The Starlets - by Lee Kelly & Jennifer Thorne (Paperback)

About the Book

Real life is turning out to be stranger than a script for the silver screen.

Book Synopsis

One perfect island. Two rivals. A star-studded cast.

But underneath the glitter, disaster is brewing.

Summer, 1958. Vivienne Rhodes thinks she's finally landed her break playing Helen of Troy in Apex Pictures' big-budget epic, A Thousand Ships, an anticipated blockbuster meant to resurrect the failing studio. Naturally, she's devastated when she arrives on the remote Italian island of Tavalli and finds herself cast as the secondary character, Cassandra--while her nemesis, the fiancé-stealing Lottie Lawrence, America's supposed "sweetheart," is playing the lead role instead.

The tension on set, though, turns deadly when the ladies discover that members of the crew are using the production as a front for something decidedly illegal--and that they are willing to kill to keep their dealings under wraps. When the two women find themselves on the run and holding key evidence, Vivienne and Lottie frantically agree to work together to deliver the proof to Interpol, hoping to protect both their lives and their careers.

Staying one step ahead of corrupt cops and looming mobsters, the archrivals flee across the seas. Their journey leads them into Monaco's casinos, Grace Kelly's palace, on a road trip through the Alps--even onto another film set, before a final showdown back on Tavalli, where the lives of the entire cast and crew hang in the balance. Vivienne and Lottie finally have the chance to be real heroines--to save the day, the film, maybe even each other--but only if they can first figure out how to share the spotlight.

• "A spry and suspenseful crime novel set just after Hollywood's golden age" (starred Publishers Weekly review)
• Stand-alone novel
• Book length: 84,000 words
• "A sheer delight! This fast-paced caper is fresh, fun, and exactly the escape readers need right now." --Marie Bostwick, New York Times bestselling author of Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly
• Perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Clive Cussler
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Review Quotes

'Author duo Kelly and Thorne (THE ANTIQUITY AFFAIR, 2023) return with a new historical thriller set in 1950s Hollywood . . . A fun, madcap romp through old Hollywood with an 'enemies to besties' twist, this book will be a hit with fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid's THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO (2019) and Ally Carter's THE BLONDE IDENTITY (2023).'--Booklist Review

'In their second collaboration (after THE ANTIQUITY AFFAIR), Kelly and Thorne brilliantly capture both the glamour and grit of Golden Age Hollywood and then deftly fold this into an entertaining plot imbued with just the right measure of danger . . . Pass the popcorn and settle in for a terrific time with this seamlessly crafted blend of historical fiction and old-school suspense.'--Library Journal Starred Review

'Kelly and Thorne are a phenomenal duo . . . two brilliant authors with boundless talent and a singularly remarkable voice.'--Elle Cosimano, New York Times bestselling author of the Finlay Donovan series

'Lights! Camera! Action! Once again, Kelly and Thorne have created a heart-pounding story of non-stop adventure and irrepressible fun . . . I enjoyed every moment of this 1950s glamorous adventure that whisked me from Hollywood to Italy, with a delightful stop in Monaco to visit America's favorite Princess Grace, and back to Hollywood again with two leading ladies who know who they are and have the courage to chase what they want. A must read!'--Katherine Reay, bestselling author of THE BERLIN LETTERS

'The glam of old Hollywood meets the empowerment vibe of BARBIE in this fast-paced European adventure that turns on-screen rivals into off-screen allies. Energetic, funny, and loads of fun.'--Lori Goldstein, author of LOVE, THEODOSIA: A NOVEL OF THEODOSIA BURR AND PHILIP HAMILTON

'THE STARLETS captivates from the first sentence. Brimming with Old Hollywood glamour, a twisty plot, and feuding film stars navigating increasingly sticky situations, this atmospheric, engrossing caper is your next must-read!'--Rachel Linden, bestselling author of THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF BEES and THE MAGIC OF LEMON DROP PIE

'THE STARLETS is the most fun I've had inside the pages of a book in a long time. The novel flips 'friends to foe' on its head, putting two competing actresses in the spotlight, transforming the starlets from adversaries to allies as they race across Europe to take down a kingpin. Shenanigans, quick thinking, and a cat-and-mouse game ensue. A propulsive, page-turning romp perfect for book clubs.'--Jenni L. Walsh, USA TODAY bestselling author

'Kelly and Thorne follow up THE ANTIQUITY AFFAIR with a spry and suspenseful crime novel set just after Hollywood's golden age . . . Kelly and Thorne make a clichand eacute;d setup entirely their own, wringing surprising depth from Vivienne and Lottie's mutual thawing without skimping on action or sumptuous descriptions of France and Italy. For movie buffs, this will be as welcome as a cool breeze on a hot day.'--Publishers Weekly Starred Review

'Glamour. Danger. Adventure. Enemies to besties. Yes, please! This book has just the right touches of killer (pun intended) locations that our heroines get to zip around Europe like an exploded champagne cork. Throw in some Hollywood touches, Esther Williams vibes, and this story is served like the perfect cocktail.'--J'nell Ciesielski, author of THE WINGED TIARA

'Well-crafted and deliciously devourable, THE STARLETS tosses you onto a Hollywood movie set filled with everything you'd expect and want--glitz and glamor, love, jealousy, extravagance, jaunts across Europe . . . and murder! Plot twists abound when archrivals unite as real-life heroines who must save the day or all is lost, including their lives! A page-turning, exhilarating wild ride of a story that I devoured in a single weekend!'--Jennifer Moorman, bestselling author of THE BAKER'S MAN and THE MAGIC ALL AROUND