A Book A Week

Ethan Harris has a bona fide hit with The Murder Show. After years of bouncing between writing gigs, he’s finally struck gold, creating a series that blends the addictiveness of a network procedural with the depth of prestige drama. Now, with three successful seasons under his belt as showrunner, Ethan is eager to dive into season four. There’s just one problem: Hollywood is in the middle of a writers' strike, and the network has rejected his latest pitch.

Running low on inspiration—and desperate to impress the execs—Ethan returns to the last place he ever expected to find a story. Ethan goes back home.

Back in Minnesota, he reconnects with his former classmate Ro, who is now a local cop. She’s recently uncovered new evidence related to the unsolved hit-and-run that killed their friend Ricky the summer after high school. Ro believes revisiting Ricky’s case could not only help bring the killer to justice but also provide Ethan with the kind of gripping story that The Murder Show is known for. If he writes the murder into the show, the national attention might shake loose long-buried secrets.

But the deeper Ethan and Ro dig, the clearer it becomes that someone will do anything to keep the truth buried — even if it means silencing them for good.

I was completely enamored by the blend of compelling cold case mystery and behind-the-scenes drama in Matt Goldman's The Murder Show. Much like the fictional series at its center, the novel skillfully fuses elements of procedural crime with rich character development, making for a story that immediately hooked me. There’s thrills, romance, humor—basically everything I look for in a great crime read. Sure, some of the plot beats feel a bit familiar, but honestly, that’s part of the charm. The Murder Show is a fast, fun, and satisfying mystery that delivers on all fronts. 

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 30)

Take a moment to consider the individuals who have left the most significant imprint on your life. Who comes to mind? Perhaps it's friends, family members, teachers, or mentors—those who truly understand you. Are they still present in your life today? Reflecting on those who have influenced me, I feel a twinge of sadness, realizing that many of them are no longer a part of my life. Whether due to distance, circumstances, or the passage of time, there inevitably comes a point when we must come to terms with the loss of those significant individuals who are no longer with us. In her latest book, Bits and Pieces, actor and comedian Whoopi Goldberg reminisces about her inner circle, particularly her late mother and brother—two individuals who knew her best. Following their passing, Goldberg reflects on their profound impact on her life and the void left behind in their absence.

For many around the world, Whoopi Goldberg is a familiar name. The EGOT winner has entertained us for decades, from her acclaimed Broadway performances and memorable film and TV roles to her recent tenure on The View. However, only two people truly knew Goldberg on a deeply personal level. To them, she wasn't Whoopi Goldberg but simply Caryn, a daughter and sister who made up the third member of a small family living in the projects of New York.

Despite being impoverished, Goldberg never noticed the lack of money and resources. Her mother, Emma, was determined not just to raise her children to survive but to thrive. Through a series of deeply personal stories and recollections, Goldberg shares her childhood experiences, her relationship with her brother and mother, and the pivotal moments that shaped her into the woman she is today. The audiobook, narrated by Goldberg herself, enhances the intimacy of these reflections. Her conversational delivery makes you feel like you're listening to an old friend or family member reminiscing about the good old days. Her mother's resilience stands out, as Emma never allowed their circumstances to limit her children's potential, instilling in Goldberg the belief that she could achieve greatness.

Beyond her immediate family, Goldberg credits mentors like Mike Nichols and Steven Spielberg for instilling in her the same confidence in her career that her family provided in other aspects of her life. She acknowledges that she hasn't always been perfect—after all, we all "step in poo" from time to time—but she takes pride in learning and growing from her mistakes and is committed to continuing that growth. Goldberg lost her mother in 2010 and her brother five years later. She writes about the profound sense of loss that still fills her, a grief that she has learned to live with but that never fully goes away. She finds solace in knowing she is still here for a reason, that her presence in her work and with her family remains fulfilling.

Ultimately, Bits and Pieces is a love story about the power of family, friends, and living life authentically. It combines humor with heartfelt reflections on the candid moments of a woman who still has much to offer the world. The book serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact that loved ones have on our lives and the importance of cherishing those connections.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 41)

With the multitude of streaming services each vying for our attention through various content, it seems that the days of a smash box office hit driven by a Hollywood superstar are beyond us. Yes, the Marvel movies still make a ton of cash and capture the cultural zeitgeist, but I'd argue the draw of those films stem more from our connections to the characters and stories than being drawn to seeing a particular actor or actress. It wasn't too long ago that audiences rushed to their local cinema to see the latest movie to feature a specific star. Nobody in recent history put "butts in seats" like actor and musician Will Smith. In his self-titled memoir, Will looks back on his humble beginning, extraordinary rise to fame, and the family he's built through it all. 

At a young age, Will learned the power of hard work and perseverance. While most kids his age would spend their spare time playing with friends and goofing around, Will and his brother were tasked with work around the house. Specifically, their father had them build a brick wall, a job that took months to complete. Finishing the monumental task taught them the value of committing to doing something the right way and seeing it through. This lesson would stick with will as he began his career in hip-hop, starred in a hit sitcom, and set out to become the biggest movie star in the world. 

Smith achieved his goals through grit, determination, natural charisma, and a bit of good luck. He recalls an impromptu audition for the starring role of The Fresh Prince of Bellaire that took place at the home of legendary producer Quincy Jones during one of his star-studded parties. In front of other Hollywood heavyweights including Stephen Spielberg, Will successfully completed the audition that would make him a household name for the rest of his life. From there, he strategically crafted a career based upon acting in the kinds of films he knew would make him a star. Along with his trusted advisors and confidants, he achieved everything he set out to. 

There's no denying the professional achievements of Will Smith. He will go down in history as one of the most bankable stars to ever grace the screen. His memoir has no shortage of stories about how he achieved such great heights. Even the most casual Will Smith fan will connect to his anecdotes of finding his fame. What sets Will apart, however, is the vulnerability with which he approaches looking back on his personal life. He lays everything out for us to see here. Will was drawn to providing a perfect life for his wife and children, a task made only more complex amongst his high-profile career. He celebrates the successes but is equally introspective about all of the times he got it wrong.  Despite the pride he takes in the family that he's built, I got the sense that he's haunted by his personal missteps. 

The cover for Will is one of the most eye-catching pieces of art that I've ever seen. Despite my desire to own a hardcover copy, I opted to listen to the author narrate his book via audiobook. It plays like a full-on production that features recordings of his music and clips from his acting career. Normally I listen to audiobooks at a 1.7x speed, but I absorbed this one at the intended pace, savoring each moment. Smith's affability combines with his skills as a seasoned storyteller into a work that is as entertaining as it is moving. It works as a retrospective on an extraordinary first chapter in Will's career. With a Best Actor Oscar nomination again this year, Smith is proving that he's only getting started. 

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2022, 8)

Dexter Morgan likes his privacy. He shares his life with his wife and three children, but they only know Dexter the father and husband. His colleagues at the Miami Police Department know him as the quiet blood splatter analyst who brings donuts. This job affords Dexter the privacy he seeks and allows him to feed the secret side of his life. A side only his sister Deborah, who happens to be a homicide detective at the department, knows about. Dexter is a murderer. Years ago, when Dexter's father realized that his son possessed this "Dark Passenger", he devised a code for Dexter to live by. By following Harry's code, Dexter has been able to satisfy his need to kill while maintaining his anonymity.

Thom and Jennifer Harlow are Hollywood's celebrity power couple. Good looks, talent, kind hearts. . . the couple has it all. Paying forward their critical and financial success, the two sponsor schools in impoverished nations and even adopted three children from the countries they serve. As they near the completion of their magnum opus Saigon Falls, the entire Harlow family vanishes. No one in the Harlow's inner circle seems to have any idea as to the couple's whereabouts. Even worse, none of them want to threaten their employer's project by making the disappearance public. 

A review of a book to film adaptation. 

Lately, it seems as if Hollywood will do anything to produce a surefire hit. Instead of taking risks with original material, studios rely on established franchises and characters to draw in audiences. They have even gone as far as to completely remake or "re-imagine" previous films. And so, 37 years after Stephen King's debut novel, Carrie, was originally adapted for the big screen, we get another film version of his classic high school revenge story.

The film follows the shy high school student Carrie White (Chloe Grace Mortez), as she endures relentless bullying from her peers. From the start of the movie, we are aware that Carrie does not fit in. She is shy, quiet, and a bit awkward. At home, a religious and disturbed mother, played by Julianne Moore, attempts to shield her daughter from the sinful outside world. This sheltered lifestyle ends up being the root of Carrie's problems. While showering after gym class, Carrie experiences her first period. Terrified by the blood, she panics, having a meltdown that draws the attention of the entire locker room of girls. But instead of helping the frightened girl, the others mock her, throwing tampons at her, and posting a recording of the entire horrific incident.

One girl, Sue Snell, feels bad for the mistreatment of Carrie, and has her boyfriend ask Carrie to the prom as a way to make amends. Meanwhile, Carrie discovers that she has telekinetic powers that enable her to manipulate objects with her mind. Both empowered by this new found skill and terrified of its possibilities, Carrie wants nothing more than to be normal and to fit in. So, she accepts the prom invitation. The rest of the story is an infamous scene of the horrors of bullying and the revenge that follows.

This is the ultimate revenge story. The talented cast of this film help to make the audience sympathize with Carrie. As she exacts her revenge, we are drawn to cheer her on, even when the revenge becomes out of control. Despite its age, this story rings with social relevance, commenting on bullying, the power of social media and other technologies, and the basic human desire to be accepted by our peers. Fans of Stephen King, horror movies, and thrillers are sure to enjoy this well done remake.

Have you read the novel or seen the movie? If so, what did you think of it? What book adaptations would you like to see as a future Friday Flicks post?

Ironically, I was initially fooled by this novel, Robert B. Parker's Fool Me Twice. At first glance, it would appear that the novel is written by author Robert B. Parker. As someone who had never previously read any of Parker's novels or followed the author himself, I had no idea that Parker passed away in 2010. Upon further inspection, I realized that the novel was, in fact, a continuation of his popular Jesse Stone series, written by Michael Brandman. Of course, other characters by late authors, such as Sidney Sheldon and Dick Francis, have continued to appear in new novels, to middling results, so I knew that Fool Me Twice would be hit or miss. Michael Brandman, however, is no stranger to the Jesse Stone Character. In fact, he worked closely with Robert B. Parker as he produced the CBS film versions of the novels. This familiarity and respect seems to allow Brandman to successfully continue the series.

Jesse Stone is the police chief of the small town of Paradise, Massachusetts. As summer approaches, so does the town's excitement for the production of a new Hollywood film to be shot in the city. Of course, with a production of this size comes a variety of challenges. Jesse learns that the star of the film is going through a nasty divorce and her ex-husband has threatened her life. The Mayor tasks Jesse with keeping the production secure and making sure the duration of the filming runs smoothly.

Additionally, Jesse must continue to handle local issues. At the start of the novel, he arrests a teenage girl who's cell phone usage caused a head on collision with another driver. But the accident is not as cut and dry as it seems. It turns out that the young woman is the daughter of a local business man who contributes heavily to the judges and DA of the town. Jesse is forced to battle his own morals against direct orders from his superiors.

Finally, another local case is also drawing Jesse's attention. He receives a call from a local busy-body townswoman who has noticed her water utility rates rise despite no increase in usage or rate hikes. He brushes this off as a woman looking for attention until he receives another call from a concerned citizen. He begins to casually investigate this increase, not expecting to find much. What he discovers, however, is a scandal that could potentially rock the small town of Paradise.

As with the T.V. movies that I've seen featuring Jesse Stone, Fool Me Twice is a light, entertaining read. The story itself is fairly predictable, but it is the quick wit and genuine good will of Jesse Stone that elevates this novel and keeps the plot moving. Having never read any of the previous novels by Parker, I can't attest to the continuation of the character by Michael Brandman. I can however say that this was a quick read that kept me entertained for a couple of hours. The characters, including Stone, are never allowed to reveal emotions beyond the typically expected surface, but they do play nicely into this light mystery novel.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and GoodReads.

(2013: week 22, book 21)

I honestly had no idea what to expect as I began reading Angel's Gate by author p.g. sturges. Described as a kind of tongue-in-cheek, noir novel, I was initially attracted by the thought of a good mystery. Set in Los Angeles, the novel follows the story of shortcut man Dick Henry. A former cop, Henry now goes around town, "getting things done" for the illustrious characters who occupy Hollywood. We first gain a glimpse into his work when he retrieves a client's money from a fraudulent lawyer. After getting the money (and urinating in the fraudulent lawyer's ficus tree), Henry reveals himself to be a man with good intentions, even if his methods are unconventional.

The first few chapters are a bit confusing as each one introduces different characters and points of view. Fortunately, the setup is made clearer as each character develops into unique individuals. Without giving too much of the plot away, the novel basically follows Henry as he is thrust into a large conspiracy, lead by the womanizing head of a large movie studio. When one of the studio executives "stars" is brutally beaten and sexually abused, Henry is called in to help clean up the mess. All parties involved, including a disgruntled producer, violent director, former Nazi doctor, and a women who's job is to take care of all the studio head's women, struggle to keep the incident a secret, for fear of losing their jobs and plush Hollywood lifestyle that they have grown accustomed to.

I although it took a little while to get going, I ended up being totally engrossed in this novel. sturges writes with a confidence and lightness that really lends itself well to this kind of noir story. This novel definitely has some graphic scenes, but all are presented in a light-hearted way that never glorifies the violence. The strong characters, multiple intersecting plots, and sturges's sharp wit, all culminate into an entertaining and surprisingly satisfying read.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon and GoodReads.

(2013: week 11, book 8)

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