend, this is it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read- Hit the Spot May 1, 2012

By LaLa

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I thoroughly enjoyed The Stand In. I have just returned to living in LA after living in the Southeast for 25 plus years. I was in the mood for something "LA-ish" and with the feel of old school like the Noir films I used to love to watch. The Stand In hit the spot- Beagley's knowledge of LA made the read really fun and the twists and turns as he unfolds the mystery kept me entranced and interested in where the story was going. I highly recommend this book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Could Not Put it Down! May 14, 2012

By Paige

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you are looking for something that will grab you quickly and take you for a wild fun ride, "The Stand In" will do. Brad Geagley is such an outstanding writer and he really knows how to create a murder mystery set in Hollywood in the 50s with all the needed elements. I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to see it on the big screen.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Stand In by Brad Geagley May 12, 2012

By maxeyhouse

Format:Kindle Edition

I love a good book!

My dear friend and I bonded over good books throughout the years, during harsh Oregon winters. We are picky readers. Recently she called crying to me, "I NEED a good book! I've read them all, there are no more, and I really, really need a good book."

I understand......so I recommended "The Stand In". Because it's a really, really good book!! For one thing, it is what I believe to be, "a true story". Whether or not the author admits it, I've read it twice and I believe it to be. And the juiciest part is that I have always loved the main character. And who would that be??? I love Hollywood glamour and have also seen the seedy side of that town. The Stand In has all of these and it's one of those books that I didn't want to ever end. That's why I savored it. I do that with a good book. I love the author's sense of humor in a town that sometimes doesn't have one!

I have a couple of authors who's books I look forward to and wish they could write faster. Brad Geagley has become of one those authors and I look forward to what he does next!!

I loved "The Stand In"....it was illustrious.....and I do highly recommend it!!

4.0 out of 5 stars Hollywood Who Done It May 25, 2012

By esldonna

Format:Kindle Edition

What a fun read this was. First I loved the old 50's Hollywood, and then the author added suspense with a very interesting and colorful plot.
Thank you Mr. Geagly for a well written novel. I will also say it is well formatted to the Kindle and made for an easy and enjoyable read.
I would recommend this for anyone interested in Hollywood or those of us that love a mystery.

5.0 out of 5 stars Yawatta Hosby's review on "The Stand In" April 4, 2012

By Yawatta Hosby

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved this 9 chapter novel. The very first scene reminded me of "Summer of Sam", which is one of my favorite movies. My favorite moments were when Lola first meets Eddie, Eddie thinking he won't be nice to his landlord once he gets hired for a gig, and when Danny plays detective.

I like how every angle of Hollywood was mentioned. Brad Geagley has a gift of being amazing with characterization and describing enough details of a character's background to make readers care for everyone. Everyone was interesting. Nadine and Danny always made me laugh-they worked for a gossip radio station (reminded me of E!). Then, there was the PR guy, director, and producer. Understanding their motives helped me realize their desperation of keeping the film rolling. Even though I didn't always agree with their choices, I respected their decisions. Then, there's the cop that's being bribed to cover-up. I so wanted him to tell Louis Solomon to kiss his ass LOL. Last but not least, the actors and crew. I enjoyed their sections the most. I loved getting to see Eddie and Lola's friendship blossom while Rick and Lola's came to a screeching halt. It blew my mind when it was revealed that she hadn't really been in a car accident, but Rick had hit her. No wonder she hated him.

This novel was very entertaining from beginning to end. You have no idea how much I love mysteries, and this definitely kept me guessing to the last second. I always kept suspecting Rick, Eddie, or the photo double to be the killer. The author was great in giving little clues here and there to keep the suspense going. Danny was so close to finding out the truth!

I was VERY IMPRESSED with the twist at the end.... If anyone has ever seen the movie "Tangled", then you've heard of the story about the good son and bad son. That will give you an idea of how awesome the twist was. Was Rick the killer? Or someone else? I would love to tell you, but I can't give it away. You'll have to read the book to find out. Let's just say, I was spooked.

This book was a fast read. It was so descriptive and engaging that I got lost in the story. It felt like I was watching a movie. I will admit I was scared at first to read it because it was based in the 1950's (I'm not big on stories set in the past), but that didn't distract me at all. In fact, the time and place enhanced the plot, and I couldn't think of a better way to entertain readers.

I RECOMMEND this book to read. Read more ›

5.0 out of 5 stars Grabs You From Page One February 24, 2012

By B. Maxwell

Format:Kindle Edition

Given to me by a friend, I couldn't put this book down! On its surface it's about a 50's Hollywood movie idol who uses his celebrity to seduce and kill young women until his studio mogul boss begins to suspect him. Instead of going to the police and risking his #1 asset, the mogul decides to secretly replace him with an innocent young actor with an uncanny resemblance. But will his true role be replacement or fall-guy? Along the way the plot twists and turns, drawing you in with characters that, true to life, are both seduced by their dreams of success and love, and battered by the reality of what this town does to you. So what author Geagley ends up unspooling is a seductive thriller with wry insider's view of Hollywood. Oh, and you'll never guess the ending.

More About the Author

Brad Geagley is the author of two critically acclaimed novels, "Day of the False King" and "Year of the Hyenas" and the self-published, smash hit, "The Stand In". He has worked for many years as a writer and producer in the entertainment industry. The film that changed Geagley's life was Joseph Mankiewicz's 1963 film starring Elizabeth Taylor in the title role, Cleopatra. In fact, Geagley learned so much about the Egyptian ruler that he was asked to contribute to Kevin Burns' two-hour AMC documentary, "The Film That Changed Hollywood". Mankiewicz became both Geagley's friend and mentor. More recently, Geagley can be seen in the new documentary, "Cleopatra's Lost Footage" soon available on the BluRay release of the famed film.

His newest novel, "The Stand In", a noir mystery set in 1957 Hollywood was inspired by an anecdote from Joseph L. Mankiewicz about a Famous Movie Star. What would you do if you discovered your leading man was a serial killer?

Coming soon, "Chronicles of the Sanguivorous, The Rising", The first volume in a seven volume series revealing the history of vampires.

Geagley currently teaches screenwriting at Mount San Antonio College in Southern California and lives in Palm Springs. He can be reached through his Twitter account, @BradGeagley. Follow me on Goodreads too.