The City Where Dreams Are Made and Lost
About the Book:
THE ARCHER SERIES
Book #3
The #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci introduces an unforgettable new character: Archer, a straight-talking former World War II soldier fresh out of prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
Private investigator and World War II veteran Aloysius Archer heads to Los Angeles, the city where dreams are made and shattered, and is ensnared in a lethal case in this latest thriller in #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci’s Nero Award-winning series.
It’s the eve of 1953, and Aloysius Archer is in Los Angeles to ring in the New Year with an old friend, aspiring actress Liberty Callahan, when their evening is interrupted by an acquaintance of Callahan’s: Eleanor Lamb, a screenwriter in dire straits.
After a series of increasingly chilling events—mysterious phone calls, the same blue car loitering outside her house, and a bloody knife left in her sink—Eleanor fears that her life is in danger, and she wants to hire Archer to look into the matter. Archer suspects that Eleanor knows more than she’s saying, but before he can officially take on her case, a dead body turns up inside of Eleanor’s home . . . and Eleanor herself disappears.
Missing client or not, Archer is dead set on finding both the murderer and Eleanor. With the help of Callahan and his partner Willie Dash, he launches an investigation that will take him from mob-ridden Las Vegas to the glamorous world of Hollywood to the darkest corners of Los Angeles—a city in which beautiful faces are attached to cutthroat schemers, where the cops can be more corrupt than the criminals . . . and where the powerful people responsible for his client’s disappearance will kill without a moment’s hesitation if they catch Archer on their trail.
- Rating: ☆☆☆☆
- Genre: Mystery / Detective
- Pages: 432 pages
- Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
- Release Date: April 19, 2022
What They’re Saying
“In the Archer series, [Baldacci] proves to be a natural at handling the postwar setting. Baldacci’s fans should be lining up for [Dream Town].”―Booklist“
“Baldacci paints a vivid picture of the not-so-distant era . . . The 1950s weren’t the fabled good old days, but they’re fodder for gritty crime stories of high ideals and lowlifes, of longing and disappointment, and all the trouble a PI can handle. Well-done crime fiction. Baldacci nails the noir.”―Kirkus, Starred Review
My Thoughts
Private Investigator Aloysius Archer heads to Los Angeles to celebrate the new year with Liberty Callahan. While there, he receives a request that he can’t turn down.
Since Callahan is an actress she takes Archer to a restaurant where celebrities often gather for New Year’s Eve. It’s the perfect place to rub elbows and be seen, and for Archer and Callahan to welcome in 1954.
As to the request that Archer couldn’t turn down, it came from a quirky screenwriter who he met at the restaurant.
When screenwriter Eleanor Lamb learned that Archer was a detective she begged him to help her out. Why? She’s sure someone wants her dead.
And she may be right since she disappears that evening.
With that, the story takes off. It’s complete with the 50’s Hollywood setting, including movie stars and happenings reminiscent of that time.
I loved the sprinkling of celebrity’s names such as Bette Davis, Cary Grant, and Groucho Marx into the prose.
And the well-written story has Archer chasing from one person to the other and from L.A. to Los Vegas. Baldacci introduces us to both the glittery and the dark side of Hollywood.
I haven’t read the previous books in this series, but found this easy to read with no background. Though I do think that starting at the beginning of any series can make them even more enjoyable.
My Concerns
While I thoroughly enjoyed it, I felt it might have been a bit too drawn out.
Final Thoughts
If you love wonderful descriptions, characters that come to life, and names and places that are apt to bring back memories, this is the book to reach for. If you like the glam and dark side of Hollywood, this is the book. Or if you like a PI who is determined to find answers, Dream Town is the book for you.
My thanks to Grand Central Publishing for an advanced copy of the book and the ability to post my feelings without stipulations.
About the Author
David Baldacci is a global #1 bestselling author, and one of the world’s favorite storytellers. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. His works have been adapted for both feature film and television. David Baldacci is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America. Still a resident of his native Virginia, he invites you to visit him at DavidBaldacci.com and his foundation at WishYouWellFoundation.org.
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