Fletch Paperback – March 12, 2002

I read the reviews before purchasing and reading this book. My wife and I love the movie, so I was a little worried about reading the book - but the book was really good. And although some of the movie scenes and dialogue were almost word for word out of the book, there are many differences that make the story line of the book just as interesting. My wife read it too and she liked it, so I don't think anyone should worry about the book being offensive to women either. Fletch in the book is the antihero, but not as bad as you think if you read between the lines. And he is an amazing investigative reporter as mentioned in other reviews. All in all, 5 stars!

I wasn't sure what to expect, honestly. The film was fantastic and Chevy Chase made Fletch so much like himself that I doubted the book version could live up to the film. The good news is that you don't really need to compare the two because the book Fletch, while similar, really stands apart from the film version. Beyond that, the plot is good. The story is similar to the film, but different enough that you don't really know what's coming. The pacing is excellent; it never drags. I really enjoyed the writing style, though many will find it "challenging" because the author's style in minimalist and he never tells you who is speaking.All told, I would say the book is an experiment in style that worked really well. The character is complex, interesting, and hilarious. The plot is interest with an interesting twist at the end in terms of motivation. I would definitely recommend this book.

Quick. Funny as heck! A plot that makes you not want to put the book down until you figure out whodunnit. Gregory McDonald is one of my new favorite authors and how fortunate am I that there are a gang of novels in this series.

I read this many years ago & loved it then. I loved reading it again just as much. Gritty, witty, clever, fascinating, wonderful writing.

If you’re like me, you probably first learned about Fletch from watching the classic comedy-mystery starring Chevy Chase. It’s brisk. It’s funny. And it’s still one of my favorite comedies of all-time. So when I learned that the movie was based on the first of a series of novels, I jumped at the chance to purchase so I could see the differences between the two.Boy, was I in for a major shock!There IS humor... but it’s more hard-edged, mean-spirited, sarcasm. The story IS mostly the same... only the motives and the conclusion are somewhat different. In other words... it’s far more cynical and hard boiled than the movie.If you choose to read the book after having seen the movie, like me, you need to clear Chevy Chase out of your mind. The book version of Fletch is NOT such a nice guy and he is the source of much of the novel’s hard, sarcastic humor. He is an anti-hero. You don’t exactly root for him except for the fact that he’s only less unscrupulous than the people he’s around.That being said, it was a good, fast-paced page turner that I read through very quickly. The epitome of “the book you can’t put down”. As long as you get the image of the movie out of your head, it good crime novel, well worth the read.

The writing style is smart and snappy, sometimes to snappy, as there were times I felt like I was missing references to a bygone era not plot points though. The plot is very clear. It is also simple. I felt in had solved the main puzzle just over half way in. It turned out I was right. With the second puzzle about the drugs I also got there before the protagonist. Which brings me to my problem with the book. Fletch is not a nice guy. A serial womanizer, a deadbeat, a jerk, who happens to also be a good reporter. I instantly disliked him and he had for me one single scene where he showed real human decency. I stuck around for the answers because the writing was good enough but I won’t be re-visiting this character.

I really enjoyed this book. It was written in 1974 which was when I was a teen in southern California, so I can can relate to the period. Fun writing, an interesting, quick-witted and somewhat amoral hero, and a page turner especially toward the end of the book. Now working my way through the other follow-on books.

No. I have never seen the movie. Some reviewers said this is a dark story. There are some dark themes but if you do not take it too seriously it is an enjoyable, easy to read, mystery story. I will try the next book in the series.

I think the film version of "Fletch" discouraged me from reading the novels as the screenplay & the selection of Chevy Chase to play Fletch was an unfortunate choice, lol. The Book & character are well crafted, and just plain fun. I've read a half dozen more in the series, some better than others & some especially creative in plot. Recommended! Bob Bracken Tsawwassen BC

Fletch is one those stories that requires no effort, something that can be quite often desirable. A great read for those who wake up early and can't get back to sleep.

Fun and earnestly wicked. Recommended

darker than the movies, much darker, but the same biting sit and satire is there. If you like Chevy Chase and I do then watch the movies. Once seen you will have his voice for the character all along the many books and it's makes them that much more entertaining.

I know that books made into movies are usually not similar at all, but I was really hoping that the book was where the movie got its humor.I really love the movie and that is mainly because it is so funny.The book really doesn't have any of that.The overall story is really good and well written, but don't expect the sarcastic laughs that the movie provides