Best Murder of the Year: A Rick Domino Mystery

by Jon P. Bloch

Book Overview

Rick Domino is one of the most sought after men in Hollywood but he's not an actor, director or even a film producer. He's a popular gossip columnist covering the Hollywood scene and a word from him can be very influential. Normally, Rick loves his job and the scene itself but tonight it's different. Tonight he's hosting a live telecast of the Academy Awards and his secret lover, young heart-throb Shane Kirk, is one of the nominees for Best Actor...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312280904
• ISBN13: 9780312280901
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.9" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

tongue in cheek (not saying which one) Hollywood mystery

For the seventh year, Hollywood gossip columnist Rick Domino hosts a live pre-show broadcast of the Academy Awards. Rick has mixed feelings about this year's show because his lover actor Shane Kirk is up for a Best Actor award. He is proud that Shane received the nomination, but disappointed that his beloved refuses to come out of the closet and acknowledge that he is gay let alone in a relationship with Rick. Adding to that insult is the fact that Shane is keeping a straight image by escorting best actress nominee Tara Perez to the ceremony.Though Rick has to share the spotlight with predator Mitzie McGuire, their show goes over relatively smoothly though Rick does less clothing dissing of the attendees than usual as he mopes over Shane. Afterward Rick looks for Shane only to find his beloved near the corpse of Tara. The police arrive as Shane shouts his innocence and Rick is nearer to the corpse and holding the murder weapon that he picked off the ground. Though the police arrest Rick, homicide detective Terry Zane thinks things are too pat. He and Rick investigate the Hollywood scene as only a veteran police officer and a catty gossip columnist could do.The who-done-it is fun to follow as the obviously gay Rick and his new partner the straight Terry make a humorous team who uncover a lot of Hollywood secrets during their investigation. However what makes THE BEST MURDER OF THE YEAR so enjoyable is not the homicide or the inquiries, but the satirical look at Hollywood at its most pompous and even more subtly strips the invincibility of the mystery genre fictional superstars. The movies that the nominees star in are hilarious and worth the read by themselves. Fans of a tongue in cheek (not saying which one) will want to read the adventures of Rick Domino in the world of make believe.Harriet Klausner

A thoroughly delightful romp!

This surprising "inside" Hollywood mystery is a delightful romp through the seedy world of Hollywood. It is delightfully satirical of Hollywood and its ways and waywardness. Though very funny, it is also suspenseful and engaging. Perhaps the most delightful gay comedy/mystery since the wonderful Aldyne series and the Grant Michaels masterpieces.Pushes close to the edge of heavyhandedness, but does not cross it. A good, fast read! Recommended!

Deliciously Campy and Entertaining

Not your usual murder mystery (in fact I do not regularly read in this genre but the book's description captured my attention)! Very clever and thoroughly entertaining. Memorable characters -- Can't wait to see more from this author.

Wickedly Funny and Surprise Ending

What a treat! - a main character who is gay, out, proud and scandalously funny, without a homosexual angst ridden bone in his body.Because the book takes place in Hollywood (generally) and the Academy Awards (specifically) there is a lot of affectionate-yet-cynical humor aimed at the entertainment industry. There are a few actual laugh-right-out-loud commentaries. If Hollywood was REALLY this much fun, there would be much better films coming out of it!The mystery is complex - admittedly, I never in a million years could have figured it out - but the real joy is the writing style...and the welcome introduction of an outrageous gay character who is not unhappy, unsure, unclear or depressed. This is one mystery that screams "make a movie out of me!"