• The Girl Who Took What She Wanted

  • Stewart Hoag Mysteries Series, Book 14
  • By: David Handler
  • Narrated by: J.S. Arquin
  • Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (4 ratings)

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The Girl Who Took What She Wanted  By  cover art

The Girl Who Took What She Wanted

By: David Handler
Narrated by: J.S. Arquin
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Publisher's summary

Stewart "Hoagy" Hoag hasn't written any fiction since his debut novel rocked the literary world of the 1980s and then left him with a paralyzing case of writer's block. Since then, he's been reduced to ghostwriting celebrity memoirs. But his newest project could have him diving back into the world of fiction in a way he never imagined.

Nikki Dymtryk is Hollywood's hottest reality TV star, known for her wild party lifestyle and prolific sexual conquests. But when the ratings for her show Being Nikki begin to drop, the Dymtryk family engineers a new plan to keep Nikki in the limelight: reinventing the young star as a bestselling author. Nikki's team hires Hoagy to ghostwrite a steamy romance novel showcasing the glitz and glamor of the Hollywood elite.

Reluctantly, Hoagy flies out to LA with his trusty basset hound Lulu. But when he finally meets the starlet, she's nothing like the aimless airhead image she presents to the media. This project may just be the key to getting Hoagy's creative juices flowing again-and staying in LA might also give him a chance at getting back together with his actress ex-wife, Merilee. But spending time with Nikki isn't all parties and poolside lounging. As Hoagy gets closer to the young woman, he begins to uncover the Dymtryk family's dark secrets. Secrets that are worth killing for.

©2023 David Handler (P)2023 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

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Best of the new series

This is the 14th Stewart Hoag mystery and the 6th since the series started back up after a 20 year hiatus. This one is the best of the new batch and closest in tone to the original 8. It takes place between the first novel The Man Who Died Laughing and the second The Man Who Lived by Night. Detective Lamp returns, as Hoagy is back in LA trying to ghost a romance novel for a former MTV celebrity. The backstories of the celebrities are always interesting and this one is no different.

J.S. Arquin does a solid job but he does get a bit shouty at times. He is a major step up from the previous narrator. If you’re a fan of the series, I would rank Arquin in a tie for third place with Berkrot among previous narrators. He is serviceable but never gets close to challenging Stechschulte and Runnette.

If your a fan of the series or you’re looking for a good mystery this is worth your credit. David Handler is an amazing writer.

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Enjoyed this book and shared it with friends.

David Handler has created interesting characters who formed a Hollywood dysfunctional family. J. S. Arquin is superb in voicing those characters and bring them to life.

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Don’t waste a credit on this book

I have read and loved all of the Hoagey and Lulu books but… this one is really bad. Unlikable characters and really bad story. The reader was awful. All those loud, shouting voices! I’m very disappointed.

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