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.

My thoughts 💭

I really enjoyed the characters. Annie and the entire cast of the Ambassador’s club were funny and unique. The historical elements felt modern and refreshed and I am such a sucker for a story in Hollywood!

The mystery was very unique! I didn’t see the twists coming and the mystery was woven together well with the other elements of the story.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable read and I highly recommend if you enjoy stories about 1940’s Hollywood and/or historically set mysteries.

So, Annie's a writer new to LA, finding her way and getting adopted by a bunch of cynical Hollywood folks at a joint called the Hollywood Canteen. When someone from the crew kicks the bucket, Annie decides to play detective.

The story is packed with every salacious secret from old Hollywood - fake marriages, hidden queerness, racism, sexism, and even a throuple. It should've been a scandalous thrill, but it all fell flat. When the big reveal came at the end, it just seemed absurd, and since I never connected with the victim, it was easy to brush it off. This could've been a gripping read, but it never got there.

I was excited to read this story about old world hollywood, but had a hard time getting into the story. Something about it just didn't resonate with me as I tried again and again. Eventually I DNF, but perhaps I will try again later.
Thanks to #netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Landmark Sources for the chance to read Last night at the Hollywood Canteen by Sarah James. I requested this ARC because I have always been a fan of old Hollywood, the glitz and glamour, which hid the dark and scandalous side most people had no idea about. The Hollywood Canteen was a place where servicemen could hang out with big stars and relax before heading off to war. Annie is a playwright who
travels to Hollywood and manages to connect with a circle of people, known as The Ambassador Club. When she becomes a suspect in a murder that is very similar to the plot of her recent hit play in New York, Annie decides to find the real killer. I enjoyed reading Last night at the Hollywood Canteen especially since it was a bit different than anything I have read recently but I had some issues with the characters. 31/2 stars rounded up.

Loved this book! The witty characters combined with the storyline was great. Annie Laurence and the Ambassadors Club are charming, funny drinkers that never cease to amaze and amuse.
A delightful story combined with a murder mystery set in glamorous Hollywood in the 1940’s.
Thank you to Sarah James who knocked it out of the park with this book and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this charming ARC.

This is a terrific novel if you like real life celebrities included in the mystery. There is a wonderful backstory starting in New York, ending with delicious karmic conclusion. Definitely will look for a sequel. I just reviewed Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen by Sarah James. #LastNightAtTheHollywoodCanteen #NetGalley
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I enjoyed the premise and time period that Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen was written in, however this book was really slow moving for me. It lacked intrigue and a spark to keep me interested in the story line. The book was not bad by any means, but there was nothing special about it either.

An intriguing look at the drama and irreverence of 1940s Hollywood. Loved the honest (yet disappointing) depiction of historical queer relationships. Has inspired me to take a closer look at wartime Hollywood.

Thank you so much @bookmarked and @netgalley for an advance copy of this book!

✨ 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 ✨
Oh I love reading any stories about this time in history! This is 1943 Hollywood where the story centers around the famous Hollywood Canteen (yes a real place) which is a club for servicemen staffed exclusively by those in show business. How fun, right?!

This story centers on playwright Annie Laurence, new to town and determined to meet the right people and hopefully get a movie made. When a film critic ends up dead in the Canteen kitchen, fingers point to Annie and her new group of friends in the “Ambassadors Club”. Annie typically writes murder mysteries and thinks she can help solve the mystery of whodunnit before one of them gets the blame!

Did I mention I love this time period? The author did her homework on all of that for this story! The characters quick banter back and forth were very spot on for that time period and location. Most of these characters were very self-centered, which fits in with the Hollywood persona. They won’t hesitate to throw each other under the bus.

I also love a good murder mystery, so with that and the time period I was all for this story. I would love to read more stories like this one!

✨ 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🖤 Old Hollywood Era Stories
🖤 Fictional Stories Based on Real Events
🖤 Historical Fiction
🖤 Murder Mystery Whodunnit

An historical murder mystery with a difference - this book will keep you guessing until the very end.

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.

Thank you to @netgalley #sarahjames and @bookmarked for an advanced copy.

A fascinating look at the Hollywood movie star scene of the 1940s during the war through the lense of a murder mystery. I loved the author's note and background for this book. I knew some of the entertainment industry's war effort or contributions by entertaining troops but this very specific glimpse at the Hollywood Canteen a place for servicemen to have a night of free food, drinks, entertainment, and dancing with Hollywood celebrities was very intriguing. The Canteen was staffed by the local studios, as well as the stars themselves. You never knew who might be present either making sandwiches or up for a dance on any given night.
This book starts outin New York when Annie Laurence a mystery playwright finds herself out of a job when her highly acclaimed play comes to an end since her personal relationship also just ended she takes a leap of faith and takes an offer from one of the big Hollywood studios to write for them.
Off she goes to tinsel town.
Eager to find people she ingratiates herself with a group surrounding a film critic she knows by reputation from New York.
This critic, Fiona Farris, gets murdered and it seems like everyone had it out for her, did she have any real friends?
There's glamour and glitter, there's history and a twisty investigation, which Annie takes on since she has started befriending all potential suspects. She sets out to prove her own innocence and find the real killer.
I loved this historical murder mystery - this was fun to read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book - thank you @bookmarked - opinions are of course my own!

I absolutely love this era, and was so excited to read a murder mystery set amongst the glitter and glammer. This was such a magical read, and hard to put down.

In "Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen," by Sarah James, 1943 playwright Annie Laurence, is heartbroken and out of work, So, she moves to Hollywood and takes a job as a screen writer at Pacific Pictures. Annie quickly befriends a group of narcissistic hollywood insiders and feels that her life may be taking a turn for the better. This new life is quickly turned upside down as one of her new friends mysteriously dies. Although the police consider the case a suicide, Annie believes it to be a murder and convinces her new friends that they must find the perpetrator.

The only bad thing to say about "Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen" is that it eventually had to end. The reader sympathize for Annie and can get lost in the dynamics of this group of so-called friends. The story moves at a very healthy pace and continuously brings in new information and new dynamics to be considered. Although set in 1943, it's hard to ignore the intrigue and the gossip that seems to be more relevant in Hollywood now than back then. Last night at the Hollywood canteen is a solid book. A fun read and hard to put down.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC.

I want to thank Netgalley for an advanced ARC and the publishers

In this book, we see through the eyes of the main character and other characters The truth about Hollywood behind the veil, because everyone or most people see Hollywood as glamorous, mysterious, and a great life with riches galore especially back in the day. But the truth is that behind the veil is much more horrific than suspected when we look back at famous figures of the period we find it entertaining because we have that separation.

The main character Annie Laurence gets caught up in the glamour and the lifestyle but over time she sees what the cost is for what she.

While I was reading this I enjoyed the writing and also was intrigued by what was happening and I see this as worth a read