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Lillian Frost & Edith Head #5
Idle Gossip
Gossip columnist Lorna Whitcomb knows every dirty secret in Hollywood . . . except who killed her tipster. Sleuthing duo Lillian Frost and Edith Head investigate in this head-turning mystery.
1940, Los Angeles. Hollywood's famous gossip columnist, Lorna Whitcomb, has summoned Lillian Frost and her sleuthing partner, costume designer extraordinaire Edith Head, to her office. Lorna's 'leg man' Sam Simcoe - the man who finds the scandalous material for her column - is in trouble. Tipster Glenn Hoyle has been murdered, and Sam is the LAPD's only suspect. But Sam didn't just find Glenn's body when he paid him a visit. Hiding in a wastebasket was a list of three names - a starlet, a producer and a director - and Sam's sure Glenn had an explosive story on all of them. Was it just idle gossip, or could it explain his murder?
Lorna wants Edith and Lillian to find Glenn's killer before her powerful enemies strike. In a town full of secrets, Edith and Lillian must expose the dirtiest one of all: who killed Glenn Hoyle?
1940, Los Angeles. Hollywood's famous gossip columnist, Lorna Whitcomb, has summoned Lillian Frost and her sleuthing partner, costume designer extraordinaire Edith Head, to her office. Lorna's 'leg man' Sam Simcoe - the man who finds the scandalous material for her column - is in trouble. Tipster Glenn Hoyle has been murdered, and Sam is the LAPD's only suspect. But Sam didn't just find Glenn's body when he paid him a visit. Hiding in a wastebasket was a list of three names - a starlet, a producer and a director - and Sam's sure Glenn had an explosive story on all of them. Was it just idle gossip, or could it explain his murder?
Lorna wants Edith and Lillian to find Glenn's killer before her powerful enemies strike. In a town full of secrets, Edith and Lillian must expose the dirtiest one of all: who killed Glenn Hoyle?
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2022
5 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Renee Patrick
6 books133 followersRenee Patrick is the pseudonym for married authors Rosemarie and Vince Keenan. Rosemarie is a research administrator and a poet. Vince is a screenwriter and a journalist. Both native New Yorkers, they currently live in Seattle, Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 1, 2022
Many thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review Idle Gossip. All opinions and comments are my own.
The antics of this week’s Oscars broadcast serve to highlight just one of the many themes in Renee Patrick’s latest Lillian Frost and Edith Head’s Hollywood whodunit, Idle Gossip: there ain’t many friends in Tinseltown. Because who killed the handy tipster, who fed Lorna Whitcomb, once coined “the nicest of all the Hollywood gossip columnists,” many of her best stories? The cops say it was her right hand “leg man,” ‘cause the dead guy wanted his job. Lorna says that’s impossible, and she wants Lillian and Edith to prove it -- or else nice goes out the window, doncha know.
Our story helpfully begins with a list of who’s who and what’s what, handy that; especially since this is quite the big cast of characters. And characters they are, in the author’s usual distinctive fashion.
Edith and Lillian are handed a list of four possible suspects, and begin their investigating. Because it involves their reputation, and the studio (Lorna can do a lot of damage if she wants to), they’re going to take this seriously, while of course doing a lot of visiting along the way. Oh, hello, Bing Crosby! And there’s Orson Welles. And lovely Barbara Stanwyck, who’s a hoot.
One mustn’t forget Lillian’s real job, as assistant to Addison Rice. In our story he’s busy trying to establish a Hollywood Museum, an “archive of movie history,” as he calls it. There’s some trouble brewing there, with a new character on the scene. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays out.
A trip to Del Mar Race Track gives us a chance to “visit” with more stars, and the track is the setting for everything to be figured out. Detective Glen Morrow (still interested in Lillian, apparently) is there to seal the deal for the L.A. coppers. Lorna gets her resolution, maybe not the one she was looking for, unfortunately, and it can’t be fixed in Post, but hey, that’s Hollywood for ya. But something good comes out of it all for Edith. Read Idle Gossip, and find out.
