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katie_samsock's review
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the arc in exchange for a fair and honest review.
*3.5*
Who doesn’t like diving into old Hollywood and peaking behind the show biz curtain occasionally? Especially when a murder is involved. And not just any murder but the killing of a famous review critic whose write ups are known for their brutal honesty and ability to destroy a person’s career with just a pen. Everyone either hated her or loved to hate her but like most people in Hollywood, no one really knew her, including Annie who is fresh from her Broadway smash, trying to make it in Hollywood after a break up from two people in her romantic threesome.
Oh I so wanted this to grab me. Annie’s new Hollywood friends have some terrific banter though after a while it grows stale leaving you to wonder why they all hang out together if they can’t say anything nice…ever. The beginning for me was pretty slow. Chapter 8 picked things up for me but it didn’t even start really chugging until my Kindle hit 50%. That’s dedication right there, but I did honestly want to know who was the killer. Because there are a ton of characters here, possibly too many to keep track of at first.
*3.5*
Who doesn’t like diving into old Hollywood and peaking behind the show biz curtain occasionally? Especially when a murder is involved. And not just any murder but the killing of a famous review critic whose write ups are known for their brutal honesty and ability to destroy a person’s career with just a pen. Everyone either hated her or loved to hate her but like most people in Hollywood, no one really knew her, including Annie who is fresh from her Broadway smash, trying to make it in Hollywood after a break up from two people in her romantic threesome.
Oh I so wanted this to grab me. Annie’s new Hollywood friends have some terrific banter though after a while it grows stale leaving you to wonder why they all hang out together if they can’t say anything nice…ever. The beginning for me was pretty slow. Chapter 8 picked things up for me but it didn’t even start really chugging until my Kindle hit 50%. That’s dedication right there, but I did honestly want to know who was the killer. Because there are a ton of characters here, possibly too many to keep track of at first.
angryangryalice's review
5.0
This book had me hooked from the very beginning. I loved the narrator's POV and voice, and I deeply enjoyed both Annie + the author's wit and snarky asides. The plot was satisfying and the characters were all interesting, believable, and well-rounded, while also being heightened for dramatic effect.
Sarah is an excellent storyteller and meticulous about details, which makes the conclusion of the mystery both surprising and inevitable. This is her second novel, and I desperately hope she has writes many more; Sarah James is the Agatha Christie of WWII-based historical fiction mysteries.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5. Couldn't possibly recommend more highly!!
Sarah is an excellent storyteller and meticulous about details, which makes the conclusion of the mystery both surprising and inevitable. This is her second novel, and I desperately hope she has writes many more; Sarah James is the Agatha Christie of WWII-based historical fiction mysteries.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5. Couldn't possibly recommend more highly!!
1_paigeatatime's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
k_myers's review
3.0
3.5 ⭐️
“Because out here, everyone’s a product”
I’m going with a 3.5 here because this book had some really funny moments that were well written. Buttt, I didn’t love the mystery and felt like it moved to slowly and was too predictable. What helped the book, however, is the overall message of Hollywood being a system that only cares about grinding out stars.
In James’ author note, she writes, “What did it mean to turn your humanity over to this system [Hollywood]? What did it mean to resist it?” That’s the theme of this storyline and each character really grapples with moral decisions while trying to make it big in the 1940s film industry.
“Because out here, everyone’s a product”
I’m going with a 3.5 here because this book had some really funny moments that were well written. Buttt, I didn’t love the mystery and felt like it moved to slowly and was too predictable. What helped the book, however, is the overall message of Hollywood being a system that only cares about grinding out stars.
In James’ author note, she writes, “What did it mean to turn your humanity over to this system [Hollywood]? What did it mean to resist it?” That’s the theme of this storyline and each character really grapples with moral decisions while trying to make it big in the 1940s film industry.
shesbecomingbookish's review
4.0
Quick and Dirty
-LGBTQIA representation
-murder mystery
-WWII era home front fiction
-behind-the-scenes Hollywood studio info
Thoughts
What a wild, fun ride this was! Not sure what I was expecting from this book, but I was certainly shocked to find it was NOT what I got. And I mean that in the best way possible. Having a passion for Old Hollywood I’ve read and watched a lot of non-fiction about the era and the most famous celebs of the time, and this book definitely represented the tawdry and scandalous behaviors of the celebs, writers, and studio execs of the time. From the love triangle to the copious prescriptions, Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen got it right! The antics of the core group of “friends” were certainly lots of fun, but even better was the Los Angeles setting which featured some of the most famous/iconic locations of the era (and even of today). Who doesn’t love a culmination at the Hollywood Bowl (my fav place to see a live concert)?!? I loved the mystery and was fully invested in the whodunnit plot, along with the core storyline of Annie’s lost love and self-growth. Overall this was a ton of fun that I recommend for historical fiction fans who enjoy a solid mystery and some unusual characters!
-LGBTQIA representation
-murder mystery
-WWII era home front fiction
-behind-the-scenes Hollywood studio info
Thoughts
What a wild, fun ride this was! Not sure what I was expecting from this book, but I was certainly shocked to find it was NOT what I got. And I mean that in the best way possible. Having a passion for Old Hollywood I’ve read and watched a lot of non-fiction about the era and the most famous celebs of the time, and this book definitely represented the tawdry and scandalous behaviors of the celebs, writers, and studio execs of the time. From the love triangle to the copious prescriptions, Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen got it right! The antics of the core group of “friends” were certainly lots of fun, but even better was the Los Angeles setting which featured some of the most famous/iconic locations of the era (and even of today). Who doesn’t love a culmination at the Hollywood Bowl (my fav place to see a live concert)?!? I loved the mystery and was fully invested in the whodunnit plot, along with the core storyline of Annie’s lost love and self-growth. Overall this was a ton of fun that I recommend for historical fiction fans who enjoy a solid mystery and some unusual characters!
sequoviah's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
dianelaw's review
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shankl's review
4.0
The 40's, Hollywood glamour and murder. This historical mystery transports the reader to the night life of movie stars during the golden age of Hollywood. A time where they partied all night long, and competition was fierce for major movie contracts. One bad review could cost you your career or in this case your life. This whodunit had me guessing till the end with its edgy story.
This was a quick-read and its cast of characters were fun.
Thank you Sourcebooks for the complimentary copy.
This was a quick-read and its cast of characters were fun.
Thank you Sourcebooks for the complimentary copy.
wyman314's review
4.0
3.5 Rounded ^
I really enjoyed the old Hollywood glamour feel that James almost perfected in LAST NIGHT AT THE HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN. I also really enjoyed that noir take on a murder mystery. The characters were among the most impressive parts of this novel. When the body of the book began, all of the information was being thrown at me and I almost felt like I should've had a paper and taken notes on all the little evidence that was provided, because later down the road, it became confusing. This was probably my fault since I wasn't noting all the little evidence that was being presented. Once again, thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for an arc of this novel!!! I really appreciate it!!
I really enjoyed the old Hollywood glamour feel that James almost perfected in LAST NIGHT AT THE HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN. I also really enjoyed that noir take on a murder mystery. The characters were among the most impressive parts of this novel. When the body of the book began, all of the information was being thrown at me and I almost felt like I should've had a paper and taken notes on all the little evidence that was provided, because later down the road, it became confusing. This was probably my fault since I wasn't noting all the little evidence that was being presented. Once again, thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for an arc of this novel!!! I really appreciate it!!
pamela_xo's review against another edition
3.0
I would like to thank NetGalley, Sarah James and SOURCEBOOKS landmark for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I actually finished this book a while ago during my holiday and forgot to leave a review on here, then got in a reading slump and haven't checked Goodreads in over a month. Not really an excuse but I still want to apologize for that.
I actually finished this book a while ago during my holiday and forgot to leave a review on here, then got in a reading slump and haven't checked Goodreads in over a month. Not really an excuse but I still want to apologize for that.