Hollywood Forever

Full of fun references to Hollywood's glamorous past, Goldstein's delightful fiction debut introduces Beverly Hills matron Samantha Crowley, the gutsy wife of Benjamin Crowley, a pompous, bestselling author eager to divorce her for a younger woman. Sam takes daily walks in Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where she visits the graves of mobster Bugsy Siegel and movie director William Desmond Taylor, both murder victims—and plots to kill off Hunter McCall, her husband's most famous fictional character, whom she helped create. Meanwhile, people affiliated with Benjamin who come in contact with Sam meet unnatural ends: publicist Peter Perkal, struck by a hit-and-run driver; agent Carol Haber, poisoned; novelist Jonathon Harley, stabbed. Rugged Jack Sharrow, a fellow cemetery visitor, lends support. Goldstein (coauthor of The Smart Divorce) supplies one surprise after another as the action builds to a suitable Hollywood ending. (Jan.)