I should also mention the chapter headings are plot points for the drama in themselves, and keys to the town’s history. “Hollywood Babylon,” indeed.
An author’s note speaks to inspiration for the plot, including the real stories and people, and the Hollywood Museum idea, which has finally come to fruition. And throughout readers will get the usual name-dropping that is a staple of the series (this is #5). The husband-and-wife writing team has, as usual done their research. I read these books as much for the Hollywood history they present as for the mystery plotting they contain. Either way, they’re a treat.
The antics of this week’s Oscars broadcast serve to highlight just one of the many themes in Renee Patrick’s latest Lillian Frost and Edith Head’s Hollywood whodunit, Idle Gossip: there ain’t many friends in Tinseltown. Because who killed the handy tipster, who fed Lorna Whitcomb, once coined “the nicest of all the Hollywood gossip columnists,” many of her best stories? The cops say it was her right hand “leg man,” ‘cause the dead guy wanted his job. Lorna says that’s impossible, and she wants Lillian and Edith to prove it -- or else nice goes out the window, doncha know.
Our story helpfully begins with a list of who’s who and what’s what, handy that; especially since this is quite the big cast of characters. And characters they are, in the author’s usual distinctive fashion.
Edith and Lillian are handed a list of four possible suspects, and begin their investigating. Because it involves their reputation, and the studio (Lorna can do a lot of damage if she wants to), they’re going to take this seriously, while of course doing a lot of visiting along the way. Oh, hello, Bing Crosby! And there’s Orson Welles. And lovely Barbara Stanwyck, who’s a hoot.
One mustn’t forget Lillian’s real job, as assistant to Addison Rice. In our story he’s busy trying to establish a Hollywood Museum, an “archive of movie history,” as he calls it. There’s some trouble brewing there, with a new character on the scene. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays out.
A trip to Del Mar Race Track gives us a chance to “visit” with more stars, and the track is the setting for everything to be figured out. Detective Glen Morrow (still interested in Lillian, apparently) is there to seal the deal for the L.A. coppers. Lorna gets her resolution, maybe not the one she was looking for, unfortunately, and it can’t be fixed in Post, but hey, that’s Hollywood for ya. But something good comes out of it all for Edith. Read Idle Gossip, and find out.
I should also mention the chapter headings are plot points for the drama in themselves, and keys to the town’s history. “Hollywood Babylon,” indeed.
An author’s note speaks to inspiration for the plot, including the real stories and people, and the Hollywood Museum idea, which has finally come to fruition. And throughout readers will get the usual name-dropping that is a staple of the series (this is #5). The husband-and-wife writing team has, as usual done their research. I read these books as much for the Hollywood history they present as for the mystery plotting they contain. Either way, they’re a treat.
April 13, 2022
Lillian Frost and Edith Head have been summoned to the office of famed gossip columnist Lorna Whitcomb. Her “leg man,” someone who goes out and gathers the gossip for her column, is the police’s prime suspect in the death of Glenn Hoyle, one of his sources. But Sam Simcoe says he is innocent and only found Glenn’s body. Lorna all but blackmails Lillian and Edith into helping clear Sam’s name of the crime. The pair intend to do as little as possible, focusing on the names on a list found in Glenn’s trashcan. Does one of those names hold the key to unraveling the murder?
