Murder in the Roaring Twenties (Murder Mystery Plays Book 2)

Mary Miley delivers everything I want in a historical mystery. Delightful characters, rich, descriptive prose, an intriguing case to solve and just the right mix of fact and fiction. She never fails to suck me into the story, teach me something new and leave me with a smile on my face. The only problem is having to wait for the next one! I'm going to be heartbroken the day Jessie solves her last case.

Highly recommend the whole series to historical mystery fans, especially if you love Old Hollywood as much as I do! Jul 01, Cindy Burnett rated it it was amazing Shelves: In Murder in Disguise, Jessie tackles the murder of a movie projectionist. The man murdered is the spouse of a fellow employee at the Pickford-Fairbanks Studio, and his wife engages Jessie to solve the crime. Jessie works as a script girl for the studio during the day but continues to pursue her interest in solving mysteries on the side. Her search for the murdere 4. Her search for the murderer sends Jessie on a surprising path that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The story line was creative and original which made the book very enjoyable. Miley also incorporates fascinating vaudeville trivia including that Helen Keller performed with her interpreter for a few years on a circuit and that Adele Astaire was more famous than her brother Fred during their lifetimes even though he is the only one remembered today. My next project is to track down that movie and watch it after reading about its creation. This is an intriguing subject that I knew very little about before watching the documentary and was excited to see the subject matter addressed again in Murder in Disguise.

I continue to absolutely love this series, and Murder in Disguise is a fabulous addition. I am already anxiously awaiting the next installment. My one hope for the next book is that Jessie will resolve her love life; I am much more partial to one of her love interests than the other and am rooting for him. Jul 31, Holly rated it really liked it Shelves: She's such a likable character that I can't help wanting to know what's happening in her life.

These books bring two of my favorite things together, or actually three: This time around, Jessie is asked to investigate the murder of a film projectionist--Joe Petrovitch. As always, names like Fairbanks, Pickford, Loy, Astaire So does Carl and David. Two possible love interests. She's with one but you know the other would like to be romantically linked to Jessie. The mystery in this installment was a strong one, better I think than the last book. It was somewhat more complicated for Jessie but she handles herself well.

I continue to love these books and I'm looking forward to what happens next. Some new developments in Jessie's life should make things more interesting for her in the future. Jul 05, Betty rated it it was amazing Shelves: The fourth in this historical series, set against a background of the Roaring Twenties. A new author for and one I will read again. It works alright as a stand-A-Lone as the story was completed. The backstory caught my attention and my TBR like is now larger.

Jesse Beckett is an orphan and grew up in vaudeville. In order survive she did what was necessary. In this story, her boyfriend is arrested for murder, prohibitions problems, and tax evasion. She has been hired by the Pickford-Fairbanks' st The fourth in this historical series, set against a background of the Roaring Twenties. She has been hired by the Pickford-Fairbanks' studio as a script girl. Jessie is rooming with 5 other girls in a house. There she meets a woman whose niece, Kit Riley is death and dumb. Lot is the same age as Jesse when Jesse mother died.

A member of the studio husband is dun down at his work. The police have no clues as to what happens. His widow asked Jessie to find his killer.

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The story takes several twists and turns before Jessie finds the answer. The historical information is informative of the time period. I recommend this book. I received a free copy from Severn House through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book.

The opinions expressed are my own. View all 3 comments. Jessie Beckett is working at the PickFair Studio in and is asked to investigate the death of Joe Petrovitch, the husband of a co-worker, bue to her success in previous murder investigations. But how could this killer, a man in a red coat, who fired three shots at Petrovitch leave a crowded theatre without being noticed. Although this is the fourth in the series I didn't find it was necessary to read the previous books. I found the story entertaining and a good mystery, and some good rounded Jessie Beckett is working at the PickFair Studio in and is asked to investigate the death of Joe Petrovitch, the husband of a co-worker, bue to her success in previous murder investigations.

I found the story entertaining and a good mystery, and some good rounded characters. Sep 07, Sarah Zama rated it liked it. It is competingly written, with a strong, coherent plot comprised of two mysteries a main one and a supporting one and a personal thread centred on the main character, Jessie.

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The ending was interesting enough and a bit unconventional, which is good. It also had a twist at the end, but I found this one to be more contrived. I have a feeling that this thread will spill on future novels. This is an overarching story that started in the first novel and is evolving as new stories come out.

It involves Jessie in a romantic way, interwoven with historic elements about Prohibition that are less known to the general public. Should be interesting, no? Honestly, I could never get into it. I just know that every time Jessie lingered on this part of plot, I hitched to go back to the actual mystery.

But all in all is a story that will amuse the mystery lover and will please the historical reader. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This series is fabulous. She manages to add in so many period details without ever bogging down the story. Little things - like how much it cost to have a telephone, sending telegrams, and stores having "ready to wear" sections. Miley's main character Jessie is all-American street-wise sass, and she is the epitome of the independent woman.

Raised on the I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Raised on the Vaudeville Circuit and orphaned at an early age, Jessie has learned how to put on her stage face and tackle any challenge. For Jessie, the answer to any challenge can be found in Vaudeville rules. Being a lawyer myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the legal aspects of this book. I love seeing glimpses of the legal world of the Golden Age and how much things have changed.

I highly recommend this series for any historical fiction fans, fans of the Golden Age of Hollywood, and anyone who loves a girl with grit. Jessie, with encouragement from Fairbanks and Pickford, embarks on an investigation into all the crimes. Calling on her years in vaudeville, and a cohort from her time in northern California and Oregon, she discerns that there are two sets of murders - the director and the waitress, and the starlet and actor.

The big question is, who did it? Lots of twists and turns in this one. Can't wait to start the next one in the series. Dec 03, Mary Garrett rated it it was amazing. Murders, scandal, jealousy, drugs, beautiful homes, the Hollywood sign, and insights into movie-making — almost too much fun with stellar writing that flows like honey.

Beach Read This was a fun read; something to pass the time while sitting on a beach or recovering from an illness.

Which is not to denigrate it. It's full of fun characters and is mixed with real people Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks and fictional characters Jessie Beckett , as well as real and fictional places in Los Angeles. The mystery is convoluted enough to keep you guessing for a while until Jessie figures it out once and for all. Not much romance, but Jessie has two admirers: I'm looking forward to the next installment and Jessie's next adventure.

Sep 24, Ian rated it it was amazing Shelves: The second book in Mary Miley's captivating Roaring Twenties series. The glamorous setting of Hollywood in the 's silent movie era and the scandals of the time, with bribery, corruption Well written and plotted, with a great cast of characters, real and fictitious. The mystery has plenty of twists and turns. This mystery is a page turner from start to finish.

A most enjoyable read. If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have read, vis The second book in Mary Miley's captivating Roaring Twenties series. If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have read, visit my blog at www. Oct 27, Richard Becker rated it it was amazing. This is a classic historical mystery set in hollywood in the 20s. It has facets that draw in many kinds of readers: The main character's 2nd mystery to solve, this lets us know more about her and brings some real history into the story.

Can't wait for the next one. Oct 09, Una rated it it was amazing. My first book from this author and it certainly will not be my last. I felt the story moved right along, was completely plausible, kept historically accurate, and held my interest throughout. It gave great insight as to what life was probably like in the waning days of the silent movies in Hollywood. I don't remember how I came across this book, but I loved it. It felt similar to the Royal series by Rhys Bowen.

It's a clever s murder mystery. It contained a little history and some great characters. Well read by narrator. May 29, Julie rated it liked it. This story is interesting with the vaudeville history and the famous names and a mystery. Jun 13, Courtney Chambers rated it it was amazing.

I didn't realize this was a series. Found it at the library. The series is a great concept I lost interest about mid-way through though. Oct 15, Marlene rated it liked it. Not as convincing as the first in the series. Aug 12, Frank rated it really liked it. Sep 01, Laraf rated it liked it. I enjoy the setting which helped me finish the book. The mystery was difficult to care for. In the The Impersonator , Leah Randall aka Jessie Beckett, took on the biggest role of her life impersonating a dead cousin and working to solve the mystery of her disappearance.

The novel was filled with bits of information about what it was like to be in Vaudeville and compared it to the lifestyle her cousin would have had as a young heiress. Leah has now officially taken on the name Jessie Beckett and is working in In the The Impersonator , Leah Randall aka Jessie Beckett, took on the biggest role of her life impersonating a dead cousin and working to solve the mystery of her disappearance. Leah has now officially taken on the name Jessie Beckett and is working in Hollywood as an assistant script girl on the set of a Douglas Fairbanks movie, "Don Q: This is the end of the era of the Silent Movies and Talkies are just around the bend.

Mary comes to Douglas Fairbanks attention while she's working on the set of his movie and he asks her to become his personal assistant while his usual one is in Texas comforting her dying father. So it is in this role that Mary first becomes friends with him and Mary Pickford. Jessie ends up investigating a murder at Douglas Fairbanks request and becomes good friends with a policeman named Carl in the process.

Jessie is indeed put in the path of a murderer and danger will touch her more than once as the number of murders mounts. The Roaring 20s is a fun time to read about. And the film industry with some of the big names in Hollywood as characters just makes it more alluring. She works for Douglas Fairbanks who is married to Mary Pickford. Her best friend and roommate is Myrna Loy whose close acquaintance happens to be Gary Cooper.

Murder in Disguise

David from The Impersonator also makes an appearance as Jessie tries to solve the mysteries before someone else gets hurt. It's not necessary to read book one to enjoy his appearance. Enough is explained to make it interesting. While Silent Murders is second in a series, it can be read as a stand alone book. The mysteries were intriguing. Since it is told mostly from Jessie's point of view, we find out everything as she does and it allows the reader to guess along with her as to who is the murderer.

If you like novels set in the s or in Silent Movie era Hollywood, then you will probably enjoy this mystery. I am already looking forward to a third novel in the series. I love the character of Jessie and that her complexities and ties to both Vaudeville and the movies help her to solve the mystery. I give this novel 4 stars out of 5 for the quality of writing and for the quality of the mystery. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Jun 21, Elspeth G. The reader is reacquainted with the intrepid anti-heroine Leah Randall who has traded in her borrowed pearls and furs of a lost heiress for a clipboard, the modest earnings of civilian life as a script girl for the booming silent film industry and a new name to accompany her new straight-arrow life. Taking the moniker of Jessie Beckett, our narrator leads the reader behind the scenes of the alluring sets of silent film and rubs elbows with some of the biggest names of the era including Hollywood Royalty couple Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford.

But this new world is not all glitz and glamour as Jessie soon is pulled into Hollywood's sordid underbelly and the secrets of stars are slowly exposed that the eager papers are just waiting to embellish and throw over facts for juicy speculation. It is up to the reinvented Jessie Beckett to use her special sets of skills that she has perfected from years as a Vaudeville actress to somehow redirect the limelight of guilt onto the culprit of a series of murders and accidents that could easily destroy those she respects and admirers.

So get ready for a look back at the sets and studios of Old Hollywood, gals feel free to grab your cloche hats, fellas your derbies and get your autograph books opened because Ms. In the end, I have to be honest I was disappointed as I finished. What charmed in The Impersonator seemed to be missing the mark in Silent Murders. I wasn't expecting anything particular with this sequel, at first I thought this was a completely different series and it can be read by itself if the reader has not read the prequel to this novel but the narrator lacked that believable spark this time.

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