What do you think?
Rate this book
Triple Threat: The Story of a 1920s Broadway Star
Triple Threat is the story of a 1920s Broadway star Elizabeth Hines had a meteoric rise to stardom in the 1920s becoming George M. Cohan’s leading lady in several of his most iconic musical comedies, including his longest-running Broadway production, Little Nellie Kelly. This fictionalized biography, written by her granddaughter, follows Elizabeth’s trajectory from adolescent ingenue to world- renowned star. As she travels to Africa and Europe performing abroad, and hobnobs with key figures of the 1920s. the world starts to change and pressures mount. How is it that she retains her integrity, transcending both family and society’s expectations in her international acting career.
352 pages, ebook
Published March 27, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 5, 2026
Leisha Douglas’s Triple Threat breathes life into the luminous career of Elizabeth Hines (Jan 8 1899– Feb 1971), tracing her journey from a well-bred adolescent to the toast of Broadway. Douglas captures a star who balanced the grit of "show business" with an unwavering poise.
A Meteoric Rise
Hines’s trajectory was defined by her partnership with the legendary George M. Cohan. Her breakout and most enduring legacy was starring in "Little Nellie Kelly" (1922), Cohan’s longest-running success. The novel details her evolution through major productions:
The O'Brien Girl (1921): Her transition into a leading lady.
She made her stage debut in See-Saw (1919). She also starred in The Love Birds, Marjorie, Peg O' My Heart, Show Boat, Manhattan Mary, and June Days. She retired from the stage in 1927 upon her marriage to Frank R. Wharton, a Quaker Foods executive.
Douglas highlights Hines's interactions with titans like Cohan, Richard Rodgers, and Lorenz Hart, illustrating a world where she wasn't just a performer but a peer to the architects of the American Musical.
Glitz vs. Expectation
The novel serves as a window into the dual reality of 1920s female stardom. While the "Flapper Era" promised liberation, Broadway stars faced a complex gauntlet:
The Ziegfeld Standard: Female stars were often commodified for their "glorified" beauty. Douglas contrasts this with Hines’s "Triple Threat" capability—the rare mastery of singing, dancing, and acting.
The Social Conundrum: As a "well-bred" woman, Hines navigated a sharp "inner conundrum." The theatre was often viewed as scandalous by high society. The novel emphasizes her "bigger feat": maintaining integrity and familial regard in an industry synonymous with ego and excess.
Global Pressures: Her travels to Africa and Europe reflect the burgeoning internationalism of celebrity, but also the mounting pressure to remain relevant as talking pictures (the "talkies") began to loom toward the decade's end.
Hines left behind a legacy of grace. Douglas’s biographical novel ensures that beyond the footlights, the woman who transcended the "starlet" trope is finally centre stage.
A Meteoric Rise
Hines’s trajectory was defined by her partnership with the legendary George M. Cohan. Her breakout and most enduring legacy was starring in "Little Nellie Kelly" (1922), Cohan’s longest-running success. The novel details her evolution through major productions:
The O'Brien Girl (1921): Her transition into a leading lady.
She made her stage debut in See-Saw (1919). She also starred in The Love Birds, Marjorie, Peg O' My Heart, Show Boat, Manhattan Mary, and June Days. She retired from the stage in 1927 upon her marriage to Frank R. Wharton, a Quaker Foods executive.
Douglas highlights Hines's interactions with titans like Cohan, Richard Rodgers, and Lorenz Hart, illustrating a world where she wasn't just a performer but a peer to the architects of the American Musical.
Glitz vs. Expectation
The novel serves as a window into the dual reality of 1920s female stardom. While the "Flapper Era" promised liberation, Broadway stars faced a complex gauntlet:
The Ziegfeld Standard: Female stars were often commodified for their "glorified" beauty. Douglas contrasts this with Hines’s "Triple Threat" capability—the rare mastery of singing, dancing, and acting.
The Social Conundrum: As a "well-bred" woman, Hines navigated a sharp "inner conundrum." The theatre was often viewed as scandalous by high society. The novel emphasizes her "bigger feat": maintaining integrity and familial regard in an industry synonymous with ego and excess.
Global Pressures: Her travels to Africa and Europe reflect the burgeoning internationalism of celebrity, but also the mounting pressure to remain relevant as talking pictures (the "talkies") began to loom toward the decade's end.
Hines left behind a legacy of grace. Douglas’s biographical novel ensures that beyond the footlights, the woman who transcended the "starlet" trope is finally centre stage.
March 30, 2026
The stirring tale of Elizabeth Hines, inspired by the true story of the author's grandmother--an early Broadway ingenue!
Step back in time to 1920s Broadway and into the heart and mind of Elizabeth Hines, a persistent, hard-working ingenue who becomes a Triple Threat. Not only can Elizabeth sing, dance and act, but she manages to navigate the tricky politics and less savory undercurrents of the theater world with an enviable moral compass and the secure ballast of enthusiasm and energy to spare. I encourage all theater aficionados to jump aboard and take this journey with Elizabeth!
Discover how the young Elizabeth bucks the current of upper echelon New York society and finds her own way to manifest her destiny. Her deepest desire is to find meaning in life through acting, and she comes of age by forging a hard-won path to the stage. She does not envision her life goal as marriage, and the relationships she has with the men she cares for detail the challenges of trying to love another person in all their complexity. The bonds she has with her friends and family are equally rich. An epistolary correspondence with a close friend provides an enjoyable literary sidebar along the way. Another highlight for me was Elizabeth’s global travels to London, Paris, Nice and North Africa.
Leisha Douglas’s writing is especially enchanting as she recreates the historical details of 1920s NYC and Chicago, from theater politics and global events to interior décor and evocative personal costumery. Get your ticket now—the doors are open, the world is a stage, and this intriguing story awaits your full attention.
Step back in time to 1920s Broadway and into the heart and mind of Elizabeth Hines, a persistent, hard-working ingenue who becomes a Triple Threat. Not only can Elizabeth sing, dance and act, but she manages to navigate the tricky politics and less savory undercurrents of the theater world with an enviable moral compass and the secure ballast of enthusiasm and energy to spare. I encourage all theater aficionados to jump aboard and take this journey with Elizabeth!
Discover how the young Elizabeth bucks the current of upper echelon New York society and finds her own way to manifest her destiny. Her deepest desire is to find meaning in life through acting, and she comes of age by forging a hard-won path to the stage. She does not envision her life goal as marriage, and the relationships she has with the men she cares for detail the challenges of trying to love another person in all their complexity. The bonds she has with her friends and family are equally rich. An epistolary correspondence with a close friend provides an enjoyable literary sidebar along the way. Another highlight for me was Elizabeth’s global travels to London, Paris, Nice and North Africa.
Leisha Douglas’s writing is especially enchanting as she recreates the historical details of 1920s NYC and Chicago, from theater politics and global events to interior décor and evocative personal costumery. Get your ticket now—the doors are open, the world is a stage, and this intriguing story awaits your full attention.
February 7, 2026
Triple Threat: The Story of a 1920s Broadway Star is a historical fiction novel about Elizabeth Hines.
Elizabeth wants to be on stage and goes from being in choruses on Broadway to rising to stardom and becoming the leading lady in a number of long running popular productions. Interesting the well-known stars Elizabeth encounters along the way of her career. Elizabeth decides, in between shows, to travel to Europe and North Africa, and is hoping upon her return she will have received a contract and news about a new Broadway show by Flo Ziegfeld. Unfortunately, upon Elizabeth's return that does not come to pass which leaves Elizabeth to evaluate her career. Elizabeth who thought marriage and children were not for her rethinks her position.
Loving stories set in the 1920’s has always intrigued me. Add in the entertainment field and this book felt like it would be a huge hit. There were moments that the book fell short in explaining some things and moved ahead a little to quickly.
Two things really stood out to me and bode well for this novel
-This felt like a love letter from the author who is the granddaughter of Elizabeth Hines.
- Sibylline Press publishes works of women authors over 50 and is a woman-owned publishing company.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sibylline Press for the opportunity to read Triple Threat: The Story of a 1920s Broadway Star in exchange for my honest review. Much appreciated.
Elizabeth wants to be on stage and goes from being in choruses on Broadway to rising to stardom and becoming the leading lady in a number of long running popular productions. Interesting the well-known stars Elizabeth encounters along the way of her career. Elizabeth decides, in between shows, to travel to Europe and North Africa, and is hoping upon her return she will have received a contract and news about a new Broadway show by Flo Ziegfeld. Unfortunately, upon Elizabeth's return that does not come to pass which leaves Elizabeth to evaluate her career. Elizabeth who thought marriage and children were not for her rethinks her position.
Loving stories set in the 1920’s has always intrigued me. Add in the entertainment field and this book felt like it would be a huge hit. There were moments that the book fell short in explaining some things and moved ahead a little to quickly.
Two things really stood out to me and bode well for this novel
-This felt like a love letter from the author who is the granddaughter of Elizabeth Hines.
- Sibylline Press publishes works of women authors over 50 and is a woman-owned publishing company.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sibylline Press for the opportunity to read Triple Threat: The Story of a 1920s Broadway Star in exchange for my honest review. Much appreciated.
April 23, 2026
Set in the vibrant world of Manhattan in the early 20th century, Triple Threat reconceives the captivating journey of Elizabeth Hines, actress, singer, and dancer, from her debut on the New York stage at 16 to Broadway stardom. Gifted with extraordinary talent and charisma, she refuses to follow the traditional prescriptions for women, to settle down and be satisfied with “just one man.” But the more she succeeds, the harder it gets for her to hang onto her vision and values.
These are a few of my favorite things about the book: The chaos of World War I and the influenza pandemic creeping in around the edges of the picture. The two best friends, a Suffragette and a teacher, who survive equally challenging quests. The Roaring Twenties’ version of celebrity obsession when Hines cuts her long hair in a bob. The emergence of the perfect leading man and his ongoing mystery. The expansion of Hines quest for fulfillment to England, then the Continent and North Africa. I won’t give away the ending, which, as creative non-fiction does follow what really happened. It definitely came as a surprise.
These are a few of my favorite things about the book: The chaos of World War I and the influenza pandemic creeping in around the edges of the picture. The two best friends, a Suffragette and a teacher, who survive equally challenging quests. The Roaring Twenties’ version of celebrity obsession when Hines cuts her long hair in a bob. The emergence of the perfect leading man and his ongoing mystery. The expansion of Hines quest for fulfillment to England, then the Continent and North Africa. I won’t give away the ending, which, as creative non-fiction does follow what really happened. It definitely came as a surprise.
March 30, 2026
⭐⭐ 2 Stars — Interesting Premise, but Fell Flat for Me
I really wanted to like Triple Threat. A story about a woman pursuing her dreams in performance is very much my kind of setup, and knowing the author is the granddaughter of the subject adds a layer of personal care and intention that I appreciated going in.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite land for me.
The pacing felt uneven, which made it hard to stay fully engaged, and the writing didn’t consistently pull me in. I found myself wanting more emotional depth and connection to the story as it unfolded.
That said, the letters were a clear highlight. Those sections felt the most natural and grounded, and I found myself looking forward to them more than the surrounding narrative.
While this wasn’t a favorite for me, it’s clear there was a lot of care behind the story. I can see how readers who connect with the writing style or are especially interested in the subject might have a different experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I really wanted to like Triple Threat. A story about a woman pursuing her dreams in performance is very much my kind of setup, and knowing the author is the granddaughter of the subject adds a layer of personal care and intention that I appreciated going in.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite land for me.
The pacing felt uneven, which made it hard to stay fully engaged, and the writing didn’t consistently pull me in. I found myself wanting more emotional depth and connection to the story as it unfolded.
That said, the letters were a clear highlight. Those sections felt the most natural and grounded, and I found myself looking forward to them more than the surrounding narrative.
While this wasn’t a favorite for me, it’s clear there was a lot of care behind the story. I can see how readers who connect with the writing style or are especially interested in the subject might have a different experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As much as I had hoped to fall in love with this book, it ultimately wasn’t the right fit for me. That said, my experience does not diminish the quality of the work itself. It is a pleasant and engaging read, though at times it feels slightly rushed, and the care, love, and dedication poured into its creation are evident throughout.
While the story didn’t linger with me personally, I have no doubt it will deeply resonate with many readers. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to read it, and I wholeheartedly support this publisher and their commitment to amplifying women’s voices, particularly those later in life, who deserve every bit of recognition and support.
If the description of this book speaks to you, I encourage you to pick it up. There is a meaningful story here, one that deserves to be seen and heard. Just because it didn’t fully connect with me does not mean it won’t profoundly move you.
While the story didn’t linger with me personally, I have no doubt it will deeply resonate with many readers. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to read it, and I wholeheartedly support this publisher and their commitment to amplifying women’s voices, particularly those later in life, who deserve every bit of recognition and support.
If the description of this book speaks to you, I encourage you to pick it up. There is a meaningful story here, one that deserves to be seen and heard. Just because it didn’t fully connect with me does not mean it won’t profoundly move you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I don’t feel like this book was for me. I can see others enjoying this story and I still wanted to finish the book to see how Elizabeth’s story ended.
I also felt as the their were a few moments where their were racial slurs mentioned that could have been reworded to still have the racism point across but not include those words.
I did find it interesting to read about what it was like to be in that industry during that time period. Plus I thought it was a really sweet tribute to her grandma in putting her story out there.
I also felt as the their were a few moments where their were racial slurs mentioned that could have been reworded to still have the racism point across but not include those words.
I did find it interesting to read about what it was like to be in that industry during that time period. Plus I thought it was a really sweet tribute to her grandma in putting her story out there.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I ended up DNF’ing this around 20%. I really liked the premise, which was a fictionalized biography of a 1920s Broadway star. It sounded fascinating, but unfortunately it just didn’t pull me in. The pacing felt slow for me and I had trouble connecting with the characters, so I found myself struggling to stay engaged.
That said, the writing is thoughtful and readers who enjoy quieter, more reflective historical fiction about the theater world may appreciate it more than I did. It just wasn’t the right fit for me.
That said, the writing is thoughtful and readers who enjoy quieter, more reflective historical fiction about the theater world may appreciate it more than I did. It just wasn’t the right fit for me.
June 15, 2026
I really enjoyed this fictionalization of the life and show-business career of Elizabeth Hines. She was a big star in the 1920s, but I wasn't really able to find out too much information on her when I looked online. This story, written by her granddaughter, really brought her experiences to life.
Elizabeth Hines's career was especially interesting given her background, coming from a highly privileged family, where the expectations of her were to get married and have a family, and not to have a career. She was determined to make her own choices and follow her dreams, despite the preferences of her family.
Elizabeth Hines's career was especially interesting given her background, coming from a highly privileged family, where the expectations of her were to get married and have a family, and not to have a career. She was determined to make her own choices and follow her dreams, despite the preferences of her family.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews