Do Tell

by Lindsay Lynch

As character actress Edie O’Dare finishes the final year of her contract with FWM Studios, the clock is ticking for her to find a new gig after an undistinguished stint in the pictures. She’s long supplemented her income moonlighting for Hollywood’s reigning gossip columnist, providing salacious details of parties and premieres. When a young starlet approaches her after an assault by an A-list actor at a party, Edie helps get the story into print and sets off a chain of events that will alter the trajectories of everyone involved.

Edie’s second act career in gossip grants her more control on the page than she ever commanded in front of the camera. But Edie learns that publishing the secrets of those former colleagues she considers friends has repercussions. And when she finds herself in the middle of the trial of the decade, Edie is forced to make an impossible choice. Full of sharp observation and crackling wit, debut novelist Lindsay Lynch draws back the curtain on Hollywood’s golden age of movie magic.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Adult, Book Club, LGBT

352 pages, Paperback

First published July 11, 2023

About the author

Lindsay Lynch is a writer from Washington, DC. She is the author of the novel Do Tell, forthcoming from Doubleday Books (US) and Hodder & Stoughton (UK) in July 2023.

Her work has appeared in The Adroit Journal, The Rumpus, Electric Lit, The Atlantic, The Offing and Lit Hub, among other places. She has been a participant in the Tin House Summer Work­shop and the Napa Valley Writers’ Conference. She holds an MFA in Fiction from the University of Wyoming.

A longtime indie bookseller, she currently lives in Nashville, TN, where she works as a book buyer for Parnassus Books.

Reviews

[Brandice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the 1940s, Do Tell is a story about old Hollywood. Edie O’Dare is an actress, wrapping up her contract at FWM Studios. For a long time, she has not so slyly fed information to a gossip columnist. When Edie receives news of a major accusation about an A-list actor from an up and coming actress, she gets the story in print, setting off a chain of events impacting many of her industry contacts.

Edie decides to pursue being a columnist herself as her next career move, given her existing connections. Though she has more control on the page than she did on camera, this job isn’t always easy as some contacts have become cooler toward her and she has to write about some stars she’d rather not.

I felt undecided about Edie — I appreciated her hustle but I didn’t always feel for her when she received more distant receptions. I also felt she became too invested in a few things, but that could just be me. The story became slow in the middle but it picked up again. I wanted to see what happened to the main cast of characters (pun intended).

I enjoyed the old Hollywood setting, where everyone was trying to make it big. There was gossip, lots of secrets, and unfortunately a look away culture of silence. The studios seemed to have the upper hand and I suspect, a lot of that still remains today, hence the recent industry strikes. Despite being a fictional story set several decades ago, there’s a lot that still needs to be improved in the film industry today — 3.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for providing an advance reader copy of Do Tell in exchange for an honest review.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do Tell
Lindsay Lynch

It’s hard for me to give such a low rating but I found this novel to be totally disappointing on all levels—plot, characters, setting.

As a fan of classic movies, the intrigue of the contract movie studio system, and the celebrity gossip columnists of the time, I was looking forward to slipping into the backstory of how those movies, both memorable and flops, were made. I’m sorry to say I was disheartened on all levels.

This was a dull, superficial, repetitive read. The actors were hardly distinguishable from one another. Save one, all were the same in similar ways. Ambitious. At risk of being dropped by studio if they didn’t do what was expected on and off camera. Vain and superficial in their actions.. One character fitting that description? Of course. But not all. And there was no attempt at giving any of them any depth.

The main character, Edie O’Dare, was equally unlikeable. We weren't given enough to connect with. A girl who came to Hollywood from marginal circumstances, she either wasn’t cast right to be given a real chance or wasn’t a very good actress, so her three year contract was terminated.

While still under contract, Edie supplied tasty tidbits of insider information to a prominent gossip columnist for extra cash. When she needed to find some other way to make a living, Edie was able to get her own column on the back of a studio trial. One of their leading men raped a young up and coming starlet and the case went to trial. What could have been very dramatic was not. It was flat and repetitive and unsatisfying. I plowed through to the end in the hope something would happen for or to Edie…

While I had anticipated a Hedda Hopperesque tale or perhaps, Louella Parsons like story, this was a thin recounting of the power of the Hollywood studio system that might have been told in half the space.

My thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday for allowing me to read an advanced readers copy.


For more reviews, please check out www.jantramontano.com/readerscafe.

[Melissa ~ Bantering Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do Tell doesn’t read as a traditional novel. It’s more of a fictional autobiography of a 1940s movie actress named Edie O’Dare who, after her acting career nosedives, turns to writing a successful Hollywood gossip column. Over the course of Edie’s career, she makes and loses friends in Hollywood – actors, film studio heads, publicists – as she is often the one to uncover scandals and reveal secrets her friends would rather stay buried.

Because of the approach debut author Lindsay Lynch takes in revealing Edie’s story – a dry, journalistic style of writing, like a ghostwriter hired to write a star’s career-spanning memoir – the book isn’t as compelling and engrossing as it could’ve been. I’m always up for an old Hollywood tale, and when you throw in elements of #MeToo right along with it as Lynch does, the book should’ve been my catnip. But all the Hollywood stars, the people working behind the scenes … they run together and are indistinguishable. And though there are a few interesting narrative threads, like a mysterious Hollywood love triangle and a sexual assault of a young girl by a famous actor, the book failed to ever hook me. It felt like I was reading a blah and unexciting news report.

Lynch is a solid writer, though. I’d like to see her take a crack at another novel because I think she’ll get it right the second time.


My sincerest appreciation to Lindsay Lynch, Doubleday Books, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I was really excited about this book because I love tales of classic Hollywood. And certainly, the descriptions of the clothes, the actors, and the Hollywood landscape was fabulous. I enjoyed all of that! But ultimately, I had a really difficult time getting through this because of the way the book was formatted. Every time the plot started to move along, there would be a break in the scene and a flashback to something that had happened years ago. I had hoped this would be limited to the (very lengthy) first chapter, but it continued through the whole book. It was hard to stay focused on what was happening, or care about the characters. Maybe frequent readers of literary fiction won't have this problem, but given that my tastes tend to skew more commercial, I didn't like being constantly taken out of the story (though I will say, when examined as a whole, the story was riveting!).

Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A debut Hollywood tell-all set in the golden age? I’m all ears!
Lindsay Lynch has written a novel focusing on life underneath all the glitter, fortune + fame of Hollywood’s most talented🥂💄🎬.. and of those pulling the strings🧵✂️. If you want to hear all about the lifestyle of the rich and famous during the classic 40’s look no further. Fake marriages, hidden pregnancies and sexual assault are a few hidden secrets revealed 😮🫢😳 in this book along with a studio controlled trial👨🏼‍⚖️. DO TELL follows actress - turned - gossip columnist Edie O’Dare🕵🏻‍♀️📑✍🏼 on her quest to make a name for herself by watching and listening to those around her👂🏻📸📰. Does she get more than she bargained for? You know it.. after all IT IS 🌟HOLLYWOOD🌟 I loved the premise of the story, a bit repetitive in parts but overall is a great debut. I would definitely read LL’s next release. 3.5 stars — Pub. 7/11/23

Thanks to the publisher via NetGalley for kindly approving an arc. All opinions are my own.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had high expectations for this debut novel from Parnassus bookseller Lindsay Lynch. I love watching her each week along with her boss/mentor Ann Patchett on Parnassus's Laydown Diaries. Sadly,
the hype of her debut novel didn't live up to what I expected. I found the story structure choppy and character development weak. But I have a lot of respect for her effort and hope she continues to grow as a writer.

[Manic Booksy Dreamgirl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Doesn't read like a fully realised Fiction narrative, it seemed more like a writing exercise.

It may just be my impression but it felt like the work of someone who'd challenged themselves to write a diary from the era, not a novel.

Their wasn't much life in the many characters, it just seemed like a long list of fictionalised starlets from Hollywoods Golden Era.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was just fine. Lots of repetition and not enough there there to keep me wanting to pick it up. I was looking forward to reading it before i started, but it just felt like a slog. Some interesting content but perhaps not marketed properly. Not the propulsive, old Hollywood glamour read I was expecting.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

i received this from a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
Edie O'Dare never achieved her dream of stardom, playing only bit roles in the films she was in. When her contract ends, and her future is uncertain, she finds success as a gossip columnist. Having socialized with Hollywood's elite, she's been privy to their secrets. But she needs to be cautious of revealing too much, alienating those who's careers she can build up or destroy. A choice she makes ends up having repercussions for years to come, leaving Edie to question her judgment.
A creative recreation of early Hollywood fraught with drama, intrigue and glamor.
3.5 stars.

[Isa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a very glitzy almost 4-star read for me!

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fanfic without a canon. There's a big ol' void at the center of this. Also, almost fascinating in how inert and passive both protagonist and narrative are. For example, there's a big court case that takes up at least half the novel and after the first day of proceedings the main character decides she won't return for the trial so it's just her seeking out transcripts??? Baffling. Equally baffling, the choice to write everything in short paragraph bursts with section dividers––even when staying in the same scene. Baffling!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the Hollywood milieu in the thirties and forties and I feel this novel captures those times. The writing is snappy and propulsive and the characters are well drawn. The book started out better than it ended were I feel it got bogged down in me too and sexual orientation issues. Not to downplay the importance of these issues and how they were ignored in the early days of Hollywood but I like the show biz stuff more. An excellent writer. Look forward to her next book.

[AndiReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edie O'Dare is a b list actress in the 1940's. When her contract runs out with the mid-level production company FWM she parlays her relationships into creating a name for herself in the gossip world. There are plenty of stories to report on but the question is how will this newfound power change her relationships?
Lindsay Lynch breathes life into a unique story about the golden age of Hollywood- creating characters that you care about along with villians and clear illustrations of who holds the power in Hollywood. If you are a fan of film, love golden age or movie star stories or just want to read a new and talented author Do Tell is for you! .#Doubleday #DoTell #LindsayLynch

[Libby Batz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Literary fiction’s biggest weakness is when it lacks direction and clarity, and unfortunately this one was a rollercoaster trying to figure out where it was going. I love the idea of a gossip column, but this one had too much background noise that made an already fuzzy picture even more unclear. Overall, I was able to track better in the second half, but was still left feeling like we didn’t really get anywhere.

[Dogsandbooksanddogsandbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is for the lovers of the Golden Age of Hollywood and those who have a fascination for behind the scenes of movie making and stars of old. Do Tell gives a serious nod to the careers and influence of real life Hollywood gossip columnists, Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons who were the predecessors to what can be considered the Modern Age of online gossip sites such as TMZ, POPSUGAR, and E! ONLINE.
In the novel Do Tell, Edie O'Dare, a never really made it actress finds she has a knack for getting the goods on the studios and popular casts and crew behaviors and mishaps, sharing them with the gossip columnist of the day. When her acting career fizzles out she turns from a provider of gossip to becoming a formidable syndicated columnist herself.
Told by Edie as she looks back on her career in Hollywood while holding herself accountable for things shared she regrets, she also acknowledges it was a part of her career. Men don't apologize for their careers and neither does Edie.
As a big fan of old black and white movies and basically all the types of movies described in Do Tell, this was an enjoyable read for me. There were many dark times within the pages as well as reminding the reader that #metoo has been around forever. The case of the raped starlet that haunts Edie throughout her life and career is particularly moving.


Thank you to Doubleday Books and Netgalley for access to an early e-copy. All opinions are my own.

[✦ Ellen’s Reviews ✦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this absolute gem of a novel, set during Hollywood’s “Golden Age.” The author has done an incredible job researching the way that movies were made in the 1930’s and 1940’s, from the studio system, which all but ensured that actors were almost “owned” by the motion picture studios, to the powerful sway gossip columnists had over the careers of every movie star at that time.

Edie O’Dare’s movie contract with the studio expires soon and she understands that her acting career is all but over. However, she has a knack for Hollywood gossip and has the confidence of several well-placed sources. Edie’s once-cordial relationship with the current queen of gossip columnists becomes strained as Edie finds success with her own column, called “Do Tell.” Their rivalry reminded me of the real-life arch rivalry of Hollywood gossip columnists Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons.

Edie becomes enmeshed in the rape trial of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. The story borrows from the real-life rape trial of Errol Flynn, who was accused of the rape of two underage girls at the height of his career. Edie’s treatment of the trial, and of the young girl at the center of the scandal, cause her to lose her many friendships and contacts, and Edie must painfully examine her own role in the trial.

I flew through this book and became very connected to the main characters. There is a useful character guide which was very helpful in keeping them all straight. Their stories were sometimes heartbreaking, and the ending was especially poignant. I hope this book gets wide acclaim because Lindsay Lynch has written a terrific and engaging story.

(𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.)

