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Stewart Hoag #2
The Man Who Lived by Night
The ghostwriting sleuth discovers a rock star's deadly side in "one of my all-time favorite series" (Harlan Coben).
From the first time they played on the Ed Sullivan Show, Us was the hottest band on earth. For more than a decade, the group tore through the charts and indulged in an endless cycle of drugs, women, and violence, until two musicians died--the drummer by drugs, the guitarist by a crazed gunman. Once the band was finished, lead singer Tristam Scarr retreated to the English countryside, hiding from the world until the day he hires an American to ghostwrite his memoirs. Stewart Hoag arrives in London in the company of Lulu, his ever-hungry basset hound, to find the rock idol of his youth reduced to a wheezing, frail fortysomething. The first thing Starr tells him is that their drummer never overdosed--he was murdered. And as their interviews progress, Hoagy learns that working for a rock star is almost as dangerous as being one.
From the first time they played on the Ed Sullivan Show, Us was the hottest band on earth. For more than a decade, the group tore through the charts and indulged in an endless cycle of drugs, women, and violence, until two musicians died--the drummer by drugs, the guitarist by a crazed gunman. Once the band was finished, lead singer Tristam Scarr retreated to the English countryside, hiding from the world until the day he hires an American to ghostwrite his memoirs. Stewart Hoag arrives in London in the company of Lulu, his ever-hungry basset hound, to find the rock idol of his youth reduced to a wheezing, frail fortysomething. The first thing Starr tells him is that their drummer never overdosed--he was murdered. And as their interviews progress, Hoagy learns that working for a rock star is almost as dangerous as being one.
181 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 1989
190 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
David Handler
53 books260 followersAKA Russell Andrews (with Peter Gethers)
David Handler, who began his career in New York as a journalist, was born and raised in Los Angeles and published two highly acclaimed novels about growing up there, Kiddo and Boss, before resorting to a life of crime fiction.
David Handler, who began his career in New York as a journalist, was born and raised in Los Angeles and published two highly acclaimed novels about growing up there, Kiddo and Boss, before resorting to a life of crime fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 12, 2024
I love me some Lulu and Hoagy.
January 10, 2022
Read this book right after finishing Handler's first book of the Stewart Hoag mystery series.
While still a well-written, fast-paced tale it seemed repetitive as it's all about a "has-been" rock star (the first book was about a has-been comedian/movie-tv star).
Hoagy wasn't as cool or witty as in the first book, either (that was probably because I didn't like his ex-wife Merrilee, at all, or the way Hoagy interacted with her).
Another serious flaw: what's up with the nympho kids getting it on with perverse or deluded middle-aged men. Pedophiles in both books getting away with it? Yuck!
This series (the two books I read), while Stewart Hoag and his dog Lulu are great characters, is too outdated in its attitudes for true entertainment value - too much written is kind of cringeworthy.
(I love the Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe mysteries which are much older but the difference is they have more respect towards
all of their characters, including the women.)
In Stewart Hoag's world women are one dimensional.
They're either perfect saints: Pamela, Connie;
or sluts/emotionally disturbed nymphos: Tulip, Violet, Wanda Day - nothing like blaming the victim.
While still a well-written, fast-paced tale it seemed repetitive as it's all about a "has-been" rock star (the first book was about a has-been comedian/movie-tv star).
Hoagy wasn't as cool or witty as in the first book, either (that was probably because I didn't like his ex-wife Merrilee, at all, or the way Hoagy interacted with her).
Another serious flaw: what's up with the nympho kids getting it on with perverse or deluded middle-aged men. Pedophiles in both books getting away with it? Yuck!
This series (the two books I read), while Stewart Hoag and his dog Lulu are great characters, is too outdated in its attitudes for true entertainment value - too much written is kind of cringeworthy.
(I love the Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe mysteries which are much older but the difference is they have more respect towards
all of their characters, including the women.)
In Stewart Hoag's world women are one dimensional.
