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Be Cool

By: Elmore Leonard
Narrated by: Campbell Scott
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Publisher's summary

The sequel to Chili Palmer's hit movie Get Leo tanked, and now Chili's itching for a comeback. So when a power-lunch with record label executive and former associate Tommy Athens ends in a mob hit, he soon finds himself in an unlikely alliance with organized crime detective Darryl Holmes and the likely next target of Russian gangsters. But where others see danger, Chili Palmer sees story possibilities.

Enter Linda Moon, a singer with aspirations that go further than her current gig in a Spice Girls cover band. Always keeping the fledgling film in mind, Chili takes over as Linda's manager, entering the world of rock stars, pop divas, and hip-hop gangstas. As he wings his way to success in the music business with his trademark cool, Chili manipulates his adversaries and advances his friends, all the while basing the plot of his new film on the action that results. Rife with drama, jealousy, and betrayal, all Chili needs to do is survive to make a new box office hit.

©1999 Elmore Leonard (P)2005 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.
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Editorial reviews

In this sequel to Leonard's hugely popular Get Shorty, Chili Palmer becomes a moviemaker with one hit and one flop to his credit. Be Cool is the movie of his life - imagined as he lives it. The supporting cast includes the Russian mafia; gangsta rappers; rip-off elements of the record industry; Chili's new friend, Darryl, who is a detective working organized crime; and other fascinating riffraff too numerous to mention. Campbell Scott seems made to read Elmore Leonard, or perhaps Leonard writes to be read by Scott. Either way, Scott's Chili is a perfectly irreverent full-speed-ahead kind of guy. The rappers are take-nothing-from-no-one dudes. Scott also does women's voices well, and his regional accents convince.

Critic reviews

"As good as Get Shorty was, and it was very good, its sequel is better." (Booklist)
"Thoroughly entertaining....What's impressive about Be Cool is the number of plot complications Leonard juggles so wittily." (New York Times)
"Leonard's plotting is as propulsive as ever, and his desert-dry wit continues to flare at high heat. Nearly every sentence of this novel reads as if it's dipped in gold. This is a knockout work from a master crime writer: be cool, and relish it." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Be Cool

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Really well done.

The reader captured the essence of Elmore Leonard. Dialog and pace were pitch perfect.
I look forward to all Elmore Leonard’s books.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Sequel to Get Shorty

What did you love best about Be Cool?

The character Chili Palmer

Who was your favorite character and why?

Chili Palmer.

Which character – as performed by Campbell Scott – was your favorite?

Chili Palmer.

Who was the most memorable character of Be Cool and why?

Chili Palmer.

Any additional comments?

If you liked Get Shorty, you'll also love Be Cool

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Fantastic dialogue!

Elmore Leonard's novels translate so well to audio. I believe the reason for that is the spot-on dialogue. In the front flap of <i>Rum Punch</i> the Seattle Post-Intelligencer said "...if this isn't how people talk, they should take lessons..." <i>Be Cool</i> is no different. Leonard establishes his characters through witty conversation. There's no long boring backstory to wade through. It is a very refreshing change from the majority of writing that continually haunts the bestseller list.

The narration, which is critical with an Elmore Leonard novel, is great. The reader makes the characters jump out of the story. He has them cold.

The plot is simple yet interesting. Nothing complex, just bare bones storytelling. Held my interest throughout. Recommended.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

So-so as Elmore goes

Not quite as inspired as others I’ve read. He kinda mailed this one in. Good though.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Just WOW!

As good as or better than Get Shorty. I listen to this a few times a year and just shake my head at the genius of Elmore Leonard. Campbell Scott nails it from beginning to end.

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