What do you think?
Rate this book
Starlet
A Star Is Strangled…
Clara was Hollywood’s hottest rising star, until someone murdered her on the Paramount lot.
I went to claim her body. The producers offered me a job instead.
Clara and I may have looked like twins, but we’re nothing alike. She loved being splashed across the silver screen and the gossip pages, dating co-stars and gangsters.
I’m just a broke student with a knack for languages.
I took the job, but not because I care about finishing the film.
I want to know what happened to my sister.
I’m surrounded by jealous actresses, crazed fans, and ruthless directors. The only person I can trust is an off-duty detective who may be more distracting than helpful.
I only have two weeks before the movie wraps. And I may be working right next to a killer…
The Lark Notes :
Two of my favorite films are "La La Land" and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" because they show how Hollywood can be a world unto itself, with its own history and culture. We all consume movies created there, without really understanding what it means to live and work in that space. I thought it would be fascinating to throw an outsider into that hotbed of glamor and sin, with the imperative of unearthing a secret that everyone else wants to keep buried… – Sophie
"Starlet" is a Romantic Mystery set in Hollywood’s Golden Age, right at the cusp of the Second World War. It includes both fictional and real-life characters like Clark Gable and Cecil B. DeMille. This standalone novel includes steamy scenes for mature readers only.
Clara was Hollywood’s hottest rising star, until someone murdered her on the Paramount lot.
I went to claim her body. The producers offered me a job instead.
Clara and I may have looked like twins, but we’re nothing alike. She loved being splashed across the silver screen and the gossip pages, dating co-stars and gangsters.
I’m just a broke student with a knack for languages.
I took the job, but not because I care about finishing the film.
I want to know what happened to my sister.
I’m surrounded by jealous actresses, crazed fans, and ruthless directors. The only person I can trust is an off-duty detective who may be more distracting than helpful.
I only have two weeks before the movie wraps. And I may be working right next to a killer…
The Lark Notes :
Two of my favorite films are "La La Land" and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" because they show how Hollywood can be a world unto itself, with its own history and culture. We all consume movies created there, without really understanding what it means to live and work in that space. I thought it would be fascinating to throw an outsider into that hotbed of glamor and sin, with the imperative of unearthing a secret that everyone else wants to keep buried… – Sophie
"Starlet" is a Romantic Mystery set in Hollywood’s Golden Age, right at the cusp of the Second World War. It includes both fictional and real-life characters like Clark Gable and Cecil B. DeMille. This standalone novel includes steamy scenes for mature readers only.
298 pages, Paperback
First published February 17, 2021
263 people are currently reading
1880 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Lark
42 books23.8k followersPowerful Romance
Special Editions & Exclusive Stories:
https://sophielark.com/
Sophie lives in Southern California with her husband and three children. Her favorite authors are Emily Henry and Freida McFadden. She’s an Aquarius who loves fitness and looks forward to Halloween every year.
Special Editions & Exclusive Stories:
https://sophielark.com/
Sophie lives in Southern California with her husband and three children. Her favorite authors are Emily Henry and Freida McFadden. She’s an Aquarius who loves fitness and looks forward to Halloween every year.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
February 16, 2021
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve been a fan of Sophie’s work for a while now, so when I found out she was preparing a mystery book for us, I got super excited. And I must say that this book fulfilled all of my expectations.
The story brings the main character, Alice, to Hollywood during World War II where she tries to solve the awful murder of her beautiful sister and a famous actress Clara. Alice has many names on her list. A roommate, possible lovers, rivals and crazy fans. Although it might seem easy to figure the murder out, this book hides many plot twists and I, as a reader, had no idea who did it until the very last moment.
But I love mystery books that are unpredictable and you don’t know who the real criminal is until the very last moment - and that’s the case of this book as well. Every chapter made the story more interesting and the mystery was growing while the main character tries to figure out who murdered her sister. The story is quite short but still it holds every important piece of information you need, and everything in the book is solved.
Alice was a great protagonist. I loved the fire in her and I admired to what extent she was willing to go in order to fight for her sister’s justice. I honestly wish I had her bravery. What I also enjoyed was her relationship with Jack, the fine policeman that helps her with the entire investigation. It was a nice "side" story, seeing them building this nice connection.
I remember that Sophie’s main goal of this book was for people to have fun while reading this and I must say she literally did that. Everything about this story was great and I really hope that one day she writes a similar story, because mystery is another genre she’s really good at.
***
Follow me on Instagram for book edits.
I’ve been a fan of Sophie’s work for a while now, so when I found out she was preparing a mystery book for us, I got super excited. And I must say that this book fulfilled all of my expectations.
The story brings the main character, Alice, to Hollywood during World War II where she tries to solve the awful murder of her beautiful sister and a famous actress Clara. Alice has many names on her list. A roommate, possible lovers, rivals and crazy fans. Although it might seem easy to figure the murder out, this book hides many plot twists and I, as a reader, had no idea who did it until the very last moment.
But I love mystery books that are unpredictable and you don’t know who the real criminal is until the very last moment - and that’s the case of this book as well. Every chapter made the story more interesting and the mystery was growing while the main character tries to figure out who murdered her sister. The story is quite short but still it holds every important piece of information you need, and everything in the book is solved.
Alice was a great protagonist. I loved the fire in her and I admired to what extent she was willing to go in order to fight for her sister’s justice. I honestly wish I had her bravery. What I also enjoyed was her relationship with Jack, the fine policeman that helps her with the entire investigation. It was a nice "side" story, seeing them building this nice connection.
I remember that Sophie’s main goal of this book was for people to have fun while reading this and I must say she literally did that. Everything about this story was great and I really hope that one day she writes a similar story, because mystery is another genre she’s really good at.
***
Follow me on Instagram for book edits.
February 20, 2021
Not my usual type of read. I prefer books set in present time but the idea of 1940's Hollywood sold it. I was completely transported back in time and felt like I was seeing everything as Alice saw it.
Read
February 1, 2021Two of my favorite films are "La La Land" and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood", because they show how Hollywood can be a world unto itself, with its own history and culture. We all consume movies created there, without really understanding what it means to live and work in that space. I thought it would be fascinating to throw an outsider into that hotbed of glamor and sin, with the imperative of unearthing a secret that everyone else wants to keep buried…
Join the Love Lark Letter:
https://sophielark.com/signup/
Another standalone:
https://geni.us/ceo-cristo
Join the Love Lark Letter:
https://sophielark.com/signup/
Another standalone:
https://geni.us/ceo-cristo
February 18, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 “The stranger the pathway unfolding before me, the more I felt compelled to follow it. I wasn’t a great believer in luck, but I did believe in opportunity.”
What You’ll Find:
✔️Murder Mystery Fiction
✔️Whodunnit
✔️Hollywood Golden Age
✔️Hint of Romance
✔️Singular POV
Clara Bloom was a rising start amount Hollywood. That is, until she was killed on set. When her sister travels to LA to plan her funeral... she decides to stay, play her sisters role, and find out exactly who killed her. With the help of an off duty detective, she finds the suspect list is much longer than she thought. And wonders if she could now be working alongside a killer...
This author is well known for her mafia romance. So I wasn’t sure what to expect with a murder mystery. But I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. It had the glitz and glam feel of old Hollywood, with great page turning mystery. A whodunnit that left you guessing. With a plot twist I didn’t see coming. Though, I guessed the killer pretty soon (I am kind of good at it), I still wasn’t entirely sure until it was confirmed. Even then, it had its own surprises.
I enjoyed the connection between Alice and Jack. I felt on the edge of my seat waiting for a fire to be lit between them. I know, this is a mystery, but can’t we have a mystery with some fire too!? I would love to see that from this author. A romance suspense with some mystery and heat, she totally could do it! Enjoyed this! Hope the author will continue in this direction as well!
I received an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
What You’ll Find:
✔️Murder Mystery Fiction
✔️Whodunnit
✔️Hollywood Golden Age
✔️Hint of Romance
✔️Singular POV
Clara Bloom was a rising start amount Hollywood. That is, until she was killed on set. When her sister travels to LA to plan her funeral... she decides to stay, play her sisters role, and find out exactly who killed her. With the help of an off duty detective, she finds the suspect list is much longer than she thought. And wonders if she could now be working alongside a killer...
This author is well known for her mafia romance. So I wasn’t sure what to expect with a murder mystery. But I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. It had the glitz and glam feel of old Hollywood, with great page turning mystery. A whodunnit that left you guessing. With a plot twist I didn’t see coming. Though, I guessed the killer pretty soon (I am kind of good at it), I still wasn’t entirely sure until it was confirmed. Even then, it had its own surprises.
I enjoyed the connection between Alice and Jack. I felt on the edge of my seat waiting for a fire to be lit between them. I know, this is a mystery, but can’t we have a mystery with some fire too!? I would love to see that from this author. A romance suspense with some mystery and heat, she totally could do it! Enjoyed this! Hope the author will continue in this direction as well!
I received an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 1, 2022
A hint of romance woven into a murder mystery taking place in the Golden Age of Hollywood.
The classic Hollywood feel was strong in this from the aesthetics to the language used.
We follow Alice on a journey of grief and suspicion at every turn while she investigates The Who and the why behind her sister’s untimely death.
This felt like a classic murder mystery with twists, turns, and redirects that flowed smoothly from start to finish. I would've loved to see Alice's knowledge on languages be incorporated more beyond the climax of this story but it was very clear that no information was introduced without purpose/reason.
CW: murder, death, grief, references to sexual assault + harassment, reference to segregation, sexual assault (brief), stalking, dated language surrounding gender and trans people (brief)
The classic Hollywood feel was strong in this from the aesthetics to the language used.
We follow Alice on a journey of grief and suspicion at every turn while she investigates The Who and the why behind her sister’s untimely death.
This felt like a classic murder mystery with twists, turns, and redirects that flowed smoothly from start to finish. I would've loved to see Alice's knowledge on languages be incorporated more beyond the climax of this story but it was very clear that no information was introduced without purpose/reason.
CW: murder, death, grief, references to sexual assault + harassment, reference to segregation, sexual assault (brief), stalking, dated language surrounding gender and trans people (brief)
June 18, 2024
short, entertaining, guessed the ending. the romance subplot was cute though
June 3, 2022
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☆ 2.75 stars ☆☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
so this was interesting. The plot and mystery was good, the atmosphere and the 40s Hollywood vibe felt very real.
My issue was the main characters. Not even the secondary ones, cause I liked them. But Alice and Jack. She felt way too robot-like at times, and she lacked tact and she just felt fake, like she was a book character. While Jack felt underwhelming. The pacing in the romance area was awful. I did feel the tension at time, but damn I did not like it.
Overall, I wouldn’t say it was exactly predictable, but it was fun playing detective alongside Alice.
so this was interesting. The plot and mystery was good, the atmosphere and the 40s Hollywood vibe felt very real.
My issue was the main characters. Not even the secondary ones, cause I liked them. But Alice and Jack. She felt way too robot-like at times, and she lacked tact and she just felt fake, like she was a book character. While Jack felt underwhelming. The pacing in the romance area was awful. I did feel the tension at time, but damn I did not like it.
Overall, I wouldn’t say it was exactly predictable, but it was fun playing detective alongside Alice.
February 3, 2021
“𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐚?”— 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐭, 𝐒𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐤.
This book was surely a surprise to me. Starlet was unlike any other book I had read from this author. Sophie is known for bringing the spice, the alphas and the the headstrong women together, but Starlet was a very different novel.
She'd not only caught my attention with the blurb, but this Hollywood murder mystery with an undertone of romance had a spectacular plot that left me guessing with excitement at every turn.
Sort of like a game of literary cluedo/clue.
I can see this becoming a series ( I wish it does) because I'm not ready to leave Alice Bloom's world yet.
I don't know how else to put it without a spoiler....Starlet was flawless and I can't wait to return to Alice's world.
(𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳.)
This book was surely a surprise to me. Starlet was unlike any other book I had read from this author. Sophie is known for bringing the spice, the alphas and the the headstrong women together, but Starlet was a very different novel.
She'd not only caught my attention with the blurb, but this Hollywood murder mystery with an undertone of romance had a spectacular plot that left me guessing with excitement at every turn.
Sort of like a game of literary cluedo/clue.
I can see this becoming a series ( I wish it does) because I'm not ready to leave Alice Bloom's world yet.
I don't know how else to put it without a spoiler....Starlet was flawless and I can't wait to return to Alice's world.
(𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳.)
February 23, 2021
I liked how the author gave enough clues so the readers can solve the murder alongside the MC. I did guessed the identity of the perpetrator correctly before the reveal but that didn’t affect my enjoyment. The book is fast-paced and a page-turner; however, I wish the author lingered on some scenes to add atmosphere. I really didn’t feel any intense emotions. I didn’t even feel creeped out by the insects kept by the obsessive fan and I have katsaridaphobia. The explicit sex scene in the penultimate chapter took me by surprise. I thought a fade-to-black scene suited the vintage vibe of the story more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2023
Super cute & fun! Full RTC.
February 25, 2021
I love seeing this author branch out with a fun historical mystery!
The setting was great, peak old Hollywood and included some famous characters like Clark Gable and Cecil B. DeMille. I thought the pacing was quick, jumping right into the murder and investigation. This is a quick read and I enjoyed the characters and murder mystery storyline.
Alice is a great main character, she's smart and determined to find her sister's killer. I loved how she relentlessly pursued leads and jumped right into filming the movie so she could do more investigating. Her flirtation with police officer Jack was cute and not over the top, though I wish we'd seen more of them. They did get a cute ending with a nice romantic scene that made me happy.
The murder mystery was intriguing and had a lot of suspects. I enjoyed seeing Alice and Jack work together to cross people off the list and we did get resolution by finding the killer. Everything wrapped up nicely and this was a nice easy read!
The setting was great, peak old Hollywood and included some famous characters like Clark Gable and Cecil B. DeMille. I thought the pacing was quick, jumping right into the murder and investigation. This is a quick read and I enjoyed the characters and murder mystery storyline.
Alice is a great main character, she's smart and determined to find her sister's killer. I loved how she relentlessly pursued leads and jumped right into filming the movie so she could do more investigating. Her flirtation with police officer Jack was cute and not over the top, though I wish we'd seen more of them. They did get a cute ending with a nice romantic scene that made me happy.
The murder mystery was intriguing and had a lot of suspects. I enjoyed seeing Alice and Jack work together to cross people off the list and we did get resolution by finding the killer. Everything wrapped up nicely and this was a nice easy read!
February 5, 2021
4 Hollywood stars!
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Oh the life of the rich and famous! Starlet is mafia author Sophie Lark's new venture into romantic mystery. And let me just say, it did not disappoint. This book is a glamour era whodunit which will transport you right to Hollywood in 1940.
Following the death of her sister, Alice Bloom arrives in Los Angeles to arrange her sister's funeral when she is offered a role on the same production where her sister was killed. Though she lacks any acting experience, our savvy Alice accepts the role with the intent of uncovering her sister's murderer from the inside. She finds an ally in Jack, one of the detectives assigned to her sister's case. This story will certainly make you feel like you too are an American on the brink of a world war, immersed in all the glamorous escapism and tempting sin Hollywood has to offer.
What I liked most about this book was its quick pace. Sophie has a remarkable ability to make a long book feel short, because with every page-turning moment you struggle to put the book down. I started thinking I would read a couple of chapters, but the book only took a few hours to finish. The attention to detail also stands out, especially the way real life figures are interwoven into the story as supporting characters. This book really did feel true to the era. The dialogue, the descriptions of the characters and settings, and even the pacing for the romantic arc in the book. The romance ran parallel to the mystery but did not reach resolution until the end. The burning sexual tension between Jack and Alice started out coy enough before it exploded. But I appreciated the timing, as during no point in the book did it take away from the mystery.
This is the perfect book if you want a palette cleanser. It's very Agatha Christie-lite in its delivery of the culprit, who isn't revealed until the very end. I appreciated all the red herrings and the twists which devolved into nice character moments as well. Like I said already, I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery being at the center of the story, not to be sidetracked by the romantic development. However, I was missing some of the more action-packed moments of grittier mysteries, hence my rating. While
I was certainly invested, there were points that read almost too quick since they lacked that stomach-churning suspense. That aside, this is an entertaining book worth picking up, especially if you like a lighter kind of mystery that is enough of a puzzle to keep you guessing.
I would recommend this book to anyone because it really was an immersive reading experience, and I liked it so much that I would not mind seeing Alice and Jack touring around the world, cracking mysteries one city at a time!
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Oh the life of the rich and famous! Starlet is mafia author Sophie Lark's new venture into romantic mystery. And let me just say, it did not disappoint. This book is a glamour era whodunit which will transport you right to Hollywood in 1940.
Following the death of her sister, Alice Bloom arrives in Los Angeles to arrange her sister's funeral when she is offered a role on the same production where her sister was killed. Though she lacks any acting experience, our savvy Alice accepts the role with the intent of uncovering her sister's murderer from the inside. She finds an ally in Jack, one of the detectives assigned to her sister's case. This story will certainly make you feel like you too are an American on the brink of a world war, immersed in all the glamorous escapism and tempting sin Hollywood has to offer.
What I liked most about this book was its quick pace. Sophie has a remarkable ability to make a long book feel short, because with every page-turning moment you struggle to put the book down. I started thinking I would read a couple of chapters, but the book only took a few hours to finish. The attention to detail also stands out, especially the way real life figures are interwoven into the story as supporting characters. This book really did feel true to the era. The dialogue, the descriptions of the characters and settings, and even the pacing for the romantic arc in the book. The romance ran parallel to the mystery but did not reach resolution until the end. The burning sexual tension between Jack and Alice started out coy enough before it exploded. But I appreciated the timing, as during no point in the book did it take away from the mystery.
This is the perfect book if you want a palette cleanser. It's very Agatha Christie-lite in its delivery of the culprit, who isn't revealed until the very end. I appreciated all the red herrings and the twists which devolved into nice character moments as well. Like I said already, I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery being at the center of the story, not to be sidetracked by the romantic development. However, I was missing some of the more action-packed moments of grittier mysteries, hence my rating. While
I was certainly invested, there were points that read almost too quick since they lacked that stomach-churning suspense. That aside, this is an entertaining book worth picking up, especially if you like a lighter kind of mystery that is enough of a puzzle to keep you guessing.
I would recommend this book to anyone because it really was an immersive reading experience, and I liked it so much that I would not mind seeing Alice and Jack touring around the world, cracking mysteries one city at a time!
February 16, 2021
This was such a unique and interesting read that I devoured in one sitting. This isn’t the author’s typical romance read and she states that from the beginning. No, this is more of a mystery murder read with a hint of romance sprinkled throughout. It starts in old school Hollywood where hope is high but to the outside world the future is dismal and unknown. An actress that is up and coming to fame is mysteriously murdered and her only relative, her sister Alice, is determined to find out what happened. Being in Hollywood gives Alice a look into what it was like for her sister and then she is asked to fill in for her sister to finish the movie she started; this gives her the idea of staying close to see if she can catch the killer. Working side by side with the Policeman, Jack, they find things that are mysterious, unexpected, and a plot twist that I never saw coming. I felt as if I was watching a movie that had all these elements to create a world that I was engulfed in and intrigued with finding Clara’s killer myself. Like I said this book was remarkably interesting and I think the author deserves all the kudos for stepping out her usual element to create such a unique book. If you are looking for a typical romance novel this isn’t it, no this is so much more set in a time where Hollywood was glamourous and keeps you invested with murder, mystery, characters we all know and heard of, and plot twists everywhere then this book is for you. I loved it and I hope we get more intriguing reads like this in the future!!
February 3, 2021
ARC Review:
This is not your typical Sophie Lark fare but a book of the heart, so go in with an open mind and a nostalgic heart.
Starlet is a story of old 1940's Hollywood - Clara Bloom is murdered and her sister Alice comes to hunt the killer. When she's offered a chance to take her sister's spot in the movie, she accepts in order to insinuate herself with the only people who had access to Clara. Alice meets Sergeant Jack Woods and he agrees to work with her. It's a tumultuous time in the world, everyone has secrets, and everyone would fight to protect what they've earned.
This is a quick, cute read, despite the murder, and full of glamour. It's a little bit Evelyn Hugo, and a little bit Knives Out where everyone has a motive, but you actually like everyone instead. Good people do bad things for bad reasons - it was hard to believe any of the characters could have murdered Clara because they were complicated, dedicated, and insular. While there is your typical gossiping or backstabbing characters, I liked that the majority of the characters had depth because it was shown they were dedicated to their work and their craft, the actors and the production crews. There was a level of respect for the business that I don't think we always see in books, especially in romance.
A lot of secrets are revealed, and there's definitely danger and injury. The conclusion and the reveal are devastating on many levels. No one wins at the end of this story, and I think that's what makes it good. It's realistic, while still having romance and reflecting on the many facets and consequences of love. If you're looking for something that will go quick, keep your mind engaged, and make your heart clench, it's a great read for that mood.
This is not your typical Sophie Lark fare but a book of the heart, so go in with an open mind and a nostalgic heart.
Starlet is a story of old 1940's Hollywood - Clara Bloom is murdered and her sister Alice comes to hunt the killer. When she's offered a chance to take her sister's spot in the movie, she accepts in order to insinuate herself with the only people who had access to Clara. Alice meets Sergeant Jack Woods and he agrees to work with her. It's a tumultuous time in the world, everyone has secrets, and everyone would fight to protect what they've earned.
This is a quick, cute read, despite the murder, and full of glamour. It's a little bit Evelyn Hugo, and a little bit Knives Out where everyone has a motive, but you actually like everyone instead. Good people do bad things for bad reasons - it was hard to believe any of the characters could have murdered Clara because they were complicated, dedicated, and insular. While there is your typical gossiping or backstabbing characters, I liked that the majority of the characters had depth because it was shown they were dedicated to their work and their craft, the actors and the production crews. There was a level of respect for the business that I don't think we always see in books, especially in romance.
A lot of secrets are revealed, and there's definitely danger and injury. The conclusion and the reveal are devastating on many levels. No one wins at the end of this story, and I think that's what makes it good. It's realistic, while still having romance and reflecting on the many facets and consequences of love. If you're looking for something that will go quick, keep your mind engaged, and make your heart clench, it's a great read for that mood.
April 10, 2024
This was April's book club pick! This was a very easy story to read and finish in a few days. I thought the plot was really interesting and had a lot of potential. However, I was a little let down with the story and thought it was kinda poorly written. It felt like the romance was the main plot and the ultimate ending was them getting together and not her figuring out the murderer. It looked and read like a self-published book on Amazon. Beware there are some questionable adult scenes that no one else mentioned on GoodReads.
March 27, 2021
I just finished it in 2 hours. Its settled in different era in hitler’s reign.Alice is really cool she is finding her sister’s killer with help of detective jack woods. Jack is drooling offcourse. The story is little cliche for me bcz i guessed killer beforehand in the plot but i am all here for it. There is nothing much to say except its a short and entertaining book.
June 7, 2021
2.5 stars. While I want to like this book, it just missed the mark for me. It felt somewhat predictable, the characters weren't as developed as I'd hoped they would be (they didn't feel like real people), and sadly the solving of the mystery did not feel satisfying at all. It actually felt anticlimactic. That being said, it read quickly and I made it to the end! Definitely not the worst read but I guess I would just say I was hoping for a lot more.
July 30, 2024
LOOOOVED this one. Sophie Lark is great at building the world her stories exist in. This one is a mix of real history and fiction, it was fun but also taught me about golden age Hollywood. The mystery was interesting, the romantic tension was a nice treat through the story- so good!
March 3, 2025
Read The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia instead, not HEA but better and not a r@cist @uthor
Alice ends up in Hollywood after her sister Clara, a famous actress, is murdered. She is determined to find out what, and who, happened to her. To help with the investigation Alice takes Clara’s spot in her current film. There are many suspects including gangsters, her roommate, film crew, set designers and other famous actors.
This is primarily a mystery set in Hollywood of the 40s but there is a romance subplot between our detective and one of the actual detectives. It’s really good.
Alice ends up in Hollywood after her sister Clara, a famous actress, is murdered. She is determined to find out what, and who, happened to her. To help with the investigation Alice takes Clara’s spot in her current film. There are many suspects including gangsters, her roommate, film crew, set designers and other famous actors.
This is primarily a mystery set in Hollywood of the 40s but there is a romance subplot between our detective and one of the actual detectives. It’s really good.
February 11, 2021
I am going to admit that I was a bit concerned That maybe wouldn’t enjoy this book because it’s so different to anything I’ve read before from Sophie. But Sophie doesn’t know how to disappoint anyone and this book is right up there with all her others.
This one is in Hollywood in the 1940s and she is so good at describing everything around her the characters that we know in love but then there’s more to this story. Starts out when a young girl called Clara who is an actress gets murdered on set of a film production. Her sister Alice is brokenhearted and travels to Hollywood to take her sister back to who knows where really because they travel around a lot, nowhere to call home. But when she gets there it becomes obvious that the police are not doing much. When she goes to speak to the producers to see if they can help with the cost of Clara’s funeral because let’s be honest Alice hasn’t got a lot of money. He asks her to continue the film in Clara’s place As they both look so similar. She would get paid and it would continue Clara‘s legacy. But the way Alice sees it, she can investigate the murder herself if she is on set so she agrees.
And this is when she meets Jack he is one of the Sergeant that has been assigned to Clara‘s case. And the sexual tension between these two is off the charts but can they work together to solve this murder.??
Wow there is so much going on in this book with backstabbing and secrets it’s just full on. And it keeps you hooked right till the end So go and grab a cuppa and something to snack on because once you start this book you will not want to put it down.
I received a copy of this book and now I choose to leave my honest review.
This one is in Hollywood in the 1940s and she is so good at describing everything around her the characters that we know in love but then there’s more to this story. Starts out when a young girl called Clara who is an actress gets murdered on set of a film production. Her sister Alice is brokenhearted and travels to Hollywood to take her sister back to who knows where really because they travel around a lot, nowhere to call home. But when she gets there it becomes obvious that the police are not doing much. When she goes to speak to the producers to see if they can help with the cost of Clara’s funeral because let’s be honest Alice hasn’t got a lot of money. He asks her to continue the film in Clara’s place As they both look so similar. She would get paid and it would continue Clara‘s legacy. But the way Alice sees it, she can investigate the murder herself if she is on set so she agrees.
And this is when she meets Jack he is one of the Sergeant that has been assigned to Clara‘s case. And the sexual tension between these two is off the charts but can they work together to solve this murder.??
Wow there is so much going on in this book with backstabbing and secrets it’s just full on. And it keeps you hooked right till the end So go and grab a cuppa and something to snack on because once you start this book you will not want to put it down.
I received a copy of this book and now I choose to leave my honest review.
June 18, 2023
5 ⭐️
Tropes:
- Romantic murder mystery
- Hollywood golden age
- Slow burn
- Whodunnit
- Takes place in the 1940s
Starlet isn’t your usual Sophie Lark book but GOOOOOSH it was so good. It’s a romantic murder mystery that takes place in the 1940’s Hollywood that will just capture your heart and keep you on your toes at every turn and you made think you know the whole story but then BAM something unexpected hits your right in the face and you are left like what the heck just happened???
Alice Bloom is a broke student living in Chicago who’s blindsided when she gets a call letting her know that her older sister Clara has been murdered. Clara is Hollywood’s hottest rising star but everything ends for the young starlet when she’s murdered on the set of her newest movie where she’s one of main characters. With Alice going out to bury her sister, she strikes a deal with the director of the movie that she will take Clara’s place and finish the last scenes that Clara had left and in the meanwhile she could also get the chance to figure out who murdered her dear sister. Alice soon finds herself in a whirlwind of lies and rumors and the only person she can trust is the detective on her sister’s case, whom she strikes an interest in too.
The murderer reveal in the book was done so well and I actually felt extra bad for Clara once I found out what had happen to her and why someone murdered her. But one of my favorite parts of the book was the blooming relationship between Alice and Jack while they were trying to solve the murder mystery. It’s not a spicy book per se, but the romance is definitely there and you can really feel everything they felt.
Again I really loved reading about a story that takes back in the era of old Hollywood because it was so interesting to dive deeper into the 40s. You definitely got an inside look into how that time was and how Hollywood was changing. And I’m a sucker for a Hollywood centered story.
Starlet is one of Sophie’s earlier works and it’s totally underrated. I hope more people go read it, because it’s so addictive and reading it also feels playing a detective yourself!
Tropes:
- Romantic murder mystery
- Hollywood golden age
- Slow burn
- Whodunnit
- Takes place in the 1940s
Starlet isn’t your usual Sophie Lark book but GOOOOOSH it was so good. It’s a romantic murder mystery that takes place in the 1940’s Hollywood that will just capture your heart and keep you on your toes at every turn and you made think you know the whole story but then BAM something unexpected hits your right in the face and you are left like what the heck just happened???
Alice Bloom is a broke student living in Chicago who’s blindsided when she gets a call letting her know that her older sister Clara has been murdered. Clara is Hollywood’s hottest rising star but everything ends for the young starlet when she’s murdered on the set of her newest movie where she’s one of main characters. With Alice going out to bury her sister, she strikes a deal with the director of the movie that she will take Clara’s place and finish the last scenes that Clara had left and in the meanwhile she could also get the chance to figure out who murdered her dear sister. Alice soon finds herself in a whirlwind of lies and rumors and the only person she can trust is the detective on her sister’s case, whom she strikes an interest in too.
The murderer reveal in the book was done so well and I actually felt extra bad for Clara once I found out what had happen to her and why someone murdered her. But one of my favorite parts of the book was the blooming relationship between Alice and Jack while they were trying to solve the murder mystery. It’s not a spicy book per se, but the romance is definitely there and you can really feel everything they felt.
Again I really loved reading about a story that takes back in the era of old Hollywood because it was so interesting to dive deeper into the 40s. You definitely got an inside look into how that time was and how Hollywood was changing. And I’m a sucker for a Hollywood centered story.
Starlet is one of Sophie’s earlier works and it’s totally underrated. I hope more people go read it, because it’s so addictive and reading it also feels playing a detective yourself!
February 5, 2021
Wow, Sophie Lark, what an amazing transformation of style, I have read and loved all the mafia books by this author and thoroughly enjoyed them, I was a bit worried about the change of genre but I definitely wasn't disappointed.
When Alice Bloom's Hollywood actress sister was brutally murdered Alice was determined to find her killer, the suspects were many as were the alibies, there were twists and turns and clues that led to dead ends but Alice's loved puzzles and was driven by the love of her sister.
Due to local politics the Police Department didn't seem to be doing much but Alice was approached by Officer Jack Woods who offered his help, the chemistry between Alice and Jack was evident from the beginning. it was to simmer slowly then boil.
I love the way that the author has intermingled fact with fiction and real people with invented characters, I love being transferred back to the glamourous Hollywood of the 40s, the behind the scenes action, The author has obviously done a lot of research into the subject and it shows. I hope that this is the beginning of a series and not just a standalone because I think that Sophie Lark could run with Alice and Jack, a well deserved five stars.
I received a free copy of this book and I give my review voluntarily.
When Alice Bloom's Hollywood actress sister was brutally murdered Alice was determined to find her killer, the suspects were many as were the alibies, there were twists and turns and clues that led to dead ends but Alice's loved puzzles and was driven by the love of her sister.
Due to local politics the Police Department didn't seem to be doing much but Alice was approached by Officer Jack Woods who offered his help, the chemistry between Alice and Jack was evident from the beginning. it was to simmer slowly then boil.
I love the way that the author has intermingled fact with fiction and real people with invented characters, I love being transferred back to the glamourous Hollywood of the 40s, the behind the scenes action, The author has obviously done a lot of research into the subject and it shows. I hope that this is the beginning of a series and not just a standalone because I think that Sophie Lark could run with Alice and Jack, a well deserved five stars.
I received a free copy of this book and I give my review voluntarily.
November 5, 2022
3,5 stars
At this point, I need to say Sophie lark never disappoints with her writing style!+
You need to be aware that Starlet is different from her other books and doesn't contain as much romance but it does contain other interesting and different aspects: murder mystery x hollywood star romance.
To be honest, for me it was very exciting to keep guessing and questioning the characters (at this point, thank you so much sophie for listening to all my thoughts, ily).
Alice is a young and not so successful woman, like her sister Clara. Nevertheless, both sisters have a deep bond with each other and would do anything for the other one.
While Clara works in the Hollywood industry, Alice has chosen a quieter job.
Both sisters seem to be the quite opposite from each other, but that doesnt mean that they dont have a bond.
You can clearly see the bond between the two sisters, it is very strong and good until one day Alice finds out that her sister has been k!lled.
Because of this shocking news, she then sets off to Los Angeles to solve the mystery.
Whether she solves it and finds the culprit or uncovers other secrets is a good question. Should some secrets better remain secrets or not? That is the question you should ask yourself
At this point, I need to say Sophie lark never disappoints with her writing style!+
You need to be aware that Starlet is different from her other books and doesn't contain as much romance but it does contain other interesting and different aspects: murder mystery x hollywood star romance.
To be honest, for me it was very exciting to keep guessing and questioning the characters (at this point, thank you so much sophie for listening to all my thoughts, ily).
Alice is a young and not so successful woman, like her sister Clara. Nevertheless, both sisters have a deep bond with each other and would do anything for the other one.
While Clara works in the Hollywood industry, Alice has chosen a quieter job.
Both sisters seem to be the quite opposite from each other, but that doesnt mean that they dont have a bond.
You can clearly see the bond between the two sisters, it is very strong and good until one day Alice finds out that her sister has been k!lled.
Because of this shocking news, she then sets off to Los Angeles to solve the mystery.
Whether she solves it and finds the culprit or uncovers other secrets is a good question. Should some secrets better remain secrets or not? That is the question you should ask yourself
February 7, 2021
This was such a departure from Sophie Lark’s usual style, but I really enjoyed it! I was incredibly excited when she announced that she would be doing a mystery with some historical elements, and this book did not disappoint. I loved how strong, determined, and fearless Alice was. I admired her dedication and her willingness to risk her own life to bring justice to her sister. Alice truly was the “starlet” of this story—while I did enjoy Officer Woods and the chemistry he had with Alice, he was really more of just a side dish to the story, and Alice was the main entree.
This was definitely a mystery with some romance, rather than a romance with some mystery, which is hard to find! Lark absolutely nailed the mystery. There were so many twists and turns, and I was on the edge of my seat to discover what really happened to Clara. Lark kept you guessing until the very end, and I was riveted.
The only reason I’m not giving this story five stars is because I did find the beginning a little slow. It took me a while to get into the story, but as soon as the plot really got going, I was hooked.
Overall, I highly recommend this book, and I encourage Lark to continue writing mysteries! She really has a knack for it.
*I received an ARC of this book. This is my complete and honest review.*
This was definitely a mystery with some romance, rather than a romance with some mystery, which is hard to find! Lark absolutely nailed the mystery. There were so many twists and turns, and I was on the edge of my seat to discover what really happened to Clara. Lark kept you guessing until the very end, and I was riveted.
The only reason I’m not giving this story five stars is because I did find the beginning a little slow. It took me a while to get into the story, but as soon as the plot really got going, I was hooked.
Overall, I highly recommend this book, and I encourage Lark to continue writing mysteries! She really has a knack for it.
*I received an ARC of this book. This is my complete and honest review.*
February 12, 2021
This book is a departure from all the books I've read previously by Sophie Lark. And yet, fans of hers will not be disappointed. It is a well-researched, well-written historical fiction foray into the world of Hollywood.
This historical murder-mystery is set in the Golden Age of Hollywood at the very beginning of WWII, when Clara, a rising starlet, is killed on the Paramount lot. Her grieving sister Alice, comes from Chicago to bury her sister and get to the bottom of who killed her. What follows is a delightful romp into the glamour and the seedy underbelly of a film set and the surrounding Los Angeles area in the early 1940s, complete with both real historical figures and fictional characters. Alice enlists allies and develops a list of suspects who she then investigates in order to uncover the mystery of her sister's death, while, reluctantly, also filling her shoes in the movie role she hadn't quite finished before she was murdered.
Add a touch of romance... sweet and clean until just before the very end and you have a romantic suspense novel that is both a quick read and endearing. You will be transported to a time when Hollywood films were churned out enmasse, traveling by train was the norm, and people said they were sore when they were angry/frustrated/upset. We can only hope this will be developed into a series and we will see more of this style from Sophie.
There is some mature audience content in this book.
An honest review in exchange for receiving an ARC copy of the book from the author.
This historical murder-mystery is set in the Golden Age of Hollywood at the very beginning of WWII, when Clara, a rising starlet, is killed on the Paramount lot. Her grieving sister Alice, comes from Chicago to bury her sister and get to the bottom of who killed her. What follows is a delightful romp into the glamour and the seedy underbelly of a film set and the surrounding Los Angeles area in the early 1940s, complete with both real historical figures and fictional characters. Alice enlists allies and develops a list of suspects who she then investigates in order to uncover the mystery of her sister's death, while, reluctantly, also filling her shoes in the movie role she hadn't quite finished before she was murdered.
Add a touch of romance... sweet and clean until just before the very end and you have a romantic suspense novel that is both a quick read and endearing. You will be transported to a time when Hollywood films were churned out enmasse, traveling by train was the norm, and people said they were sore when they were angry/frustrated/upset. We can only hope this will be developed into a series and we will see more of this style from Sophie.
There is some mature audience content in this book.
An honest review in exchange for receiving an ARC copy of the book from the author.
February 16, 2021
I received a free ARC in exchange for my honest review. This is my opinion and was not influenced by anyone.
I am a fan of Sophie Lark and Starlet is not like anything I have read by her. She is able to capture the feel of old film noir in this book. This story reaches into old Hollywood to explore a starlet's murder. When actress Clara Bloom is murdered, her sister Alice flies out to L.A. She needs to find out what happened to her sister and who did this to her. Jack Woods is a patrol officer takes over the case. He works with Clara trying to keep her safe and solve the crime. A romance develops with the couple although they manage to keep their focus on finding the culprit.
In the story we also get fictionalized accounts of Cecil B. De Mille,
Bugsy Malone, Clark Gable and Hedda Hopper. This story winds L.A. history into the fiction. The murder mystery deepens the more Clara digs into her sister's life. I love old movies and really feel it captured in the words and images on the page. The story has great style and class and it will draw you in quickly and hold you there.
I am a fan of Sophie Lark and Starlet is not like anything I have read by her. She is able to capture the feel of old film noir in this book. This story reaches into old Hollywood to explore a starlet's murder. When actress Clara Bloom is murdered, her sister Alice flies out to L.A. She needs to find out what happened to her sister and who did this to her. Jack Woods is a patrol officer takes over the case. He works with Clara trying to keep her safe and solve the crime. A romance develops with the couple although they manage to keep their focus on finding the culprit.
In the story we also get fictionalized accounts of Cecil B. De Mille,
Bugsy Malone, Clark Gable and Hedda Hopper. This story winds L.A. history into the fiction. The murder mystery deepens the more Clara digs into her sister's life. I love old movies and really feel it captured in the words and images on the page. The story has great style and class and it will draw you in quickly and hold you there.
February 2, 2021
Alice Bloom's sister was murdered and this is the story of her struggle to find the killer and get justice for her sister's murder.
This story is set in the 1940's which gives it a vintage fun feel. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the quirks of it!
Sophie is like the master of mafia but she did fantastic on this book! I loved it so much!
Alice and her smarts are amazing, and the fact that she remembers so much is stunning. I loved the flow of the book, it's like the game Clue.. was it the butler with a candle stick? The answers will surprise you!
Jack and Alice's dynamic is so neat and steamy. I loved them two and I loved that this book was somewhat conventional, it wasn't relying on the sex scenes to carry the book. I loved the murder mystery and the vintage vibes of this book. The way they thought there would be nothing left of the world after the war and the sadness surrounding Germany and the Jews and the reality of it all. It felt as if I was living in those times. I felt like I was immersed in the book with the characters and I loved every minute of it!
This story is set in the 1940's which gives it a vintage fun feel. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the quirks of it!
Sophie is like the master of mafia but she did fantastic on this book! I loved it so much!
Alice and her smarts are amazing, and the fact that she remembers so much is stunning. I loved the flow of the book, it's like the game Clue.. was it the butler with a candle stick? The answers will surprise you!
Jack and Alice's dynamic is so neat and steamy. I loved them two and I loved that this book was somewhat conventional, it wasn't relying on the sex scenes to carry the book. I loved the murder mystery and the vintage vibes of this book. The way they thought there would be nothing left of the world after the war and the sadness surrounding Germany and the Jews and the reality of it all. It felt as if I was living in those times. I felt like I was immersed in the book with the characters and I loved every minute of it!
February 4, 2021
4.4 stars! Golden Age Mystery....
Starlet is a mystery romance set in the golden era of Hollywood, starring Alice Bloom and Officer Jack Woods as MCs and an ensemble of secondary characters, all interwinned in the answer to Clara Bloom's murder. Sophie presents a well concocted story about the homicide of a well known actress in the Hollywood scene, Clara Bloom and the search for the culprit by her sister Alice with the help of the handsome detective. I had a lot of fun reading this tale: it grabs you from the beginning, it makes you theorize, it asks for your attention to the details. And the appearance of real life personalities and facts was ingenious and refreshing! All in all, it was a great challenge to the mind and to the capacity to interconnect the clues.
Nothing like I've ever read from Mrs. Lark, but exciting all the same!
It's time to put your heads on the game people!!!
I received an ARC and this is my voluntary and honest review.
Starlet is a mystery romance set in the golden era of Hollywood, starring Alice Bloom and Officer Jack Woods as MCs and an ensemble of secondary characters, all interwinned in the answer to Clara Bloom's murder. Sophie presents a well concocted story about the homicide of a well known actress in the Hollywood scene, Clara Bloom and the search for the culprit by her sister Alice with the help of the handsome detective. I had a lot of fun reading this tale: it grabs you from the beginning, it makes you theorize, it asks for your attention to the details. And the appearance of real life personalities and facts was ingenious and refreshing! All in all, it was a great challenge to the mind and to the capacity to interconnect the clues.
Nothing like I've ever read from Mrs. Lark, but exciting all the same!
It's time to put your heads on the game people!!!
I received an ARC and this is my voluntary and honest review.
February 10, 2021
This story is very different from the Bratva/Mafia love triangles Sophie is well known for. This story is not about alpha brutal men running things with an iron fist, though a Mafioso has a small part. This is a thrilling murder mystery taking place in the late 1930s. Sadly a beautiful young Hollywood starlet has been murdered and her devoted sister is going to find out what happened…who-done-it???
Alice Bloom is starting her search at the movie studio and in particular on the set of her beloved older sister, Clara Bloom’s final film. “Arabian Nights” is directed by Cecil B. DE mill and stars screen-idol Clark Gable. Clara was playing the love interest opposite Mr. Gable.
Sophie Lark submerges us in 1930s Hollywood where we mingle with the film people and heartthrob gangster Bugsy Siegel. Lots of quirky people in this story! This is an intense who-done-it thriller/ mystery that will keep you guessing. Oh yea, there’s a happy ending for wonderful Alice and Sweet Jack. I LOVED THIS STORY. I read free in exchange for an honest review. Linda
Alice Bloom is starting her search at the movie studio and in particular on the set of her beloved older sister, Clara Bloom’s final film. “Arabian Nights” is directed by Cecil B. DE mill and stars screen-idol Clark Gable. Clara was playing the love interest opposite Mr. Gable.
Sophie Lark submerges us in 1930s Hollywood where we mingle with the film people and heartthrob gangster Bugsy Siegel. Lots of quirky people in this story! This is an intense who-done-it thriller/ mystery that will keep you guessing. Oh yea, there’s a happy ending for wonderful Alice and Sweet Jack. I LOVED THIS STORY. I read free in exchange for an honest review. Linda
February 6, 2021
Starlet is the quirky-fun mystery that you didn’t know you needed, and now you can’t live without it! It’s set in the ‘40s, and I highly recommend listening to Sophie Lark’s playlist while you read it. The nostalgic writing style transports you back to Hollywood’s glamours age and it’s seedy dark-side.
In this smart, who-done-it, Alice takes her murdered sister’s place in an epic film, Arabian Nights!, to find her killer. It is a fresh take on the mystery genre. It’s campy without being over the top. Alice is dedicated, heartbroken, and savvy. She enlists the help of the enigmatic Sergeant Woods to help her find the person who murdered Clara. As she says, she has lots of people with the opportunity but no motive and people with motive without the opportunity. The name dropping of famous icons is so fun!
This is a departure from Sophie’s usual romance. This is a mystery with a splash of romance, and her previous books have been hot and heavy romances. This is the perfect book to pick you up and shed some of the heaviness currently in the world. And for Sophie’s fans, the romance does get steamy with a HEA.
I received an ARC and voluntarily wrote a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews