Publisher's Weekly Review
Screenwriter Kalian's sometimes frenetic, often funny debut introduces screenwriter Maggie Mars, who was a New York investigative journalist until a piece for Vanity Fair catapulted her to Los Angeles, where she serves as a board member of the Creative Artists Union (aka CAU, "irreverently known as COW"). Maggie is also working on a screenplay about an investigative reporter who's an alter ego. The novel's wonderful supporting cast includes Maggie's current boyfriend, a top-flight defense lawyer; a homicide cop ex-boyfriend, who's not entirely out of the romantic running; and a roommate who's a fount of Hollywood gossip. When CAU's executive director, Roger Urban, is found dead in the bathtub in an unoccupied house, wearing only a red garter belt and bra, Maggie goes into investigative mode on both coasts, takes some lessons from her alter ego and ends up with one of her dreams coming true. Kalian milks plenty of stereotypes, but does so with panache and enough originality to be refreshing. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Booklist Review
Kalian is a veteran screenwriter who clearly knows her way around Hollywood and appreciates its colorful characters. She has put that knowledge to good use in the creation of Maggie Mars, a delightfully offbeat screenwriter with a thing for Jack Nicholson. Maggie is on the board of the Creative Artist's Union, or, as it is not-so-affectionately dubbed, COW. When Roger Urban, COW's executive director, is found murdered--dressed in women's undergarments--Maggie is determined to find the killer. Despite warnings from her current boyfriend, Henrick the lawyer, and her ex-boyfriend, Joe the homicide detective, Maggie braves threatening notes and a couple of attacks to continue investigating. Helping Maggie is her gay roommate, Lionel, one of the best gossips in La-La Land; hindering her is U. G. (Ulysses Grant) Mars, her mad--scientist father who may just get kicked out of his retirement home for one of his botched experiments. Kalian crafts a first-rate mystery while convincingly portraying Hollywood and its shallow and neurotic denizens. An auspicious beginning to what is sure to become a popular series. --Jenny McLarin Copyright 2005 Booklist
Library Journal Review
Hollywood screenwriter Maggie Mars is on the board of the Creative Artists' Union (COW), supports an active retirement- home father, and blisses out with boyfriend/lawyer Henrik. On the night of a crucial vote, the executive director of COW (and Maggie's mentor) is found murdered, dressed in a garter belt and bra. Not realizing just how many enemies the victim had, Maggie sleuths, with help from father, boyfriend, and ex-boyfriend. Plenty of humor, action, and relationship problems makes this debut mystery by a veteran screenwriter a lively, entertaining read. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
