Who Killed the Fonz

Novel: Who Killed the Fonz
Author: James Boice
Page count: 198 pages
Publisher Simon and Schuster 1230 Avenue of Americas, New York, NY. 10020
Genre: Fictional crime story based of the Happy Days television series by Garry Marshall
Hard Cover: 26.00
2019 TM & Copywrite @ CBS Studios Inc.
Review by: Allen Klingelhoets

What I enjoyed about book is that it brought back Happy Days characters in late October 1984 setting. Richard "Richie" Cunningham, is at point of career where Hollywood is no longer interested in his screenwriting stories. Hollywood now wants Terminator robots and Stay Puff Marshmallow men. Richard can not impress his agent with any of his new screenwriting stories. He used to a decade ago in early 1970's be successful Hollywood writer. Than later that same day Richard gets call that Arthur Fonzarelli was killed in motor cycle accident back in Milwaukee. Richard goes back to Milwaukee from Hollywood to attend memorial service for Fonzie. He soon is put into situations to mourn his friends death. The story starts on Sunday like Happy Days theme. It is set going through days of week until end segment called "The Weekend Comes". Richard finds clues to make him think that Fonzie's death was no accident. The body of Fonzie though is not found in water below bridge. A swift current was said to have carried Fonzie's body to location not found. Almost all major characters from Happy days show make appearances in this novel by James Boice. The novel is 198 pages long with out any illustrations or photos. Ralph Malph and Potsie Weber still hang out at Arnold's Drive-In. The story filled me with emotions about old television show. I was sad to read that Howard Cunnigham passed away. This was not focus of story. It was update that people die even in fictional world of Happy Days. The book "Who Killed the Fonz?" is a mystery story. How the mystery would be solved would take lots of work by Richard with help from Ralph Malph and Potsie Webber. They did not have vigor of youth. Now middle age had changed them into smarter versions of youthful times of "Happy Days". I even noticed mention of old sentence "Sit on It." from old television show setting which was in 1950's. The show though was on television in 1970's. Richard revisits places from his youth when he returns home to Milwaukee. There are mentions of Inspiration Point. I got to see how the years had changed Fonzie. I got to see Richard as married person to Lori Beth. Joanie and Chachi are married. Richard's Mother Marion was still alive and living near Richard and Lori Beth in Hollywood. I felt lots of memories as read novel. Happy Days was a big part of my youth. I enjoyed book by James Boice. This book is teen to adult. It really helps though if have some knowledge of Garry Marshall Happy Day Universe. Two women were even mentioned and beer brewery they worked at which turned into it's own spin-off television show Laverne and Shirley. The novel was quick reading. I took about day to read novel. The conclusion was not really unexpected though still very satisfying. The songs like "Splish Splash" from 1950's was now replaced with "Purple Rain" from Prince or maybe "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen. Queen or David Bowie was also probably playing on FM radio compared to music when Richard first left Milwaukee for Hollywood. I felt really warm family type of story with mixes of corruption in political campaign. There were lots of twists in Who Killed the Fonz? I would suggest this novel to anyone who wanted to have glimpse into lives of Happy Days cast after end of television show.


www.barnesandnoble.com/w/who-killed-the-fonz-james-boice/1127922907#/


Allen Klingelhoets