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An Edna Ferber Mystery #1
Lone Star
It’s 1955, and Edna Ferber is basking in the success of her blockbuster novel Giant. Headed to Los Angeles, where director George Stevens and Warner Brothers Studio are in the final days of filming her Texas oil epic, she is looking forward to meeting Rock Hudson, Liz Taylor, and especially the young James Dean.
But there is trouble brewing. Dean, the new box-office sensation and teen heartthrob, has been accused of fathering a child with an unstable (and recently fired) extra named Carisa Krausse. The studio fears the negative publicity will jeopardize the release of the movie. Then the actress is murdered, and James Dean is the prime suspect. He was seen at her apartment moments before Carisa’s death. The police are ready to arrest him.
With actress Mercedes McCam-bridge as her sympathetic sidekick, Edna investigates, determined to clear Dean’s name. Soon Edna finds herself exploring the troubled lives of Dean’s circle of disparate friends. As she delves into Hollywood’s dark side she discovers a power-ful studio obsessed with a cover-up and a solution she doesn’t want to accept―a solution that she, in fact, dreads.
But there is trouble brewing. Dean, the new box-office sensation and teen heartthrob, has been accused of fathering a child with an unstable (and recently fired) extra named Carisa Krausse. The studio fears the negative publicity will jeopardize the release of the movie. Then the actress is murdered, and James Dean is the prime suspect. He was seen at her apartment moments before Carisa’s death. The police are ready to arrest him.
With actress Mercedes McCam-bridge as her sympathetic sidekick, Edna investigates, determined to clear Dean’s name. Soon Edna finds herself exploring the troubled lives of Dean’s circle of disparate friends. As she delves into Hollywood’s dark side she discovers a power-ful studio obsessed with a cover-up and a solution she doesn’t want to accept―a solution that she, in fact, dreads.
259 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2009
15 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Ed Ifkovic
41 books16 followersAKA Edward Ifkovic
Ed Ifkovic taught literature and creative writing at a community college in Connecticut for over three decades, and now, retired, devotes himself to writing fiction. His short stories and essays have appeared in such diverse periodicals as the Village Voice, America, Hartford Monthly, and the Journal of Popular Culture. He’s published fiction with small presses, including a novel based on the life of Victorian poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox. A longtime devotee of mystery novels, he fondly recalls his boyhood discovery of Erle Stanley Gardner’s Perry Mason series in a family bookcase, and his immediate obsession with the whodunit world. When he was fourteen, bored on a lazy summer afternoon, his mother handed him a copy of Edna Ferber’s Cimarron—for him, a riveting Western about the settling of Oklahoma and the discovery of oil—and he stayed up until three in the morning, until, bleary-eyed, he finished the novel.
Ed Ifkovic taught literature and creative writing at a community college in Connecticut for over three decades, and now, retired, devotes himself to writing fiction. His short stories and essays have appeared in such diverse periodicals as the Village Voice, America, Hartford Monthly, and the Journal of Popular Culture. He’s published fiction with small presses, including a novel based on the life of Victorian poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox. A longtime devotee of mystery novels, he fondly recalls his boyhood discovery of Erle Stanley Gardner’s Perry Mason series in a family bookcase, and his immediate obsession with the whodunit world. When he was fourteen, bored on a lazy summer afternoon, his mother handed him a copy of Edna Ferber’s Cimarron—for him, a riveting Western about the settling of Oklahoma and the discovery of oil—and he stayed up until three in the morning, until, bleary-eyed, he finished the novel.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 8, 2013
Look. I didn't come to this book with extremely high expectations. I was hoping to be entertained with an interesting story built around a movie and author I've been studying. But this book is just hard to read. There is so. much. telling. The narrator tells us all the time that she is frustrated and tired and hot an a million other things. Then there's the telling that's especially out of place with first person narration. "I consider such indulgence [a nap] a sign of weakness." "It's my custom to take walks every day in the afternoon." It's like the author wants to show how much research he's done about Ferber, so he's just telling us things about her outright. it wouldn't be so bad if it weren't told in the first person. People who are talking about themselves do not describe their own "tart tongues" and "steely eyes." It's self-conscious and strange. Also. If you're going to have Ferber as your narrator, you'd better try to write it like she would have. There are some nice moments, and the plot's ok, but overall the book seems ill-conceived and executed.
