Design for Dying

The 1937 silver screen is sparkling, and though Lillian Frost hasn't made it as an actress, she's okay with working in a Los Angeles department store. But then her salesgirl job ties her to the case of a murdered Hollywood hopeful in Design for Dying by authors Renee Patrick.

Yes. I said "authors," there. I was delighted to see that Renee Patrick is the pseudonym of a husband-and-wife author duo. How fun is that?

And this historical mystery novel is rather fun too, but not silly fun. Lillian has a mild, dry humor to her, and though she hasn't yet found her ideal place in life, she's got a good head on her shoulders. There's a crisp smartness to the story's style, and it's entertaining without trivializing the murder or the seamy side of show more Hollywood glamour.

I'll admit it's borderline material for my quasi-conservative tastes, partly due to the moderate amount of language I wouldn't use. But the novel does hold to a level of tact, and it helps that Lillian isn't a starry-eyed chickadee zooming recklessly down Sunset Boulevard's fast lane.

While this is a Lillian Frost & Edith Head novel, it's told from Lillian's perspective. So I would've liked if she ultimately played a stronger role in the solving of the case, instead of more or less being along for the ride when the rubber finally meets the road.

Still, the story's nod to Lillian's mother's legacy is touching. And in all, as the novel has left me in the mood to once again watch the 1937 version of A Star is Born, I think it's done its job. show less

This was such a fantastic surprise; I was ordering some books for my mom from the Mysterious Bookshop and saw this mentioned in their newsletter and added it for myself on a whim. When it arrived I started having buyers angst - I'd heard nothing about this book at all except the mention in the newsletter. I needn't have worried; from the moment I started reading it, I loved it.

The POV is Lillian's and the dialogue is pure 30's Hollywood. If flippant banter isn't your bag, this book isn't either. It was sooo much fun finding out what Lillian would say next; she isn't disrespectful or sarcastic, but she doesn't hesitate to poke fun where there's fun to poke - mostly at herself. I know absolutely nothing about Edith Head as a historical show more figure, but apparently a lot of research was done for this book to make her true-to-life. I liked her; there's not much revealed but what we see is kind, smart and highly competent.

The mystery plot was excellent with an outstanding plot twist that blindsided me completely and totally changed things up. Lots of liberties were taken with police procedure, but I found it easy to overlook because 1930's Hollywood left a lot of leeway for improvisation, so who knows? If it was going to happen anywhere at anytime, it would be Hollywood in the 30's. The ending was very Christie-esque with a good old fashioned denouement that revealed an unexpected murderer.

I was initially wary upon finding out the author is a pseudonym for a husband/wife writing team; my experiences thus far have been hit and miss with collaborations, but team Patrick writes a smooth, easy-reading story with a nice flow and consistent pacing.

I'm an instant fan with this first book and I'm eager to read what comes next. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good mystery and loves this era; I don't think it will disappoint at all. show less

I tend to like reading books set during the Golden Age of Hollywood and I've always admired Edith Head's talent, so I looked forward to reading Design for Dying. For the most part, I was not disappointed (even though the attitude of some of the police officers toward women felt more like 2016 than 1937). The book suffered a bit from "too much middle" when the pace began to drag, and a few of the plot devices were easily guessed. (No, I'm not going to say what they were.)

But there were still surprises, and the book came to life with Lillian Frost's point of view and wit, Edith Head's talent, and the spotlight that shined on the inner workings of a movie studio in general and the wardrobe department in particular. Cameos by such show more luminaries as Preston Sturgis, Bob Hope, and Barbara Stanwyck added depth and humor to the story.

Lillian and Edith make a strong team, and I'm looking forward to their next adventure. Design for Dying is a light, fun read for anyone who isn't a stickler for all the details to be letter perfect in their historical mysteries. show less

Lillian Frost wasn't overly disappointed when her move to Hollywood for a screen test didn't result in an acting career filled with accolades and is content with her position as a salesgirl in a large department store. However, when police detectives inform her that her former roommate was found murdered in an alley, Lillian ends up being pulled into the investigation after she recognizes her friend's dress as being a costume from a film. Lillian then meets costume designer Edith Head and the two women roll up their sleeves and decide to solve the mystery themselves.

There were elements of this novel that I loved but ultimately I was underwhelmed by the delivery and won't be continuing with the series. The late 1930s Hollywood setting is show more brilliantly evoked. The details feel accurate and the lingo the characters sling around is like being immersed in one of the films of the era. I did love that Edith Head was a real figure and the author acknowledgements prior to the novel address all the research the authors did (Renee Patrick is a nom de plume for the married couple behind this novel). However, the authors seem so cautious of stepping on Head's memory that she doesn't come across as much of a character at all. And while they namedrop several big old Hollywood names like Bob Hope and Barbara Stanwyck, it feels kind of gimmicky. The mystery itself is convoluted in a way that doesn't feel delightfully complicated but just excessively confusing and there are several points in the novel where as a reader I wasn't sure we'd encountered a clue or solved the case. Also, there was very little sense of Lillian's emotional reactions to everything going on leaving the reader feeling like they're on the outside looking in. Stylistically, there's also a few passages of dialogue where determining who is saying what gets lost. There are worse cozy mysteries but there are also better ones. show less

Los Angeles, 1937, and Lillian Frost realising how bad an actress she is has given up on her non-existent acting career and is working in a deparment store. Only to be questioned by the police - Detective Morrow and Hansen - when her ex-roommate and actress Ruby Carroll is found murdered, wearing clothes purloined from the wardrobe department of the Paramount studios. Lillian and Edith Head decide to worked together to clear their names.
An enjoyable start to a new mystery series which establishes the main characters for the future.

A fun mystery that incorporates real life fashion designer Edith Head in a story set in 1930s Hollywood. Lots of possible murder suspects, some danger, real-life movie stars, and fashion - all entertainingly told by fictional heroine Lillian Frost. This novel is the equivalent of watching a screwball comedy - bring on the popcorn, sit back and enjoy!

A fun read taking place in Hollywood, 1932.

Lillian Frost, being crowned Miss Astoria Park of 1936 also won a train ticket from New York to Hollywood and a screen test. She took the test, but wasn’t surprised to not get a part. That was fine, as her real interest was movies and the work making them. She’d been raised by her Uncle Danny, who was a painter for Paramount Studios in Astoria, New York.

Lillian found a job at Tremayne’s Department Store and her own flat. Tremaynes being a little more secure than making the constant round auditioning.

When two detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department show up at her work, enquiring about her ex-roommate, Ruby Carroll, her job security gets shaky, but her love and knowledge of movies show more comes into play.

Lillian identifies Ruby and also recognizes the gown Ruby is found dead in as one she had seen in a recent movie from Paramount Studios. She goes with the detectives to Paramount Studios to have confirmation she is correct. This is where she meets Edith Head, who is at the beginning of her award winning career in costume design. The two strike up a friendship and agree to solve the mystery.

It is a fun read with appearances by various celebrities of the time. The characters and settings, along with the wardrobe make a great package. Lillian is a strong and motivated woman, just as Edith Head is. There is a nightclub owner nick-named “The Shark,” other actresses, directors, writers, and Argentine playboy, news reporters, photographers, an Hungarian princess with a shady past, just to name a few characters. A good amount of twists and turns on the way to the solution make it a good read. show less