having read that Jon Hamm was reprising the role of Fletch but with a very different take than Chevy Chase, I figured it was time to go to the actual source (It was news to me that Fletch was a popular series from the 70s). Anyhow this is a book that will make a reader out of a teenage boy: it starts with a rapid-fire dialogue and before the first page is turned, proposed murder. Cool.

now of course this is a 70's protagonist: an unapologetic (and successful) womaniser. there's no 'comeuppance' for Fletch - it's pure enjoyment of a rat, being a rat, cause he's a charming rat. the humour is deadpan and the punchlines are subtlety revealed to the reader before they appear in print. in short, fluffing the reader to compliment himself on his deductive reasoning and astute observation. great story AND flattering your audience? no wonder this series took off.