As always, this was a great trip back in time to the Hollywood of 1940. Real people and fictional characters rub elbows on these pages. I suspect that a few more of the characters might be real people I just didn’t recognize, but I don’t mind since it helps keep the line between real and fictional blurry. And they are all great characters that kept me engaged. The plot is strong, with several revelations before we reach a surprising yet perfectly logical climax. If you enjoy old Hollywood, this series is a must read, but anyone who appreciates a great mystery will be glad they picked it up.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
As always, this was a great trip back in time to the Hollywood of 1940. Real people and fictional characters rub elbows on these pages. I suspect that a few more of the characters might be real people I just didn’t recognize, but I don’t mind since it helps keep the line between real and fictional blurry. And they are all great characters that kept me engaged. The plot is strong, with several revelations before we reach a surprising yet perfectly logical climax. If you enjoy old Hollywood, this series is a must read, but anyone who appreciates a great mystery will be glad they picked it up.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
April 30, 2022
Do you love Hollywood gossip? Idle Gossip by Renee Patrick is a delightful book set in 1940 among Hollywood's most glamorous stars, including Clark Gable, Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Taylor, Orson Wells and Fred Astaire.
In this mysterious whodunit, Lillian Frost and Edith Head try to solve the brutal murder of Glenn Hoyle. Local gossip columnist Lorna Whitcomb knows all the dirty secrets, lies, and intimate details of life in Hollywood. Her right-hand man Sam Simone is among the suspects in Glenn's murder. He was "supposedly" the last one to see Glenn. Can you help Lillian and Edith solve this juicy, scandalous crime?
Let's talk about the authors:
Renee Patrick is a pseudonym for the dynamic writing team Vince and Rosemarie Keenan. Idle Gossip is the 5th book in the Lillian Frost and Edith Head Mystery series. It is available on May 3rd.
Thank you, NetGalley and Severn House, for the honor of reviewing this sizzling new book. It is an intriguing mystery and looks back at glamorous Hollywood stars.
In this mysterious whodunit, Lillian Frost and Edith Head try to solve the brutal murder of Glenn Hoyle. Local gossip columnist Lorna Whitcomb knows all the dirty secrets, lies, and intimate details of life in Hollywood. Her right-hand man Sam Simone is among the suspects in Glenn's murder. He was "supposedly" the last one to see Glenn. Can you help Lillian and Edith solve this juicy, scandalous crime?
Let's talk about the authors:
Renee Patrick is a pseudonym for the dynamic writing team Vince and Rosemarie Keenan. Idle Gossip is the 5th book in the Lillian Frost and Edith Head Mystery series. It is available on May 3rd.
Thank you, NetGalley and Severn House, for the honor of reviewing this sizzling new book. It is an intriguing mystery and looks back at glamorous Hollywood stars.
November 12, 2022
I love this series, and this entry did not disappoint. Lillian and Edith are front and center in the quest to determine who killed an aspiring "leg man" to gossip columnist Lorna Whitcomb. Lots of characters who conjure up old Hollywood and many red herrings that kept this reader turning pages.
Why I'm reading this: One of my favorite series! I've been waiting for this to clear my library's hold list for ages.
Why I'm reading this: One of my favorite series! I've been waiting for this to clear my library's hold list for ages.
June 24, 2022
My favorite fictional sleuths are back! Whenever I pick up one of the novels in Renee Patrick's Lillian Frost and Edith Head series, I'm always struck by how it feels like I'm saying hello to some old friends. With each new installment, Lillian's Hollywood is fleshed out more fully with delightful cameos, recurring fan favorites like Bing Crosby and Barbara Stanwyck, and a rich (and ever-growing) cast of original characters. Even the minor characters--like former showgirl Mrs. Quigley or Lillian's Cagney-loving priest--make this feel like such a fully realized world that I'm always excited to dive back into. I enjoy seeing what mystery Renee Patrick will cook up next, but even more than that, it's always just nice to settle in with one of these books and see what Lillian and her friends (real and fictional) are up to in their day-to-day lives. I adore Lillian and Edith's friendship and love how the authors bring Lillian into real events in Edith's life... I can only imagine how excited our heroine will be when Edith wins her first Oscar and I sincerely hope the duo will still be cracking cases together for many years to come. As long as Renee Patrick continues writing these stories, I will be reading them loyally!
Once again, I just have to say that if you love old movies and haven't started this series yet, you are seriously missing out!
P.S.: Tipping my hat to the authors for the use of the phrase "apropos chapeau"... well done.
Once again, I just have to say that if you love old movies and haven't started this series yet, you are seriously missing out!
P.S.: Tipping my hat to the authors for the use of the phrase "apropos chapeau"... well done.
May 2, 2022
I love these Hollywood mysteries of Lillian Frost and Edith Head.
They are advancing slowly and scarily in time towards U.S. involvement with war in Europe - which reads in an unfortunately timely way. The concept that the media is shaping public opinion also has its frisson of timeliness. Which is not why I read them! I love the characters and the adroit way the author(s) weave in the goings-on of the famous and infamous. I was happy to see Detective Gene Morrow back in Lillian's orbit (not close enough, if you ask me). But I worry about her old friend Simon Fischer, no longer driving for Lodestar, and I have nothing but suspicions about Freddie Sewell who has wormed his way into her boss, Addison's, good graces.
Of course, there's a murder mystery to be solved, and it is. Along with practical fashion advice and swoon-worthy clothing descriptions. For me, the most consuming mystery is - when will Book 6 hit the stands?
They are advancing slowly and scarily in time towards U.S. involvement with war in Europe - which reads in an unfortunately timely way. The concept that the media is shaping public opinion also has its frisson of timeliness. Which is not why I read them! I love the characters and the adroit way the author(s) weave in the goings-on of the famous and infamous. I was happy to see Detective Gene Morrow back in Lillian's orbit (not close enough, if you ask me). But I worry about her old friend Simon Fischer, no longer driving for Lodestar, and I have nothing but suspicions about Freddie Sewell who has wormed his way into her boss, Addison's, good graces.
Of course, there's a murder mystery to be solved, and it is. Along with practical fashion advice and swoon-worthy clothing descriptions. For me, the most consuming mystery is - when will Book 6 hit the stands?
January 17, 2023
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Idle Gossip is the 5th historical Hollywood mystery featuring amateur sleuths Lillian Frost & Edith Head by Renee Patrick. Released 3rd May 2022 by Severn House, it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
These are exceptionally well written historical mysteries which are engaging and entertaining. The gossip and intrigue between actors/actresses/studios/and luminaries of the golden age of "talkies" fairly leap off the page. The author has an excellent grasp of plotting and storytelling and the action flows smoothly. I didn't find my interest wandering and I wasn't yanked out of the story once by clunky or incomplete dialogue. The fictional story is woven so skillfully around a framework of actual historical events and people, that it's not always clear where truth shades into fiction.
Despite not being fast friends with gossip columnist Lorna, Edith & Lillian are prevailed upon to look into a murder which Lorna's assistant Sam is suspected of. Everyone has dirty secrets they don't want to see the light of day, and it's Edith & Lillian's job to figure out what they're hiding, whether it's relevant, and who's actually responsible for the murder.
The mystery is self contained in this volume and it works very well as a standalone. The entire series is excellent, however, and highly recommended. With 5 books extant in the series, it would make an good choice for a binge/buddy read.
Four and a half stars. Well worth a read.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Idle Gossip is the 5th historical Hollywood mystery featuring amateur sleuths Lillian Frost & Edith Head by Renee Patrick. Released 3rd May 2022 by Severn House, it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
These are exceptionally well written historical mysteries which are engaging and entertaining. The gossip and intrigue between actors/actresses/studios/and luminaries of the golden age of "talkies" fairly leap off the page. The author has an excellent grasp of plotting and storytelling and the action flows smoothly. I didn't find my interest wandering and I wasn't yanked out of the story once by clunky or incomplete dialogue. The fictional story is woven so skillfully around a framework of actual historical events and people, that it's not always clear where truth shades into fiction.
Despite not being fast friends with gossip columnist Lorna, Edith & Lillian are prevailed upon to look into a murder which Lorna's assistant Sam is suspected of. Everyone has dirty secrets they don't want to see the light of day, and it's Edith & Lillian's job to figure out what they're hiding, whether it's relevant, and who's actually responsible for the murder.
The mystery is self contained in this volume and it works very well as a standalone. The entire series is excellent, however, and highly recommended. With 5 books extant in the series, it would make an good choice for a binge/buddy read.
Four and a half stars. Well worth a read.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
August 1, 2022
Another mystery dripping with the glittery Golden Age of Hollywood, even when not all that glitters is gold, and the war overseas continues to be a distant but ominous threat.
This isn't the first book in the series to give me the impression that Lillian's main (not only, but main) role plot-wise is to serve as the reader's eyes while she watches Edith, Hollywood actors, and key fictional players do their thing. But what Lillian watches remains interesting overall, I dig the twists as they gradually come, and I learn a little something more about Hollywood history in every book.
I kind of like that this story pretty much takes a break from romance for Lillian, since I was never a fan of her old beau as a beau for her, and I didn't like how she handled another man who was really into her. But we'll see what happens on that minor-ish front.
The fifth Lillian Frost & Edith Head novel gave this lifelong historical fiction lover just the mystery fix she was looking for. As usual, I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for more to come.
This isn't the first book in the series to give me the impression that Lillian's main (not only, but main) role plot-wise is to serve as the reader's eyes while she watches Edith, Hollywood actors, and key fictional players do their thing. But what Lillian watches remains interesting overall, I dig the twists as they gradually come, and I learn a little something more about Hollywood history in every book.
I kind of like that this story pretty much takes a break from romance for Lillian, since I was never a fan of her old beau as a beau for her, and I didn't like how she handled another man who was really into her. But we'll see what happens on that minor-ish front.
The fifth Lillian Frost & Edith Head novel gave this lifelong historical fiction lover just the mystery fix she was looking for. As usual, I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for more to come.
July 19, 2022
9If you are a lover of all the Hollywood glamour of the 30's and 40's you are in for a delicious treat.
A delightful murder mystery set around the intoxicating world of the movie studios at the height of their glitzy reign over Los Angeles and centered around the fall of a flamboyant and very nasty gossip columnist.
I really enjoyed this terrific novel from start to finish with its dazzling cast of fictional and non fictional characters, its SOCAL atmosphere, its fabulous dialogues full of "bitchy" repartees and fabulous details about the dazzlingly superficial life of Tinseltown at the beginning of WWII.
Murderous shenanigans, greed, ambition, jealousy, treason & lies are some of the ingredients you will find in this unforgettable brew of human weaknesses...
A Californian cocktail that deserves to be enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever!
Many thanks to Severn and Netgalley for this terrific ARC
A delightful murder mystery set around the intoxicating world of the movie studios at the height of their glitzy reign over Los Angeles and centered around the fall of a flamboyant and very nasty gossip columnist.
I really enjoyed this terrific novel from start to finish with its dazzling cast of fictional and non fictional characters, its SOCAL atmosphere, its fabulous dialogues full of "bitchy" repartees and fabulous details about the dazzlingly superficial life of Tinseltown at the beginning of WWII.
Murderous shenanigans, greed, ambition, jealousy, treason & lies are some of the ingredients you will find in this unforgettable brew of human weaknesses...
A Californian cocktail that deserves to be enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever!
Many thanks to Severn and Netgalley for this terrific ARC
April 15, 2022
Did some of the gossip Glen Hoyle collected get him killed? That's what the police, Sam Simcoe, and Lorna Whitcomb- the Queen of Gossip- all think but they differ on who did it. So Lorna hires Lillian Frost and Edith Head (yes, that Edith Head) to find the truth. It's 1940s Hollywood and there's gossip galore for Lillian and Edith to sort through. Even though they've been given a list of four people to look at, they know there's more to the story. This has a huge cast (huge) with cameos from all sorts of famous Hollywood types (I found myself periodically checking). It's a fun look behind the scenes and it's got some chuckle worthy scenes as well. Don't worry if you haven't read the earlier books- this will be fine as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.
