Book Review: The Prince Of Beverly Hills

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

The Prince Of Beverly Hills     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Stuart Woods
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical
Series: Rick Barron # 1
G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2004, 321 pps.

Rick Barron, a Beverly Hills detective, is busted down to police officer. Rick witnesses a traffic accident caused by famous movie star Clete Barrow. Clete is obviously intoxicated and did not even slow down for the light. The woman who was driving the car Clete crashed into was killed immediately. Rick immediately removes the license plates and registration from the vehicle and hides Clete until the other policemen at the scene leave. Clete instructs Rick to call Eddie Harris, a Centurion Studios Executive, in order that Harris can make all necessary arrangements to cover up Clete’s part in this accident.

The fact that Rick has been busted down to police officer because he got his captain’s daughter pregnant along with the fact that one of his first actions as a police officer is to cover up a serious crime made me take an instant dislike to Rick.

Eddie Harris takes an instant liking to Rick and immediately takes him under his wing and hires him as head of security. This job comes with a new car, a nice home and a good salary as well as many other perks. Rick adapts immediately to the Hollywood scene and is often seen at famous clubs and mentioned in the gossip columns. He makes an enemy of a crook named Stampano who has connections with Bugsy Siegel and Lucky Luciano. This is Hollywood right before the beginning of World War II.

The book made interesting reading and many famous names were mentioned but it is a good thing it is classed as fiction because I cannot believe that even in Hollywood life could offer so many opportunities if you knew the right people.

Pat Reid - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM