Dead Men Don't Dance (Charlie Plato Mysteries) (Hardcover)

~ Margaret Chittenden (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The future looks dim for former TV star Zack Hunter, candidate for Bellamy Park city council, when police discover a body in the jammed trunk of his otherwise fancy new car. The body belongs to Zack's malicious political rival (and husband of Zack's latest conquest), so Zack begins to worry. Orange-haired divorcee Charlie Plato, one of his partners in a country-western dance bar, and best friend Taylor Bristow, a detective, come to his rescue, looking for ways out of the frame-up. Refreshing characters, bright humor, enjoyable plotting, and easy-going prose make this a good choice for all collections. From the author of Dying To Sing (LJ 6/1/96).
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Charlie Plato, a 31-year-old divorcee, is a business partner in a country-and-western dance hall with television actor Zack Hunter. Plato is also managing Hunter, a mix of Robert Redford and Bill Clinton, in a nasty election race for city council in upscale Bellamy Park, near San Francisco. When Zack's opponent turns up dead in the trunk of Zack's car, guess who is the prime suspect? Zack's murky past and bad alibi don't help matters, compelling Charlie to find the killer. After a slow start in which Charlie must carry the load alongside a cast of vapid, image-obsessed characters, Chittenden picks up the pace, tightens the dialogue, and hurtles Charlie and Zack to a surprising ending with unexpected villains. With an appealing female sleuth, this is a series to watch. John Rowen

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 281 pages
• Publisher: Kensington Books; 1st edition (July 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575661845
• ISBN-13: 978-1575661841
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,226,674 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An explosive read with a hero to die for, May 19, 1997

By A Customer

Charlie Plato is part owner of CHAPS, a famous country western bar renowned for its other owner former television star Zach Hunter. Charlie is campaign manager to Zach's effort win a seat on the local city council. However, her role dramatically changes when the political opponent is found strangled to death in the trunk of Zach's new car. .......The police officer in charge of the case believes that Zach is the villain of the piece. Charlie begs to differ because she knows Zach well. He may be a philanderer, but he is too gentle of an individual to be the murderer. What she is unaware of is that the effort to frame Zach has its roots in his past, a time he refuses to share with her or anyone. This places Charlie in the unenviable position of ferreting out a killer while digging into her partner's personal life. ......Although the danger to Charlie and Zach is very real, it is the romantic sizzle that flares up between them that alleviates the excruciating tension before the reader breaks. Margaret Chittenden also uses another clever ploy to ensure that everyone enjoys reading DEAD MEN DON'T DANCE. She adds a bit of the absurd into the personality of the heroine allowing the reader to understand why she cares about an individual that she is determined to stay away from at all costs. Ms. Chittenden is a fine author who is a natural born story teller, making this work a must have keeper. ..... Harriet Klausner

5.0 out of 5 stars Romance and Murder? Hey! It works., March 7, 2004

By	Ashley (Wilmington, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dead Men Don't Dance (Charlie Plato Mysteries) (Paperback)

I found this to be a good book. My dad bought it pretty cheap at some store, and shared it with me. I loved the mystery thriller part, using my mind to try and help Charlie solve the case using the clues the author gives. I also understand her reluctance to admit her feelings for her business partner, Zack, the accused murderer. The lengths she goes to to protect him from the slammer speak louder than words ever will, and you can't help root for these crazy kids to just work it out already!