Summary

"Dream Town" by David Baldacci is a detective thriller featuring private investigator Aloysius Archer, who gets entangled in a complex murder case in 1950s Hollywood, leading him through the glamorous and seedy sides of Tinseltown.

Abstract

The novel "Dream Town" follows World War II veteran and private investigator Aloysius Archer as he is drawn into a web of intrigue at a New Year's Eve party in 1953. When a screenwriter named Eleanor Lamb hires him to investigate mysterious threats, Archer soon finds himself at the scene of a murder with the client missing. The ensuing investigation takes him through the underbelly of Hollywood, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles' Chinatown, facing corrupt cops, dangerous criminals, and a series of life-threatening situations. The story is praised for its vivid portrayal of 1950s Los Angeles and its iconic film industry, as well as Baldacci's signature witty and gritty dialogue. The reviewer highly recommends the book for its engaging plot and the feel-good sensation it leaves, despite not providing profound insights into life's secrets.

Opinions

The reviewer is a self-professed fan of detective novels, particularly those by David Baldacci, and enjoys the author's characteristic blend of humor and suspense.
"Dream Town" is commended for its ability to transport readers to the Golden Age of Hollywood, evoking the era of Humphrey Bogart and Marilyn Monroe.
The narrative's depiction of both the opulence and the darker sides of Los Angeles is highlighted as a strong point of the novel.
The reviewer suggests that the book is a page-turner that may keep readers up at night, eager to uncover the mystery.
It is noted that while the book doesn't delve into philosophical questions, it provides a satisfying and entertaining reading experience.
The reviewer believes that readers, especially those fond of detective thrillers and classic Hollywood, will greatly enjoy "Dream Town."

“Dream Town,” David Baldacci’s Book Review

Aloysius Archer’s latest thriller solving a murder in Tinseltown

I’m trying to finish “The Ultimate 100 Books To Read Before You Die List,” but after Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” and Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden,” I really needed a break.

Don’t get me wrong. Both are outstanding books, but after hours of reading about a futuristic dystopian new world society or a lengthy description of a simple living in the 1850s, natural Walden surroundings. Reading how the main character built his home himself and later details all the expenses he made in the process to the cent. I required something different.

I’m a huge fan of detective novels. Michael Connelly’s Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch series. Jon Sandford’s Lucas Davenport prey series, and especially David Baldacci’s Camel Club and John Puller books, which I’ve read all. I finished even all the children’s 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers series.

Therefore, as a mind cleansing therapy, I search online for his latest thriller, “Dream Town,” while I wait for the release by the end of the month of “The 6:20 Man.”

Here is a synopsis of the plot and my humble opinion. I hope you like it.

The Plot

Aloysius Archer, a private investigator and World War II veteran, attends a New Year’s Eve 1953 party with an old friend, aspiring actress Liberty Callahan.

During the celebration, a damsel in distress asks him for help because she is sure someone is following her. Eleanor Lamb, a screenwriter in financial trouble, wants to contract his services since she received mysterious phone calls, watched a suspicious car parked in front of her house, and found a bloody knife left in her sink. She asks him to meet her at her home the next day.

Archer’s detective sense makes him suspect that Eleanor knows more than she’s telling him, so he calls her at 3 am to ensure she’s safe. When he’s about to hang up, a mysterious man’s voice answers the phone. He gets in his car and drives to her home to check if she is OK but finds the door open and a dead man lying inside Eleanor’s home.

Archer tries to run upstairs looking for her when someone knocks him out. Sometime later, he wakes up beside the dead man, and Eleanor is gone.

He starts an investigation that will take him from the glamorous world of Hollywood, the mob-ridden Las Vegas, and the darkest corners of Chinatown in Los Angeles. In this city, beautiful faces, cutthroat criminals, and corrupted cops share the stage.

During his investigation, he nearly dies several times. He discovers bodies and secrets from Malibu's canyons and beaches, wealthy Bel Air and Beverly Hills mansions, to dangerous Las Vegas and narcotic dens of Chinatown.

Driving his right-hand drive, French red Delahaye, through the streets of Los Angeles, Archer gets involved in an investigation to solve a crime, a possible kidnap, drug smuggling, human traffic, and multiple murders.

While being knocked out, shot, deceived, and beaten numerous times. Without losing his style, fitness, wit, and life in the process. Not bad for a week’s work.

My Take Away

As I stated before, I’m a fan of Baldacci’s work. The way he interlaces the sometimes naughty and sarcastic detective dialogues, with a pinch of swearing, without being vulgar, is also present in Dream Town.

It was not surprising that, as in most of his books, he chose Los Angeles for the plot. But what is remarkable is how his narrative transports you to the times when Bogart, Monroe, and Hitchcock created some of their iconic movies.

You can picture the opulent parties in Beverly Hills and Bellair, the hot and dusty Las Vegas strip where the new Sands Casino had just opened, and the dark and smelly alleys of Chinatown.

Dealing with writers, producers, set designers, and beautiful women dreaming of becoming the next Greta Garbo proves that not only on scripts do people play deceiving roles, but that life is the grand scenario where they perform.

All the glamour and the fake movie sets come to life while detective Archer tries to find his client in the city where dreams are made and shattered with a clapperboard or a bad review.

It is a brilliant book, easy to read, which will make you struggle to put it down, and you will attempt to finish it almost in a single day. But I must warn you, don’t read it at bedtime. Otherwise, you will find yourself flipping pages as you try to close it thinking it’s too late and tomorrow you will have to wake up early and go to work.

All Things Considered

If you’re searching for a title to take to your weekend retreat or want something to read during your business trip, this is the one you should choose.

This book won’t help you find the secret of life or discover the real reason for your existence on this planet. However, after reading it and trying to discover who the killer is and its plot, you will end with a feel-good sensation and ready to face the world with a positive attitude.

Just like the main character, after ending the book, you will be ready for your next assignment and know you have your whole world in your hands.

I’m sure you will enjoy “DreamTown,” especially if you are a fan of detective thrillers, classic movies, Hollywood history, and David Baldacci’s work.

“for once in a long time, he felt good. No worries, just possibilities. Endless possibilities.” ― David Baldacci, Absolute Power