May 31, 2009
I found several factual errors, maybe because I am a HUGE James Dean fan. One is small - James smoked Winston's, not Chesterfield's - the other two are not - Marcus Winslow was his cousin, NOT his nephew, and this was after the author mentioned that James was an only child. Also, James' Spyder was a 550, not a 547.
December 18, 2015
Not too sure of this series. First one I've read. Background interesting, plot so-so, but voices of characters not really ringing true, nor is the language used.
I'll try a couple more and see how they progress.
I'll try a couple more and see how they progress.
Read
November 5, 2022TBH I ended up skimming the end - the writing was fun at first (everyone and their outfits are described in detail, with lots of similes) and while it was a neat little 'noir' conceit when I began the book, it got repetitive. The story wasn't particularly propulsive, and I don't care that much about James Dean. But if you like Hollywood a lot, you might like this mystery. I read this for work.
July 24, 2013
On the face of it, Lone Star is going to appeal most to those who are interested in 1950s Hollywood with its classic films and movie stars, its secrets and scandals. I grew up with two movie buffs, and I learned a lot through osmosis. I've also read Ferber's books and watched Giant and many, many other movies of the period. With all this having been said, I still think there's a lot in Lone Star that will appeal to readers who are arriving on the scene completely clueless.
Edna Ferber makes an interesting sleuth, not always sure of herself but quick-thinking, and watching her turn into The Grande Dame when she's not being given her proper due is a treat. Mercedes McCambridge is a wonderful choice to be Ferber's sidekick. She knows everyone and knows all the ins and outs of Hollywood, so she can open many of the doors that Ferber needs to walk through. She's also got the requisite inquiring mind and free spirit.
What is perhaps the most important relationship of all is the one between Ferber and young James Dean. Reading this book is bittersweet to anyone who knows Dean's story, but there is a great deal of enjoyment to be found in watching real friendship develop between these two very unlikely people. The grand lady of letters with her nice clothes, gloves, and her pearls, and the breezy, sloppy, and often charming idol of movie magazines. Superficially they have nothing in common, but scratch below the surface and there are plenty of similarities to be found.
The author knows his Hollywood history and uses it to good effect. The cast is strong and interesting, and the reader's attention remains fixed firmly on the book because the mystery is a puzzler, too. Now that I've met Miss Edna Ferber and have seen what she's capable of, I'm looking forward to reading more of her adventures.
Edna Ferber makes an interesting sleuth, not always sure of herself but quick-thinking, and watching her turn into The Grande Dame when she's not being given her proper due is a treat. Mercedes McCambridge is a wonderful choice to be Ferber's sidekick. She knows everyone and knows all the ins and outs of Hollywood, so she can open many of the doors that Ferber needs to walk through. She's also got the requisite inquiring mind and free spirit.
What is perhaps the most important relationship of all is the one between Ferber and young James Dean. Reading this book is bittersweet to anyone who knows Dean's story, but there is a great deal of enjoyment to be found in watching real friendship develop between these two very unlikely people. The grand lady of letters with her nice clothes, gloves, and her pearls, and the breezy, sloppy, and often charming idol of movie magazines. Superficially they have nothing in common, but scratch below the surface and there are plenty of similarities to be found.
The author knows his Hollywood history and uses it to good effect. The cast is strong and interesting, and the reader's attention remains fixed firmly on the book because the mystery is a puzzler, too. Now that I've met Miss Edna Ferber and have seen what she's capable of, I'm looking forward to reading more of her adventures.
January 18, 2019
I thought the characterization and setting of this book were expertly done. Ifkovic's Ferber is acerbic and engaging and he does an admirable job of infusing humanity into the mythology of Dean. I also loved the inclusion of classic character actress Mercedes McCambridge as Ferber's partner in detection. The mystery, though, feels like it idles for a big chunk of the middle portion of the book.