[Katherina Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes place in the film studios of Hollywood just before World War II. The main character is Edie, who moves to Hollywood from the East Coast to become an actress. Every young girl's dream. She does not have what it takes to be a star but her experiences help to shape her as a gossip columnist. She has the opportunity to make a good wage and is backed by the film studio in exchange for favors. She is able to sway the public's perception of individual stars by the truths and innuendos that she does or doesn't print. She is not very likable and cannot be trusted although reading about her childhood does bring enlightenment as to why she is the way she is. I wavered on my rating because I didn't like Edie but the book IS a good read so I upgraded from 3.5 to 4 stars. The setting and the atmosphere dropped me right into the late 1930's and I really enjoyed that. Thank you to Doubleday and NetGalley for the digital ARC, This opinion as written is mine alone.

[Carole Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollywood 1939….a pivotal year in the Golden Age of film, and a city with a limitless supply of gossip and ambition.

This addictive story is told through the eyes of Edie O’Dare, born Edith O’Shaughnessy to an impoverished family back in Boston, now a moderately successful actress under contract with FWM Studios. There are three months left on that contract, and she is well aware that her studio seldom renews them for “moderately successful” actresses like her. She has supplemented her income through the years by feeding tidbits of information to reigning gossip columnist Poppy St. John; Edie has always been observant, and knows when to stay silent and fade into the background to listen, and how to pay attention to not just where people are but where they aren’t. Who didn’t show for a film shoot and who didn’t attend an A-list party can be every bit as much a story as who did, and a good columnist fills in those blanks to create a story. With her acting career about to come to an end, Edie needs to find a new way to support herself, and using the sources and connections she has accrued through the years to start her own gossip column may be just the way to do it. She’ll need a dynamic story to get her foot in the door, and when one presents itself she sets aside her scruples and uses it. A lovely sixteen year old named Sophie who just finished filming what everyone said would be her breakthrough role and for which she is sure to be offered a contract by FWM, was excited to attend her very first Hollywood party. Surrounded by some of her movie idols, she ended up drinking a bit too much champagne (Edie herself helped clean her up when she ended up getting sick in the bathroom), and then disappeared from the party for awhile….only to turn up dazed and disheveled a few hours later. In the days that follow, Sophie slips Edie a letter to pass along to Poppy, claiming that during the party, the highly popular swashbuckling actor Freddy Clarke convinced her to come upstairs with him that night so that she could rest and recover, but instead forced himself on her. She wants him to be punished for what he did to her, and her wealthy father is willing to hire lawyers to help her press charges., Edie makes the decision to use the letter herself, and sets in motion both her new career and a huge scandal. Edie soon finds that she will have to keep uncovering secrets, alienating former colleagues and eventually publishing a story that results in consequences which she never anticipated would be so catastrophic for so many. Knowledge is indeed power, and should be wielded carefully.

I grew up fascinated by the classic movies of the 1930’s and 1940’s, so this novel attracted me first because of where and when it is set. Glamour and opulence abound, and every now and again a famous name makes a brief appearance. But author Lindsay Lynch also shows what went on behind the scenes…manufactured romances and marriages, misdeeds covered up, and careers made and destroyed according to the whims of the studio heads. Edie is a fascinating character; she grew up poor, managed to escape the hardscrabble life she was destined to lead and instead worked relentlessly to grab a niche for herself in the world of make-believe and magic. She is trying to do the same for her talented but tortured brother, a writer who may or may not fit into this same milieu. Abusive but influential directors, publicity directors feeding stories to the insatiable maw of movie fans, actors and actresses who may be talented or successful or even sometimes both, whose relationships with one another may or may not have anything to do with what the public is being told….its all in here. Movie buffs may be tempted to guess what real life stars were the inspiration for the characters of Charles and Nell, Margy and Hal, Freddy and Sophie, and others who pop up, and would certainly enjoy this novel. Fans of Stewart O’Nan’s West of Sunset, George Baxt’s Hollywood Mysteries, and novels by Martin Turnbull may also want to give this one a try. Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for allowing me access to an advanced reader’s copy of Do Tell.

[Zoë · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could say a lot of things about this book, but the one thing that really stood out to me was how well a large cost was written into this novel. Often times with so many characters in with so many different potlines people feel like they are set aside, or they get lost within the narrative, but I did feel like there’s a lot of pay off for majority of the characters and that was a strength in this novel.

That being said, it was difficult for me to care about the majority of these characters. I think that the author also had certain characters that she enjoyed writing, and other characters that were there simply for the plot, and you could tell which characters were provided more time and space to grow. What’s interesting is even though we have a narrator who is very much the center of the book I would say that she was the least interesting character out of all of them, and that this is a book that triumphs on side characters.

[Donna Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun, and also tragic, with a surprisingly sweet end. It's the Golden Age of Hollywood yet it often reads like a noir, which I dug the heck out of. Great debut novel!

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

it seemed like all of the plot threads had wrapped up about 60% of the way into the book, which I thought was an odd choice, but it turned out the dead horse could still be beaten

[Rida Quraishi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the golden age of Hollywood, Do Tell is a story about Edie O'Dare, an actress just finishing her contract with FWM Studios who has also been earning through the gossips she slips to a reigning columnist. But when an A-list actor is accused of sexual assault by an up and coming actress, Edie helps get the story to print that sets off a chain of events.

Edie decides to become a gossip columnist herself after the contract but she realises that some of her contacts have now become cold towards her and publishing the secrets of the people she considers friends can back fire.

The character development is one of the book's strong suits. Each individual is fleshed out with distinct personalities, motivations, and flaws. Their interactions and complex relationships give the narrative depth and authenticity, making them feel like real people grappling with real emotions.

The storytelling of this book was pretty interesting as I have not read a recent book that was told in scenes. I quite enjoyed it at times but it also took me away from what was going on in that particular moment because of the abrupt way a scene ended.

I really enjoyed the setting of 1940s Hollywood in this book. I enjoyed how it showed that while everything looks gold and glamorous, you can see the truth if you just look closer.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lindsay Lynch for a free e-ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I feel like I know the author because she works for Ann Patchett at Parnassas books and she is on IG every week recommending great books. Well done Lyndsay!!

[Justine S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested in a story set in the Golden Age of Hollywood and insights into working in the old studio system. This was fine, but there was nothing new here. The final ‘mystery’ of the story was pretty obvious way before the main character figured it out.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff. The author seems like a really cool person. Very much my thing.

[Kim McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edie O'Dare is a good listener and she quietly sees what others miss and then helps or hurts those involved by sharing gossip tidbits in print. She has the ear of many a star but so does her rival making her job a true balancing act of trying to get the scoop while protecting the careers of those she likes at the same time.
While the public gushes over glittering gowns worn by starlets at movie premiers or who the next happy Hollywood couple is they love nothing more than scandal. Edie know there are plenty of those to go around and one actor in particular has gotten away with bad boy behavior for too long. DO TELL is a tell all of the romantic golden days of Hollywood where we still believed in magic, fairy tales and happy endings mostly. It is the beginning of the MeToo movement and everyone is hiding their sexual preferences and keeping quiet for fear of blackballing. A debut with star power don't be surprised if you find yourself trying to guess which real Hollywood legend her characters are based on. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

[Elysse · Rating 5 out of 5]

And that’s a wrap on Hollywood glamour! Oh Lindsay Lynch, how marvelous of a story you’ve created ❤️ and it’s just the beginning of your author career! 🤩 I adored this book, and without giving too many spoilers, I can say that the thing I loved most about this book was the fallibility of our characters. It painted a picture of Old Hollywood that was harder to swallow, but was entirely accurate and called attention to a lot of the flaws in the industry. I think Lindsay did a great job making me think, and as a reader, I love when a book can really do that. It made me sit in some discomfort, and that’s exactly the point. I really hope you all find yourselves as engaged in the time period as I did, and can’t wait to see your reviews roll in! ❤️🤩 a huge thanks to Doubleday Books for my gifted copy!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do Tell is the debut novel by Lindsay Lynch about an actress turned gossip columnist in Hollywood's golden age. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the story!! I loved how Lindsay Lynch remained true to the 1930's-1940's time period with not only the Hollywood Glamour but also, the characters' reactions to and thoughts about events unfolding around them. Main character, Edie O'Dare, was a fantastically complex character who drew both my sympathy and disappointment during the novel. Accompanied by a great cast of characters, juicy gossip, and world events, Do Tell will be a great pick for book club discussions, historical fiction readers, and fans of old Hollywood!
Thank you to Lindsay Lynch, Doubleday Books, and NetGalley for the ARC of Do Tell!

[talia ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

writing a book about a fictionalised hedda hopper in 1940's hollywood and making it boring should be a crime.

i was soooo there for the first two thirds but then it got out of control.

[scthoughts]

dnf @10%

I can already tell it's going to be a waste of time