An Orphan of the Light

by Frank Scozzari

A young woman haunted by a riddle from her past befriends a detective who is obsessed with an old case involving a suicide off the Hollywood Sign. Together they unravel the past, which sets the young woman on an ill-fated course of truth and revenge.

394 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 1, 2027

About the author

Frank Scozzari is an American novelist and short story writer. A five-time Pushcart Prize nominee, his short stories have been widely anthologized and featured in literary theater.

Reviews

[Kathryn CARRUTHERS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thriller made me feel I was right there in the Hollywood Hills watching on and holding my breath as the plot unravelled piece by piece. I loved it!


Garrett and Moira, an experienced LAPD cop and a beautiful young waitress/aspiring actress, come together by chance and together try to understand the circumstances surrounding a death which occurred 20 years ago in the Hollywood region of Los Angeles. The case has been formally closed, but Garrett is concerned about a missing toxicology report, as well as editing of a photograph contained in the file. As the story unfolds we learn about Moira’s background, plus job in the Mimosa Café, and begin to understand why she so craves the stardom of being a Hollywood actress, and what drives her to succeed. We see how she uses her beauty and acting skills to extract information from Garrett, Francisco - a fellow café employee, and Dave - one of the group of executive film producers who regularly frequent the café.

In their own way, both appear very strong individuals: Garrett a calm, law enforcer and Moira a flirty, vivacious waitress. However, it is Garrett’s overall strength of character and rapid thinking that ultimately succeed as the truth comes to light in this exciting, dark tale.

Based on how Peg Entwistle, a British actress took her own life in Hollywood back in 1932, An Orphan of Light, is a truly beguiling thriller which I’ll think about for a very long time.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Orphan of the Light by Frank Scozzari blends LA’s real darkness with a mystery that feels personal, historical, and unsettlingly plausible. The Hollywood sign isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a graveyard of dreams.

I received an Advance Readers Copy and promised to provide an honest review. Truthfully, I can’t stop thinking about this book. I grew up in LA, and following Detective Garrett through those streets felt familiar, especially with the iconic Hollywood sign watching over everything.

The reveal of the title’s meaning was clever and poignant. And Moira, the waitress and want‑to‑be actress who looks uncannily like a starlet long gone, adds a strange, eerie thread that pulls Garrett off balance and kept me guessing. How could these deaths be connected when they were all ruled suicides? Was something more sinister afoot? The book doesn’t just ask that question; it haunts you with it.

It’s important to note that the story centers on suicide and mental illness. That is a major trigger for some readers, and it’s woven through both the present day case and the 1970s storyline. The book never treats the subject lightly. Instead, it uses the rawness of that connection to punch straight through to a detective story that explores truth, revenge, and the way Hollywood buries its tragedies.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve mixed feelings about this book. I think it’s a good story but it’s a bit dark and there’s some deep sadness in it. The past and present are all entwined and there’s a homicide cop and an aspiring actress from the Midwest. It’s poignant and at times thrilling. It’s on the darker side or about the darker side of Hollywood. I can’t say I fully enjoyed it although I will say it is enthralling.
I received an arc via BookSirens this is my honest review.

[Bruce Tamanaha · Rating 4 out of 5]

What looked like a murder mystery turns into a a cold case chase.

What Moira wanted was revenge, while Garrett had to prevent it. In the end, it was all about the living and surviving.

The book is entertaining.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to author Frank Scozzari for this free Kindle copy of An Orphan of the Light.

An engaging read spun from the tragic death of real life actress Peg Entwistle, with a nice nod to her on the last page.

Well written and nicely paced, needing just another go-through on the editing. All-in-all, a good read.

[Nelli Chochieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing and atmospheric novel that dives deep into the dark, obsessive underbelly of Hollywood dreams. The author masterfully weaves together the parallel psychological struggles of a modern-day hopeful and the tragic ghosts of Hollywood's past. A haunting, cinematic read that captures the haunting allure of Tinseltown