Book Review: Coffin's Got the Dead Guy on the Inside

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Coffin's Got the Dead Guy on the Inside     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Keith Snyder
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Humorous
Series: Jason Keltner # 2
Walker, Sep 1998, $22.95, 300 pp.

When you are down to chump change while living in the Pasadena area, you take any job offer that comes your way. That is why occasionally employed electronic music composer Jason Keltner reluctantly agrees to "adult-sit" Paul Reno for an old friend Norman Platt. Jason arranges for Paul, whose girlfriend just kicked him out of their place, to move into the Marengo Manor apartments.

Following his client's instructions, Jason escorts his charge to a party where he has been told by Norman to primarily observe multimedia superstar Huey Benton and any contact he has with Paul. However, the jig takes a strange twist when a drunk Huey dies in front of Jason, who wonders if this was premeditated murder that somehow involves Paul. The case turns crazier as Jason is forced to flee for his life as he suddenly gets his hands on a computer device that no one knows how to use, leaving the adult sitter to wonder if being a homeless person might be a better option than taking jobs from friends.

COFFIN'S GOT THE DEAD GUY ON THE INSIDE is a weird, quirky, but fun look at the bottom side of Pasadena and the Silicon Valley crowd. Though the story line is frothing with irony and irreverence, Keith Snyder's plot percolates with a suspenseful mystery. Jason and his two buddies (Martin and Robert) are a terrific trio, who will leave readers showing no control while remonstrating for more Keltner novels.

Harriet Klausner

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