The Dream Lover

The time is Hollywood, just prior to the arrival of the talkies, when screen heroes and heroines are almost god like creatures to the ordinary audience. Eli Hebron is a talented movie maker who is fighting against the introduction of sound, claiming that it will destroy the purity and integrity of his work. Charlie Royce, a ruthless realist, is determined to take over Magna pictures, Eli's creation, for himself and sees that the majority of people want to be entertained and couldn't give a hoot about Eli's fine dreams. Charlie schemes to introduce Eli to Gladys, a sensuous, beautiful girl, in order to control him through sex and to ultimately bring about his downfall through scandal and blackmail. It's a fascinating look at the very early days of movie making and of the quite scandalous goings on behind the cameras.

This is definitely the best Lawrence Sanders I've ever read. Late 1920's Hollywood is a totally refreshing setting for a novel. Those of us who appreciate Sanders's writing style and great dialogue are treated once again. Anyone who has not read Sanders before will not be disappointed in this choice.