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Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen

A Novel
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( 1,331 ratings, 288 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen, Sarah James unravels a captivating tale set in the 1940s, where the glamour of Hollywood intertwines with the shadows of wartime. The story revolves around a young woman working at the iconic canteen, where soldiers and starlets gather. Through a mix of historical charm and personal discovery, the narrative explores themes of love, ambition, and the impact of global events on individual lives.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this novel if you're drawn to stories set in the glamorous yet turbulent era of 1940s Hollywood. This historical fiction piece may appeal to you with its intriguing mix of romance, mystery, and drama amidst the backdrop of wartime entertainment and iconic personalities.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Hollywood might look like an oasis from the devastation of WWII, but that doesn't mean it's safe...

"Glamorous and suspenseful." - Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author

Perhaps the best place in 1943 Hollywood to see the stars is the Hollywood Canteen, a club for servicemen staffed exclusively by those in show business. Murder mystery playwright Annie Laurence, new in town after a devastating breakup, definitely hopes to rub elbows with the right stars. Maybe then she can get her movie made.

But Hollywood proves to be more than tinsel and glamour. When despised film critic Fiona Farris is found dead in the Canteen kitchen, Annie realizes any one of the Canteen's luminous volunteers could be guilty of the crime. To catch the killer, Annie falls in with Fiona's friends, a bitter and cynical groupβ€”each as uniquely unhappy in their life and career as Annie is in hersβ€”that call themselves the Ambassador's Club.

Solving a murder in real life, it turns out, is a lot harder than writing one for the stage. And by involving herself in the secrets and lies of the Ambassador's Club, Annie just might have put a target on her own back.

"This vibrant, utterly delightful mystery expertly captures the drama, glamour and absurdity of wartime Hollywood. Sarah James's swift dialogue, dry wit and clever characters transport you into a 1940s movie, where the jokes are quick, the love affairs scandalous and the cast as charming as they are flawed." - Brianna Labuskes, author of The Librarian of Burned Books

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen by Sarah James is praised for capturing the essence of Hollywood's golden era, blending humour, wit, and suspense. With a cast of engaging and unique characters, the story offers a thrilling exploration of ambition and glamour's darker side. Its vibrant portrayal of WWII-era Hollywoodland, complete with scandalous love affairs and dry wit, makes it a captivating read that balances glamour with mystery.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781728252254

Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 December 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Sourcebooks Landmark

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 21.0mm

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 209.0mm

Weight: 279g

Pages: 304

About the Author

SARAH JAMES is a graduate of the MFA Writing for Screen & Television program at USC and the BA Playwriting program at Fordham Lincoln Center. She currently works as a freelance writer. Her first novel was The Woman with Two Shadows.

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