Book Review: Raise the Devil

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Raise the Devil     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Terence Faherty
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Private Investigator   Historical
Series: Scott Elliott # 3
St. Martin’s, Nov 2000` $23.95, 272 pp.

In 1962, movie director Piolene trying to take advantage of the filming of Cleopatra is filming Warrior Queen on location in central California. The story based on the life of the Briton Queen Boudacia, stars Beverly “Bebe” Brooks. However, two-bit Vegas mobster Johnny Remlinger abducts Bebe from the set. Warrior Queen scriptwriter Ella Elliot recommends to Piolene that he hires Hollywood Security to rescue his starlet. With the help of his employer Paddy MaGuire, private investigator Scott Elliot daringly rescues Bebe.

However, the rescue does not last long when a plane carrying Bebe and Piolene crashes into a hill with the latter at the helm. Unable to sit back and let the law enforcement types handle the case, Scott begins his own inquiries. Though the suspect list starting with Remlinger seems endless, no one has a clear-cut motive for killing the two movie personalities. Still, feeling deep pangs of guilt for bringing Bebe back to die, Scott continues to investigate what seems like a hopeless case to solve.

RAISE THE DEVIL, the third Scott Elliot case is an enjoyable historical mystery that brings to life Hollywood during the Kennedy Administration. The vast ensemble slows down the story line with unnecessary detours that fail as red herrings because motives never surface. Scott is an interesting individual, but his deep remorse does not feel genuine even if it propels him to obstinately pursue a helpless case. Although the early sixties at the movies is fun for the nostalgic baby boomers and Scott is overall a top rate character, most fans will be better off with Terence Faherty’s other series.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner

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