Work Shy

Book excerpt: After an overdose, the unfortunate painter Edgar Bloom is dead. At the funeral, Douglas Frank (soft-boiled crime writer) is persuaded to look into his friend’s misadventure by Bloom’s long suffering widow. Did I mention she was beautiful? He discovers the artist’s diaries buried in the an unkempt studio. Frank’s agent, Ron Cranston (Albatross Books) urges him to write a brash expose featuring the dirty side of creative failure so Frank can rise in the literary food chain. What better way to get back at the elitist “Art Mob” for neglecting his friend Bloom and make a bit of cash? Ethical dilemmas multiply. Frank is asked to consult on a big museum exhibition by hard-nosed, curator, Martha Trout and Bloom’s resurrection takes on a life of its’ own. Bemused, Frank realizes he’s the only one who represents the disaffected artists of the world. To complicate matters, the success of the “Forgotten Poets” exhibition and subsequent book Work Shy soon has Hollywood knocking on his door. Publishers are thrilled. Is this a good thing asks the jaded writer? Sherrie Bloom is upset by the belated notoriety her dead husband receives and spurns amorous Frank. Our reluctant investigator must choose sides, live with the guilt or take the money and run.