This was such a great book! Set in the 1950s Hollywood glam that also tell you the dark side of this industry. Men that take advantage of young girls trying to get their dreams come true, and how the girls are struggling. It really broke my heart to see how these men had such an influence and were the make or break you. If you did not agree you would be labeled as "difficult" and your career would be over and you would been thrown out. This book was well written and it felt realistic. This author did such a great job with her research and I could almost feel like I was there as well. I did not see the twists and this book kept me hooked to the last page.

A cracking good story of Hollywood and just what people will do to succeed. There are sort of three separate story lines that don’t come together until later in the book but there are twists and shocks and glamorous parties and movie moguls and- what’s not to like?

Hollywood's golden age was perfect on the silver screen, but behind the scenes, a conspiracy of excess and abuse reigned, with "fixers" hired to keep stars' images light and rid the workplace of those who might cause trouble. In this brilliantly readable novel, Eleni Kyriacou brings the excess of 50s Hollywood to life in all its sinful glory.

When aspiring Hollywood actress, Ginny, meets one of Hollywood's most bankable stars, they begin an affair in which he promises her the world. But she doesn't realise the price he's willing to ask or the demons he hides even in his most vulnerable moments. What price will she pay for her dreams?

A year later, on the other side of the Atlantic, veteran actress, Stella Hope, is working in Ealing Studios as she waits for a divorce from her film star husband. But when she recieves blackmail photos from her youth, she is forced to accept a mistake she made many years ago and tries to atone for this by helping a woman to find her daughter, who was last seen heading to live out her dreams in Hollywood...

A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO DIE tells these women's stories with empathy, clarity and an undertone of righteous anger at a system that both worships and punishes women for being innocent and knowledgeable, and that chews up lives without a second thought. As much as we think we know how these stories will intersect, Kyriacou has such control over the reader and her story that there are some revelations that truly sting like a left hook in a boxing pic, and the final chapters have a haunting terror and beauty that captures the readers' emotions wonderfully. It's a stunner of a novel, a riveting portrait of the ugliness of a beautiful age, and one that will appeal to movie buffs and thriller readers alike. Absolutely wonderful stuff.

I absolutely adored Eleni Kyriacou’s last novel, The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou, so I could not believe my luck when I was given access to A Beautiful Way to Die ahead of its publication in May.

It did not betray my expectations. The author has used her substantial skills to research the appallingly widespread abuse of young actress’s hopes and dreams under the studio system that ruled Hollywood in the 1930s-1950s. There’s a brilliant note at the end about several of the real-life crimes on which she based incidents in this novel, and I’ll be following some of her reading and watching suggestions.

If this interests you, do make sure you read the novel first to avoid spoilers. Although Ginny Watkins / Virginia Rose is a character invented by Kyriacou, what happens to her is a composite of the very real horrible things that happened to real people, and Kyriacou acknowledges them with a great deal of respect.

I know this novel is being marketed as being in the same setting as Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and as a big fan of TJR’s I can say that the comparison is very fair - it’s set in the same world and written just as well.

I would recommend this novel to anyone. Trigger warnings, obviously, for domestic violence, coercive control, and violent death. But worth reading if you can, because none of the horrible things are gratuitous - this novel is entertaining AND educational, ripping away any rose-tinted glasses about the glamour of classic Hollywood.

I absolutely loved this book. It's set in the early 1950s. It's based on true crimes and scandals in Hollywood.
Ginny is a new to the business actress who falls in love with Max, a major star. Stella is a major star too who was once wed to Max. Stan is a producer, a man who gets things done and gets things covered up. Maggie comes to Stella as a makeup artist and they become friends. Maggie is looking for her daughter Ginny.
What they find out is how corrupt Hollywood can be. These strong women go through so much but still shine in the end.
I'd definitely recommend this book.

A Beautiful Way to Die is a tantalizing and gripping dive into the underbelly of Hollywood's golden age, and Eleni Kyriacou crafts a tale brimming with intrigue, secrets, and betrayal. Set against the glitz and glamour of 1950s Hollywood and London, the novel follows two women, Ginny Watkins and Stella Hope, as they navigate fame, manipulation and revenge.

Ginny, a rising starlet, is seduced by both the allure of fame and the promises of a powerful actor, Max Whitman. Meanwhile, Stella, a former Hollywood darling whose life is now in decline, is blackmailed by the ghosts of her past. Their intertwined destinies form the backbone of a story that explores the cost of success and the price of silencing one's secrets.

The novel's pacing is sharp, and the dual narrative structure—switching between Ginny and Stella—creates a compelling push-pull between the intoxicating highs of fame and the devastating lows that often follow. The writing is vivid and evocative, drawing readers into a world where the bright lights of stardom can just as easily burn you as they can illuminate you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for an advanced copy in exchange for my review

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This is a gripping and thrilling read and a damning expose of the horror behind the glamour of Old Hollywood. The plot is super engaging and holds my attention the entire time.

10/10 recommended!

A thrilling mystery through the eyes of a Hollywood starlet and other women working in the industry, all within the backdrop of the Golden Age of Hollywood. I thought I knew where this story was going, and even at that point I so enjoyed the characters and plot that I didn't mind thinking the plot was predictable. It didn't exactly go where I had expected, in a good way, leaving me pleasantly surprised. Highly recommend!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7344157845

A fun holiday read - glamour, scandal, Hollywood, a murder and plot twists aplenty. Not sure I'll remember it in six months' time but definitely a perfect book to pick up on the plane or by the pool.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

A great story about Ginny hoping to make it as a film star, but very sad. There were a few twists along the way. A stark reminder of how normal people got sucked into the film studios machine in the 1950's.

The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou was dark and gripping read and Eleni Kyriacou’s follow up is equally gripping but exploring an entirely different historical focus.

A Beautiful Way to Die takes the reader into the dark, manipulative and misogynistic world of 1950s movie land.

This is a story that is divided between Hollywood and Ealing studios following two different paths-Virginia Rose , a young aspiring actress who has won the opportunity to go to Hollywood and finds the path to success is certainly not what she anticipated - and Stella Hope , a former Hollywood star who has been sidelined/ loaned to Ealing studios following an incident with her husband the leading star of the time Max Whitman.

Using research of the abuse suffered by actresses of the time, this is a precursor to the #metoo era of recent years and creates parallel tales showing that regardless of success the abuse suffered by women was endless.

It is the power within the systems to accept hide crimes all in the name of male success that stings sharpest.
Eleni Kyriacou has created a fascinating story and the era is captured pitch perfectly .. the sense of the movie world and period is so strong that the perceived imagery whilst reading veered towards black and white like period films

This is cleverly plotted with some unexpected twists - the denouement may be satisfactory but it’s still taking decades to end the patriarchal violent power of a male dominated industry

Fascinating, thought-provoking and tautly constructed. This should be another winner -highly recommended
The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou was dark and gripping read and Eleni Kyriacou’s follow up is equally gripping but exploring an entirely different historical focus.

A Beautiful Way to Die takes the reader into the dark, manipulative and misogynistic world of 1950s movie land.

This is a story that is divided between Hollywood and Ealing studios following two different paths-Virginia Rose , a young aspiring actress who has won the opportunity to go to Hollywood and finds the path to success is certainly not what she anticipated - and Stella Hope , a former Hollywood star who has been sidelined/ loaned to Ealing studios following an incident with her husband the leading star of the time Max Whitman.

Using research of the abuse suffered by actresses of the time, this is a precursor to the #metoo era of recent years and creates parallel tales showing that regardless of success the abuse suffered by women was endless.

It is the power within the systems to accept hide crimes all in the name of male success that stings sharpest.
Eleni Kyriacou has created a fascinating story and the era is captured pitch perfectly .. the sense of the movie world and period is so strong that the perceived imagery whilst reading veered towards black and white like period films

This is cleverly plotted with some unexpected twists - the denouement may be satisfactory but it’s still taken decades to end the patriarchal violent power of a male dominated industry

Fascinating, thought-provoking and tautly constructed. This should be another winner -highly recommended

What a book! So beautifully written it held my attention from the first few pages. I couldn’t stop reading, wanting to find out what happened next. I can not recommend this highly enough, especially if you are interested in Hollywood in the 1950s but really for anyone who loves a strong female oriented story.

Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus for this ARC.

I first heard of this novel from the author, and I was drawn to it immediately, as I find Old Hollywood so fascinating.

In A Beautiful Way to Die, we’re thrust into the spotlight of Hollywood in the 50s. Glamorous starlets, charismatic men and bustling movie sets. Only, there’s a dark underbelly to this world, as three women - Stella, Maggie and Ginny - know all too well.

I flew through this book in a couple of hours - the pacing was spot on and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The writing was beautiful.

It actually felt very reminiscent of the game LA Noir, as we raced to uncover what happened to the characters.

The story itself is so tragic and twisty, and I felt for each of the women deeply. The author did a fantastic job of exploring old Hollywood, and the book is clearly extremely well researched.

A really atmospheric story. It’s a captivating, dark read that is at times difficult, yet, as demonstrated by the stories in the author’s end notes, so prevalent in those days and even recent times.

I loved this story and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it!

This is not normally the type of book I would request or read but I flew through this one. Beautiful story and beautiful writing!

Highly recommended

A story which kept me guessing! This fast-paced thriller follows the stories of Ginny, Stella & Maggie and the dark side of Hollywood. I was gripped from the start, and when I thought I’d figured out the twists another was thrown in. Excellent, exciting read, I would happily recommend!

I couldn’t put this down, as a film fan of the stars of that era I’ve read enough to know what went on with the studios, contracting stars etc. The author researched the true life incidences of female stars abused by their studios and directors are mentioned: This is of course a fictional story.

Set in the early 50s, the novel focuses on two women at different stages in their career. Ginny has arrived in Hollywood from London with a one-way ticket after winning a beauty contest. She turns the head of an established male star, Max, who was abused to being in control. While Ginny is undergoing "improvements" at the studio's request, Stella, Max’s actress wife is being forced to star in mediocre films in Ealing after being sent to London. Her stardom is no deterrent to male actors who grope and humiliate her.

Without giving spoilers, the plot has many twists and turns and involves a private investigator and police. The drama builds and comes to a head at a glitzy party where anything goes.

Thanks to NetGalley for ARC

There's a quote close to the end of Eleni Kyriacou's wonderful book that jumped out at me: 'If these people would do anything to become famous, imagine what they'd do to cling onto that fame.'
It sums up the avaricious vortex of Hollywood in the 1950s that our characters circle around, or are swept into. With Kyriacou's acute eye for detail, this is a Hollywood Babylon-esque expose of corruption and dirty dealings in the film world that, as she points out in the Author's Note, is far from consigned to history.
Like the best historical fiction, this tale of the dark side of Hollywood drags you down deep and doesn't let go. Utterly absorbing and heartbreaking.

What a dark dark world the glittering world of hollywood is. When you think of the recent metoo movement and all that we have learned since - this book shows you the underbelly, the worst of it and what went on before. Though provoking and a great book club for all those discussions that will follow

"A beautuful way to die" is, in fictional form, an exposé of the darker side of the Hollywood fame game and the studios who controlled the images, and lives, of the stars, and would be stars, under contract to them set in the mid 1950s. Sadly, as the scandals hitting the news these days mount up, it is all too apparent that , perhaps,not that much has changed in the industry in the last few decades!
The story concerns young Ginny who arrives in Hollywood from London, courtesy of a winning ticket ...a one way ticket.. from a beauty pageant. Taken on by a studio, she becomes their property and her name and her image is completely changed to fit in with their requirements.
In a dual storyline, one of the studio's major stars, Stella Hope, has been sent to Ealing studios in London, almost as a punishment for stepping out of line and it takes some time in the novel before Ginny's and Stella's lives cross and connect.
While occasionally feeling a little too contrived, for the most part this is a very readable look behind the glitz and glamour of Hollywood in the fifties.
I would take issue with the strap line on the front cover, suggesting a murder on the way to stardom as that is not all the point of Eleni Kyriacou's story!
The back of the book highlights some real scandals from Hollywood's past, which is interesting to see having finished reading the fictional ones.
Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus for an Earc of this title.

"A Beautiful Way to Die" is a haunting and evocative read. This dark, film noir-style book delves into the dark world of the 1950s film studios in the UK and USA. And it addresses themes such sexism, grief, memory, the often murky waters of human relationships. It particularly focuses on the treatment of women in 1950s Hollywood and how they used and abused. Eleni Kyriacou has crafted a story that is both beautifully written and deeply unsettling, exploring the darker corners of the human psyche with a delicate touch. She touches on true crime paying homage to some of Hollywoods darker histories and she expertly explores the abusive and toxic men who populated the Hollywood star system of the era, and the world they created for the women within it.

While the female characters are complex and compelling, the male characters, with the exception of Brosky, are largely unlikeable. Their treatment of women is frequently appalling, ranging from casual misogyny to outright abuse, adding a layer of uncomfortable realism to the narrative. It highlights the power dynamics of the era and the challenges women faced.

I particularly loved the inclusion of the Greek Cypriot character, bringing a rich cultural dimension to the story, reflecting Kyriacou's own background. It's refreshing to see this community represented in fiction, and their experiences added a unique layer to the narrative.

Kyriacou's ability to evoke the atmosphere of the 1950s is truly remarkable, something I also admired in her previous book, "Zinia Pavlou". She paints a vivid picture of the era, making it feel both familiar and distant. The mystery itself unfolds at a measured pace, allowing the reader to become fully immersed in the settings and to get to know the characters and form a bond with them.

As someone from Ealing, I particularly appreciated the setting, at Ealing Studios and Ealing village. It's always fascinating to see familiar locations brought to life in fiction, and Kyriacou captured the unique atmosphere of the area perfectly. I also enjoyed the subtle nods to true crime Hollywood cases woven throughout the narrative – a clever touch that added another layer of intrigue for someone like me who enjoys the genre.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with "A Beautiful Way to Die" and highly recommend it to readers who enjoy thought-provoking and atmospheric mysteries with a touch of the macabre, a fondness for the 1950s, and perhaps a penchant for true crime. I especially admire Kyriacou's writing style; it's both elegant and captivating.

While the resolution is satisfying, it's not tied up in a neat bow, which I appreciated. It leaves you pondering the themes of the book long after you finish reading. I can't wait for Kyriacou's next book!


My sincere thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Eleni Kyriacou for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.