May 16, 2022
Many thanks to #NetGalley for an ARC of the newest Lillian Frost and Edith Head Mystery #IdleGossip! While the first in the series is still my fav, this holds a close second. All of the glitz & glamour of 1940s Hollywood is still on display and we get even more substance to Lillian & Edith. This one is a solid 'who-dun-it' style mystery complete with the required suspects, red herrings, and enough clues to keep everyone guessing with murders, drug dealers, rumor & gossip. Highly recommend this whole series to fans of classic Hollywood.
May 8, 2022
I love this series because it makes me travelling back in time to Hollywood Golden Age.
It's another well plotted whodunit that kept me hooked and guessing.
The historical background is vivid and the characters, both fictional and real, are well developed.
It was an entertaining read that i thoroughly enjoyed.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's another well plotted whodunit that kept me hooked and guessing.
The historical background is vivid and the characters, both fictional and real, are well developed.
It was an entertaining read that i thoroughly enjoyed.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
October 12, 2022
The actual mysteries were a little dull but the look at the era from fashion to scandals to the seedier sides of the “Biz” was fun. I enjoyed the fact that the fictional gossip columnist at the center of this story had a code of ethics where she never had an ambition to ruin careers or actually damage the glamorous facade that Hollywood presents. Some interesting developments in the lives of the regulars. I think I missed bk 4 in the series!
December 6, 2023
Idle Gossip is a winner
I always look forward to each book in this series. This one is terrific! From the first word to the last this team of writers kept me spellbound. The book is well researched. I feel I am right there with Lillian and Edith. I love thinking I get a glimpse of my favorite movie stars from the days when movies were truly classic ( before the sixties). Can’t wait for the next one.
I always look forward to each book in this series. This one is terrific! From the first word to the last this team of writers kept me spellbound. The book is well researched. I feel I am right there with Lillian and Edith. I love thinking I get a glimpse of my favorite movie stars from the days when movies were truly classic ( before the sixties). Can’t wait for the next one.
March 8, 2022
Los Angeles 1940. Glenn Hoyle, gossip tipster for legman Sam Simcoe is discovered dead and Simcoe becomes the police prime suspect. His employee, gossip columnist Lorna Whitcomb 'asks' Lillian and Edith to prove him innocent. But was it something that Hoyle discovered that resulted in his death or his other occupation.
An entertaining, well-plotted and well-written historical mystery with its cast of diverse and mainly likeable characters. Another good addition to this series which can easily be read as a standalone story.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
An entertaining, well-plotted and well-written historical mystery with its cast of diverse and mainly likeable characters. Another good addition to this series which can easily be read as a standalone story.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2022
I havent read anything by this author before and I didn't realise that this was a series so I read it as a standalone and it worked really well. Well written with an interesting and suspenseful storyline and well developed characters. I am definitely going to go back and read the series from the beginning.
February 7, 2023
Lillian Frost spends so much time sleuthing in this one that she risks losing her cushy job. Meanwhile, Count Oleg Cassini is trying to make a move on Edith Head’s job at Paramount. Nevertheless, they find the time to solve the mystery and Lillian gets to spend some time with her LAPD detective ex-boyfriend.
May 30, 2022
Hollywoodland comes alive again through the next novel in this consistently enjoyable series. Capturing the atmosphere of classic Hollywood, from its stars, places and events then wrapping it in a 40s stylish mystery, this series is golden for any classic movie fan.
August 12, 2022
Like the earlier books in this series, "Idle Gossip" is written for any "cozy" mystery fan who also loves movies from the Golden Age of Hollywood. The main characters are interesting, the mystery is well plotted, and the frequent cameos by real personalities of 1940 Hollywood are entertaining.
January 27, 2023
Another very interesting story from old Hollywood, this time about gossip columnists. A good mystery. I really like this series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews