4.5
All That Glitters
ByPublisher Description
In Michael Murphy’s rollicking new Jake & Laura mystery, the hard-boiled writer and the aspiring movie star head for sun-drenched Los Angeles, where a cold-blooded murderer lurks behind the scenes.
Just arrived from New York, Broadway actress Laura Wilson is slated to star in Hollywood’s newest screwball comedy. At her side, of course, is Jake Donovan, under pressure to write his next mystery novel. But peace and quiet are not to be had when an all-too-real murder plot intrudes: After a glitzy party, the son of a studio honcho is discovered dead from a gunshot wound. And since Jake exchanged words with the hothead just hours before his death, the bestselling author becomes the LAPD’s prime suspect.
In 1930s Tinseltown, anything goes. Proving his innocence won’t be easy in a town where sex, seduction, and naked power run rampant. With gossip columnist Louella Parsons dead-set on publicizing the charges against him, Jake has no choice but to do what everyone else does in the City of Angels: act like someone else. Blackie Doyle, the tough-talking, fist-swinging, womanizing hero from Jake’s novels wouldn’t pull any punches until he exposed the real killer—nor will Jake, to keep the role of a lifetime from being his last.
Praise for All That Glitters
“Jake and Laura really do remind me of Dashiell Hammett’s Nick and Nora Charles. They are fun, witty, and charming, and the novel is filled with the same kind of 1930s Hollywood glamour that made the film of The Thin Man such a classic.”—Popcorn Reads
“Art imitates life imitates art imitates life, with just as terrific results as the first book in this series, The Yankee Club.”—Reading Reality
“Michael Murphy has pulled off another successful novel with interesting characters, a riveting story, and a great setting that transports us back to Prohibition-era Hollywood.”—The Book Binder’s Daughter
“Murphy has a good thing going with this great new historical mystery series. . . . [They’re] fast-paced and a good look back at an interesting era and the people in it.”—Joyfully Retired
“Highly entertaining . . . Mystery lovers, noir fans and lovers of classic movies will really go for this book.”—The Reader’s Hollow
“I couldn’t put this book down. It grabbed me right from the start and I was quickly invested in the characters and their lives. . . . A great read and wonderfully fun characters.”—Mystery Playground
“You know how it is when you have the perfect cup? The aroma is great, the perfect balance in taste, it’s hot enough to warm your soul, but not too hot to burn your tongue, and the mug fits perfectly in your hands. All the senses are engaged and you forget the world around you. That is this book to a mystery reader- it has the impeccable balance.”—Lilac Reviews
Just arrived from New York, Broadway actress Laura Wilson is slated to star in Hollywood’s newest screwball comedy. At her side, of course, is Jake Donovan, under pressure to write his next mystery novel. But peace and quiet are not to be had when an all-too-real murder plot intrudes: After a glitzy party, the son of a studio honcho is discovered dead from a gunshot wound. And since Jake exchanged words with the hothead just hours before his death, the bestselling author becomes the LAPD’s prime suspect.
In 1930s Tinseltown, anything goes. Proving his innocence won’t be easy in a town where sex, seduction, and naked power run rampant. With gossip columnist Louella Parsons dead-set on publicizing the charges against him, Jake has no choice but to do what everyone else does in the City of Angels: act like someone else. Blackie Doyle, the tough-talking, fist-swinging, womanizing hero from Jake’s novels wouldn’t pull any punches until he exposed the real killer—nor will Jake, to keep the role of a lifetime from being his last.
Praise for All That Glitters
“Jake and Laura really do remind me of Dashiell Hammett’s Nick and Nora Charles. They are fun, witty, and charming, and the novel is filled with the same kind of 1930s Hollywood glamour that made the film of The Thin Man such a classic.”—Popcorn Reads
“Art imitates life imitates art imitates life, with just as terrific results as the first book in this series, The Yankee Club.”—Reading Reality
“Michael Murphy has pulled off another successful novel with interesting characters, a riveting story, and a great setting that transports us back to Prohibition-era Hollywood.”—The Book Binder’s Daughter
“Murphy has a good thing going with this great new historical mystery series. . . . [They’re] fast-paced and a good look back at an interesting era and the people in it.”—Joyfully Retired
“Highly entertaining . . . Mystery lovers, noir fans and lovers of classic movies will really go for this book.”—The Reader’s Hollow
“I couldn’t put this book down. It grabbed me right from the start and I was quickly invested in the characters and their lives. . . . A great read and wonderfully fun characters.”—Mystery Playground
“You know how it is when you have the perfect cup? The aroma is great, the perfect balance in taste, it’s hot enough to warm your soul, but not too hot to burn your tongue, and the mug fits perfectly in your hands. All the senses are engaged and you forget the world around you. That is this book to a mystery reader- it has the impeccable balance.”—Lilac Reviews
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communities2 Reviews
4.5
Holmesgirl
Created over 9 years agoShare
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“Once in awhile you roll the dice on an unknown author or a bargain priced book because the premise sounds intriguing enough. Sometimes the chance pays off & others times, not so much. This is a case of "It paid off". This book was a fun read. Jake, a former Pinkerton turned author, accompanies his fiancé to Hollywood, CA to work on a new book while she transitions from a successful Broadway career to the film industry. After attending a swanky party one of the Studio execs ends up dead. Jake & Laura then embark on trying to solve the case. The characters were well developed & 'real'. I loved the 1930's Hollywood setting, which was described perfectly. The relationship & banter between Jake & Laura was witty & very much in step with the social norms & practices of the period.
I particularly enjoyed how the author threw in big Hollywood names of the era as minor characters in the story; & the vernacular used was not only spot on, but gave an overall immersion into the authenticity of the story. The mystery kept you guessing; or at least a jumping back & forth to who did it & why. The ending had that old-fashioned, "I confess" feel to it; but it was perfect for this setting. It was like watching a movie from that time period.
This book is second in a series. I didn't read the first one, & I don't think it's necessary. The author provides enough background to make this a stand-alone story. I would definitely recommend.”
Erin M
Created about 10 years agoShare
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“Just like in the first book "The Yankee Club", Laura and Jake are the same complimentary couple that I remember. They're the ying and yang of two people who are meant to be together.
And like in book one, they manage to get themselves in hot water when a movie studio executive is murdered. When fingers begin pointing at Jake, he manages to corner himself in awkward situations.
There was some situational humor when it came to finding the killer. Sometimes it was subtle and even if unintentional, I had a good giggle or two. Like some of the old movies situations happen to lay themselves out perfectly, but unlike the movies, it's not always clear as to why until it's too late.
he author has no problem with conflict when it comes to his characters. I really enjoyed the satire, the name dropping, the theatrics and of course, the multi-layered mystery. This second instalment of the Jake and Laura Mystery was highly entertaining and I think mystery lovers, noir fans and lovers of the classic movies will really go for this book.”
About Michael Murphy
Michael Murphy is the author of The Yankee Club and a part-time urban chicken rancher. He lives in Arizona with his wife of more than forty years and their five newly adopted children. He’s active in several local writers’ groups and conducts novel-writing workshops at bookstores and libraries. His next Jake & Laura mystery, Wings in the Dark, will be published by Alibi in August 2015.
Other books by Michael Murphy
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