Title: Pretty as a Picture by Elizabeth Little
Publisher: Viking
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss
Summary:
A CrimeReads Most Anticipated Book of 2020
An egomaniacal movie director, an isolated island, and a decades-old murder–the addictive new novel from the bestselling author of Dear Daughter
Marissa Dahl, a shy but successful film editor, travels to a small island off the coast of Delaware to work with the legendary–and legendarily demanding–director Tony Rees on a feature film with a familiar logline.
Some girl dies.
It’s not much to go on, but the specifics don’t concern Marissa. Whatever the script is, her job is the same. She’ll spend her days in the editing room, doing what she does best: turning pictures into stories.
But she soon discovers that on this set, nothing is as it’s supposed to be–or as it seems. There are rumors of accidents and indiscretions, of burgeoning scandals and perilous schemes. Half the crew has been fired. The other half wants to quit. Even the actors have figured out something is wrong. And no one seems to know what happened to the editor she was hired to replace.
Then she meets the intrepid and incorrigible teenage girls who are determined to solve the real-life murder that is the movie’s central subject, and before long, Marissa is drawn into the investigation herself.
The only problem is, the killer may still be on the loose. And he might not be finished.
A wickedly funny exploration of our cultural addiction to tales of murder and mayhem and a thrilling, behind-the-scenes whodunit, Pretty as a Picture is a captivating page-turner from one of the most distinctive voices in crime fiction.
Review:
Pretty as a Picture by Elizabeth Little is a clever mystery which stars a refreshing albeit quirky lead protagonist.
Marissa Dahl is a socially awkward but gifted film editor whose latest job is editing phenomenally successful direct Tony Dees’ latest movie. After signing a non-disclosure agreement, she travels to Kickout Island where she soon wishes she had read the script before signing on to the project. Marissa’s regrets soon pile up as she discovers the filming has been beset with troubles, not the least of which is the volatile director whose temper flares with alarming regularity. Following a shocking murder, Marissa unexpectedly teams up with teen podcasters Suzy and Grace and security expert Isaiah in hopes of solving the crime. Their goal is to unmask the killer and in the process, figure out who is responsible for the long unsolved murder of Caitlyn Kelly.
Marissa is an endearing heroine who is trying to find her footing as changes to her friendship and business relationship with Amy bring life altering changes. She is now living on her own and returning to working within the movie industry. Marissa is a bit of a loner who views the world through the lens of her vast movie knowledge. With her editing gig on Tony’s movie a bit precarious, Marissa’s curiosity about the mysterious occurrences on site take her down an unanticipated path.
Marissa is the novel’s main narrator and being inside her head is an entertaining and sometimes poignant place to be. She is well aware she is quite different from most people and she works hard to compensate for her lack of understanding most social cues. But her unique perspective turns out to be a bonus as Marissa, Suzy, Grace and Isaiah investigate the shocking murder.
Interspersed with events in the present are short snippets from Suzy and Grace’s podcast. These short interviews provide intriguing insights into the unfolding story. These passages also sneak in delightful bits of humor which are laugh out loud funny. Suzy and Grace are charming teens who are surprisingly helpful during the investigation.
Pretty as a Picture is a captivating mystery with an absolutely marvelous cast of characters and a wonderfully atmospheric setting. The behind the scene peek into the making of a movie and the editor’s role are quite fascinating. The investigations into both deaths are interesting and take some rather unexpected turns. Elizabeth Little brings this brilliant mystery to a twist-filled conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this outstanding novel to fans who enjoy a suspenseful mystery and unique characters.
