Book Review: Kill Me Tender

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Kill Me Tender     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Daniel Klein
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Elvis Presley # 1
St. Martin's, Jul 2000, $22.95, 240 pp.

When he left to serve in the Army, Elvis loved the music. Now that his tour is over and he is back as a civilian, Elvis struggles to regain the heart and soul that made him the King.

Elvis soon becomes aware that someone is killing the presidents of his Tennessee fan clubs. He also begins to receive records parodying his top hits. Not one to sit around munching on fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches, Elvis begins an investigation into the murders, using the guise of an Elvis impersonator.

On the surface, readers, including this reviewer, will think that KILL ME TENDER is a ludicrous tale using Elvis to sell books that only presleyologists would enjoy. However, do not allow the title, the lead character, or the subject to fool the reader into thinking this novel is impersonating an amateur sleuth take. Instead, Daniel Klein succeeds into turning the King of Rock and Roll into the King of amateur sleuths. The tale works because the story line intermingles irony, facts and legend to turn Elvis into a genuine person not an icon investigating murders in a very segregated south. Sub genre fans will not now or ever return this superb novel to the publisher because this entertaining jailhouse tale rocks.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner