The sequel to Chili Palmer's hit movie tanked and now Chili's itching for a comeback. So when a power lunch with record-label executive and former associate Tommy Athens ends in a mob hit, he soon finds himself in an unlikely alliance with organized-crime detective Darryl Holmes and the likely next target of Russian gangsters. But where others see danger, Chili Palmer sees story possibilities. Enter Linda Moon, a singer with aspirations that go further than her current gig in a Spice Girls cover band. Chili takes over as ...
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The sequel to Chili Palmer's hit movie tanked and now Chili's itching for a comeback. So when a power lunch with record-label executive and former associate Tommy Athens ends in a mob hit, he soon finds himself in an unlikely alliance with organized-crime detective Darryl Holmes and the likely next target of Russian gangsters. But where others see danger, Chili Palmer sees story possibilities. Enter Linda Moon, a singer with aspirations that go further than her current gig in a Spice Girls cover band. Chili takes over as Linda's manager, entering the world of rock stars, pop divas, and hip-hop gangstas. As he wings his way to success in the music business with his trademark cool, Chili manipulates his adversaries and advances his friends, all the while basing the plot of his new film on the action that results.
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Add this copy of Be Cool to cart. $0.99, very good condition, Sold by Greenworld Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Arlington, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Delacorte Press.
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Very Good condition book with a firm cover and clean pages. Shows normal use and some light wear or limited notes markings. A solid nice copy to enjoy.
Add this copy of Be Cool to cart. $0.99, good condition, Sold by Greenworld Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Arlington, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Delacorte Press.
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Good condition. It may show normal signs of use such as light writing highlighting or library markings but all pages are intact and the book is fully readable. A solid complete copy that's ready to enjoy.
Add this copy of Be Cool to cart. $0.99, fair condition, Sold by Greenworld Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Arlington, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Delacorte Press.
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Fair. A well-loved copy with text fully readable and cover pages intact. May display wear such as writing highlighting bends folds or library marks. Still a complete and usable book.
Add this copy of Be Cool to cart. $1.40, good condition, Sold by Zoom Books East rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Glendale Heights, IL, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Delacorte Press.
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Book is in very good condition and may include minimal underlining highlighting. The book can also include From the library of labels. May not contain miscellaneous items toys dvds etc. We offer 100% money back guarantee and 24 7 customer service.
Add this copy of Be Cool to cart. $1.40, good condition, Sold by Zoom Books Company rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lynden, WA, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Delacorte Press.
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Book is in very good condition and may include minimal underlining highlighting. The book can also include From the library of labels. May not contain miscellaneous items toys dvds etc. We offer 100% money back guarantee and 24 7 customer service.
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This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear. This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear.
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Add this copy of Be Cool to cart. $1.94, good condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 2002 by Mariner Books.
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Add this copy of Be Cool to cart. $1.96, fair condition, Sold by Gulf Coast Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Cypress, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Delacorte Press.
Set in Hollywood, Elmore Leonard's novel "Be Cool" is a sequel ten years removed from his novel "Get Shorty". Although I haven't yet read the earlier book or the films made from each book, I have been reading a good deal of Leonard. The works I have read are set in Harlan, Kentucky, Detroit, Florida, the Arizona territory, and now Hollywood. Leonard is able to capture something of the places and cultures he describes.
I didn't find it necessary to know "Get Shorty" before reading this book, but it is important to know that "Be Cool" is a sequel, featuring the same main character, Chili Palmer, a former loan shark from Florida and Brooklyn who has managed to evade criminal prosecution and made a life for himself in Hollywood in the movies. His first film, "Get Leo" was a success but its sequel, "Get Lost" failed. Chili is looking for ideas for a third movie. There is a mirroring in Leonard's novel as it too is a sequel to an earlier successful novel and film.
The scene is set in the quick-moving opening chapter which takes a couple of readings to come clear. An old partner in crime, Tommy, approaches Chili suggesting that Chili make Tommy's life the basis for a movie. Alas, Tommy is immediately gunned-down. Much of the rest of the book involves finding the killer. Chili wants to use life as the basis for art and seeks in reality the characters that will drive his film. He also wants a woman involved. Chili is something of a manipulator who tries to control events in a way that will make an effective story portrayed on screen.
The woman in this case goes by the name of Linda Moon. Chili has heard her voice as she works setting up matches for a dating service and he becomes entranced. Linda is also a singer who has fallen on rough times in a competitive business.
The book is a bit too long and cumbersome. The reader has to keep straight the search for Tommy's killer, Chili's ongoing plans for his film, his love and sexual interests, Linda's efforts to establish her musical career, and a host of sub-themes and stories of violence. The book also includes a host of characters, many of whom are well-developed including besides Chili and Linda, characters from the film and music industries, Russian thugs, and a Samoan body guard for one of the many crooked characters in the story.
While Chili is the nominal main character, Linda Moon is the focus of the book. Leonard shows a great deal about her, beginning with her days as a child in west Texas to her love of singing and composing her own songs. Linda sings a mix of rock and country with light accompaniment and is shown as having artistic integrity for her style of music. Linda is also driven by ambition and the desire to make it big-time in popular music. She has a small band called Odessa which must change its name because it is already used by other groups. And so we have another play on words and on things as the band becomes known as the Linda Moon. The novel discusses the compromises an artist must make in the pursuit of success. Linda Moon, her music and her dreams come to life in this book.The seamy. thuggish side of the music business also gets a great deal of attention as well. in this book. In addition to Linda Moon, the novel includes several other strong female characters, particularly Elaine, Chili's producer at the studio and a possible love interest.
The humor of the book is sharp and the plot takes many surprising twists with a great deal of mayhem and violence. Some of the broader themes of the book including the relationship between life and art and the search for love pass easily under all the banter and crime. The character development, dialogue, and setting more than make up for the sometimes cumbersome plotting. I enjoyed this book and want to read more of Elmore Leonard.
