Dishing On Secrets of the Stars--and of the ‘Cheapskate Set’

He’s got the dish on Marlon Brando, Judy Garland, Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra and Roseanne.

Private investigator Don Crutchfield, who bills himself as the “P.I. to the stars,” has provided his services to a slew of celebrities over the last 30 years. He’ll discuss and sign his book, “Confessions of a Hollywood P.I.,” at 7 p.m. Saturday at Borders Books and Music, 429 Associated Road, Brea.

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She has been called the Martha Stewart of the cheapskate set.

Tracey McBride, publisher of the “Frugal Times: Making Do With Dignity,” will discuss and sign her book, “Frugal Luxuries: Simple Pleasures to Enhance Your Life and Comfort Your Soul,” at 7 p.m. Thursday at Barnes & Noble in Metro Pointe, 901 S. Coast Drive, Costa Mesa.

Also this week

* Robin Dunitz, co-author of “Painting the Towns,” will present a slide show on California murals at 7 p.m. Friday at Borders Books and Music, 429 Associated Road, Brea. Dunitz will be joined by Orange County artist Emigdio Vasquez, who has painted murals in Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton and Irvine.

* T. Jefferson Parker, author of “Where Serpents Lie,” and Gregory Benford, author of “Cosm,” will sign at 7 p.m. Saturday at Upchurch-Brown Booksellers, 384 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach.