I am a huge fan of the Frost and Head mystery series! However, this installment is by far the best in this series! This mystery focuses on Marion Davies and her romance with William Randolph Hearst! I love how the setting is on Old Hollywood. There are a lot of scandals in this book! Thus, this book is a must read for fans of The Golden Age! I recommend this for fans of the Roaring Twenties mysteries, Grace Michelle mysteries, and Eleanor Swift mysteries!

The Sharpest Needle by Renee Patrick is another intriguing mystery set in the early days of filmmaking with lots of inside information about the famous of Hollywood. A well researched take on an era like no other, I can't wait to see what comes next for Lillian and Edith.

As usual, this series gets better and better. I love this period and the setting of Old Hollywood. I love the connection back to many old movies that I have seen. I would recommend this series to anyone who is an old time movie fan.

This delightful series is known for its entertaining amateur detection involving real Hollywood personalities. Investigators Lillian Frost and Edith Head—yes, *that* Edith Head—solve crimes while mixing in all kinds of tidbits about the movie industry of the era. This was not my favorite installment; it was actually such slow going in the beginning, with what seemed like every character’s full resume and excruciating detail about what everyone wearing, that I wondered whether I should finish. Fortunately, things improved markedly after a few chapters, when matters took on greater urgency because of a murder. The actual mystery didn’t completely hang together for me, but that’s OK. It was enough fun to spend time with these interesting characters in old-time Hollywood once they finally got going and started having meaningful detecting to do. Good for existing fans of the series. This book works as a standalone, but if you are new to the series, I recommend starting with one of the earlier books for a better first impression of these engaging detectives.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a digital advance review copy.

I'm loving this series for the excellent mix of fictional and historical characters.
The descriptions of 30s Hollywood always fascinates me and the solid mystery keeps me guessing.
Excellent plot and character development, a well researched and vivid historical background.
I can't wait to read the next installment, this one is highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

An entertaining behind-the-scenes mystery sprinkled with Hollywood cultural history, what could be better (especially during awards season)? Set in 1939 and featuring many classic film stars, it's the perfect reading after watching Mank on Netflix. This series gets better with every new instalment so I was delighted to feature this new title in February’s edition of Novel Encounters, my monthly column rounding up the top new fiction titles for Zoomer magazine’s Books section.
To read the feature, click on the link.

It’s August 1939, and silent film actress Marion Davies has been receiving poison pen letters from someone calling himself Argus. The letters threaten to reveal something from Marion’s past, something that could ruin her current relationship with William Randolph Hurst. When she turns to Lillian Frost and Edith Head for help, Edith can’t help but think there is more to the situation than there first appears to be. Then a dead body turns up. Can Lillian and Edith figure out what is going on?

There is so much to praise in this book. The plot is strong and always keeps us engaged. It does get a little convoluted as we reach the climax, but as long as you pay attention, you’ll follow what is happening. Real people and fictional characters rub elbows seamlessly, and they all appear fully formed to us. I love watching for cameos. The news of the day impacts the character, and therefore us. Yet we also have talk about the films coming out during that time, which I enjoyed. This is more than a Hollywood mystery. If you enjoy historical mysteries, you need to read these books today.

With occasional snippets from gossip columns, visits to "houses of beauty" catering to the elite, and descriptions of 1930s clothing, the writing team known as Renee Patrick (Rosemarie and Vince Keenan) plant readers so firmly into the soil of Hollywood that they can't help but try to catch glimpses of Clark Gable and Errol Flynn. The Keenans have a deep knowledge of Hollywood (you may have seen them on Turner Classic Movies), so even though you may have a phobia of writers using historical personages as characters, you might change your mind after reading The Sharpest Needle. I've enjoyed this series from the first book-- Design for Dying-- and I like the way the Keenans handle their historical characters: fun, light, and sticking as closely to the facts as possible.

As the personal assistant to a millionaire, Lillian Frost has the ability to take time off to investigate as long as she stays up-to-date with her work. Edith Head, as the head of Paramount Picture's insanely busy costume department, is mainly Lillian's friend and advisor who has a fierce intelligence, an eye for detail, and a wealth of contacts. Through Head, readers get to see what she had to put up with in order to become the best costume designer Hollywood has ever seen.

Through millionaire Addison Rice's contacts, Lillian Frost can be invited almost anywhere, and in this fourth book, she gets to wander Hearst Castle. As we see the grounds and learn of William Randolph Hearst's collecting habits, I was reminded of a scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark. I was longing for a time machine so I could be transported back. Just turn me loose and let me explore, pretty please!

As good as the characters and the setting are, the mystery is every bit as good. There are many paths to follow before readers finally begin to learn what's really going on. If you enjoy multi-layered historical mysteries with strong characters and a fantastic sense of place, you can't go wrong with Renee Patrick's Lillian Frost & Edith Head series. You can jump right in with The Sharpest Needle, but don't be surprised if you find yourself looking for the other three. They're quite addictive!

1939 Los Angeles. Retired actress Marion Davies, among others, has received a poison pen letters. On hearing about the activities of Lillian Frost and Edith Head she asked them to investigate. But then a murder occurs and the next letter states their demands.
An enjoyable cozy historical well-written mystery with a selection of likeable characters. Another good addition to the series which can be read as a standalone story.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read this series from the start. Renee Patrick (pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team) paints a vivid and detailed picture of Hollywood between the wars, as seen through the eyes of Lillian Frost, a onetime would-be actress who now works as a wealthy man’s social secretary. Lillian and her friend, costume designer Edith Head, have a reputation as amateur sleuths willing to take on discreet investigations for Hollywood’s elite.

Lillian and Edith are called to the side of Marion Davies, the comic actress known (and, to some, notorious) as the lover of press magnate William Randolph Hearst. Davies is receiving poison-pen letters and blackmail threats about an incident in her past that she’d rather Hearst not know about.

Lillian and Edith think they have the case solved quickly, but it turns out to be far from over. And, as their investigation continues, Hollywood and the whole country are on tenterhooks while war in Europe comes ever closer to breaking out.

The atmosphere of this novel is interesting, as always, with loads of cameos by such luminaries as Orson Welles and Charlie Chaplin, and appearances by lesser-known faces and places in Hollywood history. I also enjoyed reading about the “fifth column” in Hollywood.

I was not as impressed with the mystery plot. I never think much of blackmail plots, but this one was especially thin. As danger and violence increased, it was inexplicable that nobody suggested that confessing to the transgression was a good idea. The investigation dragged for over three quarters of the book and I found myself not particularly motivated to read. The denouement, set at a celebrity-filled costume party, was far more interesting in scene setting than in its revelation of the whodunnit—and the whydunnit was not compelling. It was also a bit of a letdown that Edith Head faded into the background of this story and Lillian Frost’s character seemed flat.

A lesser effort in this generally enjoyable series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Severn House for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review “The Sharpest Needle.” All opinions are my own.

As usual, Renee Patrick conjures up an amazing look at early Hollywood and the movie industry in this, the latest Lillian Frost and Edith Head historical mystery. This one’s set in 1939, just before the war. Literally.

Our main star is Marion Davies, paramour of William Randolph Hearst, of Hearst Newspapers and Hearst Castle fame. Miss Davies has received a poison pen letter, and she shows it to Lillian and Edith, requesting their help. She wants them to find out who’s sending the things. Come to find out a couple other people from Miss Davies’ silent screen past have also received letters. Eventually our duo find out it has to do with a sham wedding that took place between Marion and Charlie Chaplin. A joke ceremony, just something silly, but if “W.R.” finds out, well.

We get a cameo from Orson Welles, who arrives quickly on the scene, makes an impression on Lillian and Edith, and leaves. “A star that fell to earth,” as Edith says. Followers of Hollywood history will know that Mr. Welles’ star did indeed burn bright, too bright for him to sustain.

And there’s our continuing character, Simon Fischer, who’s still undercover in his neo-Nazi organization. He’s still pining for Edith, but there’s that cop fellow she can’t get enough of, although they’re on the outs right now (hopefully you read the previous book, and you know why).

It doesn’t take long for our (amateur) snoops to figure out where the letters are coming from, and off they go --- to find the chief suspect dead. Suicide? Not on your life. And the letters keep coming, now with blackmail demands for a piece of artwork that Hearst owns. That takes Lillian to Hearst Castle, to get some answers. (If you ever get a chance to see it, go. It’s as fabulous as described.)

Did I mention they also got to spend some time at Clifton’s Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles – what a place that was! It’s great to see the author(s) (a husband-and-wife duo) use these terrific, gone but not forgotten LA locations in their books – their research is exemplary.

Even Charlie Chaplin makes an appearance, trying to patch everything up. The risk of bad publicity is something that’s gone on forever in Hollywood! The chapter gossip column headings remind us that there’s always an eye on goings-on in Tinseltown.

At Marion’s beach house (once the largest beach house in California – parts of which still exist) comes our denouement with the painting – and a big ‘ol twist, the real reason behind everything. But retribution has its place, and those who require it will feel its sting.

As in the other books in the series, “The Sharpest Needle” is cleverly plotted, filled with famous faces, famous places, and real time events. The war may have started in Europe, but it’ll be a while before it becomes a reality for America. Lillian and Edith will have plenty to do before that, and I look forward to many more adventures.

I just love this series. Patrick really conveys the early days of the movies wonderfully, peppered with cameos of whos who in Hollywood in the 30s / 40s.

I think the actually mystery in The Sharpest Needle was a bit lacking, but as always the chemistry between Edith Head & Lillian is perfect. I LOVED that this featured mogul Hearst & his lover Marion Davies AND had Orson Wells & Charlie Chaplin in the story line too. I would have liked to see more to the blackmail / poison pen mystery as it seemed flat against all of the glitz & glamour of the very very rich. Maybe a bit bloodthirsty but more murders usually work for me.

I look forward to the next installment!

Such a fun entry for Frost and Head. Not their best, but I'm a big Old Hollywood fan anyway, so this series has been a super low maintenance pleasure for me

Such a fun entry for Frost and Head. I'm a big Old Hollywood fan so this series has been a super low maintenance pleasure for me!

This is the fourth title in the very enjoyable Golden Age of Hollywood mystery series featuring Lilian Frost and Edith Head, but each is complete in itself and this is as good a title as any with which to start if you are new to their adventures. Marion Davies, once a leading Hollywood actress, is receiving a series of poison pen letters and is fearful of what their exposure will mean to her long standing affair with press baron William Randolph Hearst.

The plot is fun and moves along at a good pace, but much of the pleasure is in the cameo appearances of real legends such as Orson Welles, Charlie Chaplin and Barbara Stanwyck amongst others,. Good escapist fun. Recommended.

Bursting With Atmosphere Of The Age......
Another elegant Golden Age of Hollywood mystery featuring sleuthing duo Frost and Head. Poison pen letters take the duo into dark and dismal territory. Nicely plotted whodunnit bursting with the atmosphere of the age and well crafted characters. Enjoyable reading and a fitting addition to the series.

This is a very fun read about Hollywood and the movie industry. I liked the characters and found them to be very engaging and easy to relate to. The writing is well done and very clever. The mystery itself is not so obvious and keeps the reader guessing until true very end. I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from this author, highly recommend!