This fictional story follows Richard Belzer (a man who has played the same detective on almost a dozen different TV shows). He's a regular actor/comedian living a normal (somewhat boring) life. He and his close friend (Rudy) start the novel off meeting at a restaurant by the beach in New York. Although Rudy is working as a medical examiner in New York, he spent his childhood in the Soviet Union. After their meal, Rudy gets jumped by Ukranian thugs! Richard helps save his friend from a serious beat down, but when he asks bystanders to call the police, Rudy asks him not to get them involved. Things get even more suspicious from there.
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The next day, Richard gets in trouble for a photo of the fight that was taken by paparazzi. Soon, a mysterious fan shows up and Richard starts to worry. Later, his friend Rudy doesn't show up to Madison Square Garden as they had planned. While he's waiting for Rudy, another mysterious stranger approached him about Rudy and "suggests" that Richard follow him. There's no telling what kind of trouble his friend is in. Is he dead? has he been abducted? And what hope does Rudy have if Richard is on the case??
Best part of story, including ending:
It was really funny. I liked the little side comments and jokes he had. It was great to get a sense of the real guy, not just the character he plays on TV.
Best scene in story:
My favorite scene is the day after the fight at Brighton Beach. Richard is trying to make the makeup artists laugh even though his boss is giving him the third degree.
Opinion about the main character:
I like that he was a good combination of aloof and clever.