This was okay, but it seems strange to purposefully set a book during WW2 and then have it be so small in a story - I feel this would've been better set earlier. The mystery was okay, but nothing particularly gripping.

This was a really fun historical murder mystery set in the glamorous world of old Hollywood where an aspiring murder mystery playwright finds herself trying to solve a real life murder at the Hollywood Canteen. Great on audio and perfect for fans of historical mystery fiction and the glamorous period of this age of film cinema. Fast-paced and twisty with a likable female protagonist. Highly recommend. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen by Sarah James. Pub Date: November 7, 2023. Rating: 2 stars. In this novel, the reader is taken to the setting of Old Hollywood and a murder mystery unravels. I really enjoyed the setting and atmosphere of this novel, but the storyline was not as engaging as I wanted it to be. The pacing felt off to me. This was an okay read to me, but not unputdownable. Thanks to #netgalley and #sourcebookslandmark for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Meh… interesting Hollywood characters; but overall I didn’t care much about the murder mystery, and the context of WWII was nearly non-existent. Quite disappointed that there was only the bare minimum said about how Hollywood changed plots, avoided stars being drafted, and more to keep the motion picture industry flush. Additionally, the daily effect of WWII and news crossing into the US was not nearly as all encompassing as I felt it should be. I do not believe that so many days could pass where there were no updates or discussions about the war. I like to read historical fiction to get context for the time; this felt a bit too modern, and certainly lacked any sort of emotional reactions to the war from our characters 99% of the time.

Although I suppose Hollywood may very well have been that self-absorbed even during the wars times. Only really thinking of themselves and holding events, like those at the Hollywood Canteen that furthered their own celebrity while appearing to be about the soldiers. This is definitely depressing for me as I always want to think humans are better. Alas we really aren’t and I suppose this story reflects that.

Overall, this is an okay read. I’d easily say pass on it were anyone to ask if they should read it. Maybe if you love murder mysteries and celebrity gossip? I’m not unhappy I read it but I could just as easily DNF’d it and walked away with no rejects about not finding out who our killer is, or how the club members lives finally pan out.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

Unfortunately, after reading 34% of Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen, this book just didn't really grab my attention and I decided not to finish it. Rating as a one star because I have to give a rating. I will not be posting this review on any social media sites. Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity read an advanced copy and review this book.

Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen is an old Hollywood murder mystery with very modern attitudes and sensibilities. Sometimes it works, sometimes it's lacking but it is a fun read.

Interesting look into a part of history I hadn't heard of before. I love a mystery involving anything to do with celebrity culture and this one was one I loved. The mystery was well thought out with lots of red herrings but a definite path to follow which are my favourites.

I loved the Hollywood setting, but the whole lot and mystery aspect lacked in my opinion. Also characters lacked depth and hard to connect with.

I really, really loved the old Hollywood setting of this book! The characters and setting were so fun and nostalgic and if you're a fan of old Hollywood, you'll totally love all of the references and nods to real live actors and actresses. The "Ambassador's Club" was fun and twisty and I enjoyed following their story.

Overall, this was a good, quick read!!

A film critic is found dead at the Hollywood Canteen and murder mystery playwright, Annie gets mixed up in the investigation along with an interesting array of new friends she meets along the way.
I went into this book expecting to get old Hollywood glamour vibes but unfortunately I didn’t. The characters were interesting and entertaining, the storyline was good but I just didn’t get that vibe I was hoping for so I was a little disappointed. If I wasn’t expecting that I probably would have enjoyed it more.

Overall, I really liked this book.
The characters are well written, the twist was unexpected but believable and the main character was relatable.
Annie starts out in the Big Apple as a Broadway playwright and feels on top of the world, not even a critic’s accurate accusation about the relationship she has with her stars can bring het down. That is until her world gets tipped upside down when her lovers get a movie contract and head to Hollywood. They leave Annie with nothing but a broken heart, taking not only her happiness, but her grandmothers nightstands, too.
Annie contemplates chasing her lovers across the country when she unexpectedly gets a screenwriter offer from Paramount, requiring her to move to Hollywood.
Here she finds some unlikely friends, including the critic Fiona Farris, and she thinks she might have the ability to move on from her failed relationship after all. Until Fiona’s murdered and Annie is a suspect along with the rest of her friends.
She writes murder mysteries for broadway and the big screen, can she solve this one in the real world?
The things I didn’t like were purely personal.
The beginning was incredibly slow, and the entire novel was very wordy. I felt this took away from the the bits of action and ingenuity we witnessed. Annie overall was relatable, but I felt after the breakup she was quite mopey and wished she was more angsty. She did make up for it in the end, though.
I think I need to come to the realization that historical fiction isn’t my genre.

fun little read. I liked learning about the Hollywood Canteen and the banter of the characters. The mystery was interesting and the story was good. But it was a bit slow in places, the pacing felt a bit stilted at times, and I'm not sure it's a story that stands out. I almost wish I'd done this as an audio book. I think the mystery might feel a bit more urgent played out a bit more off the page.

It was well written and I liked it, but it was just okay.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

What had me intriqued was the story of old Hollywood and with a little mystery and whodunnit has me wanting more. The only doewnside for me is it is historical fiction which is not my genre but I did not let that deter me from reading it. If found Annie Laurence relatable. She goes through a bad breakup and decides to move cross country to start over. But an acquantaince of hers is found ddead. Now what? Read it to find out. I recommend this one.

I thought this was a clever story and although none of the characters were very likeable as good people, they were perfectly written as their flawed selves.

I’m rounding up to 4 stars, but feel this is a very solid 3.5 star book that I enjoyed.

It was okay, I didn't really care for it in any way. I was kind of bored and didn't connect with the characters.

This book instantly had me hooked! Take the glitz and glam of old Hollywood and the twists of a whodunnit and you get this stunning story. Annie Laurence is so easy to relate to as she struggles through a breakup and starts a new life across the country working as a writer for a movie studio. Not everything and everyone what they seem and Annie learns this the hard way when an acquaintance is found dead at a local club. If you are a fan of historical fiction and a good mystery then this book is for you!

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I liked reading about the life of actors and screenwriters and musicians. Reading about how they spent their evenings and what the big wigs at production companies expected and how they treated their employees back then was intriguing.

The mystery portion of this book was what sold it for me. I found that it dragged in places but I was determined to keep reading because I needed to know who the killer was. The members of the Ambassador’s Club all had motives and means to kill Fiona.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for my ARC of this book.

I absolutely flew through Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen by Sarah James! It completely transported me back to the glamorous, yet tumultuous, world of 1940s Hollywood.

The minute I met Annie Laurence, a playwright with a broken heart and a dream, I knew I was in for a treat. Her fish-out-of-water experience in Hollywood was both hilarious and relatable. The way James weaves real-life Hollywood legends into the story adds a layer of authenticity that makes everything feel so vivid.

Then there's the murder! A scathing film critic winds up dead at the Hollywood Canteen, and Annie, with her sharp wit and keen eye for detail, finds herself smack dab in the middle of the investigation. The mystery itself is cleverly plotted, with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing until the very end.

But what truly elevates Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen is the atmosphere. James perfectly captures the glitz and the grit of Hollywood during wartime. The desperation of starlets vying for roles, the undercurrents of scandal, and the ever-present shadow of the war all come together to create a truly immersive experience.

If you're a fan of historical fiction with a dash of mystery and a sprinkle of Hollywood glamour, then Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen is a must-read. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it!

This was an interesting and unique historical fiction novel.

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

I really enjoyed this story, and found the main character pretty likable - I was rooting for her from start to finish. The glamour of old Hollywood is what initially drew me to this book and I was pleasantly surprised to see that whole bit play a supporting role to the more mundane day-to-day experiences of the people who typically stay behind the scenes. I really knew next to nothing about the writers during that time, or the roles that various stars played during the war. I also really enjoyed the relationship dynamics between the characters - professionally and personally. Overall an entertaining read that sent me down some research rabbit holes looking up more info about the time period.