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All The Talk Is Dead
From Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2013 “The book’s filled with laugh-out-loud lines and dialogue. The author having a Charles Portis-like gift for writing” (Kirkus Reviews). Hotel concierge, Joel Wilson, has recently befriended the lobby pianist, Wade Farley and his path will soon change in ways he could never have imagined. Both have talent, ambition and big plans for other careers; Joel to be a film director and Wade to make it as a musician. But they'll need to go to great lengths to cut through the competition. Their scheme to hit the big time takes them to New York and kick-starts a dangerous game. Underestimating music mogul Lance Martin makes it a deadly one. He's the reason one hit wonders vanish from the face of the earth.
234 pages, Paperback
First published October 14, 2009
57 people are currently reading
10990 people want to read
About the author
Michael Ebner
3 books517 followersMichael Ebner has been named a Kirkus Reviews 'Best Books of the Year' author and some of his books are currently in Hollywood film development. His new book is the crime thriller The New Bad Thing by Pen and Picture.
https://www.penandpicturepublishing.com
His next book will be Blood Fire (The New Bad Thing 2) coming in 2025.
https://www.penandpicturepublishing.com
His next book will be Blood Fire (The New Bad Thing 2) coming in 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 4, 2020
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
DNF
I just couldn't finish this. When I first read this book I'd given it a 3-star rating. That seems to me now an incomprehensible action. The idea was hella interesting. But I just could not stand the writing. It felt like it was trying so hard to be poetic that it became extremely convoluted and pretentious instead. The sad thing is that even though I really want to find out what happens I just can't bring myself to go through these pages for that purpose. On the whole, there was a lot of potential but my jaunt into this book ended with disappointment.
DNF
I just couldn't finish this. When I first read this book I'd given it a 3-star rating. That seems to me now an incomprehensible action. The idea was hella interesting. But I just could not stand the writing. It felt like it was trying so hard to be poetic that it became extremely convoluted and pretentious instead. The sad thing is that even though I really want to find out what happens I just can't bring myself to go through these pages for that purpose. On the whole, there was a lot of potential but my jaunt into this book ended with disappointment.
January 3, 2014
I liked this novel a lot, though I had a problem following it sometimes (which might have been my fault). Joel Wilson is an aspiring film maker and song-writer. His "best friend" Wade Farley, a hotel lobby pianist, is a douchebag. In fact, one of the great douchbags of modern American fiction. In order to push his (non-existent) career to the top , Joel decides to kill himself off in an "accident"; then Wade will run with it, sell Joel's music, they'll both make a lot of money (as a died-too-young singer-sopgwriter) and his mourning yet entrepreneurial best friend., So far so good, but Wade runs too far with it and forgets that Joel is still alive--holing up in Montreal waiting for Wade to steer his ship in. Only things don'to work out that way.Wade becomes famous and Joel is stranded. There's a lot more to it than that, of course.
The dialogue s real snappy. I kept thinking that if this were a movie we'd have a buddy screwball dark comedy. Michael Ebner, who's written for Spin and other music magazines, knows his business and gives us a grand send up of its skanks and whores and crooks. (I had a marginal experience in the "music business" myself years ago, and boy-on boy!)
The dialogue s real snappy. I kept thinking that if this were a movie we'd have a buddy screwball dark comedy. Michael Ebner, who's written for Spin and other music magazines, knows his business and gives us a grand send up of its skanks and whores and crooks. (I had a marginal experience in the "music business" myself years ago, and boy-on boy!)
January 24, 2024
I won this book from Goodreads and really enjoyed the story. I like how the author introduced the main characters Joel Wilson & Wade Farley. They had big dreams while working a hotel doing menial jobs. Joel a baggage handler & Wade an entertainer. They share a common dream to make it big in the music industry with their music. The antics and schemes these two do to become successful at a price. The ending was unexpected and dramatic.
September 19, 2013
This was a really good book. You never really learn too much about the main characters, it's almost like you are a fly on the wall... coming into the middle of a conversation. Wade and Joel decide to fake his death ... hungry for fame and fortune they develop a plan. From Australia to snowy Canada to New York city this was a great book, with twists and turns and just fun to read.
I am so happy I won this on Goodreads! If this is his first book, I am suprised, it is so good!
I am so happy I won this on Goodreads! If this is his first book, I am suprised, it is so good!
June 28, 2015
I won a copy of this book on Goodreads First-Reads.
This was a very good book, the story was interesting and never boring.
The last part was really unexpected, but I loved it.
This was a very good book, the story was interesting and never boring.
The last part was really unexpected, but I loved it.
October 16, 2020
This book was difficult to follow. However, the writer is extremely witty and funny, so at those times, the book was worth the read.
August 1, 2020
Very interesting read
Reading the reviews before I started the book, I thought I was going to be lucky to finish it, but I was very pleasantly surprised at how well written and how interesting the entire story was. The writing style is different than I’m used to, but I enjoyed the way it was written and hope to find more by this author.
Reading the reviews before I started the book, I thought I was going to be lucky to finish it, but I was very pleasantly surprised at how well written and how interesting the entire story was. The writing style is different than I’m used to, but I enjoyed the way it was written and hope to find more by this author.
June 25, 2015
Two casual acquaintances who meet in a hotel they work at in Sydney, one is a bellhop who absolutely hates his job and has aspirations of becoming a screenplay writer. The other is a piano player who is pretty good but can't really go anywhere because he can't seem to write original songs. Joel, the bell hop can write great songs and Wade, the piano player can set them to music. So they they make a demo and try to sell themselves around Australia. After they have exhausted every lead they come by in Australia and they come decide it's time to take themselves and their demo to New York. Wade is convinced that he has made some connections there.
They suffer the same humiliation there so they dream up a kooky scheme that just might work, but it worked out to well for them. Joel takes off to Canada while Wade stays in New York to sell a best of album. I loved this author's dry wit, he had me laughing out loud several times. Anyway, nothing works as it was planned. While Joel is waiting for a weekly update on the progress of this best of album from Wade with never comes. He experiences his own set of problems that get in his way of receiving this non-existent phone call from Wade that will never happen. Wade gets a bit self absorbed and greedy. Finally Joel gives up and goes on with his life in Canada, until he hears his song being sang on the radio. Then it's pretty obvious that Joel is getting messed around and even worst he sees what a big star Wade has made out of himself when he sees him get absolutely humiliated on a popular variety show. After that night things go from bad to worse. Joel understands know why he hasn't heard from that self-absorbed jerk, Wade. He's kept all the money he was supposed to split with Joel.
The books was very well written and kept me on my toes, it gets a little tricky at the end but it all falls into place. Joel is a very likeable character, as well as Wade with his narcissistic personality that keeps him in trouble. I found this book to have a wicked sense of humor and the pieces fell together nicely. It was a fun read.
They suffer the same humiliation there so they dream up a kooky scheme that just might work, but it worked out to well for them. Joel takes off to Canada while Wade stays in New York to sell a best of album. I loved this author's dry wit, he had me laughing out loud several times. Anyway, nothing works as it was planned. While Joel is waiting for a weekly update on the progress of this best of album from Wade with never comes. He experiences his own set of problems that get in his way of receiving this non-existent phone call from Wade that will never happen. Wade gets a bit self absorbed and greedy. Finally Joel gives up and goes on with his life in Canada, until he hears his song being sang on the radio. Then it's pretty obvious that Joel is getting messed around and even worst he sees what a big star Wade has made out of himself when he sees him get absolutely humiliated on a popular variety show. After that night things go from bad to worse. Joel understands know why he hasn't heard from that self-absorbed jerk, Wade. He's kept all the money he was supposed to split with Joel.
The books was very well written and kept me on my toes, it gets a little tricky at the end but it all falls into place. Joel is a very likeable character, as well as Wade with his narcissistic personality that keeps him in trouble. I found this book to have a wicked sense of humor and the pieces fell together nicely. It was a fun read.
December 10, 2013
Pretty crazy and very funny. I read this on my flight from LA to London after a buddy recommended it. If you need to know everything about everyone in your story then this is not for you. It is a bit out there, so my kind of book. It was entertaining and well written and I enjoyed the journey of the two main characters Joel and Wade. It's like this international slacker story gone mad and quite imaginative in many areas like the riot tv show harry Dime and the left field crew hired by the record company to hunt the poor bastards down.
February 1, 2014
I gave up on this one simply because I got distracted by other books. You know how it is... sometimes you put a book down and come back to it later, sometimes you don't. I'm giving it 2 stars because I enjoyed what I read. It's original and also written in a way that required me to stop and really think about the words and sentences I just read. (This could be taken as good or bad, but in this case, it's positive because at the end of the reflection, you land in a good place. )
December 28, 2013
Very funny!
February 24, 2014
I found myself frequently shaking my head in puzzlement over the choices the characters would make. The writing itself was pretty good, though.
August 1, 2024
This is a Goodreads giveaway winner. Well written story.
