S. R. Mallery

Rosie Paige is an actress in 1926. She has been pushed into the rush of 1920's Hollywood by her mother, Beatrice who believes that making Rosie a starlet will solve all of her own problems. Rosie would much rather spend time with her pets and her boyfriend, Eddie who helps out on set. When the Chester Harris is suddenly shot and killed on the set of a movie Rosie is in, Eddie is considered a prime suspect. However, with several similar shootings in the past, the police department needs to show more solve the case quickly and is willing to blame just about anyone in order to call the crime solved exposing the corruption, greed and political influences of the time.

Trouble in Glamour Town is a fast-paced historical mystery set within the mystique of 1920's Hollywood. This book caught my attention right from the start with an intense look at the murder from the killer's point of view. After that moment, we still have no idea who committed the crime and the mystery builds. From that point, Rosie took center stage. She is a strong character from the start making herself stand apart from the other Hollywood starlets that she is surrounded by. Despite Rosie's strength of character, she struggles to find her independence due to her dedication to her mother. Beatrice is the ultimate stage-mother taking a job as a seamstress to be close to Rosie as well as get all the inside gossip. Beatrice also uses the guilt of Rosie's father leaving them to oversee the comings and goings of Rosie's life along with their superintendent, Walt. Along with the murder mystery and the suspense of having Eddie as a suspect, this was also a coming of age story for Rosie. The shooting acted as a jumping point for Rosie to think about getting out of the corruption of Hollywood; she begins to think about her own dreams rather than her mother's and push back. The mystery itself grows gradually until the end. Along with adding suspense, the killing exposes many nuances of the time period including prohibition, sexuality, and crime. With an exciting and unexpected conclusion, Trouble in Glamour Town provides a fun and fast historical mystery.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. show less

Take a step back into history, and follow the threads of eleven stories that feature mystery, romance, and suspense, woven into a tapestry quilt of events that will lead you through many genres; all with the theme of “sewing” interwoven into the collection.

From the nimble fingers of a slave stitching codes into her quilts to help runaway slaves obtain freedom, to a mystifying fire during the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, to a Haight-Asbury romantic interlude between a show more professor and a bewitching macramé designer; each story adds another quilt block to this duvet of skillfully intertwined tales.

One of my favorite stories in this collection is the yarn about a pioneer wife and mother who gets her first sewing machine. Anyone who is an avid sewing buff, or quilter will laugh at the competition between her family and her craft. Stitch by stitch, she is able to head off one of the worst Pioneer/Native American clashes that could have killed many on both sides.

I was so wrapped up in reading this particular story, I found myself laughing out loud, to the chagrin of my poor sleeping husband next to me, which made the story even funnier! I love when an author imprints their words on my heart.

These tales were skillfully fashioned within each historical period concerned, and I found them to be unique and unusual. I was astounded at the originality of linking the tales with the idea of sewing becoming the underlying theme in each plot. Each story then becomes a cog, in the crazy quilt of design, with Sarah Mallery stitching a place in our hearts with her words.

Anyone who enjoys variety in their reading tastes will relish these stories. Just because there is a sewing premise in each story does not mean that men will not enjoy this assortment of short stories. There is enough history, murder, and excitement to keep you guessing all through the book.

I loved this assortment of short stories, and they left me wrapped in warmth, just like a quilt constructed from the hands of the author herself.

RATINGS
Realistic Characterization: 5/5
Made Me Think: 4/5
Overall enjoyment: 5/5
Readability: 5/5
Recommended: 5/5
Overall Rating: 5 show less

At first glance, the title SEWING CAN BE DANGEROUS may seem innocently humorous, but when you look into what inspired it, you realize that the collection revolves around a serious issue. The author’s father told her all about the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911. According to him, not only was that day horrific—over 140 young women’s lives were lost—but how important that event was because of the building codes that were changed after that.

Riveted by the fate of show more those hapless immigrant girls, Sarah Mallery set out to flesh out, in her sensual style, her vision of the event, in the short story by that name. “By nightfall the fire has subsided, leaving glowing embers and assuring the firemen of an end in sight. But along with their relief came the dreaded job of scouting for more girls inside the building, and as the searchlight crisscrossed up towards the hollowed floors, an even more gruesome sight was revealed…”

This is historical fiction at its best, where the research into the subject matter enriches the writing without hindering the way you engage with the characters. This is the case with every story of the eleven stories in this collection, with every page, every paragraph: it inspires you to experience the plight of the characters as if you are there with them, and at the same time delight in the beauty of the language. My favorite muse is the muse of literature. Spinning tales takes a fine thread, and skill in sewing. It can be dangerous.

Five stars. show less

Trouble in Glamour Town by S.R. Mallery is a 2017 publication.

Old Hollywood, romance, and a surprising murder mystery!

Rosie and her boyfriend, Eddie are on a movie set when the producer is killed by a long -range shooter. Eddie becomes a person of interest in the case right away, but it also looks as if the syndicate could be involved.

Meanwhile, Rosie struggles to please her mother, who lives vicariously through Rosie, and truly dislikes Eddie, who is not a part of the ‘Hollywood show more Elite’.

Meanwhile, Frank, the detective assigned to the case struggles with the corruptness in his department, and is tempted to nail Eddie for murder, even though he may not be guilty, just so he might have a chance with Rosie.

If you follow my reviews, then you already know I’m a sucker for stories centered around Old Hollywood. This story was truly a delight for me because the author cleverly inserted real movie stars into the plot.

Lon Chaney gets a pretty prominent role in the book, as does Clara Bow, and other popular actors in the mid-twenties make an appearance as well.

The author did a fantastic job of capturing the vernacular of the day, the moral codes, and the atmosphere in Hollywood in the 1920s. The authenticity created a realistic atmosphere which instantly transported me into the past and held me captive there until I turned the final page.

There is quite a bit going on in this story, such as Rosie's relationship with her cynical mother, Beatrice, the mob ties to the movie industry, the corruption in the police force, the Hollywood scandals and cover ups, and the Rosie’s romance with Eddie, which is tested on more than one occasion. But, the author, once again, managed to find a perfect balance between each thread, blending them together seamlessly.

The murder mystery was a real head scratcher. I didn’t have a clue who the killer was, not in the least- it never even crossed my mind! The glamour, the romance, and drama kept my mind occupied while the mystery gradually deepens, so that I never saw that twist coming!

I truly enjoyed this wonderful, well rounded story. It has everything you could ask for in a story, enhanced by impeccable pacing, and authentic dialogue, and great characters.

If you like the magic of old Hollywood, historical fiction, romance and a good old -fashioned murder mystery, you can't wrong with this book! I highly recommend it!! show less