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Lulu Kelly Mystery #2
Murder Among the Stars
After being framed for attempted murder, Lulu Kelly has earned a rest. Unfortunately, there is no rest in Hollywood for a rising starlet. Lulu and her boyfriend Freddie are invited to posh Hearst Castle, where Lulu will be competing against other young actresses for the role of a lifetime. But what’s a house party without a little murder?
After a rival actress is found dead under the dining room table, Lulu makes it her mission to solve the mystery. But illusion is this town’s number one export, and it’s hard to tell the ambitious from the truly evil. As the clues pile up, Lulu and Freddie race to find the killer, even as Lulu becomes the next target.
After a rival actress is found dead under the dining room table, Lulu makes it her mission to solve the mystery. But illusion is this town’s number one export, and it’s hard to tell the ambitious from the truly evil. As the clues pile up, Lulu and Freddie race to find the killer, even as Lulu becomes the next target.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published June 13, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 17, 2017
First, I was not aware that this was/is the second book in a series - I failed to be thorough in investing time in what I agreed to read and review... Second, I've learned a valuable lesson in being more aware and thoughtful when accepting books to read, review, etc. And to be more forward in asking for more details, questions, etc... And lastly, though I strongly feel that by not reading the first book and getting the main character's backstory I may not have understood the story completely which may have affected my reading experience, opinion, and rating of this book. However, with patience and pacing, it does/did seem that the book can be read as a standalone... so, here are my thoughts based on it being thought of as a standalone story:
All the up-and-coming starlets have been invited by the owner of the biggest film studio to come to his mansion and participate in a contest of sorts for the opportunity to win the lead in the next box-office-hit... as soon as the guests start settling in for their first dinner together, our main character Lulu discovers that one of the young actresses has been murdered. From there we get to see the true colors of every single guest, how materialistic and odd Hollywood can be, and many secrets start to unravel and controversial truths are revealed, ones that can easily destroy many reputations and lives.
Although we aren't told, I believe that the story seems to take place in the 1930's or 1940's with the mention of Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers, and Joan Crawford, and most definitely by the way they speak using words like 'skedaddle' and 'abso-tutely'... also, the unfairness of women being weak and single-minded, and also many having to hide their true lineage and heritage because of segregation and bigotry.
Lulu's character was quite interesting - she played her role perfectly! She was able to stay in character and be professional and try her best to stay in the game while showing genuine concern over everything that was happening around her. While others were busy with their own worries and problems, Lulu took it upon herself to care and try to help solve the mystery before more people were hurt. She was an equal to her boyfriend Freddie, also a security guard for the mansion, who in turn, treated her as an equal as well and often sought her out and consulted with her on the mystery while other men would just brush her off as just a curious women who should mind her business. I find that this era must be quite difficult to write about since times have changed so much, it was sometimes surprising to see how much women have modernized and changed.
The one character that I found extremely intriguing but very confusing was Sal. He and Lulu have a history together where he tried to control her and quite possibly may have attempted to kill her (in the first book). Meanwhile, now, it seemed as if none of that mattered anymore and that Lulu may have even misread him...? That didn't quite make sense to me, I feel that she would have still harbored bad feelings toward him and should have been more guarded... which brings me back to the fact that I really need to read the first book to answer these questions!
Although I did guess as to who the murderer is/was, it did have me doubting my choice a few times - Lulu was quite convincing in a few of the clues she found that pointed the finger to others. But in the end, I really enjoyed everyone's quirky "who cares" Hollywood attitudes and how these cliches still show up in today's modern world.
*I've been told that the first book in this series, GIRL ABOUT TOWN, is "original, savvy, fun and a page-turner" where you'll fall in love with Lulu and Freddie as you get to see the two meet, join forces and get to know each other... fall in love! And that you too will fall in love with them throughout it all! Knowing their story is a huge plus and would more likely make you enjoy MURDER AMONG THE STARS even more!!!
I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves Old Hollywood style stories and movies and for those who really enjoy murder mysteries with lots of twists and a touch of old-school 'whodunnit' glamour!
*A copy was sent to me by the publisher for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts here are my own.
All the up-and-coming starlets have been invited by the owner of the biggest film studio to come to his mansion and participate in a contest of sorts for the opportunity to win the lead in the next box-office-hit... as soon as the guests start settling in for their first dinner together, our main character Lulu discovers that one of the young actresses has been murdered. From there we get to see the true colors of every single guest, how materialistic and odd Hollywood can be, and many secrets start to unravel and controversial truths are revealed, ones that can easily destroy many reputations and lives.
Although we aren't told, I believe that the story seems to take place in the 1930's or 1940's with the mention of Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers, and Joan Crawford, and most definitely by the way they speak using words like 'skedaddle' and 'abso-tutely'... also, the unfairness of women being weak and single-minded, and also many having to hide their true lineage and heritage because of segregation and bigotry.
Lulu's character was quite interesting - she played her role perfectly! She was able to stay in character and be professional and try her best to stay in the game while showing genuine concern over everything that was happening around her. While others were busy with their own worries and problems, Lulu took it upon herself to care and try to help solve the mystery before more people were hurt. She was an equal to her boyfriend Freddie, also a security guard for the mansion, who in turn, treated her as an equal as well and often sought her out and consulted with her on the mystery while other men would just brush her off as just a curious women who should mind her business. I find that this era must be quite difficult to write about since times have changed so much, it was sometimes surprising to see how much women have modernized and changed.
The one character that I found extremely intriguing but very confusing was Sal. He and Lulu have a history together where he tried to control her and quite possibly may have attempted to kill her (in the first book). Meanwhile, now, it seemed as if none of that mattered anymore and that Lulu may have even misread him...? That didn't quite make sense to me, I feel that she would have still harbored bad feelings toward him and should have been more guarded... which brings me back to the fact that I really need to read the first book to answer these questions!
Although I did guess as to who the murderer is/was, it did have me doubting my choice a few times - Lulu was quite convincing in a few of the clues she found that pointed the finger to others. But in the end, I really enjoyed everyone's quirky "who cares" Hollywood attitudes and how these cliches still show up in today's modern world.
*I've been told that the first book in this series, GIRL ABOUT TOWN, is "original, savvy, fun and a page-turner" where you'll fall in love with Lulu and Freddie as you get to see the two meet, join forces and get to know each other... fall in love! And that you too will fall in love with them throughout it all! Knowing their story is a huge plus and would more likely make you enjoy MURDER AMONG THE STARS even more!!!
I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves Old Hollywood style stories and movies and for those who really enjoy murder mysteries with lots of twists and a touch of old-school 'whodunnit' glamour!
*A copy was sent to me by the publisher for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts here are my own.
October 25, 2017
MURDER AMONG THE STARS by Laura L. Sullivan and Adam Shankman is the second in the Lulu Kelly Mystery Series. This time around Lulu has found herself in the home of WR Hearst, a famous media mogul, to compete for the role of a lifetime. When one of the guests is found dead and a suspect is apprehended too conveniently, Lulu believes it to be foul play and launches her own secret investigation. Maintaining her safety and that of those around her is her top priority, but working within a cutthroat industry means there are many people with plausible motives. Lulu must be smart if she wants to survive.
I have not read the first book in this series and I still was able to understand and enjoy MURDER AMONG THE STARS. The authors repeat the relevant information from the first novel, so I never felt confused. With that being said, it did take me a few pages to get into the world. Many characters are introduced right away, but contrarily, the time period of the story is not mentioned until later. As a result, I had to pick up on dialogue clues to sense that this wasn’t present day. Had I known the main characters and the date, I would have been able to jump in quicker. Yet, once I developed a clear picture in my head, the pace began to pick up.
Choosing to set a story during Hollywood’s Golden Age is tricky, mainly because the attitudes and prejudices towards women and minorities were even more pronounced and extreme, particularly in Tinseltown. Sullivan and Shankman do a great job here at being true to the era without sugarcoating reality, but instead countering it with a protagonist who does not share the limiting beliefs of her peers. Consequently, Lulu, the main character, has a very contemporary appeal.
Overall, the book is fluffy, entertaining fun with a good twist at the end that I found pleasantly surprising. Those who are fans of the Amazon Series, THE LAST TYCOON, will enjoy MURDER AMONG THE STARS.
Review originally posted on Ya Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaficti...
I have not read the first book in this series and I still was able to understand and enjoy MURDER AMONG THE STARS. The authors repeat the relevant information from the first novel, so I never felt confused. With that being said, it did take me a few pages to get into the world. Many characters are introduced right away, but contrarily, the time period of the story is not mentioned until later. As a result, I had to pick up on dialogue clues to sense that this wasn’t present day. Had I known the main characters and the date, I would have been able to jump in quicker. Yet, once I developed a clear picture in my head, the pace began to pick up.
Choosing to set a story during Hollywood’s Golden Age is tricky, mainly because the attitudes and prejudices towards women and minorities were even more pronounced and extreme, particularly in Tinseltown. Sullivan and Shankman do a great job here at being true to the era without sugarcoating reality, but instead countering it with a protagonist who does not share the limiting beliefs of her peers. Consequently, Lulu, the main character, has a very contemporary appeal.
Overall, the book is fluffy, entertaining fun with a good twist at the end that I found pleasantly surprising. Those who are fans of the Amazon Series, THE LAST TYCOON, will enjoy MURDER AMONG THE STARS.
Review originally posted on Ya Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaficti...
September 15, 2017
I really wanted to like this book a lot. I truly did, but so much happened within its pages that much set my teeth on edge or made me roll my eyes. I finished it because I love classic Hollywood and the brief glimpses I got of famous actresses like Joan Crawford and Jean Harlow kept me coming back for more, but the main characters themselves...oy.
*Lulu - the supposed 'IT' girl a la P.I. snoop who's a badass one minute and a swooning fainting cliche the next.
*Freddie - Lulu's beau who is an actual PI, a former rich kid that hates to be reminded that his family is still rich, goes off on random jealous rages one minute, and acts like a love sick, overly coy puppy the next.
*William Randolph Hearst (or WR) as he's called occasionally - Just, don't get me started. Dude was a complete dick in the book. Seriously.
*Marion Davies - Hearst's mistress. A complete lush who somehow manages to hide the fact that she's a lush for the first half of the book, then it was like the authors gave up on the that and suddenly Marion is slurring and sloshing all over the place.
*Sal - The gangster from the first book (that admittedly I have not read) who kidnapped and tried to kill Lulu (events from the first book) who randomly shows up in this one, and Lulu goes from "Oh, I hate him and I'm terrified of him" to "Well, maybe he's not really so bad afterall." Are you kidding me?!
Also, I admit I was wrong regarding who the killer was, but the reason for WHY the killer did it? Again, way too cliche.
I know it's a young adult mystery, and I wasn't expecting it to be too too involved, but UGH, I just had a hard time finishing this book.
*Lulu - the supposed 'IT' girl a la P.I. snoop who's a badass one minute and a swooning fainting cliche the next.
*Freddie - Lulu's beau who is an actual PI, a former rich kid that hates to be reminded that his family is still rich, goes off on random jealous rages one minute, and acts like a love sick, overly coy puppy the next.
*William Randolph Hearst (or WR) as he's called occasionally - Just, don't get me started. Dude was a complete dick in the book. Seriously.
*Marion Davies - Hearst's mistress. A complete lush who somehow manages to hide the fact that she's a lush for the first half of the book, then it was like the authors gave up on the that and suddenly Marion is slurring and sloshing all over the place.
*Sal - The gangster from the first book (that admittedly I have not read) who kidnapped and tried to kill Lulu (events from the first book) who randomly shows up in this one, and Lulu goes from "Oh, I hate him and I'm terrified of him" to "Well, maybe he's not really so bad afterall." Are you kidding me?!
Also, I admit I was wrong regarding who the killer was, but the reason for WHY the killer did it? Again, way too cliche.
I know it's a young adult mystery, and I wasn't expecting it to be too too involved, but UGH, I just had a hard time finishing this book.
August 16, 2022
Adam Shankman and Laura L. Sullivan's "Murder Among the Stars" picks up from their debut novel, sending protagonists Lulu Kelly and her rich kid turned investigator boyfriend to San Simeon to attend a soiree hosted by William Randolph Hearst. The novel is a period piece set amongst the big names of Hollywood when Mary Pickford ruled and Douglas Fairbanks broke hearts. The authors give life to Hearst Castle — a welcome concept for those who have prowled the dark and aging rooms of present day visitor center status. Lulu, an aspiring actress and former dirt poor kid, can't let go of a good mystery and plunges headfirst into trying to figure out why one of the other guests and aspiring actresses would be murdered. It doesn't win her any friends. And although she and boyfriend Freddie Van start out working the case together, she's soon off on her own and getting herself targeted for an early demise. Shankman and Sullivan also introduce racism of the era in the form of a Black suspect, who the security team is more than ready to pin the blame on. There's more to his story, and Lulu digs up dirt on nearly everybody who appears on her growing suspect list. The novel is a fast read and definitely engaging. If there's a third in the series, I'll definitely order it for my library.
October 21, 2017
Shankman, Adam and Sullivan, Laura L. Murder Among the Stars, 308 pgs. Simon & Schuster, 2017. Language: PG ( 7 swears, 0“f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13 (one of the murders is rather grisly).
In the midst of a contest to win the role of a lifetime, a young starlet is murdered at Hearst Castle, but when Hearst is more concerned about a blackmail letter and another young actress is murdered, Lulu Kelly decides to solve the mystery herself, with some help from her private detective boyfriend, Freddie.
Oh my, this story is predictable, contrived and campy. It’s a mystery, but it doesn’t unravel well; the red herrings are almost silly, the suspects are stereotypical, and the situations are a bit far fetched. The characters are adults but it reads like a middle school story. It’s the second in a series - the story stood on its own, but I would recommend reading Girl About Town first. There were a lot of minor characters that were hard to keep track of - maybe they are in the first book. A “cast list” would have been helpful.
MS, HS - OPTIONAL Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
In the midst of a contest to win the role of a lifetime, a young starlet is murdered at Hearst Castle, but when Hearst is more concerned about a blackmail letter and another young actress is murdered, Lulu Kelly decides to solve the mystery herself, with some help from her private detective boyfriend, Freddie.
Oh my, this story is predictable, contrived and campy. It’s a mystery, but it doesn’t unravel well; the red herrings are almost silly, the suspects are stereotypical, and the situations are a bit far fetched. The characters are adults but it reads like a middle school story. It’s the second in a series - the story stood on its own, but I would recommend reading Girl About Town first. There were a lot of minor characters that were hard to keep track of - maybe they are in the first book. A “cast list” would have been helpful.
MS, HS - OPTIONAL Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
September 8, 2017
In the midst of a contest to win the role of a lifetime, a young starlet is murdered at Hearst Castle, but when Hearst is more concerned about a blackmail letter and another young actress is murdered, Lulu Kelly decides to solve the mystery herself, with some help from her private detective boyfriend, Freddie.
Oh my, this story is predictable, contrived and campy. It’s a mystery, but it doesn’t unravel well; the red herrings are almost silly, the suspects are stereotypical, and the situations are a bit far fetched. The characters are adults but it reads like a middle school story. It’s the second in a series - the story stood on its own, but I would recommend reading Girl About Town first. There were a lot of minor characters that were hard to keep track of - maybe they are in the first book. A “cast list” would have been helpful.
Crossposted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
Oh my, this story is predictable, contrived and campy. It’s a mystery, but it doesn’t unravel well; the red herrings are almost silly, the suspects are stereotypical, and the situations are a bit far fetched. The characters are adults but it reads like a middle school story. It’s the second in a series - the story stood on its own, but I would recommend reading Girl About Town first. There were a lot of minor characters that were hard to keep track of - maybe they are in the first book. A “cast list” would have been helpful.
Crossposted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
January 27, 2018
I feel like this series isn't my taste. It is well written and has a solid story line, but personally it has a lot to be desired in the appeal for young adult area. I read it in the purpose of finding more mystery type books for teens in my library, but this falls short of what I was expecting. It would be better suited in the tween section and marketed for those who like historical fiction or a lighter read.
May 13, 2022
I had no idea this was the second book of a series. I started reading because I liked how the it was set during Hollywood's Golden Age. This book was difficult to read and it was difficult to stay focused and finish the book because I hadn't read the first book. The reason for why the killer did it was a little cliche, but it was a fun book to read if you like murder mysteries for young teens.
February 14, 2018
2.5 stars
August 9, 2021
This Old Hollywood mystery was a fun read, and the second installment of the Lulu Kelly Mystery series. Lulu Kelly is a spunky young actress who’s not afraid to think outside the box and solve the mysteries the police seem to struggle with.
The 1930s or 1940s setting for this book made it a quirky, wholesome, young adult read. It was notable and amusing that Lulu Kelly and her boyfriend Freddie (whose relationship apparently developed in the first book in the series) never did more than steal a kiss. How refreshing!
Most of the characters were unremarkable and primarily defined by their roles—a bunch of Hollywood starlets competing for what they’ve been told is "the role of a lifetime!"—but the name-dropping of Jean Harlow and Joan Crawford established a bit more of the timeline for the book. The gossip Lulu learned as the story went along was what established some of the possible background and motivation for the crimes, and helped lead Lulu and Freddie to where their sleuthing could uncover more clues.
Overall, I enjoyed this book more than expected. It was a great young adult mystery, and I’d be interested in reading others in the series. I’d give this one 4 out of 5 stars, and it read fine as a stand-alone.
http://booksithinkyoushouldread.blogs...
The 1930s or 1940s setting for this book made it a quirky, wholesome, young adult read. It was notable and amusing that Lulu Kelly and her boyfriend Freddie (whose relationship apparently developed in the first book in the series) never did more than steal a kiss. How refreshing!
Most of the characters were unremarkable and primarily defined by their roles—a bunch of Hollywood starlets competing for what they’ve been told is "the role of a lifetime!"—but the name-dropping of Jean Harlow and Joan Crawford established a bit more of the timeline for the book. The gossip Lulu learned as the story went along was what established some of the possible background and motivation for the crimes, and helped lead Lulu and Freddie to where their sleuthing could uncover more clues.
Overall, I enjoyed this book more than expected. It was a great young adult mystery, and I’d be interested in reading others in the series. I’d give this one 4 out of 5 stars, and it read fine as a stand-alone.
http://booksithinkyoushouldread.blogs...
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews