Product Description

INTRODUCING BUZZ AND ALLY LEVIN, THE SEXIEST COMEDY-MYSTERY DUO SINCE NICK AND NORA CHARLES.
Buzz is a Yuppie Boston lawyer, whose wit is as sharp as his Mont Blanc pen. Ally is his career-savvy interior-designer wife intelligent, gorgeous, and quick as a whip. Their worlds collide only once a year when the Boston Designers Annual Show House competition descends upon them, and Buzz will do all he can to stay out of Allys way until the barrage of chintz and silk has subsided.
This year, though, when the Show House is opened for the designers preview and two most unpleasant surprises are uncovered: one decorator is discovered murdered and another found comatose from a violent attack.
When a seemingly innocent suspect is charged with the crimes, Buzz takes on his defense and must solve the mystery to save his client. In the process, he encounters fabric scandals, love triangles, and power struggles of the decorative kind...not to mention a colorful cast of characters and the occasional design tip that will have you reeling with laughter and reupholstering, too!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #680337 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 292 pages

About the Author
Franklin H. Levy graduated from Yale University and received his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He currently resides in Las Vegas, where he is counsel to the Venetian Hotel Casino and Las Vegas Sands Corp. and aide-de-camp to their executive officers.

Customer Reviews

Modern day Nick and Nora?
In this, of what I hope is the first of a new series, we meet the Levin family, Buzz a successful trial lawyer, his wife Allyn, an equally successful interior designer and their son Justin. As the novel opens the family is returning from their summer vacation and gearing up for their next projects, Justin to begin 8th grade, Allyn to decorate a room in a Show House and Buzz back to work at the firm he helped found. Within a few hours though plans began to change as one of Allyn fellow designers is found murdered, another severely injured and a third charged with the crimes. Buzz takes the case and in his efforts to prepare his client's defense uncovers much more than he ever bargained for.

The story is told from Buzz's point of view, giving the reader an insight into how this middle aged lawyer sees himself and the world around him. Buzz imagines himself as a modern day Nick Charles, complete with martinis and witty one liners, sadly the world sees him as a slightly overweight middle aged, middle class lawyer living in the suburbs rather than a suave, debonair, wealthy man playing at detective work. And as for the witty lines, well they go over the heads of most of those around him which disappoints Buzz but gives the reader a smile at his expense.

This is the first novel by Levy, and like many first novels shows both promise and room for improvement. The Levin family is charming and leaves this reader at least, waiting for the next installment. The actual crimes are challenging enough to keep the reader guessing until the final pages. The problems are that sometimes the author goes a bit overboard. There is a large cast of characters that are introduced, but no more than often happens in introductory books to series. Buzz makes frequent puns and risque one liners sometimes to the point of slowing down the story. Also we get a bit more information about the Levin's sex life than is really needed, some things are better left to the imagination of the reader.

Overall though this is an excellent whodunnit which will appeal to the 'Hart to Hart' or 'McMillan and Wife' fans if not necessarily those of the 'Thin Man'.

Good Story, Good Humor
This mystery is almost a spoof of the old "Thin Man", Hammett motif; but the first person narrator, Buzz, is a witty yuppie Boston lawyer happily married to a decorator. He tries to think hard-boiled but can't do better than poached. When his wife begins a showcase project with a bevy of other decorators, the murder and near murder occur. As one can imagine, the decorators make for a colorful lot. They are colorful in all the ways you would expect, yet somehow they do not seem stereotypical. Luckily though, just as the homosexual and flighty decorator jokes began to get old, the author wisely backed off.

Humor is a difficult thing to pull off. The author must use it judiciously so it does not overcome the plot. Mr. Levy does so successfully. Buzz and Allyn, his wife, have on-going loving repartee that can only make the reader smile, or even stop and chortle. Often, the reader is made to think - that's a great line. Why couldn't I think of that.

The mystery itself is good as is the solving of it by Buzz. There are some moments that nearly go over the top, but that only fits the tone of the book.

This is a very good, breezy, witty light read. It is in the class of Stephanie Plum novels, but I think a bit higher brow. It is thoroughly enjoyable and a great effort for a first novel.

Dastardly Decorators!
I'm a big fan of whodunits and mysteries/thrillers in general.

I had never heard of this author before it was suggested to me by Amazon. The murders take place during Showcase House time..I imagine they have that sort of thing in most large cities. Two dead bodies and of course, there are loads of suspects among the decorators.

I enjoyed the book because it's written so tongue-in-cheek..the author doesn't take himself too seriously and there are many moments of outright hilarity.

I especially love the little boxes at the end of chapters giving decorating advice in the middle of a murder mystery.

Very clever premise and use of the first person narrative style. Even with the comedic twist, the book still manages to be a page-turner!

This is one I never would have tried on my own, hope the author is prolific! Loved the insight into Boston's Brahmin elite and wannabes