This was a very fun WWII-era mystery set at the Hollywood Canteen. I loved all the classic Hollywood details and references, and the mid-century snappy writing style. I also loved that it was about a woman coming out of a throuple and all of the issues with people hiding their true lives to be Hollywood stars.

While "Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen" may hold some appeal for die-hard fans of historical fiction or Hollywood nostalgia, I felt that it ultimately falls short of its potential. With lackluster characterization, a hard to follow plot, and writing that fails to capture the spirit of its setting, this novel did not leave a lasting impression on this fan of historical fiction.

Sarah James' "Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen" is a captivating historical fiction novel that transports readers back to the golden age of Hollywood with a tale that is both heartwarming and poignant. This novel not only pays homage to an iconic era but also weaves a narrative rich in character development, romance, and the power of dreams.

Set against the backdrop of World War II, the story revolves around the Hollywood Canteen, a real-life club offering entertainment and solace to servicemen heading off to war. James masterfully blends historical accuracy with compelling fiction, creating a vivid portrayal of the period that feels both authentic and deeply immersive. The meticulous attention to detail in describing the setting, from the glamorous world of movie stars to the emotional turmoil of a nation at war, is nothing short of remarkable.

The characters in "Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen" are beautifully drawn, each with their own complexities and aspirations. As readers follow their journeys, James skillfully explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of dreams amidst the uncertainties of war. The protagonists, whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways, are crafted with depth and realism, making their experiences and emotional struggles resonate with the reader.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from the joy of a chance encounter with a movie star to the heartache of parting. James' writing style is engaging and evocative, capturing the essence of the era with grace and flair. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, further bringing the characters and their world to life.

"Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen" is not just a story about a bygone era; it is a timeless narrative that speaks to the enduring human spirit. It reminds us of the power of connection, the resilience required in the face of adversity, and the importance of holding onto hope and dreams.

In conclusion, Sarah James' "Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen" is a stunning tribute to one of Hollywood's most enchanting epochs, offering readers a blend of historical richness, emotional depth, and captivating storytelling. It's a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone fascinated by the allure of old Hollywood. James has crafted a novel that is both a nostalgic journey and a deeply moving exploration of the human condition, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

5/5 Stars. A big thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy for review.

Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen is about a place where servicemen would go before they went off to war. You never know who you would see there - huge movie stars, popular singers, musicians - something for everyone. Annie Laurence moves to Hollywood trying to get a new start and ends up working for a studio writing musicals. She ends up with a group of very interesting people who call themselves the Ambassador's Club. Everything seems to be turning around for her until a member of the Club ends up dead. Everyone is a suspect and there is a lot of accusations flying around. An interesting look into the Hollywood lifestyle in the 1940's.

Opening this book, I fell into a time machine. After a brief stint in the first couple of chapters set in New York, where we meet Annie Laurence, we are thrust into the wild and woolly era of 1943 Hollywood when all was done but all had to be kept secret. Once we arrive in Hollywood, the book proceeds at a pace and with the flavor of a late 1930s, early ’40s movie.

Laurence, our protagonist, is a successful New York playwright, lately of the mystery genre, at the book’s opening, However, a disaster in her personal life and the closing of her latest stage endeavor sends her westward bound on a train after a Hollywood studio offers her a job as a screenwriter. How different can writing for movies be from writing for stage, she reasons.

Without friends, Laurence accepts a suggestion from the studio head’s assistant to volunteer at the Hollywood Canteen (a real place) where she will be able to rub shoulders with other volunteers and maybe make friends. The list of folks making sandwiches for soldiers and dancing with them includes Hollywood A-Listers, so Laurence heads off to do her best for America’s best and maybe make some new friends.

She had not counted on witnessing a murder on the first night—especially the murder of a nasty critic who made her New York life miserable. So she both discovers the body and becomes a suspect—both of which lead her to try to investigate the crime on her own.

The Hollywood microcosm dominates all else. James has done meticulous research and it shows. Lots of great detail of home front life (in the movieland microcosm), from shortages to people taking on roles they did not want or were not the best for, due to the best folk having been drafted. James provides era-appropriate dialogue, but one part of the story I had a bit of trouble with.

Laurence quickly (too quickly for me) becomes an accepted member of a group of highflyers, hard drinkers, actors, and writers, some of whom she suspects of killing the critic and others whom she enlists to help her in her quest. The police enter the scene but pale in comparison to the Hollywood types. This is where my “suspension of belief” failed me. I simply could not believe that she was accepted so quickly into the group and gained their confidence. Hey, I admit, this is Hollywood and evidently at that time, a glam girl in a great dress, sexy, beautiful, and who drinks as if prohibition had ended just the day before, can do anything—as long as she is not caught violating her studio’s Morals Clause that bans everything from homosexuality to dating across racial lines.

James is a fine plotter. The tale’s twists and turns kept me from guessing who killed the thoroughly unlikeable critic. But while the fast formation of friendships helped the story gallop ahead, it was a bit too far and fast for me. Great fun for fans of the silver screen in the WWII era when the Studio System was in high gear and studio bosses ruled the roost.

Sarah James' Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen is part historical fiction, part mystery as Annie Lawrence moves from New York City to Los Angeles in the hope of restarting her life as a playwright after a messy break up. Set during World War II in Hollywood, Annie finds herself volunteering at the Hollywood Canteen with fellow actors and performers; and meets a motley crew of friends. When one of them is murdered, the group bands together to try and solve the murder since they believe the police just don't care (or are under someone's paycheck.)

James' characters are witty and humorous, however I also found them incredibly immature and annoying at times. As far as WWII historical fiction goes, Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen is enjoyable giving a great understanding of the challenges and despair happening back home while the "boys were fighting for their country". Even in a sparkle filled place like Hollywood, not everything was picture perfect.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebook Landmark for the opportunity to read this novel.

A big reason I read historical fiction is to be immersed in the atmosphere and setting of the period. I didn't get that here. The language is almost completely modern. Aside from some markers of the era, the story could be current.

The characters aren't well developed. I didn't like or care about any of them.

DNF at about 20%

It’s 1943 and the stars are at the Hollywood Canteen. It’s a club for servicemen staffed by Hollywood’s best. Annie Laurance a murder mystery playwright, is new in town and finds herself in the midst of all these celebrities and all their secrets. She is trying to get a script written and a movie made. But things aren’t all they are cracked up to be. Fiona Farris is a film critic and she is not well liked and unfortunately for her she has been murdered. Annie finds herself in the middle of a true murder mystery. Annie starts socialize with Fiona’s friends, trying to figure out what may happen. They are all cynics and disgruntled and they aren’t offering her much insight. There are twists and turns and the characters are well developed. The author did a terrific job describing this time very well. This was a three star read for me. Overall it was quick and engaging. I want to thank Netgalley and Sarah James for my copy of Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen, for an honest review. It was my pleasure to read and review. What were your thoughts?

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 group―each as uniquely unhappy in their life and career as Annie is in hers―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.

I really enjoyed this story from start to finish. The attention to detail was supberb.

In 1943, writer Annie Laurence has left Broadway after a bad breakup and a bad review. She moves to Hollywood to write for the movies. She ends up volunteering at the Hollywood Canteen, where Hollywood stars and professionals entertain WWII soldiers on leave. When one of her acquaintances, a bitter reviewer, dies unexpectedly, Annie gets to know that woman's friends ... and works to solve the murder mystery.

I wanted to read Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen because I love historical fiction, especially books set in the 1940's. As a fan of classic movies and old time Hollywood, I was intrigued by the Hollywood Canteen setting.

The mystery aspect of this novel is very well done. Annie's intelligence as a writer serves her well in working as an amateur detective to solve the case. There were several unexpected twists that really held my interest -- and kept me guessing about the murderer's identity.

Annie and her newfound friends, members of the Ambassador Club, are very cynical, unhappy people, quick to quip and snark. They are not a likable bunch. That said, the author does a great job at smart, snappy dialogue.

This book was enjoyable for sure. I decided to request it because I enjoy historical fiction, but the cover and the plot also spoke to me. I will be sure to check out other books by Sarah James in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me access to this wonderful story!

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I loved the setting of this book and was completely fascinated by the Hollywood Canteen. I wished more of the book took place there. I also loved the setting of Hollywood in the 1940s.

I found the main character of Annie to be very naive and overly friendly and trusting of a group of people she just met. I don’t really understand the idea of solving a murder and partnering with strangers.

The characters of Terry and June were completely forgettable to me. I found them unnecessary and sometimes lost with so many characters.

This book was just “meh” for me. I felt like I was reading it because I had to finish it instead of reading it because I wanted to finish it. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was.

I absolutely LOVED this book! I'm a big fan of historical fiction and this one grabbed my attention from the very beginning! I don't want to give anything away so I'll just say that any fan of historical fictions or mysteries should read this book!

This the first historical novel I’ve read that took place in Hollywood during this time period and it felt very fresh and interesting. The characters were interesting with their faults, failed ambitions and humorous banter. I’m always up for a murder mystery and this one was fit the bill.

2.5 rounded up
Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen by Sarah James is a 2.5-star read. Promising a dazzling 1940s Hollywood setting, it falls short in depth and emotion. Characters lack complexity, and historical inaccuracies distract. Easy to read, but misses the mark for those seeking immersive historical fiction. #BookReview #HistoricalFiction #HollywoodCanteen

I'm a simple woman- a book boasts Hollywood glamour, either old or new, and I'm in. I loved the callbacks to old Hollywood and the descriptions of everything in the era in the book. However, I did seem to be a bit more interested in the surroundings and the supporting characters than I was the murder. However, I read the book cuddled up on a rainy day, and it was perfect for a fun read. I would definitely recommend!

(Actual: 3.5⭐) Not a big historical fiction reader and, while I'm actively trying to change that, this read unfortunately didn't ~wow~ me the way I'd hoped it would. That's not to say it wasn't a pleasant time - it was, and I flew through this book quite quickly despite my lack of complete investment in it. While I did enjoy how atmospheric it was and the setting of Old Hollywood, the ensemble cast of characters ultimately fell a bit flat for me and I simply just wasn't too captivated by the mystery plot aspect of it all (which should be kinda the point, yes?). All this being said, I do want to circle back to the fact historical fiction isn't a genre I particularly gravitate toward, so this could definitely be a case of this book just not being for *me* specifically (which is totally fine!), and I'm sure others can and most likely will be able to find things they love about it!

I always enjoy stories set in 1940s Hollywood. I feel like the book really got the setting right but the mystery felt a little lackluster. I wasn't captivated or really into trying to solve the mystery. I was hoping for something more with this and was left wanting more from the ending. It started off strong and just devolved from there.

LAST NIGHT AT THE HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN by Sara James is a delightful return to the Hollywood of old.

When New York mystery playwright, Annie Laurence is offered a job to work for Pacific Pictures she jumped at the chance. It’s 1943 and after enduring a heart shattering break up, she flees the East Coast for the West. On her first night there, she meets the members of the Ambassador’s Club, a cynical group of ragtag friends, who all seem to be hiding secrets of their own. The queen bee of the group is none other than, Fiona Farris, a critic for both screen and stage.

When Fiona‘s body is found in the canteen‘s kitchen, Annie and members of the group set out to find out what really happened. The police seem to think it was a suicide, but Annie thinks that there are too many whispers coming from the shadows. As a mystery playwright, she sets off to gather clues and learn what Fiona knew and/or was hiding and who might have reason to kill her.

I really enjoyed the name-dropping in this book and the secrets and machinations behind what really went on behind the scenes in the movie studios of old. Miss James’ writing is smooth and clear, which leads to an enjoyable story. This is my first Sarah James novel, but will certainly not be my last.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own given voluntarily.