In 1930s California, glamour and seduction spawn a multitude of sins in this New York Times bestseller from the author of Tightrope. At the exclusive Burning Cove Hotel on the coast of California, rookie reporter Irene Glasson finds herself staring down at a beautiful actress at the bottom of a pool…. The dead woman had something Irene wanted: a red-hot secret about an up-and-coming leading … red-hot secret about an up-and-coming leading man—a scoop that may have gotten her killed. As Irene searches for the truth about the drowning, she’s drawn to a master of deception. Once a world-famous magician whose career was mysteriously cut short, Oliver Ward is now the owner of the Burning Cove Hotel. He can’t let scandal threaten his livelihood, even if it means trusting Irene, a woman who seems to have appeared in Los Angeles out of nowhere four months ago.
With Oliver’s help, Irene soon learns that the glamorous paradise of Burning Cove hides dark and dangerous secrets. And that the past—always just out of sight—could drag them both under….
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Set a mood for 1930’s California that felt exactly right.
I liked the setting of this new series.
Great book. Characters where fun. I enjoyed the “magical” twist. Wrapped up a little fast at the end, but it was still good.
This is a rather non-stop adventure.
It starts with one murder and a woman on the run.
It continues with more murders and further complications.
The main female character is strong and clever, while believably vulnerable.
The male protagonist is fascinating.
Both have interesting back stories and are very cautious about themselves.
Enjoyed it, outdoor notput it down
This is my favorite author in all her iterations, and most of the Amanda Quick books are regency England. This one, I would say is in the 1940s, so it is something different. It didn’t have any paranormal gifts, either. It has a happy ending on all fronts, which is always nice.
I LOVE Amanda Quick novels. Have read every one JAK has ever written. This novel takes place against the backdrop of old Hollywood. Very atmospheric. Love the visuals, textures, tastes and sounds that she surrounded us with.
Set in California in the 1930s, the first book in the Burning Cove series focuses on a Hollywood gossip reporter who comes across a drowned actress, shortly after her newspaper mentor predecessor was also found drowned. The spunky reporter (think Rosalind Russell) must face the Hollywood machine as they attempt to keep her investigation out of the limelight. I recommend it for a quick and entertaining escapist read (one explicit sexual scene included).
This is part of a collection of books about Burning Cove. They don’t need to be read in any order as they are not a series. Amanda Quick is one of my favorite authors I will pick up anything of hers and have yet to be disappointed.
Expected more of this author
Irene Glasson came to California from the East Coast a number of months ago on the run from her past. Determined to start a new life for herself she had no idea her past would eventually catch up with her. Oliver Ward knows all about moving on from the past as he’s been trying to get his life back on track after a bad accident ruined his magic career and nearly his life. Can they trust each other when they both need to keep their secrets close?
I’ve been an Amanda Quick fan for many years and was a little surprised when I realised just how long it’s been that I’ve been holding off reading this new kick-off of hers – away from the Regency/Victorian Historical setting and into the American 1930s. I feel mentally Amanda Quick to me signifies one of the best authors in the historical romance genres and she’s set the bar quite high. While I adore the 1920s and am fairly flexible in my reading likes, older American settings have never really been a passion of mine so I’ve been hesitant. Therefore, this book has languished in my to read pile.
Such a long enforced-indoors stay, though, (thank you Covid-19) had me curious enough to crack this open and for the most part I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I was both thrilled and relieved that the writing has retained the high standard and easy-to-sink-into aspect that I associate with Amanda Quick (and her contemporary alter-ego Jayne Ann Krentz) and this story has reiterated for me, personally, that this author could write virtually anything and I’d find it largely readable.
The Girl Who Knew Too Much is way better than “largely readable” but I admit it wasn’t quite the gold-standard many of Quick’s earlier novels were. The characters were excellently drawn and familiar with intelligence and subtle good looks and keen to use their brains and skills rather than just coast along. I also felt the plot was very well woven and there were a few threads all linking up together really strongly and it kept the pace moving while giving the story a good sense of being rounded out. I admit the old-style Hollywood aspect to the story was interesting but never really grabbed me – though I freely admit this setting will likely appeal strongly to a large number of other readers. Quick does an excellent job of infusing the story with the sense of that golden era of Hollywood and the Art Deco/extravagance and historical setting of the 1930s and California in general. I strongly feel it was my own personal tastes that simply had me not as enraptured by this aspect to the story – Quick has done an amazing job with the writing and for readers who enjoy this style and setting should find it wonderful to sink into.
As is often the case with Quick (and Krentz) the setting and world she’s built was as addictive as the hero and heroine. There were a number of very strong secondary characters (Luther and Willie most especially) that I would have loved to see more of in subsequent books and I’m glad I’ve got the next already purchased. While there are a few intimate scenes written between Oliver and Irene I don’t feel they’re hot enough to be a turn-off for most traditional romance readers. While descriptive, they are a very small aspect to the story and I feel they are very tastefully written. The emotional relationship and romance between Oliver and Irene is a strong aspect to this story but I feel the mystery/suspense is equally strong and very prominent. I was really pleased that both sides to this story are well balanced and – to my mind – given equal weight throughout the story. This is the sort of book I wouldn’t blush to recommend to my mother or an elderly relative.
Readers who enjoy historically-set novels with both a strong romance and equally strong mystery should really enjoy these. Fans of Amanda Quick’s other novels should definitely give this a whirl as I was vastly pleased her change in time and setting has not dulled her talent one iota. A good book I will enjoy re-reading.
The reader read like it was a Shakespearean play. I was so distracted by her reading that I lost interest in the story. Never finished it.
It was interesting but left some unanswered questions.
Can’t wait for the next story
Loved the book.
Love this lady and her books do much
The book was disappointing,the Arthur was the seller.
Another great book from one of my favorites
I loved this book great characters and author is wonderful
Sigh . . . Amanda Quick has easily made jumps from Regencies to Victorian and now 1930s America and her stories just get better. A murder in the first few pages sends our heroine fleeing for her life. Terrifying vignettes of the sociopath on her trail have the reader knowing Anna made the right decision. A change of name and a change of coasts and Anna now Irene has found another body.
Fortunately, Nick Tremayne is on the scene. A former magician, who had to reinvent himself as the owner of an exclusive hotel owner, Nick will do a lot to protect his high-class clientele and even more to protect Irene. Stopping a murderer has become number one on his list.
There are hints, tiny hints, that this may be the beginning of a series. A girl can dream.