The Unforgettable Loretta Darling - by Katherine Blake (Paperback)

About the Book

"The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets Killing Eve in this addictive debut novel about a makeup artist turned feminist vigilante killer It's 1950 and Loretta Reynolds is newly arrived in Hollywood, fresh off a con that brought her from England to the sunny shores of California. She's running away from rumors and towards her ambition to become a makeup artist to the stars. But when her new aspiring-actor husband takes her to a sex-fueled Hollywood party on their wedding night hoping to trade her to a powerful director for a favor, she discovers the darker side of Tinseltown and sets out on a path of revenge against the men who play God. Loretta is not alone-she amasses a band of La-La-Land misfits: an aging starlet past her prime, a friendly neighborhood sex worker, and a brooding screenwriter who proves yes, not all men-just most... So when Loretta's big break finally comes, Hollywood better beware, because there's something deadlier than makeup lurking in her beauty case, and not all her clients will make it out alive..."--

Book Synopsis

An aspiring makeup artist takes on predatory Hollywood in this addictive debut novel with bite--a sultry, thrilling blend of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Killing Eve, and A Promising Young Woman.

It's 1950 and Loretta Reynolds is newly arrived in Hollywood, fresh off a con that brought her from England to the sunny shores of California. She's running away from a complicated past to fulfill her ambition of becoming a makeup artist to the stars.

When her new husband, a would-be actor, takes her to a sex-fueled Hollywood party on their wedding night--hoping to trade her to a powerful director for a favor--she discovers the dark side of Tinseltown and sets out on a path of revenge against the cruel men who use their money and power to play with lives and dreams.

In her quest for vengeance, Loretta gathers a band of La-La-Land misfits: a fading starlet past her prime, a friendly neighborhood sex worker, and a brooding screenwriter who proves yes, not all men are evil--just most . . .

Now, Loretta is about to get her big break--and Hollywood better beware. Loretta has learned a lot about makeup, and more. . . and some of her clients might not make it out alive.

Review Quotes

"Old-fashioned murder meets glam with the The Unforgettable Loretta Darling by Katherine Blake, one of my favorite books of the month. This book follows an aspiring makeup artist who gathers a band of women to get revenge on Hollywood's evil men at the time. It was like watching a Wild Western, but with an alluring twist." -- New York Post

"When aspiring makeup artist Loretta Reynolds discovers the truth about 1950s Tinseltown, she rallies a group of gals against the cruel, powerful men of the industry. With its dry wit and sweet vengeance, author Katherine Blake's debut is as crisp, classic, and satisfying as a Musso & Frank martini." -- Entertainment Weekly

"This is a witty, delicious read." -- The Montecito Journal

"Readers will root for Loretta Darling, her budding romance with Scott Eliot and her intriguing friends but don't get on her bad side! The Unforgettable Loretta Darling is in glorious Technicolor; fun-filled dark humor, surprises and an entertaining look back at the glamorous as well as seedy side of Hollywood in the early 1950's. Katherine Blake has written a novel that could be a blockbuster film!" -- BookTrib

"A fun romp through the early days of Hollywood sets, power struggles, jealousies and intrigue in the movie business." -- The Paris Insider

"Blake gives us a fascinating character we can't help but root for." -- Woman Around Town Blog

"An aspiring makeup artist takes on predatory Hollywood in this addictive debut novel with bite--a sultry, thrilling blend of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Killing Eve, and A Promising Young Woman." -- The Nerd Daily

"Picture Daphne from Frasier gone rogue and you have Loretta Darling! You will love this saucy little British grifter unleashed in 1940s Hollywood with a makeup brush and a plan for vengeance on very bad men--what a delicious dark delight of a book!" -- Bestselling author Jenna Blum

"So sassy and delicious. Loretta is one cool character." -- Josie Silver, New York Times Bestselling author

"I loved it!" -- S.J. Bennett

"Great fun--Loretta is glorious!" -- Lucy Diamond, Sunday Times bestselling author

"Set in the Golden Era of Hollywood this is a glamorous, deliciously fun read which will keep you hooked until the very last page." -- C. L. Miller, internationally bestselling author of The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder

"I've been reading the charming, dazzling, irresistible, The Unforgettable Loretta Darling--imagine The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets How to Kill Your Family. Katherine Blake's debut oozes Golden-Age Hollywood glamour combined with razor-sharp wit. I LOVED it!" -- Jessica Bull, author of Miss Austen Investigates