Retro Reading: Reel Murder by Mary Kennedy
Acting Can Be Murder
You'll have a reely good time reading the second installment of Mary Kennedy's Talk Show Mysteries Reel Murder since it's one of those books you can't seem to get enough of.
In this installment, Maggie Walsh's mother, Lola, is offered a small role in a film shooting in the town of Cypress Grove, FL and Lola couldn't be any happier. Or could she after the murder of leading lady and rival Adriana St. James? Even though Lola's had small film roles throughout her life she's thrilled to be back in front of the camera and this time she isn't playing an under five character.
What makes it even better for Lola is Maggie's asked to be a consultant on the set so she looks at it as a mother/daughter effort when it comes to making the movie. Maggie really isn't into the "Hollywood" thing so at first she declines the offer but when she finds out how much she'll be getting paid as a consultant she hesitantly accepts the job.
With Lola in her glory and Adriana out of the way, there's a lot of tension on the set of Death Watch as production is shut down for a few days while director Hank Winston tries to figure out what to do regarding the production (his teeny bopper love interest Tammilynne becomes the leading lady) and he's of course under suspicion for Adriana's murder.
After leaving my "real job" a few years ago for a chance at working in the film business I could relate to almost every character involved with the production. Kennedy definitely did her homework for this book.
From frazzled, stressed out director Hank to over worked PA Maisie, to the eager extras wrangling for "face time" Kennedy made it seem like I was back on a set. Half the time I found my mind drifting back to various sets I've been on and if you've never been on a set before Kennedy certainly nails the behind the scenes action on the head. Since I try to get as much work as I can (I like to say I've been celebrating Passover since 2009 since I'm always passed over for work) I could also empathize with Lola and her quest for being in a business which she loves.
Getting back to the book, it was one of the faster paced novels I've read in awhile and one that I really hated to end.
From Lola's glory to the Hollywood headlines this has been the best in the series thus far.
