The Alfred Hitchcock Murder Case

Jacob Singer #2

by George Baxt

A mysterious phone call from the past leads a young director named Alfred Hitchcock into a series of kidnappings, chases, and murder

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery

277 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

George Baxt, the US playwright, scriptwriter and novelist, in New York City, USA.

He began his career as a radio announcer, an actors' agent, and television scriptwriter. He claimed that as an actors' agent he threw James Dean out of his office because he needed a bath. George Baxt's career developed into scriptwriting cult horror films. He made a contribution to The Abominable Dr Phibes, although it was uncredited. His first novel A Queer Kind of Death, (1966), introduced the detective Pharoah Love who was the first in the genre to be both black and openly gay. The novel was very well received and marked the start of a new career in writing. Two further Pharoah Love novels soon appeared and were widely regarded as superior to the first. Nearly three decades passed before the final outings of Pharoah Love in two novels.

Meanwhile George Baxt introduced the detective duo Sylvia Plotkin and Max van Larsen, but these were soon abandoned and several non-series novels were produced. Starting with The Dorothy Parker Murder Case, George Baxt then began to use his knowledge of Hollywood life by using celebrities as characters in a series of detective novels.

He died following complications after heart surgery.

Interesting obituary here: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obi...

Reviews

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love watching Alfred Hitchcock movies. I found this book to be interesting.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alfred Hitchcock is directing his first movie as a young man in Munich when one of his crew is murdered. A second murder follows, but the police are baffled. Hitch and his beloved wife Alma are sure there's a story in there somewhere, but can't figure out the angle they could use. Cut to England, eleven years later, when some of the members of the cast reappear as refugees from an increasingly dangerous Germany. A free-lance writer named Nancy Adair wants to interview Hitch in the worst way. The murders start again, and events seem to be following a screenplay Hitch has been sent. The plot gets really confusing (so confusing that this lost a star) before a fairly satisfying ending.

[Ronn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early on in my love of mysteries, I developed an affinity for stories that involved a character from real life, even if the rest of the characters are fictional. This book is chock full of real people, so it was right up my alley.
I know there are Hitchcock biographies out there, but I havent read them, so I dont know how true to life Baxt's characterization is. I know that I hope he was like this in real life. If you know Alfred Hitchcock mainly from his TV show, you will recognized him instantly. If you know him better from his movies, you will find subtle references to many of them [Some not so subtle: Early in the story, a character is murdered by being stabbed multiple times in a shower].
In any event, the book is thoroughly charming, engaging, and highly recommended.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part film noir script, part PGWodehouse, part Alfred Hitchcock suspense thriller, part Agatha Christie, in other words, a few of my favorite things! I picked up my first Baxt mystery at a library sale a few years ago and the Dorothy Parker murder novel nailed the essence of the namesake character and provided a great mystery plot to boot. This one featuring Alfred Hitchcock was no different. It borrows elements from many of his classic films, while spanning 11 years and focusing on the build up to WWII, spy rings, and unmasking a dangerous double agent. Kept me guessing until the last 10 pages. A very enjoyable read with likable characters, plot twists, and witty one liners.

[Jools.Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ein spannender kleiner Krimi der sich rasch wegliest und Spaß macht. Clever, witzige Dialoge, jede Menge vertraute Gestalten und nebenbei gewährt die Geschichte Einblick in die Entstehung des Hitchcock Klassikers 'A Lady Vanishes'.

Schade ist nur, das das Buch viel zu schnell zu Ende gelesen ist und es keine weiteren Mordfälle für Sir Alfred mehr geben wird.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun. A new perspective (as if I had an old one!) on Alfred Hitchcock. This light mystery features a young Hitchcock embroiled in a Nazi-era espionage plot. It is clever, engaging fun.

[Susan Jo Grassi · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a fun read. I enjoyed the fact that I "knew" some of the characters and could imagine them stumbling through the mystery.

[Corey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever story but dull prose.