I rated this book as 3.5 stars. I loved the intrigue of following Marissa Dahl, this quirky, neurodiverse character that is a great editor in Hollywood. Yes, most people laugh behind her backs for her portrayed “weirdness..” But, you can’t deny she has a great attention to detail and makes a superb editor. This was kind of a love/hate book for me...read below.

Marissa receives an interview and unbeknownst to her reveals its working with the legendary director Tony Rees. She is offered the job and accepts it automatically due to what the prospects could be with working with Tony...Oscar maybe? She failed to read the manuscript before accepting, so she virtually went into this movie blind.

The film is produced on an island, that re-enacts a murder of a beautiful young woman years earlier. The murderer was never found; however, the townsfolk automatically are convinced that the boy, who was also neurodiverse, and didn’t follow social norms was the murderer. They even beat him quite badly to end up in the hospital.

Most of the staff and townspeople are hoping that this movie would finally prove and hopefully provide more concrete evidence that the socially-inept Kyle would soon be exposed and they would feel vindicated once he was locked away for good. .

This is were the plot thickens and the leading lady was also found murdered by Marissa. Who would have done it? Of course, everyone immediately jumps to the theory that the strange Kyle killed again.

But could this friendly man, by all accounts, actually be a killer? This is where Marissa’s clever eye and unbelievable knowledge of every single movie is just another readily available picture playing in her head. Who else had motive? That is what she will try to find out for herself, regardless if it involves breaking into the police station.

What I enjoyed and at the same time didn’t care for the characters that Marissa was obviously had Autism Spectrum Disorder! I loved that this author made her character stand out as someone different and highly intellectual in her work abilities. I didn’t like that she was constantly called weird, by everyone. It just didn’t sit well with me. In this age we all need to realize Autism is everywhere and to please not call people weird...especially adults!

The twist at the end was unexpected and Marissa, who knows all minuscule details, even speaks to herself “What if I really am Obi-Wan Kaobi?” She soon catches the real killer! It was unexpected and she was Obi-Wan Kanobi, without her brilliant attention to detail no doubt the real killer would have been unfounded.

Favorite quote from book, “Shit creek’s littered with the bodies of people who think they’re smarter than the rest of us.”

Thank you #netgalley and #penguinviking for allowed me to read #PrettyasaPicture in return for my honest opinion. ( )

So frustrating Goodreads doesn't do half stars......3.5 stars ( )

A Killer Comedy

Pretty as a Picture is a quirky character piece dressed up as a murder mystery. If murder mystery is your interest, you’ll find better fare just about anywhere else. However, that said, if you like your characters insecure and self-deprecating but sharp-witted and self-aware, if quips and wry dialogue delights you, if movies and moviemaking interest you, and if, generally, you’re in need of a few good laughs, Elizabeth Little wrote a pretty good novel for you.

Meet Marissa Dahl, film editor. She’s been in the business over a decade and still hungers for the recognition of an award. She’s mostly worked with one director, her friend Amy, with whom she has a very close but sometimes contentious relationship. When the story opens, that Amy seems to be taken with Josh has Marissa ticked off both at the odious Josh and disloyal Amy. Obviously, there’s more going on here than a professional relationship. Anyway, her agent presents her with a last minute opportunity to work with Tony Rees, as big a name as you can imagine in the movie business. Problem is Rees has a reputation as a control freak, a man driven to get great, authentic performances from his actors, at any cost. All Marissa knows is that it’s a Rees’ movie about a murdered girl, and without even a glance at the script, she signs on.

Only then does she learn that Rees is shooting the movie on a small island off the Delaware coast, and off she’s whisked, after several transfers and a ride in a rickety boat. Naturally, water frightens Marissa, as do caves, both of which she must deal with on this adventure. Before the boat, she meets Isaiah, a big slab of a man, ex-SEAL, who is providing security for the film. She also meets the boat owner, a poor slub named Billy, who, it turns out, was the prime suspect in the murder of the girl, the subject of Rees’ film. Once on the isle, Marissa discovers a greater degree of chaotic behavior than normal for location shoots. Readers learn quite a bit about moviemaking, especially the role of the film editor. It’s nice to see a film editor get recognition, even if in the form of a neurotic and reclusive character. But she’s smart, of tongue and wit, and solves the double murder mystery, because, wouldn’t you know, the actress playing the murdered film subject herself turns up murdered.

Also, let’s not forget the two precocious early adolescent girls whose parents work at the hotel. They may be even more sharp tongued and definitely slyer than Marissa. For sure, the characters and their repartee are what recommend this novel. Read it for that, dialogue that Little handles very skillfully. The murder mystery is really secondary and weak tea to boot. You’ll find it an amusing summer read. ( )

A Killer Comedy

Pretty as a Picture is a quirky character piece dressed up as a murder mystery. If murder mystery is your interest, you’ll find better fare just about anywhere else. However, that said, if you like your characters insecure and self-deprecating but sharp-witted and self-aware, if quips and wry dialogue delights you, if movies and moviemaking interest you, and if, generally, you’re in need of a few good laughs, Elizabeth Little wrote a pretty good novel for you.

Meet Marissa Dahl, film editor. She’s been in the business over a decade and still hungers for the recognition of an award. She’s mostly worked with one director, her friend Amy, with whom she has a very close but sometimes contentious relationship. When the story opens, that Amy seems to be taken with Josh has Marissa ticked off both at the odious Josh and disloyal Amy. Obviously, there’s more going on here than a professional relationship. Anyway, her agent presents her with a last minute opportunity to work with Tony Rees, as big a name as you can imagine in the movie business. Problem is Rees has a reputation as a control freak, a man driven to get great, authentic performances from his actors, at any cost. All Marissa knows is that it’s a Rees’ movie about a murdered girl, and without even a glance at the script, she signs on.

Only then does she learn that Rees is shooting the movie on a small island off the Delaware coast, and off she’s whisked, after several transfers and a ride in a rickety boat. Naturally, water frightens Marissa, as do caves, both of which she must deal with on this adventure. Before the boat, she meets Isaiah, a big slab of a man, ex-SEAL, who is providing security for the film. She also meets the boat owner, a poor slub named Billy, who, it turns out, was the prime suspect in the murder of the girl, the subject of Rees’ film. Once on the isle, Marissa discovers a greater degree of chaotic behavior than normal for location shoots. Readers learn quite a bit about moviemaking, especially the role of the film editor. It’s nice to see a film editor get recognition, even if in the form of a neurotic and reclusive character. But she’s smart, of tongue and wit, and solves the double murder mystery, because, wouldn’t you know, the actress playing the murdered film subject herself turns up murdered.

Also, let’s not forget the two precocious early adolescent girls whose parents work at the hotel. They may be even more sharp tongued and definitely slyer than Marissa. For sure, the characters and their repartee are what recommend this novel. Read it for that, dialogue that Little handles very skillfully. The murder mystery is really secondary and weak tea to boot. You’ll find it an amusing summer read. ( )

The lead character has some off putting flaws and is the lens through which all the other characters are presented. Still the characters come to life and it is fun feeling the confidant of someone who doesn't like people or at least fears them.
The story of death and violence on an isolated island. Interesting entanglements between the characters. ( )