Bottom Feeders

Some movie shoots are more fun than others. This low budget set, to add to the usual garden variety of challenges, has a killer archer to deal with. Let the games begin. The title refers to those working with the certain level of production values, in this case made for tv movie, with limited budget and time that's becoming more limited by the minute. Being a real movie buff, this was a lot of fun to read, essentially a really good behind the scenes dvd extra feature. And for a good reason, the author knows what he's talking about having worked on a number of low budget productions in his day. So it's a fun glimpse behind the curtain and the slasher angle just raises the fun bar that much higher, Likeable characters and fast pace make this quick read very entertaining in that distinctly B movie style. Very enjoyable. Thanks Netgalley.

Bottom Feeders from John Shepherd is a thriller set in the low budget motion picture industry that shines with its likeable characters and fast moving plot. The novel is works at a jaunty pace that pushes the reader along to its exciting climax.

The attention to detail when describing the low budget film industry is spot on and Shepherd really shines when divulging the reader into this world. The murder mystery is set up to a Ten Little Indians Christie-esque setting with everyone gathered on location and being picked off one by one. The clues are hidden within the well written narrative and slowly reveals itself with its winning formula.

Some of the secondary characters are not as three dimensional but the author does an adequate job bringing them to life but this is really nit picking in a novel that is very enjoyable to read. The main characters and plot is where the novel really lends its credence and turns this into the roller coaster ride this is.

The only issue is the reasoning for the murders to happen is a bit tongue in cheek and although it may make some readers roll their eyes. Personally, I enjoyed the tongue in cheek reveal that occurs amongst the carnage.

I am sure this book will find its audience and when it does, people will not be disappointed. A whodunit set in an interesting world and admirably put together for an enjoyable read.

The Majestic Television Channel, pandering to an older demographic, plans to air a western starring aging dramatic star, Tami Romans. The script spotlighting Tami as a schoolteacher in a 1880's mining town, traces her attempt to school immigrant children. To this end, producer Sam Carver (Carver Entertainment) assembles a cast and crew for filming at a pre-existing western set called Crescent Movie Ranch. There is no cell phone service available on set.

Sam, as producer, has hired a cast of bottom feeders. Bottom feeders must work together at break neck speed to complete a project on time and under budget. For their efforts, they are paid a flat, take-it-or-leave-it rate. Eddie Lyons, an out of work television director, who frequents the racetrack is chosen to direct. Tami Romans, the star, arrives at the shoot with an entourage including a make up specialist, hair specialist and a stylist. The shoe string budget is further compromised. Time complications and slow downs arise with the arrival of County Deputy Sheriff Sondra Martinez.

Martinez, working in the mountains and assigned to the National Forest needs answers to a grisly road death. She has come upon a murder victim who was killed while changing a flat tire after hitting a deer. Both man and deer had their skulls bashed in. The man, however, had been shot with three arrows. When an arrow is shot into the camera truck on the movie set, Martinez advises the cast to continue filming with caution. She doesn't think this incident is related to the roadside kill. She asks the game warden to compare the arrows gathered from both locations. Are the cast and crew being hunted? Who could possibly want to scare them and stop movie production?

"Bottom Feeders" by John Shepphird was an Agatha Christie type of whodunnit mystery. The characterizations seemed formulaic. There was an aging film star, a tight wad movie producer, an egotistical male lead, and a gay cinematographer. The action started out slow paced but then it took off. The climax and its resolution were unexpected. This reader enjoyed the thorough description of the workings of quickie movie production and the bottom feeders who populate it.

Thank you Blackstone Publishing and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Bottom Feeders".