The James Dean Affair

By Robert S. Levinson

Book Overview

Los Angeles newspaper columnist Neil Gulliver and his ex-wife Stevie Marriner, the "sex queen of the soaps", uncover a pattern in the supposed accidental deaths of movie icon James Dean's Rebel Without A Cause co-stars Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo, and Nick Adams. Were they and others associated with Dean murdered? Was Dean's tragic death in a fiery highway crash forty-five years ago also no accident, or is it possible that -- as millions of his fans continue to believe -- James Dean survived the crash and is still alive today?Neil and Stevie escape threats on their own lives as they try to unravel the clues behind the death of one of film's most beloved stars.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312872682
• ISBN13: 9780312872687
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Forge
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Not bad

While reading this novel, I found it intensifying. It had few flaws (such as the fact that the story would have been better off if it was based on a fictional Hollywood star rather than James Dean). However, it is funny, witty, and most of all thrilling. Everyones entitled to there own opinion however. But to me it is a pretty great book.

Decent Follow-Up

I've read all three books in this series, and while this is not my favorite of the three, it is still a far better read than much of what attempts to pass for reading material in today's throw-it-together publishing world.Stevie and Neil remain fun, and the never ending action kept me turning the pages so that I wouldn't have to go to sleep without finding out what really happened.You'll want to know too, I think, and like all series with developing characters it is a lot of fun to get to know them from the beginning.

A deligtful Nick and Nora type mystery

Every Hollywood insider including columnist Neil Gulliver and soap opera queen Stevie Mariner knew that the Rebel without a Cause teen idol was destined to be Elvis before Elvis. However, the giant screen star died in a fiery crash in 1955.Stevie is going to perform at the Hollywood Post Office branch as part of the James Dean commemorative stamp celebration. During the gala event, a Dean look alike interrupts the proceedings by killing an actor who worked with Dean. Unable to resist their curiosity, the formerly married to one another, but still friendly couple, Neil and Stevie investigate the mysterious stranger. However, instead of a simple case, the evidence they find points to Dean not dying in the car crash and a conspiracy in progress for years that kills several of his film co-stars. Now the assailants target Neil and Stevie.Robert S. Levinson uses his droll wit to provide readers with a humorous look at the seemingly surreal world of Hollywood. Stevie and Neil provide a charming and bickering duet that easily could have starred Lucy and Desi. Their relationship is cleverly intertwined to support the exciting story line of THE JAMES DEAN AFFAIR. The fast-paced plot makes filmdom seem darker and seedier than usual, but handled with a classy touch that enthralls the audience with the sub-culture and the mystery.Harriet Klausner