Remains to Be Scene (Polly Pepper Mysteries)

by Richard Tyler Jordan and R.T. Jordan

Book Overview

Polly Pepper is a living legend, straight from television's golden age. But that was 30 years ago, and these days, it seems her only time in the spotlight is accepting some yes-your-career-is-over... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 075821281X
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Kensington Pub Corp
• Length: 348 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 0.8" x 4.5"

Customer Reviews

A Killer in Need of Detention

Living Legend Polly Pepper is always looking for a way to get back in the public's eye. But since it's been thirty years since her hit TV show went off the air, roles are getting harder to come by. The news of Trixie Wilder's death sends shock waves through Pepper Plantation. While never close friends, Polly knew the character actress and is upset to learn of her death. Still, this does open up a spot in her final film, DETENTION RULES! So playing a grandmother isn't Polly's first choice of roles, but she'll take what she can get. Unfortunately, she is beat out by her long time rival Sedra Stone for the part. Or maybe that was fortunately since Sedra takes a swan dive off the high dive into an empty pool her first day on the set. A few careless words from Polly send the police hot on the trail of a suspect that Polly decides is innocent. So she begins looking into the deaths herself. The list of suspects is certainly long. Can the diva pull off the ultimate act and catch a killer? This comic mystery will appeal to fans of Hollywood gossip. We're treated to an insider's look into the lives of the rich and famous. There are lots of throw away lines that any consumer of pop culture will eat up. The mystery itself starts out a little slowly, but the characters keep us entertained. They are larger than life, but they are supposed to be and it works in the context of the story. Unfortunately, the writing is weak, which made it a little hard for me to get into the story. And while the killer was logical (I had the person correctly pegged myself but wasn't sure), we're never told exactly how Polly reached that conclusion herself. Despite the flaws, this book is fun. I smiled and laughed my way through it and look forward to Polly's future adventures.

Very funny Hollywood caper

I'm a sucker for Hollywood mysteries and so I decided to give this book a try. Glad I did. Writing is sharp and funny (how can you not like a book with a maid named Placenta???). Lots of show biz references. Likeable characters, too. Apparently it's the first book in a series, so I'm looking forward to reading the next one.

REMAINS TO BE SCENE artfully mixes Hollywood hi-jinks and suspense

R.T. Jordan has written a stylish Hollywood-based mystery, whose pied piper is a glamorous Auntie Mame-like sleuth, former variety television show star, Polly Pepper. With her loyal family of son Tim (caterer/event planner to the stars) and housekeeper Placenta (a latina Thelma Ritter), they puzzle their way through slippery clues trying to solve the murder of two ageing actresses. R.T. Jordan has cooked up a zesty paella of characters--all possible suspects--including scheming ingenue actresses on the way up, celluloid divas on the way down, a protective stage mama, an ambitious director, plus an assorted screenwriter and photogenic actor. And it is Mr. Jordan's keen and grounded eye on this Hollywood milieu that keeps the laughter and the suspense acoming. REMAINS TO BE SCENE is well worth a cozy evening with book-in-lap and a flute of Veuve Cliquot at one's side.

Rebecca Czuleger

If it's entertainment you want, it's entertainment you'll get with this wonderful book. I love the fast pace, the incredibly inventive characters and, above all, the sophisticated wit. It's been a long time since I've laughed out loud while reading. Hope there are more from Mr. Jordan.

funny amateur sleuth

Polly Pepper is a Hollywood legend, a superstar at the level of Elizabeth Taylor and Lucille Ball. She had her own Television Show in the way of the Carol Burnett show and won many Emmys and Oscars. Now that she is older, the jobs have dried up. She lives in a luxurious famous Hollywood estate Pepper Plantation with her maid Placenta who is just like family and her son Tim, an events planner so she is never lonely. On the set of the flick Detention Rules, character actress Trixie Wilder is murdered even though the police think it was an accident. Polly's agent calls her to see if she wants Trixie's role but when she arrives at his office she learns that her arch-enemy Sedra Stone, who stole two husbands from her, got the part; Polly is furious. When Sandra is murdered Polly takes on the role and decides to conduct a little sleuthing only to learn everyone hated the victim from the security guard she dissed to the actress she picked on to the director who hared her for making his job a living hell. R.T. Jordan has written a very funny amateur sleuth tale with characters that are witty and nice that readers can't help but like them. Even though the heroine was a major star, she never let success go to her head as she still knows how relax and have fun. Getting the part validates her image that she can still perform while readers empathize with former superstars who are discarded as they age. Harriet Klausner