The Prince of Beverly Hills

Book Description

In Hollywood's Golden Age, brash detective Rick Barron enters the Hollywood fast lane-jammed with the sort of wealth, glamour, and blackmail that made this town famous-in this new thriller by the bestselling author of the Stone Barrington series.

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"A brash detective enters the Hollywood fast lane-jammed with the sort of wealth, glamour, and blackmail it is famous for-in this new thriller by the bestselling author of the Stone Barrington series. Stuart Woods's new novel is a sexy, action-packed thriller in the tradition of his best. As the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote about his last novel, Capital Crimes, ""Woods knows how to deliver a taut, well-told tale . . . The last two paragraphs will make any reader gulp."" In The Prince of Beverly Hills, set in Hollywood's Golden Age of the 1930s, Woods introduces a new character that possesses the kind of suave confidence, take-charge manner, and clever wit-under-pressure that his fans will recognize and love at first sight. Rick Barron, a sharp, capable detective on the Beverly Hills force, finds himself demoted after a run-in with his captain, but soon lands a job on the security detail for Centurion Pictures, one of the hottest studios. As the protector of the studio's interests, Barron looks after the cream of the crop of filmdom's stars-Clete Barrow, the British leading man with a penchant for parties; and Glenna Gleason, a peach of a talent on the verge of superstardom. Rick's easy charm has society columnists dubbing him ""the Prince of Beverly Hills,"" the white knight of movie stars, until he uncovers a murder cover-up and a blackmail scam that threatens the studio's business and may originate with the West Coast mob. When two suspicious deaths begin to look like double-murder, and an attempt is made on Glenna Gleason's life, Barron knows he is up against wise guys whose stakes are do-or-die. A dicey war of nerves is on. Set in the era of high style and silver-screen romance, Woods's thoroughly entertaining new crime novel shows us once again why he is a ""master of the genre"" (Los Angeles Times). "

Customer Reviews:

Fun and nostalgic.......2007-06-25

Set in the 1940s, "The Prince of Beverly Hills" follows a semi-disgraced policeman by the name of Rick Barron who, while sitting in his patrol car one night in Beverly Hills and contemplating his recent demotion, witnesses an accident that will change his life quite dramatically for the better. One of the accident victims is a Hollywood leading man, and based on the way that Barron handles the events of the evening, he soon finds himself in the employ of the actor's studio. The book chronicle's Barron progression from head of studio security to head of production over the course of about 3 years, right at the outbreak of World War II. Along the way, he's forced to deal with a number of organized crime figures, including the infamous Ben "Bugsy" Seigel of Las Vegas lore. The book features fictional characters, but also a large number of appearances by non-fictional characters. In addition to Seigel, Clark Gable, David Niven, Greta Garbo, and several other celebrities from that era have brief roles in the plot.

It's a fun read...nothing remotely cerebral here...and harkens back to a simpler time when Big Band music ruled the airwaves and Churchill occupied the Prime Minister's office. It's the type of book you could get through in a weekend quite easily. There's just enough mystery to keep it interesting, and the good guys really do finish first in this one.

Light and entertaining, it's a nice addition to the collection of 30+ novels authored by Stuart Woods.

A Light, Fast-Paced, Entertaining Read!.......2007-02-05

In The Prince of Beverly Hills Woods has introduced a new main character, Rick Barron, who rises from being a demoted police detective to a big career in the movie industry. In his book, which takes place between the late 1930's-early 1940's, Woods weaves the right amount of interesting characters, history and excitement that results in a very enjoyable, entertaining and fast-paced story. The Prince of Beverly Hills is the perfect type of book for a plane ride, vacation or for when you just want something light 'escape' reading that will keep you turning the pages and engrossed. If you're looking for something heavier and thought-provoking to read, I'd suggest that you skip this book. My one criticism with The Prince of Beverly Hills -- and it's a minor one -- is the ease with which everything good falls into the leading character's lap. Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to the next book featuring Rick Barron.

I loved this book.......2006-12-03

I loved this book. I hope Stuart Woods writes more books with these characters!

Some pieces of Hollywood truth, WWII and the Mob.......2006-10-09

What a fabulous book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. There are pieces of truth in this saga of early Hollywood that are so enjoyable. The stories of Gable and David Niven having gone to war, the mob's desire to get into Hollywood, and the bygone era of making stars. This was a superb story. To really appreciate it, get David Niven's wonderful five star books, THE MOON'S A BALLOON and BRING ON THE EMPTY HORSES. Both are superb and will help set the pieces of these two actors who are mentioned in Woods' book. Unfortunately for me, I've now read every one of Woods' books and have to wait until he writes another. He's one my my all time favorite authors. The commentary from the British star regarding Neville Chamberlain and Churchill are enlightening as well as true. The Niven books will truly give you insight into David's chats with Churchill and how he went home to England to fight the war, leaving Hollywood for six years. You've got to read this book...it's star quality page turner...Oh, and the bad guy reminds me of Lana Turner's boyfriend who was allegedly killed by Lana's daughter Cheryl. It's a delicious book...get it!

this book sucks, read like a tabloid.......2006-09-30

mr. woods kept going down the hill but still so actively churning out bad almost barely readable novels year after year. this hollywood detective/cop turning bad story really sucks big time. very bad dialogue and storyline. guess woods simply couldn't get away from hollywood too far.now i rank him under sidney sheldon and harold robbins. give it a rest of this kind of hollywood junk, don't waste too much paper again.

2 HBs by Stuart Woods: The Prince of Beverly Hills & Blood Orchid

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2 HBs by Stuart Woods: The Prince of Beverly Hills & Blood Orchid
Stuart Woods
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000USSIG0

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hardbacks

The Pink Palace Revisited: Behind Closed Doors at the Beverly Hills Hotel

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The Pink Palace Revisited: Behind Closed Doors at the Beverly Hills Hotel
Sandra Lee Stuart , and John Prince
Manufacturer: Barricade Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books

Movie Tie-Ins | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0942637844

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The Prince Of Beverly Hills
Stuart Woods
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000O7TQP4

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The Prince Of Beverly Hills
Stuart Woods
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GRSUK4

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The Pink Palace Revisited: Behind Closed Doors at the Beverly Hills Hotel
Sandra Lee and John Prince Stuart
Manufacturer: Barricade Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NQIM92

The Prince of Beverly Hills, Reckless Abandon, Short Straw

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The Prince of Beverly Hills, Reckless Abandon, Short Straw
Stuart Woods
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000RMO5S4

Product Description

Good mystery books, one is about cop-turned-lawyer Stone Barrington, one is about attorney Ed Eagle and the other is about private investigator Rick Barron

Book Description

The White Table is set in many mess halls as a symbol for and remembrance to service members fallen, missing, or held captive in the line of duty. Solitary and solemn, it is the table where no one will ever sit. As a special gift to her Uncle John, Katie and her sisters are asked to help set the white table for dinner. As their mother explains the significance of each item placed on the table Katie comes to understand and appreciate the depth of sacrifice that her uncle, and each member of the Armed Forces and their families, may be called to give.

Customer Reviews:

America's white table.......2007-09-13

This is an excellent book to share with children the holidays of Veterans' Day and/or Memorial Day. It illustrates the personal and family involvement very well. An excellent book for teachers!

America's White Table.......2007-01-09

Excellent book for children AND adults, explaining a touching memorial to our military who have made so many sacrifices for our freedom.

A beautiful book!.......2005-06-21

The first time I read this book I almost cried! It is a beautifully written and illustrated book that explains the little known tradition of the POW/MIA table in words that a child can understand. I bought one for my son, and will now purchase another for my God Children.

Jesse James (Heroes & Villains of the Wild West)

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Jesse James (Heroes & Villains of the Wild West)
John Hamilton
Manufacturer: Abdo & Daughters Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Law & Crime | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1562395599

Wild Bill Hickok (Heroes & Villains of the Wild West)

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Wild Bill Hickok (Heroes & Villains of the Wild West)
John Hamilton
Manufacturer: Abdo & Daughters Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1562395629

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Supers Done Right = Serious Fun
A superhero novel done right
AWESOME! I can't wait to read more.
Highly Recommended!
Fast, funny, and hip

Other People's Heroes
Blake M. Petit
Manufacturer: PublishAmerica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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jp-unknown3 | Specialty Stores | Books
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ASIN: 1591291453

Book Description

Imagine, for a moment, that you live in a world full of superheroes. Imagine a world where people bend steel in their bare hands, where champions dart across the sky, where avengers step out of the shadows to protect the innocent. Imagine a man larger than life protecting the innocent, imagine a family of heroes, imagine warriors dedicated to the safety of mankind. Imagine you've worshiped them your entire life. Then imagine it's all a hoax. Imagine that your champions are actors, the fights choreographed... imagine the real heroes vanished a decade ago. Imagine you're the only one who knows the truth. And imagine what you would do to put things right...

Customer Reviews:

Supers Done Right = Serious Fun.......2007-06-23

Granted the positive influence of graphic novels like Alan Moore's Watchmen on the maturation of superhero storytelling, there are still very few traditional novels that translate the best qualities of the superhero genre beyond the comics format. Blake Petit's book does that, in spades. If you're interested in a story that has mature heroism-- both idealistic and skeptical--, convincing characterization, well-paced adventure, and the good fun of discovering a truly unique fictional world, read Other People's Heroes. In a genre defined, and oftentimes overrun, by long-standing tropes, the author successfully writes along the fine line between satisfying conventionality and surprising originality. Big praise, I know, but it's well-deserved. This is one of those books I will reread many times.

A superhero novel done right.......2006-12-14

If Other People's Heroes were a Hollywood superhero film, it would be Sam Raimi's Spiderman. In both stories, an average guy gets extraordinary powers, and then has to confront an even more extraordinary threat. Although these characrers are superhuman, both heroes (and their respective allies and adversaries) breathe as real people, not cartoons. In addition to plentiful humor (with a tinge of pathos for color), both stories feature numerous well-realized action set-pieces, and both climax with an extended, bang-up brawl that is truly exciting (as opposed to just loud).

There have been many other superhero movies, but none are quite as close in spirit. Heroes is frequently funny, but is not slapstick like Batman (1966). Heroes also has a few dark moments, but is free of the pervasive gloom of, well, Batman (1989). Heroes doesn't take itself as seriously as X-Men (or 2, or 3) (2000; 2003; 2006), but doesn't try as hard (and fail so miserably) at being hip and funny as Mystery Men (1999). Unlike Superman Returns (2006), Heroes' protagonist is not a flat and emotionless bore, and, unlike The Punisher (2004), Heroes' protagonist also is not a psychopathic lunatic. And Fantastic Four (2005) just stank.

Other People's Heroes does not quite scale the heights of The Incredibles' (2004) astounding blend of humor, action, emotion, and philosophy. But Blake Petit has produced a novel that is extremely accomplished. And in the world of superheroes, Spiderman is mighty fine company to keep.

AWESOME! I can't wait to read more........2005-08-11

I've been following "14 Days of Asphalt," the sequel to OPH that Blake has been posting online at www.evertimerealms.com, and CAN'T WAIT to see how it ends. I hope he finds the means to get the sequel published and the time to write many more books about the Masks and Capes of Siegel City. Great book. Thanks, Blake.

Highly Recommended!.......2004-04-11

This book brings you into a whole new world and makes it believable. It has suspense and humor. The writing is excellent, but always accessible. The book is clean enough (and fun enough!) that you can feel confident and comfortable recommending it to anybody. Don't dismiss this as "just a book about superheroes"-- it has depth and poignance. I was so sorry when it ended-- I hope this author publishes more novels!

Fast, funny, and hip.......2004-03-18

I read this book some time ago, and I've finally gotten around to reviewing it. "Other People's Heroes" is a quick read - it's quickly paced and relies heavily on plot to move things along. That said, Petit's characters are well-developed, though they do tend to fall into types. Of course, it's an homage to superhero comics, so that's not really a weakness.

Book Description

"Before the Nazis... Some children lived in towns like this, went to schools like this . . ."

Through moving photographs from the Yad Vashem Archives in Jerusalem, Israel, archivist Chana Byers Abells has created an unforgettable essay about the children who lived and died during the Holocaust. And while it is a story of death and loss, it is also a story of courage and endurance. It is a story that must be told to all of today's children.

Customer Reviews:

A powerful photographic essay.......2007-07-03

This powerful photographic essay of few words describes the lives and tragic deaths of Jewish children in the holocaust and those who survived.
It consists of photos from the archives at Yad Vashem: The Holocaust Martyrs and Rememrance Authority in Jerusalem, Israel.
It shows pictures of these children, many who were murdered, and some who survived during the holocaust, it is both stark and tender.
As Elie Wiesel said of this little book: "Look at these children. Look at their faces. They will break your heart'.
The book begins : "Before the Nazis . . . some children lived in towns like this," showing the children in happier times, going on to their suffering and starvation in the ghettos and in too many cases their evential murder.
Real pictures of real children who lived during those times.
The hope lies in their memories and of the stories of those who survived'
Few words and many pictures, it brings home the tragedy of these times to young readers, in a way that few books can.
I have been to Yad Vashem, and have also seen throughout Israel, many beautiful children, and remembered that children like these were once cruelly murdered in their hundreds of thousands by the Nazis.
Israel must protect her children!

Excellent for the classroom.......2001-12-12

I am a 6th grade teacher of a multicultural awareness course in NJ. I came across this book last year and it was excellent. The pictures give the whole story in a very simple and powerful manner.
I also found excellent discussion questions in "Memories of the Night: A study of the Holocaust by Anita Meyer Meinbach.
I think Chan Byers "The Children we remember" is a must in the classroom library.

The Children We Remember.......2000-05-18

This is a wonderfully touching book that introduces elementary age children to the holocost. The pictures are poignant and draw the children in. The text is simple and thought provoking. Children begin to realize that war affects everyone even the children.

Annie Oakley (Heroes & Villains of the Wild West)

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Annie Oakley (Heroes & Villains of the Wild West)
John Hamilton
Manufacturer: Abdo & Daughters Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Sports & Activities | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1562395637

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Backpack Books: American Heroes
Incorporated Barbour Publishing
Manufacturer: Barbour Publishing, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Here's some great literature to fill your young reader's book bag. Backpack Books combine four complete stories--whether biographies, classics, or fiction--into one cool package. They're great for reading at home, school, in the car...anywhere! All stories are wholesome and God-honoring, and ideal for kids ages eight to twelve.

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Backpack Books: Bible Heroes
Incorporated Barbour Publishing
Manufacturer: Barbour Publishing, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Book Description

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Backpack Books: Modern Heroes
Incorporated Barbour Publishing
Manufacturer: Barbour Publishing, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1586601288

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