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Cece Caruso Mystery #5
Dial H for Hitchcock
The indomitable Cece Caruso is back in Susan Kandel’s Dial H For Hitchcock. The vintage clothes enthusiast, biographer of masters of mystery, and amateur sleuth who has flourished her skills in Christietown and I Dreamed I Married Perry Mason now tackles a murderous puzzle full of twists, turns, and mistaken identities worthy of maestro Hitchcock himself. Readers will be Spellbound by this latest investigation by sometime-detective Cece, whom reviewers have called, “Delightful” ( Boston Globe ) and “A hoot” ( Denver Rocky Mountain News ). True mystery fans would have to be Psycho to miss Dial H For Hitchcock.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2009
11 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
Susan Kandel
17 books63 followersSusan Kandel is the author of the critically acclaimed, L.A. Times-bestselling Cece Caruso mysteries, the most recent of which, DIAL H FOR HITCHCOCK (Harper, 2009) was named one of the five best mysteries of the year by NPR. Her upcoming book, DREAM A LITTLE DEATH, is the first in the Dreama Black series, and will be published by William Morrow's Witness Impulse in 2017.
Susan lives in West Hollywood, CA with her husband, Peter Lunenfeld, and her equally handsome dog, Cooper.
Susan lives in West Hollywood, CA with her husband, Peter Lunenfeld, and her equally handsome dog, Cooper.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
January 11, 2025
This was a fun read, nothing too serious and was a good way to start out the new year. I read a review that the "twist" was obvious, I was totally oblivious.
November 9, 2015
I read about 3/4 of this book, and enjoyed it, BUT, it was one of those books I've unfortunately been reading a lot of, lately, in which, I enjoy the book in spite of its mediocrity, and feel like, a lot of what I enjoy is the nostalgia, or bits that I'm bringing to the novel as a reader.
I love the premise of this series. The stories follow Cece Caruso a woman who writes biographies about famous mystery writers (or movie directors) and gets caught up in real-life mysteries which imitate art.
I also thought it would be interesting to read a mystery in which the protagonist lives in my hometown area of Los Angeles.
So, I wanted to like Cece Caruso, and I wanted to like the atmosphere...but in the end, Cece's personality had too much of what I find embarrassing and shallow about Los Angeles. Also, although I found the mystery itself initially interesting, it became increasingly bizarre and improbable, so that, ultimately, the hallucinatory/impulsive/random quality of the story made me lose interest as a reader.
Looked at in a more positive light, I can see that perhaps author Susan Kandel was trying to create a Hitchcockian effect in her writing...but it didn't work for me. Would I read another book by this author? Well, I was interested in Not a Girl Detective, in which Cece Caruso writes about Catherine Keene, the author/ghostwriter of the Nancy Drew mysteries. I read the sample for this installment in the series, and again, sort of felt like it was a fun idea which was not being written to its full potential.
I love the premise of this series. The stories follow Cece Caruso a woman who writes biographies about famous mystery writers (or movie directors) and gets caught up in real-life mysteries which imitate art.
I also thought it would be interesting to read a mystery in which the protagonist lives in my hometown area of Los Angeles.
So, I wanted to like Cece Caruso, and I wanted to like the atmosphere...but in the end, Cece's personality had too much of what I find embarrassing and shallow about Los Angeles. Also, although I found the mystery itself initially interesting, it became increasingly bizarre and improbable, so that, ultimately, the hallucinatory/impulsive/random quality of the story made me lose interest as a reader.
Looked at in a more positive light, I can see that perhaps author Susan Kandel was trying to create a Hitchcockian effect in her writing...but it didn't work for me. Would I read another book by this author? Well, I was interested in Not a Girl Detective, in which Cece Caruso writes about Catherine Keene, the author/ghostwriter of the Nancy Drew mysteries. I read the sample for this installment in the series, and again, sort of felt like it was a fun idea which was not being written to its full potential.
September 15, 2010
Another book picked up based on the cover. Another series started in the middle. Another good find!
While I may appreciate the rich detail of the fashions and accessories that the protagonist wears and describes, I will never be a 40ish divorced female author with an adult daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. However, I am a big mystery buff and given that the character is an author who writes about great makers of mystery & detection, that is enough to get her my empathy and attention.
The plot of this book is convoluted and our heroine is flung around emotionally and logically. Why this is a bit confusing for the majority of the book, it all comes clean in the end. Heck, it is a book about Hitchcock after all and it has a nice denouement (in the manner of many good mysteries). So, bear with the author if you can and enjoy the tale.
Once I finished it I discovered that the author sets each tale in the realm/style/history of one of the great writers (or in this case filmmaker) of mystery, suspense, or detection. So, I am looking forward to reading the entire set, starting with the first book (about Erle Stanley Gardner). Sure it's light fiction, but it is colorful, full of great tidbits about fashion, style and LA, and interesting. Pick up a copy and decide for yourself.
