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Mercy Allcutt Mystery #9
Celluloid Angels (A Mercy Allcutt Mystery, Book 9): Historical Cozy Mystery
In the Cutthroat World of Hollywood, Fame and Fortune Come at a Deadly Price in Celluloid Angels, a Historical Cozy Mystery from Alice Duncan
Los Angeles, California, 1927
Esteemed producer, Harvey Nash is troubled by a series of suspicious accidents plaguing the set of his current movie. From falling scaffolding to burning wigs, it seems that someone is hell-bent on ruining the production and endangering the lives of its stars, including the charming John Gilbert and the mesmerizing Anita Page.
When Harvey seeks Mercy's help to get to the bottom of these malevolent incidents, she knows she can't refuse. Teaming up with her witty secretary, Lulu, they infiltrate the movie set as undercover extras, determined to expose the sinister culprit behind the mayhem.
But for the intrepid duo, danger lurks behind every dazzling facade and the quest for truth may come at the ultimate cost.
Publisher Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries in historical settings will surely appreciate the Mercy Allcutt series set in 1920s Los Angeles, California. No vulgarity or explicit sex for those who appreciate a clean and wholesome read.
The Mercy Allcutt Mystery Series
Lost Among the Angels
Angels Flight
Fallen Angels
Angels of Mercy
Thanksgiving Angels
Angels Adrift
Christmas Angels
Hollywood Angels
Celluloid Angels
Los Angeles, California, 1927
Esteemed producer, Harvey Nash is troubled by a series of suspicious accidents plaguing the set of his current movie. From falling scaffolding to burning wigs, it seems that someone is hell-bent on ruining the production and endangering the lives of its stars, including the charming John Gilbert and the mesmerizing Anita Page.
When Harvey seeks Mercy's help to get to the bottom of these malevolent incidents, she knows she can't refuse. Teaming up with her witty secretary, Lulu, they infiltrate the movie set as undercover extras, determined to expose the sinister culprit behind the mayhem.
But for the intrepid duo, danger lurks behind every dazzling facade and the quest for truth may come at the ultimate cost.
Publisher Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries in historical settings will surely appreciate the Mercy Allcutt series set in 1920s Los Angeles, California. No vulgarity or explicit sex for those who appreciate a clean and wholesome read.
The Mercy Allcutt Mystery Series
Lost Among the Angels
Angels Flight
Fallen Angels
Angels of Mercy
Thanksgiving Angels
Angels Adrift
Christmas Angels
Hollywood Angels
Celluloid Angels
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2024
About the author
Alice Duncan
104 books116 followersAlso writes as Emma Craig, Rachel Wilson, Anne Robins and wrote two books under the name of Jon Sharpe (Pecos Belle Brigade and California Crusader).
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 10, 2025
That was disappointing. It wasn't much of a mystery.
I pre-ordered this book because I liked the light fun and mysteries of the previous books in the series; it took me a while to get to this one, and I'm sad it didn't live up to the pre-order nor the other entries. It is the ninth book in the series, so maybe something iffy happens with one's writing of a series around then? I'm not sure. I will read the tenth book, but if it's as shallow as this one, I might swear off of Mercy Allcutt.
The "crime" took ages to get to, and once it did happen, it wasn't anyone we knew or cared about who died. Harvey being the roundabout victim doesn't work here, and every character is portrayed as their dumbest self. I don't treat historical fiction as educational (and I would know historic academia) but there were a few too many "huh?" moments... Realism in general was challenged here. The curtain rope lassos? Hitting the man in the head with a statue and not being punished at all? The constant tossing around of the baby?
I like the characters generally but as I said, they were so dumb and weak in this book. Ernie is...not worthy of Mercy, to say the least, and their relationship is not convincing yet. I much preferred them being "almost" a thing. The inclusion of George was...pointless? Same with Mrs. Allcutt and the drama between her and Mercy. (Mercy's character flip-flops a lot, but I think it works. Except with her weird hatred of Vicki. Yes, she's the antagonist and a "bad woman", but the way we're presented with Mercy basically mocking her regarding her [Vicki's] brother's death is creepy. I don't see why Mercy acts that way. She doesn't really have internalized misogyny.) And yes, Lulu is now boring and drab. I have no idea what the whole "call the lawyer and have him call the Allcuts" thing was about.
The story had no twists. There was an entire chapter dedicated to washing Mercy up (but I like little details of clothes and soaps and foods so I was okay with this). I think the other stories were serviceable mysteries but this one was a big miss.
"Heather Rose Nash, until she gets married." Wtf?
I pre-ordered this book because I liked the light fun and mysteries of the previous books in the series; it took me a while to get to this one, and I'm sad it didn't live up to the pre-order nor the other entries. It is the ninth book in the series, so maybe something iffy happens with one's writing of a series around then? I'm not sure. I will read the tenth book, but if it's as shallow as this one, I might swear off of Mercy Allcutt.
The "crime" took ages to get to, and once it did happen, it wasn't anyone we knew or cared about who died. Harvey being the roundabout victim doesn't work here, and every character is portrayed as their dumbest self. I don't treat historical fiction as educational (and I would know historic academia) but there were a few too many "huh?" moments... Realism in general was challenged here. The curtain rope lassos? Hitting the man in the head with a statue and not being punished at all? The constant tossing around of the baby?
I like the characters generally but as I said, they were so dumb and weak in this book. Ernie is...not worthy of Mercy, to say the least, and their relationship is not convincing yet. I much preferred them being "almost" a thing. The inclusion of George was...pointless? Same with Mrs. Allcutt and the drama between her and Mercy. (Mercy's character flip-flops a lot, but I think it works. Except with her weird hatred of Vicki. Yes, she's the antagonist and a "bad woman", but the way we're presented with Mercy basically mocking her regarding her [Vicki's] brother's death is creepy. I don't see why Mercy acts that way. She doesn't really have internalized misogyny.) And yes, Lulu is now boring and drab. I have no idea what the whole "call the lawyer and have him call the Allcuts" thing was about.
The story had no twists. There was an entire chapter dedicated to washing Mercy up (but I like little details of clothes and soaps and foods so I was okay with this). I think the other stories were serviceable mysteries but this one was a big miss.
"Heather Rose Nash, until she gets married." Wtf?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2024
This is such a light fun series. Set in the 1920's it follows a rich Boston girl who (with help from and rich Aunt's bequest) left her domineering mother and expectations for a society life behind and has embraced life as a PI's office girl/assistant (it depends on who you ask - Mercy or her boss) in LA.
Now that Mercy & Ernie are 'keeping company' I wish she would lighten up a little on rants at him though and save her righteous fury for corrupt cops & politicians and those accusing her friends of murder.
Now that Mercy & Ernie are 'keeping company' I wish she would lighten up a little on rants at him though and save her righteous fury for corrupt cops & politicians and those accusing her friends of murder.
August 28, 2024
Darker than usual
Actually felt sad n nearly as disgusted as Mercedes before the successful conclusion. Still love the main characters who appear in each book. And believe Heather Rose adorable!
Actually felt sad n nearly as disgusted as Mercedes before the successful conclusion. Still love the main characters who appear in each book. And believe Heather Rose adorable!
September 1, 2024
Love the entire series
I love the main character's digressions. They make me laugh. All the characters are great. The plots are well written, but it's really the human interactions that keep my interest. Hope this series doesn't end soon!
I love the main character's digressions. They make me laugh. All the characters are great. The plots are well written, but it's really the human interactions that keep my interest. Hope this series doesn't end soon!
September 17, 2024
I’ve read them all
I love Mercy and the rest of the characters! This series is so fun to read, it’s like visiting old friends with every new book. I love the other series by Alice Duncan as well. If you like a sweet, funny, clean read this author is for you.
I love Mercy and the rest of the characters! This series is so fun to read, it’s like visiting old friends with every new book. I love the other series by Alice Duncan as well. If you like a sweet, funny, clean read this author is for you.
December 14, 2024
Love Mercy and Lulu
I loved this book as I always love your books! I really enjoyed Mercy and Lulu being together in this book and I am really loving the changes in Lulu! Home run on your book once again!
I loved this book as I always love your books! I really enjoyed Mercy and Lulu being together in this book and I am really loving the changes in Lulu! Home run on your book once again!
September 3, 2024
Celluloid Angels
Love this delightful series. Each is filled with twist and unexpected turns.
Alice Duncan is one of my favorite Authors now.
Love this delightful series. Each is filled with twist and unexpected turns.
Alice Duncan is one of my favorite Authors now.
August 1, 2026
Another fun mystery in this cozy series, although the action was short lived and the denouement wrapped up quickly, still a good story on a Hollywood movie set.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews