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A Few Reviews
Editorial Review
Editorial Review
Editorial Review
Set against the backdrop of 1960s Hollywood, an era synonymous with surface glamour, The Hollywood Backlash Moon by Carolyn Summer Quinn presents an engaging juxtaposition of the dazzling façade of this iconic period and its underlying tumult. The novel invites readers into the world of Katie Hathaway, an orphan who, after her parents' tr
Set against the backdrop of 1960s Hollywood, an era synonymous with surface glamour, The Hollywood Backlash Moon by Carolyn Summer Quinn presents an engaging juxtaposition of the dazzling façade of this iconic period and its underlying tumult. The novel invites readers into the world of Katie Hathaway, an orphan who, after her parents' tragic demise, finds herself amidst the glitz of California, living with her famous relatives. Quinn skillfully peels back the layers of Hollywood's glittering exterior through Katie's eyes, revealing a realm rife with pretension, strife, and an unquenchable thirst for fame—a place where ambitions can even lead to murder.
The plot thickens with the mysterious murder of Katie's cousin, Clover Carmody, following a fiery argument with her mother, Floriana Fairmount—a renowned yet self-absorbed actress. Clover's untimely death, under perplexing circumstances, sets the stage for a gripping mystery. Quinn elevates the narrative with an intriguing subplot involving sightings of a supposed Nazi in Hollywood, further intensifying the suspense. Quinn's narrative prowess is evident in her creation of a multi-layered story that is both brisk and engaging. She skillfully weaves intricate details into the plot, enriching the suspense and offering a well-rounded backdrop to the unfolding drama. The novel excels in its character portrayal, particularly with the array of suspects. Each character is introduced with enough conviction to momentarily persuade readers of their guilt, only to be replaced by another suspect as the story progresses, maintaining a high level of intrigue. Central to the narrative is Katie Hathaway, whose character emerges as a beacon of insight and authenticity. As an outsider from Brooklyn, her observations of the Hollywood lifestyle lend a unique and critical perspective to the story. Katie's ability to discern the true nature of those around her—beyond their glamorous veneer—adds a layer of depth to the narrative, making her a relatable and compelling protagonist.
The Hollywood Backlash Moon is a novel that artfully balances the allure of Hollywood's golden age with the darker undercurrents of ambition and rivalry, making it a must-read for those who appreciate a well-crafted mystery set against a rich historical backdrop.
--Literary Titan Reviews
Editorial Review
Editorial Review
Editorial Review
Set against the serene backdrop of a small lake town in Colorado during the year 1974, A Charm Without a Chain, by Carolyn Summer Quinn, is a compelling narrative that introduces us to Monty Farraday, an English and Theater teacher. The tranquility of the setting is disrupted when Monty and his daughter, Jessica, who is on the cusp of sta
Set against the serene backdrop of a small lake town in Colorado during the year 1974, A Charm Without a Chain, by Carolyn Summer Quinn, is a compelling narrative that introduces us to Monty Farraday, an English and Theater teacher. The tranquility of the setting is disrupted when Monty and his daughter, Jessica, who is on the cusp of starting her freshman year at the local high school, stumble upon a shocking scene. They find the school principal, Reginald Brandenburg, lifelessly sprawled in his office, a victim of a gruesome shooting. This harrowing discovery sets the stage for a riveting mystery that unravels in the corridors of the school and the streets of Lake Covington.
Quinn skillfully weaves a tale that engages readers with its intricate plot and a host of characters ranging from Monty's colleagues, who exhibit a blend of suspicious and amiable traits, to the local police, his family, and students. The small town, ordinarily unaccustomed to such scandal, becomes a hotbed of speculation and intrigue, where everyone is potentially culpable.
The narrative stands out for its clear delineation of characters and scenarios, which Quinn achieves without overwhelming the reader. The storyline is replete with unexpected twists that keep the pages turning. Quinn's mastery in setting the scene - the picturesque town in the 70s, coupled with the relatable dynamics of Monty's family life - enriches the reading experience. Quinn's storytelling echoes the essence of classic mystery novels, filled with meticulously plotted possibilities, questions, and suspects.
Monty Farraday emerges as a memorable protagonist, whose past aspiration of becoming a detective adds a layer of depth to his character. His investigation into the crime hints at the potential for more stories in what could easily evolve into a series.
A Charm Without a Chain is a book that will particularly resonate with enthusiasts of thriller and mystery genres, especially those who appreciate a modern take on traditional 'whodunit' narratives. Quinn's novel is not just a mystery; it's a journey into the depths of a small community shaken by an unprecedented event, as seen through the eyes of a compelling protagonist.
A Literary Titan Review
A Few Reviews
Editorial Review
Editorial Review
Editorial Review
Backstabbed on Broadway by Carolyn Summer Quinn is a gripping mystery novel that involves murder, high stakes, and many suspicious characters. The novel focuses on Jasmine Flannery, a young woman working at an acting agency. She stumbles upon the body of her boss, Isidore, who is cruel and widely hated. Jasmine is shocked to find out she
Backstabbed on Broadway by Carolyn Summer Quinn is a gripping mystery novel that involves murder, high stakes, and many suspicious characters. The novel focuses on Jasmine Flannery, a young woman working at an acting agency. She stumbles upon the body of her boss, Isidore, who is cruel and widely hated. Jasmine is shocked to find out she inherited the agency. She must take on incredible responsibility as she works to maintain her innocence and solve the crime while suspicions arise. With the help of her family and the police, Jasmine must navigate the dark and seedy world of the theatre industry to solve the case, but the constant chaos at the agency leaves her wondering if her efforts are worth the trouble.
Quinn has written an enjoyable book with a likeable main character and honest, vivid developments throughout the story. The storyline is well narrated, navigating through the protagonist's difficulties while handling the daily business of working in theatre. As the number of suspicious people increases, the plot intensifies as it becomes difficult to find the culprit, leading the reader through a maze of mystery from beginning to end.
The characters are vibrant and exciting and fit into the story perfectly, capturing my attention from the start. The run-down theatrical space and shady acting agency added a gloomy but captivating atmosphere to the book, set in New York City, with many layers of unpredictable characters, plot twists, and developments. It's a story that will take the reader through many possibilities, keeping you guessing non-stop and considering every possible character as a suspect, including Jasmine.
Backstabbed on Broadway by Carolyn Summer Quinn is a fun story that kept me engaged. I would recommend this book to anyone who's a fan of murder mysteries and action stories.--Literary Titan Reviews
Editorial Review
Editorial Review
Editorial Review
Cloudy with a Chance of Answers by Carolyn Summer Quinn is a mystery thriller and the second one in her "unsolved crimes against children" series. Bethany Barrows finds herself in the town of New Jersey in the early stages of Covid-19 when her uncle Ryan passes away and she has to settle his estate. In Bethany's half-hearted search throug
Cloudy with a Chance of Answers by Carolyn Summer Quinn is a mystery thriller and the second one in her "unsolved crimes against children" series. Bethany Barrows finds herself in the town of New Jersey in the early stages of Covid-19 when her uncle Ryan passes away and she has to settle his estate. In Bethany's half-hearted search through her uncle's belongings, she discovers that her detective uncle dedicated his entire life to finding his daughter Ashley's abductor. Bethany gets "cloudy with a chance of answers" when she finds a very clear lead. Will she finally solve the mystery her uncle couldn't solve before his death? To unravel Ashley Barrows' abduction mystery from 1988, is Bethany willing to sacrifice her own life?
Cloudy with a Chance of Answers is a riveting piece of storytelling. The book is set in March of 2020, right when coronavirus was spreading globally and Quinn's ability to recreate that environment is applause-worthy. Her attention to detail was spectacular and I felt as though I was transported back into that time. As the story forges ahead and Bethany comes across all types of hints, readers will find themselves trying to solve the mystery as well. This book is a true page-turner and it radiated nail-biting suspense.
Bethany's character was as realistic as it gets and her naturally curious personality was a great character trait. Her devotion to her cousin's closed abduction case and her need to solve it was amazing to read about. The sheer possibility of getting the long-anticipated answers not only compelled Bethany but readers as well.
Unlike most thriller novels, Quinn's writing style takes on a conversational tone which made this book a fast read. I found it very hard to put this book down and I can't wait for the next one in this series. As for the story, it was near perfect, at no point did I feel like it was being stretched out, and then as the mystery unfolded itself, I too got cloudy with a chance of answers.
A Literary Titan Review