While I may appreciate the rich detail of the fashions and accessories that the protagonist wears and describes, I will never be a 40ish divorced female author with an adult daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. However, I am a big mystery buff and given that the character is an author who writes about great makers of mystery & detection, that is enough to get her my empathy and attention.
The plot of this book is convoluted and our heroine is flung around emotionally and logically. Why this is a bit confusing for the majority of the book, it all comes clean in the end. Heck, it is a book about Hitchcock after all and it has a nice denouement (in the manner of many good mysteries). So, bear with the author if you can and enjoy the tale.
Once I finished it I discovered that the author sets each tale in the realm/style/history of one of the great writers (or in this case filmmaker) of mystery, suspense, or detection. So, I am looking forward to reading the entire set, starting with the first book (about Erle Stanley Gardner). Sure it's light fiction, but it is colorful, full of great tidbits about fashion, style and LA, and interesting. Pick up a copy and decide for yourself.
February 11, 2010
OK, this was a really cute diversion from the snow. I didn't realize it was not the first book in the series, but it wasn't a bad place to start. Cece is a fun character, though I didn't really empathize. I have trouble getting people for whom clothes shopping is fun; no Carrie Bradshaw for me. I do like her Hitchcock obsession, and the clever ways that the author ties that into the central mystery. I get the impression that she does similar things in the other books in the series: she references a famous mystery or series of mysteries, and then has something similar happen to Cece. The writing isn't bad; I had a couple of problems with the ways certain characters talked, and a couple of descriptions that didn't ring true. I got very distracted when the character mentioned having sung the theme from CATS in a pageant when she was young. Did she mean "Jellicle Cats"? Weird choice for a pageant. "Memory"? Better, but not the theme. A tiny detail, but my mind got very distracted trying to sort it out.
Final verdict? A fun read if you need a light mystery, or if you're a big Hitchcock fan.
Final verdict? A fun read if you need a light mystery, or if you're a big Hitchcock fan.
May 23, 2021
This book started out well and just got...more and more contrived and stupid as it went on. The ending. Just....what. What the heck. What the heck was THAT?! I won't give total spoilers, but suffice it to say it was totally unbelievable and not in a good way.
Also, maybe I just needed to read previous Cece Caruso books to understand her character better, but the character is 40. She seems more like a teenager. A really stupid one at that. She irritated me. Cool vintage fashion sense does not a funny cool character make. She made so many dumb decisions I wanted to scream in frustration.
Obviously I didn't care for this book. The author has an engaging writing style, and the premise could have been good, but it just totally fell flat for me. Mostly because of the ridiculous ending.
Also, maybe I just needed to read previous Cece Caruso books to understand her character better, but the character is 40. She seems more like a teenager. A really stupid one at that. She irritated me. Cool vintage fashion sense does not a funny cool character make. She made so many dumb decisions I wanted to scream in frustration.
Obviously I didn't care for this book. The author has an engaging writing style, and the premise could have been good, but it just totally fell flat for me. Mostly because of the ridiculous ending.
May 23, 2019
Book 5
May 21 - 22
Loony Vintage Charm
"Dial H for Hitchcock" appeared to be an enjoyable read with interesting turns and tons of humour, which had nothing to do with Hitchcock though, except mentioning some facts about his life and work. In terms of style and breathtaking plot twists which were Hitchcock's hallmark, this novel, in my opinion, doesn't live up to Hitchcock's high standard.
Logline: After she watches Vertigo in the cinema, the main heroine, Cece Caruso, finds a cell phone in her purse which doesn't belong to her. She receives a call on the phone, a stranger asks her to come to a certain place. But when Cece arrives there, she witnesses a murder and gets under suspicion herself.
While the twists are really Hitchcock style, this novel is too feminine for my liking. There's too much focus on the description of clothes, whole paragraphs in every chapter describe Cece's obsession with vintage attires, which is an interesting fetish, of course, but I found it annoying. New York Times Book Review says: "While Cece's vintage clothing fetish gives her a certain loony charm, it doesn't get in the way of her genuine talents as a sometime sleuth..." Well, who am I to argue with New York Times Book Review!
One more thought expressed by New York Times Book Review is that Susan Kandel, the author, takes mystery seriously. However, what it seemed to me is that the humour sprinkled here and there throughout the book disrupted the eerie atmosphere the author was trying to create. Hitchcock was suspenseful and eerie, Kandel is not. Don't get me wrong, I liked the humour, but it killed the "eerie" aspect of the book promised to the reader. Judge it yourself. Here's one example of humorous description of a sale's assistant: "It was the largest Afro I'd ever seen, especially on someone white. It must've measured a foot in every direction. I wondered what happened when he tried to get into a car. He probably took the bus." Hilarious, right? The whole book is steeped in such a humorous take of Cece on the surroundings. So, if you want something really Hitchcock eerie style, I'd probably recommend the TV show "Bates Motel". "Dial H for Hitchcock" is a cozy read, mostly for women, because I don't believe men will be fascinated with all those "little-black-dress-except-it's-navy" descriptions of Cece's gowns.
I had a little confusion concerning the year when the story happens. When I started reading, I was almost sure those were sixties ish, but then the main heroine took out her cell phone. There were no indications in the text itself to mislead me, but things revolving around Hitchcock and this retro stuff Cece wears made me think it all was about sixties.
There was a funny inconsistence when Cece takes photos of her car with her cell phone after she gets rear-ended, but then she exchanges phone numbers with the man who hit her car written on some patches of paper as if forgetting that they have cell phones. Seriously, who writes their phone numbers on paper in the era of cell phones? It felt like the author got confused by her own wish to write about sixties and her need to write about modern times.
All in all, "Dial H for Hitchcock" is a nice and easy read which I'd recommend to those who are looking for a cozy detective story for a long travel, more likely women than men. Publishers Weekly call the main heroine "witty and perky female sleuth", which I absolutely agree with.
It is not the first book about Cece Caruso, so, if you are going to read this series, you should start from "I Dreamed I Married Perry Mason", although every book about this detective is a separate and independent story.
If you want to follow my reading challenge, follow my page on Goodreads. Will be happy to see you there!
May 21 - 22
Loony Vintage Charm
"Dial H for Hitchcock" appeared to be an enjoyable read with interesting turns and tons of humour, which had nothing to do with Hitchcock though, except mentioning some facts about his life and work. In terms of style and breathtaking plot twists which were Hitchcock's hallmark, this novel, in my opinion, doesn't live up to Hitchcock's high standard.
Logline: After she watches Vertigo in the cinema, the main heroine, Cece Caruso, finds a cell phone in her purse which doesn't belong to her. She receives a call on the phone, a stranger asks her to come to a certain place. But when Cece arrives there, she witnesses a murder and gets under suspicion herself.
While the twists are really Hitchcock style, this novel is too feminine for my liking. There's too much focus on the description of clothes, whole paragraphs in every chapter describe Cece's obsession with vintage attires, which is an interesting fetish, of course, but I found it annoying. New York Times Book Review says: "While Cece's vintage clothing fetish gives her a certain loony charm, it doesn't get in the way of her genuine talents as a sometime sleuth..." Well, who am I to argue with New York Times Book Review!
One more thought expressed by New York Times Book Review is that Susan Kandel, the author, takes mystery seriously. However, what it seemed to me is that the humour sprinkled here and there throughout the book disrupted the eerie atmosphere the author was trying to create. Hitchcock was suspenseful and eerie, Kandel is not. Don't get me wrong, I liked the humour, but it killed the "eerie" aspect of the book promised to the reader. Judge it yourself. Here's one example of humorous description of a sale's assistant: "It was the largest Afro I'd ever seen, especially on someone white. It must've measured a foot in every direction. I wondered what happened when he tried to get into a car. He probably took the bus." Hilarious, right? The whole book is steeped in such a humorous take of Cece on the surroundings. So, if you want something really Hitchcock eerie style, I'd probably recommend the TV show "Bates Motel". "Dial H for Hitchcock" is a cozy read, mostly for women, because I don't believe men will be fascinated with all those "little-black-dress-except-it's-navy" descriptions of Cece's gowns.
I had a little confusion concerning the year when the story happens. When I started reading, I was almost sure those were sixties ish, but then the main heroine took out her cell phone. There were no indications in the text itself to mislead me, but things revolving around Hitchcock and this retro stuff Cece wears made me think it all was about sixties.
There was a funny inconsistence when Cece takes photos of her car with her cell phone after she gets rear-ended, but then she exchanges phone numbers with the man who hit her car written on some patches of paper as if forgetting that they have cell phones. Seriously, who writes their phone numbers on paper in the era of cell phones? It felt like the author got confused by her own wish to write about sixties and her need to write about modern times.
All in all, "Dial H for Hitchcock" is a nice and easy read which I'd recommend to those who are looking for a cozy detective story for a long travel, more likely women than men. Publishers Weekly call the main heroine "witty and perky female sleuth", which I absolutely agree with.
It is not the first book about Cece Caruso, so, if you are going to read this series, you should start from "I Dreamed I Married Perry Mason", although every book about this detective is a separate and independent story.
If you want to follow my reading challenge, follow my page on Goodreads. Will be happy to see you there!
Read
March 25, 2021I basically picked this one off the shelf at the library because the cover looked cool (they say you can't judge a book by its cover, but then who are 'they'). I only had a little over a week before I was due to leave for holiday and I didn't want to bugger off with a library book half read (I have a copy of Stephen King's "11:22:63" to read on the trip).
Anyway, this one was a decent enough mystery thing, but I think I'm the wrong audience for it. there was a lot of stuff about fashion and what the main heroine was wearing and what everyone else was wearing too which didn't really interest me.
As a Hitchcock fan though, those references were fun.
Anyway, this one was a decent enough mystery thing, but I think I'm the wrong audience for it. there was a lot of stuff about fashion and what the main heroine was wearing and what everyone else was wearing too which didn't really interest me.
As a Hitchcock fan though, those references were fun.
June 1, 2019
Cece writes biographies, and next up is Alfred Hitchcock. Kendal has written a book worthy of that devious prankster, with Cece running for her life after witnessing a murder. And there's no Gambino on whom to call, as Cece has broken their engagement.
This book was published in 2009 and seems to be the last in this series. A shame, but plan to try Kendal's Dream A Little series.
This book was published in 2009 and seems to be the last in this series. A shame, but plan to try Kendal's Dream A Little series.
October 18, 2020
I think I said the last one was the best, but Dial H tops all of the Cece Caruso mysteries by far. In true Hitchcock fashion, I thought I was just a little ahead of Cece in getting to the truth. But with red herrings and MacGuffins and that final twist to the twist — I was never closer than 2 steps behind.
I’ll miss Cece and her friends, but I’m glad the series stops here, at the top.
I’ll miss Cece and her friends, but I’m glad the series stops here, at the top.
October 11, 2024
So far, this is the last of the Cece Caruso mysteries. Plenty of information about Hitchcock, his movies, and his actors are scattered throughout the book, as per Kandel's previous books. Plenty of description of Cece's beautiful retro wardrobe, also per usual. But, this story take a different route as Cece is on the run, fleeing from a possible murderer. The final twist is delicious.
January 19, 2018
This book started strong and fizzled. About mid way it stopped making sense at all. Why didn't Cecelia simply go to the police with the cell phone threat proof? And why did she run away to begin with? The world will never know.
November 8, 2025
Meh. The book has a great idea and premise. But why do these authors write like they have ADHD brains? The writing style had too much chaos for me to stay on track of what the hell was going on. Then the reveal? Lack luster.
December 21, 2018
Clever homage to Hitchcock; not as many great vintage clothes as usual.
May 12, 2019
I just read this for my Mystery Book Club. It started out amusing--all kinds of Hitchcock parallels--but by the end I was ready for my next book.
August 10, 2019
What a great story. So many twists and turns. Lots of humor as well
November 1, 2019
Entertaining
I could not stop reading once I began this funny yet thrilling masterpiece of fun and frantic wonder. This would make a great Netflix movie
I could not stop reading once I began this funny yet thrilling masterpiece of fun and frantic wonder. This would make a great Netflix movie
July 29, 2023
Enjoyable enough until the ridiculous ending. I did like some of the tidbits about Hitchcock and old Hollywood.
November 4, 2013
In my review of The Recipe Club posted here on Blogcritics a couple of days ago, I mentioned how, tired of the fluff and air-headedness of some books aimed at women out there, I have been looking for chick lit with substance. Well, my hunt has led me to Dial H for Hitchcock by Susan Kandel
I have to admit that, after reading the first few pages, I seriously doubted my ability to pick out good books from a pile. I believe that at that point, my reaction to the story was something along this line: WHAT IN TARNATION IS GOING ON?
Actually, to be honest, that’s kind of the general feeling you and the story’s main character, Cece Caruso, are going to share throughout most of the story, making it all the more fun to read. You don’t quite know what is going on most of the time, and neither does she.
Cece is an author currently working on an Alfred Hitchcock biography. She just canceled her wedding to Gambino and has come back from her honeymoon which she decided to go on alone. She has a new neighbor who is a little odd (to say the least) and, for a woman who already feels like the world’s axis has dipped a couple of degrees, the weird occurrences happening after she witnessed a murder are enough to drive her over the edge. Now while she doesn’t quite go over the edge, she does careen very close to it a couple of times, enough for the poor reader to freak out just a tiny little bit.
What? I like Cece. I didn’t want her to fall apart!
Admittedly, Dial H for Hitchcock is a little hard to read. On the one hand, you really do feel a little lost at times, having no clue (just like Cece) as to what is going on. On the other hand, we have the slight obstacle of Cece herself. The book is written from her point of view, and thus reflects her sometimes erratic modes of thinking. So, in short, don’t start reading Dial H for Hitchcock trying to figure out what is going on. You will only give yourself a headache and consequently not enjoy the often hilarious and sometimes ridiculous adventure our fearless Cece gets herself involved in. Just read, enjoy the ride and at the end, in true Hitchcock style, all will be revealed.
Speaking of which, Dial H for Hitchcock is full of Hitchcock trivia. While it might ruin some of the movies for those of you who have yet to see them (what are you waiting for???), the numerous Hitchcock references are still a lot of fun; some are less obvious than others, but don’t worry, by the end of the book most are explained. Kudos to you if you figured all of them out – there are a couple I really didn’t figure out until it was pointed out to me, at which point I blushed. Embarrassment is a great way to stay warm, though.
The language used in this book is quite simple, and the writing is elegant yet approachable – despite Cece’s often rambling thoughts. It makes for a great sitting-in-a-bus-and-stuck-in-traffic read. Writing in the first person, especially when that person is so all over the place, is a minefield for authors, but Susan Kandel handles it like a pro. While at times I did get a little annoyed at Cece and wished for her to just get a grip, I didn’t stop reading and almost missed my stop (warning to those of you planning on reading this during your commute). Definitely a page turner with a surprise ending that can seem a little anti-climatic but makes perfect sense once you rifle through the book once again and pick up the hints that were there all along.
I wondered if some of the frustration I felt was because I didn’t know Cece. After all, this isn’t the book that introduced the world to Cece Caruso. Perhaps had I read Susan Kandel’s previous books when, before her broken engagement, Cece has been a little less erratic, I would have grasped her character a little more and hence would have had a less difficult time following her train of thought. However, I do not regret reading this book, and if you are traveling this season, you might want to pick it up; the meandering Cece just might keep your thoughts off the interminable and inevitable holiday traveling delays.
(First published on Blogcritics and on http://saharsreviews.wordpress.com)
I have to admit that, after reading the first few pages, I seriously doubted my ability to pick out good books from a pile. I believe that at that point, my reaction to the story was something along this line: WHAT IN TARNATION IS GOING ON?
Actually, to be honest, that’s kind of the general feeling you and the story’s main character, Cece Caruso, are going to share throughout most of the story, making it all the more fun to read. You don’t quite know what is going on most of the time, and neither does she.
Cece is an author currently working on an Alfred Hitchcock biography. She just canceled her wedding to Gambino and has come back from her honeymoon which she decided to go on alone. She has a new neighbor who is a little odd (to say the least) and, for a woman who already feels like the world’s axis has dipped a couple of degrees, the weird occurrences happening after she witnessed a murder are enough to drive her over the edge. Now while she doesn’t quite go over the edge, she does careen very close to it a couple of times, enough for the poor reader to freak out just a tiny little bit.
What? I like Cece. I didn’t want her to fall apart!
Admittedly, Dial H for Hitchcock is a little hard to read. On the one hand, you really do feel a little lost at times, having no clue (just like Cece) as to what is going on. On the other hand, we have the slight obstacle of Cece herself. The book is written from her point of view, and thus reflects her sometimes erratic modes of thinking. So, in short, don’t start reading Dial H for Hitchcock trying to figure out what is going on. You will only give yourself a headache and consequently not enjoy the often hilarious and sometimes ridiculous adventure our fearless Cece gets herself involved in. Just read, enjoy the ride and at the end, in true Hitchcock style, all will be revealed.
Speaking of which, Dial H for Hitchcock is full of Hitchcock trivia. While it might ruin some of the movies for those of you who have yet to see them (what are you waiting for???), the numerous Hitchcock references are still a lot of fun; some are less obvious than others, but don’t worry, by the end of the book most are explained. Kudos to you if you figured all of them out – there are a couple I really didn’t figure out until it was pointed out to me, at which point I blushed. Embarrassment is a great way to stay warm, though.
The language used in this book is quite simple, and the writing is elegant yet approachable – despite Cece’s often rambling thoughts. It makes for a great sitting-in-a-bus-and-stuck-in-traffic read. Writing in the first person, especially when that person is so all over the place, is a minefield for authors, but Susan Kandel handles it like a pro. While at times I did get a little annoyed at Cece and wished for her to just get a grip, I didn’t stop reading and almost missed my stop (warning to those of you planning on reading this during your commute). Definitely a page turner with a surprise ending that can seem a little anti-climatic but makes perfect sense once you rifle through the book once again and pick up the hints that were there all along.
I wondered if some of the frustration I felt was because I didn’t know Cece. After all, this isn’t the book that introduced the world to Cece Caruso. Perhaps had I read Susan Kandel’s previous books when, before her broken engagement, Cece has been a little less erratic, I would have grasped her character a little more and hence would have had a less difficult time following her train of thought. However, I do not regret reading this book, and if you are traveling this season, you might want to pick it up; the meandering Cece just might keep your thoughts off the interminable and inevitable holiday traveling delays.
(First published on Blogcritics and on http://saharsreviews.wordpress.com)
December 15, 2013
Review Tally - based out of 5
OVERALL: 3 STARS
Story/Plot: 3 - I'm gonna go 50/50 on this one. I have to be honest with you, I highly enjoyed the other books in this series. I love mysteries you see. Now for the truth, I don't care for Alfred Hitchcock. I am sure some of ya'll read that and said "What?! This girl has no taste. I am not going to waste my time reading her thoughts anymore."
If you said that, that is ok. After all, this is my personal opinion on the book. On the other hand though I don't want you to skip over this book because I said that. Even though I might not appreciate Alfred Hitchcock, I know there are a great many people who do and even more so who enjoy his movies and serials. This story had a true Hitchcockian feel to it, so for fans, I do recommend you pick this novel up and give it a shot. It was just that I personally couldn't get into it as much as I did the others in this series.
Re-read Value: 0 - Sorry, not going to re-read it.
Continue Series: 3 - I am going to put 50/50. When I finished the book I was greatly disappointed and I vowed to stop reading this series if and when the author does another in the series. But, over the last few days, I have had time to reflect and I remembered the Erle Stanley Gardner one which I highly enjoyed, the same with the Nancy Drew, Dashiell Hammett and Agatha Christie ones. So, I decided if she wrote another in this series and it featured an author I enjoy reading I just might pick it up.
Characters: 3 - This is low I know, but I was disappointed in CeCe to begin with. And concerning the other characters in the story I just wasn't as enthusiastic about them as I was with previous characters. Sorry.
Cover: 5 - Yep, you read right. This cover conveys a true Hitchcockian vibe.
Genre Fulfillment: 4 - Eh. As I mentioned up above it did indeed feel like a Hitchcockian movie. I was disappointed with the overall mystery and would give that a 3, but here I will admit it wasn't a horrible story if you like Hitchcock. Also, for true fans of Hitchcock, you will highly enjoy reading the numerous facts that are dropped about the renowned director/producer. Plus, if you've seen his movies a great number of times like CeCe, you'll probably recognize the dropped quotes.
Personal Involvement: 2 - I know, I know. That's a little high considered my other comments. But I am including in that the story lines from the other books and my sad wish that maybe in the future if this series continues I won't be as disappointed.
OVERALL: 3 STARS
Story/Plot: 3 - I'm gonna go 50/50 on this one. I have to be honest with you, I highly enjoyed the other books in this series. I love mysteries you see. Now for the truth, I don't care for Alfred Hitchcock. I am sure some of ya'll read that and said "What?! This girl has no taste. I am not going to waste my time reading her thoughts anymore."
If you said that, that is ok. After all, this is my personal opinion on the book. On the other hand though I don't want you to skip over this book because I said that. Even though I might not appreciate Alfred Hitchcock, I know there are a great many people who do and even more so who enjoy his movies and serials. This story had a true Hitchcockian feel to it, so for fans, I do recommend you pick this novel up and give it a shot. It was just that I personally couldn't get into it as much as I did the others in this series.
Re-read Value: 0 - Sorry, not going to re-read it.
Continue Series: 3 - I am going to put 50/50. When I finished the book I was greatly disappointed and I vowed to stop reading this series if and when the author does another in the series. But, over the last few days, I have had time to reflect and I remembered the Erle Stanley Gardner one which I highly enjoyed, the same with the Nancy Drew, Dashiell Hammett and Agatha Christie ones. So, I decided if she wrote another in this series and it featured an author I enjoy reading I just might pick it up.
Characters: 3 - This is low I know, but I was disappointed in CeCe to begin with. And concerning the other characters in the story I just wasn't as enthusiastic about them as I was with previous characters. Sorry.
Cover: 5 - Yep, you read right. This cover conveys a true Hitchcockian vibe.
Genre Fulfillment: 4 - Eh. As I mentioned up above it did indeed feel like a Hitchcockian movie. I was disappointed with the overall mystery and would give that a 3, but here I will admit it wasn't a horrible story if you like Hitchcock. Also, for true fans of Hitchcock, you will highly enjoy reading the numerous facts that are dropped about the renowned director/producer. Plus, if you've seen his movies a great number of times like CeCe, you'll probably recognize the dropped quotes.
Personal Involvement: 2 - I know, I know. That's a little high considered my other comments. But I am including in that the story lines from the other books and my sad wish that maybe in the future if this series continues I won't be as disappointed.
May 21, 2013
I originally read this book when it came out and gave it 4 stars. Having reread it, I'm ammending the review to 5 stars and adding a review.
I've been a CeCe Caruso fan since the beginning, (I Dreamed I Married Perry Mason), my favorite of the series being Not a Girl Detective. Since discovering the series, I've become a huge fan of Hitchcock movies, and I've moved to Los Angeles. Both of these facts impacted my review!