June 15, 2022
This is a great premise for a mystery series. An aging Edna Ferber is a good choice for an American Mrs. Marple. I knew of Ferber’s writing of the book that inspired the movie Giant, just from research about the classic movie that I try to rewatch every few years. I have had it on my “to read” list for many years, but it never made it to the top since I’d already seen the movie.
From Lone Star I have gained the impression that Ferber was a prolific female James Michener style writer and I now have an expanded list of her books and they’ve moved further up my list. I never knew her connection to Showboat and other Broadway plays & movies.
The depiction of the Golden Age of Hollywood studio system is only a peek but is intriguing and made me want to learn more. I don’t know how accurate the depiction of James Dean is, but admit I found him more annoying and insipid than intriguing and sexy. I wonder if the author had to get permission from the estates of James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, and Rock Hudson in order to include them? There’s not much to Taylor’s & Hudson’s but there’s a quite s bit to Dean’s.
So, as a mystery series lover who prefers character and setting driven stories, Lone Star gets points in those categories. The supporting cast is rather thin on character development and thus pretty forgettable. A bit more attention there, including on the murderer, would have improved the novel.
The plot itself is pretty thin and forgettable as well. All these pieces come together to make me rate this as a better-ish cozy mystery, not a mystery literature standout like Louise Penny’s Gamache series or any of Agatha Christie’s Mrs Marple books, but still a worthwhile casual read or even better as audiobook entertainment while you do something else.
From Lone Star I have gained the impression that Ferber was a prolific female James Michener style writer and I now have an expanded list of her books and they’ve moved further up my list. I never knew her connection to Showboat and other Broadway plays & movies.
The depiction of the Golden Age of Hollywood studio system is only a peek but is intriguing and made me want to learn more. I don’t know how accurate the depiction of James Dean is, but admit I found him more annoying and insipid than intriguing and sexy. I wonder if the author had to get permission from the estates of James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, and Rock Hudson in order to include them? There’s not much to Taylor’s & Hudson’s but there’s a quite s bit to Dean’s.
So, as a mystery series lover who prefers character and setting driven stories, Lone Star gets points in those categories. The supporting cast is rather thin on character development and thus pretty forgettable. A bit more attention there, including on the murderer, would have improved the novel.
The plot itself is pretty thin and forgettable as well. All these pieces come together to make me rate this as a better-ish cozy mystery, not a mystery literature standout like Louise Penny’s Gamache series or any of Agatha Christie’s Mrs Marple books, but still a worthwhile casual read or even better as audiobook entertainment while you do something else.
February 26, 2022
Another one I couldn't finish.
Author Ed Ifkovic is attempting to create a fictive story starring show biz real people, specifically Edna Ferber, who is apparently going to have a series based around her.
Of the several real people in this story, the one whom I most admire is Mercedes McCambridge.
She was more a radio star than movie, and she had one of the greatest voices in all radio history.
I could easily and happily listen to her for hours on end.
However, in this book, she and the other characters are not presented in any way interesting or pleasant.
James Dean is here and he seems to be just like his obnoxious character in "Rebel Without a Cause."
After a lot of unpleasant and too detailed conversation, I just gave up.
If I want to read fiction with real Hollywood people, I'll stick to the works of Stuart Kaminsky.
Should author Ifkovic try again, maybe he'll pick a more interesting chief character, and won't over-write and will avoid the intensity of neurotic subconsciousness.
Author Ed Ifkovic is attempting to create a fictive story starring show biz real people, specifically Edna Ferber, who is apparently going to have a series based around her.
Of the several real people in this story, the one whom I most admire is Mercedes McCambridge.
She was more a radio star than movie, and she had one of the greatest voices in all radio history.
I could easily and happily listen to her for hours on end.
However, in this book, she and the other characters are not presented in any way interesting or pleasant.
James Dean is here and he seems to be just like his obnoxious character in "Rebel Without a Cause."
After a lot of unpleasant and too detailed conversation, I just gave up.
If I want to read fiction with real Hollywood people, I'll stick to the works of Stuart Kaminsky.
Should author Ifkovic try again, maybe he'll pick a more interesting chief character, and won't over-write and will avoid the intensity of neurotic subconsciousness.
August 2, 2022
As a reader of 400+ books a year, over 200 of them mysteries ( my brain candy ), I am always looking for a new series. I am a fan of the movie "Giant" and thought the premise of a murder during the filming being investigated by the author Edna Ferber was unique. I quite liked Ms. Ferber and her acerbic tongue, but found the mystery itself had far too many quirky characters and meandered rather that getting to the solution. I may give the series another try as some of my favorite authors often had a less than stellar beginning. Kristi & Abby Tabby
September 11, 2018
Uncovered this is St Petersburg last week. First in an Edna Ferber Mystery series I never heard of. First published in 2009. Murder mystery set to the backdrop of filming GIANT. Of course James Dean is the number one suspect. Edna teams with Mercedes McCambridge to clear his name. Great start. The following titles are on my list.
May 19, 2019
Good premise, and although I don’t like the atmosphere of Hollywood it seemed true to life. None of the characters was fully fleshed out, and although you could forgive that about the actors (who might have taken pains to stay in persona), I was hoping fir a better sense of Edna Ferber. She’s a writer all but forgotten now, and she deserves more of a portrait than this book can give her.
March 9, 2019
I decided to read this book because I saw the author on a list of overlooked mystery authors and I remember reading Edna Ferber's books a long time ago. Unfortunately, I didn't like the Ferber character in this book. DNF
April 15, 2020
So...... Edna Ferber as the detective with Mercedes McCambridge as her sidekick, on the set of Giant, with James Dean under the microscope..... as well as an author whose initials are E and I. How, precisely, does one resist?
Just finished it - did not guess the murderer...... :)
Just finished it - did not guess the murderer...... :)
September 12, 2019
I think I would have enjoyed this more if I were a movie fan, but alas I am not so all the movie nostalgia was lost on me.
September 11, 2018
Edna Ferber, the author of the blockbuster novel, Giant, is in Hollywood to oversee the filming of her novel into a movie. James Dean, the iconic actor, has been accused of fathering the child of a bit part actress, Clarissa Krausse. When she is found murdered, Edna jumps into action along with her best friend, Mercedes Mc Cambridge, to investigate what happened. Edna begins to care deeply for the young actor and feels that he is being accused unjustly. This was an excellent read. I am a big Dean fan and also loved Edna Ferber's books. This was a clever and good book.
March 11, 2009
Hollywood in 1956 comes alive as you turn the pages of Lone Star. Edna Ferber arrives in Hollywood for the filming of her novel Giant. Edna renews old acquaintances and meets new ones on the set of Giant. Edna senses that there is something going on behind the scenes and when she finally uncovers the truth she finds herself plunged into a murder investigation.
A bit player that had been removed from the production of Giant is sending threatening letters to the studio making accusations against James Dean, the new idol of the fans. Edna soon realizes that there is something in Dean’s personality that she cannot resist. She begins to understand why Dean has fans that imitate him and fight for his attention.
When Carisa Krausse, the author of the threatening letters, is murdered, James Dean goes to the top of the lists of suspects. Edna’s instincts tell her that Dean is innocent. Edna enlists Mercedes McCambridge’s help in proving Dean’s innocence.
If you are a movie fan, you will be fascinated with the inner workings of the movie world. If you are not a fan of the movies you will still be fascinated with the mystery presented in Lone Star. I know I had a list of suspects but the ending came as a shock to me.
Lone Star is the first novel in the Edna Ferber Mystery series. I know I look forward to what the future brings for this series and Edna’s investigations.
A bit player that had been removed from the production of Giant is sending threatening letters to the studio making accusations against James Dean, the new idol of the fans. Edna soon realizes that there is something in Dean’s personality that she cannot resist. She begins to understand why Dean has fans that imitate him and fight for his attention.
When Carisa Krausse, the author of the threatening letters, is murdered, James Dean goes to the top of the lists of suspects. Edna’s instincts tell her that Dean is innocent. Edna enlists Mercedes McCambridge’s help in proving Dean’s innocence.
If you are a movie fan, you will be fascinated with the inner workings of the movie world. If you are not a fan of the movies you will still be fascinated with the mystery presented in Lone Star. I know I had a list of suspects but the ending came as a shock to me.
Lone Star is the first novel in the Edna Ferber Mystery series. I know I look forward to what the future brings for this series and Edna’s investigations.
February 7, 2013
Praise for Lone Star..."A promising first] in what could be a long-running and highly entertaining series."-BooklistIt's 1955, and Edna Ferber is basking in the success of her blockbuster novel Giant. Headed to Los Angeles, where director George Stevens and Warner Brothers Studio are filming her Texas oil epic, she is eager to meet Rock Hudson, Liz Taylor, and especially the young James Dean.But there is trouble brewing. Dean, the new box-office sensation and teen heartthrob, has been accused of fathering a child with an unstable (and recently fired) extra named Carisa Krausse. The studio fears the negative publicity will jeopardize the release of the movie. Then the actress is murdered. James Dean was seen at her apartment moments before Carisa's death. The police are ready to arrest him.With actress Mercedes McCambridge as her sympathetic sidekick, Edna investigates, determined to clear Dean's name. As she delves into Hollywood's dark side, Edna discovers a powerful studio obsessed with a cover-up and a solution she doesn't want to accept....Ed Ifkovic taught literature and creative writing at a community college in Connecticut for more than three decades. His short stories and essays have appeared in the Village Voice, America, Hartford Monthly, and the Journal of Popular Culture. Lone Star is his debut novel.
September 16, 2011
This was a well-written mystery that makes a famous novelist (Edna Ferber) an amatuer sleuth when someone is murdered on the set of the film "Giant" (based off of her novel of the same name). Edna works to solve the crime and to save James Dean, one of the films stars, who has been accused of the murder. Along the way, we meet a littany of characters that were actually real-life movie stars, directors, etc., as well as a few who are completely fictional.
The mystery takes several twist and turns and the ending will leave many shocked at whodunnit. Very highly suggested! I look forward to reading the sequel, which was just released!
The mystery takes several twist and turns and the ending will leave many shocked at whodunnit. Very highly suggested! I look forward to reading the sequel, which was just released!
December 10, 2012
Edna Ferber leaves her comfort zone to visit Hollywood and the movie set of her novel Giant. Warner Brothers plans a blockbuster starring everyone's favorite actor, Rock Hudson, the beautiful Elizabeth Taylor, and the young actor James Dean. Dean is a disruptive force, with many changing girlfriends. When one of them is murdered, the police suspect Dean, but Ferber and the other women of the production disagree. Ifkovic has history on his side in this one, as the reader knows what is going to happen in the end. Later events also add poignance to the scenes with Hudson.
November 2, 2009
Generic Hollywood tidbits, not to be confused with reality.
Ferber's character enjoyable.
McCambridge's character too bland for such a strong personality.
Dean? Who really knew?
Other characters mere fluff to fill out the story.
Ferber's character enjoyable.
McCambridge's character too bland for such a strong personality.
Dean? Who really knew?
Other characters mere fluff to fill out the story.
January 2, 2013
Perhaps it is a requisite to be familiar with the film Giant, and James Dean in order to get the most out of this novel. As a random book I picked up, it was sufficiently well done, but a little melancholy and wordy at times.
October 8, 2009
Entertaining what was life like there in that time
May 25, 2016
I mean, this is not a great book, but it is fun if you liked Giant, and he made Edna Ferber into a sleuth! What a great idea.
August 24, 2011
Certainly makes me want to rent the movie Giant and see these characters in the flesh.
Looking forward to the next Edna book.
Looking forward to the next Edna book.
March 9, 2015
Ed Ifkovic definitely has a way with words! And using Edna Ferber as the detective -- brilliant.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews