It’s 1943 and the stars are at the Hollywood Canteen. It’s a club for servicemen staffed by Hollywood’s best. Annie Laurance a murder mystery playwright, is new in town and finds herself in the midst of all these celebrities and all their secrets. She is trying to get a script written and a movie made. But things aren’t all they are cracked up to be. Fiona Farris is a film critic and she is not well liked and unfortunately for her she has been murdered. Annie finds herself in the middle of a true murder mystery. Annie starts socialize with Fiona’s friends, trying to figure out what may happen. They are all cynics and disgruntled and they aren’t offering her much insight. There are twists and turns and the characters are well developed. The author did a terrific job describing this time very well. This was a three star read for me. Overall it was quick and engaging. I want to thank Netgalley and Sarah James for my copy of Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen, for an honest review. It was my pleasure to read and review. What were your thoughts?

Perhaps the best place in 1943 Hollywood to see the stars is the Hollywood Canteen, a club for servicemen staffed exclusively by those in show business. Murder mystery playwright Annie Laurence, new in town after a devastating breakup, definitely hopes to rub elbows with the right stars. Maybe then she can get her movie made.

But Hollywood proves to be more than tinsel and glamour. When despised film critic Fiona Farris is found dead in the Canteen kitchen, Annie realizes any one of the Canteen's luminous volunteers could be guilty of the crime. To catch the killer, Annie falls in with Fiona's friends, a bitter and cynical group―each as uniquely unhappy in their life and career as Annie is in hers―that call themselves the Ambassador's Club.

Solving a murder in real life, it turns out, is a lot harder than writing one for the stage. And by involving herself in the secrets and lies of the Ambassador's Club, Annie just might have put a target on her own back.

I really enjoyed this story from start to finish. The attention to detail was supberb.

In 1943, writer Annie Laurence has left Broadway after a bad breakup and a bad review. She moves to Hollywood to write for the movies. She ends up volunteering at the Hollywood Canteen, where Hollywood stars and professionals entertain WWII soldiers on leave. When one of her acquaintances, a bitter reviewer, dies unexpectedly, Annie gets to know that woman's friends ... and works to solve the murder mystery.

I wanted to read Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen because I love historical fiction, especially books set in the 1940's. As a fan of classic movies and old time Hollywood, I was intrigued by the Hollywood Canteen setting.

The mystery aspect of this novel is very well done. Annie's intelligence as a writer serves her well in working as an amateur detective to solve the case. There were several unexpected twists that really held my interest -- and kept me guessing about the murderer's identity.

Annie and her newfound friends, members of the Ambassador Club, are very cynical, unhappy people, quick to quip and snark. They are not a likable bunch. That said, the author does a great job at smart, snappy dialogue.

This book was enjoyable for sure. I decided to request it because I enjoy historical fiction, but the cover and the plot also spoke to me. I will be sure to check out other books by Sarah James in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me access to this wonderful story!

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I loved the setting of this book and was completely fascinated by the Hollywood Canteen. I wished more of the book took place there. I also loved the setting of Hollywood in the 1940s.

I found the main character of Annie to be very naive and overly friendly and trusting of a group of people she just met. I don’t really understand the idea of solving a murder and partnering with strangers.

The characters of Terry and June were completely forgettable to me. I found them unnecessary and sometimes lost with so many characters.

This book was just “meh” for me. I felt like I was reading it because I had to finish it instead of reading it because I wanted to finish it. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was.

I absolutely LOVED this book! I'm a big fan of historical fiction and this one grabbed my attention from the very beginning! I don't want to give anything away so I'll just say that any fan of historical fictions or mysteries should read this book!

This the first historical novel I’ve read that took place in Hollywood during this time period and it felt very fresh and interesting. The characters were interesting with their faults, failed ambitions and humorous banter. I’m always up for a murder mystery and this one was fit the bill.

2.5 rounded up
Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen by Sarah James is a 2.5-star read. Promising a dazzling 1940s Hollywood setting, it falls short in depth and emotion. Characters lack complexity, and historical inaccuracies distract. Easy to read, but misses the mark for those seeking immersive historical fiction. #BookReview #HistoricalFiction #HollywoodCanteen

I'm a simple woman- a book boasts Hollywood glamour, either old or new, and I'm in. I loved the callbacks to old Hollywood and the descriptions of everything in the era in the book. However, I did seem to be a bit more interested in the surroundings and the supporting characters than I was the murder. However, I read the book cuddled up on a rainy day, and it was perfect for a fun read. I would definitely recommend!

(Actual: 3.5⭐) Not a big historical fiction reader and, while I'm actively trying to change that, this read unfortunately didn't ~wow~ me the way I'd hoped it would. That's not to say it wasn't a pleasant time - it was, and I flew through this book quite quickly despite my lack of complete investment in it. While I did enjoy how atmospheric it was and the setting of Old Hollywood, the ensemble cast of characters ultimately fell a bit flat for me and I simply just wasn't too captivated by the mystery plot aspect of it all (which should be kinda the point, yes?). All this being said, I do want to circle back to the fact historical fiction isn't a genre I particularly gravitate toward, so this could definitely be a case of this book just not being for *me* specifically (which is totally fine!), and I'm sure others can and most likely will be able to find things they love about it!

I always enjoy stories set in 1940s Hollywood. I feel like the book really got the setting right but the mystery felt a little lackluster. I wasn't captivated or really into trying to solve the mystery. I was hoping for something more with this and was left wanting more from the ending. It started off strong and just devolved from there.

LAST NIGHT AT THE HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN by Sara James is a delightful return to the Hollywood of old.

When New York mystery playwright, Annie Laurence is offered a job to work for Pacific Pictures she jumped at the chance. It’s 1943 and after enduring a heart shattering break up, she flees the East Coast for the West. On her first night there, she meets the members of the Ambassador’s Club, a cynical group of ragtag friends, who all seem to be hiding secrets of their own. The queen bee of the group is none other than, Fiona Farris, a critic for both screen and stage.

When Fiona‘s body is found in the canteen‘s kitchen, Annie and members of the group set out to find out what really happened. The police seem to think it was a suicide, but Annie thinks that there are too many whispers coming from the shadows. As a mystery playwright, she sets off to gather clues and learn what Fiona knew and/or was hiding and who might have reason to kill her.

I really enjoyed the name-dropping in this book and the secrets and machinations behind what really went on behind the scenes in the movie studios of old. Miss James’ writing is smooth and clear, which leads to an enjoyable story. This is my first Sarah James novel, but will certainly not be my last.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own given voluntarily.

My thoughts 💭

I really enjoyed the characters. Annie and the entire cast of the Ambassador’s club were funny and unique. The historical elements felt modern and refreshed and I am such a sucker for a story in Hollywood!

The mystery was very unique! I didn’t see the twists coming and the mystery was woven together well with the other elements of the story.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable read and I highly recommend if you enjoy stories about 1940’s Hollywood and/or historically set mysteries.

So, Annie's a writer new to LA, finding her way and getting adopted by a bunch of cynical Hollywood folks at a joint called the Hollywood Canteen. When someone from the crew kicks the bucket, Annie decides to play detective.

The story is packed with every salacious secret from old Hollywood - fake marriages, hidden queerness, racism, sexism, and even a throuple. It should've been a scandalous thrill, but it all fell flat. When the big reveal came at the end, it just seemed absurd, and since I never connected with the victim, it was easy to brush it off. This could've been a gripping read, but it never got there.

I was excited to read this story about old world hollywood, but had a hard time getting into the story. Something about it just didn't resonate with me as I tried again and again. Eventually I DNF, but perhaps I will try again later.
Thanks to #netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Landmark Sources for the chance to read Last night at the Hollywood Canteen by Sarah James. I requested this ARC because I have always been a fan of old Hollywood, the glitz and glamour, which hid the dark and scandalous side most people had no idea about. The Hollywood Canteen was a place where servicemen could hang out with big stars and relax before heading off to war. Annie is a playwright who
travels to Hollywood and manages to connect with a circle of people, known as The Ambassador Club. When she becomes a suspect in a murder that is very similar to the plot of her recent hit play in New York, Annie decides to find the real killer. I enjoyed reading Last night at the Hollywood Canteen especially since it was a bit different than anything I have read recently but I had some issues with the characters. 31/2 stars rounded up.

Loved this book! The witty characters combined with the storyline was great. Annie Laurence and the Ambassadors Club are charming, funny drinkers that never cease to amaze and amuse.
A delightful story combined with a murder mystery set in glamorous Hollywood in the 1940’s.
Thank you to Sarah James who knocked it out of the park with this book and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this charming ARC.

This is a terrific novel if you like real life celebrities included in the mystery. There is a wonderful backstory starting in New York, ending with delicious karmic conclusion. Definitely will look for a sequel. I just reviewed Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen by Sarah James. #LastNightAtTheHollywoodCanteen #NetGalley
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I enjoyed the premise and time period that Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen was written in, however this book was really slow moving for me. It lacked intrigue and a spark to keep me interested in the story line. The book was not bad by any means, but there was nothing special about it either.