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Roaring Twenties Mystery #2
Silent Murders
Vaudeville actress Leah Randall took on her most daring role ever when she impersonated missing heiress Jessie Carr in order to claim Jessie's inheritance in The Impersonator. Now that the dust has settled around that tumultuous time in her life, Leah has adopted Jessie's name as her own and moved to Hollywood, where she's taken a modest but steady job in the silent film industry.Jessie's thrilled when Bruno Heilmann, a movie studio bigwig, invites her to a party. She's even more delighted to run into a face from her past at that party. But the following day, Jessie learns that sometime in the wee hours of the morning both her old friend and Bruno Heilmann were brutally murdered. She's devastated, but with her skill as an actress, access to the wardrobes and resources of a film studio, and a face not yet famous enough to be recognized, Jessie is uniquely positioned to dig into the circumstances surrounding these deaths. But will doing so put her own life directly in the path of a murderer?With Silent Murders, MB/MWA First Crime Novel Competition winner Mary Miley has crafted another terrifically fun mystery, this time set in the dizzying, dazzling heart of Jazz Age Hollywood.
Audio CD
First published September 23, 2014
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About the author
Mary Miley
18 books152 followersI'm an Army brat who has lived in Virginia most of my adult life. I received my BA and MA in history from the College of William and Mary and taught American history and museum studies at Virginia Commonwealth University for thirteen years. I am the author of 200 magazine articles, most on history, travel, and business topics, 12 nonfiction books, and 9 historical mysteries set in the Roaring Twenties. When I'm not writing, I'm probably at Valley Road Vineyard, our winery in the mountains of Virginia where everything we do would have been illegal in the 1920s.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
December 29, 2021
Silent Murders by Mary Miley is a 2014 Minotaur Books publication.
This is the second installment in the “Roaring Twenties’ series by Mary Miley. I loved the first installment, but this follow up got lost in my massive TBR pile. Thankfully, in my quest to thin out my reading list, I found it again, and excitedly dived in.
Jessie is now working in Hollywood, doing some work for the silent film studios. She gets to meet and mingle with the famous stars of the day, and even manages to receive a personal invitation to a party given by a studio heavy weight- Bruno Heilmann.
While at the party, Jessie sees a familiar face in the crowd and the two decide to meet up later. But Jessie finds her friend dead, and quickly finds herself under investigation. Only a short time later, she is given the horrible news that Bruno was found murdered.
It couldn’t possibly be a coincidence that two people attending the same party were murdered on the same night. With Jessie’s acting chops, and with access to the studio’s wardrobe, she begins her own investigation into the murders…
I enjoyed this second book in the series as much as the first. I love, love, love the roaring twenties and the silent film era, so of course, I love the premise for this series. I so enjoyed having Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Minter and Myrna Loy included in the cast!
Old Hollywood certainly had its fair share of scandals and Miley knew how to draw from some of those old mysteries to make this an exciting whodunit!!
Overall, an enjoyable, clean historical mystery- looking forward to the next installment!!
4 stars
This is the second installment in the “Roaring Twenties’ series by Mary Miley. I loved the first installment, but this follow up got lost in my massive TBR pile. Thankfully, in my quest to thin out my reading list, I found it again, and excitedly dived in.
Jessie is now working in Hollywood, doing some work for the silent film studios. She gets to meet and mingle with the famous stars of the day, and even manages to receive a personal invitation to a party given by a studio heavy weight- Bruno Heilmann.
While at the party, Jessie sees a familiar face in the crowd and the two decide to meet up later. But Jessie finds her friend dead, and quickly finds herself under investigation. Only a short time later, she is given the horrible news that Bruno was found murdered.
It couldn’t possibly be a coincidence that two people attending the same party were murdered on the same night. With Jessie’s acting chops, and with access to the studio’s wardrobe, she begins her own investigation into the murders…
I enjoyed this second book in the series as much as the first. I love, love, love the roaring twenties and the silent film era, so of course, I love the premise for this series. I so enjoyed having Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Minter and Myrna Loy included in the cast!
Old Hollywood certainly had its fair share of scandals and Miley knew how to draw from some of those old mysteries to make this an exciting whodunit!!
Overall, an enjoyable, clean historical mystery- looking forward to the next installment!!
4 stars
February 19, 2017
After solving the disappearance of the girl she was impersonating, Jessie's decided to move to Hollywood and put down some roots. Using connections from her vaudeville life she's scored herself a job as a script girl, working on the side for Douglas Fairbanks, husband of her favourite actress and role model Mary Pickford. She's also found a new best friend in her roommate Myrna Loy, a young actress trying her luck at becoming a star.
When Jessie is invited to her first big Hollywood party she thought she'd die of excitement. Turns out it's the other guests succumbing to this fate. When one of them happens to be friends with her deceased mother, Jessie dives into the case determined to use her skills, and some help from her friends, to find the murderer.
Wow, I absolutely LOVED this one. Miley once again does her research and makes this as historically accurate as possible, adding such richness to an already great mystery. Unlike the first in the series this one kept me guessing and all the behind the scenes Old Hollywood references had me so in love I never wanted it to end. There are some reoccurring characters and backstory so I'd say to fully enjoy this one, I do suggest reading them in order. Thank goodness there's a third in the series, I'm not yet ready to leave Jessie and the Old Hollywood world she lives in!
When Jessie is invited to her first big Hollywood party she thought she'd die of excitement. Turns out it's the other guests succumbing to this fate. When one of them happens to be friends with her deceased mother, Jessie dives into the case determined to use her skills, and some help from her friends, to find the murderer.
Wow, I absolutely LOVED this one. Miley once again does her research and makes this as historically accurate as possible, adding such richness to an already great mystery. Unlike the first in the series this one kept me guessing and all the behind the scenes Old Hollywood references had me so in love I never wanted it to end. There are some reoccurring characters and backstory so I'd say to fully enjoy this one, I do suggest reading them in order. Thank goodness there's a third in the series, I'm not yet ready to leave Jessie and the Old Hollywood world she lives in!
October 11, 2014
Miley has created a wonderful character in Jessie and both books in this series so far are so much fun and a joy to read. The first book covered Jessie and her vaudeville days and I learned so much about the life of vaudeville performers. This one has Jessie in Hollywood training as a helper for Douglas Fairbanks, in the studio he and his wife, Mary Pickford own.
It fully immerses the reader in Jazz Age Hollywood, with its jealousies, competitions for parts and the age of silent film. The lush parties, the alcohol flowing freely despite prohibition and the large amounts of drugs available for those who want them. The studio scandals and the free reign the newspapers had where nothing had to be authenticated and gossip was the way to sell papers.
There are bit appearances by Grouch Marx and Gary Cooper and Jessie's best friend here will soon be known as Myrna Loy. The studios reactions to the advent of color and the fear they have of the "talkies" and how many jobs will be lost.
An old fashioned who-done-it and Jessie once again involved. David Carr, a character from the first book makes a re-appearance and he and a cop investigating the murders both want a relationship with Jessie.
A fun, fast flowing book with the old Hollywood flavor.
ARC from NetGalley.
It fully immerses the reader in Jazz Age Hollywood, with its jealousies, competitions for parts and the age of silent film. The lush parties, the alcohol flowing freely despite prohibition and the large amounts of drugs available for those who want them. The studio scandals and the free reign the newspapers had where nothing had to be authenticated and gossip was the way to sell papers.
There are bit appearances by Grouch Marx and Gary Cooper and Jessie's best friend here will soon be known as Myrna Loy. The studios reactions to the advent of color and the fear they have of the "talkies" and how many jobs will be lost.
An old fashioned who-done-it and Jessie once again involved. David Carr, a character from the first book makes a re-appearance and he and a cop investigating the murders both want a relationship with Jessie.
A fun, fast flowing book with the old Hollywood flavor.
ARC from NetGalley.
December 21, 2015
For being historical fiction, this was a fun read. The story was probably 3 stars, but I loved Tavia Gilbert's narration on the audio, so 4 stars. I loved the characters and I enjoyed the writing. The story wasn't as gripping as the first book in this series, but I loved all the name dropping of early movie stars. I liked that Douglas Fairbanks was one of the characters. When I had to sit through an old movie when I was younger, and he was in it, I never minded it.
