Rating: 
Summary: Much better than the movie
Review: "Fletch" the novel is much darker than the Chevy Chase movie it subsequently became. Yes, the title character is working undercover on the beaches of L.A. when a millionaire asks him to kill him. But the story goes in a much different (and more believable) direction. The book also has far more tension than the movie as well as a much grittier edge. Recommended especially for fans of private detective fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Much better than the movie
Review: "Fletch" the novel is much darker than the Chevy Chase movie it subsequently became. Yes, the title character is working undercover on the beaches of L.A. when a millionaire asks him to kill him. But the story goes in a much different (and more believable) direction. The book also has far more tension than the movie as well as a much grittier edge. Recommended especially for fans of private detective fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Good Fun
Review: A fun read... less slapstick than the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Fletch - Gregory Mcdonald
Review: A while back I heard director Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy) comment that his dream project would be a new version of Fletch, shot the way the book was written. I wasn't quite sure what he meant so when I saw copies of the Fletch novels in my local bookstore, I couldn't resist. Admittedly, while the novel and the movie have quite a few things in common, the novel is far superior.The plot of both the movie and the book are essentially the same but the genius of the novel is the crisp, concise dialog. Mcdonald relies not on narrative but dialog to convey the majority of the characterization and action. With Fletch, he crafts a dialog-driven, witty and unconventional mystery. For those who enjoy mysteries or simply want to read a wonderfully written book, Fletch is a must.
Rating:
Summary: Fletch - Gregory Mcdonald
Review: A while back I heard director Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy) comment that his dream project would be a new version of Fletch, shot the way the book was written. I wasn't quite sure what he meant so when I saw copies of the Fletch novels in my local bookstore, I couldn't resist. Admittedly, while the novel and the movie have quite a few things in common, the novel is far superior. The plot of both the movie and the book are essentially the same but the genius of the novel is the crisp, concise dialog. Mcdonald relies not on narrative but dialog to convey the majority of the characterization and action. With Fletch, he crafts a dialog-driven, witty and unconventional mystery. For those who enjoy mysteries or simply want to read a wonderfully written book, Fletch is a must.
Rating:
Summary: Will you kill me? Sure!
Review: Even if you didn't like the movie (for the record, it's my favorite of all time), you still will enjoy the book. I read the book with curiosity as to how closely the movie followed it, but even Fletch Newbies will be thoroughly engaged by this mystery. Irwin M. Fletcher, reporter, has been working on a story to uncover the source of drugs on The Beach, when he is suddenly propositioned by a well-to-do businessman, who asks Fletch to kill him! What does Fletch do? What he always does, and that is to take matters into his own hands and try to find out why, while also trying to meet his deadline on The Beach story. This is a true first class mystery!
Rating:
Summary: Will you kill me? Sure!
Review: Even if you didn't like the movie (for the record, it's my favorite of all time), you still will enjoy the book. I read the book with curiosity as to how closely the movie followed it, but even Fletch Newbies will be thoroughly engaged by this mystery. Irwin M. Fletcher, reporter, has been working on a story to uncover the source of drugs on The Beach, when he is suddenly propositioned by a well-to-do businessman, who asks Fletch to kill him! What does Fletch do? What he always does, and that is to take matters into his own hands and try to find out why, while also trying to meet his deadline on The Beach story. This is a true first class mystery!
Rating:
Summary: Funny as Hell!
Review: I agree with the previous two reviewers: this is a great mystery, intricately plotted and w/ great characterizations. But they don't stress nearly enough just how hilarious the novel is. In fact, the book is only "dark" in comparison to the incredibly fluffy movie of the same name. If you want a great read w/ some priceless humor, then read this book. One of my all time favorites.
Rating:
Summary: Still the cream of a very fine crop!
Review: I read Fletch more years ago than I care to admit. And I've read all the others (heck, it could be a parlor game just trying to put all these books in chronological order...McDonald wrote them in the most convoluted order!!). They are all excellent, but Fletch set the mold. Fletch is an investigative reporter with an attitude. Assigned to cover drug dealing on the local beaches, and also hired by a rich man to murder him, Fletch has a lot on his plate. Naturally, he doesn't intend to kill the guy, but he certainly wants to figure out WHY the man wants to be killed. This Fletch book best combines the elements of Fletch's biting, sarcastic humor with a REALISTIC mystery. It's far-fetched, true, but still feels grounded in everyday life. Later Fletch books presented more outrageous mysteries and off-the-wall solutions. They are entertaining, but when you're dealing with mysteries surrounding presidential contenders or people who've undergone sex changes, you see that the "silliness" quotient is upped. But, the main reason to read Fletch is to enjoy the dialogue. Much like the incomparable Ed McBain (Evan Hunter), McDonald can go on for pages with absolutely nothing BUT dialogue. No "said Mr. Jones" or "He laughed." You pick up all the mood, intonation and knowledge of who is speaking simply through the incredibly skillful use of the dialogue. And how often, really, do you laugh outloud when reading novel. You will in this one. I really recommend this book (and all the other Fletch books...Flynn is a little harder to get into.) (A word about the movie...Chevy Chase is NOT the Fletch of these books. I found the movie to be an enjoyable vehicle for Chevy Chase [better than most of his dreck, actually], and even though the movie follows the skeleton of the book's plot, it's tone is NOT the same. Enjoy the movie on its own terms...it's not that bad...but don't let it influence your decision to read the book. If you like the movie, you'll love the book. If you hated the movie, you probably will still like the book.)
Rating:
Summary: Still the cream of a very fine crop!
Review: I read Fletch more years ago than I care to admit. And I've read all the others (heck, it could be a parlor game just trying to put all these books in chronological order...McDonald wrote them in the most convoluted order!!). They are all excellent, but Fletch set the mold. Fletch is an investigative reporter with an attitude. Assigned to cover drug dealing on the local beaches, and also hired by a rich man to murder him, Fletch has a lot on his plate. Naturally, he doesn't intend to kill the guy, but he certainly wants to figure out WHY the man wants to be killed. This Fletch book best combines the elements of Fletch's biting, sarcastic humor with a REALISTIC mystery. It's far-fetched, true, but still feels grounded in everyday life. Later Fletch books presented more outrageous mysteries and off-the-wall solutions. They are entertaining, but when you're dealing with mysteries surrounding presidential contenders or people who've undergone sex changes, you see that the "silliness" quotient is upped. But, the main reason to read Fletch is to enjoy the dialogue. Much like the incomparable Ed McBain (Evan Hunter), McDonald can go on for pages with absolutely nothing BUT dialogue. No "said Mr. Jones" or "He laughed." You pick up all the mood, intonation and knowledge of who is speaking simply through the incredibly skillful use of the dialogue. And how often, really, do you laugh outloud when reading novel. You will in this one. I really recommend this book (and all the other Fletch books...Flynn is a little harder to get into.) (A word about the movie...Chevy Chase is NOT the Fletch of these books. I found the movie to be an enjoyable vehicle for Chevy Chase [better than most of his dreck, actually], and even though the movie follows the skeleton of the book's plot, it's tone is NOT the same. Enjoy the movie on its own terms...it's not that bad...but don't let it influence your decision to read the book. If you like the movie, you'll love the book. If you hated the movie, you probably will still like the book.)
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