**Review of "A Perilous Premiere" by Gail Meath**

"A Perilous Premiere" marks the beginning of the Stone & Steele Mysteries, set against the vibrant backdrop of 1930s Hollywood. The story revolves around Vivian Steele, a fashion boutique owner who finds herself embroiled in murder and mystery after her husband is killed and she discovers the body of his mistress.

Gail Meath's writing captivates with its fast-paced narrative and rich historical detail, immersing readers in the glamorous yet treacherous world of old Hollywood. The main characters, Vivian and her reluctant partner Preston Stone, are well-drawn and complex, with their evolving relationship adding depth to the plot. Their chemistry is compelling, making the investigation both engaging and personal.

The inclusion of endearing animal characters, like Bella the Boston Terrier and Boris the Saint Bernard, adds a delightful touch, appealing especially to dog lovers. The story blends elements of romance, intrigue, and humor, keeping readers invested throughout.

Overall, "A Perilous Premiere" is a delightful start to a new mystery series, promising more adventures for Vivian and Preston in the books to come. Fans of historical mysteries and those who enjoy a mix of suspense with lighthearted moments will find this book to be an enjoyable read

I know I said I would review this the day after I read it but sike! But hey at least I wrote it now?

Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the arc! This did not influence my review.

Basically, I was craving a cozy mystery some days ago and I saw this and immediately requested it because I needed a palette cleanser. So now I have to preface this by saying that I was NOT reading this to look for a literary masterpiece and while obviously not every book is perfect, I believe this book served its purpose perfectly.

The story follows the life of Vivian, a fashion boutique owner in 1930s LA. One day after the death of her husband, her life is thrown into chaos due to his past actions. After a chance encounter with Preston, the Hollywood rich kid and her sister’s ex, she is thrown into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. I liked the character of Vivian. She was interesting and had a very mysterious past. At some points, I thought she was a bit Mary-Sue because she seemed a bit too perfect but I ignored it because the pacing of the book was good and it didn’t get in the way of the interesting action. Preston is also mysterious and I liked the fact we still never quite figured him out. They make an interesting duo! I hope they continue to develop and we learn about their past in future books.

About the pacing; it was very good. The book is very short and can be read in a few hours. This is not a character driven book and rather, the main intrigue is the mystery. I enjoyed this aspect because that was what I was looking for. The simple diction was easy to follow. I do however think there could have been more complicated syntax because it would have elevated the experience a lot more. Some variety would definitely help this book since it's so short. I enjoyed the ending as well, I think it was built into the plot very well.

I had more to say but I forgot what because it’s been too long. I will end this here then. Will definitely be on the lookout for more of this series.

On a note about Goodreads, any chance it can be changed to “A Perilous Premier” instead of “A PERILOUS PREMIER:”? I think it would looks like it hasn’t been edited properly.

I really enjoyed the 1930s element in this mystery, it was a strong start to the Stone & Steele Mystery series. It uses the Hollywood element perfectly and all the characters felt like they belonged in this universe. Gail Meath was able to weave a strong tale and had that world building that I wanted. It left me excited to read more in this series and from Gail Meath.

This is a mystery novel set in the golden age of Hollywood. This was a quick and easy read mainly because the author does a great job at pacing. My favorite and least favorite part about the story were the characters. Vivian and Preston were both intriguing and the author kept hinting at their mysterious backgrounds but we don't get any reveals in this book. So, I'm assuming that this will be a part of a series. Also, there are adorable dogs that added so much charm to the story.

A PERILOUS PREMIERE is the first book in the STONE AND STEELE Mystery Series, and I can't wait for more. Vivian Steele is a fashion designer whose husband has just been murdered. Preston Stone is a wealthy playboy who is not Vivian's favorite person. They are thrown together when Vivian begins investigating her husband's murder and the killer lets them both know that they are next.

This is a captivating mystery with an amazing cast of characters. I easily connected with both Vivian and Preston. The surprise supporting character, Carole Lombard, a good friend of Vivian's, brings light, laughter, and loyalty to the story. There are two dogs in the series--Bella, a Boston Terrier, and Boris, a St. Bernard. They are an enjoyable addition to the cast..

The mystery has plenty of twists and turns. It is also made plain that both Vivan and Preston have secrets of their own which have not yet been revealed. I look forward to finding them out in subsequent books. Highly recommend!

I received a free copy of this book from Books Go Social via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

this book was well written and i appreciate the research on the history in the 1930s alot, the mystery and pacing of the book was good too🤞

i liked the little moments between vivian and preston i wanted more it wasnt enough💔 was constantly worried for bella and boris i loved how they were involved in the story.

i enjoyed myself thru out this book i do appreciate a good mystery romance every now and then, will definitely read the next book

What a fun read!! Instantly engaging, and I enjoyed the characters right off the bat. Read it all in one day! As the owner of 4 dogs and 2 cats, all with very distinct personalities, I love how the pets were included in the story and would love to see more happy endings for pets! Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading other book by Gail Meath, and anticipating the rest in this series!

A Perilous Premiere is an entertaining mystery set in glamorous golden age Hollywood. The story was fast paced and held my interest!
The main characters Vivian Steele and Preston Stone work well together and generally respect the others abilities despite their rocky start. However both characters are hiding their true selves and backstories—hopefully more will be revealed in future books!
Dog lovers will appreciate Bella and Boris.
Fans of You Must Remember This may appreciate meeting Carole Lombard and Clark Gable as well as making connections to Louella Parsons and other stories from the podcast.

Stone and Stella and Boris and Bella are just delightful characters in this
entertaining story set in Los Angeles in 1930. Once you start to read
this book, you’re not going to put it down.
My thanks to CranberryPond publishing via NetGalley for the download
copy of this book for review purposes.