Off Script

by L.L. Bartlett

It’s 1979. Before cell phones. Before computers. Before the World Wide Web. LA Detectives Robbie Howard and Danny Wallace solve crimes the old fashioned way, by relentless legwork. Multiple deaths on the lot of a movie studio look like your average murder-suicide. At least that’s what someone wants everyone to think. It takes dogged determination for Howard and Wallace to write off a Hollywood killer.

98 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 24, 2016

About the author

The immensely popular Booktown Mystery series is what put Lorraine Bartlett’s pen name Lorna Barrett on the New York Times Bestseller list, but it’s her talent -- whether writing as Lorna, or L.L. Bartlett, or Lorraine Bartlett -- that keeps her there. This multi-published, Agatha-nominated author pens the exciting Jeff Resnick Mysteries as well as the acclaimed Victoria Square and Lotus Bay Mystery series, and now the Tales of Telenia fantasy saga, and has many short stories and novellas to her name(s). Check out the descriptions and links to all her works here: http://www.LLBartlett.com

Reviews

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful whodunit short that will have you looking for suspects the whole way through. Detectives Howard and Wallace are called in on what looks like a murder suicide, but is it? When they start looking into things the scene isn't adding up. It is set in a time of no cell phones or internet so they have to fall back on what makes a story like this great, true detective work. It's a great short that can be read in one sitting and that will truly hold ones interest. I enjoyed trying to figure out who the culprit was and why they did it.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

L.A. Detectives Wallace and Howard are assigned to a multiple murder/suicide case at Monarch Studios. The year is 1979 and checking in with the precinct means finding the nearest payphone. But murders still need to be solved...not with computers, but with brains, interviews and good old fashioned police work. This short story was a good read and kept me interested from start to finish. The characters were enjoyable and I hope to read more stories about this partnership.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this well written short story. If you loved watching Dragnet you I'll love this one. I also liked the Hollywood movie set setting. the storyline draws you in and keeps you interested. The old school police work was fascinating. Loved it! I voluntarily reviewed a copy I received from the author.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Off Script by L.L. Bartlett

In 1979 LA Detectives Robbie Howard and Danny Wallace are called to the scene that appears to be a double homicide of two young women and suicide of an older woman in the script department of Monarch Studios. The two detectives feel something is off about the scene and begin their investigation into the lives of the victims as well as their co-workers. Though determination, interrogation, and partnership and good old fashioned detective work can they solve the murders?

This is a great short story reminiscent to the old time detective dramas. I could see Detectives Howard and Wally (nicknames for one another) in their 70’s style suits following their leads and gut intuition. You can tell they have worked together for years to form a great friendship and partnership that helps them in solving crimes. I really enjoyed this story. I would recommend it to those looking for a quick clean mystery and who enjoy the old-time radio detectives/police procedurals.

**I voluntarily read a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story takes place in the late 1970's. Two officers are called to the set of a Hollywood movie studio to investigate a grizzly crime scene. Three women have been found murdered in one of the offices, and while it first appears to be a murder-suicide, the evidence starts to lead in another direction. This story combines a lot of enjoyable elements...buddy cops, old-fashioned investigation techniques, and Hollywood movie sets. There's also violence, some of it sexual in nature, although none of it is too graphic. I had a good feeling about who the "perp" was early on but the motive was unclear to me. The guilty party end us being revealed to us, the readers, long before the heroes were able to finish putting the clues together, giving the story a little extra bit of intensity. A good read and a nice little blast to the not-so-distant past.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year is 1979 and no cell phones to call the precinct, means having to find a pay phone. No computers to help solve a murder/suicide so L.A. Detectives Howard and Wallace have to use their minds, interviews and old fashioned police work. Partnership is really important as they work together.
This is a really great short story that kept me interested once I started and one I did not want to put down until the very last word.

[Carol Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story and seeing how their thought process worked in solving the mystery. It was a quick read so it can be started and finished in one reading which is nice as you don't have to wait quite as long to see what has happened. I liked how the characters were able to see past what seems the correct train of thought to get down to what is really going on.
I received a copy of the story from the author, the review is my own.

[Linda Dawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is set in 1979, before cell phones or the internet. Even though the story is set back years ago, it doesn't make it old or outdated. In fact, it makes it fresh and different from a lot of books out there. The story centers around multiple murders in a script writing department. The story is well-written and I enjoyed the characters. It was a great read!

[Susan]

This was an interesting departure from the author's usual cozy mysteries. The setting in 1979 captured my attention having lived during this time before cell phones, widespread computer use and the internet were the norm. Amazing how anything got done without all the technology and we all survived. Hmm, like Howard and Wallace we all had to do research the old fashioned way and think on our feet. The rapport between the two detectives and the hints about their past and present personal lives made them seem real as did the subtle humor thrown into the mix which made me want to know more about them. Thoroughly enjoyed this whodunit and would like to see more of Howard and Wallace in action.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Pamela Lambert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly edited. Can't an author pay a few dollars to get grammar, spelling and punctuation up to standard English?

Not worth the low price I paid for it. Shame on L L Bartlett. No more to say to make minimum length.

[Pamela Priest · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book! I love the policemen, and would to read more of their adventures. I know this is a one-off book, and L. L. Bartlett has several other excellent series, as herself and using other names, but this would make a great series!

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good short story but can't give more than 3 stars because of all of the tpos. NEVER have seen so many.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not found any book by L. L. Bartlett that I have not liked. This one has two detectives working to solve the mystery of who killed three people and why a script is missing.