Hollywood Stuff (Jane Wheel Mysteries, No. 5) (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: prop warehouse, prop shop, Lou Piccolo, Patrick Dryer, Jeb Gleason (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Fiffer's disappointing fifth Jane Wheel mystery (after 2004's Buried Stuff), collectibles maven Jane is thrilled when Wren "Bix" Bixby, an L.A. movie producer, calls to say she wants to make a movie about Jane's adventures as a part-time PI. Jane and Tim Lowry, her best friend and business partner, head to California on the next plane. She's not there long before she runs into her college beau, Jeb Gleason, who, it turns out, is buddy-buddy with Bix. Then an explosion in a prop room lands Bix in the hospital. To make matters worse, Bix's business partner—or, rather, someone whom Jane thinks is Bix's business partner—is stabbed at a large flea market with a potentially valuable letter opener. While investigating this crime spree, Jane realizes that her old flame's writing career isn't as golden as it seems. Unfortunately, two-dimensional characters and the killer's obvious identity will limit readership to less demanding cozy fans. (June)
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From Booklist

Leaving suburban Chicago behind for this fifth in the series, antiques picker and new PI Jane Wheel travels with her longtime pal Tim Lowry to Hollywood, where a movie producer is interested in buying the rights to the pair's past sleuthing adventures. But new adventures await. Details about the antique and flea-market businesses--a staple of the series--are abundant again, but this time there is also plenty of background on moviemaking. Jane and Tim's comfortable friendship continues, but Jane also works closely with partner Bruce Oh, whose measured investigative techniques mix effectively with her own impetuous style. Sue O'Brien
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur (May 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031234306X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312343064
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #70,395 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 5 in The Jane Wheel Mystery Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It Couldda Been a Contenda, June 3, 2006

By	TundraVision (o/~ from the Land of Sky Blue Waters o/~) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

In Fiffer's fifth "Stuff," our Jane Wheel, PPI (Picker, Private Investigator,) has left the Friendly Confines of Illinois for the Left Coast. What a Grand opportunity to rummage through Hollywood - and maybe even find the stolen Ruby Slippers! This reviewer has previously raved that if you are frenzied over Fire-King, bonkers over Bakelite, cuckoo over kitsch, or otherwise silly over vintage stuff, you'll want to collect these charmingly murderous mysteries. Afficianadas of The Grand Quest will find more murderous fun than a year of yard sales.

But Fiffer's fifth is a Sale Bill that looks good, yet doesn't quite deliver. Maybe because she's out of her Illinois element, maybe because this is much more character than collectible-driven, Hollywood Stuff is just a pleasant afternoon browsing the Flea Market with old friends and new scoundrels. /TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I gave up!, June 30, 2006

By	John Speer (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

At about 1/3 of the way through (just after Jane finds the corpse), I put the book down. I went to pick it up again, stopped, and decided, "I'm not reading any further. I just don't care." The characters/setting are overdone. Moreoever, Tim has become so stereotypically gay. And what airline serves Grey Goose (with stuffed olives!) in First anymore? Count yourself lucky to get an extra lime with your Finlandia.
A note to folks considering reading this one: it will help a great deal to re-read the previous one first. The "plot" involves remembering details of that book, which came out over a year ago.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New territory for Jane, June 9, 2006

By	cccreamers - See all my reviews

This is new territory for Jane. Literally. The action takes place in Hollywood, with Tim and Detective Oh included. Jane's detective skills are improving, and even though her picker's instincts are thriving, she manages mostly on her own to get to the bottom of this convoluted tale. Old friends and memories conspire to trip her up, but Jane pulls through. Her recall of Oh's instructions repeatedly guide her. This is a great read, and the change of locale is great, the seduction of LA offers new temptations for Jane. I'm glad she went, but I'm glad too she is going home. This is a great addition to the Jane Wheel series.