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We were waiting for this book in the Tess Monaghan series. Okay, at least, I was. The second I realized that it was about a television series filming on location, it was one of those forehead slapping "of course" moments. Most of Lippman's time recently has resulted in knock-out standalone novels (WHAT THE DEAD KNOW, TO THE POWER OF THREE, EVERY SECRET THING lists) but she's still writing her series novels and it's clear she's not done with the character, PI and former reporter Tess Monaghan. And Lippman doesn't miss a beat. The story picks up six months after NO GOOD DEEDS. Tess is still with Crow, still trying to deal with Crow's salvage project, the teenage Lloyd. Due to a little obliviousness on Tess's part, one morning while rowing, she wrecks the filming of a TV scene on the river. That's right, it's a television show set and shot in Baltimore. Many readers know that Lippman is married to television producer David Simon. He currently works on an HBO series and was involved in Homicide: Life on the Streets. It seems natural that Baltimore-booster Tess Monaghan would know all about the film crew that's come to town to film Mann of Steel. And the not-very-bright star of the show, Selene, an airhead par excellence is on the receiving end of threats. Tess has grown a lot over the years, but she still tends to trip over things; she gets this job, essentially by being oblivious. But that's what makes her real, along with her at times over the top "it's Baltimore or it's crap' attitude that the best of everything starts and ends in the one city. I don't get her enthusiasm, but that's Tess. ANOTHER THING TO FALL is entertaining as hell, as you know that Lippman's take on the world of television drama, on-location shooting and Hollywood's interpretation of Baltimore is spot-on. It's not that we haven't seen good TV come out of Baltimore, but I've been there, where they've filmed sit-coms (that view out the window is impossible) and movies (you can't drive in that direction on the bridge) and where they've set books (there is a country music community here) I appreciate Lippman's deft touch. The 'types' are there but they're well-crafted, some actors and some people who work in the movies and television really do think they are as important and creative as their press releases claim. Others do love the business, love what happens every day on the set. Still others do think that they become important, sexy and attractive because they hang out with important, sexy attractive people. Tess can't be swayed by all the glamour because she simply does not care about popular culture; her priorities are friends and family, her dogs, her city. Even Whitney is useful because with her attitude of "no one is more impressive than I am", and she can't be swayed by the trappings of celebrity that come with the crowd that has invaded Baltimore. But television does deal with illusion and, true to form, not everything, or everyone in ANOTHER THING TO FALL is what it seems. I didn't see it all coming.
Reviewed by Andi Shechter, February 2008
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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