Great series. It is very easy to read and you can't help but like the characters. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.

Star Struck by Marjorie McCown is an insightful look at Hollywood’s glamorous world with a mystery twist.

Will Joey figure out what is happening and get over her guilt?

Joey Jessop
Our sleuth is Joey Jessop, a Hollywood costumer. She is working on a movie about the golden years of Hollywood, set in the 1930s. Period pieces are Joey’s favorite. She loves the research and seeing everything come together on the screen.

Joey is a fantastic character. She is a bit of a workaholic, but she knows it, and it helps her get through some rough spots. Joey is a bit damaged from what happened in the first book, but by the end of this installment, she seems to be working it into her norm.

The Mysteries
So, many things are going on. Joey meets a young lady who she wants to help but can’t. The girl runs into traffic and is killed by a car. The accident happens outside the movie shoot they are at, and everything gets messed up. A few days later, a colleague is found dead, then a star’s daughter tries to commit suicide. One of Joey’s costume shops may be using sweatshop labor.

Joey is handling all of it, along with a constantly shifting production schedule and impossible deadlines. Oh, and let’s not talk about the traffic and how much time it takes to get a few miles down the road. However, Joey manages to handle everything, including catching the culprits.

Four Stars
I love the fast-paced mystery, and the setting is fabulous. Although I thought the author got a bit too technical on costuming, it did help me learn about Joey. I was entertained and enjoyed the characters and their connections.

My rating for Star Struck by Marjorie McCown is four stars. I recommend this mystery, especially if you like Hollywood.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Star Struck by Marjorie McCown.

Until the next time,
~Jen

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

I liked the first novel in this series and this one is even better and I had a lot of fun.
A more extensive review will follow
Recommended.

Star Struck: A Hollywood Mystery
By Marjorie McCown
Crooked Lane Books
May 2024

Review by Cynthia Chow

As a Hollywood key costumer, Joey Jessop is used to the illogical decisions and impractical demands made by film actors, producers, and directors. Her latest job on the 1930s-set film “The Golden Age” stars two genuine movie stars, climate change activist Andrew de Rossi and ambitious lifestyle guru Gillian Best. The two actors couldn’t be more different, and it’s going to be a problem for everyone considering that Gillian they are also both executive producers and Gillian is not afraid to wield her hefty power. That attitude seems to overflow into her entourage, especially with her condescending, extremely demanding personal assistant. Joey is distracted from her duties of protecting her vintage costumes by a hit-and-run death that occurs right in front of her at a bodega, especially when Joey believes that it was one of Gillian’s cars that was involved and police are unwilling to investigate further. When Gillian’s unlikable assistant Rita Ranucci is herself fired in a presumed case of suicide, Joey knows that real-life crimes have bled into her movie world.

While Joey is already pushed to the limits keeping track of the thousands of details and departments involved in keeping the cast appropriately costumed while adhering to union and State laws, her recent brush with death and betrayal by someone she trusted still have her traumatized and reeling from the effects. Joey’s protective instincts still kick in though, not only for the cowered young women working at the bodega but for the unhoused man and his canine sidekick who were witnesses. Unfortunately, Joey’s boss, the award-winning costume designer Gregory Benthan, has had to rush home to England due to his husband’s health crisis, meaning that she is alone in battling an uphill battle in changing anyone’s minds regarding the production schedule or an investigation that could inhibit the film’s schedule. Joey’s not-so-stealthy questions get her black-balled by Gillian, but while she’s banned from the star’s fittings she’s at least able to stay on set. That allows her to investigate just what the actress is hiding as Joey continues to order aviator boots, pick out 1930s material, and arrange to have all of the extras and actors costumed for scenes pushed to the top of the schedule.

As someone who watched every single episode of Project Runway and adored the new Fall Guy movie and its behind-the-scenes depiction of movie making, I absolutely loved this new mystery. The second in the series delves deep into the machinations of filming a period piece movie, depicting how even minor changes to the script or schedule can cause ripple effects that disrupts a plethora of departments. Despite the real-life #MeToo scandals and multiple entertainment business union strikes – and the recent crew car crashes due to 14-hour long night shifts - those at the top of the call sheet and with the most money still wield the most power and have employees reluctant to rock the boat. The author’s decades of experience in the costume departments of massive movies shines through as Joey works insane hours and performs miracles to meet the impulsive demands of the production. Woven in throughout are California’s struggles to compassionately deal with both the unhoused and the undocumented, who are often overlooked or exploited. Readers who love to learn and explore new worlds will find this mystery fascinating, as the author skillfully shares her knowledge of the overwhelming moving parts that must all come together to make a movie. Props, footwear, catering, and permits all demand planning before a single frame can be filmed. This is a delightful mystery that not only keeps its characters very real but also makes the movie-making business come alive and burst off of the page. Movies love to come out in trilogies, so the third installment of this series can’t come out soon enough.

Joey Jessop is a costume designer who works on major movies in Hollywood. This time she is working on a set with the two biggest names - Gillian Best and Andrew Di Rossi. Joey is a witness to a hit and run on one night, which then leads her to find out why no one is taking this seriously and why the SVU is the same as one that she had seen before at Gillian's Bel Air home. I found the story to be well written and very descriptive especially when talking about the making of a movie. I did have a few nail biting moments whilst reading this book. All the sub plots came together is a satisfying conclusion.

I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

I agree with other reviewers who struggled with the amount of description in this book. In the first few chapters, it seemed like every time a character made a comment about their job, there was a side narration giving context into what they meant, what their job is, and why it's important. And while it's a fun peek into the behind-the-scenes of making a movie, it dramatically slowed down the plot. I eventually put the book to the side altogether in favor of another one with more even pacing.

Think of this as a behind the scenes in Hollywood novel with murder as an element. Joey is a costume designer who also solves murders- in this case it's Rita's. Rita, assistant to Gillian, the awful star of the movie Joey's working on, is believed by most to have committed suicide but Joey knows betters and sets out to prove it. The mystery isn't the strongest but the details about the movie and Joey's costuming are delightful. It's the second in a series but perfectly fine as a standalone. THanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

The second book in the Hollywood Mysteries really delves into the guts of making a motion picture. Joey Jessup is a film costumer who is working on the latest blockbuster-wanna-be starring two of the world's biggest stars.

The female lead is Gillian Best. She's known for her lifestyle brand and her difficult personality. If there is a word for the actress equivalent of a bridezilla it would have Gillian's picture next to it in the dictionary. Gillian can't function without her entourage Including her agent, personal assistant, and personal videographer among a host of others.

Besides dealing with the star's outrageous demands, Joey and the other costumers have to deal with schedule changes that mean costumes originally slated for later in the production have to be ready almost immediately. And the producer's interference with one of the costume shops in Italy forces that shop to cancel the contract with almost no notice leaving Joey scrambling for a new shop which can make the costumes immediately.

Joey is still traumatized by the events of the first book in the series. So, when she sees an accident outside the area where she was shooting which results in the death of woman she has seen in a shop where she was getting lunch, the trauma just grows. Even more suspiciously, the vehicle seems to be the same one she'd seen at Gillian Best's house earlier.

Then a blow up between Gillian and her assistant adds more tension to the set. When Joey goes to the assistant's house to try to smooth things over, she discovers the assistant has apparently committed suicide while wearing a borrowed Harry Winstone diamond and ruby necklace. The police seem willing to write the death off as a suicide, but Joey isn't convinced.

This is a busy story. Between dealing with the possible murder of the assistant, the drugging Gillian's daughter, various hijinks in getting the costumes made in union shops and discovering that they are actually being made in non-union sweatshops, Joey is under lots and lots of stress before she manages to solve the murder and bring the culprits to justice.

Fans of Hollywood behind the scenes action will enjoy this mystery.

I think this one works better as a Hollywood drama than a mystery per se. I found that a lot of the details focused around Hollywood movie production, drama with the stars and how they choose to deal with family matters away from the cameras, or rather because of the cameras. Like yes, the deaths do tie in but I felt it was less of a whodunnit, and more of a “why was it handled this way”. Also all of the little fires Joey had to put out around the production of the movie. Overall I found this one okay. I lost the plot a little bit, and I think it’s because it wasn’t what I expected. It didn’t give me the anticipation that mysteries normally do. I think if it was written with the intention of a Hollywood drama, my opinion would be different. Especially because you can tell research went into what goes down behind the scenes.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc!

Thanks to netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I have a lot of things to say about this book. First of all it's not that cozy. But passing on that point I would like to explore a few things:

It was a well researched book about the wardrobe department for a movie and in that aspect I was having a day reading all the work issues related with Joey and the movie she is working on.

I have to say that maybe this is a total bummer for people who don't care about movie business. I think maybe people will expect to find a faster bookpace and it is not the case.

It has a lot of descriptions instead of dialogue. Wich is not bat but it can be tedious for the pace some time. I've enjoyed it even if it is a bit slow for a mystery. Like I say the situations and everything it's well written and documented. Also it is plausible for the character of Joey and her daily living in Los Angeles.

I was surprised (in the right sense) the inoperative police force that put the realistic touch for me.

It is not a cozy mystery like we are all used to but for somebody cinephile, like me it is very intriguing the portrait of the industry.

I guess I enjoyed a lot that. An this is my review: not your average murder mystery more a living in Hollywood kind of drama.

A four star reading for me and really refreshing topic I didn't expect to read.

personally this book wasnt for me but the author did a great job at developing the characters with the storyline! however besides that, the story was too detailed that it made the pacing bad, a lot of parts definitely could have been edited out. tbh i dont have much to say eek.

I was ecstatic when I found out that there was a second mystery book in the Hollywood Mystery series by Marjorie McCown entitled STAR STRUCK!

My wife and I became instant fans of the first book “FINAL CUT” and of author Marjorie McCown. The protagonist, Joey Jessop is a costume designer extraordinaire, and the mysteries occur behind the scenes of major Hollywood film productions.

Nobody can write as brilliantly about the Hollywood movie crowd and all the intricacies involved in making a movie than author Marjorie McCown. Nobody, period!

In the second mystery, Joey faces very complex situations that require her to use her expert talents, intuition, dedication and sleuthing. She is a master accomplisher!

Author Marjorie McCown writes in a very smooth and all-absorbing way. Marjorie was an instrumental costume designer in Hollywood, and is credited for working on many movie blockbusters in her career, so she absolutely knows what she is writing about!!

After finishing the second book, I feel like I have just returned from a job in Hollywood, where I worked besides Joey, trying to jump through all the hoops and obstacles she is faced with on a daily basis.

It is most gratifying for me that we are taken to most familiar streets and locales all over Los Angeles. I identify with all the nuances of doing business and interacting with different cultures and fascinating neighborhoods that make LA the cosmopolitan metropolis that it is!

Star Struck has more than one drama happening, and all are just as intriguing and gripping. Of course, there is a murder to solve, and when the culprit is revealed at the end, it came as a complete surprise, which was gratifying to me.

The only negative I can mention is that the book was so absorbing that I read it very quickly, and now I have to wait for another Joey Jessop adventure.

I most highly recommend this book and its predecessor, FINAL CUT!

Thank you, Marjorie McCown, for writing such amazing books. I also thank Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books for offering me the opportunity to read this book in return for a personal review.

In this, the second novel in the Hollywood series, Joey Jessop is working on a film about the glory days of Hollywood in the thirties. She witnesses the accidental death of a young restaurant worker as she is run down in front of the movie set in Hollywood. Joey feels guilty, as she witnessed the abuse of the young woman in the bodega.

The movie stars two big names. The guy is a great guy. But the female lead? Not so much. Joey realizes that the car that caused the accident is linked to the female star. As she begins to look into the accident, things heat up. Especially when the movie star's personal assistant is found dead by Joey. The police don't seem to be interested in getting to the bottom of the mystery. So, Joey swings into action.

Having read both books in the series, I really like this series. The author gives us a rich, behind-the-scenes look at how movies and the costuming element of the movies, works. The characters are well-developed. Sub-plots related to the filming of the movies add to the story, rather than subtract and muddle like many of the rabbit holes can do. I highly recommend this series to all mystery lovers.

Synopsis (From Netgalley, the provider of the book to review)
*******************************************************

Costumer Joey Jessop is working on a movie set in 1930s Hollywood and starring two of the world’s biggest stars. The male lead is also a dedicated social activist, and the female lead, Gillian Best, is known for her lifestyle brand. After a hit-and-run near the set, Joey realizes that the car involved belongs to Gillian, and she begins to wonder if the actress has more to hide than her Botox appointments.

Her suspicions deepen when Gillian’s personal assistant Rita vows to get revenge for Gillian replacing her and is found dead shortly after. Gillian quickly labels Rita’s death a suicide, and the police seem to agree–but Joey isn’t so sure.

With the police standing aside, it’s up to Joey to dig up the truth–but Hollywood stars know how to keep their secrets close, and a woman like Gillian Best won’t take kindly to someone sniffing around her affairs. Joey is certain that Gillian has something to hide–and she’s determined to find out what.

This was a very .. descriptive… book – too descriptive. Get to the plot, please and thank you. Not a horrible book but it's not a good book: with some editing, it could be better.


#shortbutsweetreviews

Unfortunately, I didn't particularly enjoy this book, I didn’t feel invested in the story or the characters. At times there was so much description about Joey's job and her day to day life that I forgot about the deaths and the plot, cutting down on the unnecessary descriptions could have made the book a lot shorter. I thought there were a few white saviour style moments and Joey seemed to have the realisation that life is harder for other people multiple times without retaining that information. I did enjoy that unlike other mystery stories where the protagonist isn't an investigator, McCown does a good job of explaining why Joey is looking into the deaths. Overall I was disappointed with this book.