I like to read series sequentially, but though I am new to the Jake and Laura noir mystery series, I had no trouble figuring everything out. All that Glitters is a first person mystery in the voice of novelist and former Pinkerton Jake Donovan, whose diction is flavored like something out of 1933 Golden Era Hollywood movie. Donavon writes formula books about Blackie Doyle, and his long time girlfriend Laura is a Broadway actress just branching into talkies.

Jake and Laura travel from New York to Hollywood for Laura's part in The Midnight Wedding, a movie. The Carville Studio head pushes Jake into rewriting his troubled son's screenplay, and when the screenwriter is found dead, it is up to Jake to clear his name.

Michael Murphy does a credible job in making this era come to life. The characters are drawn to fit the time and include a various mix of stars, mobsters, (Leo Cartwright, Slick Ray Gambino), andAnnabelle (the LA cop). And of course, there's Donavon's redoubtable editor Mildred keeping him on track. Definitely a fun read.

The chemistry and banter is true to a style we recognize from the Thin Man series. The presentation of thirties Hollywood is light and brisk and a little effervescent.

Book 4 in the Mario (Ambulance Chaser) is the new book in the series, titled Free Fall. This book takes you through the free-falling and wild 1970’s When Mario has hit his mid 20’s and all the post-Vietnam, post-war protest and now joyful living and European getaways. The book is very spot on with the time and very adult with the sex. If you love to travel, sex, food and descriptive detail, this is the book for you.

Mario is a bit older now, but still the boy from the Barrio. He has become a successful businessman, but after being almost killed in book 3, he decided to take a change from being an Ambulance Chaser to instead, Aviation Chaser which takes him and his team of gorgeous women around the world. Along the way, he meets Sami and Jason who grew up very differently than he did, and yet their taste for the good life matches his and he becomes friends and more with them.

Along the way, trouble as always seems to find Mario and he learns who his true friends are and who the enemy. You will find this book a great romp through the 70’s and through Europe with all the dear friends from books 1 -3 making main and cameo showings. Do not miss the latest in the series.
Nancy Louise
December 27, 2017
"No writer knows what they are doing till twenty years after the published book sits on the shelf and the child that had not yet been born, reads it, tells the tale of it, and tells the tale of it."
Nancy Louise McCormick