Son Tim, a flamboyant party planner with a flirty personality and the ability to charm (and often pick up) almost any young man who crosses his path, and Placenta, Polly’s maid and BFF, have concerns about Polly getting involved in this production. Polly pooh-poohs their concerns along with those of boyfriend Detective Archer. 

Some of the contestants are talented, others not so much, but all are very rough around the edges, something outspoken judge, Thane Cornwall (who doesn’t have to be told to be the “mean judge”) doesn’t hesitate to tell each contestant.  Thane is found murdered in his house and one of the show’s assistants, Lisa, who had been having an affair with Thane, is arrested for the murder. 

Polly thinks the police are looking in the wrong direction; the show is titled I’ll Do Anything to Become Famous after all.  Polly holds one of her famous dinners parties, inviting all the suspects, hoping to ferret out the real murderer, but all her snooping may just put Polly herself into the sights of a killer.  

A Talent for Murder is a fun, easy read that fans of Hollywood and its history should enjoy.  Through her dialogue, Polly often drops little tidbits of Hollywood trivia, presented as her memories, but most people listening realize the stories are a bit of exaggeration, or at least Polly’s involvement in them is exaggerated. 

Placenta and Tim take very good care of Polly who still lives a bit in a dream world and drinks entirely too much champagne.  Along with Detective Archer, the three humor Polly when they can, but watch her closely to keep her out of harm’s way.  For the most part, readers will find Polly delightful, but she can also grate at times.  She is very clever, and single-minded when trying to figure out the murder, but also catches on to things a little too late, often putting herself into danger.  The mystery is pretty straightforward and pretty easy to figure out, but as no one is really mourning Thane, careers continue to be made and are lost, and of course, the champagne continues to flow.                                                                

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry