Cute story with a missing dog and a lot (A LOT) of famous Hollywood names dropped into it. May be easier to follow if you recognize the actors mentioned and know something about them. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I knew this was going to be a cozy mystery, and I love old Hollywood, so I had to read it. Overall, it's not bad. Not sure if the actors personified in the book were like this, but I could deal with it. Storyline was good, it kept me interested. After a while, the puns were a bit much. Would I buy it? Hmmm. Maybe. Probably be more of a library book for me.

This story is too scattered for me—it seems like the purpose is to drop in as many old Hollywood names as possible, and I just couldn’t keep track of the characters. The plot seems random, without much cause and effect.

Thanks to Elizabeth Crowens, Level Best Books and Netgalley for access to the advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fun story which involves Hollywood celebrities of the early 1940’s in a mystery involving stolen dogs. Definite vibe similar to the Thin Man books and movies and I was also reminded of Stuart M. Kaminsky’s many books. I enjoyed the story and the involvement of people from classical Hollywood.

Review posted manually to Goodreads due to a technical issue.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6249406248

I love reading about old Hollywood and the characters in the book were more than familiar to me. And I loved the take on the Sherlock Holmes story "Hound of the Baskervilles" to provide the plotline. However, I am sorry to say that this one just did not engage with me. I could not get into the character of "Babs" and there was just too many "names dropped" to make this an even enjoyable read for me. As I mentioned in previous reviews of books from this author - the cramped narrative trips over itself. I will not be pursuing the next in the series.

This was an interesting premise, but the author attempted to add too many different plot swings and twists that left it confusing and hurried. The main storyline would have interesting by itself, without adding the other lines. I also found the inclusion of so many Hollywood stars and some of the byplay they engaged in, led to confusion and unnecessary side stories, Overall, it was disappointing, but some may find it enjoyable.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

"Asta, the dog from the popular Thin Man series, has vanished, and production for his next film is pending. MGM Studios offers a huge reward, and that's exactly what young private detectives Babs Norman and Guy Brandt need for their struggling business to survive. Celebrity dognapping now a growing trend, when the police and city pound ridicule Basil Rathbone and ask, "Sherlock Holmes has lost his dog?" Basil also hires the B. Norman Agency to find his missing Cocker Spaniel.

The three concoct a plan for Basil to assume his on-screen persona and round up possible suspects, including Myrna Loy and William Powell; Dashiell Hammett, creator of The Thin Man; Nigel Bruce, Basil's on-screen Doctor Watson; Hollywood-newcomer, German philanthropist and film financier Countess Velma von Rache, and the top animal trainers in Tinseltown. Yet everyone will be in for a shock when the real reason behind the canine disappearances is even more sinister than imagined.

Jump into Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles, Book One of the Babs Norman Golden Age of Hollywood Mystery series. Finalist in the Killer Nashville Claymore Awards for Comedy and First Prize winner in the Chanticleer Review's Mark Twain Awards for Comedy and Satire. Get ready for its sequel, Bye, Bye, Blackbird, featuring Humphrey Bogart and the cast of The Maltese Falcon."

I love this new twist on classic Hollywood, especially because Asta is here.

A book any reader will remember for its original plot line and creation of a context, mixing real life characters with fictious ones without being boring on the edge of a historic novel. Elisabeth Crowens, once more, has shown her great talent to innovate in literature. For those "blasés" who tell endlessly that there is nothing new in arts, well, this is a striking demonstration that the human mind has no limit.. This is definitely a cosy murder story, very cosy and very intriguing.
Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for the Advanced copy. All opinions are mine.

When Asta, the beloved dog from the renowned Thin Man series, goes missing, young sleuths Babs Norman and Guy Brandt seize the opportunity presented by MGM Studios, which has announced a substantial reward for Asta's safe return. The dog-napping trend among celebrities is on the rise, leading to the absurd situation where even the police and city pound scoff at the notion that Basil Rathbone, playing Sherlock Holmes, has lost his canine companion.
Basil Rathbone, eager to find his missing Cocker Spaniel, engages the services of the B. Norman Agency. The trio devises a clever plan, with Basil adopting his on-screen persona to interrogate potential suspects.
However, as the investigation unfolds, the assembled suspects are in for a shock when they discover that the true reason behind the rash of canine disappearances is far more sinister than anyone could have imagined.
This book was a delightful mystery. Elizabeth Crowens expertly unfolds an enjoyable mystery, offering a peek behind the scenes of MGM and the glamour of old Hollywood. The book has clever banter, making this book unique in the world of mystery and entertainment.

This was a fun book that I chose because I own a wire fox terrier of my own. It’s not a story for everyone, but if you like dogs and mysteries, give it a shot!

Hollywood, 1940, Babs Norman, owner of B. Norman Investigations and her business partner, Guy Brandt, are asked to find Basil Rathbone's lost dog. As the duo start to investigate the Hollywood set, they find out that the dog Asta is also missing and the new Thin Man movie can't start without him. While getting involved gets them closer to the trainers, agents, producers, executives and actors, Babs seems to think that a Countess is somehow mixed up in the kidnapping since she keeps a great many animals at her estate and is looking for more.
Eventually, Babs and Guy figure out what is going on and help to reunite the dogs with their owners.
A lively and entertaining cozy mystery set in the Golden Age of Hollywood with stars of the day helping out while spies, foreign agents and the FBI play their part in the outcome.
Thank you NetGalley and Level Best Books for this e-galley of "Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles".

I thoroughly enjoyed how fun and exciting this book was. I thought the comedy along with the Hollywood glam style of this story was truly entertaining. This story definitely took me back to childhood memories of Sherlock Holmes and fun mysteries. I definitely think people should read this if they want a good laugh and a cozy read.
Thank you Level Best Books for sending me this arc in exchange for an honest review.