In 1950’s Hollywood every actress wants to play Salome, the legendary woman who story has inspire artists since ancient times.

So when an unknown actress is cast in the lead role, Vera, she becomes the talk of the town and envy for Nancy, a player who’s career has stalled and will do anything to win the fame she believes she richly deserves.

Both actresses are determined to make it to the top, but this is a tale of three women, Salome also has a say.


I have read and really enjoyed previous books by this author, and I expected this book to be similar. However, it was quite different. This book was similar to Silver Nitrate in that it focused on cinema, however this one is more historical fiction. There are three main perspectives in this book with sprinklings of other perspectives scattered about. I was a little confused in the beginning as to what was going on, but after a while I got into it and it all made sense. More clear headers would have really helped in this regard. This book was full of atmosphere much like the authors previous works. She writes really good gothic tales. There was also a lot of Hollywood gossip which was fun. The pacing was on the slow, methodical side but things did pick up in the last 20% or so.

While this was a truly interesting and entertaining book, I have learned that I enjoy the horror and paranormal books this author writes the most.

incredible saga of complicated women trying to make their way in Hollywood . SMG never disappoints .
Thank you for the eArc .

4.5 rounded up
Grabbed me right away and did not let up. Great descriptions and story. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

I really enjoyed how different this book was from her others. She truly sucked me in as usual and I’m super thankful I got the ARC through NetGalley. I wish I had the physical copy now. I’ve already recommended it to others!! Thank you to the publishers, I absolutely love Silvia Moreno Garcia! The characters in this book were really well written and the pace and description were perfect. Such a great version of a historical story mixed with some drama. I felt like I was right there in the mix and have been digesting the feelings I got from it since I finished.

SMG (Silvia Moreno-Garcia) never misses with her delivery in novels. This was 50’s Hollywood. New actress vs jealous desperate actress. Sword- Sandals POV story mixed in. It’s the works. If you have always loved SMG since Mexican Gothic you better not miss this one.

SMG is such a solid author-especially her paranormal stuff. I love that she is focusing on cinema her last book Silver Nitrate (which I was lucky enough to get an ARC of THANK YOU BTW) was excellent and this is a similar vein. It reminds me of 7 husbands of Evelyn Hugo and I loved it!!!! I think this is another awesome book from her, I am already awaiting her next publication

First of all thank you for providing me with this e-book. Silvia Moreno-Garcia has the most beautiful book covers ever!!! That’s what catches my attention with her books. This book was rated a 3.5/5 for me. Honestly it was a bit hard to get through. There were a lot of parts at the beginning where I was confused but maybe that’s just me. It wasn’t a bad read by any means but I just wasn’t intrigued by the story line that much. I do love how we get three different perspectives from the three different ladies. I do think that maybe I need to read the physical book to understand it a little more rather than just reading it from my phone. Again, thank you for this opportunity.

In 1950's Hollwood, no one has been able to successfully pull off a film adaptation of the story of Salome and the prophet who stole her heart.  The hunt for someone to play Salome is on with all the expected drama.  Everyone wants to play the starring role, though some are willing to go farther than others. Vera Larios is an unknown from Mexico, but once her casting is announced Nancy Hartley starts gunning for her. Nancy has tried everything to become more than a bit player, everything but actually putting the work in for something she feels she deserves.  Vera Larios is uncomfortably in the position her family once expected for her sister. In between scenes of classic Hollywood drama, readers see the story of the biblical Salome and the fiery prophet.

The Seventh Veil of Salome includes two of my favorite subjects, but I will admit that I've loved Silvia Moreno-Garcia's other offerings so much more. As always, her descriptions are wonderful and her dialogue is excellent, but I just couldn't fall as deeply in love with this as Mexican Gothic or Silver Nitrate. It is still a worthy read.

The Seventh Veil of Salome is available August 6, 2024.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia has a real talent for writing compelling novels in virtually every genre. Here, she does it again, in a novel that blends romance, suspense, and drama in 1950s Hollywood.

Vera Larios has just arrived in Hollywood to play Salome in one of a medium-size studio's big budget swords-and-sandals films. Although half of Hollywood's actresses has screen-tested for the role, she wins the role because she can portray Salome's complexities--naivete and seductiveness at all once. Nancy Hartley is a wannabe actress who has the looks and desires to be a famous actress, but not the good judgment or temperament to stand out in Hollywood. She burns with envy over Vera's casting, as Nancy believe she should have won the part.

The novel toggles between their stories and the story of Salome at the heart of the the big-screen adaptation. Each woman's story touches on desire and the tensions between competing urges and external forces in her life. Interspersed between these alternating chapters are first-person vignettes from fellow actors, writers, directors, and journalists whose comments hint at a ill-fated future looming over Vera and Nancy.

I love a good Hollywood Golden Age story, with this one focusing on the overt racism experienced by actors of color at that time, as well as the changing tides brought by method acting and its new class of actors. Salome's tale was told with greater complexity than she is typically afforded. I don't want to spoil anything, but the story was more suspenseful that I expected and I loved being on the edge of my seat as the three women's stories seemed to progress toward some tragic conclusion.

I highly recommend this book from one of the most reliable "must read" authors around. Silva Moreno-Garcia really captivates here, and I'm sure that fans of historical fiction and Hollywood drama will enjoy this. Also, the cover? Gorgeous.

The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia brings us to 1950s Hollywood and the glitz and glamor of the time. As with so many of her books, this has a gothic/noir flavor to it. To me, it truly felt as if I were immersed in a noir movie from that era.

In the book, The Seventh Veil of Salome is a big-budget epic that has all of Hollywood clambering to get a role. Yet, famous actresses keep getting turned down for the star role of Salome. The industry ends up getting quite a surprise when an unknown Mexican actress is discovered and given the lead role of Salome.

The book features several points of views, which is a plus for me. I love multi POV. There’s Salome in the movie as she falls for John the Baptist and who prophesizes Herod’s end. Vera, the actress who landed the Salome role, and Nancy, an aspiring actress who didn’t get the role and becomes obsessed with Vera, convinced the role belongs to her. Not surprisingly, Silvia’s writing is superb and it was hard for me to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey books for an advanced copy of this book.

I never miss a book by Moreno-Garcia and this one did not disappoint! Glamorous Hollywood in the 50’s, an innocent ingenue, a scheming actress, and gothic atmosphere. Awesome story, it moved along so quickly and I had no issues with the shifting pov. Fantastic!

Pub Date: July 16, 2024

When it comes to Silvia Moreno-Garcia, I will read practically anything she writes. I love her writing and how she is able to dabble in different genres so seamlessly from speculative to science fiction or, in this case, historical fiction. THE SEVENTH VEIL OF SALOME was one of my most anticipated books this year. Now having read it, this may just be Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s best work to date.

In 1950s Hollywood, the biggest production in town is “The Seventh Veil of Salome.” It’s bound to be a sword-and-sandal Biblical epic on the heels of other hit films alike with every actress clamoring for the lead role. After the studio casts an unknown Mexican ing​​énue named Vera Larios, much to the envy of bit player Nancy Hartley, she is thrown into the spotlight of celebrity and scandal alongside the whirlwind production of the film. At the same time, Salome’s story is also at the forefront and her love for a prophet who foresees her stepfather Herod’s demise.

There are so many things I love about this book, but I don’t want to give too much away. What I can say however and praise, is how Silvia Moreno-Garcia weaves together an intricate tale of Hollywood and the myth that is Salome. With the story told through multiple perspectives, including Vera, Nancy, and Salome’s, there is a build up that will have you anticipating what is in store. Through this narrative, the three women are seen or scrutinized in a certain way when there is actually much more to them than what we think we know. It all converges into a cinematic climax about dreams, desire, and identity.

I love movies. Everything about them is fascinating along with what is projected on screen. The history, the behind the scene stories, the allure of Hollywood, the artistry that goes into a film, are all pieces of how the silver screen became a place where dreams are made and come to life. Then, when you combine that with Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s impeccable writing, you get a novel that brings together the Golden Age of Hollywood, the magic of the movies, and the truth within the fantasy.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Del Rey Books for the ARCs, and Silivia Moreno-Garcia for the giveaway ARC.

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This review is currently posted on Goodreads and Storygraph.

My review will be posted on Instagram at @cinderellasbookshelf before or on its publication date. I will also have a post on Movie Recommendations Inspired by The Seventh Veil of Salome that will also be shared during the same week of publication.

The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia takes us to 1950s Hollywood and the filming of this movie. Vera Larios is the newcomer cast in the role of Salome. The story introduces us to everyone she meets director, agent, producer, cast and screenwriter. What’s different is each character gives their thoughts and opinions to move the story along. Also included is the film scenes of the movie. Very creative and just enough foreshadowing to let you know something is going to happen. Highly recommend! Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Glamorous 50's in Hollywood. There's a new role in a big-budget movie, the Seventh Veils of Salome. Hollywood is finally looking for fresh new faces for roles like Salome. When Vera Larios is discovered in her father's dental office in Mexico she believes it might just all be a mistake. She takes a leap of faith and moves to Los Angelos with her mother and aunt. Less established actresses in the business aren't interested in welcoming a newcomer and Vera has to contend with Nancy, and actress who did not get the part.

As Vera navigates the racist and sexist systems, we follow Nancy as she tries to break into the business. There are additional portions of the actual story of Salome, of the Herodian Dynasty (Herod II's daughter) and her own unsung story.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia has done her research and has woven the pov's and the biblical story together beautifully .
It's a dazzling story with glamour, adventure and a bit of romance. Step back in time and get lost in the story! #randomhouse #theseventhveilofsalome #siliviamorenogarcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia does it again! If you are a fan of her books, you will not be disappointed in this new one. The book sucks you in from the get-go and you will find yourself thinking about the characters long after you finish it. Do yourself a favor and get this book!!

Seventh Veil of Salome tells two interwoven stories in alternating chapters. One is set in the Golden Age of Hollywood, and the other is the motion picture currently being filmed, the story of Salome and John the Baptist. The Hollywood story is focused on two women: Vera Larios, the debut actress cast as Salome, and Nancy Hartley, a washed up actress who is determined to do everything she can to have Salome recast.

This is an extraordinary and unusual story. As I initially started the book, I was confused about the lack of sumptuous descriptions of 1950s Hollywood, but it all started to make sense. Moreno-Garcia focuses on the seedy underbelly of the era, exemplified by the shabby digs Nancy stays in and the casual racism Vera encounters as a Mexican actress.

The two stories are interwoven beautifully, and the question comes up again and again– who is Salome in our Hollywood story? And who is John the Baptist?

Moreno-Garcia may be my favorite active writer right now. Her versatility is astounding. I've read half a dozen books by her, and each one has been in a different subgenre and an absolute treasure in its own right including this one, Certain Dark Things(a haunting tale about vampires in Mexico), Gods of Jade and Shadow (a modern day Mayan fairy tale and road trip novel), Mexican Gothic (an incredible take on gothic horror) Signal to Noise (an unusual coming of age story), and Silver Nitrate (a combination of the 1970s Mexican horror movie scene and the occult). I also enjoyed Velvet was the Night and Untamed Shore. I suppose Seventh Veil might align closer to Velvet and Untamed Shore since all are period pieces without fantastical components, but all of Moreno-Garcia’s work is magical.

As always, Silvia Moreno-Garcia delivers with her new book.

There really is just something about how Silvia’s voice comes through in all of her works. No matter the genre, subject matter, or time period - it flows like only she can.

I’ve been out of the bible fandom for a while now, but I’m (still) a huge fan of biblical themes, motifs, and aesthetics. So this was kind of right up my alley. I especially relate to the author’s note:
“I sought classical paintings with Biblical motifs that had gory or dramatic scenes. Judith was a favorite heroine of mine…”

I’ve seen others comment that they had issues with the POV switching or formatting between Salome and the rest of the Hollywood plot, but I never found it to be distracting, and the biblical segments are kind of what I live for. I thought all the major characters - and quite a few of the minor characters - had plenty of time for the reader to get to know them.

The only part that fell a bit flat was the very end. Everything leading up to it was solid, but the ending felt like it was rushing to wrap everything up and give us a sort of epilogue to boot. Also just a heads up that it is the 50’s in America, so be prepared for racism and maybe take a look at the trigger warnings on StoryGraph if you’re someone who needs/uses them.

In all, a delightful read for those interested in 1950’s Hollywood, juicy biblical retellings, or fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia in general.

All opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

If you have read the infamous Silvia Moreno-Garcia before then you know she does not disappoint! The setting is *chefs kiss* because Mexican Gothic in the 1950s! This has so many impactful characters I can’t choose who to f***, marry, or kill. This is about a bit of luck, predicted tragedy, tears galore, & feminism. This book is sexy as hell & sinful for everything in between. Thank you so much to the author, the publisher, & NetGalley for this wonderful book!

Outside my usual wheelhouse of books by this author, The Seventh Veil of Salome is quite the imaginative story.

The story itself is told from multiple perspectives and that is where I tended to struggle quite a bit as it tied into the pacing which in turn, made the plot less than tolerable. The characters themselves are interesting enough but we get many inner dialogues and it doesn’t help move the pacing along much. Where this author continue to shines is how she handle discussions on race.

For the most part, this is an interesting tale. If you’re a fan of Hollywood noir and old movies, then this book is right up your alley.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read/review.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia has done it again!

Old Hollywood glitz and glamour and drama? Sign me up. I enjoyed the Seventh Veil of Salome so much. I devoured it - I read it so quickly. I highly recommend it to all readers.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this wonderful ARC!