CARTER BROWN – The Invisible Flamini. Signet T4854; paperback original; 1st printing, December 1971. Cover art by Robert McGinnis.

CARTER BROWN The Invisible Flamini

   If you’re in Hollywood, and you’re in trouble, Rick Holman is the man to see. In his day he’s hushed up more secrets of important people in the movie business than people like Louella Parsons, in her day, could ever ever have imagined. And I’m sure that Louella knew more than she ever told.

   Holman’s general investigative philosophy put into practice is one of laissez-faire. Even he admits it. By doing nothing he accomplishes more than half a dozen Lew Archers busily tearing up and down the California freeways.

   And the women he meets! Male fantasies come to life, every one of them. Carter Brown is not a writer for anyone with an ounce of appreciation for the feminist movement. He creates a male chauvinistic dream world with a consummate perfection unmatched outside the pages of Penthouse and Playboy.

   And, oh, yes. this one’s about a kidnapped Italian movie queen. If indeed it matters.

— Reprinted from The MYSTERY FANcier, Vol. 3, No. 5, Sept-Oct 1979 (slightly revised).


[UPDATE] 11-18-10. I suppose that if it does matter, and you’ll being asking for your money back if I don’t tell you more about the plot, I suppose I could read it again. I’d have to, since what you see above is all I remember. But I think it’s all you need to know. Previously assigned letter grade: C.