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.

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.

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!

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.

I recently had the pleasure of reading a truly exceptional literary work that has left an indelible mark on my mind. This masterpiece is a testament to the author's skillful storytelling, weaving a narrative that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

From the opening pages, I was drawn into a world that was both familiar and yet, utterly unique. The author's use of language is masterful, painting vivid pictures with words that transported me to a realm that was both fantastical and grounded in reality. The characters that inhabit this world are multidimensional and relatable, with complexities that make them feel like old friends.

One of the standout aspects of this book is its ability to tackle complex themes and ideas with nuance and sensitivity. The author tackles difficult subjects with a deft hand, never shying away from the tough questions, but instead, presenting them in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking.

The pacing of the book is expertly managed, with a narrative that flows effortlessly from one chapter to the next. The author's use of plot twists and surprises kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to discover what would happen next.

What truly sets this book apart, however, is its ability to evoke emotions. I found myself laughing, crying, and cheering alongside the characters, invested in their journeys and outcomes. The author's writing is evocative, conjuring up feelings and sensations that linger long after the final page is turned.

In short, this book is a triumph. It is a must-read for anyone who loves literature, and a testament to the power of storytelling to transport, educate, and inspire. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a truly unforgettable reading experience.

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’ve been reading a spate of heavier novels about the aftermath of grief and ‘A Perilous Premiere’ hit the spot for me with its short sharp chapters and well paced plot development. I loved being in 1930s Hollywood. Vivian and Preston have a lovely chemistry and I am hooked to discover what both their backstories are.

At times I do think there is a tendency to over-explain with the dialogue not sounding naturalistic, but honestly that’s minor. Id also wish the author didn’t use real people like Carole Lombard and Clark Gable as fictional characters. It took me out of the story and I think it’s disrespectful to use real people for fictional purposes like this. Why not change their names? Yet I do appreciate the real historical references and places.

A fun, cozy Hollywood mystery. I devoured this in one go and cannot wait for the next one. Encore!

Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the ARC.

A really fun, 1930s cozy mystery. It’s a quick read with very engaging characters, and I loved the inclusion of real people/movie stars as characters. I’m glad it’s the start of a new series because I can’t wait to read more!

This is a fast-paced cozy crime story set in 1930s Hollywood. I liked the author's evident love for that era - the music, films, stars and fashions - which made this a fun read. The vintage photographs included as chapter headers are a lovely touch, as is the tribute to Carole Lombard in the author's note at the end. This is the first in a new series, and I look forward to more.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

pet-dogs, 1938, first-in-series, new-series, Hollywood, historical-figures, historical-novel, historical-mystery, historical-research, suspense, secrets, lies, amateur-sleuth, police-corruption, political-corruption, small-business, investigators, investigations, murders, murder-witness, wealthy, actors, cozy-crime, situational-humor, verbal-humor, banter, theft*****

Everyone has a hidden background and most have a hidden agenda as well in this character driven story. It moves along quite well with a few hiccups here and there, but that didn't interfere with my enjoyment or keep me from wanting to finish it after I went to bed. The Special Note at the end includes historical facts, mini bios of the historical characters in the story, music clips, and appropriate old film clips. I'm really looking forward to the promised next two books in series!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected proof copy from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley. Thank you!
#APerilousremiere #1930sHistoricalMystery by @GailMeathAuthor #StoneAndSteeleMysteriesBk1
#NetGalley @newbooksplease @ibpa

What a great start to a new Historical Mystery Series! In 1938 Vivian Steele comes to Hollywood. Things are fine until her husband is murdered. This is the story of how Vivian and her playboy nemesis Preston Stone, solve his murder. It was well-written with a fun cast of characters. I like that the pets were included as characters. I also liked the little pictures at the beginning of each chapter to give the reader more details about what is coming up. I highly recommend if you like mysteries about old Hollywood. I want to read the next one in the series.

I really enjoyed this fast paced and fun cosy mystery! A Perilous Premiere follows the recently widowed Vivian Steele as she seeks answers for the circumstances surrounding her husband’s untimely death. With a brilliant cast of characters, including the mysterious playboy Preston Stone, actress Carole Lombard and cute Boston terrier Bella, this novel immerses you in 1930s Hollywood. Throughout there are evocative descriptions that keep you immersed as you follow the plot’s twists and turns. The ending was very satisfying and I am looking forward to the next book in the series and hoping we learn more about Vivian’s secretive past and Preston’s career.

With thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in return for an honest review.

“A Perilous Premiere: 1930s Historical Mystery Series” by Gail Meath is an engrossing beginning of a new series.. Anyone who likes a mystery within a mystery sprinkled within history will find this book delightful.

Fun start to a new cozy series. Set in 1930s Hollywood, this fast-paced adventure introduces Vivian Steele whose husband is gunned down. Friends with Carole Lombard and beset by man-about-town, Preston Stone, Vivian has her hands full with figuring out whether her husband’s death was a case of ‘wrong place, wrong time’ or something more sinister. Add in two adorable dogs and you’ve got a strong first book in this new series.

Review:

A Perilous Premiere by Gail Meath
The first book in the Stone & Steel Mysteries
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is an entertaining read for fans of historical mysteries, suspense, and detective novels.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:
Vivian Steele loses her husband, George, during a shooting incident in a store. Vivian, a fashion designer and a boutique owner, starts her investigation and helps the police catch George’s possible killer. Yet Vivian is not content and suspects the police arrested the wrong person. An unknown woman asks Vivian to meet her in a hotel suite. Arriving, she encounters Preston Stone, her adversary and a Hollywood socialite, who has also been invited. They find a murdered young actress, and Vivian sees a photo that shakes her to the core. George’s secrets now threaten to destroy Vivian’s life. Vivian and Preston must join forces to find a killer who plays wicked games with them both.

…………………………………………………..

This is not a character driven book, it focuses on the mystery and solving the murders, I quite enjoyed reading a book written this way as it was a refreshing change for me. This is a short book at just over 200 pages and can be read fairly quickly. I will certainly keep my eye out for the next books in this series as they are different from what I would normally read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/⭐️⭐️

Thank you to #netgalley for the ARC copy

Read if you are a fan of Richard Osman and Reverend Richard Coles

#cosymurdermystery #cosymurderbook #hollywoodmurdermystery #bookreview #arccopy

'A Perilous Premiere' started with a bang and took me on a puzzling adventure in 1930s California. Bonus enjoyment for loyal pet dogs and hints of romance. If you enjoy reading quick mysteries, then I recommend this book to you! I'm looking forward to the sequel.

Special thanks to the Publisher, BooksGoSocial, and Net Galley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A Perilous Premiere is a great read! And I am eager for the next book in this series.

The story is set in 1930s Hollywood. Vivian Steele, dress designer, and boutique owner counts Carole Lombard among her besties. But Vivian’s seemingly perfect life is fractured when her banker husband is gunned down while buying a pack of cigarettes. Initially, his murder seems random, but was it? The mystery is intertwined with rich, playboy, Preston Stone’s own inquiries. And this unlikely duo team up to get to the bottom of it.

It’s easy to become intrigued by these bigger than life characters. The main characters and secondary characters are fully fleshed out. Getting a handle on their personalities, values, and dreams is effortless. Through them, we are able to feel this glamorous lifestyle.

Finally, the writing is superb. It was simple to get drawn into the story line. The people, surroundings, and actions were all easily envisioned, making the book so much fun to read.

Gail Meath has a previous series I now plan to check out as well.

The title, Perilous Premiere, is perfect as is hints to a movie and with characters like Carole Lombard and Clark it seems fitting. Vivian moves to Hollywood for a fresh start. She opens a boutique and marries a banker. Life is looking up until her husband is killed in what looks like a random shooting. At the scene is a fellow by the name of Preston Stone. Vivian has a restless feeling that her husband's death was more sinister than a random shooting. As she investigates, she uncovers more secrets about her husband's life. The more she pokes around, she sets her life to be in grave danger. Preston is always showing up at every turn to her dismay. The friction and banter between these characters is worth the read as well as the mystery.

I enjoyed this cozy set in 1930's Hollywood. I read quite a few cozy series, mostly centered around food. The journey to the '30's was a nice departure. The pictures at the beginning of each chapter was a nice touch.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early access.

A Perilous Premiere is my first book by Gail Meath, but I plan to look at her other books, including the next in this new series. It is set' in the 1930's Las Angeles with many references to actors and others in the filming industry. Vivian Steele, an up-and-coming fashion designer and shop owner, is dealing with the murder of her husband and is searching for his killer. Preston Stone is a wealthy guy who used to date Vivian's sister, and she doesn't care for him, but he keeps showing up wherever she is. Eventually they decide to work together to see who is behind some strange events including them both. This story shows corruption, greed, murder, cheating, and many surprises in the interesting mystery with twists and turns that moved along a quick pace and kept my attention. I really enjoyed the relationship between Vivian and Preston and liked them. I can't wait to read the next book to see where their investigation may take them. Both of the two have a backstory not yet revealed and I hope to get answers in the next book.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.

In 1938 Hollywood, fashion designer Vivian’s husband is murdered. She soon becomes entangled with playboy nemesis Preston in a deadly game involving a missing coin collection and a killer targeting them both.

This has the feel of a hard-boiled detective mystery. I enjoyed the characters and the story.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

A Perilous Premiere is the first of a new Historical Mystery Series starring Vivian Steele and Preston Stone. Vivian owns a boutique in Beverly Hills and is a friend of Carole Lombard. Her husband, George, is a successful banker who gets murdered.

Vivian gets a call and is told to go to hotel room where she finds the body of a dead actress. Also present in the room is Preston Stone, handsome playboy and Vivian's nemesis. They go their separate ways and somehow end up at the movies a few days later and it becomes clear they are now targets.

The book is plot driven and moves quickly with twists and turns and secrets to be revealed along the way. The dialogue is humorous and well written. I look forward to book 2, hoping for more character development. The cutest characters are Bella, a Boston Terrier, and, Boris, a Saint Bernard. All in all, a great start to a new series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Cranberry Pond Publishing, for an ARC. The review is my own.

A Perilous Premiere by Gail Meath is a fast paced mystery that grabs your attention and doesn't let go in the short 200 pages that make up a very well structured and written book that primarily focuses its pages on explaining and solving the murders that have occurred in the story. Even though it is not a character driven book, there is potential and chemistry to be explored. I will definitely be waiting for the next book in this series to continue the adventures of our characters.This book is set in Hollywood 1930 and I can appreciate the research into the history and important landmarks of that time - all of which provided us with a very cosy historical fiction book.

This book is set in Hollywood in 1930 and I can appreciate the research into the history and important landmarks of the time - all of which provided us with a very cosy historical fiction book.

Lights! Bookmark ready! And action! This awesome mystery series by Gail Meath had me kicking up my historical loving heart and reading and reading and reading! We have our main female character named Vivian who has a designer boutique in Los Angeles! In the 1930s! 💖

Unfortunately prior Vivian's husband was murdered! She ends up taking marriage to her own hands trying to go investigate why this happened. In comes the charismatic playboy Preston! I fell in love immediately! 🌠

When author writes a main male character that steals the heart of the ladies it's a total masterpiece! I am a historical fanatic! And to have actresses like Carole Lombard in this book made me all giddy! 💞

I'm so excited this is the first book in a historical mystery series! There is definitely a cosmic attraction between the characters and I cannot wait to see how it develops on and on! The author did a wonderful job writing a mystery that only keeps the attention of the reader what makes you want to dive in and solve the mystery with the characters! 🍿

Action-packed and addictive! I hope the author writes many many books in this amazing series! 😂

Bravo!

George Ramsey husband to Vivian Stone is shot dead and on 30th April 1938 is the day she believes, that the police, on information received from her, catch the killer. Then she gets a call which sends her to the Beverly Hills Hotel and the discovery of a body. But why is playboy Preston Stone there as well. Is it possible for them to trust each other and work together to find the killer before they strike again.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable and interesting main characters. A good start to this new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun beginning to a new historical mystery series. In 1930s Los Angeles, Vivian has a design boutique when she’s drawn into a murder mystery plot after her husband is murdered. She ends up investigating with the help of mysterious wealthy playboy, Preston Stone, and a variety of friends including Carol Lombard. Add in a couple of cute dogs to complete the team.

The novel moves fast and kept my interest throughout. I enjoyed the setting, but it did seem strange to follow all these well-to-do people with such little mention of the Great Depression. The unveiling of who the murderer was came as a surprise.

This is clearly meant to be a new series as Vivian and Preston both have mysterious identities that haven’t been explained. And, of course, there is the incipient attraction between them which shall surely build over future books. I look forward to following along with their adventures and finding out what the mystery is about each of them.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Thanks to NetGalley, for the eARC. This is my voluntary review.

The premise of the mystery was intriguing:
- a lady lost her husband to an unexplained shooting and would stop at nothing to uncover the mystery of his death, but she stumbles on some surprising details.

- A rich playboy playing detective.

- some very valuable coins gone missing.

I really liked the 1930s vibe, real tidbits about old Hollywood, including real characters like Carole Lomabrad and Clark Gable, and how the villain reveal was quite the surprise.
Bella and Boris are just too cute.

I need to know more about the main character because I didn’t fully connect with them but I enjoyed the plot.

