Dying to be Famous
by David Hiltbrand
Published by Harper Collins(to come)
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Reviewed by Marcella Courneya
Dying to be Famous, David Hiltbrand's third major mystery, will rake in those American Idol lovers who just can't seem to get enough of the drama and excitement dished out each season.
Jim McNamara, a recovering heroine addict and private detective to the stars, is called to the set of Star Maker, television's most exciting reality show where musically gifted contestants sing their hearts out each week, only to be found least popular by American voters and dumped from the show, crushing their dreams at stardom. Sound familiar?
McNamara ends up investigating the death of the show's most talented singer. You follow McNamara through his week of investigating, interviewing the contestants, and becoming romantic with a Hollywood assistant. He also tastes the crude form of coffee available at the A.A. meetings that he attends with his sidekick, Whitey, throughout the city.
Had the setting and characters of this story been a figment of imagination, the novel may have held my attention longer. As it stands, the contestants, judges, and TV personalities of Star Maker are simply copies of the men and women our current pop culture has come to know all too well. However, Hiltbrand does entice with the ever-popular idea of scandal by introducing scenes including fights and romance between contestants, drug use, and mental illness.
If you also find time to become a musical critic, like me, the book offers an array of sarcastic remarks on famous icons and the choices decided on by Star Maker. It was during these times the narrator addressed me as a reader, engaging me in his critiquing. These moments offered a bit of humor, as I happen to find the whole idea of making a star a bit ridiculous.
Throughout the book, Hiltbrand offers a few surprises and twists. Hold your breath for the end, the scene involving two characters that parallel known personalities was burned to my memory. However, there are times the author seems to make sudden leaps with his characters' personalities, specifically Whitey. These changes held untrue and convenient, leaving me to feel fooled or cheated.
In the end, it is obvious David Hiltbrand has captured a piece of today's culture and rebuilt it for a different entertainment value.
Armchair Interviews says: Book was an enjoyable read that could have had more substance.
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