Book Review of Shadow Games by Ed Gorman
The predominant theme in this book is vengeance. Ed Gorman’s writing is brilliant, as always. But this book is a raw, gritty exposé of Hollywood, especially focused on child actors. In Gorman’s introduction (make sure you read it) he talks about his experience in Hollywood and that this book was on his mind for many years. While it is a crime story, it’s not a happy ever after, bad guy comes to justice story. It’s a modern tragedy. If you like happy endings, this is not a book for you.
Cobey Daniels is a former child television star who continually gets into trouble. He drinks. He does drugs. He’s a womanizer. And the relationship he has with his agent is disgusting. The mystery of the story surrounds a woman who is murdered in her apartment. All evidence points to Cobey. The first part of the book reveals Cobey’s background after falling from stardom, as well as introducing all the other demented characters orbiting Cobey’s tragic life.
There is only one redeeming character in this entire book. The former secret service agent, now private detective, William James Puckett. He’s not Hollywood, though he lives in Los Angeles and often works for stars as a bodyguard and other odd jobs. He comes into the story when he is hired to escort Cobey home from an institution and gets sucked into trying to solve the murder. The rest of the characters are depraved, immoral, and often nasty.
This was not my favorite Gorman. Not even close. It’s a story, though, Mr. Gorman had to tell. The mystery in it is well done. I didn’t have it figured out until Puckett had it figured out. I missed a key clue, though. Still trying to figure out where I missed it.
This is far from a clean read. It contains copious profanity and on page sex, often pornographic in description. Gorman uses alcohol, sex, and backstabbing people to portray the corruption, greed, and immorality of Hollywood.
There isn’t that much more I can say about it. If you don’t like any of the above, don’t read it.
I’ll rank this one eleventh so far this year, only on strength of Ed Gorman’s writing.
Rooms by James L. RubartThe First Lady by Ed GormanEvery Dead Thing by John ConnollyI’ll Be Seeing You by Mary Higgins ClarkIn Darkness Cast by Jonathan ShuergerSeveral Deaths Later by Ed GormanCitadel (Palladium Wars Book 3) by Marko KloosRedemption by Deborah J. LedfordDeath of a Messenger by Robert McCawThe Little Grave by Carolyn ArnoldShadow Games by Ed GormanBarrier Island by John D. MacDonaldSerial Killer by Perry MartinJake of All Trades by A.T. MahonFireplay by Steve P. VincentWrong Place Wrong Time by David P. PerlmutterNowhere Safe by Kate BoldThe Bone Key Curse by Mike ScantleburyRun for Your Life by C.M. SutterCommission earned
