In The First Assistant, Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare pick up the story from their previous novel
Second Assistant (also reviewed on
Myshelf.com). Elizabeth Miller has been promoted from second assistant to first assistant, and the reader is
privy to the actions and thoughts of Lizzie as she deals with less-than-scrupulous actors and other movie-making
characters.
The adventures that Lizzie has dealing with typical ego-driven characters are very entertaining and present a
picture of life in tinsel town that may or may not be realistic.
This novel about Hollywood people certainly turns out to have the kind of ending that the town is famous for
producing - a story in which everything turns out just fine, even though it may be radically different from the
book it was taken from.
For the most part, the action is realistic, but as the reader reaches the denouement, things seems to fall into
place a little too conveniently; but sometimes that is what we want - a story where the villain gets what is coming
to her and the heroine, in this case, is rewarded for her efforts and talents.
An interesting aspect of Lizzie’s character is her obsession with Su Doku, the Japanese number puzzle, and her
addiction to the game led to some pivotal events in the plot.
An enjoyable and fast-paced read just right for summer reading by the pool.