Teri Bailey Black

A mix of mystery and romance that truly feels authentic. I could feel the ghost of Bogy musing about the Maltese Falcon while reading it. Great cast of characters, nice red herrings and plenty of action. A definite should add for school and public libraries, not only for the story quality, but because of the way it portrays how women were treated in that era.

* I would give this book 3.75 stars*
I really enjoyed this read. I really loved how this book explored hollywood in the late 1930's. I also really liked the kate past was so complicated and really flesh out the world. I loved this the murder mystery that developed was not what i expected. This book had a great balance with hollywood elements and also mystery elements. I really liked this book had a strong element of found family. I also liked how this book explored the sexism and racism that show more was present in old hollywood. I really did liked the romance that developed and the sweet relationship that developed between kate and her grandfather. This author is high on my list to read more by in the future. show less

Chasing Starlight by Teri Bailey Black is a trip back to the glitz and glamour of Old Hollywood, with a mystery equally mesmerising. Kate Hildebrand is sent to live with her grandfather, silent film star Oliver Banks, when her aunt goes off to get married. Kate lost her parents in the tragic finale to a horrible series of events prompted by her father's criminal behaviour. But when Kate arrives to find her grandfather had no idea she was coming, and that he has a group of male boarders, she show more sends to her aunt to be allowed to return home. Her new step-uncle has no interest in helping her, so Kate funds herself stuck. It doesn't take long before Kate funds herself with a new, exciting job working for Falcon Pictures, and caught up in a dark mystery following one of the boarders' deaths.

I loved the writing style! Black weaves beautiful vivid description that made me feel as if I were there. This is adjacent to the Victorian period, and Prohibition, two favourite hist fic timeframes for me, and I found myself falling even more in love with the Gilded Age. I adored how no-nonsense Kate was when it came to certain things. She clearly has a problem-solving mind, giving her an edge as Tad's assistance. She was a good choice, even if the studio initially only wanted to capitalise on her name. Reading this book made me want to read the author's other work. In fact, I ordered it already!

***Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Reviewed for JBN Book Tours. show less

It has been many years since I have read such a compelling, total baffling historical romance/mystery!
Throughout the book, I was constantly changes my theories on "Who did it"!
This very talented author captivates the reader's interest from the very first page, then slowly builds the intrigue and mystery of the plot until the very last two pages!
The characters immediately became familiar to s reader, with a perfect mix for the time period. The scenes were vivid and easily visualized. A show more definite connection between the reader and the story was almost immediate - which is an accomplishment most authors struggle to do, and few succeed.
The Book cover and Title were attractive and well-chosen.
I enjoy many series but it is nice to read a book occasionally that appears to be a "stand alone", although the lives of these individuals could continue very interestingly. Whether the author intends to allow the reader to imagine the future of these individuals or will continue in her journey with sequels, we'll just need to await for her next novel, which I hope is soon!
She is definitely "in the running" for a new "favorite"!!
Young Adults and Adults alike will thrill in being caught up in this amazing mystery! It is even totally "clean"!
I offer a solid Five Stars rating*This book was gifted to me with no request for a positive review. This is my honest review. show less