I read this in under 24 hours. It's a fast read that includes the expected-of-the-mystery-genre twists and turns. It also includes plenty of references to Hitchcock movies. Having watched most of the director's movies more than once (and the accompanying documentaries too), I enjoyed reliving famous scenes through CeCe Caruso's eyes. Full disclosure: I'm also a fan of fashion, both current and vintage, and the descriptions of the clothes were great (and envy-triggering).
So, if you don't like mysteries, clothes, or Hitchcock, you might not like this. Living in LA added a bonus since that's the series' setting, but I don't think it would make or break the reading experience.
I've been a CeCe Caruso fan since the beginning, (I Dreamed I Married Perry Mason), my favorite of the series being Not a Girl Detective. Since discovering the series, I've become a huge fan of Hitchcock movies, and I've moved to Los Angeles. Both of these facts impacted my review!
I read this in under 24 hours. It's a fast read that includes the expected-of-the-mystery-genre twists and turns. It also includes plenty of references to Hitchcock movies. Having watched most of the director's movies more than once (and the accompanying documentaries too), I enjoyed reliving famous scenes through CeCe Caruso's eyes. Full disclosure: I'm also a fan of fashion, both current and vintage, and the descriptions of the clothes were great (and envy-triggering).
So, if you don't like mysteries, clothes, or Hitchcock, you might not like this. Living in LA added a bonus since that's the series' setting, but I don't think it would make or break the reading experience.
September 8, 2012
CeCe is a mystery biographer and vintage clothing enthusiast. After calling off her wedding, she opts to keep the honeymoon plans and go alone. Her goal is to complete a biography of film director Alfred Hitchcock. One night she goes to the Orpheum theater to watch Hitchcock's classic film Vertigo. Returning home from the theater she discovers that somehow she has two cell phones in her possession, one belonging to a stranger. In her endeavor to be a good citizen she sets out to return the phone, finding that it belongs to a woman named Anita Colby. When she is able to track down Anita's whereabouts, she unwittingly witnesses a man push a woman off a cliff. As CeCe proceeds to call 911, she receives a call on her phone instructing her to lie to the police telling them instead that she witnessed an accident. Before she leaves the crime scene, CeCe discovers an ID belonging to Anita Colby and concludes that it was Anita she saw fall to her death. When the police show up, Cece is placed under suspicion. Although CeCe has many policemen in her family, she decides not tell them all that she knows and begins investigating the crime herself...
An entertaining, fun book. Alfred Hitchcock fans will enjoy Kandel's Cece Caruso mystery as CeCe's life takes a Hitchcockian turn after witnessing murder.
An entertaining, fun book. Alfred Hitchcock fans will enjoy Kandel's Cece Caruso mystery as CeCe's life takes a Hitchcockian turn after witnessing murder.
November 12, 2010
I picked this up based on the cover. I didn't realize it was a series. It was one of my better experiences of random picks.
I found the writing to nicely paced and fun. There were several times when I found myself smirking at the heroine's dialogue. It has a relaxed feel to it despite being a mystery. The heroine, for the most part, is pretty cool and collected and that transfers really well in the tone of the story (which is a good thing since it's written in first person).
The only thing I found very strange about it was some of the choices the lead character made. I didn't understand why she'd choose them when it would only dig her into a deeper hole and it frustrated me. But I'm wondering if part of this isn't due to having jumped into the middle of a series. Perhaps I wouldn't react that way if I were to grow with the character reading the series chronologically.
The mystery itself was well developed. I felt it went a little off-track at a few points but was brought back together okay. The twist at the end truly surprised me so that was nice. After reading the twist however, I was rather disappointed that it wasn't more original.
All in all, it was an enjoyable, laid-back read and I don't regret at all, picking it based on the cover.
I found the writing to nicely paced and fun. There were several times when I found myself smirking at the heroine's dialogue. It has a relaxed feel to it despite being a mystery. The heroine, for the most part, is pretty cool and collected and that transfers really well in the tone of the story (which is a good thing since it's written in first person).
The only thing I found very strange about it was some of the choices the lead character made. I didn't understand why she'd choose them when it would only dig her into a deeper hole and it frustrated me. But I'm wondering if part of this isn't due to having jumped into the middle of a series. Perhaps I wouldn't react that way if I were to grow with the character reading the series chronologically.
The mystery itself was well developed. I felt it went a little off-track at a few points but was brought back together okay. The twist at the end truly surprised me so that was nice. After reading the twist however, I was rather disappointed that it wasn't more original.
All in all, it was an enjoyable, laid-back read and I don't regret at all, picking it based on the cover.
February 5, 2011
Great book! Read it. Lots of fun details about Alfred Hitchcock and written à la Hitch. The protagonist is a mystery auteur biographer named Cece Caruso. Every biography she researches involves an intricate mystery of its own and is written in the style of the auteur. Fun trivia and great back story behind the movie industry and mystery fiction. Susan Kandel is such a clever author. So far, she's written in the style of: Agatha Christie, Erle Stanley Gardner (Perry Mason), Dashiell Hammett (Sam Spade), and Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew). Her first in this series was "I Dreamed I Married Perry Mason" and was nominated for an Agatha Award for best first novel, deservedly. I was happy to learn her next book was to be on Hitch—I love watching and re-watching his movies. This was like having a new Hitch movie to go "see" in my mind's eye; I enjoyed it thoroughly and I hope you do too.
June 8, 2013
Great book! Read it. Lots of fun details about Alfred Hitchcock and written à la Hitch. The protagonist is a mystery auteur biographer named Cece Caruso. Every biography she researches involves an intricate mystery of its own and is written in the style of the auteur. Fun trivia and great back story behind the movie industry and mystery fiction. Susan Kandel is such a clever author. So far, she's written in the style of: Agatha Christie, Erle Stanley Gardner (Perry Mason), Dashiell Hammett (Sam Spade), and Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew). Her first in this series was "I Dreamed I Married Perry Mason" and was nominated for an Agatha Award for best first novel, deservedly. I was happy to learn her next book was to be on Hitch—I love watching and re-watching his movies. This was like having a new Hitch movie to go "see" in my mind's eye; I enjoyed it thoroughly and I hope you do too.
December 19, 2009
Although I have a low tolerance for fashionistas, even those who are lovers of vintage, I do have a soft spot for Cece Caruso, the biographer of the criminally inventive. Cece, who has broken up with the policeman-love of her life Gambino, is a little unstable at the moment. She finds, in succession, a hot pink cell phone, a dead body, and sure evidence that she herself is the culprit. Who could know her well enough and dislike her so much as to frame her for stalking and killing a perfect stranger? She goes on the run, through a series of noir experiences that really reminded me more of Orson Welles than Hitchcock, before spotting something that clues her in to the forces behind her flight.
January 25, 2010
My first Cece Caruso book, and I'm not sure starting in the middle of the series affected my understanding or expectations except for my reaction to the tone of the work. It starts off as a combination of chick-lit romance and growing suspense, and the combination isn't as winning as, say, the Aurora Teagarden books by Charlaine Harris. But the Hitchcock angle, particularly the focus on Vertigo intrigued enough to follow through, and the romance angle faded away quickly. The ending was simultaneously both inventive and a bit of a let-down, which was a weird emotional admixture. I admired the cleverness, but still felt cheated in a way. It didn't inspire me to try anything else in the series, certainly.
February 13, 2010
This is the latest of the Cece Caruso series set in California. This are whimsical mysteries that interweave fashion, fact, and legend. Prior stories have been done better than this latest venture which contains few facts. The story line is set to resemble a Hitchcock movie, where the viewer or victim, thinks a murder has been committed. Cece is that victim. Cece is at a low ebb due to the fact that she just pulled the runaway bride from Gambino. The story progresses with many of the props or scenes from various Hitchcock movies, but Cece is too scared to comprehend. The crooks are identity theft masters. This is a great way to spend a snowy day, a quick read with little work for those little gray cells.
February 28, 2010
Really only a 2.5 star. I enjoyed learning some interesting background on Hitchcock but the actual mystery aspect was a little hard to swallow. It irks me when amateur sleuths do such stupid things. I was also royally p***ed off that the whole thing was an elaborate punk for a TV reality show. Cece should have sued the pants off that producer and gotten a ton of cash to make up for the mental suffering and the loss of personal property. Some fun West Hollywood color. Not the best Cece adventure but still reasonably fun. Will still look forward to next book- wonder what author it will be?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2011
Someone will love this book. The protagonist is perky, the setting is Hollywood, the Hitchcock info amazing.
I am having trouble with the chapters beginning who knows where. We suddenly find the protagonist in a Doctors office, a psychiatrist, and she may need one, but after a bit of toing and frowing with the receptionist it turns out she is there to give a presentation.
If you can put up with the zigzags and constantly trying to figure out where you are, this is the book for you. It could be a fun read, but it wasn’t for me.
I am having trouble with the chapters beginning who knows where. We suddenly find the protagonist in a Doctors office, a psychiatrist, and she may need one, but after a bit of toing and frowing with the receptionist it turns out she is there to give a presentation.
If you can put up with the zigzags and constantly trying to figure out where you are, this is the book for you. It could be a fun read, but it wasn’t for me.
August 7, 2011
I started this series in the middle and read the last books before I found the earlier ones. Dial H for Hitchcock got a somewhat confusing with the mix of Hitchcock actors/actresses and the ever growing cast of characters in the book. Good twist to the end. Cece Caruso was a more sympathetic character in this book than in some of the earlier ones where I found her to be pretty self-centered. A few loose ends on Gambino appearances!
A review of the old Hitchcock movies is on the schedule for this winter.
A review of the old Hitchcock movies is on the schedule for this winter.
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