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David Handler has "a hit, a palpable hit" in PHANTOM ANGEL, his 23rd book and the second one to feature PI Benji Golden, after RUNAWAY MAN. Handler's sure touch with realistic dialogue has been compared to Elmore Leonard for good reason. No wonder Handler has won the Edgar and American Mystery awards.
Morrie Frankel is one of the most successful producers Broadway has seen since David Merrick. And he's a one-man band, averse to sharing credit or responsibility for the many shows he creates. His next triumph, due to begin previews soon, is a musical version of Emily Brontė's Wuthering Heights starring two young Hollywood lovebirds famed for playing Tarzan and Jane in three 3D epic films.
Frankel is desperately short of funds for this production, estimated to cost $69 million. Investor R.J. Farnell, who pledged $12 million, has vanished! Frankel hires PI Benji Golden to find him.
Benji Golden's search begins with Farnell's alleged girlfriend, an eighteen-year-old runaway from Louisiana named Jonquil Beausoleil. Through her, Golden learns that nothing is as it seems.
Frankel faces all sorts of challenges in bringing his vision to the stage. Several people stand to benefit if Morrie Frankel fails. Or dies. The young stars, Matthew Puntigam and Hannah Lane, are sure to headline the movie version that will inevitably follow the Broadway run. Their movie studio wants to bankroll the Broadway musical but Frankel won't share the rights. The play's director, Henderson Lebow, was fired after a major fallout with Frankel and may seek revenge. Frankel owes a fortune to Mafioso Joe Minetta, who introduces Jonquil Beausoleil to the underworld. While keeping track of all things Broadway in search of scoops, Cricket O'Shea, with her infamous blog, plays a crucial role in what transpires. The only person Frankel can trust is his assistant for forty-seven years, Leah Shimmel.
Many colorful characters inhabit this depiction of NYC. Golden's parents deserve special mention. His late dad, Meyer Golden, a former hero cop, opened Golden Legal Services after retiring. His mother Abby "enjoyed the distinction of being the only Jewish pole dancer in New York City." She still works at the agency along with Rita, her lap dancer buddy. Golden's cohorts on the side of the law include Lt. Legs Diamond of the NYPD, a homicide investigator who appeared to work with Golden in RUNAWAY MAN; FBI Special Agent Jack Dytman; US Attorney Gino Cimoli; Golden's good friend Sue Herrera; and someone who deserves a book of his own, Farmer John, a mega-millionaire community gardener.
PHANTOM ANGEL is a terrific quick read, highly entertaining, well plotted and satisfying. David Handler deserves a round of applause.
§Deb Shoss is a retired theatre producer/director, avid reader and former bookseller living in Sarasota FL.
Reviewed by Deb Shoss, January 2015
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