Book Review--PLATINUM WIDOW: Who Killed Jean Harlow's Husband?

 

Esteemed classic Hollywood historian Gregory William Mank brings back his private eye Porter Down in the new novel PLATINUM WIDOW: Who Killed Jean Harlow's Husband?, published by Bear Manor Media. 

PLATINUM WIDOW is a follow-up to last year's FRANKENSTEIN'S WITCH, the book that introduced Porter Down. This new novel begins with a prologue set on September 5, 1932, the day that MGM producer Paul Bern's body was discovered. Bern had been married to Jean Harlow for only a short time. The story then goes back a few months, with P.I. Porter Down being hired by MGM to make sure nothing untoward happens to Harlow and Bern before their wedding. Down gets way more than he bargained for, as he deals with gangsters, pornographers, deceitful (and dangerous) studio executives, fallen women, and Tinseltown royalty. 

It's ironic that this book is set during 1932, and much of the action takes place at the MGM studios. 1932 was the year that MGM released the notorious FREAKS, and PLATINUM WIDOW has Porter Down dealing with plenty of "freaks" on his own--but this menagerie is afflicted morally & mentally instead of physically. Porter (and the reader) is taken down a number of disturbing and bizarre paths. 

As I did for my review of FRANKENSTEIN'S WITCH, I must point out that this book is not for very young or very sensitive readers. It's an R rated story for sure, but I don't believe it's lurid on purpose. (What really went on in 1932 Hollywood may be even worse than Mank can imagine.) 

A number of famous personalities make "cameos" in the story, including Lionel Atwill, Fredric March, John Barrymore, Joan Crawford, John Gilbert, and even Charles Gemora. As for Jean Harlow, Mank portrays her as a lost little girl instead of a busty sex symbol, a troubled soul who would have been much better off if she had never appeared in a film in the first place. 

PLATINUM WIDOW is a true page-turner, especially as the reader gets nearer and nearer the fateful date of Sept. 5. For this novel Mank uses a straightforward, to-the-point writing style that keeps the reader wondering what is going to happen in the next chapter. The book also has a small photo section featuring the real-life people involved in the story. 

Film buffs and especially fans of Pre-Code cinema will appreciate PLATINUM WIDOW the most. It's an entertaining, if dark, read. When I talked to the author at this June's Monster Bash Conference outside of Pittsburgh, he wanted me to know that this is a work of fiction. He doesn't mean for people to think that he has officially "solved' what happened to Paul Bern, nor does he want readers to think that this is what he believes actually happened. It's a well-thought out speculation, and it presents a wild ride to those who are willing to take it. Greg Mank has many more Porter Down adventures planned, and I'm eagerly awaiting them.