One of my goals in 2021 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.
My husband loved the movie of Fletch and we had the book by Gregory MacDonald so I decided to pick it up.
Irving Fletcher is a brash and brilliant investigtive reporter undercover and on the trail of drug dealers on the Cali beach. He is drawn into aan even more bizarre case when he is propositioned to murder a weathly young businessman. Now Fletch has two great sories to write.
Although there were many aspects of this book that were dated, I really enjoyed this mystery! This has a very 70s feel with quite a bit of problematic elements. One aspect that I really liked was that this book mostly takes place in dialog. There is very little omnipotent information, and the reader must get all the action and emotion through the conversations and inner dialog. Fletch cares little for anything other than his story, but he is impacted by his past choices, sometimes to comedic (or at least the book intends them to be comedic) ends. He is harassed by his ex wives and their lawyers, harried by his editor who he thinks is undeserving of the job, and immersed in his role as both a druggie on the beach slash murderer. I like that the two investigations provide areas for Fletch to use his detective skills as well as dressing up, pretending to be someone else, and all the layers of the mysteries. I had recently seen the movie, so I had some idea of what was going to happen. And yet, I’m not sure if they ended the same way. Some of the problematic elements in this book were a little difficult to get used to. Demeaning behavior to women is a common theme. I did feel that that was mainly a product of it’s time. The words that I come back to with this book are madcap, fast paced, and fun. Although the subject matter was harsh being about murder and manipulation, overall, I thought this book was fun! I would recommend this book to sleuth lovers, people who like newspaper books and investigative reporters, and those who like beachy, zany, fast paced, 70s mysteries!
Have you read this book or seen the movie?
This book is featured in my March Wrap Up.