Hollywood Stuff

Jane Wheel #5

by Sharon Fiffer

She was a monastic person, one who would be happy to live as a recluse, a hermit . . . if only the other caves would hold occasional yard sales. Ay, there was the rub. Jane had to put up with all those other people because people begat stuff, and stuff, for Jane, was what brought people palatably to life. It made others interesting, warm, human. It was what people kept and what they discarded that guided Jane through the confusion of human emotions. But how could Jane go along on her anonymously merry way, scouting junk in alleys and yards, on rummage sale tables, and auction house floors, if she was involved in some ego-wrenching nonsense in, for the love of Pete, Hollywood?

Soon after a TV magazine profiles antique collector Jane Wheel for her role as an amateur sleuth, her story catches the eye of Wren Bixby, owner of Bix Pix Flix in Los Angeles. Bixby wants the rights to Jane’s story for her offbeat independent film company and eventually persuades Jane to leave behind her newfound hometown celebrity in Kankakee, Illinois, and head west for Hollywood.

But Jane’s time in Tinseltown is interrupted when she discovers that someone has targeted Bix and her partners, and Jane resumes her role as detective, determined to stop a killer.
In Hollywood Stuff, Sharon Fiffer captures the light and dark sides of Hollywood as Jane discovers that in the buying and selling of Hollywood memories and memorabilia, it’s a murderous marketplace where the price can kill.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Adult

259 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2006

Reviews

[Jennifer A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

maybe it's because I tried to read this book in one marathon setting before bed and I was tired, but this one just didn't have much to hold my interest. I'm almost done, so I'll finish it, but here's my thoughts:

1) these Hollywood-type main characters just don't hold my interest- there's too many of them, and the story seems waaay too convoluted. (the whole first draft of a novel written about the "real" character- what? huh?? all that was way too complicated for me to follow, which stinks, because I know that's where they "mystery" actually gets unraveled and explained.)

2) not enough of the flea market / vintage angle that I liked about the other mysteries so far. They only went to one flea market, Jane kept getting interrupted so she couldn't shop, and then it gets shut down (very soon after opening) down because of the murder? They couldn't at least have shopped all day long, then found the victim?

3) I'm glad Tim went to Hollywood with Jane, but I miss the other main characters- Nellie, Don, Charley, and Nick. (a couple phone calls don't cut it, for me; I really like the interactions and relationships between Nellie and Jane.)

all in all, I was disappointed with this one. I'll finish it because I'm almost done with it, but so far, this is my least favorite of hers.

[Cat. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a perfect book to carry around for short bursts of reading (doctors' offices, drive-thru lines, etc.) and also just fun to read in general. I like Jane. I like Tim. I'm beginning to like Oh. And the characters they are mixed up with this time around are pretty hilarious. If only we had a few more clues to the direction this was going; the end felt really rushed.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the main characters Jane and Tim, but I got a little confused throughout the story keeping everyone straight. Still, I liked the ending and was able to guess the "whodunnit" correctly early on.

[Marseydoats · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this, but it got a little annoying jumping from suspect to suspect. I had no idea who committed the murders.

[Jennifer Coffman Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this one was not my favorite. Didn’t really like the story line. Still love the two main characters though.

[Stefanie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Ricki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish I could have been in Hollywood with Jane Wheel looking for goodies! This is new territory for Jane. The book is set in Hollywood, with Tim and Detective Oh along for the ride. Jane's detective skills are improving, and even though her picker's instincts are thriving, she manages, mostly on her own, to get to the bottom of this convoluted tale. Old friends and memories conspire to trip her up, but Jane pulls through. Her recall of Detective Oh's instructions repeatedly guide her. This is a great read, and the change of locale is great, the seduction of Cali offers new temptations for Jane. I'm glad she went, but I'm glad too she is going home. Book is a welcome addition to the series!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a tv interview with her appears, Jane Wheel is asked to Hollywood to discuss a biopic with a producer who turns out to be a friend of Jane's college boyfriend Jeb. With friend Tim in tow, Jane sets off, only to learn that she's wanted as much as a detective as a movie subject. Jeb, Bix, the producer, and others are all part of a group that is dedicated to seeing that they all stay employed--not easy for scriptwriters who are over forty. But a novelist who never broke into the Hollywood business is harassing Bix's partner, until a mysterious death intervenes.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jane and Tim and detective Oh are as much fun as ever. This time they are in Hollywood, because a producer saw Jane on a misguided tv interview show, and thought her life story would make a good movie. Jane really doesn't think so, but Tim convinces her not to turn down a free trip to a new picking area!

My favorite part was a lovely new murder method. It was almost as neat at the ones Agatha Christie used in PALE HORSE, but I will refrain from telling you what it was so as to prevent a spoiler. It does involve alcohol, though.

[Janel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's maybe 2 1/2 stars. A cute book, and loved the flea marketer aspect of it. I just found it a little confusing...I finished it and I'm still not perfectly clear on the whole thing. Too many characters or something. There was something I liked about it though and and I would try another from this series.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the most current of the Jane Wheel series.
I have enjoyed all of the other books of this series
about Jane, an antique collector, but this one took
place primarily in Hollywood and just didn't perk
my interest.

[Chris Curtis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like this series but this book just wasn't as good as the others. This series works best when Jane is at home in Illinois not in California. It was almost like that episode of Happy Days when the entire cast suddenly and conveniently all have reasons to visit Hollywood.

[Bronwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished Hollywood Stuff and I'm on to the next in the series. I'm with everyone else. This entry was not as good as the others and the series works best when the characters are in their home setting. Of course I live in the Chicagoland area so I am biased in this.

[Nicole Diamond · Rating 1 out of 5]

If it has one star I liked it a lot
If it has two stars I liked it a lot and would recommend it
If it has three stars I really really liked it a lot
If it has four stars I insist you read it
If it has five stars it was life changing

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok. I had a hard time getting into it though. The story line dragged on for me. A lot of reviewers said this was their least favorite in the series (I haven't read any of the rest of the series) so maybe I will try another one to see if I like it any better.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too bad - not as good as the others in this series but still good.

[Corky · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the fifth Jane Wheel book, she goes to Hollywood. Not quite as good as the others but still very enjoyable.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a show stopper for me.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series...enjoy the details about her "picking" adventures. Jane, the picking private eye and her sidekick, Tim, don't seem forced or false.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Really enjoyed this 5th in the Stuff series. Jane and Tim go to Hollywood to discuss a film deal."

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite of these books, because it takes place outside the usual setting of Kankakee. Light mystery fare, fun for those who enjoy yard sales and estate sales.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great mystery a little further fro
Im home - love this character and the writing!!!

[Zuhairah Howard · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was just awful, I didn't like it one bit!

[Mary-Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Best one so far - great, interesting story - plot twists and as usual fun characters!