Murder. Corruption. Romance. Movie stars. A modern day TV shoot ‘em up?>>>No. It’s 1926 Old Hollywood, and a film producer is gunned down in cold blood. In comes Rosie, a pretty bit-player, who, despite her stage-mother’s expectations, just longs to be happy.Silent screen idols Clara Bow, Gloria Swanson, Lon Chaney, and Rudolph Valentino float in and out, as Los Angeles’ corruption is … Angeles’ corruption is exposed, the era described, and a chase to find the killer revs up before there’s another hit.
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Rosie and Eddie are convincing protagonists. The setting is presented in a realistic way. The prose is immersive. The main messages are powerful. The movie industry plays a pivotal role. Lovely and thought-provoking historical fiction.
Los Angeles, 1926 – the roaring twenties – one of the most corrupt eras of our time. I’ll admit to this mystery not being my usual genre, I normally stick to romantic suspense in today’s modern world. But I was hooked from the beginning into finding out who killed mean Mr. Harris – not only by the incredibly talented way Ms. Mallery was able to transport me back in history, but how easily I made the transition because of her genius. If I start reading a book and don’t care about the main character, I have a hard time continuing, but again, I found myself wanting to know more about Rosie Paige, her complex parents, the cop involved and her love interest, Eddie. And I was fascinated by the author’s details of life as an actress in that era, her references to people like Clara Bow and Mary Pickford. Throw in a murder to solve and my interest spiked. I wasn’t disappointed. Truly the magic of a born story-teller… an absolute 5 star read!!
Trouble in Glamour Town is an entertaining story set in 1950’s Hollywood. The characters are wonderfully written, complex and true to the era. There’s a twist near the end that caught me by surprise (something I love in a good mystery novel!)
I highly recommend this book!
Not Only Brilliant, But Easy To Follow And Fun To Read.
As someone who absolutely loves old movies and noir, I knew this story would be right up my alley even before I read it.
Set in the 1920’s where corruption is rampant not only in Hollywood, but throughout the entire nation, this story is not typical dark crime fiction with blood and gore. A sweet romance is developing between two of the lead characters who both just happen to be on the set when Mr. Harris, a big-time producer, is shot and killed. Rosie Paige is a wanna be actress, although her mom is the one pushing her onward, and Eddie is an assistant to the actor, Lon Chaney. Rosie and Eddie want a future together, if only Rosie’s mother Beatrice would allow it.
Detective Frank Lozano is one of the first cops on the scene, and once he meets Rosie, he begins manipulating the situation to his own advantage because of his one-sided attraction. But even though he has a tendency to occasionally cross over to the dark side, because of all the corruption amongst his fellow policemen along with the mafia and bootleggers, he ends up being a decent guy who just wants to find the killer.
All the facts are historically accurate, and the author’s descriptions about even the smallest details regarding clothing, furniture, and even the types of automobiles that are being driven, as well as the way it feels to ride in them, are absolutely brilliant and bring the story so much to life.
The dreams of those who come to Hollywood and will do anything to become a star can sometimes be as much a part of today as they were in the past. The author depicts the scenes of the time, like the drunken parties, while providing interesting and accurate information about many of the big stars who were popular during that time period.
The writing is absolutely brilliant, but yet the story is easy to follow and so much fun to read.
I give it 5 Glamorous Gold Stars!!
Old Hollywood, murder, mystery, and romance–what more could you want in one book? I’m a huge fan of Hollywood history, and this book is chock full of interesting tidbits about the studio system, legendary actors, and classic vintage films.
The story is told in a way that places you in the action, and action there is! A murder sets the action in motion, picked up and moved forward by a jaded cop with an attitude, an eye for the ladies, and a drinking problem. He’s on the trail of Hollywood insiders as he hunts down a sniper who dared to shoot his target, Chester Harris, in broad daylight on the back lot at the film studio.
The dark and decadent side of Hollywood takes “center stage” as the mystery unfolds. In the process, the author reveals lots of secrets about the biggest 1920s Hollywood names as they make their entrances and exits into the Trouble in Glamour Town. Not all the key players are big names, though. Rosie & Eddie are young, a little naive, and crazy about each other. Their story adds a dash of romance to the mystery with lots of entanglements when Eddie goes to the top of the list of suspects.
Lots of twists and turns take the mystery in unexpected directions. Who killed Chester Harris? Grab your copy and enjoy this trip back in time to Old Hollywood to find the killer!
I believe I have read every book this author has written. I think she’s that good and one of the finest authors writing today. So saying, this is one of my favorites, because I live in the Los Angeles area. Her attention to detail and the quality of her research is superb. I simply loved it and can’t recommend it highly enough!
Trouble in Glamour Town is a light-hearted murder mystery set in Hollywood in the roaring twenties. It is carefully designed, fitting together different views of the story, with a good measure of Hollywood gossip, which peels away at the glitz of things: Rosie Page, a naive, inexperience movie starlet who is urged to succeed on the silver screen by her ambitious stage mother, Beatrice. Detective Lozano, who investigates the murder. “In the end,” he asks her, “do you really know people?” Eddie Willis, her boyfriend. “His kisses on her neck were sparking tingle after tingle up and down her arms.” Lon Chaney, an actor and famous makeup artist. An assistant to the late director. Henry Blake, owns a modest Spanish villa in the Hollywood hills. This is a fancy yarn to spin. S.R. Mallery has the storytelling magic and the attention to detail, and she quilts it all into an engaging tale.
The writing is inspired by memories of the author’s father, Jerome Ross, a prolific TV script writer. The era is lovingly researched, which enriches the prose without encumbering it. Each chapter opens with quote that fits its theme. I had the pleasure of reading the story in an early form, and once the book came out I bought it, only to appreciate how much it ripened since then.
Five stars.
It takes special talent for an author to flawlessly ease a booklover from the present to character backstory, and then switch from a character’s point of view to another’s, without reader confusion.
In S.R. Mallery’s wonder of a novel, Trouble in Glamour Town, she succeeds in doing just that –
Set in the 1920’s, the tale begins when movie producer Chester Harris who’s “As dirty as they come,” is shot on a film set by one of his enemies. Ms. Mallery takes us on a tour of the seedier side of Hollywood through the eyes of Beatrice, a seamstress who works in the industry, and Rosie Paige’s mother – a woman living vicariously through her daughter’s acting career amongst the other players in this winner of a who-dunnit caper.
The research in this tale is spot on: probably why history refers to this era as the Roaring Twenties. There’s something to engage every reader here: mystery, crime suspense, the Mafia – then there’s that underlying crush brewing via the hard drinking, ‘flatfoot’ Detective Frank Lozano for sweet Rosie Paige, the starlet dating Eddie, who’s a person of interest in the murder, and PA to Lon Chaney.
I’ve always enjoyed a good Lon Chaney black and white film, and I’ll bet you’ll be surprised and delighted by the other celebrities making cameo appearances with the fictional characters in this tightly written story.
Secrets revealed during the saga are ingenious. Since I never review with spoilers, I’d like to extend my thanks to Ms. Mallery for this entertaining read and advise YOU not to miss out on this jewel of a journey.
Five Stars For Making My Plane Ride Back and Forth to Florida a Breeze.
This is an unusual Hollywood story. Sure, you’ve got the wannabe starlet through whose eyes we see the story evolve. And the hard-boiled detective, the earnest boyfriend, and a cast of crazy characters literally out of the movies—Clara Bow, Douglas Fairbanks, and Mary Pickford! But you also have a sweet story about Rosie, who just wants to be happy. And despite the filth and corruption she seems to encounter at every turn, this girl just might have a shot.
Trouble in Glamour Town
Author: S.R. Mallery
Come step into the glitzy world of 1926 Hollywood with young ingenue Rosie Paige and her sweetheart, jack of all trades, Eddie Willis. Rosie, a Hollywood “extra,” loves animals much more than she wants to be an actress, but she just can’t seem to say no to her mother’s dream of having a movie star daughter.
Life hasn’t always been good for Rosie, especially after her father deserted them when she was little. In addition, each of her previous boyfriends simply disappeared from her life with no explanation. Was it their way of dumping her? She’s quite sure her mother’s awful depiction of men must be right when this continues to happen. Yet now, with handsome Eddie Willis, she’s hoping she’s wrong.
But when famous movie producer Chester Harris is shot dead on the set by a sniper, Rosie’s life spirals out of control. Not only does alcoholic detective Frank Lozano drive her crazy with his unwanted attention, but he seriously wants to find a way to charge her boyfriend Eddie, to clear his own way to her heart. Complicated by local mob members, a police station that’s bribed to the hilt to “look the other way,” a series of underground gay rendezvous, and an environment of Prohibition and resultant flagrant flaunting of the law, it’s not at all obvious who really shot Harris.
Filled with amazing details of the era, including “guest” appearances of Rudy Valentino, Lon Cheney, Clara Bow, and Gloria Swanson—all from the silent film era—the story is jam packed with fascinating details of the era, including cars, clothing, and customs. The resolution of the murder mystery is satisfying and was not obvious, which this reader appreciates!
On my recommendation, take a trip back to the twenties with this well-written, charming historical mystery by S.R. Mallery!
– Aaron Paul Lazar.
Trouble in Glamour Town grabbed me right from the start: a vivid and precise to the last detail description of an assassination. Why did someone want film producer Chester Harris dead?
What an intriguing ride that book was! I followed step by step—page after page—detective Frank Lozano trying to solve the case while fighting his own demons and urges. I took a glimpse into the private lives of some key players in Hollywood’s glamorous life where fame and fortune intertwined with a darker side. But no matter how hard I tried to put the pieces of the puzzle together and guess who the killer was, the end was mind-blowing.
Highly recommended!
TROUBLE IN GLAMOUR TOWN by S.R. Mallery is the wonderfully crafted story of young Rosie Paige – inspiring actress, the murder of a prominent Hollywood producer and the lifestyle and events of Hollywood in 1926. How the author intertwined them so seamlessly makes for a fabulous story well worth reading.
Rosie Paige is attempting to live her mother’s dream of achieving recognition and wealth through making it in Hollywood. After her father left them when she was young devastating her mother, Rosie felt it was her “job” to get her Mom out of her deep depression and happy again. If that meant trying to be a star in Hollywood, then that’s what she would do.
Rosie’s mother, Beatrice, got them to Hollywood and has been working long, hard hours as a seamstress working to get a foot up for her sweet Rosie to make it big. If she can become a star or at least marry into the Hollywood elite, they can both could have an easier, plush life. Her only normal thing was her great friendship with Walt who became a constant in their lives. After her husband’s betrayal and departure, that was no small feat. They felt he was their protector watching out for their safety in what seems like a den of iniquity of Hollywood at times.
When Chester Harris, the producer on the Hollywood set Rosie is working on, was murdered, Rosie and her boyfriend, Eddie Willis, were thrown into the investigation mix. Eddie becomes one of the prime suspects of Detective Frank Lozano, lead investigator.
When the true underbelly of Hollywood presents itself to Rosie through various demeaning and unthinkable actions, she’s fast learning that Hollywood is the last place she wants to be. Her heart has always been with animals. She realizes that’s what she wants to do with her life. How can she break the news to her mother after all the sacrifices she’s made to get her this far? Will it throw her mother back into the depths of depression like when her father left? Turning to Eddie in a night of desperation, can she finally see him as the man that loves her and only wants her happy?
What will it take for Beatrice to see the real Hollywood? Will the unwanted and almost forceful actions of those she is so impressed with be what it takes to open her eyes? What will it take for Beatrice to see Eddie as the man that loves and cherishes Rosie and not a man like her ex?
It was interesting to read how law enforcement has thankfully changed from the 1920’s. Detective Frank Lozano was quite the character who has you shaking your head at some of his actions. Then you’re feeling for him when he tries hard to do the right thing. His character was a great addition to the book’s story.
The author does a masterful job of weaving people, events and attitudes of the 1920’s into this story in a way that you feel that you are experiencing the time and places first hand. You feel for Rosie as she’s leading a life designed by someone else’s desires but wanting something entirely different. The tender romance between Rosie and Eddie will touch your heart and have you wanting them to have the happily ever after. The author leads you down one path making you think you have it all figured out all the while she is getting ready to sucker punch you with a fabulous ending that has you shaking your head and wondering why didn’t I see that. I know I had to go back and read the first part of the book and thinking yep it was all there but I sure didn’t see it that way on the first read. It was that good!
Definitely recommend TROUBLE IN GLAMOUR TOWN to anyone that loves a story with romance, crime, mystery, history or just a great book!