This is such a fun, buzzy book. A murder mystery set in wartime Hollywood, Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen checked all my boxes. Our main character had so much depth, the pacing was quick, the Hollywood setting felt well researched and fully-fleshed, and the plot kept me guessing. The story hit the ground running from the first page and I really appreciated how Sarah James made choices that made her novel distinct and compelling, and didn’t seem like a “for the masses” type that this story could have easily fallen into. I was entertained the entire time and I felt like I was engaged throughout, it wasn’t just a mindless reading. I loved it!

ARC provided by NetGalley.

This was a fun read. Grips you right from the first page and doesn't let go. I hadn't read anything from this author before and worried it would be a bit 'young' for me but I thoroughly enjoyed! It has a really glamourous setting and one that is not yet overdone as a lot of these types of novels are based in the 20's.

This is a fascinating look back into the Hollywood of the 1940s during the war. The Hollywood Canteen was a real place where all the servicemen and women were always welcome to come for a night of free food, drinks, entertainment, and dancing. The Canteen was staffed by the local studios, as well as the stars themselves. You never knew who might be found making hundreds of sandwiches
Annie Laurence a murder mystery playwright in New York, is out of a job when her highly acclaimed play comes to an end. She is also recovering from a painful breakup, so when she is contacted by one of the studios in Hollywood and offered a job as a mystery writer, she eagerly accepts. Off she goes to tinsel town.
One of the first people Annie meets is the extremely critical, often unpopular, film critic, Fiona Farris. Annie gets absorbed into Fiona’s circle of friends, who call themselves the “Ambassador’s Club.” They meet regularly at the Ambassador Hotel.
This story will take you on a trip through the glamour and glitz of wartime Hollywood, as well as a glimpse behind the scenes during that era. After a suspicious murder occurs that is similar to her recent successful play in New York, Annie is suddenly one of the suspects. She sets out to prove her innocence and find the real killer.
As I read this captivating story, I often found myself laughing and other times I was shocked at the scandalous behavior. It is an entertaining, fun book that takes the reader right back to wartime Hollywood.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.