Misadventures in the (213) by Dennis Hensley

Reviewed by Blase DiStefano



Writer Craig Clybourn moves to Hollywood, thus the area code "213" in the book's title. He resumes his friendship with actress Dandy Rio, thus the "misadventures" in the 213. And what a bunch of loony Lucy-and-Ethel misadventures they are.

For her appearance on Politically Incorrect, Craig and friend Ulysses wire Dandy in order to feed her lines (Dandy's not exactly a knowledge-magnet of current events). Though you might think this stunt would turn catastrophic, the real problem stems from Dandy's Post-it notes that she's placed on strategic body parts of her toga-clad figure.

Then there's the time Dandy is photographed for Playboy or Penthouse, but not by a photographer from either publication. As usual, the devious plot—the details of which my love of surprises will not let me divulge—backfires.

Dandy may be one of the best characters—a Hollywood every-actress—but "213" is rife with a slew of delicious individuals, all contributing—usually unknowingly—to the nonstop misadventures.

Through it all, author Dennis Hensley shows us the true meaning of friendship ... and the true troubles of a single guy looking for Mr. Right. And he does all this with a marvelously dry and wonderfully wicked sense of humor and a writing style that's crisp and natural.

This is Hensley's Tales of the City—except that it's '90s Los Angeles. My wish is that this fantastic array of characters wind up in a More Misadventures in the (213).

[Rob Weisbach Books, hardcover, 7/1/98, $24]

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