Star Struck by Marjorie McCown

Item: Star Struck
Rating: 4
Author: BaronessMom

Posted June 18, 2024 by BaronessMom in Mystery, Review, Series / 1 Comment

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Star Struck

by Marjorie McCown

Series: Hollywood Mystery #2
Series Rating:

Published by Crooked Lane Books on May 7, 2024
Setting: Los Angeles, California
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 368
Format: Audible Audiobook, Audio CD, Hardcover, Kindle
Source: the Author
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Penquin Random House, Nook

Perfect for fans of Elle Cosimano and Kellye Garrett, in this second Hollywood Mystery, film costumer Joey Jessop discovers that Hollywood buries its secrets deep when a superstar’s assistant turns up dead.

Costumer Joey Jessop is working on a movie set in 1930s Hollywood and starring two of the world’s biggest stars. The male lead is also a dedicated social activist, and the female lead, Gillian Best, is known for her lifestyle brand. After a hit-and-run near the set, Joey realizes that the car involved belongs to Gillian, and she begins to wonder if the actress has more to hide than her Botox appointments.

Her suspicions deepen when Gillian’s personal assistant Rita vows to get revenge for Gillian replacing her and is found dead shortly after. Gillian quickly labels Rita’s death a suicide, and the police seem to agree–but Joey isn’t so sure.

With the police standing aside, it’s up to Joey to dig up the truth–but Hollywood stars know how to keep their secrets close, and a woman like Gillian Best won’t take kindly to someone sniffing around her affairs. Joey is certain that Gillian has something to hide–and she’s determined to find out what.

Star Struck by Marjorie McCown is an insightful look at Hollywood’s glamorous world with a mystery twist.

Will Joey figure out what is happening and get over her guilt?

Joey Jessop

Our sleuth is Joey Jessop, a Hollywood costumer. She is working on a movie about the golden years of Hollywood, set in the 1930s. Period pieces are Joey’s favorite. She loves the research and seeing everything come together on the screen.

Joey is a fantastic character. She is a bit of a workaholic, but she knows it, and it helps her get through some rough spots. Joey is a bit damaged from what happened in the first book, but by the end of this installment, she seems to be working it into her norm.

The Mysteries

So, many things are going on. Joey meets a young lady who she wants to help but can’t. The girl runs into traffic and is killed by a car. The accident happens outside the movie shoot they are at, and everything gets messed up. A few days later, a colleague is found dead, then a star’s daughter tries to commit suicide. One of Joey’s costume shops may be using sweatshop labor.

Joey is handling all of it, along with a constantly shifting production schedule and impossible deadlines. Oh, and let’s not talk about the traffic and how much time it takes to get a few miles down the road. However, Joey manages to handle everything, including catching the culprits.

Four Stars

I love the fast-paced mystery, and the setting is fabulous. Although I thought the author got a bit too technical on costuming, it did help me learn about Joey. I was entertained and enjoyed the characters and their connections.

My rating for Star Struck by Marjorie McCown is four stars. I recommend this mystery, especially if you like Hollywood.

Hollywood Mystery

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Star Struck by Marjorie McCown.

Until the next time,

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About Marjorie McCown

Marjorie McCown has spent her entire professional life in the story-telling business, though she started out on the visual side of the craft. She spent 27 years in Hollywood working on the costumes for movies like Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and X-Men Days of Future Past. She brings that experience to her writing to give readers an insider’s guided tour behind the scenes of Hollywood movies in production.

Her cozy murder mystery Final Cut, the first book in her Hollywood Mystery series featuring movie costumer Joey Jessop, was published in June 2023 and was chosen as an Amazon Editors’ Pick in the Best Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense category. Final Cut also selected by the Los Angeles Public Library blog as one of the favorite books of 2023 and was named by Deadly Pleasures Magazine as one of the best cozy mysteries of 2023. Star Struck, Book #2 in her Hollywood Mystery series publishes May 7 of this year. Marjorie is a member of Sisters-in-Crime and Mystery Authors of America.