I loved the pictures at the starting of the chapters. It was something different than what I’ve usually seen in becomes. The ML being accepting of the fact that the FL is much more experienced was so refreshing to read! Overall the mystery aspect was great and the characters were lovable…. If I had to predict, the crime solving duo could be a potential couple in the future books but that would be quite messy given their history (read the book to find out 😁)

This was a fun mystery set in the golden age of Hollywood.
Fashion designer and boutique owner Vivian Steele is getting over the murder of her husband and the police are about to catch the killer. However, things don’t go to plan and the presumed murderer is shot dead. Vivian rapidly comes to realise that things aren’t what they seem. She is determined to find out the truth but her investigations keep bringing her into contact with playboy Preston Stone, a man she dislikes intensely.
This was a fast moving and well plotted story that held my attention completely. I loved the cast of characters especially the inclusion of Hollywood stars Carole Lombard and Clark Gable The late 1930s is a favourite period of history for me and I loved the setting and background to this mystery.. The historical detail was excellent and enhanced by the quotes and photos that began each chapter.
The relationship between the two main characters was definitely spiky and the banter between them was amusing. There is obviously attraction between them and it will be interesting to see how this develops in future books.
I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading the next book in the Stone and Steele series. Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers, BooksGoSocial, for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a fun read, historical, mysterious and some fun and quirky characters that I loved. I just couldn't put this book down and as it is the first in a series I just can't wait to see what happens next. This is a book and story that engaged me from the beginning right through to the end and how can you not like Vivian, Carole, Preston and of course Bella and Boris.

This is a book that was so easy to read yet kept me interested throughout. I loved it and will certainly have to wait patiently for the next instalment. How hard will that be?!

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Vivian Steele has opened a fashion boutique which is turning out to be popular. Happily married (or so she thought) until she started investigations into her husbands death. Vivian always felt suspicious about George’s death but it was only after she started her enquiry did she realize his death was very much a planned murder, and that he had had a mistress on the side with whom he was planning to run away with.

At this stage Vivian is disillusioned but when she feels that she is being followed she begins to see that there is much more to George’s death than what meets the eye. Not only the local police but the mayors office is involved in the murder and cover up.

Vivian gets called to a hotel suite by an unknown female and finds the lady dead. There is a lot of incriminating evidence involving Vivian’s husband as well. There is also Preston who arrives on the scene and who from then on directs the action. Vivian doesn’t know who or what to believe in because she has been misled by many. Finding out that the reasons for the cloak and dagger stuff (and the murders) is because a valuable collection of coins has gone missing Vivian now has to protect herself from a gang including the local police who believe she has the coin collection.

The story was quick paced and the characters were wily and quick witted.

A fast paced and entertaining historical mystery that kept me hooked and guessing. It's the start of a new series full of promises and potential.
Recommended
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Set in The Golden Age of Hollywood, 1938, Vivian Steele has a successful fashion boutique in LA, is friends with Carole Lombard, and has an adorable Boston Terrier named Bella. At the start of the story her banker husband is murdered and she spends the next six months to tracking down his murderer, but finds out she's been following the wrong villain. In the process she is lured to a hotel room where she finds her sister's ex, Preston Stone, along with the dead body of her husband's mistress. From there she is thrown into a much larger mystery and must race against the clock and learn to work with Preston to solve multiple murders.

I loved this story! The characters are great and I love that her best friend is Carole Lombard. I truly appreciated getting chapters from both Vivian's and Preston's point of view, which really helped me get on board with Preston pretty quickly. I cannot wait to continue in this series as we will inevitably learn more about Vivian's previous life and who Preston is really working for. I was so invested in her business and her friends and the mystery was very engaging and fun to follow. Oh, and I can't wait to get to see more of Boris, the Saint Bernard!

Thank you NetGalley and the author, Gail Meath, for a free copy of this eARC in return for an honest review.

The Golden Age of Hollywood, 1938. Vivian Steele moved to California to start a new life. She opened a fashion boutique in Beverly Hills, befriended Carole Lombard, the actress, and married a successful banker. But when her husband is murdered, Vivian discovers she isn't the only one hiding a few secrets.

An anonymous phone call lures Vivian to a plush hotel room where she stumbles upon the dead body of a beautiful young actress – her husband’s mistress. To add fuel to the fire, she's not alone.

Preston Stone, Hollywood’s beloved playboy and Vivian's nemesis, is standing beside her. Suspiciously, they part ways only to find themselves alone again at a movie premiere two days later, and the message becomes brutally clear. They’re both the next targets of a cold-blooded killer.

Together, Vivian and Preston are thrown into a deadly race to find a missing collection of valuable coins and stop a vicious killer before they become the next murder victims. But first, they need to stop pointing their fingers at each other.

Loved it. Will recommend to others.