They're either perfect saints: Pamela, Connie;
or sluts/emotionally disturbed nymphos: Tulip, Violet, Wanda Day - nothing like blaming the victim.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2022
This book is almost identical to Book #1. The only difference is instead of one half of a comedy duo (a la Lewis and Martin), the main character is an aging rock star (a la Mick Jagger). The book has long passages on how the singer made his rise to the top, but having just finished reading similar passages in Book #1, instead of finding them interesting, I found them boring and tedious.
Still, the book was well-written, and the dialogue remains excellent. I think I would've liked this better if I hadn't read books #1 and #2 back-to-back.
Still, the book was well-written, and the dialogue remains excellent. I think I would've liked this better if I hadn't read books #1 and #2 back-to-back.
January 11, 2017
A solidly so-so mystery with a plodding narrative (for so short a book) and writing that tends to the "and then this happened and then that happened..." - this is a long series of books so I'm guessing this gets better but I don't think it's for me.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2023
Enjoyable read. I could do without a rather lame joke the author seems to love (since he uses it more than once). There were a couple of gaps in the narrative, also. Edited to add: I don’t understand how a book about the British rock scene in the 1970s and 80s, which name-drops ad nauseum about contemporary performers, could fail to mention Queen.
January 14, 2022
SPOILER ALERT
Handler likes his dysfunctional and nasty characters. In this second of the series it is rock-and-roll star Tristram Scarr, a washed-up skeleton of a man, suffering from the effects of his hard living, drugs, women, alcohol and more. He is living on a huge estate in Britain, near Guildford, with 15 former FBI agents as security. Jack Horner, former drummer who was dropped when they wanted Puppy to take over is the chauffeur and takes care of the dozens of collectible cars T.S. owns. Jack is also having an affair with the 15-year-old daughter of T.S.
Scarr's attorney Jay Weintraub hires Hoagie to write the story of T. S.'s life. The short of it is that Scarr is living a myth, from the town he was supposedly from to the state of his health and intentions now. Scarr wants to put verity to the myth of his life and his career with the group Us. But in the end after Hoagie's own life is threatened again and Lulu is wounded, Hoagie realizes that Scarr is the one who is a killer.
Scarr killed his drummer Puppy Johnson with an overdose. It was ruled an accident, but Scarr puts the idea in Hoagie's mine that it was murder. Johnson, a black, was found with a 15-ear-old white girl in Little Rock while the group is on tour. He is charged with statutory rape. The US decided to revoke their visas and they are told they are barred from the US as long as Puppy is with the group. So he has to die. The group of Rory Law, Derek Gregg and Tris moves on successfully. Then Tris becomes disenchanted with his wife, the only woman he ever loved, though he had many affairs, slept with Rory. Back and forth Tulip moved. So Tris hired a former disciple of the Manson family to shoot Rory while he was on stage. The shooter, Larry Lloyd Little is then killed. As Hoagie is conducting interviews he talks to Tulip who tells him she has a photo album. She is killed before Hoagie can get it. Then Father Bob is killed. Hoagie asks Inspector Root to find out who has financed the church that Tulip was associated with. Turns out that Father Bob was a drug dealer who got Tris the drugs that killed Puppy. When Hoagie searches Violet's room he finds a photo that answer the questions he had, Tris with the killer of Rory. During a bash that Tris has arranged, Hoagie sets up a conversation with Tris in the Peugeot in which he gets him to confess to all of the killings. Tris has spent the last years learning new instruments and writing new music with the intention of getting a new career started. He tells Hoagie he is going to kill him, as he dopes him with the champagne he has brought out. He then starts the car and leaves Hoagie to die. But Hoagie instructed Jack to call Inspector Root, who is the policeman investigating the killings, to come to the estate. They pull Hoagie out. With Merilee in a state, Hoagie tells her he was not in danger because the Peugeot is diesel and does not produce carbon monoxide.
They go into the house where Tris is performing some new music. He sees them and his body gives out. He is dead. During this story Hoagie and Merilee get back together, while her husband Zack is in NY. But Merilee decides to go to her next movie alone, and Hoagie realizes it will never be the same for them. Again, the story is full of the history of rock and roll and peopled with celebrities who interact with the fictional characters. Another sleazy family and story. Not so sure I will continue with this series.
Handler likes his dysfunctional and nasty characters. In this second of the series it is rock-and-roll star Tristram Scarr, a washed-up skeleton of a man, suffering from the effects of his hard living, drugs, women, alcohol and more. He is living on a huge estate in Britain, near Guildford, with 15 former FBI agents as security. Jack Horner, former drummer who was dropped when they wanted Puppy to take over is the chauffeur and takes care of the dozens of collectible cars T.S. owns. Jack is also having an affair with the 15-year-old daughter of T.S.
Scarr's attorney Jay Weintraub hires Hoagie to write the story of T. S.'s life. The short of it is that Scarr is living a myth, from the town he was supposedly from to the state of his health and intentions now. Scarr wants to put verity to the myth of his life and his career with the group Us. But in the end after Hoagie's own life is threatened again and Lulu is wounded, Hoagie realizes that Scarr is the one who is a killer.
Scarr killed his drummer Puppy Johnson with an overdose. It was ruled an accident, but Scarr puts the idea in Hoagie's mine that it was murder. Johnson, a black, was found with a 15-ear-old white girl in Little Rock while the group is on tour. He is charged with statutory rape. The US decided to revoke their visas and they are told they are barred from the US as long as Puppy is with the group. So he has to die. The group of Rory Law, Derek Gregg and Tris moves on successfully. Then Tris becomes disenchanted with his wife, the only woman he ever loved, though he had many affairs, slept with Rory. Back and forth Tulip moved. So Tris hired a former disciple of the Manson family to shoot Rory while he was on stage. The shooter, Larry Lloyd Little is then killed. As Hoagie is conducting interviews he talks to Tulip who tells him she has a photo album. She is killed before Hoagie can get it. Then Father Bob is killed. Hoagie asks Inspector Root to find out who has financed the church that Tulip was associated with. Turns out that Father Bob was a drug dealer who got Tris the drugs that killed Puppy. When Hoagie searches Violet's room he finds a photo that answer the questions he had, Tris with the killer of Rory. During a bash that Tris has arranged, Hoagie sets up a conversation with Tris in the Peugeot in which he gets him to confess to all of the killings. Tris has spent the last years learning new instruments and writing new music with the intention of getting a new career started. He tells Hoagie he is going to kill him, as he dopes him with the champagne he has brought out. He then starts the car and leaves Hoagie to die. But Hoagie instructed Jack to call Inspector Root, who is the policeman investigating the killings, to come to the estate. They pull Hoagie out. With Merilee in a state, Hoagie tells her he was not in danger because the Peugeot is diesel and does not produce carbon monoxide.
They go into the house where Tris is performing some new music. He sees them and his body gives out. He is dead. During this story Hoagie and Merilee get back together, while her husband Zack is in NY. But Merilee decides to go to her next movie alone, and Hoagie realizes it will never be the same for them. Again, the story is full of the history of rock and roll and peopled with celebrities who interact with the fictional characters. Another sleazy family and story. Not so sure I will continue with this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2022
This book is just really...weird. It is very easy to read, but it's just very odd. It's more like a dream, or someone fantasizing about life than an actual novel. It has some strange parts and one that is plain disgusting.
There's a word for that, but I don't want to use it.
There's a word for that, but I don't want to use it.
October 14, 2018
The Man Who Lived By Night is David Handler’s second mystery featuring ghost writer Stweart (”call me Hoagy”) Hoag and his basset hound Lulu. Hoagy’s celebrity assignment this time around is faded rock star Tristam Scarr, now living in isolated grandeur on his estate in the English countryside. Originally published in 1989 (most of the series was republished in ebook format by Open Road Press in 2012), the book is a travelogue through the music scene of the 60s and 70s, British and American, peppered with real people. Handler tells chunks of the story through tapes of Hoagy’s interviews with Scarr and his associates, peeling away the past until the motives for current murders are revealed.
Somehow I missed this series completely when it was first published, but I’m enjoying it now: I identify with both writers and basset hound owners.
Somehow I missed this series completely when it was first published, but I’m enjoying it now: I identify with both writers and basset hound owners.
September 26, 2022
A fun series that I discovered. Stewart Hoag wrote a novel in his youth that hit the big-time. He then lived a life of fun and good times, tried to write a second novel and discovered he has writers' block. Now he is a ghost writer for celebrities and there is always a murder involved. His sidekick is Lulu his Basset Hound and the love of his life Merilee Nash, a famous and successful actress is his x-wife who makes frequent appearances. It's a light, fun series. Not great literature but fun to read.
June 24, 2017
I love this series. I discovered it by actually reading the last book in the series first, and then just had to get all the other books because I enjoyed it so much. I love the characters, I am especially partial to Lulu, and the storyline and as before I guessed wrong as who was the murderer. Its well written and moves at a good pace with some action, romance and of course mystery. Very entertaining and I can't wait to get started on the next book.
October 16, 2020
Another one of my favorite authors that does a wonderful job of writing and Sean Runnette narrating the story about Stewart Hoag, "Hoagy" who is a celebrity ghost writer. In book 2, Hoagy goes to London to get all the information on a bad boy superstar of a British rock group from the 60's. Hoagy also meets an old love while collecting secrets and information and things take an unexpected turn.
June 18, 2023
I am a huge fan of this series, but this one had long stretches of ultra-dull reminiscences of 50-year old rock n roll that almost had me close the book and not finish it. Yes, it definitely does pick up, so stick with it, if you can. However, once it does, it jumps into worlds of wincing implausibility. Well-plotted, as usual, but solved by ridiculous intuitive leaps. It has its moments, but not his best.
April 9, 2025
No as good as previous. AND I am deducting a half star because…YOU COULD NOT JUST BRING A DOG INTO THE UK!!!!!! There was a lengthy quarantine—6 months—required up until around 2012. This book was written in the 1989.
Bad/lazy research that stands out since the author goes into excruciating detail about buying clothes at soecific places.
Bad/lazy research that stands out since the author goes into excruciating detail about buying clothes at soecific places.
June 11, 2021
Lies, All Lies!
A little more conventional than the first, but still, it’s fascinating hearing characters talk about the themselves as they do here, and either lying to themselves and Hoagie, or lying just to Hoagie.
A little more conventional than the first, but still, it’s fascinating hearing characters talk about the themselves as they do here, and either lying to themselves and Hoagie, or lying just to Hoagie.
February 18, 2022
I simply love Mr. Handler's books!
Another great read about Hoagy, Lulu, and a great cast of supporting characters in a very exciting and entertaining mystery! I liked the twisty ending and the semi disguised history of rock and roll! Quite ready for the next book in the series!
Another great read about Hoagy, Lulu, and a great cast of supporting characters in a very exciting and entertaining mystery! I liked the twisty ending and the semi disguised history of rock and roll! Quite ready for the next book in the series!
May 31, 2018
Many false notes, never felt authentic.
January 26, 2019
This series is incredible. I’ve not read one that isn’t a fascinating character study and a tight mystery.
July 15, 2019
Fresh perspective
Interesting sleuth as failed author, ghostwriting as a way to get the clues. Bonus with Basset Hound as oddball sidekick.
Interesting sleuth as failed author, ghostwriting as a way to get the clues. Bonus with Basset Hound as oddball sidekick.
June 4, 2021
Enjoyed this story more than the first. Liked the setting and more mystery, for me at least, about whodunnit.
March 15, 2022
I’m giving this book and the first in the series, THE MAN WHO DIED LAUGHING, a solid 3.5 stars. Hoping the books become stronger as the series moves along.
March 26, 2022
Better than the first Hoagie. It had more Lulu!
June 29, 2022
Good summer read. A mystery but mostly a scene description of 1960’s British rockers with the Beatles, Stones and other making appearances.
July 11, 2022
Not my favorite in the series, but I still enjoy Hoagie and his dog as they attempt to be ghostwriters and end up, of course, involved in murder. Kristi & Abby Tabby
July 18, 2023
Very dated but a fast read that's lots of fun to read.
December 14, 2024
I found it depressing. I almost didn't finish it.
March 20, 2025
Not as good as the last one I read…..
January 5, 2017
4 stars
This book is not quite as good as the first one. However, it is still a very good read.
I like Hoagy. He seems intelligent, kind and is a very good interviewer. One of the characters says he should have been a psychologist. Yes, I can see that.
In this book, Hoagy is to ghostwrite the biography of “T.S.,” Tristam Scarr, a one-time famous rock musician. Meeting him at his huge estate in England, along with LuLu, of course, Hoagy meets not only TS but a collection of other interesting people as well. TS only gets out of bed at night and hasn’t been off of the estate in ten years or so. Also living there is his daughter and the ex-drummer for “US.” While he is not getting very much out of TS, Hoagy gets plenty from others. TS believes that the group’s bassist was murdered on stage. This sets the tone for Hoagy’s research.
Still alive are another of the band members and the former manager, as well as TS’ former wife. Interestingly enough, Hoagy’s former wife in visiting in London while doing a stage play at a theater. Look for some fireworks there.
When things start going wrong, the suspects are plenty. Not to give anything away, the murderer is a surprise.
I want to thank Netgalley and Open Road Integrated Media for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.
This book is not quite as good as the first one. However, it is still a very good read.
I like Hoagy. He seems intelligent, kind and is a very good interviewer. One of the characters says he should have been a psychologist. Yes, I can see that.
In this book, Hoagy is to ghostwrite the biography of “T.S.,” Tristam Scarr, a one-time famous rock musician. Meeting him at his huge estate in England, along with LuLu, of course, Hoagy meets not only TS but a collection of other interesting people as well. TS only gets out of bed at night and hasn’t been off of the estate in ten years or so. Also living there is his daughter and the ex-drummer for “US.” While he is not getting very much out of TS, Hoagy gets plenty from others. TS believes that the group’s bassist was murdered on stage. This sets the tone for Hoagy’s research.
Still alive are another of the band members and the former manager, as well as TS’ former wife. Interestingly enough, Hoagy’s former wife in visiting in London while doing a stage play at a theater. Look for some fireworks there.
When things start going wrong, the suspects are plenty. Not to give anything away, the murderer is a surprise.
I want to thank Netgalley and Open Road Integrated Media for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.
April 29, 2021
Boring pompous lead character .who keeps whining about his fall from fame . And reading the interviews are notven an interesting story annoying .im a music fan but 75%of this book is not a story just rambling about a fictitious "musician" interactions with real musicians .And he was boring too.A clinched clown the "writer " thinks is a revel bu stealing every real.musicians wild history .nothing original . O quit reading halfway thru
I WONT be trying any more from this series or write again . PS nothing humorous about it at all.confused why it was listed as so.Asnoozefest took forever to get to the "mystery" and I didnt care if it was solved. Even the dog wasnt that interesting .All it is isjust pompous rambles and whines .
I WONT be trying any more from this series or write again . PS nothing humorous about it at all.confused why it was listed as so.Asnoozefest took forever to get to the "mystery" and I didnt care if it was solved. Even the dog wasnt that interesting .All it is isjust pompous rambles and whines .
December 24, 2013
The plot device that puts this murder solving ghost writing biographer at the center of the action is an effective way for him to hear multiple points of view as he interviews those who surround his client's life story - the Bassett hound is also pretty wonderful but therein lies the rub - our protagonist & narrator just does not seem physically strong enough to be lifting and carrying a full grown basselope as though she were a kitten ;)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews