The Body in the Bed

By: Stewart Sterling

Narrated by: Michael Vasicek

"A suspenseful, gripping yarn." (The New York Times)

It was just another busy day at the Plaza Royale - until a pretty hotel manicurist, white with terror, suddenly fled through the lobby and disappeared into the crowded Manhattan streets. Her unexplained flight, and the discovery of some bloodstained pillowslips, gave Gil Vine, the hotel's detective, the tipoff that trouble was brewing. Its source turned out to be the suite of a secretive South American mogul and his entourage including a beautiful señorita, a vicious monkey, a muscular valet, and an elusive character known as Miguel. When Gil investigated, he walked into one of the most explosive situations in his career. For the Latin was really an ousted dictator, loaded with stolen money and jewels, and with a host of assassins pledged to kill him!

The Body in the Bed is one of the most exciting of the classic 1950s Gil Vine mystery novels.

"Plenty of action . . . never fails to be interesting." (San Francisco Chronicle)

Stewart Sterling is credited by leading reviewers with having been one of the originators of the "specialized" or modus operandi school of detective story writers as opposed to the private investigator who has no background in any particular field of criminal activity. His Special Squad stories in Black Mask were the first to make use of inside techniques as used by the Loft Squad, the Bomb and Forgery Squad, the Criminal Identification Bureau, and the Stolen Property Bureau of the New York Police Department. His Fire Marshal Pedley stories were acclaimed by Thomas Brophy, New York City's most celebrated Fire Marshal, as being true to the modern methods employed in the detection of arsonists. His hotel detective tales, with Gil Vine as Chief Security Officer of a swank Fifth Avenue hotel, have been published in many foreign countries - and Sterling received letters from all over the world, with the Oliver Twist request for "more."

©1959 Deerstalker Editions (P)2019 Deerstalker Editions

Enjoyable noir detective story

The Body in the Bed by Stewart Sterling is an engaging mystery set in a 1950’s luxury NY hotel. Gil Vines, the hotel detective, has his hands full when a rich South American and his entourage books into the hotel. Then, the bodies start falling. Its dated, but its fun to listen to. The performance by Michael Vasicek is great. I received a free copy of the audiobook for my honest review.

Intriguing murder

This is an older style crime story. The concept is good with murder and mayhem of course. It is a mystery and takes place mostly in a hotel with the head of security. The narrator fit the story. Overall it wasn’t my cup of tea.

This 1950s hotel detective gets things done!

This 1950s hotel detective gets things done!

5 stars overall, 5 stars story, 5 stars narration

 

   The whole story took place in less than 24 hours and is told from a single first-person perspective.  The novel includes some graphic violence but it is not gratuitous.  It took about a chapter for me to get hooked on the story.  It turned into a really cool mystery that still seems fresh and vibrant.  One of the twists near the end went over my head because it involved remembering a bunch of names, but that was okay.  I enjoyed the other twists.  I highly recommend this procedural mystery that is a fun blast from the past.  I am excited to listen to the other Gil Vine audiobook next.

 

   Gil Vine is the resident head detective at the ritzy Plaza Hotel in New York City.  I love how Gil Vine has compassion for all the fellow employees whom he protects, and I love his no-nonsense attitude and great efficiency.  There are a few memorable minor characters as well, such as Gil’s secretary and his assistant detective.

 

   At first I wasn’t sure about the narration, but after a chapter or two Michael Vasicek settled into the story and I got used to his style.  I came to love his gravelly Midwestern voice for Gil.  He is marvelous at pacing and action scenes and is effective at women’s voices.  Soon I loved his performance and thought he perfectly captured Gil Vine and the people around him.  I am not an expert on South American accents, but I think he did a very good job with all the South American characters.

I requested and received a free review copy from the publisher, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

The body in the bed

very interesting story and the gentleman who was talking made it more enjoyable. I would really recommend it.

interesting

This one was very interesting to follow. So many twists and turns. Poor Coral and her hubby.😢😢 I was tense and entertained at the same time. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a great job bringing it to life.