This was a great historical fiction about a time period and setting that there isn't an oversaturation of storylines. All three women had strong characters and were well-developed. The story moved along at a good pace and the setting description helped embellish the plot. A great read!

Quick and Dirty
-1950s Hollywood setting
-mystery and intrigue
-Cold War story
-unlikely friendships and alliances

Well, this was a delight! I don’t know about you, but I LOVE Classic Hollywood films and film stars. And this book read like a classic film noir screenplay, complete with a Hollywood starlet down on her luck. From the very first pages, it feels like a movie, with suspense building throughout. I loved the setting and the content, particularly the Cold War scare and the HUAC trials. For anyone who doesn’t know, the House Un-American Activities Committee was formed in the late 30s to investigate suspected communists living in America. After WWII, when the Cold War began to gather steam, HUAC really took off, targeting higher education, government officials, Hollywood executives, actors, writers, and artists. Many VERY famous Hollywood A-listers were either accused of being linked to Communism or spoke out against HUAC, which in turn threatened their careers. Some were “blacklisted,” meaning they could no longer work in Hollywood AT all! The main character of the book is one of the many whose bright star burned out as a result of an unfounded accusation, and the book does a great job painting that picture of life after being blacklisted. But it’s SO much more than that, too. It really is a great slice of life in Los Angeles, complete with wildfire representation. I really enjoyed this one and will have to do a full review on the blog to explain all the reasons why. In the meantime, know that this one is a great summertime vacation read that you won’t want to put down!!

3.5-4⭐️ 1956 Malibu, California - Paradise Circle is home to black-listed actress Melanie Cole and her friend, agoraphobic screenwriter Elwood, who lives with his sister-in-law, June, as she helps to take care of him.

Elwood is Melanie’s sole confidant, often speaking to her every day through his window. After weeks pass with no word from him, and seeing June digging in the rose bushes early one morning, Melanie and her housekeeper, Eva, become suspicious that something has happened to Elwood.

I found myself confused as to my feelings on this book. I absolutely loved Susan Meissner’s previous book, Only the Beautiful, and therefore went into this one with very high expectations. While I did enjoy it, it wasn’t quite the standout I was hoping for.

What I loved:
▪️Meissner’s focus on McCarthyism in Hollywood and the pervasive nature of it
▪️The dynamic between June, Frank, and Elwood
▪️June's wild “solution” to her predicament
▪️The deep friendship that develops between the three FMCs
▪️The fast-paced writing style that is very unique for historical fiction
▪️Melanie’s struggle to overcome her blacklist status

What I didn’t love as much:
▪️Eva’s POV, particularly in the past, felt less engaging to me, and I found my focus drifting
▪️Pacing in the second half of the book
▪️The ending felt as though it was wrapped up in a tidy bow

🎧 As is always the case for me with historical fiction, the audiobook takes it to another level. Lisa Flanagan so brilliantly captures the time period with her narration of this wide cast of characters and the Soviet threat that encapsulated the era.

All in all, this is a solid historical fiction read about a time in history that’s not as often written about. If you are looking for a HF novel that is centered around Hollywood, features female friendship, a little bit of mystery, and fast paced writing, check this one out, especially on audio.

Thank you Berkley Pub and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.

I was really excited to read this book, and while it didn't fully capture my attention in the way I had hoped, it was still an interesting and well-written read. The author presents a vivid and honest portrayal of the lives of women in the 1950s, shedding light on their struggles, hopes, and heartbreaks in a time of societal pressure and limited opportunities. It’s a poignant exploration of the challenges women faced, and the way these experiences are depicted is both compelling and heartbreaking.

The narrative brought me closer to understanding how the expectations of the era affected their lives, and though I may not have been as invested as I wanted to be, the themes of the book stayed with me. It’s a beautiful, thought-provoking piece that captures a significant moment in history, making it well worth reading.

A MAP TO PARADISE by Susan Meissner

Thank you @berkleypub & @prhaudio for my #gifted copies. 💓 #berkleyig #berkleypartner

Susan Meissner is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Her books Only the Beautiful, A Fall of Marigolds, and The Nature of Fragile Things are among my very favorite hist fic books. So when I saw she had a new book coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it!

A Map to Paradise takes place in Malibu, California during the "Red Scare" of the early 1950s. Here, Meissner weaves together the stories of three women: Melanie, a Hollywood starlet who's been blacklisted for Communist ties; Eva, a European iimmigrant housekeeper with a dark and tragic past; and June, Melanie's neighbor, who cares for her agoraphobic brother-in-law while harboring more than one secret.

This is my first historical fiction novel about the "Red Scare" and I was utterly transfixed! Meissner has a way of transporting the reader to the time and place of her novels, and creating such authentic, three-dimensional characters. The story grabbed hold and didn't let me go until the very last page. Ultimately, A Map to Paradise is an engaging and moving story of friendship, camaraderie, and resilient women.

🎧 Per usual, I read this by alternating between my print copy and the audiobook, which was the best of both worlds. Lisa Flanagan's narration is top notch!! She flawlessly alternates between the three MCs and their varying voices/accents. I was never lost or confused about whose chapter I was reading.

I highly recommend A Map to Paradise in whatever format you prefer. 💕

4.5 rounded up!

It's 1956, the war is over and American politicians are working to publicize the names of people who are thought to be members of the Communist party. The Hollywood blacklist was a list of people in the entertainment industry that were ineligible for employment because of their suspected ties to the communist party. A Map to Paradise looks at three women who are struggling to find happiness in their lives despite all that is going on in the world.

Melanie is an actress who had a major role in a hit movie. Her name is on the black list because her co-star in the movie is suspected of being a Communist. They acted like a couple in love to help publicize the movie so she is also a suspect. To keep her safe, her boyfriend makes arrangements for her to live in a house in Malibu, far away from reporters. Melanie wants to go back to acting and doesn't understand why she is unable to work in Hollywood. The only people that she talks to are her cleaning lady, Eva who is an immigrant from war-town Europe and her neighbor Elwood who is a script writer with agoraphobia and lives with his sister in law next door. Early one morning she sees Elwood's sister in law, Jane, digging in his rosebushes. After that she's unable to get him to the phone and she becomes suspicious of Jane. She sends Eva next door to help with the cleaning but wants Eva to find out what's happened to Elwood. Eva wants to keep a low profile because she lied on her entry forms to the US and is fearful of being sent back to Europe.

All three of these women are hiding secrets from the world. In the beginning, they aren't friends - they are individually doing what they can to survive in their worlds. As several secrets come to light, their friendship begins to grow. But can they really trust each other or are they only setting themselves up for trouble?

I really enjoyed this book. All three women were very strong in their own way. Even Melanie who was the most naive grows as she becomes involved with the other two women. This book is full of suspense - a fire in Malibu, a possible dead body and the black list in Hollywood all add to the story and make it an interesting look at America in the 1950s. I really liked all three female characters but my favorite was Eva who had been through so much in her life and had the most to lose if her secret was revealed.

Be sure to read the Author's Notes at the end of the book to find out more about the author's research into the beginnings of the Cold War and the blacklisting of the early 50s. This was another great book by Susan Meissner.

The author’s books always make me think. It was a little eerie how as I read this I could see a little bit of a parallel to the world today. And it made me a little sad that we haven’t learned from history.

Melanie, Eva, and June’s stories are all unique and powerful and at times surprising. I loved how their connections led to friendship and that they had more in common than they thought. It really showcased how women can persevere while holding up the women around them. It’s a perfect read for women’s history month.

The more I read, the more the characters grew on me. Their backstory slowly came out and it really affected what I thought of them. I admired their resiliency and their courage to keep moving forward.

Lisa Flanagan did a good job of bringing these three unique women to life. She allowed each one to shine in their own way.

I enjoyed this one from start to finish.

