This is a fast paced story that is an interesting mix of historical facts and fiction.
It transports you to the glamorous era of silent film. Full of opulence and wild parties, outrageous characters, gangsters and a murder mystery.
I don't really know much about that period of time, so I got really sucked into the storyline and the scandal.
I particularly liked the explanation at the end of what was fact or fiction.
This is a really enjoyable read and I'm glad that it's part of a series. I'd love to read more.

Indeed Rudolph Valentino does die too young. This fun blend of fact and fiction uses Blanche Tucker, who transformed herself into Bianca LaBelle to break into the film business, to explore what happened to him (maybe) in the days and months before his death. Bianca has made friends with Valentino (who needs a good friend to be sure) and when he confides that he believes someone is making him ill, she's determined to find the truth. Ted Oliver, a PI who is also working for a female villain, assists her. No spoilers - this has some interesting twists. This is the second in a series featuring Bianca and Ted but should be fine as a standalone. I've liked both books more for the characters and the 1920s setting than for the mysteries (but the mystery is pretty good). Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc. A fun fast read - can't wait to see what Bianca gets up to next!

"WHO IS TRYING TO KILL THE WORLD'S GREATEST LOVER?

Though Bianca LaBelle, star of the wildly popular silent movie serial "The Adventures of Bianca Dangereuse," and Rudolph Valentino, the greatest screen idol of all time, have been friends for years, in the summer of 1926 they are making their first picture together, a steamy romance called Grand Obsession. One evening after dinner at Bianca's fabulous Beverly Hills estate, a troubled Rudy confesses that he has received anonymous death threats. In a matter of days, filming comes to an abrupt halt when Rudy falls deathly ill. Could it be poison?

As Rudy lies dying, Bianca promises him that she will find out who is responsible. Was it one of his many lovers? A delusional fan? Or perhaps Rudy had run afoul of a mobster whose name Bianca knows all too well? She calls on P.I. Ted Oliver to help her investigate the end of what had seemed to be the charmed life of Valentino."

Oh, a juicy and interesting mystery that Valentino died not as we thought!

Rudolph Valentino and the roaring 20s, the glitz, glitter and glamor of Hollywood in its Golden Age! Everything I love reading about. This is one of my favorite era's in history. I have always been enthralled with the fashion, the music, and the glamor of these times. The women were classy and beautiful, the men suave and debonair. I have always sought out books to read fiction and non-fiction that tell of these times. I love reading a good novel that transports me there and this story did the trick.. O felt immersed in the story completely..
This is an extremely well written story, based loosely on true events involving Rudolph Valentino's life and his untimely death. In the novel, Rudy and Bianca play lovers in the public's eye primarily as a publicity stunt for the studio, but behind the cameras they are only close friends. Valentino confides in Bianca that he has received several death threats and he fears for his life. When Rudy's worse fear comes to fruition and he dies, Bianca, with the help of New York private eye, Ted Oliver embarks to solve the mystery of his death.
This was a very fast read and a totally entertaining one. It is well written and researched. The descriptions of events, landmarks, and the atmosphere that prevailed among Hollywood's elite draw the reader into the times.
The only thing I didn't really care for was the last third of the book. I feel that there was a slow down to the story and it just lost some momentum becoming somewhat predictable. Overall though it is still a good quick entertaining read that I recommend for Historical Fiction and Cozy Mystery fans. I don't believe you'll be disappointed. I give it 4 stars out of 5.
Thank you to the publishers at Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the free ARC of this novel, I am giving my honest review in return.

I haven’t read much historical fiction that involves a murder and a mystery, so I was excited to get into this one.
Especially excited after I read the author’s note and realized it was based on actually events.
I loved how this was written. It was so fun (I mean, minus the murder) and immersive.
It was a quick read and I don’t think any reader will have a chance to put it down.
I think the mystery was the weakest point. I rather liked the build up and the 1920’s Hollywood feel, but once Bianca started trying to find out who could have murdered Rudy, it started to feel a bit like Nancy Drew. Nothing wrong with Ms. Drew, but she’s predictable.
Very fast paced read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley and Poisoned Pen Press. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I really liked this book! It is a mystery based on historical facts .Film star Bianca LaBelle has been friends with Rudolph Valentino for a long time. When they are making a movie together, Valentino starts receiving death threats. Unfortunately, he dies and a mystery begins. How did he die? Was he poisoned? Bianca sets out to solve the mystery and try to find out what happened to her friend. I really like books that peak my curiosity and leave me wanting to find out more. I looked up more information about Valentino and found a lot of the things that happened in the story was based on facts. Highly recommend if you like stories based on real people!

