Book Review: Coffin's Got the Dead Guy on the Inside

Reviewed By: Donna M - RAM

Coffin's Got the Dead Guy on the Inside     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Keith Snyder
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Humorous
Series: Jason Keltner # 2
Dell; 1998; 311 pages; $5.99US/$8.99CAN

Jason Keltner is doing what he loves to do best - composing and playing music. OK, so his regular gigs don't pay much, he's struggling with his latest composition - Unnamed #23, and the rent on the dilapidated boarding house he calls home is overdue. He's contemplating getting away for a while to finish his composition when the mysterious Norton Platt turns up with an offer Jason can't refuse - despite his best efforts. Platt wants to hire Jason to baby-sit Paul Reno, a former friend of Jason's who appears to be involved in some shady deals.

Paul has been thrown out by his girlfriend and Jason reluctantly invites him to stay at The Manor, where his irritating behaviour soon annoys Jason and his fellow house-mates and friends Martin and Robert. Platt asks Jason to take Paul to a party and watch for anything happening between Paul and a computer whiz called Huey Benton. What happens is that Huey drops dead at the party. And then Paul disappears. What follows is a rollicking caper - car chases, computer chips, confusion and comedy.

This is a wonderfully sprightly, humourous book - if it was a musical composition, I guess it would be described as scherzando. The whole book made me think in musical terms, despite the fact that I can't carry a tune in a bucket. Jason's life is dominated by the symphony of everyday sounds around him and this comes through in the harmony of the words and phrases throughout. As a result, this is a really enjoyable book to read, witty, light and vivacious.

I loved the banter between the three main characters - Jason, Robert and Martin - three friends who obviously know each other well, trust each other, and are totally loyal. Jason in particular is cool in every sense of the word. Sometimes I found him a bit too cool, and I would have liked to have got to know him better. In real life I think I would probably be a little afraid of him. I shall definitely be renewing my acquaintance with Jason in the not too distant future - I'm so pleased to have discovered him.

Donna M - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Donna M - RAM