Confession time: I used to have a crush on film critic
Rex Reed. There I said it. It was around
the time he was hanging out with superstar Jacqueline Susann, and you know how
I feel about her. I was still very young then but I remember
seeing pics of them and I couldn’t help finding him attractive. This was around
the early ‘70s, I believe. You could say he was one of the very first people outside
my periphery that spoke to me as a future gay man. And growing up I kept up-to-date
with his busy career, from his gig on MYRA BECKENRIDGE (another Sleaze Factor
contender) to his stint as a movie reviewer on TV, finally to his quick dab in commercial
fiction.
Since he’s always been a devoted fan of glitzy
page-turners (just check out his ton of blurbs left on covers) it was only
natural that he would end up penning one of his own. PERSONAL EFFECTS (1987, Charter) is its name and it is the riveting tale of four
fans who befriend a legendary movie star with a past. When one of them is involved
in her cold-blooded murder, it’s up to a Hollywood columnist and narrator to
this story to solve the case. Throughout many torrid flashbacks and bitchy goings-on,
Reed delivers an eye-popping tale of old Hollywood that could rival any one of
Susann’s books. There's never a dull moment. From love to jealously to, of
course, murder, the author's uncanny flair for creating addictive escapism
shines through and through.
Ok I admit, perhaps I’m a little bit too soft on this
title. It has been a while since I even glanced at that cover. But what I
remember most about PERSONAL EFFECTS is
how much fun I had with it. The author’s colorful characters plus his clever
way of building up an explosive climax sure made and probably still makes PERSONAL EFFECTS a one sitting read. Another
Rex Reed novel is way past due, in my opinion.
This title has yet to go digital. Check out any used book store for a copy.
Until next post—Martin
 |
| 1986 Arbor House Hardcover |
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