Bullet for a Star

Toby Peters Mysteries Series, Book 1

By: Stuart M. Kaminsky

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

The first in a mystery series set in 1940s Hollywood, where a hard-boiled private eye helps a cast of real-life stars: "Nostalgic fun" (Publishers Weekly).

Hollywood, 1940: It's been four years since security guard Toby Peters got fired from the Warner Brothers lot for breaking a screen cowboy's arm. Since then he's scratched out a living as a private detective - missing persons and bodyguard work, mostly - but now his old friends, the Warners, have a job for him.

Someone has mailed the studio a picture of Errol Flynn caught in a compromising position with an underage woman. Although Flynn insists it's a fake, the studio is taking no chances. Peters is to deliver the blackmailer 5,000 dollars and return with the photo negative. It should be simple, but Flynn, a swashbuckler on and off the screen, has a way of making things complicated.

Soon it's up to Peters to clear Flynn's name, following a twisted trail that surprisingly leads to the set of The Maltese Falcon, involving Humphrey Bogart, Peter Lorre, and Sydney Greenstreet. As real-life PI Toby Peters meets Bogie's Sam Spade, he doesn't fall prey to being star-struck. But he may still fall prey to a killer.

©1977 Stuart M. Kaminksy (P)2021 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Fun plot involving stars from the golden age of Hollywood

Fast pace, crazy shenanigans, plenty of murders, and a quick read. Just right for a rainy day curled up on the couch.

My favorite mystery series

This first book in the Toby Peters comic mystery series is probably the darkest, mainly because Stuart Kaminsky was also a master of noir, and he used the motifs of Hollywood Noir in the story, such as child exploitation. The premise of the case is that Errol Flynn, who was known for liking very young girls, is being blackmailed. The photo is faked and Flynn gets to be a charming character, and not as slimy as he should be depicted in this context. If that bothers you, you can freely skip this one, as it’s the only one that goes in that direction or that dark.

Otherwise, this is a funny, sweet, touching, quirky series about a down-on-his-luck P.I. on Golden Era Hollywood. Toby has his standards, but a fear of looking ridiculous is not one of them. His clients and cases tend to involve the famous and powerful, and he charges and stumbles his way through errands, getting punched and shot and framed for crimes. His ability to take a punch is his greatest asset, far more than his ability to throw one, and he wins out mainly through persistence.

Kaminsky was a Hollywood historian, and the details (down to what was playing on the radio that day) add a lovely texture to the story. It’s a great series, and since Toby’s friends and family grow and develop over time, I suggest that, even if you skip this one, reading the rest in order. The next is Murder On The Yellow Brick Road.

Lots of fun

A nostalgic romp through old Hollywood with a loose plot to tie everything together. Enjoyable, fun! 

Wish I could get my money back.

I'm sorry I paid cash for this instead of using a credit, because you only get to return a book if you used a credit to buy it. Hiss. boo, Jeff. I did finish the book, only because I was determined to get my money's worth. There are 24 books in this series from the 70's, so maybe they get better. I can't afford to take the chance. For this one, the reader is annoying and the plot and actions of the characters are juvenile. The setting is old Hollywood and the main character interacts with big names of the day.
There are so many other book series that I prefer to read.