November 16, 2014
I liked 'The Impersonator' better but this one was still enjoyable. Jessie is such a likable character that I don't care how flimsy the mystery is. I liked all the old Hollywood glamour, especially the appearances of classic stars like Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, & Myrna Loy.
September 25, 2014
A solid four-star book, maybe even better. It's so fun, and refreshing, to read about the silent film era. No cell phones, no Internet, big old cars, gaudy make-up, brazen women trying to break out of their age-old roles. Jessie Beckett has fled the Northwest after a con, landing in Hollywood and trying to turn legit as a script girl for Fairbanks Pickford Studio. Of course, nothing is easy for Jessie, as she becomes embroiled in a murder mystery early on, through no fault of her own. The local cops watch with wary eyes, and she does have some secrets best left covered up. But Douglas Fairbanks and his wife Mary Pickford would like to see the murders solved, and Jessie seems to have a nose for that sort of thing. Trouble is, it puts her squarely in the midst of danger.
Well written, well researched, this books is an easy read, highly entertaining, and it is most gratifying to run across some familiar names. Good mystery!
Well written, well researched, this books is an easy read, highly entertaining, and it is most gratifying to run across some familiar names. Good mystery!
July 29, 2015
I really liked the first book a lot, but this one ... not so much. Jessie's a great character, vividly brought to life by Tavia Gilbert's narration. Beyond that, however, the story seemed mostly to be a vehicle to insert a fictitious character into the world of silent film stars, too much consciously so for me. I understand there are a couple more books in the series in the works, so here's hoping they branch out a bit more into new territory.
If you haven't read the first one, do so. This one stands alone well enough I'd think, but there's a lot of backstory, including one character who re-appears here; his own part in Jessie's life is explained away for the benefit of new readers well enough, but not really completely.
If you haven't read the first one, do so. This one stands alone well enough I'd think, but there's a lot of backstory, including one character who re-appears here; his own part in Jessie's life is explained away for the benefit of new readers well enough, but not really completely.
October 18, 2015
3½ stars. It's a little more 'cozy' than my regular mystery reads, but enjoyable.
March 15, 2020
Silent Murders (2014) by Mary Miley. Let me preface this review with the acknowledgement that I have a real affection for mysteries set in the Hollywood of bygone days. The Late great Stuart Kaminsky’s funny and enjoyable Toby Peters collection come to mind. Also see Loren Estleman’s work and a few others.
Having said this you will not be surprised that I enjoyed Silent Murders immensely. Set in the Silent Movie Era of Hollywood, Mary Miley has managed to create the atmosphere of that time and populated her book with several real screen stars.
Jessie Carr is in town and is working as a script girl. And she also does some work for Douglas Fairbanks and his wife, Mary Pickford. She is currently rooming with an unknown actress, Myrna Loy, and they manage to run into one of Loy’s hometown friends, Gary Cooper.
At her first big Hollywood bash, a guest is murdered. And, like it or not, Jessie is on the case.
There is a lot of material about the advent of Talking Pictures, drugs and scandals galore. The lengths the studios went to in order to protect their stars from bad publicity is amazing, and I’m certain far mare than what has been portrayed here occurred.
This is the second book in the series and it is a good one.
Having said this you will not be surprised that I enjoyed Silent Murders immensely. Set in the Silent Movie Era of Hollywood, Mary Miley has managed to create the atmosphere of that time and populated her book with several real screen stars.
Jessie Carr is in town and is working as a script girl. And she also does some work for Douglas Fairbanks and his wife, Mary Pickford. She is currently rooming with an unknown actress, Myrna Loy, and they manage to run into one of Loy’s hometown friends, Gary Cooper.
At her first big Hollywood bash, a guest is murdered. And, like it or not, Jessie is on the case.
There is a lot of material about the advent of Talking Pictures, drugs and scandals galore. The lengths the studios went to in order to protect their stars from bad publicity is amazing, and I’m certain far mare than what has been portrayed here occurred.
This is the second book in the series and it is a good one.
September 26, 2019
This book had all the good points of the first one, as well as being a more unique story with fewer predictable elements. Also, bonus points for all the lavish historical detail and for including real historical silent screen stars as supporting characters. Any fan of silent film or the 1920s in general will love that aspect of the book. Well-written and fun!
July 29, 2021
Fun series. Love the character and the historical background.
July 28, 2022
I had forgotten that I'd read the first book, but it all came back to me. This second in the series was very good, a good view of Hollywood in the '20s and several noted stars in the action. Good mystery, nice twist.
February 18, 2016
Following on from her debut, award-winning novel, "The Impersonator," Author Mary Miley has taken her main character, a Vaudville actress, to Hollywood in her second book. Here again, Jessie Beckett finds herself reinventing her life in "Silent Murders." She has managed to find a job at the studios of Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, where she's filling in for Fairbanks' assistant.
She's soon invited by a Hollywood silent pictures tycoon to one of his studio parties, where along with Fairbanks and Pickford, readers are introduced to a wide range of other real-life Hollywood icons of the 1920s. Despite the enjoyment had by Jessie and her roommate Myrna Williams (newly renamed Loy), the next morning, not one but two murders are uncovered that are linked to the party.
The murders don't stop there, but in an effort to help limit any scandal for the studio, Jessie finds herself playing detective to uncover just who committed these murders and why these murders occurred. She soon finds herself putting some of her acting skills to work to uncover key clues, but also discovers this places her in a great deal of danger as well.
For those who enjoy historical mysteries, Author Mary Miley has infused a great deal of fascinating Hollywood detail in her novel, yet never taking away from the basic plotline. Perhaps the most distracting aspect of the novel is Miley's tendency to repeat details as characters tell one another what's happening. Otherwise, this is a very enjoyable look at the early history and personalities of the 1920s silent movie era.
Review first appeared on ReviewingtheEvidence.com.
She's soon invited by a Hollywood silent pictures tycoon to one of his studio parties, where along with Fairbanks and Pickford, readers are introduced to a wide range of other real-life Hollywood icons of the 1920s. Despite the enjoyment had by Jessie and her roommate Myrna Williams (newly renamed Loy), the next morning, not one but two murders are uncovered that are linked to the party.
The murders don't stop there, but in an effort to help limit any scandal for the studio, Jessie finds herself playing detective to uncover just who committed these murders and why these murders occurred. She soon finds herself putting some of her acting skills to work to uncover key clues, but also discovers this places her in a great deal of danger as well.
For those who enjoy historical mysteries, Author Mary Miley has infused a great deal of fascinating Hollywood detail in her novel, yet never taking away from the basic plotline. Perhaps the most distracting aspect of the novel is Miley's tendency to repeat details as characters tell one another what's happening. Otherwise, this is a very enjoyable look at the early history and personalities of the 1920s silent movie era.
Review first appeared on ReviewingtheEvidence.com.
June 3, 2015
I now get the pun on the title, specifically if it’s regarding silent films. Sure enough, as talkies/colour films are on the verge of being created. It’s a nice historical environment, the rise of Hollywood.
The case wasn't particularly as thrilling as I thought it'd be.
The case wasn't particularly as thrilling as I thought it'd be.
September 27, 2014
Silent Murders is a mystery set in Hollywood in the days when Douglas Fairbanks was starring in silent films. The mystery kept me turning pages, and the characters were wonderfully real. Grab a copy and settle in for a great read.
June 22, 2016
This was a very good book and though it is a fiction, Mary Miley also put a few actual historic facts through out the entire book, which I enjoy greatly.
It's a fast read with a little over 300 pages.
Would make a great read on a plane flight across country.
It's a fast read with a little over 300 pages.
Would make a great read on a plane flight across country.
December 1, 2017
Jessie Beckett is back! She has left northern California, her new found family, and is in Hollywood, working as a script girl in training at a studio. And not just any studio - it's United Artists, started by Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin. She's working on Don Q, Son of Zorro, starring, in dual roles, Douglas Fairbanks. Along the way, you meet a young Myrna Williams - wonder what became of her? And a young Gary Cooper, who just happened to grow up down the street from Myrna in Helena, Montana. Oh, and there is murder and mayhem, when a famous director, a young starlet, a waitress and an actor are all killed within days of each other. Jessie, with encouragement from Fairbanks and Pickford, embarks on an investigation into all the crimes. Calling on her years in vaudeville, and a cohort from her time in northern California and Oregon, she discerns that there are two sets of murders - the director and the waitress, and the starlet and actor. The big question is, who did it? Lots of twists and turns in this one. Great read. Can't wait to start the next one in the series.
December 4, 2017
Murders, scandal, jealousy, drugs, beautiful homes, the Hollywood sign, and insights into movie-making — almost too much fun with stellar writing that flows like honey. I didn’t get much else done until I finished SILENT MURDERS by Mary Miley. Now I’m ready for the next one!
“You speak Spanish?” “I speak common sense.” — and Jessie does, along with paying attention to details and treating people with decency.
“Train stations smelled like home” — but Jessie is discovering the joy of a settled-down home, her own space and things and friends.
“Don’t let anyone push you into doing something you don’t feel good about.”
“‘Life isn’t fair, Baby,’ my mother used to say. Didn’t everyone’s . . . ?” (Mine said “Who ever told you life was fair?”
“Never again was my heart going to rule my head.”
“Hollywood’s a new start for a lot of people.”
“You speak Spanish?” “I speak common sense.” — and Jessie does, along with paying attention to details and treating people with decency.
“Train stations smelled like home” — but Jessie is discovering the joy of a settled-down home, her own space and things and friends.
“Don’t let anyone push you into doing something you don’t feel good about.”
“‘Life isn’t fair, Baby,’ my mother used to say. Didn’t everyone’s . . . ?” (Mine said “Who ever told you life was fair?”
“Never again was my heart going to rule my head.”
“Hollywood’s a new start for a lot of people.”
September 25, 2021
I enjoyed The Impersonator, the first book in Mary Miley's Roaring Twenties series so much that I knew I'd be coming back for more. Silent Murders does not disappoint. In the first book, Jessie was hired to impersonate an heiress. Growing up in vaudeville had given her all the tools for deception that she needed for this role. Now she's on the straight and narrow with a new name and a new life in Hollywood.
Jessie is just the sort of wise-cracking, thinks-on-her-feet, good-hearted sort of character that I enjoy, and there's something about the Roaring Twenties and the silent film industry that draws me like a magnet. I liked how Miley blended fact and fiction in the sort of story that would blend in seamlessly with the actual Hollywood history of the era. Her use of real-life people like Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, and Myrna Loy rang true, with Fairbanks and Pickford accustomed to their roles as silent film royalty and Loy as a young girl just beginning to break into the movies. A young Gary Cooper can even be seen on the sidelines from time to time.
The movie industry has had a part in shaping this country's history for good or ill, and I really enjoy seeing the Old Hollywood used as a backdrop for a mystery series. Combine this setting with a strong main character and that gives me just the perfect reading when I need an escape.
Jessie is just the sort of wise-cracking, thinks-on-her-feet, good-hearted sort of character that I enjoy, and there's something about the Roaring Twenties and the silent film industry that draws me like a magnet. I liked how Miley blended fact and fiction in the sort of story that would blend in seamlessly with the actual Hollywood history of the era. Her use of real-life people like Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, and Myrna Loy rang true, with Fairbanks and Pickford accustomed to their roles as silent film royalty and Loy as a young girl just beginning to break into the movies. A young Gary Cooper can even be seen on the sidelines from time to time.
The movie industry has had a part in shaping this country's history for good or ill, and I really enjoy seeing the Old Hollywood used as a backdrop for a mystery series. Combine this setting with a strong main character and that gives me just the perfect reading when I need an escape.
November 17, 2017
Beach Read
This was a fun read; something to pass the time while sitting on a beach or recovering from an illness. Which is not to denigrate it. It's full of fun characters and is mixed with real people (Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks) and fictional characters (Jessie Beckett), as well as real and fictional places in Los Angeles. The mystery is convoluted enough to keep you guessing for a while until Jessie figures it out once and for all. Not much romance, but Jessie has two admirers: one a cop and the other a "reformed" gangster. I'm looking forward to the next installment and Jessie's next adventure.
This was a fun read; something to pass the time while sitting on a beach or recovering from an illness. Which is not to denigrate it. It's full of fun characters and is mixed with real people (Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks) and fictional characters (Jessie Beckett), as well as real and fictional places in Los Angeles. The mystery is convoluted enough to keep you guessing for a while until Jessie figures it out once and for all. Not much romance, but Jessie has two admirers: one a cop and the other a "reformed" gangster. I'm looking forward to the next installment and Jessie's next adventure.
September 24, 2017
The second book in Mary Miley's captivating Roaring Twenties series.
The glamorous setting of Hollywood in the 1920's silent movie era and the scandals of the time, with bribery, corruption...murder is bound to happen.
Well written and plotted, with a great cast of characters, real and fictitious. The mystery has plenty of twists and turns. This mystery is a page turner from start to finish.
A most enjoyable read.
If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have read, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres...... like, comment and follow.
The glamorous setting of Hollywood in the 1920's silent movie era and the scandals of the time, with bribery, corruption...murder is bound to happen.
Well written and plotted, with a great cast of characters, real and fictitious. The mystery has plenty of twists and turns. This mystery is a page turner from start to finish.
A most enjoyable read.
If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have read, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres...... like, comment and follow.
July 2, 2019
This is kind of a fun series - I liked the first one (The Impersonator) well enough to go ahead and read this one. And I'll probably get around to the next couple. They seem to be well-researched, chock full of '20s trivia without seeming heavy handed.
October 9, 2018
My first book from this author and it certainly will not be my last. I felt the story moved right along, was completely plausible, kept historically accurate, and held my interest throughout. It gave great insight as to what life was probably like in the waning days of the silent movies in Hollywood.
December 5, 2019
In 1920s Hollywood, scandal is no stranger. Former vaudeville child artist and occasional thief is attempting to make an honest living as prop girl. She comes to the attention of married superstars Pickford and Douglas. Things are looking up!
And then an old vaudeville friend is murdered.
Interesting mystery, interesting history,
And then an old vaudeville friend is murdered.
Interesting mystery, interesting history,
October 9, 2023
This was quite the who-dun-it. I liked the era and all the film industry info - the transition from vaudeville to silent films to “talkies.” Jessie is a fun sleuth to follow and I feel like her investigatory style is plausible. There were kind of a lot of characters, so I was confused at times, but definitely a great historical page-turner I’d recommend.
February 20, 2017
I don't remember how I came across this book, but I loved it. It felt similar to the Royal series by Rhys Bowen. It's a clever 1920s murder mystery. It contained a little history and some great characters. Well read by narrator.
June 29, 2020
I had to DNF this book as the author has decided to included Brown face in the story. The main character was trying to sneak in somewhere. So she decided to dress up as. Mexican house keeper with a limp and spoke broken English. This is in Chapter 7.
October 3, 2021
Another fun journey with Jessie Beckett from Vaudeville to Hollywood! Murder, history with just a touch of romance. Enjoyed!
2nd in Roaring Twenties Mysteries by Mary Miley.
Roaring Twenties Mysteries:
1st “The Impersonator”
2nd “Silent Murders”
3rd “Renting Silence”
4th “Murder in Disguise”
2nd in Roaring Twenties Mysteries by Mary Miley.
Roaring Twenties Mysteries:
1st “The Impersonator”
2nd “Silent Murders”
3rd “Renting Silence”
4th “Murder in Disguise”
June 13, 2017
I didn't realize this was a series. Found it at the library. Very cool! I'd recommend.
August 12, 2017
[library audiobook]
Liked the lead character, the behind the scenes view of movie making at the end to the silent era, and old time LA.
Liked the lead character, the behind the scenes view of movie making at the end to the silent era, and old time LA.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews