"Elvis fans will like this"
In 1963 on the last day of shooting of Kissin Cousins,
Elvis feels embarrassed by the movie, his dual roles, and
the inane songs. Adding to Elvis' feelings of helplessness
is the media frenzy over his romance with his co-star Ann
Margaret and the left-handed comments of his current
producer. At a press conference, Elvis makes it clear that
with a good script he would provide a strong performance. However, his angst-laden soliloquy backfires, as every
lunatic sends in an "Oscar winning" script. The deluge is
just one more reason to escape the Colonel, Priscilla, and
the media. Elvis chooses the only interesting item amidst
the flood, the case of stuntman Freddy "Squirm" Littlejon
as his escape vehicle. Squirm is serving a life sentence
for the 1960 Hollywood murder of a bit player, Holly
McDougal. Squirm includes a picture of himself with Elvis
in military uniforms. Elvis takes on the case as a means
of escaping his troubles and because he feels a special
bond with stuntmen and veterans; Squirm is both. Elvis
begins his second investigation (see KILL ME TENDER for his
first case). The premise of BLUE SUEDE CLUES is that a troubled
Elvis turns to amateur sleuthing for relief from his woes.
The story line is fun for those readers who enjoy the
mystery of sighting Elvis in a mall, but the idiosyncrasies
of the superstar never surface; the reason many will want
to read this novel. Instead Elvis could easily be John
Doe, everyman amateur sleuth. The investigation is fun,
but except for those in the audience who live Graceland,
sub-genre readers will return to author Daniel Klein
disappointed. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted February 19, 2002
|
