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Groucho Marx, Master Detective #1
Groucho Marx, Master Detective
In this inventive mystery set in Hollywood's golden era, Ron Goulart revives America's favorite cigar-wielding comic--Groucho Marx. Needing a project to occupy him between movie stints, Groucho agrees to act in a radio serial. But when a beautiful starlet is found dead before production even begins, Groucho is determined to find out who killed her.
262 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1998
18 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Ron Goulart
603 books98 followersPseudonyms: Howard Lee; Frank S Shawn; Kenneth Robeson; Con Steffanson; Josephine Kains; Joseph Silva; William Shatner.
Ron Goulart is a cultural historian and novelist. Besides writing extensively about pulp fiction—including the seminal Cheap Thrills: An Informal History of Pulp Magazines (1972)—Goulart has written for the pulps since 1952, when the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction published his first story, a sci-fi parody of letters to the editor. Since then he has written dozens of novels and countless short stories, spanning genres and using a variety of pennames, including Kenneth Robeson, Joseph Silva, and Con Steffanson. In the 1990s, he became the ghostwriter for William Shatner’s popular TekWar novels. Goulart’s After Things Fell Apart (1970) is the only science-fiction novel to ever win an Edgar Award.
In the 1970s Goulart wrote novels starring series characters like Flash Gordon and the Phantom, and in 1980 he published Hail Hibbler, a comic sci-fi novel that began the Odd Jobs, Inc. series. Goulart has also written several comic mystery series, including six books starring Groucho Marx. Having written for comic books, Goulart produced several histories of the art form, including the Comic Book Encyclopedia (2004).
Ron Goulart is a cultural historian and novelist. Besides writing extensively about pulp fiction—including the seminal Cheap Thrills: An Informal History of Pulp Magazines (1972)—Goulart has written for the pulps since 1952, when the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction published his first story, a sci-fi parody of letters to the editor. Since then he has written dozens of novels and countless short stories, spanning genres and using a variety of pennames, including Kenneth Robeson, Joseph Silva, and Con Steffanson. In the 1990s, he became the ghostwriter for William Shatner’s popular TekWar novels. Goulart’s After Things Fell Apart (1970) is the only science-fiction novel to ever win an Edgar Award.
In the 1970s Goulart wrote novels starring series characters like Flash Gordon and the Phantom, and in 1980 he published Hail Hibbler, a comic sci-fi novel that began the Odd Jobs, Inc. series. Goulart has also written several comic mystery series, including six books starring Groucho Marx. Having written for comic books, Goulart produced several histories of the art form, including the Comic Book Encyclopedia (2004).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 16, 2020
4 Stars
If you’ve never seen a Marx Brothers movie you won’t enjoy this book as much as I did, so if you have any plan to read it I’d suggest watching either Duck Soup (1933) or A Night at the Opera (1935) two of their best. If you love the Marxs then I’m sure you’ll enjoy this book.
Same gag different result
Still picking on the Ritz Brothers
The mystery isn’t really the point of this book, it’s the humor and that really delivers, it’s very easy to figure out early on who the killer was.
Cozies Reading Challenge
If you’ve never seen a Marx Brothers movie you won’t enjoy this book as much as I did, so if you have any plan to read it I’d suggest watching either Duck Soup (1933) or A Night at the Opera (1935) two of their best. If you love the Marxs then I’m sure you’ll enjoy this book.
“I know who you are,” he exclaimed, clasping his plump hands together and producing a chuckling sort of sound inside himself someplace.
Groucho rushed up to him, taking long bent-knee steps, and clutched the fat man’s upper left arm. “Then, praise the Lord, you’re the very person I’m seeking,” he confided. “I’ve been suffering from a nasty bout of amnesia for days now and, myself, have absolutely no idea who I am.”
Same gag different result
She gasped again. “You’re,” she began, pausing to inhale, “you’re one of the Marx Brothers, aren’t you?”
Groucho halted, scowled, removed the dead cigar from his lips and pointed at her with it. “No, my good woman, I’m actually all of the Ritz Brothers,” he replied. “And let me tell you, it’s a thankless task. Bad enough being Al and Jimmy, but being Harry as well takes all my spare time and you can’t imagine how far behind I’m getting with my quilting.”
Still picking on the Ritz Brothers
“Who tried to shoot you, Groucho?”
“We suspect sibling rivalry,” he said, his back against the door. “Right now the prime suspects are the Ritz Brothers, the Boswell Sisters and the Dionne Quintuplets.”
The mystery isn’t really the point of this book, it’s the humor and that really delivers, it’s very easy to figure out early on who the killer was.
Cozies Reading Challenge
April 30, 2018
Here's the ultimate wisecracking detective, and, yes, it's Groucho Marx, in person. If you're a fan of the Marx Brothers classics of the 1930s—Duck Soup, A Night at the Opera, Horsefeathers, Animal Crackers, and the others—you'll love this fast-paced romp through the dark side of Hollywood. In Groucho Marx Master Detective, prolific novelist and popular culture historian Ron Goulart shows off his ability to mimic the irrepressible jokester. The novel is the first of six in a series that Goulart wrote between 1998 and 2005 featuring Groucho in a role that would cause Philip Marlowe to blush.
Goulart writes dialogue that sounds uncannily like Groucho's glib patter. "Being dead will take your appetite right away," Groucho remarks. "Anybody who really wants to lose weight should seriously consider dropping dead. And perhaps that was your husband's motive, Mrs. Uppercase, because he does look a bit on the pudgy side. Or maybe it's just the suit. But then who'd want to buy a pudgy suit?"
Groucho Marx Master Detective is set in 1937 after the Marx Brothers' career in films had peaked. Groucho is in his late forties. The Dr. Watson to his Sherlock Holmes is young Frank Denby, a Hollywood screenwriter who is working with him on a new radio show named like the title of the novel. When a starlet dies at her home, allegedly a suicide, Groucho resolves to learn what really happened. The young woman had been one of Groucho's many extracurricular affairs, and he's certain she would not have killed herself. So is everyone else except the cops and the executives at the studio where she was angling for a major role in an upcoming movie. Groucho and Frank set out on a madcap investigation that causes them to be kidnapped, shot at, and clubbed on the head more than once. (Have you ever wondered how these fictional characters can repeatedly get knocked on the head without suffering a concussion?)
The novel's primary purpose is to showcase Groucho's dialogue—well, mainly monologues, if the truth be told—but the plot might have worked as well in a more serious mystery novel. The starlet's death and its coverup turn out to have been involved in a clusterf*** of lascivious studio executives, bent cops, and gentlemanly mobsters that yields up surprises to the end. The story is fun, but it's Groucho who, as always, steals the show. The book is at times very, very funny.
Goulart writes dialogue that sounds uncannily like Groucho's glib patter. "Being dead will take your appetite right away," Groucho remarks. "Anybody who really wants to lose weight should seriously consider dropping dead. And perhaps that was your husband's motive, Mrs. Uppercase, because he does look a bit on the pudgy side. Or maybe it's just the suit. But then who'd want to buy a pudgy suit?"
Groucho Marx Master Detective is set in 1937 after the Marx Brothers' career in films had peaked. Groucho is in his late forties. The Dr. Watson to his Sherlock Holmes is young Frank Denby, a Hollywood screenwriter who is working with him on a new radio show named like the title of the novel. When a starlet dies at her home, allegedly a suicide, Groucho resolves to learn what really happened. The young woman had been one of Groucho's many extracurricular affairs, and he's certain she would not have killed herself. So is everyone else except the cops and the executives at the studio where she was angling for a major role in an upcoming movie. Groucho and Frank set out on a madcap investigation that causes them to be kidnapped, shot at, and clubbed on the head more than once. (Have you ever wondered how these fictional characters can repeatedly get knocked on the head without suffering a concussion?)
The novel's primary purpose is to showcase Groucho's dialogue—well, mainly monologues, if the truth be told—but the plot might have worked as well in a more serious mystery novel. The starlet's death and its coverup turn out to have been involved in a clusterf*** of lascivious studio executives, bent cops, and gentlemanly mobsters that yields up surprises to the end. The story is fun, but it's Groucho who, as always, steals the show. The book is at times very, very funny.
March 10, 2022
I learned of Ron Goulart recently through the NY Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/28/bo...). He wrote 180 books! Yowzer! I love old-time movies including the Marx Brothers and thought this would be a fun read - which it was. It was quirky as I was expecting and would actually give it a 3. 5. From the Times' article, I understand that his "After Things Fell Apart" is one of his "best-known science fiction novels." I'll have to check that out sometime.
V
V
March 24, 2018
Eh, I wanted this book to be so much better than it was. The Marx humor felt tired, and so did the threats from the police and the attempted hits on our detective duo, and the warnings that “it’s too dangerous!” Pacing felt slow, plot was predictable, characters were typecast. All that said, this book could have still been so much more fun but instead it felt forced and tedious.
December 10, 2020
I should have realized that a book with Groucho would be inane but that wasn't uppermost in my mind. It should have been. The dialogue was too disjointed and off point to allow me to follow the story. Got 60 pages in and gave up. For a true Marx Brothers fan this would be worth it, but I am not into that kind of humor. Just not my thing.
December 16, 2019
A perfectly fine murder mystery wrapped in humor and banter, written by someone who knows crime fiction and can write a very good Groucho.
February 25, 2023
Way better than I ve expected. Especially all the Groucho scenes are a delight
February 14, 2020
I grew up on Marx Brother movies, which is evidently a rarity these days. My folks loved the old slapstick comedies, and I have fond memories of Dad driving us into the city for a double feature of Duck Soup and Cocoanuts, at a revival house on the Upper West Side, not to mention staying up way too late on school nights to catch A Night at the Opera, Animal Crackers, Horse Feathers…and thus a night owl/movie buff was born.
I also became a mystery fan (hard-boiled, comic, classic, etc.), so I laughed when I heard of this; a comic novel featuring Groucho as a detective? It’s so perfect for me it’s almost not credible.
Sadly, the execution isn’t quite up to full Marx Brothers’ standards—well, maybe very late Marx Brothers’ standards. The plot isn’t much, and the narrator is too bland (there’s an easy Zeppo joke here, but I’m trying to refrain). On the other hand, the barrage of Groucho bits and one-liners is spot on, and there’s a lot to be said for that.
I also became a mystery fan (hard-boiled, comic, classic, etc.), so I laughed when I heard of this; a comic novel featuring Groucho as a detective? It’s so perfect for me it’s almost not credible.
Sadly, the execution isn’t quite up to full Marx Brothers’ standards—well, maybe very late Marx Brothers’ standards. The plot isn’t much, and the narrator is too bland (there’s an easy Zeppo joke here, but I’m trying to refrain). On the other hand, the barrage of Groucho bits and one-liners is spot on, and there’s a lot to be said for that.
June 6, 2009
I've loved the Marx Brothers since I was a child so when I saw this book being offered many years ago, I snapped it up! But the same enthusiasm that made me pick it up also made me cautious as to there being any possibility of it's being good, so it sat on my bookshelf all these years. But I'm happy to say that I finally pulled it down, dusted it off and I'm glad I did! It's a wonderful book. Oh sure, it's light reading, which would normally engender no more than three stars from me, but at the same time Groucho is so well written, I can believe that he's really in the book. This book is FUN! I'll be searching for the rest when I visit the used book stores.
As for Ron Goulart, it occurs to me that he has yet to let me down! Whether it be non-fiction (his books on comic books are some of my "bibles" when doing comic research) or fiction, he writes extremely well. I must search out more of his fiction.
As for Ron Goulart, it occurs to me that he has yet to let me down! Whether it be non-fiction (his books on comic books are some of my "bibles" when doing comic research) or fiction, he writes extremely well. I must search out more of his fiction.
February 22, 2015
A good old fashioned Hollywood movie classic type mystery. Very clever use of Groucho Marx and other real people and places. Author did great job of capturing Marx brother zaniness and humor. Had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions. Looking forward to next book in series.
Also, I really liked the type font used for this book. Very easy on the eyes! Rather surprising for book published in 1998.
Also, I really liked the type font used for this book. Very easy on the eyes! Rather surprising for book published in 1998.
February 6, 2022
3,5
Wenn nicht Ron Goulart, der Autor vor kurzem gestorben wäre, ich hätte das Buch nie gelesen. Aber da ich es mir in den Kopf gesetzt habe, eine Art Nachruf zu schreiben, habe ich es bestellt und habe mich auf die Lektüre sogar gefreut. Ich bin nicht enttäuscht worden, ich habe es an einem Tag gelesen, und es mir ziemlichen Spaß gemacht. Ich finde die Idee etwas "kinky", aber hat mir dem Pfund Groucho Marx wirklich gewuchert. Das macht den Krimi zu etwas Besonderem, und bringt natürlich eine komische Note hinein. Die Handlung hat etwas von einem Hard-Boiled Krimi, nur dass der Ermittler eben kein abgebrühter Ermittler ist, sondern ein leicht irrer Spaßvogel, aber doch ziemlich klever. Ihm assistiert der ehemalige Kriminalreporter Frank Denby, der wie Dr. Watson den Fall erzählt. Mit von der Partie ist auch die Freundin Denbys, die Comic-Zeichnerin.
Ron Goulart kennt man ihm deutschsprachigen Raum vor allem wegen seiner SF-Werke. Er kannte sich aber auch allgemein in den den Pulp-Genres aus. Darüber hat er sogar einige Bücher geschrieben. Und er ist ein versierter Krimi-Autor. Ich als Wenig-Krimileser habe mich vor allem an dem Setting, dem Hollywood der 30er Jahre ergötzt. Das hat Goulart sehr schön eingearbeitet. Die Filme mit den Marx-Brothers sind eine Bildungslücke, die ich so bald wie möglich schließen will. Goulart hat eine ganze Reihe von Krimis mit Groucho Marx geschrieben, aber nur dieser erste ist auch ins Deutsche übersetzt worden
Wenn nicht Ron Goulart, der Autor vor kurzem gestorben wäre, ich hätte das Buch nie gelesen. Aber da ich es mir in den Kopf gesetzt habe, eine Art Nachruf zu schreiben, habe ich es bestellt und habe mich auf die Lektüre sogar gefreut. Ich bin nicht enttäuscht worden, ich habe es an einem Tag gelesen, und es mir ziemlichen Spaß gemacht. Ich finde die Idee etwas "kinky", aber hat mir dem Pfund Groucho Marx wirklich gewuchert. Das macht den Krimi zu etwas Besonderem, und bringt natürlich eine komische Note hinein. Die Handlung hat etwas von einem Hard-Boiled Krimi, nur dass der Ermittler eben kein abgebrühter Ermittler ist, sondern ein leicht irrer Spaßvogel, aber doch ziemlich klever. Ihm assistiert der ehemalige Kriminalreporter Frank Denby, der wie Dr. Watson den Fall erzählt. Mit von der Partie ist auch die Freundin Denbys, die Comic-Zeichnerin.
Ron Goulart kennt man ihm deutschsprachigen Raum vor allem wegen seiner SF-Werke. Er kannte sich aber auch allgemein in den den Pulp-Genres aus. Darüber hat er sogar einige Bücher geschrieben. Und er ist ein versierter Krimi-Autor. Ich als Wenig-Krimileser habe mich vor allem an dem Setting, dem Hollywood der 30er Jahre ergötzt. Das hat Goulart sehr schön eingearbeitet. Die Filme mit den Marx-Brothers sind eine Bildungslücke, die ich so bald wie möglich schließen will. Goulart hat eine ganze Reihe von Krimis mit Groucho Marx geschrieben, aber nur dieser erste ist auch ins Deutsche übersetzt worden
March 9, 2024
Lots of fun! As others’ve mentioned, the Groucho monologues are the main appeal here, but the mystery is engaging if a little hard to keep track of amid everything else goïng on. I enjoyed the dramatic version of the “drawing room scene” at the end, altho I thought the villain(s) should’ve faced justice instead of beïng dispensed with.
This is definitely not a kids’ book, but my 10yo loves Groucho (we’ve seen the two ongoïng Frank Ferrante stage tributes in the past year, as well as having watched four original films), so I read this to him and thus his 6yo sister, with a lot of bowlderizing, but also letting a lot of the double entendres come across as single entendres. Even I only knew half the old Hollywood names mentioned, so I’m sure they were a little lost, but hey, I loved The Rocketeer when I was little even tho I didn’t know who Errol Flynn, W. C. Fields, or Howard Hughes were. So definitely don’t do the audiöbook with kids, but feel free to take my strategy.
So if you like Hollywood and esp. if you like Groucho, go for it. We’re definitely planning to read some of the others.
This is definitely not a kids’ book, but my 10yo loves Groucho (we’ve seen the two ongoïng Frank Ferrante stage tributes in the past year, as well as having watched four original films), so I read this to him and thus his 6yo sister, with a lot of bowlderizing, but also letting a lot of the double entendres come across as single entendres. Even I only knew half the old Hollywood names mentioned, so I’m sure they were a little lost, but hey, I loved The Rocketeer when I was little even tho I didn’t know who Errol Flynn, W. C. Fields, or Howard Hughes were. So definitely don’t do the audiöbook with kids, but feel free to take my strategy.
So if you like Hollywood and esp. if you like Groucho, go for it. We’re definitely planning to read some of the others.
June 2, 2021
Well, cards on the table. I mostly read this after finding out of it because A) I'm a Marx Bros fan, and B) I had recently found out Goulart ghosted William Shatner's TekWar novels, and was curious to see how they compared. Frankly, he seems more comfortable in 1930's LA then in the distant future, as a lot of the latter's plot devices and characters come right out of the world of the former, even when they don't necessarily translate well. There's also the occasional odd approach to time, with oddly long pauses and occasionally rather eccentric bits of dialog. Also, his characters tend to monologue rather a lot.
Overall, he does a decent Groucho (no easy task, mind you), and does a pretty good job painting pre-WWII Hollywood. The mystery itself is okay, though I say so as not a huge mystery fan outside of Sherlock Holmes. There were some loose ends left to flap in the breeze. I may pick up the others used or on sale.
Content warning: there is some language here used to refer to LGBT people which is ... well, it's consistent with the era, I'll put it that way. Still, they could have done without it.
Overall, he does a decent Groucho (no easy task, mind you), and does a pretty good job painting pre-WWII Hollywood. The mystery itself is okay, though I say so as not a huge mystery fan outside of Sherlock Holmes. There were some loose ends left to flap in the breeze. I may pick up the others used or on sale.
Content warning: there is some language here used to refer to LGBT people which is ... well, it's consistent with the era, I'll put it that way. Still, they could have done without it.
September 15, 2024
Grouch was an iconic comedian, movie star, and TV show host, but not a detective. This series puts Groucho together with a writer and they produce a radio show starring Groucho Marx as a detective. The idea is cute and there are some bright moments, but overall the book didn't impress me. In my opinion the reason why this scenario doesn't work is because the comedy is artificially pushed into the story. Goucho Marx, and his brothers, were brilliant comedians, but I think their greatness was in thier timing and improvisation. Watch some of the old "You bet your life" shows (Groucho's TV game show) and you can see how Marx can ad-lib at lightening speed. In this book the jokes are stale and over-done. The plot and the writing are good, so maybe its just me.
May 23, 2018
I'm not sure how to classify this book. It was somewhat of a mystery in the vein of the old American noir, but with more wise-cracking humor - a lot more. Or, maybe it's humor, using the mystery as a vehicle. Unfortunately, although I did find it to be an entertaining light read, to me the story wasn't as interesting as it could have been. The jokes were often funny, and I think it was a pretty good imitation of Groucho's style.
I may read more in the series, and perhaps I'll change my mind. The book was enjoyable, and it was a quick read.
I may read more in the series, and perhaps I'll change my mind. The book was enjoyable, and it was a quick read.
June 21, 2025
Another book that I wasn't sure about when I first started it. Once I settled into it, the characters and the storyline built, and I was pulled along to some nice twists and a satisfying conclusion. This turned out to be an enjoyable story, intriguing enough to look up the next book in the series. Good characters, snappy dialogue (as you would expect from Groucho Marx, but also from the other characters), and by the end, the storyline made sense, especially for the 1930s.
July 23, 2024
Für einen jahrzehntelangen Fan und Bewunderer der Gebrüder Marx ein wahres Vergnügen. Zwar im Prinzip nur ein höchst solider Krimi von echtem Pageturner Format, allerdings zusätzlich aufgeputscht durch einen Wortwitz, der in den meisten Momenten tatsächlich an Grouchos beste Momente erinnert. Ich vergebe: 4,5 von 5 angemalten Schnurrbärten.
August 19, 2021
Nothing against Groucho Marx as a sleuth but nothing for it either, it could be exchanged for any other name and read just as well. I love Ron Goulart's writing so it was a pleasing experience but I'm not addicted to the series to the point where I would read the whole lot back to back.
April 12, 2024
Hollywood, 1937. A beautiful young starlet is dead. The cops say suicide but her previous boyfriend Groucho Marx says it must be murder. Very cute easy to read mystery with lots of humor -- maybe a bit too much. 3 stars.
December 16, 2025
This is a humorous detective story. But the detective is Groucho Marx. Not the usual sort of thing I
read, but thought I'd give it a try. Not my cup of tea, really. Chaotic fun, it was obviously the authors
Tribute the witty Groucho Marx. Enough said.
read, but thought I'd give it a try. Not my cup of tea, really. Chaotic fun, it was obviously the authors
Tribute the witty Groucho Marx. Enough said.
August 21, 2017
Groucho Marx as a detective? Yes! This book is well written ,Ron Goulart has Groucho down perfectly ,its funny AND its actually a very good mystery.
April 2, 2018
Not a fan of this type of book. It was more about Groucho Marx being Groucho what would happen if he was around during a murder.
Want to read
October 29, 2018Synopsis: Groucho agrees to act in a radio serial. When a beautiful starlet is found dead, he is determined to find out who killed her.
January 31, 2019
A great Hollywood stew
Mix one part mystery, two parts old Hollywood movie making, to three parts groucho Marx's craziness until completely mashed up into one zany book.
Mix one part mystery, two parts old Hollywood movie making, to three parts groucho Marx's craziness until completely mashed up into one zany book.
June 16, 2020
Very disappointing. Pedestrian writing combined with homophobic comments the author puts in Groucho's mouth caused me to toss this book.
June 23, 2020
Pretty much everything I want from a Ron Goulart book, a light mystery, interesting characters and snappy banter. The vision of a slightly alternate timeline Hollywood seems spot on.
October 20, 2020
Not the outrageously funny book I was hoping for. It was an OK read.
June 24, 2022
A nice, quick, humorous mystery read. The ending was done well. Sit back and enjoy the nonsense and the solving of a Hollywood murder.
October 12, 2021
'Groucho Marx, Master Detective' is based on a masterful concept; making the famous Marx brother a detective in the Hollywood of the 1930s, interacting with various real and fictional characters of that time and place, interweaving throughout his famous witty one liners and non-sequitors. Yet there is something just not quite right with this book thanks to Goulart's execution of the story. The amazing premise has been a bit muddied, a tad spoiled.
The start of the book runs somewhat against the usual set up of a detective novel; the feisty gal who will become a central character in the story is introduced at the start and brought into a romantic entanglement with the narrator of the story (Groucho's fictional scriptwriter and colleague Frank Denby) almost straight away. That Groucho isn't the character who guides us through the mystery he and Frank tackle, nor that he is the one who falls for the femme not-so fatale Jane Danner, is opkay. However the opening is so untidy and jarring that it takes a bit of an effort to get past it and get into the real story.
Then, and this is again due to Goulart's somewhat hamfisted writing, almost all the novel is filled with aimless and redundant punning and silliness from his fictional Groucho. The first few japes are fine, and yes, Goulart can run a good line in faux Marx Brother silliness. To continue with it endlessly though becomes repetitive and boring. It might have been rewarding for Goulart to try and do more with a serious version of Groucho Marx. Instead of draping every speech from his hero with surreal witticisms he should have made Groucho less of a caricature and more of a multidimensional persona.
There is also a similarly excessive use of old Hollywood icons and (fake) history that ends up marring the story that Goulart has written. Yes, it is fun at the beginning and perhaps very much in tune with the setting to have Groucho, Frank and Jane meet the likes of Margaret Dumont, Paulette Goddard etc. Yet it seems as if every second chapter has the world of Hollywood celebrities interceding into the plot for no other reason than to show off Goulart's fascination with the stars and the era.
If one can wade through all this baggage and some of the excessive dialogue, underneath is a reasonably good murder mystery. Without giving away an spoilers, the mix of studio executives, gangsters and crooked cops is very 'right' for what Goulart is trying to do. Also, the novel is not overlong; one can read this book in a relatively short time. And, even though it's not as great as it should be, 'Groucho Marx, Master Detective' offers the hint of more (and hopefully better) stories to come.
This is not the best detective novel I have read, nor is it the worst. Hopefully in future stories Goulart will spend less energy making his Groucho a wise-cracking focus for an aggregation of old Hollywood celebrity spotting, and put more effort into his dialogue and the supporting characters.
The start of the book runs somewhat against the usual set up of a detective novel; the feisty gal who will become a central character in the story is introduced at the start and brought into a romantic entanglement with the narrator of the story (Groucho's fictional scriptwriter and colleague Frank Denby) almost straight away. That Groucho isn't the character who guides us through the mystery he and Frank tackle, nor that he is the one who falls for the femme not-so fatale Jane Danner, is opkay. However the opening is so untidy and jarring that it takes a bit of an effort to get past it and get into the real story.
Then, and this is again due to Goulart's somewhat hamfisted writing, almost all the novel is filled with aimless and redundant punning and silliness from his fictional Groucho. The first few japes are fine, and yes, Goulart can run a good line in faux Marx Brother silliness. To continue with it endlessly though becomes repetitive and boring. It might have been rewarding for Goulart to try and do more with a serious version of Groucho Marx. Instead of draping every speech from his hero with surreal witticisms he should have made Groucho less of a caricature and more of a multidimensional persona.
There is also a similarly excessive use of old Hollywood icons and (fake) history that ends up marring the story that Goulart has written. Yes, it is fun at the beginning and perhaps very much in tune with the setting to have Groucho, Frank and Jane meet the likes of Margaret Dumont, Paulette Goddard etc. Yet it seems as if every second chapter has the world of Hollywood celebrities interceding into the plot for no other reason than to show off Goulart's fascination with the stars and the era.
If one can wade through all this baggage and some of the excessive dialogue, underneath is a reasonably good murder mystery. Without giving away an spoilers, the mix of studio executives, gangsters and crooked cops is very 'right' for what Goulart is trying to do. Also, the novel is not overlong; one can read this book in a relatively short time. And, even though it's not as great as it should be, 'Groucho Marx, Master Detective' offers the hint of more (and hopefully better) stories to come.
This is not the best detective novel I have read, nor is it the worst. Hopefully in future stories Goulart will spend less energy making his Groucho a wise-cracking focus for an aggregation of old Hollywood celebrity spotting, and put more effort into his dialogue and the supporting characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews