YOU BET YOUR LIFE

by Stuart Kaminsky ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 21, 1979

Even those who found something to like in the previous Forties-Hollywood cases of sleuth Toby Peters may find this episode tiresome: Toby is again working for a Hollywood star, Chico Marx of the Brothers, but the action is almost all confined to gangland Chicago, with a wearying series of shadowings, chases, beat-ups, and shootings. The mob claims that gambler Chico owes them $120,000, but it ain't so; when Toby arrives in Chicago to press Chico's case, followed by the three Marxes, he's repeatedly framed by somebody leaving dead bodies in his hotel rooms. Along the way Toby argues with Capone and Frank Nitti, gets help from young Ian Fleming and not-yet-mayor Richard Daley, and there's one nice moment when Groucho saves Toby by posing as Dr. Hackenbush. But most of the imitation-Groucho patter is pallid, and Harpo's not only speechless but characterless. One extra warning: on page 14, narrator Toby reveals the ending of A. Christie's Peril at End House--which, unlike this fake-Forties put-on, is a period item definitely worth reading.

Pub Date: March 21, 1979

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1979

Categories: FICTION