An enjoyable historical fiction/mystery that is set in Hollywood’s silent film era. BiancaLaBelle is starring in a film with movie idol and friend Rudolph Valentino. Confiding in Bianca, Rudy reveals that someone is trying to kill him. He has received written threats and uncanny accidents. Days later when Rudy is taken ill, Bianca promises to investigate who is behind this plot and why they want to kill Valentino. The characters are well developed and easy to feel comfortable with. The plot twists throughout this novel and will satisfy historical fiction, mystery and movie fans alike.
Thank you NetGalley, Poison Pen Publishing and Donis Casey for a much recommended read.

I really enjoyed reading this book, as I did not know much about the history of Rudy Valentino or the film industry of the 20s. It was well written, had great character development, and story line. It read easily and quickly and I really loved the ending! Looking forward to Bianca's next adventure.

Fascinating book!
This one finds us immersed in the 1920's glamorous life of silent film Hollywood actors and actresses, mainly Rudolph Valentino and Bianca LaBelle. Lovers onscreen they are just friends in actuality, very close friends.
Valentino is a sex symbol on the silent screen, the women go crazy over him, he has it all it would seem. Unknown to the industry though he is tired of the attention and just wants to live a normal life of anonymity.
The bills must be paid though so while he's at parties where the champagne is flowing easily and the women are plentiful he must keep up appearances and make movies.
Someone is out to do in Valentino though and he ignores until he no longer can ignore than written threats and "accidents".
He confides in Bianca what is going on and falls deathly ill several days later.
She vows to find who is behind the wicked plan. Who is it, a jilted lover,the mob,someone from the studio,a fan?
The book really took a turn towards the end I was not expecting.
I sped read this book, very enjoyable.

Expected publication: February 2nd 2021 by Poisoned Pen Press
I was given a complimentary copy. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

1926. Rudolph Valentino has been receiving death threats. When he becomes hospitalized in New York he asks his close friend Bianca LaBelle aka Bianca Dangereuse to investigate. Helped by P.I. Ted Oliver who has been retained by female crime lord K.D. Dix they delve into Valentino's life
An enjoyable cozy historical story showing a side of the show business life but not really much of a mystery.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A fun, twisty hf-mystery set in 1920s Hollywood, such a refreshing departure from the recent WWII spate. We get a genuine feel for the silent movie era with legendary actor Rudolph Valentino and his onscreen lover, the glamorous Bianca LaBelle, in truth good friends only.

Turns out Rudy has been unlucky in love, debt-laden and ill, suffering from ulcers and heavy drinking. He’s worried about a flurry of death threats and asks Bianca to investigate. Side note: In real life, Rudy died at 31 of perforated ulcers, shocking devoted fans across the globe.

VALENTINO WILL DIE is the second book in the series featuring Bianca, blessed with beauty, brains, pluck, and the ability to solve knotty crimes. It works as a stand-alone, but sure made me want to devour the series’ first, THE WRONG GIRL, and welcome many more!

4 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 02 Feb 2021
#ValentinoWillDie #NetGalley

Thanks to the author, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

I’ll start with the good things about this book, it’s very well written and Bianca is an amazing character. She is sharp, mysterious and avoids falling into any cliches of the genre. I loved the beginning of this book, the author has clearly done their research and the showbiz world of the 1920s is evoked brilliantly. I thought the relationship between Bianca and Rudy was lovely and very realistic. Unfortunately for me once Valentino was dead the story seemed to lose a lot of its momentum and interest. It started to feel a bit formulaic and the ending for me was not satisfying or realistic. I don’t want to say too much so as not to spoil the story for others but the second half of the story for me didn’t quite work, which was a shame.
I enjoyed this but wouldn’t rush out to read the next in the series.