1. This cover is incredible.

2. The story was a little slow until it wasn’t. Then it got crazy really fast! I loved all of the jumping back and forth in time for all of the characters.

3. The character development was phenomenal as per usual with Susan Meissner. Her descriptions were also so incredible I feel like I was there with the characters.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. I was so honored to be chosen. All thoughts are my own.

Beautiful and bittersweet tale of the enduring power and resilience of female friendship. I loved learning about the Red Scare and I found the Hollywood setting super interesting and immersive.

I know I can always count on Susan Meissner for enjoyable historical fiction about an event that's underrepresented in novels.

And A Map to Paradise (thank you #gifted @uplitreads @berkley ) is just that.

Three women: Melanie, a blacklisted actress; Eva, an immigrant from war-torn Europe; and June, the sister-in-law turned caretaker for a reclusive writer, cross paths in 1950s Malibu.

Some have secrets. Some are afraid of events from their past. But they're all looking for friendship and a little corner of paradise to call their own.

I loved the connections they formed, the questions about being a displaced person, and what it means to belong. It was not as obvious to me as it should have been how all these women are fearful of losing their home- or have already lost it- even though they come from very different circumstances.

I thought Melanie's chapters dragged a bit though (at least until a life changing event occurs in the middle).

But it was still a pleasant escape to Hollywood, full of strong female friendships and self-discovery.

This is my third book by Susan Meissner and I gotta say, I loved them all. An amazing story taking place in Malibu California, 1956. During the Red Scare, when McCarthyism is in full swing. Three strong women come together to support each other. Melanie, an actress that's been blacklisted. Eva, Melanie's maid, who's a Polish immigrant. And June, who is Melanie's neighbor's caretaker. I really enjoyed all of these characters. It's a slow burn, but one you can get completely invested in. I always enjoy books about female friendships and found family. I was pulled in right from the beginning and flew through it.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank goodness for Susan Meissner! I’ve been in the worst reading slump and this was the first book in weeks that made me happy to read. It was the perfect blend of historical fiction, mystery, and the all important element of girl power!

On the Hollywood blacklist, up and coming actress Melanie Cole is hiding out in hopes it will blow over and she’ll be able to return to her dream job. With no companions, she befriends her agoraphobic neighbor. When he isn’t seen for a few days, the mystery begins.

I enjoyed the multiple threads woven throughout this story - McCarthy era, love stories, a mystery, female friendships among very different women, and women helping women.

Another fantastic read by Susan Meissner! She is definitely an autobuy author for me — I’ve read 6 of her books and I have two others waiting for me.

A MAP TO PARADISE has the classic charm we’ve come to expect from Susan, but with this one, she dives really deep into a character study of three women whose lives are intertwined in a very serious way, but who all have different secrets they wish to keep to themselves. There are still quite a few twists and turns to drive the plot, but I really appreciated the character development the most.

As always, it’s clear Susan did a ton of research to craft this story (don’t skip the author’s note!), and I appreciate that she tackled a topic that we (or at least I!) don’t often read in historical fiction: the red scare in the 50s. The years following WWII must have been incredibly complicated, filled with both relief that the war was over and fear over the spread of communism and what felt like an imminent Soviet invasion in the U.S. I think Susan did a great job exploring the time period in an approachable way.

I’ve seen some reviews mention this one feels like literary fiction with an historical setting, not so much historical fiction by definition, and I totally get that, but I still categorize this as historical fiction. If you take the historical setting out of the book, it completely changes the characters’ lives and the plot in general. So I would still classify it as HF, but it’s not necessarily a deep dive into the red scare or the years following WWII (or during WWII), although all of this is explored in some way to shape the story.

Thank you so much to @berkleypub for my early copy. A MAP TO PARADISE is available now!

A Map to Paradise started a little slow for me, but once the background of each character was revealed, I found myself completely invested in their journeys. This is a fascinating look at the effects of the Cold War on Hollywood—so many actors were blacklisted during this time. Post-WWII McCarthyism led to the investigation of suspected Communist sympathizers, often without real evidence, and this book does a great job highlighting that unsettling era.

I really enjoyed how the author brought together three strong women, each navigating their own struggles and chasing their dreams. They were all intriguing, but I kinda wish we got to dive even deeper into their lives. Some parts of the story felt a bit rushed, and I would’ve loved to savor it more. That said, I was fully invested in each of them as the story unfolded!

Melanie Cole is on the blacklist in Hollywood, through no fault of her own. Everyone thinks since she is “dating” her costar that she is a communist. So, she has very few friends at the present time, except for her maid, Eva, and her next door neighbor, Elmwood.

Elmwood has agoraphobia and refuses to leave his house. So, when he goes radio silent and his sister-in-law has some strange behavior, it sends up warning signals to Melanie. And she does not take this sitting down…She is all up in June’s business.

This is not your typical Susan Meissner book. This one is missing her emotional kick. But y’all! I still enjoyed it. I loved the characters and I enjoyed the setting of the McCarthy era.

And don’t think that Melanie is just a dumb starlet. She has her moments! Add in Eva’s secrets and June’s lies…and you have a pretty entertaining read!

Need a novel full of secrets and friendships…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

In the 1950's, Malibu, California was not exempt from the second round of the "Red Scare", as Senator Joseph McCarthy campaigned against communist, known as McCarthyism. A young starlet, Melanie Cole was blacklisted from any jobs in Hollywood due to her close association with a leading actor known as a communist. Carson would take her on outings and pay her rent with all the luxury shopping she wanted. After she was associated and photographed with him, she was accused and questioned about her involvement and the people they socialized with. It was common during that time period for actors, politicians and other important figures were thought to be involved with the Left-winged ideologists, so their career was doomed or tainted as the Red Scare was provoked by fear.
Melanie's neighbor, Elwood, a screenwriter in Hollywood speaks to her through open windows offering her advice. He will not leave home due to his anxiety and fear after a tragic accident from his drunk driving left the one he loved dead. His sister-in-law June lives with him taking care of him. After she sees June tearing up his rose bushes, she approaches her and begins to suspect something is wrong because she will not allow anyone to visit him.
Eva, an immigrant from war-torn France, works for Melanie as her housekeeper, and is also paid by Carson. Melanie sends her over to find out how Elwood is and offers her up to help with his care, but under June's strict orders he can't be bothered. The tension and suspicious behavior builds.
This story is built around three women and their fragile pact that slowly unravels their secrets. Their question is how did they get to this point with all the love loss, tragedy and secrets individualizing each but yet bringing them closer together to find acceptance they have all hoped for.
Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this incredible ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Bestselling author Susan Meissner says she was researching the 1950’s when she learned “how fearful people were in the early years of the Cold War.” Americans were terrified that their way of life would be taken from them, and peace in the world was tenuous given that World War II was not that far away in the proverbial rearview mirror. She began considering “displacement” and possible reactions to it. “What does someone do when they’ve no sense of home anymore? How do they live without it? What are they willing to do to get it back? And if the loss of home is imminent, what are they willing to risk to keep it from being taken from them?”

The result is A Map to Paradise featuring three female main characters, each of whom has been displaced from or is facing the imminent loss of her home, lifestyle, and the security that comes from having a place to belong.

Melanie Kolander disappointed her parents when she left Omaha, Nebraska and moved to Hollywood to pursue a career as an actress rather than going to college. Known professionally as Melanie Cole, she scored bit parts in movies before finally landing a lead role in a successful film that was released just months ago. She also had a high-profile relationship with her costar, Carson Edwards – arranged by the studio – that they both enjoyed, even though neither saw it as a real or lasting romance. Melanie was finally earning enough money to splurge on luxury items and looking forward to the start of filming on her next big movie in which she would again have the starring role.

And then, at just twenty-five years of age, her dream life evaporated before it really got started. Because of her association with Carson, her name was placed on Hollywood’s blacklist, she lost the role in the upcoming film, and no studio will hire her. Her parents are embarrassed and, along with her agent, have urged her to come home to Omaha, enroll in college courses, and build a more stable life for herself. Melanie steadfastly refuses.

Instead, wealthy Carson has admirably arranged for Melanie to escape to a rented house on Paradise Circle in Malibu and agreed to pay Melanie’s living expenses for the foreseeable future, hoping that the Red Scare will be short-lived, and their careers will survive. In the meantime, they must avoid being seen together in order to keep further rumors from circulating. Melanie not only is not a member of the Communist party, she has never attended any meetings, and is not even sure what it means to be a Communist. Like too many in the entertainment industry, she has been unjustly targeted solely because of her relationship with Carson, who has been suspiciously cagey when Melanie has questioned him as to whether he is a Communist or sympathizer.

Isolated and alone in her rental house, Melanie has had no social life for months and has sought solace and advice about her predicament from her next-door neighbor, Elwood Blankenship, a successful screenwriter. Since a tragic automobile accident nearly a decade ago in Palm Springs that claimed the life of his passenger, Ruthie Brink, a woman he was dating at the time, Elwood has suffered from agoraphobia. He has not ventured out of his residence in all those years, and converses with Melanie either while near a doorway or from his bedroom window, where he spends countless hours drafting scripts that are delivered to the studios for him. Elwood’s brother, Frank, and his wife, June, moved in to care for him after the accident. And June remained after Frank’s sudden death from a heart attack five years ago.

The other person Melanie interacts with consistently is Eva Kruse, the housekeeper who spends six hours each weekday mostly cleaning a house that is already clean and preparing meals for Melanie. The two women don’t converse much, and Eva is conscientious and reserved. Dispatched by Marvelous Maids, Eva would like to secure a different assignment, but fears that lodging a request could backfire and she needs the job.

Not only is Malibu a long bus ride from the room she rents, Eva harbors secrets that could both complicate matters for Melanie and result in Eva's deportation from the United States. Eva is a thirty-year-old survivor of World War II who lost her home, family, and the young man, Sascha, she loved and planned to spend her life with. After the war, she spent time in Displaced Persons camps before landing a housekeeping position in London and, from there, emigrating to Los Angeles after securing a sponsor. But Eva falsified her history and immigration officials would take swift action should the actual details about her background become known.

As the story opens in December 1956, sleepless Melanie is shocked when she observes June digging up several of Elwood’s beloved rose bushes in the yard. Melanie cannot fathom why June would do such a thing, especially in the middle of the night, knowing how it will upset Elwood. Meissner relates that June came to life in her “mind as an image of a sad and desperate woman digging up rose bushes at three a.m.” and she filled in the details – June’s history, her relationships with both Elwood and Frank, and the events that have led up to that pivotal moment.

Melanie questions June about not only the roses, but Elwood’s sudden disappearance. She doesn’t see him in the bedroom window, is not able to talk with him through the fence, and June refuses to call him to the telephone when Melanie calls. June has always been protective of Elwood, but is particularly evasive, insisting that Elwood isn’t speaking to anyone because he is experiencing a depressive episode and needs to focus on completing a script that is due to the studio soon. Melanie does not buy June’s explanations, growing increasingly worried about Elwood and fearing that he is not in his house at all. But where could he be? Learning that June injured her back while moving the rose bushes, she concocts a scheme to send Eva next door to assist June with housekeeping . . . and find out whether Elwood is there and safe.

Meissner set her story in Malibu, “a fragile paradise,” on a fictional street named Paradise Circle. Malibu is not only set on the beautiful Pacific coast, it has long been known as “the wildfire capital of North America,” and the timing of the publication of Meissner’s tale – March 2025 – is eerily ironic, coming just a couple of months after the historic Palisades fire that decimated huge portions of the area. For Meissner, the setting presciently illustrated that “you can’t know for certain that what you think of as home there will always be around.”

Eva and June bond, developing a relationship that can be mutually beneficial. Eva shares some of her secrets with June, who dangles offers of assistance securing a better job in exchange for Eva’s cooperation. Soon, Melanie finds herself joining their surprising alliance in an effort to ensure that potentially devastating truths remain buried.

Meissner’s characters are fully developed and sympathetic. Melanie, who naively came to Hollywood with big dreams and quickly learned that success can be both hard-earned and wrongly ripped away, is ambitious, tenacious, and surprisingly principled. She becomes the voice of reason when she learns the truth and what is at stake. Eva already knows how it feels to lose everything, but is intent on surviving, even though she has remained heartbroken about losing Sascha. Others, including her landlady, Yvonne, have urged her to put her past behind her and open her heart to love again, but she has been unable to do so. Nonetheless, she has been adept at self-preservation in the past and is ready to again do whatever the situation requires. She feels a kinship with and fondness for both Melanie and June but is particularly protective of June. She feels great compassion for her because Eva knows all too well what it is like to be pushed to the brink.

June is the most complex of the three characters. She has a victim mentality that is infuriating, even when viewed within the context of the time period. At a time when women were disqualified by their gender from securing a mortgage in order to purchase real property and were expected to marry, raise a family, and let men be the decision-makers, June fears losing the only home and security she has ever known. Her mother left her home alone overnight in a closet, and Frank (with her acquiescence) invested in an unsuccessful venture that cost them their home. With Elwood in idyllic Malibu, she finally has the home she has longed for and the possibility of losing it is more than she can bear. Inarguably, she made poor choices over the years and developed unrealistic expectations, but she remains a tragic figure, at least to Eva and, to a lesser extent, Melanie.

The story is intriguing and as events unfold, Meissner explores her characters’ pasts, revealing how they came to be on Paradise Circle at the same time, how their pasts have shaped and motivated them, and why they must trust each other and work together to carry out their plan in order to secure the kind of futures for themselves they want.

At its core, A Map to Paradise is a tale of friendship. Meissner employs an outrageous premise, punctuated with surprising revelations and complications, to demonstrate how three women unite, initially motivated by secrecy and fears of betrayal, but end up protecting, supporting, and assisting each other through an unimaginable crisis. Circumstances throw them together with a common desire “to recover that exquisite feeling of knowing you are right where you belong, and that you can rest there because no one is trying to take it from you.” They had each known that kind of paradise at one point in their lives. “They’d each found it before without a map, and had to believe they could all find it again, the same way. Because there is no map to paradise. There is only the dream that such a place exists, as does the desire to possess it, and the determination to find it again when it’s been lost.”

Meissner’s skillful storytelling makes finding out whether Melanie, Eva, and June find paradise again a riveting and highly entertaining experience.

Melanie Cole’s career as an actress has been put on hold, as she’s shunned to Hollywood’s blacklist, and she’s staying in a rental next door to Elwood, an agoraphobic screenwriter, and his sister-in-law, June. While Melanie and her housekeeper, Eva, see June around the home, they soon stop seeing Elwood completely, and begin to wonder how a man who never leaves home could seemingly disappear.

I have previously read and absolutely loved two of Susan Meissner’s books—her writing is beautiful and she consistently creates engaging stories. The exquisite writing was no exception in this latest novel—she beautifully tells the story and portrays well-developed, dynamic characters. I loved how the book was lead by an ensemble of three strong female characters, and appreciated their backstories that contributed to their character development. Overall, I’d recommend this book!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for my gifted e-ARC!

𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4⭐️
A MAP TO PARADISE
🤍𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: historical fiction / mystery
📖 352 pages
𝗘𝗺𝗼𝗷𝗶𝘀:🌹🎥✍🏼😢🪖🔥🎬🌴♥️💔🥹
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 3/18/2025

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
◽️ unlikely friendships
◽️ old Hollywood
◽️ WWII
◽️ multiple POV & timeline

💛𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲💛

- 1956, Malibu, CA

Thank you @berkleypub @prhaudio for the free #gifted copy!

A MAP OF PARADISE was such a refreshing & unique read! I loved exploring a historical topic that was different from what I usually gravitate toward. The story immediately pulled me in with its intriguing mystery, & I found myself eager to see where the plot would lead. The multiple timelines & perspectives added depth to the narrative, making it even more engaging.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was the strong presence of female characters & how their lives intertwined. Their journeys were compelling, highlighting themes of resilience, starting over, & discovering who to trust. At its heart, this is a story about unlikely friendships & the beauty of found family, making it a truly memorable read!

𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁: Starlet Melanie Cole is stuck in Hollywood with her career on hold & only her reclusive neighbor, Elwood, to confide in. One morning, she & her housekeeper, Eva, see Elwood’s sister-in-law, June, digging in his rose garden. After that, Elwood disappears without a trace. As they search for answers, the women uncover secrets that bind them together in an uneasy alliance. But their fragile trust is at risk, & one wrong move could destroy everything.

#AMaptoParadise #historicalfiction #murdermystery #mystery #fiction #hardcover #audiobook #giftedbooks #Berkley #Berkleypartner #bookaddict #whattoreadnext #botwxbs #bookcollector #booksaremylife #booksonbooks #crimewithaclaw #cozycorner #communism #prhaudiopartner

A Map to Paradise is a mystery set in Malibu, California during the McCarthy Era (“red scare”) in which three unlikely conspirators join forces.

Where are the dead bodies hidden?

In 1956, three women on Paradise Circle in Malibu, California find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. At a time when authors and actors are “blacklisted” and the “red scare” is at its intensity, Melanie is hiding out because of her association with a boyfriend who is under suspicion of being a Communist. Her reclusive next-door neighbor hasn’t been seen for days and his sister-in-law/caregiver mysteriously digs up his roses in the backyard. Is this suspicious or does Melanie have an overactive imagination? She sends her housekeeper, Eva, over to check things out. Suddenly, circumstances become complicated, and events spiral out of control as the three women work together to hide secrets.

I’m not sure if we can call these three women friends exactly. They are more like co-conspirators as events spiral out of control. Melanie is an out-of-work movie star who is hiding out in fear of being black-listed because her love interest is suspected of being a communist. Elwood, the reclusive man next door is a screenwriter, and his sister-in-law, June, is his caretaker and companion. Melanie suspects foul play as she hasn’t seen Elwood outside for several days and she spots June digging up his roses in the middle of the night. She suspects foul play. Should she report her suspicions? Eva, an immigrant with her own backstory and secrets, is Melanie’s housekeeper and Melanie sends her to June’s house to spy. Is Elwood still alive? Eventually, these three women who each have a secret to protect, form an unlikely alliance. I didn’t find any of the three desperate women especially likable.

A Map to Paradise includes multiple levels of intrigue. What really happened to Elwood? Is June a suspect? What are her motives? Eva’s backstory puts her immigration status and life at risk. Will Melanie find work again as an actor after her association with a suspected communist? How far will she go and what risks will she take to support Eva and June? A lot is going on here!

The events in this story lead to an important ethical question for readers: are the actions these women take to protect themselves and each other ethical or even justified? Although the author doesn’t appear to raise the question, the ethics of covering up a crime would lead to an interesting book club discussion.

Content Consideration: fire (reminiscent of the recent Malibu/Pacific Palisades fires), death, deception, grief, abusive spouse

If you enjoy sides of intrigue and desperate women, A Map to Paradise might be a good read for you. The historical period is an interesting backdrop that adds drama to this suspenseful story. Fans of Susan Meissner might want to add this page-turning new release to their TBRs.

Thanks #NetGalley @BerkleyPub #BerkleyBuddyReads for a complimentary eARC of #AMapToParadise upon my request. All opinions are my own.