NEW YORK, NY.- Acclaimed playwright/author Frank Strausser, who gained much praise during the very successful three month run of his stage comedy Physcho Therapy at The Cherry Lane Theater in New York City, has now broken into Amazon’s “Top 5” sellers in multiple categories this week with his debut novel “Plastic”, which brings together various high-level players in the art world with the high-profile Beverly Hills plastic surgery culture in this edgy tale of psychological suspense that explores the ephemeral and diabolical world inside Hollywood as "the Capital of Good Looks”.

Strausser officially became an Amazon best-selling author this month , with “Plastic” quickly climbing up to the #3 position in the “Best Selling in Satires” category and the “Best Selling in Medical Thrillers” category just this past week; a very impressive accomplishment for a first-time author. “Plastic” was released on July 9th by Los Angeles based independent publisher Rare Bird Books.

In addition, Strausser will host a VIP tastemaker event, as part of the Miami Book Fair, at the Soho Beach House in Miami Beach, FL on November 19th.

“Plastic” has gained much popularity through a series of book launch and speaking events Strausser has hosted in Nashville, TN September 26th, along with award winning Nashville plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Burgdorf, in Southampton, NY on August 3rd with nationally renowned cosmetic plastic surgeon Dr. Stephen T. Greenberg, at The Strand Bookstore in Manhattan on July 24th, at Soho House in Los Angeles on July 16th and at The Chateau Marmont Hotel in Hollywood on July 9th; all in conjunction with publisher Rare Bird Books, whose books have won the PEN Center USA Fiction Award and a Pulitzer Prize.

The novel shines a light on a Hollywood conspiracy involving celebrity on celebrity assault and plastic surgery, with plenty of salacious backstory including late actress Lana Clarkson, who was famously murdered by record producer Phil Spector, and the tragic death of Kanye West’s mother Donda West. Strausser's "bold, stylish, and poignant” debut novel “Plastic” delivers an edgy tale of psychological suspense that explores the ephemeral and diabolical world inside Hollywood as "the Capital of Good Looks.

Lead character Dr. Harold Previn, a top Beverly Hills plastic surgeon is himself an art collector and sculptor. He applies his own sculpting techniques to many of his patient’s cosmetic needs, sometimes sculpting their face like he would the clay. His wife Helen is an accomplished contemporary artist who exhibited at the Frieze London, Art Basel in Miami and has an art studio in Venice Beach. She is represented by a prominent contemporary art dealer who sells to major movie stars and Hollywood executives.

All the main characters homes are covered in well-known modern artist’s work, including Rothko, Pollack, Daniel Richter, Alex Katz, Sophie Von Hellerman, Gilbert & George, etc., setting the scene as these characters lives all intersect when beautiful teen pop star Fay Wray suffers a violently disfiguring assault in a room at one of Hollywood’s top, trendy hotels. Dr. Previn is secretly called in to restore her looks. He soon comes to believe he’s being asked to surgically erase evidence of a crime and that Fay is in grave danger.

Best known for his critically acclaimed plays “The Powder Room” (starring Academy Award best actress nominee Sally Kirkland), and “Psycho Therapy,” which ran in London’s West End at the Arts Theatre for five weeks and for three months Off Broadway at the historic Cherry Lane Theatre, Strausser brings his signature sharp dialogue and dark wit to bear on a place where “if you’re not beautiful, you’re dead” in “Plastic”.

The murder of actress Lana Clarkson was among Frank Strausser’s inspirations for the Fay Wray character. The actress commanded a wonderful performance in his play "The Powder Room" and was also his friend. She was senselessly shot and killed by legendary music producer Phil Spector in a celebrity crime that led to one of Hollywood’s most sensational murder trials. Strausser also conducted interviews with several renowned plastic surgeons to cull research. His interview with celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Jan Adams became a key plot point in “Plastic” after the Donda West media maelstrom that followed consumed Adams’ career.

Strausser, himself a passionate art collector with works by Georg Baselitz, Eric Fischl, Sophie Von Hellermann, Sheng Qi, Jiang Congy and Doris Lee, spent a great deal of time conducting interviews with several renowned plastic surgeons to cull research. His interview with celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Jan Adams became a key plot point in “Plastic” after the media maelstrom that followed the plastic surgery related death of Kanye West’s mother Donda West in 2007, which consumed Dr. Jan Adams’ career and reputation.

Critics and media have already weighed in on “Plastic” --“Unputdownable. A delicious, caustic comedy of manners with a dose of suspense that keeps its pages turning. Plastic is full of strong commentary on the times and sparkling LA scenes. An imaginative, sharp, entertaining novel”….Foreword Reviews (5 out of 5 stars).

“A shrewd and poignant satire of America’s unhealthy obsession with beauty and perfection, Plastic is a brisk and addictive read that you won’t be able to put down! As you would expect from an author who’s also a playwright, the dialogue is razor sharp and crackles like popcorn. Highly recommended!” - Internet Review Of Books