Author Sally Carpenter dedicates the first of her Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol Mystery series to all teen idol fans, but it’s clear Carpenter is a Fab Four fan and writes about the Beatles and their music in a “novel” way. This clever Beatlemaniac book is full of historical antidotes and endless commentaries about those who live to hoard collectibles left over from the Beatle era.

While the title, The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper, maybe a little long in the tooth, the story itself is quite compact, yet well-paced. Carpenter’s protagonist, Sandy Fairfax, is a recovering alcoholic who was the 70s TV teen idol Buddy Brave, Boy Sleuth. Unfortunately for Sandy, it wasn’t a role that carried him into adulthood.

After a declaration to stay sober, the first step to reclaim his fame and fortune take him to Evanston, Indiana. This first gig, after years of hitting the bottom of the barrel, is an appearance at a Beatles Fan convention. A host of madcap characters take Sandy on a rock and roll journey where he finally gets to use his teen sleuthing skills to track down the murderer of a member of a Beatles tribute band.

If you liked the Fab Four, you’ll get a George Harrison rush out of this wacky, but likable novel. Beatles memorabilia bootleggers, John Lennon look-alikes, album cover collectors are all likely suspects. Sandy Fairfax is targeted, too, but his biggest fan, Bunny, who can’t help but call him Buddy, is forever faithful and believes in Sandy. She loves him, yeah, yeah, yeah, but her dying devotion won’t bring Sandy Fairfax back into the limelight.

Carpenter entices you to rub the dust off your old Beatles albums and take a ride on a Yellow Submarine. You’ll enjoy this light, whimsical, nostalgic story, and not get too waxed about the real mystery.
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Paperback: 232 pages
Publisher: Dark Oak Mysteries (August 22, 2011)
ISBN-13: 978-1610090315