Body Copy: A Novel (Paperback)

~ Michael Craven (Author)
Key Phrases: karate place, karate studio, body copy, Roger Gale, Michael Craven, Tyler Wilkes (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ad man Craven's first novel introduces an extremely likable detective, Donald Tremaine, a former champion surfer, now a Malibu PI living in a trailer by the beach. Tremaine's willingness to go with the flow and trust his intuition in a crisis proves useful in the cold-case murder of a genius advertising executive he investigates. There appear to be no unexplored leads left until he dives in with his unorthodox tactics. Sometimes Tremaine squeezes more out of witnesses than the police could, sometimes he squeezes policemen, and a lot of the time he simply lays out the available facts and lets his subconscious play with different arrangements until a new pattern appears. Readers may be as baffled as Tremaine at the novel's unexpected plot twists; however, the mystery's solution is neatly set up and emotionally satisfying. Rather than solemn detectives like Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe, Tremaine resembles Jim Rockford, a sometimes clumsy, usually canny, always cool dude. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiassen should be proud, there’s finally a writer to carry on their tradition." -- James Frey, author of Bright Shiny Morning

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; First Edition edition (January 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061657166
• ISBN-13: 978-0061657160
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #677,684 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Body Copy. It's in the details., February 10, 2009

By	Thomas A. Carver "well red" (Fairway, KS USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read this book in 2 sittings. As a huge fan of murder mysteries in general and Robert Parker's "Spenser Series" specifically I found Craven's 1st effort to be right on the money and very promising. Craven's P.I. character, Donald Tremaine, is a likeable loner, well-crafted and brimming with personality and character. Craven hits all the necessary beats of an effective crime novel but his book stands out through his ability pepper the story with a ton of wit while simultaneously weaving in heartfelt emotion and psychological intrigue. I was fully engaged throughout and am craving some more.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1st novel? really?, February 11, 2009

By	Anthony C. Foster "AC Foster" - See all my reviews

I've read hundreds if not thousands of books in this genre and Craven's rookie effort is as solid as they come. The protagonist is extremly likeable and mixes a bit of the everyman with a bit of the man you want to be. The characters are textured and the plot pulls you in quickly. More than anything though this book is downright funny! Well done.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars couldn't put it down!, January 27, 2009

By	booklover22 - See all my reviews

This book is both a smart read and a page turner. The author makes astute, witty observations while the reader is constantly propelled forward by the great plot twists. Tremaine, the P.I., is a perfect new character for the mystery genre. I am already looking forward to Craven's next book!