The Jade-Eyed Jinx (published 1963, my copy - Horwitz, first edition), features Hollywood studio fixer and private-eye Rick Holman once again on the case to catch a wayward starlet.
Carola, an Italian beauty and big budget star in the making has run off with her leading man, Don Gallant, both hiding out in a secluded cottage-turned love nest, away from the prying eyes of the press insulated from the pressures of the film business.
The problem is; Don's married to another prominent starlet, Carola is involved in a relationship with her agent, and the studio boss has puppy-dog eyes for Carloa. The set-up is pitch perfect drama turned deadly when Don is shot at the cottage with both Carloa, Don's wife Monica, and Monica's closest friend Janie all found on the scene when Rick makes his appearance.
The plot is a pretty straight forward whodunit with Rick steadily undertaking a process of elimination until the suspect confesses in a grande finale standoff commonplace in Carter Brown mysteries.
My rating: 2.5/5 stars. While entertaining and a quick read, The Jade-Eyed Jinx lacks the polish of other books featuring Rick Holman. The linear plot and strange dialogue point towards a rush job, common in pulps of the 1960's such was the speed the authors churned them out.
One of the best Carter Brown books featuring Rick Holman I've read is The Girl From Outer Space, you can read the review by clicking the link below.
Pick Up A Pulp [30]: THE GIRL FROM OUTER SPACE by Carter Brown
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