The DVD Murders
Someone is Killing the A-List Actors of Hollywood
When Pete Dyes, the beloved and Academy-Award winning actor, is shot and killed one night outside a famous director’s Brentwood home, and then America’s Sweetheart, movie actress Allison Rodgers, is gunned down in broad daylight in a public park, Hollywood holds its collective breath. Someone is killing the A-list actors of Hollywood and leaving a defaced DVD of one of their films at the crime scene. A deranged film critic? A disgruntled fan? A stalker, a rival, a psychopath? Who? Who is intent on depriving the movie-going public of their greatest national treasures, and why?
Follow Detective Frank Callahan, a big, rough, blue-collar sort of guy who happens to be gay, as he and his fellow Irish Catholic sidekick, Barry, pursue the elusive DVD killer across the streets of Hollywood, through gay bars and cruising grounds, on a chase around Magic Mountain Amusement Park, Forest Lawn, and other L.A. landmarks. Witness Callahan’s about-face from a seeker of personal glory to team player, his running battle with a gay-bashing rival detective, the brutish Moose Koehler, and his on-again, off-again romance with his estranged lover, a fascinating character named Car. In the end, it’s good, old-fashioned police work with an assist from Barry’s Aunt Bee, a walking encyclopedia of film lore that leads to the killer’s downfall in an exciting climax reminiscent of Hollywood’s legendary gangster film, White Heat.
Recommended on many levels
"I enjoyed The DVD Murders very much. As always...nothing is simple...the human condition is complex and multi-faceted. Bob Frey does an excellent job of portraying his gay protagonist and aspects of the gay lifestyle. The `gay' element of this mystery certainly gives the novel a unique twist, adds some humor and insight. You may not like all you learn from this novel, but at least you'll come away with a better understanding. Yes, I would recommend this book on many levels."
—Kaye’s Bookshelf, The Midwest Book Review
An excellent action thriller
“Relentless action, believable characters, atmospheric descriptions of many Los Angeles sites and characters. Raunchy and hilarious at times (as in the episode in the gay bathhouse). Lots of classic movie references.
“Unlike many other mysteries, the ending doesn't let you down.
“A good read, well worth the price.”
—H. O. Fattorini, Four stars Amazon customer review
A Gay Hero
“Bob Frey gives us a unique new mystery with "The DVD Murders". Frank Callahan is a good looking gay detective and he and his partner Barry work together. However, there is a problem and its name is Moose Koehler, a homophobic gay basher with a filthy mouth and he makes trouble. He enjoys two things-bashing gays and hitting on women. When a major actor is killed, a DVD is found next to the body and soon afterwards a lead actress is also found murdered. Following this comes a letter which states that the murderer is intent on getting rid of everyone that has anything to do with the "Hollywood agenda". When an agent leaves town because of the way the investigation is going he becomes the focus of the entire case. Yet another letter arrives but this time it is sent to the media and it talks about the degeneration of America and it includes a demand that the writer's manifesto be published in the newspaper.
“Someone is killing the A-list of Hollywood and Frank and Barry are out to find out who is doing this and the reasons for it.
Frey has given us some terrific characters here and he definitely has some insight into the gay lifestyle (for lack of a better word). I found myself turning the pages as quickly as I could. The writing is excellent and the plot keeps you guessing.”
—Amos Lassen, four stars Amazon customer review
Interesting characters and set-ups
Gay detective Frank Callahan is handsome, gutsy and has a wry sense of the scene around him. He and partner Barry have a good working relationship but a thorn in both their sides is a gay-bashing, uncouth fellow detective, Moose Koehler, who is the embodiment of a trash mouth, whether verbally bashing gays or ogling and crudely commenting on female detectives' attributes. You can't wait for him to get his comeuppance.”
—I Love a Mystery