by Martha Grimes
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by Martha Grimes
|
by Martha Grimes
|
by Martha Grimes
|
by Martha Grimes
|
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Red pencils draw real blood in this delightful publishing world crime spoof by Grimes, expert storyteller and bestselling author of the Richard Jury mysteries (The Man with a Load of Mischief, etc.). When Paul Giverney, a hot suspense novelist, seeks a new publisher, he decides on the house of Mackensie-Haack under the condition that they dump their highly respected and award-winning author, Ned Isaly. Ruthless president Bobby Mackensie will stop at nothing to sign Giverney, even though breaking Isaly's contract is a legal impossibility. His solution? Sign another contract-this one with two hit men, who are hired to knock off Isaly. What Mackensie doesn't know is that Candy and Karl are killers with scruples and a keen interest in literature. Isaly, meanwhile, is totally engrossed in finishing his current novel and barely notices the two men as they mingle with Isaly and his friends at popular New York City literary watering holes. Not even when a multitude of bumblers follow him on a visit to his hometown of Pittsburgh-in one of the most humorous episodes in the book-does he realize his plight. Although verging on the caricaturish, the characters are memorable, especially the hit-men duo. Insider publishing lingo, a quirky plot, atmospheric settings and Grimes's dry sense of humor make this a delectable bonbon of a book.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Grimes, author of the popular Richard Jury mysteries, ventures far afield from Scotland Yard, this time to examine the cutthroat world of contemporary New York book publishing. Book contracts and Mafia hit contracts collide in this caper-satire in which the publishing houses have Dickensian names such as Grunge and DrekSneed. A popular writer suffers from terminal envy--it's not enough to bank millions per book and command the best-seller lists; he wants a big-time literary reputation. The plot hinges on the envious writer's unlikely scheme to get New York's most famous literary editor all to himself by eliminating his main competition, a genuinely talented up-and-comer. Grimes is best here at delivering insider insights about the frantic profit-mongering that dominates publishing. Along the way, too, there is plenty of time for racy editorial details (the title, for example, is the publishing term used to describe authors' manuscripts before editors get their hands on them). Grimes loses her way, unfortunately, in the midst of all the satire. Her characterization--ordinarily a strong point--tends toward the comic-bookish here, and even the comedy starts huffing and puffing with effort about halfway through. Not nearly as surefooted as the Jury novels, then, but a fun read nonetheless, thanks to some grand comic moments (like the editorial meeting with hit men in a prententious New York eatery). Connie Fletcher
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
See all Editorial Reviews
Red pencils draw real blood in this delightful publishing world crime spoof by Grimes, expert storyteller and bestselling author of the Richard Jury mysteries (The Man with a Load of Mischief, etc.). When Paul Giverney, a hot suspense novelist, seeks a new publisher, he decides on the house of Mackensie-Haack under the condition that they dump their highly respected and award-winning author, Ned Isaly. Ruthless president Bobby Mackensie will stop at nothing to sign Giverney, even though breaking Isaly's contract is a legal impossibility. His solution? Sign another contract-this one with two hit men, who are hired to knock off Isaly. What Mackensie doesn't know is that Candy and Karl are killers with scruples and a keen interest in literature. Isaly, meanwhile, is totally engrossed in finishing his current novel and barely notices the two men as they mingle with Isaly and his friends at popular New York City literary watering holes. Not even when a multitude of bumblers follow him on a visit to his hometown of Pittsburgh-in one of the most humorous episodes in the book-does he realize his plight. Although verging on the caricaturish, the characters are memorable, especially the hit-men duo. Insider publishing lingo, a quirky plot, atmospheric settings and Grimes's dry sense of humor make this a delectable bonbon of a book.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Grimes, author of the popular Richard Jury mysteries, ventures far afield from Scotland Yard, this time to examine the cutthroat world of contemporary New York book publishing. Book contracts and Mafia hit contracts collide in this caper-satire in which the publishing houses have Dickensian names such as Grunge and DrekSneed. A popular writer suffers from terminal envy--it's not enough to bank millions per book and command the best-seller lists; he wants a big-time literary reputation. The plot hinges on the envious writer's unlikely scheme to get New York's most famous literary editor all to himself by eliminating his main competition, a genuinely talented up-and-comer. Grimes is best here at delivering insider insights about the frantic profit-mongering that dominates publishing. Along the way, too, there is plenty of time for racy editorial details (the title, for example, is the publishing term used to describe authors' manuscripts before editors get their hands on them). Grimes loses her way, unfortunately, in the midst of all the satire. Her characterization--ordinarily a strong point--tends toward the comic-bookish here, and even the comedy starts huffing and puffing with effort about halfway through. Not nearly as surefooted as the Jury novels, then, but a fun read nonetheless, thanks to some grand comic moments (like the editorial meeting with hit men in a prententious New York eatery). Connie Fletcher
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
See all Editorial Reviews
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First Sentence:
Paul Giverney aimed a paper airplane at the window of his small office ("off. bdrm 3" in the rental ad) and watched it nose-dive to the floor. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
foul matter Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Ned Isaly, Tom Kidd, Paul Giverney, New York, Old Hotel, Bobby Mackenzie, Dwight Staines, Danny Zito, Jardin des Plantes, Mort Durban, Paul Givemey, Saul Prouil, Peter Genero, Luxembourg Gardens, Schenley Park, Central Park, Arthur Mordred, Bread Loaf, Isaly's Ice Cream, Mortimer Durban, Chrysler Building, Eric Gruber, Forbes Field, National Book, Stephen King New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Paul Giverney aimed a paper airplane at the window of his small office ("off. bdrm 3" in the rental ad) and watched it nose-dive to the floor. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
foul matter Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Ned Isaly, Tom Kidd, Paul Giverney, New York, Old Hotel, Bobby Mackenzie, Dwight Staines, Danny Zito, Jardin des Plantes, Mort Durban, Paul Givemey, Saul Prouil, Peter Genero, Luxembourg Gardens, Schenley Park, Central Park, Arthur Mordred, Bread Loaf, Isaly's Ice Cream, Mortimer Durban, Chrysler Building, Eric Gruber, Forbes Field, National Book, Stephen King New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 22
books:
See all 22 books this book cites
7
books
cite this book:
See all 7 books citing this book
- The Man with a Load of Mischief by Martha Grimes in Front Matter (1), Front Matter (2), and Back Matter
- The Blue Last by Martha Grimes in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- The Five Bells and Bladebone by Martha Grimes in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- The Case Has Altered by Martha Grimes in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Northern Ireland by Paul Bew on page 299
See all 22 books this book cites
- The Deer Leap by Martha Grimes in Front Matter, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Help the Poor Struggler by Martha Grimes in Front Matter, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Jerusalem Inn by Martha Grimes in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Belle Ruin: A Novel (Emma Graham Mysteries) by Martha Grimes in Front Matter
- The Winds Of Change: A Richard Jury Mystery by Martha Grimes in Front Matter
See all 7 books citing this book
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