January 13, 2024
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. God Awful book. I could not get through this book. The writing style is like a psychopath with ADHD wrote it. I usually try to give a good review, I just can't. I will give a book a chance because the story plot usually gets better, or the writing style improves. A quarter of the way through and it just kept getting worse. The characters were also unlikable imbeciles, which did not help either. How this author got published is beyond me. I Do Not recommend this book at all. Don't even try. Don't waste your time.
June 29, 2018
In today's culture of seemingly unlimited access, it's easy to forget that once life was vastly different, and perhaps some things were more possible.
Within this world, Michael Ebner has cleverly woven a Millennium Bug of a plot (Pre-2000) to service his intriguing story of two friends attempting to break into the entertainment business. At first glance an engaging 'buddy picture' walking in well worn shoes, this singular tale of small fish swimming in bigger ponds soon treads down unexpected paths, as Ebner's quirky style and refreshing sense of humour takes hold.
The pages turn easily, and there is a visual language that sweeps this into a highly rewarding experience. Well worth discovering.
Within this world, Michael Ebner has cleverly woven a Millennium Bug of a plot (Pre-2000) to service his intriguing story of two friends attempting to break into the entertainment business. At first glance an engaging 'buddy picture' walking in well worn shoes, this singular tale of small fish swimming in bigger ponds soon treads down unexpected paths, as Ebner's quirky style and refreshing sense of humour takes hold.
The pages turn easily, and there is a visual language that sweeps this into a highly rewarding experience. Well worth discovering.
June 25, 2018
I won this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
I liked the story and the characters, they are so out of this world they become realistic.
I am sure somewhere in the world people are living similar adventure, I hope without the same ending.
The book make you think outside your 9 to 5 life and what could happened if you decide to be adventurous.
Don´t get trap in the routine, don´t let your dreams die, be brave and go out there!
I liked the story and the characters, they are so out of this world they become realistic.
I am sure somewhere in the world people are living similar adventure, I hope without the same ending.
The book make you think outside your 9 to 5 life and what could happened if you decide to be adventurous.
Don´t get trap in the routine, don´t let your dreams die, be brave and go out there!
February 28, 2024
Thank you to author Michael Ebner for this FREE Kindle copy of all the talk is DEAD.
I liked the story, which had a nice flow to it, with some likeable, if not quirky, characters. Nicely done, clean and simple front cover, highlighting the title as opposed to 'author ego' hogging this important area. And, I think I only noted two editing errors, which is great is today's slop acceptance world.
What kept this review from a 4-star is on me. The style of writing, for some reason, is hard for me to digest. The short, quick hit sentencing makes it choppy and hard to read. So overall, for most others, I would recommend this book as a good read.
I liked the story, which had a nice flow to it, with some likeable, if not quirky, characters. Nicely done, clean and simple front cover, highlighting the title as opposed to 'author ego' hogging this important area. And, I think I only noted two editing errors, which is great is today's slop acceptance world.
What kept this review from a 4-star is on me. The style of writing, for some reason, is hard for me to digest. The short, quick hit sentencing makes it choppy and hard to read. So overall, for most others, I would recommend this book as a good read.
January 3, 2014
Summary-Hotel concierge, Joel Wilson and the lobby pianist, Wade Farley acquaint and instantly hit off. Joel wants to be a film director and Wade to make it as a musician. Both oozing talent, ambition were biding their time for their big breakthrough. And this craving for stardom eventually led them to plot a dangerous scheme.
They plan to go to New York where they fake Joel’s death and turn that tragedy into a launch pad for their music. Once the deed is done, Joel travels to Montreal, where he takes on an assumed name. Time passes, and Joel hears nothing from Wade. Then, one day, he turns on the radio and hears one of his songs as part of a tribute album put together in his memory. Looks like the scheme worked, and Wade has been living it up in New York while Joel has been on the down low in Montreal.
Their scheme would have succeeded if not for music mogul Lance Martin whom they dearly underestimate. Apparently he’s the reason one hit wonders vanish from the face of the earth.
Review-The tightly gripped storyline, sadistically exposes the dark underbelly of fame. The book is filled with strong and intense dialogues which comprehensively renders Joel's journey through three different cities and it ably encompasses the defenseless state of Wade and Joel with the help of sarcasm and blunt humour. But the book often runs down like a movie script with inept time and space for character development. It also doesn't venture deep into the emotional endeavor of the characters, which otherwise would have led to a subject matter with poignant interest.
They plan to go to New York where they fake Joel’s death and turn that tragedy into a launch pad for their music. Once the deed is done, Joel travels to Montreal, where he takes on an assumed name. Time passes, and Joel hears nothing from Wade. Then, one day, he turns on the radio and hears one of his songs as part of a tribute album put together in his memory. Looks like the scheme worked, and Wade has been living it up in New York while Joel has been on the down low in Montreal.
Their scheme would have succeeded if not for music mogul Lance Martin whom they dearly underestimate. Apparently he’s the reason one hit wonders vanish from the face of the earth.
Review-The tightly gripped storyline, sadistically exposes the dark underbelly of fame. The book is filled with strong and intense dialogues which comprehensively renders Joel's journey through three different cities and it ably encompasses the defenseless state of Wade and Joel with the help of sarcasm and blunt humour. But the book often runs down like a movie script with inept time and space for character development. It also doesn't venture deep into the emotional endeavor of the characters, which otherwise would have led to a subject matter with poignant interest.
March 7, 2016
Pen and Picture has permission to reproduce the following excerpt from Kirkus Reviews:
In his mid-20s, Joel Wilson works as a bellhop at a Sydney hotel, where he hooks up with Wade Farley, a lobby pianist, to form a band. To Joel, this is only a means to an end, as he sees himself as a filmmaker. Joel and Wade hatch a scheme: They'll go to New York where they'll fake Joel's death and turn that tragedy into a launch pad for their music. Once the deed is done, Joel travels to Montreal, where he takes on an assumed name. Time passes, and Joel hears nothing from Wade. Then, one day, he turns on the radio and hears one of his songs as part of a tribute album. Looks like the scheme worked, and Wade has been living it up in New York while Joel has been on the down low in Montreal. The ensuing complications, however, humorously expose the dark underbelly of fame. Joel's misadventures in three different cities are hilariously rendered. He and Wade fit into the pantheon of great losers, the author having a Charles Portis-like gift for writing about dim bulbs without condescending to them. Filled with laugh-out-loud lines and dialogue, making for a memorable trip through the demimonde of wannabe rock stars. - Kirkus Reviews
In his mid-20s, Joel Wilson works as a bellhop at a Sydney hotel, where he hooks up with Wade Farley, a lobby pianist, to form a band. To Joel, this is only a means to an end, as he sees himself as a filmmaker. Joel and Wade hatch a scheme: They'll go to New York where they'll fake Joel's death and turn that tragedy into a launch pad for their music. Once the deed is done, Joel travels to Montreal, where he takes on an assumed name. Time passes, and Joel hears nothing from Wade. Then, one day, he turns on the radio and hears one of his songs as part of a tribute album. Looks like the scheme worked, and Wade has been living it up in New York while Joel has been on the down low in Montreal. The ensuing complications, however, humorously expose the dark underbelly of fame. Joel's misadventures in three different cities are hilariously rendered. He and Wade fit into the pantheon of great losers, the author having a Charles Portis-like gift for writing about dim bulbs without condescending to them. Filled with laugh-out-loud lines and dialogue, making for a memorable trip through the demimonde of wannabe rock stars. - Kirkus Reviews
January 29, 2015
It is a really interesting book to read! A topic really different from what we are used to reading. The book is a page turner since it is not boring or difficult to understand, the story unravels naturally.
Moreover, it lacks tedious descriptions -which are not suitable for this type of fiction- and is mainly structured with dialogue and narration.
You could not characterise it as a masterpiece but it is an interesting book to read when you want something to relax during the day or before going to sleep. Even if this edition may not be very elegant, it is well binded so you will not see your copy falling apart ;)
Overall, it is a book suitable when you want to read something amusing, interesting, fast paced and without deep meanings and second interpretations -if you are in the mood though it offers some really up to date themes/ problems of our everyday life and values.
Moreover, it lacks tedious descriptions -which are not suitable for this type of fiction- and is mainly structured with dialogue and narration.
You could not characterise it as a masterpiece but it is an interesting book to read when you want something to relax during the day or before going to sleep. Even if this edition may not be very elegant, it is well binded so you will not see your copy falling apart ;)
Overall, it is a book suitable when you want to read something amusing, interesting, fast paced and without deep meanings and second interpretations -if you are in the mood though it offers some really up to date themes/ problems of our everyday life and values.
August 7, 2016
This book is remarkably similar to another book I read over Christmas break -- Chill Run. In the first book, an author decides to use a publicity stunt in order to get recognition leading to publication of his book. In this book, two struggling musicians decide to stage the death of one of them so that their "in memorium" album will sell. In both cases, the plans backfire with unexpected (but somewhat predictable) consequences. This book was okay, nothing special. I had a hard time following the characters and the author's sense of humor at times. And once again I felt let down by the ending. Several of the books I've read lately just seem to come to an abrupt end, like the author ran out of steam, or couldn't come up with a way to get where he wanted the story to end.
May 2, 2017
I received this book for free from goodreads.
this book had a few twists and turns, nothing too unpredictable. the characters were for the most part not very likeable, but they made for dark humor in many situations. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend if you enjoy these kinds of thrillers.
this book had a few twists and turns, nothing too unpredictable. the characters were for the most part not very likeable, but they made for dark humor in many situations. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend if you enjoy these kinds of thrillers.
January 15, 2014
Ugh. I'm a bit dismayed by all of the good reviews for this book --- I guess it's just above me. I found the plot choppy, confusing, and very hard to follow. i'd give this one a pass.
February 2, 2024
A surreal story. A talented songwriter, working at a hotel, forms a musical relationship with the hotel's lobby pianist. They record an album, try to fake sell it in Australia and go to New York City to sell it in the United States. All the while, the songwriter is plotting to fake his death in an attempt to make the album sell better. When his wallet is stolen and the thief gets run over by a subway train, he gets his chance. Living a paranoid, non-existence in Canada, he falls in love and tries to start a normal life. Turns out the paranoid feelings are real. The story was a little much for my taste, but had some interesting moments. The characters were well written and their personalities really came through in the writing. #GoodreadsGiveaways
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2024
Joel Wilson, the hotel concierge, forms an unexpected friendship with lobby pianist Wade Farley. Their shared dreams of pursuing careers in film and music lead them on a journey to New York, where they confront fierce competition. However, underestimating music mogul Lance Martin turns their pursuit of fame into a perilous game. The book, with its blend of dialogue and off-beat humor, proved challenging for me. While some elements resonated, the complexity of the story and characters made it hard for me to connect, making it a less enjoyable read overall. I won a copy in a Goodreads giveaway, Thank you!
February 15, 2024
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I do not recommend it. The first third of the book has one of the characters, Joel, talking about how he died and then came back to life. Not until almost halfway through the book, did I discover that he never died but people thought that he did because of mistaken identity. This left me confused and irritated. Then the book had several chapters talking about the two characters using drugs and liquor. I began to skim until the drugs/booze narrative ended and read the rest of the book to see how the plot ended.
I rate this book 2.5 stars rounded down.
Thank You Michael Ebner for sending me this eBook
I rate this book 2.5 stars rounded down.
Thank You Michael Ebner for sending me this eBook
February 16, 2021
Did not finish this Goodreads giveaway. Read chapter one and just couldn't get into it. Skimmed chapter 2, 3 and 4. Still no joy. One of the opening scenes, sitting in a smoked filled cheap bar, seemed to embody the vibe of each of the chapters I perused; a writing style that was so dry it felt like sandpaper on my brain. If the book does get better, I'm not sad to say that I missed it as it would have taken to long to get to a point where I may have enjoyed it more. If it doesn't, I'm glad I put it down early.
March 10, 2024
Abrupt and Disjointed
The book seems to start in the middle of something, and shifts abruptly as if the writer is on cocaine. The story isn't fully thought-out and moves very quickly. There are completely unnecessary chapters that have nothing to do with the plot. This story might make a decent movie because if you could see what was going on, it probably wouldn't seem so disjointed. Not sure any editor ever read this book at all.
I made myself read it through, but it was diffucult at best.
The book seems to start in the middle of something, and shifts abruptly as if the writer is on cocaine. The story isn't fully thought-out and moves very quickly. There are completely unnecessary chapters that have nothing to do with the plot. This story might make a decent movie because if you could see what was going on, it probably wouldn't seem so disjointed. Not sure any editor ever read this book at all.
I made myself read it through, but it was diffucult at best.
September 26, 2020
This was a confusing book for me. I enjoyed some of the dialogue and some of the off-beat humor but, for the most part, I really struggled with it. I think much of it was simply over my head. I also had some difficulty with the characters. For the most part, I never could warm up to them or get really interested in them. I think this is a story that would appeal to some but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
February 21, 2024
📚🐱🦺NOVEL THOUGHTS🦺🐱📚
Nope. Couldn't finish it. I was lost. I know that Wade and Joel were trying to get to NYC to start their music careers but I have no idea where this book was heading. It seemed to jump all over the place and storylines didn't seem to get completed. I did like the cover art and this is one of the reasons I wanted to try to win this book from Goodreads. Apologies to the author for failure to launch.
Nope. Couldn't finish it. I was lost. I know that Wade and Joel were trying to get to NYC to start their music careers but I have no idea where this book was heading. It seemed to jump all over the place and storylines didn't seem to get completed. I did like the cover art and this is one of the reasons I wanted to try to win this book from Goodreads. Apologies to the author for failure to launch.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews