This was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the mystery, which kept me guessing until the end, and Kate is a well-developed protagonist. I loved how smart and capable she was, yet she still makes mistakes. However, what really sold me was the setting - this just oozes the mystique of Old Hollywood and the allure of cinema. The minor characters are all interesting in their own unique ways. This is definitely a fun mystery that is clean enough for any teens.

"Movies, mansions, and murder in the Golden Age of Hollywood! Teri Bailey Black's Chasing Starlight is a historical mystery from the award-winning author of the Thriller Award for Best Young Adult Novel.

1938. The Golden Age of Hollywood. Palm trees and movie stars. Film studios pumping out musicals and gangster films at a furious pace. Everyone wants to be a star - except society girl and aspiring astronomer Kate Hildebrand. She’s already famous after a childhood tragedy turned her into a newspaper headline. What she craves now is stability.

But when Kate has to move to Hollywood to live with her washed-up silent film star grandfather, she walks into a murder scene and finds herself on the front page again. She suspects one of the young men boarding in her grandfather’s run-down mansion is the killer - or maybe even her grandfather.

Now, Kate must discover the killer while working on the set of a musical - and falling in love. Will her stars align so she can catch the murderer and live the dream in Old Hollywood? Or will she find that she’s just chasing starlight?"

Old Hollywood glamor with a dash of murder? Always my favorite recipe.

I really enjoyed this read. I really loved how this book explored hollywood in the late 1930's. I also really liked the kate past was so complicated and really flesh out the world. I loved this the murder mystery that developed was not what i expected. This book had a great balance with hollywood elements and also mystery elements. I really liked this book had a strong element of found family. I also liked how this book explored the sexism and racism that was present in old hollywood. I really did liked the romance that developed and the sweet relationship that developed between kate and her grandfather. This author is high on my list to read more by in the future.

3.5 stars
This was a really fun read! What really caught my attention was that this was a murder mystery set in old Hollywood, one of the things I didn’t know I needed! However, I had hoped the mystery element was handled better. It was slightly predictable and the movie making process overshadowed the mystery plot.

I really liked Kate as the protagonist, she’s clever and ambitious - traits I really love. Kate’s backstory was so heartbreaking and I really felt for her. But Ollie has to be my favourite character. He’s quirky and weird; and just the sweetest kind-hearted person. I wished we got more scenes with him because his backstory was so fascinating.

Regarding Hugo and the rest of the men, I felt that they were just there and I didn’t get a sense of what they were like as people, besides them being aspiring actors. I had hoped we got to learn more about them because they were fascinating in their own way.

Overall, this was a fun and solid read. I felt like I was transported into the glamourous life of old Hollywood.

First of all, this book was badass. Very much like the Netflix minisseries "Hollywood", this was full of characters that were inspiring and ahead of their time.
Chasing Starlight is about Kate, a girl who goes to Hollywood to move in with her grandfather and gets into some adventures with these strange men that she has to live with, but also as she experiences working on a movie set as assistant producer.
I think that the synopsis gives too much away, cause this doesn't become a mystery until 30% of the book. And because of that, the first half was pretty boring to me. There was a lot of infodumping and that's not what I expected from this story, since the description sounded way more interesting than it actually ended up being.
Another thing that let me down: I figured out the murderer way too early on. It was kind of obvious. I wish the author had tried to hide it a little bit more, cause it just wasn't surprising to me.
Now, for the things I did enjoy: the characters were great (and there were lots of them), I really enjoyed the idea of a murder mystery in the Golden Age of Hollywood, the writing was also quite good.
I'd still recommend this, cause I found it to be quite unique. Just don't go with too high expectations.

The synopsis of this book really caught my eye; I've recently read "The Seven Husband of Evelyn Hugo" and was curious to read more about old Hollywood stars - and this one even had a mystery as a bonus! Kate has to move to her grandfather's house, and he's also a retired movie actor, who's been hiding in his house for four years (ever since this thing happened to Kate and she was all over the news) and rents his leftover bedrooms to aspiring actors trying to make it in Hollywood. After a rough start, Kate is finally settled there and has a new job at the production of a movie. But one day, when she arrives home, she finds one of her grandfather's boarders dead in the kitchen, and now they need to find out who the killer is - and everyone is a suspect.

Honestly, I was expecting more from the "mystery" side of this book. Yes, there was a murder, and yes, she gets involved in trying to solve the mystery of who the killer is, but it all felt so plain to me, like the murder plot was a background to another story (the film making thing, where they're shooting a musical and all). Sometimes, it was like nothing of this was happening, because there were so many chapters about shooting this movie, and actual descriptions of them shooting the movie, and it all didn't make any difference in the story, just hold back the real interesting stuff to happen. It took me four days to read this book because I was annoyed that anything happened. And when something happened (the murder!), it still felt like anything happened. A solution is just coming up at the end of the book, and it was kind of a turn off to me.

The author's writing is good, I just think she didn't get the pace right. The characters were kind of interesting, but sometimes they also felt too flat for me. Kate is a good protagonist, she has traumas herself and we come to know more of her personality throughout the book, wich is good, and she has a nice development as character. I also liked Ollie, Kate's grandfather, he's an interesting character and I could understand all his fears and why he didn't want to leave the house. One of my other complains is that sometimes I couldn't picture this story being set in 1938. Maybe it's my own fault, for not being too well known about film making and other things from this period, but I don't know.

It's still an enjoyable read, though it annoyed me a lot sometimes. I think I was just disappointed for expecting more from the "mystery" side of this book, so if you choose to read it someday, try not to get your hopes too high for this part of the story.

4 1/2 Stars

This is a wonderful young adult, historical mystery set against the backdrop of the Golden Age of Hollywood. The year is 1938 and Kate Hildebrand just wants to become an astronomer after a terrible childhood tragedy left her scared and famous. But her hard won anonymity is shattered when she stumbles upon a murder scene the moment she enters the house of her estranged grandfather, where Kate has been sent to live. Kate suspects one of her grandfather’s boarders, but can she unmask a murderer before they kill again?

This book is a fast paced mystery that is very character driven. The author creates a myriad of characters in the form of Kate, her eccentric, former silent film star grandfather, the ragtag group of men living with him in his decaying Hollywood mansion, and the elite and up-and-comers of tinsel town.

The mystery moves along well, intertwined with a sweet romance, and the possibility of real a relationship with her grandfather. The dialogue is snappy and the author creates an atmosphere of intrigue and romance among the glitz of old Hollywood. The reader gets a glimpse of the seedier side the town itself and see the sketchy inner workings of big Hollywood productions. I can picture this book as a black and white noir classic, with a smart and gorgeous leading lady who breaks down gender barriers and solves the crime.

I gave this 4 1/2 stars only because I found that Kate jumped to conclusions a bit too often during her investigations. She becomes convinced a suspect is guilty, on very little evidence, too many times. But the story flows well otherwise and it’s easy to become wrapped up in the relationships between Kate, her grandfather, and his dubious boarders. So overall, it was definitely an enjoyable read and I would recommend it highly.

I really enjoyed this noir mystery far more than I expected. It's not my normal genre, but the synopsis was so promising I was willing to step out of my comfort zone and I'm glad I did!

This is also my first read by this author and I'm pleasantly surprised. The writing was solid (and not overly descriptive which drives me nuts) and the story was strong enough to keep me invested. I even didn't mind that this was in 3rd person (which is something I generally don't enjoy)!

Obviously, I can't say too much since it's a mystery, but I will say that if you're a fan of the genre, then this is a good choice.

Chasing Starlight by Teri Bailey Black is a thrilling read with suspense to keep even the bravest of readers on the edge of their seats. Kate arrives in Hollywood to live with Ollie, her grandfather and forgotten star of the silent movies. Her new life is not as glamorous as she had planned as Kate gets thrust onto the set of a movie and finds one of the borders staying at her grandfather's house dead on the kitchen floor. She embarks on a journey to solve the mystery while protecting her grandfather and staying out of suspicion.

Kate creates a very interesting character with a slowly unravelling back story. Although her past is traumatic, she creates a strong protagonist and I felt myself rooting for her as she gradually overcame her fears. Although the novel is written in third person, I still feel that Kate has a unique voice and I am able to connect with her personal thoughts and ideas. The other characters such as Ollie and Hugo are also very unique with intriguing personalities, adding meaning to the story. The murder mystery itself is complex and unpredictable, sparking curiosity as it unravels throughout the novel. Another outstanding feature of “Chasing Starlight” is its Hollywood backdrop. Not only does this make for insightful scenes on movie sets and in celebrity mansions, but the use of telegrams and newspapers remind me that it is also 1938! Subtleties such as the vintage fashion trends and old cars add to the believability of the setting and make it exciting to read about.

I personally enjoyed “Chasing Starlight” because it was suspenseful and gripping the whole way through. Lovers of Nancy Drew would devour this novel because of its vintage setting and amateur detective characters.

I really enjoyed this book.
The writer recreates the studio atmosphere of pre-war Hollywood. Actors are icreated and scandals are hidden from the public.
Kate is intelligent and resilient and finds herself drawn into the glamour of Hollywood when she is forced to stay with her retired actor Grandfather.
Instead of glamourous lifestyle she imagined, she finds her Grandfather taking in boarders to make ends meet and living in a crumbling mansion. Having lost money in the stock market crash and been forced out of the "talkies" he is a shadow of his former screen legend.
Kate soon makes an unlikely group of friends who unravel some of Hollywood's secrets when a dead body is found at the mansion.
The finale of this book is thrilling and dramatic. Great read

Chasing Starlight has everything you want in a book. It's utterly brilliant and engaging, mystery, suspense, angst, romance, all feature along with a cast of fun and engaging characters.

I grew up adoring mysteries. I particularly kept a steady diet of Nancy Drew and Scooby Doo. Chasing Starlight brought me back to the nostalgia of those old mysteries, but with Old Hollywood flair.

It's a classic whodunnit! Dead body, in the kitchen, with the knife. In 1938, at the height of Hollywood's Golden Age, all Kate Hildebrand wants to do is graduate highschool and go on to study astronomy. But when she finds herself needing to move in with her retired actor grandfather, she's forced to face dark secrets in her past and a dead body of one of her grandfather's eccentric boarders in the kitchen.

Everyone is a suspect. Throw a movie musical and a fragile new romance in the crazy mix, and Kate will need her own Scooby Gang to help her solve this mystery!

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 3.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

In 1938, 17-year-old Kate is forced to move in with her grandfather, a former movie star. Upon discovering that her estranged grandfather lives in a crumbling mansion, complete with aspiring actors boarding with him, she is horrified. As Kate gets to know the actors and has her first experience with Hollywood- she abruptly stumbles upon a murder. Everyone in the house is a suspect...including Kate. To protect her grandfather and discover what is truly going on behind the scenes, Kate sets out to find the real killer.

Chasing Starlight was a very fun historical mystery! I really recommend this book to people who are Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys fans. There is a rich cast of characters, plenty of red herrings, and a smart heroine at the center of this murder mystery. I enjoyed that while others may try to put Kate in a specific box, she stays true to her goals. The inclusion of astronomy facts was a nice touch and I loved how determined she was to conquer calculus!

Anyone with an interest in how movies get made will appreciate the historical details and in-depth look at Hollywood in the 1940s. The story is also very accessible to people who aren’t familiar with the time period/1940s Hollywood. I’m curious to see if Kate will go on to have more mystery-solving adventures! Chasing Starlight releases on August 11, 2020! Thank you to Teri Bailey Black, Macmillian-Tom Doherty Associates, and Netgalley for providing me with a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An early copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review


Chasing Starlight is an AMAZING story. This is my first time reading a book by this author and won't be my last 😁🖤
This book has it all! A kick-ass female main character, a lovely, sweet and interesting love interest, a nice aesthetic, interesting family dynamics, a loving grandpa-granddaughter relationship that made me tear up, a murder mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat!

Kate makes it very clear that no matter what she is in charge and she will make everything better. The story is centered around her relationships with her grandfather and the guys he lives with as much as the mystery. Bringing in the film aspects made for an amazing change of pace. It's been a very long time since I've gotten through a mystery novel and not known who had done it by the end.
I adored Kate as a heroine; the supporting cast was lovely, the mystery sucked me in and kept me guessing; and I adored the seedy glamor of the Old Hollywood setting. There was just enough soapy drama to keep me hungry for more!

A murder mystery that takes place during the Golden Age of Hollywood? Um, yes please!

I love Old Hollywood and I love a good mystery, so this book was definitely my perfect of tea.

Also- can we just take a minute to admire and talk about how gorgeous the cover of this book is? Everything about it is just so appealing and eye catching! Definite cover love!

This book really is such a hidden gem and there was so much to like about it. I was hooked from the start, and eagerly immersed myself into the old Hollywood soaked pages. The mystery sucked me in and kept me guessing throughout the story.

This book has all the right ingredients for the makings of an interesting and compelling read. There’s a kickass female lead character, a sweet and swoon- worthy love interest, a cast of unique, colorful secondary characters, interesting family dynamics, and of course, a murder mystery!

I really liked the main character, Kate, and the other characters in the story were such an odd, interesting, unique bunch as well.

I adored the dark, seedy glamour of the Old Hollywood setting, and paired with the murder mystery and other happenings, the story was made that much more alluring. It gives a glimpse into the dark side of fame and fortune in Hollywood’s Golden Age.

This story was juicy, and filled with drama, but it also has a lot of substance and emotional complexity to it.

This was an excellent read, and i’m so glad that I came across it!

If you love murder mystery stories that keep you on the edge of your seat (bonus if you also love Old Hollywood!) then this is definitely a book you’ll love!

4 out of 5 shiny, golden, Hollywood worthy stars!

Chasing Starlight
Author: Teri Bailey Black
Genre: YA Historical/Mystery
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ /5
Reviewed: Maya

Set in 1938, Kate Hildebrand has moved to Hollywood to stay with her grandfather, Ollie Hildebrand, silent-film moviestar. I thought the premise for this book was excellent, and I was hoping to finally read something again that would ‘wow’ me, but the whole book was just average. I found the beginning to be very slow and dull, and it wasn’t until around 30% that somebody got murdered. The characters were just okay for me; I didn’t love them but I didn’t hate them. The world-building was adequate and I didn’t really enjoy the historical elements. The time period was much more focused on the Golden Age of Hollywood, which I don’t usually find super fascinating. This book did not grow my interest in the time period, which left me feeling somewhat disappointed. The plot … it was a good idea, but the slow execution didn’t have me constantly wanting more. Every time I would read this book, I felt like it was more of a middle-grade read, not YA. I’m used to quick-paced, grizzly descriptions in my thriller mysteries, so this slow-burn, Hollywood-focused book couldn’t satisfy me. The reason there are three stars is because the book was not terrible. I am sure that many readers would really enjoy this book if they are interested in Hollywood’s history, slow-burns and middle-grade reads - I am just not that kind of reader. Please don’t let this review put this book off your TBR, unless you prefer more thriller-types of mysteries.

This review will be posted on Goodreads and Instagram on the 16th of May, 2020. The links will be added on these dates.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I received this book. Yes, I read the description, but as any avid reader can attest, sometimes descriptions are deceiving. Luckily though, the description for Chasing Starlight was spot on and I loved it!

This novel had me intrigued from the start. Why was Kate moving? Who is her grandfather? Why are there boarders living in the house? What happened to Kate four years ago? The questions just kept on coming because next thing I know, we are thrown into a murder investigation! Who the heck is the murderer?!

We all know that a good murder mystery can be difficult to write, but Black did a phenomenal job. At first I had absolutely no idea who did it. Then I had my suspicions, but second guessed myself all the way up until the killer was actually revealed!! I mean, I was trying to talk it through with my husband and he was like “Abby, I haven’t read the book, stop talking to me!” Okay, understandable, BUT STILL! I love a good mystery that has me feeling like I’m Sherlock Holmes.

I enjoyed how throughout the novel we get to find out more about Kate and Hugo, the love interests in the story. Kate had a traumatic experience and Hugo wants to be more. More than a plumber. More than what he was born into. Just more. I feel like a lot of the book’s audience can relate to either or both characters and that is a reason why I will be recommending this novel to my students and the school librarians. When we find out about Kate’s past, we get to see how through her own determination and with a little help from her new friends, she overcomes. That is a great lesson for young adults to see and read, truly inspiring.

I love that the novel is set in 1938 Hollywood. Not only because it was a refreshing change of scenery for me as a reader, but also because I am a history teacher. From a historical standpoint we get to see the change from silent movies to “talkies” and how that affected a silent movie actor, Kate’s grandfather. It just made me happy that in a novel that I did not think would include a historical reference, I found one. I guess that just makes the history nerd in me giddy!

Oh! Let’s talk about the love interest, Hugo! I did not immediately fall in love with him, but man, when I did, I fell hard! I mean, who wouldn’t swoon over an attractive man who says…

“Maybe I want to fall. Maybe I want to kiss you and never feel solid ground again.”

Ah! Take me now! I would say that the first time we meet Hugo is unconventional for Kate and a little off putting, but he makes large strides very quickly. I just overall like his character, even if he is a murder suspect.

Remember that this is a Young Adult novel. No worries about inappropriate content outside of the murder. Even the murder is chill. One second there isn’t a dead body and the next there is.

And lastly, not only is this novel a murder mystery and young love story, it is a very enlightening book that can teach young people about letting go. Don’t try to control everything. Make choices that are healthy and live in the moment. I think that is a great thing to learn, especially for young people today who get stressed because of family, friends, school, work, etc.

Kate, the main character, says this to Hugo at the very end of the book,

“I’m going to step into the dark and see where life takes me. It’s a little scary, not having my course mapped out, but it’s a big world out there, and I don’t want to be afraid of it.”

That is a great line to live by.

Read this book! You will not regret it. I am definitely recommending to my students and others.

Chasing Starlight releases August 2020.

historical fiction is not something that i normally pick up but i’m SO glad i did in this case. i loved so much about this book from the old hollywood setting to the ragtag side characters to the murder mystery. kate was such a gem, i honestly can’t remember the last time i liked a protagonist this much. and not to be dramatic, but the romance between kate and hugo was everything to me. there was no insta-love and their banter was A++. i was rooting for them since day 1 ok 🥺🥺🥺 in all, this was a fun and light-hearted read that i recommend to everyone. thank you to macmillan-tor/forge and netgalley for the e-arc. ♡

This book has a super fun premise: YA historical thriller set in the Golden Age of Hollywood + murder mystery. And I'll admit it, I love the splash of pink hair on the cover!

I did enjoy the juxtaposition of glamorous Hollywood and the realities of struggling actors boarding together in a run-down house quite a bit. And I appreciated that the story pointed out inequities in Hollywood that are still largely true today. Unfortunately, the rest of the story was a case of it's not you, it's me. I typically read thrillers, and this reminded me why I should probably stick to them (over lighter mysteries). I tend to like my stories dark. This one was pretty light. It just didn't resonate with me emotionally. I had a hard time connecting with the characters, and the romance element was a larger focus than I would've liked.

I do think a lot of people will enjoy this one, so don't let me deter you from reading if you're up for a sweet, lighthearted mystery! Advanced copy received from Tor Teen via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.