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Selznick's Confidant: A Novel of 1939 Hollywood
452 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2026
16 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Martin Turnbull
24 books244 followersMartin Turnbull has worked as a private tour guide showing both locals and out-of-towners the movie studios, Beverly Hills mansions, Hollywood hills vistas and where all the bodies are buried. For nine years, he has also volunteered as an historical walking tour docent with the Los Angeles Conservancy. He worked for a summer as a guide at the Warner Bros. movie studios in Burbank showing movie fans through the sound stages where Bogie and Bacall, Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, and James Cagney created some of Hollywood’s classic motion pictures.
From an early age, Martin was enchanted with old movies from Hollywood’s golden era–from the dawn of the talkies in the late 1920s to the dusk of the studio system in the late 1950s–and has spent many, many a happy hour watching the likes of Garland, Gable, Crawford, Garbo, Grant, Miller, Kelly, Astaire, Rogers, Turner, Welles go through their paces.
When he discovered the wonderful world of biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs, his love of reading merged with his love of movies and his love of history to produce a three-headed hydra gobbling up everything in his path. Ever since then, he’s been on a mission to learn and share as much as he can about this unique time.
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Martin moved to Los Angeles in the mid-90s.
From an early age, Martin was enchanted with old movies from Hollywood’s golden era–from the dawn of the talkies in the late 1920s to the dusk of the studio system in the late 1950s–and has spent many, many a happy hour watching the likes of Garland, Gable, Crawford, Garbo, Grant, Miller, Kelly, Astaire, Rogers, Turner, Welles go through their paces.
When he discovered the wonderful world of biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs, his love of reading merged with his love of movies and his love of history to produce a three-headed hydra gobbling up everything in his path. Ever since then, he’s been on a mission to learn and share as much as he can about this unique time.
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Martin moved to Los Angeles in the mid-90s.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 16, 2026
I'm an unabashed Martin Turnbull fan. Anyone who loves Old Hollywood will be. And the best thing about his books is that they are like an interlocking series -- characters from one pop into another just to say hello -- and you feel like you're dipping back into a delicious world that's comfortably familiar but full of surprises.
Selznick's Confidante is set during that seminal Hollywood year, 1939, when it was all happening, and he puts us right in the middle of the mix through his protagonist, Luddie Sinclair. As always, Turnbull's use of historical verisimilitude paints a picture of the times that isn't necessarily pretty, but because of that, it's kind of beautiful. It also makes you crave a vintage cocktail.
I look forward to every new Turnbull tome, and, as soon as I finish this, I intend to double check that I haven't missed one. That would make an unexpected pleasure. In today's world, Turnbull's writing offers a much-needed respite, with just enough food for thought.
Selznick's Confidante is set during that seminal Hollywood year, 1939, when it was all happening, and he puts us right in the middle of the mix through his protagonist, Luddie Sinclair. As always, Turnbull's use of historical verisimilitude paints a picture of the times that isn't necessarily pretty, but because of that, it's kind of beautiful. It also makes you crave a vintage cocktail.
I look forward to every new Turnbull tome, and, as soon as I finish this, I intend to double check that I haven't missed one. That would make an unexpected pleasure. In today's world, Turnbull's writing offers a much-needed respite, with just enough food for thought.
March 5, 2026
This guy hits it out of the park with nearly every swing of his bat!
This third book in the 1939 trilogy was just flat-out fantastic. Characters from other Turnbull books flashed in and out alongside the amazing real-life figures of Golden Age Hollywood. Luddie’s story was even more emotionally satisfying than I expected. The story of crafting the life you want for yourself, out of the ashes of your youth, was so damned inspiring!
Listen, Martin. Get your ass behind that computer and wrote some more! I love these books!!
This third book in the 1939 trilogy was just flat-out fantastic. Characters from other Turnbull books flashed in and out alongside the amazing real-life figures of Golden Age Hollywood. Luddie’s story was even more emotionally satisfying than I expected. The story of crafting the life you want for yourself, out of the ashes of your youth, was so damned inspiring!
Listen, Martin. Get your ass behind that computer and wrote some more! I love these books!!
March 11, 2026
This volume and all others in Martin Turnbull's various series are a delight to read for this fan of old Hollywood. There is so much research and knowledge included, that while fictional on the surface, are still fun to read as a bit of history.
March 1, 2026
A great read!
A Martin Turnbull novel, sat in classic Hollywood, is always a good read. He’s developed a cat set of characters you enjoy following, a few villains who you end up pitting more than scorning, and a happy ending, leaving the door open for more!
I find myself looking forward to Turnbull‘s next novel.
A Martin Turnbull novel, sat in classic Hollywood, is always a good read. He’s developed a cat set of characters you enjoy following, a few villains who you end up pitting more than scorning, and a happy ending, leaving the door open for more!
I find myself looking forward to Turnbull‘s next novel.
February 9, 2026
Fantastic End of the Trilogy!
Se!znick's Confidant artfully shares the story of the third character of this trilogy. The characters are so well written that I felt like I really knew them, as if I were a friend joining them on this amazing adventure! Mr. Turnbull creates a setting that draws you in and captivates your attention, making the Hollywood era and his characters come alive. The story draws you in and doesn't let go until the very end. Thank you for such an amazing trilogy! Loved every minute!
Se!znick's Confidant artfully shares the story of the third character of this trilogy. The characters are so well written that I felt like I really knew them, as if I were a friend joining them on this amazing adventure! Mr. Turnbull creates a setting that draws you in and captivates your attention, making the Hollywood era and his characters come alive. The story draws you in and doesn't let go until the very end. Thank you for such an amazing trilogy! Loved every minute!
February 26, 2026
"Gone with the Wind" has finally had its premiere. Luddie Sinclair, escort par excellence to all the Mrs. Moguls is dancing as fast as he can to escape haunting memories of his youth in a Southern California Hooverville. He has lost contact with his family and fears being discovered as a fraud by one of the studio heads or a powerful actor. And all the time he saves every penny he can to buy his own house. Despite his lack of elite education, Luddie is brilliantly self-educated, a suave dancer and a comforting amateur psychiatrist to the rich and famous. But when he begins supplying Selznick with bennies and a Paramount boss with condoms, life really turns strange. The hustle, glitz and glamour of late '30s Hollywood infuses this rags-to-near-riches story with glimpses of the Garden of Allah, Ciro's, the Coconut Grove and all sorts of other hot spots. Blockbusters movies, sensational court trials and the looming spectre of war all enliven the tale.
February 16, 2026
Another Turnbull Success!!!
In my opinion, this book is the best of Martin Turnbull's 1939 Hollywood Trilogy. This can easily be read as a standalone, or in sequence - either way, it is a very satisfying experience, and a wonderful vehicle, transporting the reader back to what may have been indeed Hollywood's greatest year. Being a Los Angeles native, I could visualize so many of the streets and locations, which adds to the fun of the story.
Well done, Martin Turnbull!
In my opinion, this book is the best of Martin Turnbull's 1939 Hollywood Trilogy. This can easily be read as a standalone, or in sequence - either way, it is a very satisfying experience, and a wonderful vehicle, transporting the reader back to what may have been indeed Hollywood's greatest year. Being a Los Angeles native, I could visualize so many of the streets and locations, which adds to the fun of the story.
Well done, Martin Turnbull!
March 22, 2026
Just loved this series, can't wait for more from Mr. Turnbull. Have read all of his books. ☺️
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews