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Los Angeles has no shortage of oddballs, quirks, or shady characters, and Thomas Collins brings them all to life in his recently released novel “Crimeline Hollywood.” Stradling detective noir and comedy genres, Collins has his wit and sardonic humor on full display as readers follow Dash Harwood, “Astrologer to the Stars,” into a fast-paced adventure of Tinsel Town antics.
Diving into creative writing at a young age, Collins wrote his first book at just ten years old. As an adult, he worked as a communications director for a Fortune 500 company and gained an intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the business world. This passion for language continued in his personal and professional life, where novel writing has become his primary focus.
“Crimeline Hollywood” is a point of arrival for the author, who embraced a freewheeling narrative style and expanded his focus on character depth after receiving essential, professional feedback on his previously unpublished novel. He notes author and screenwriter William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Marathon Man, The Princess Bride) as a major influence on this newly embraced style, and it shows throughout the book in wisecracking jokes and big moments of action.
Drawing inspiration from cinema, slimy Hollywood tabloids, and his own insights into corporate greed, Collins pits his protagonist against a Las Vegas hitman, egomaniacal (and sometimes unstable) clients, and a cabal of big-money executives pulling the strings in the entertainment industry. True to the story’s breakneck pace, the opening scene is a high-speed car chase through the crowded streets of Los Angeles.
Assuming a new identity and doing his best to avoid the hitman on his heels, Dash heads for the sleepy mountain town of Upper Coolidge, North Carolina, the childhood home of his highest-profile client, the world-famous and award-winning singer/actress Sparklynn James. He settles into a new mode of living, sparking up a romance with a local and enjoying his time in the Blue Ridge Mountains, but the peace can’t last.
The novel kicks into high gear when Sparklynn suddenly goes missing. After federal investigators fumble the case, the star’s family recruits the astrologer to help track her down. Joining forces with Rebecca Fairway, a glamorous private investigator, Dash is dragged back to Los Angeles and embroiled in the unfolding mystery. Their search leads them through disparate corners of the city and beyond, encountering unsavory characters and mishaps at every turn, each met with Harwood’s trademark sarcasm.
Written in short, punchy chapters punctuated with lurid tabloid headlines, the novel’s action moves quickly but leaves space for character development and depth. Readers get to see Dash as both a slick professional and a vulnerable man looking for a personal connection he can’t seem to find among the plastic and posturing of Hollywood celebs. His involvement in searching for the missing Sparklynn is enthusiastic because he truly cares about her (and his career), yet reluctant because he’s seen a glimpse of a different, more fulfilling life than chasing fame and money.
This internal battle adds an element of tragic romance to the genre-bending story, which ranges from a quirky character study to a scathing critique of America’s obsession with celebrity. Still a mystery novel at heart, plenty of twists and turns keep readers guessing, nods to pop culture, and the full gamut of threatening moments and big reveals to keep the story grounded in its pulpy detective roots.
Collins expertly balances these facets of drama and humor, coupled with action and depth, to create an engaging, page-turning narrative that is simultaneously fresh and familiar. The comedy is prominent throughout but not heavy-handed or presented in a way that overshadows the dangers the characters face. The cinematic scope and iconic settings bring readers right into the suspense, and Harwood’s snarky observations give a bird’s eye view of Hollywood culture.
The wonderfully chaotic story builds toward a powerful ending befitting a blockbuster and sends readers off with a tidy epilogue that further humanizes the hero. A truly enthralling read from start to finish, “Crimeline Hollywood” is a wild ride of glitz and glamor, seedy criminals, salacious celebrities, broken hearts, and pulpy investigation peppered with smart humor and a dash of astrology.
The book’s website, https://crimelinebythomascollins.com, provides visitors with a deeper look at the novel’s central characters through their astrological profiles, an overview of Upper Coolidge’s mainstays, and a synopsis of the story as told by the tabloid headlines.
Thomas Collins has undertaken the ambitious task of crafting a mystery thriller that moves seamlessly through comedy, satire, romance, and action to rise above the confines of its genre. Armed with a cast of colorful, dynamic characters, harrowing situations, and a unique eye for the absurdism of America’s entertainment capital, he has succeeded in spades with the zany romp that graces the pages of “Crimeline Hollywood.”