Glitz (novel)

Glitz
AuthorElmore Leonard
LanguageEnglish
PublisherArbor House
Publication date
1985
Publication place United States
Media typeHardcover
Pages251
ISBN0-688-16095-6

Glitz is a 1985 novel by author Elmore Leonard, following the story of Detective Vincent Mora who is being stalked by Teddy Magyk, the serial rapist he put away. It was made into a 1988 television film starring Jimmy Smits and Markie Post.

Storyline

Psycho mama's boy Teddy Magyk has become obsessed with the Miami cop who put him away for raping a senior citizen — but he wants to hit Vincent Mora where it really hurts before killing him. So when a beautiful Puerto Rican hooker takes a swan dive from an Atlantic City high-rise and Vincent naturally shows up to investigate the questionable death of his "special friend," Teddy figures he's got his prey just where he wants him. But the A.C. dazzle is blinding the Magic Man to a couple of very hard truths: Vincent Mora doesn't forgive and forget ... and he doesn't die easy.

Characters in Glitz

  • Vincent Mora – Miami homicide investigator
  • Teddy Magyk – crazy serial rapist
  • Iris Ruiz – young tragic hooker
  • Lorendo Paz – Puerto Rico criminal affairs investigator
  • Linda Moon – lounge singer who becomes Vincent's girlfriend during the story
  • Dixie Davies – Atlantic City major crime squad homicide officer
  • Tommy Donovan – Atlantic City casino owner
  • Nancy Donovan, casino manager who becomes enamoured of Vincent
  • Jacky Garbo – Atlantic City casino operator
  • Sal Catalina – Atlantic City wise guy
  • Ricky Catalina, a.k.a. "the Zit" – collector
  • LaDonna Padgett – Jacky's girlfriend and former Miss Oklahoma
  • Frank Cingoro – wise guy
  • DeLeon Johnson, a.k.a. "Moose" – Ex-NFL player, working as minder for Jacky

Critical reception

Writing in The New York Times in 1985, horror fiction writer Stephen King compared the novel favorably with works by John D. MacDonald, Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett.[1]

Film

In the 1988 film version for cable television, the Atlantic City detective Vincent Mora was played by Jimmy Smits, the villain Teddy Magyk by John Diehl and the lounge singer Linda Moon by Markie Post. It was directed by Sandor Stern.

References

  1. ^ Stephen King (February 10, 1985). "What Went Down When Magyk Went Up". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 21 November 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2017.