Wake Up To Murder [Paperback]

Steve Allen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1997

Amateur sleuth Steve Allen and his actress-wife, Jayne Meadows, team up once again to investigate a series of mysterious "accidents" plaguing the set of America's most popular morning talk show, mishaps that suddenly culiminate in murder.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Allen, self-described ``comedian, talk show host, composer, writer, intellectual, and detective extraordinaire,'' returns to both television and detective work when his old family friend Cat Lawrence begs him to spend two weeks filling in for Peter McDavis, her absent co-anchor on Good Morning, U.S.A. Peter's fled to Santa Fe in response to a rash of accidents on the set, and during Steve's first morning--a hilarious vignette that allows him to skewer the timeless vacuity of talk shows at their talkiest--he can see the toll the jinx has taken on the bickering production staff. At least soundman Dennis Lovelace doesn't have to worry; minutes after Steve's first episode wraps, he's found with Steve's mike cord wrapped around his neck. The obvious suspects are Steve, whose patter doesn't prevent New York's finest from dragging him off to the station, and Cat, whose past is more checkered than a linoleum floor. But Steve, fresh from dispensing soothing advice to Dennis's astral spirit (``I can't take a deep breath, Mr. Allen. . . . That's the problem!'') during a s‚ance, soon finds so many outsized skeletons in the closets of co-anchor Peter (not really in Santa Fe), producer Zeke Roth (paying off a blackmailer), newscaster Carol Ardman (says it's not really blackmail), and broadcasting titan Stephen Kinley II (drove his wild son out of his home hundreds of years ago) that you'll need a crystal ball to pick out the killer. A lovely recovery from last year's self-advertising Murder on the Atlantic. It's such a pleasure to see Steve back on the air that you'll be sorry it's only a novel. -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 383 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (December 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575662361
• ISBN-13: 978-1575662367
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,253,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steve Allen's mystery series gets better by each book., April 3, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Burbank, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wake Up To Murder (Hardcover)

Wake Up To Murder is a wonderful mystery by Steve Allen. He places himself in the role of amatuer sleuth to solve a case involving strange happenings and murder on the set of a popular morning news show from New York. The plot is excellent, the characters are well written and interesting. Mr. Allen has the marvelous ability to inject humor and points of interest in this as well as his other mysteries. This helps to keep the story line interesting. I especially love the classic "wrap up" when Steve has all the suspects in the room and deduces who the culprit is. Having Jane Meadows as a fellow invetigator in the book only adds to the "Nick and Nora" charm of the story. I have read all but the latest of the Steve Allen mysteries and this one is my favorite. I recommend this book to mystery lovers everywhere!

5.0 out of 5 stars Hi Ho Steverino, November 13, 2007

By 

William Russo (Centerville -Cape Cod)) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wake Up To Murder (Paperback)

I come here before you today, not to review Mr. Allen's fine 'Wake up to Murder', but merely to say, "Smock" "Smock"

And if you understand the meaning of the word "Smock", then you're one pretty old fella - or gal as the case may be. I think the case is 6, but sometimes it may be 12 to a case....but seriously smokes let's all say "Hi Ho Steverino" and we wish he were still with us.

Are you nervous? nnnn ooooo. That was Don Knotts' catch line on the old Steve Allen show. Steve Allen--when he was not busy playing piano or writing hits like 'This Could be the Start of Something Big' or being the original host of the Tonight Show, ---he'd be off writing fine "Comisteries" like 'Wake up to Murder'.
Excuse me while I turn my glasses upside down and try to get a laugh be reading the headlines like Steve used to do on the old Tonight show.
This book gets 5 stars out of 5. William Russo 13 nov 2007

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Didn't hold my interest at all., August 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Wake Up To Murder (Paperback)

Although I have admired Steve Allen and his work since childhood, I just could not get interested in this book. I even met the man and had him autograph my copy. To be honest, I never finished the book. Twenty minutes and I'm falling asleep! Steve, stick with music and comedy... You're a genius in those subjects!