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Hotel Hollywood #2
The Case of the Singer and the Showgirl
Murder and scandal in the heat of 1950s Las Vegas: can Lily Jones stop a murder that happened before she was born?
Lily Jones can’t forget her incredible time-slip adventure back to the Golden Age of Hollywood and the friends she made there - especially a handsome barman by the name of Louis, with whom she felt such a strong connection.
Back in 2020, life isn’t going so well for her and Lily is idly googling when she is horrified to discover that Evelyn, Louis’ ex-girlfriend, is brutally murdered in 1953.
She is compelled to go back to the 1950s and try to save Evelyn’s life, but this time it isn’t just the gilded stars of Tinseltown she will have to contend with, but The Mob as she finds herself in the seedy glamour of Vegas and learns that Evelyn’s future depends upon her first solving the murder of a Vegas showgirl.
Thankfully she has Louis and his sister, Tilda, to help her, but her own life is in danger as she tries to find the killer and change Evelyn’s fate.
What will she risk to save a life?
Lily Jones can’t forget her incredible time-slip adventure back to the Golden Age of Hollywood and the friends she made there - especially a handsome barman by the name of Louis, with whom she felt such a strong connection.
Back in 2020, life isn’t going so well for her and Lily is idly googling when she is horrified to discover that Evelyn, Louis’ ex-girlfriend, is brutally murdered in 1953.
She is compelled to go back to the 1950s and try to save Evelyn’s life, but this time it isn’t just the gilded stars of Tinseltown she will have to contend with, but The Mob as she finds herself in the seedy glamour of Vegas and learns that Evelyn’s future depends upon her first solving the murder of a Vegas showgirl.
Thankfully she has Louis and his sister, Tilda, to help her, but her own life is in danger as she tries to find the killer and change Evelyn’s fate.
What will she risk to save a life?
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2024
16 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 4, 2025
I soooo loved ‘The Mysterious Double Death of Honey Black’ so it was with great excitement I started Book 2 in the series knowing I was going to be ‘time slipping’ back from the present to the 1940’s with Lily, and of course meeting all the characters I had instantly bonded with previously
And it was just as magical, as we headed from Beverley Hills to well Beverley Hills but a different timeline and as Lily ‘dropped back’ into everyones life the mystery and whodunit that had drawn her there started to unfold
Wonderful descriptions of old Las Vegas this time, I felt I was there, wry humour that brought a smile and full on excellent story telling made this 2nd outing for Lily and friends mesmerising, and as for the ending I was more than tense waiting to see if she would, or wouldn’t……
A superb read and 2nd book..loved every word
And it was just as magical, as we headed from Beverley Hills to well Beverley Hills but a different timeline and as Lily ‘dropped back’ into everyones life the mystery and whodunit that had drawn her there started to unfold
Wonderful descriptions of old Las Vegas this time, I felt I was there, wry humour that brought a smile and full on excellent story telling made this 2nd outing for Lily and friends mesmerising, and as for the ending I was more than tense waiting to see if she would, or wouldn’t……
A superb read and 2nd book..loved every word
September 22, 2024
easy going murder thriller based in vegas early 1950's of a time travelling woman who tries to change the past events. the book was okay overall
May 26, 2024
I was so excited when I saw this book pop up on NetGalley. A chance to jump back in time with Lily Jones again.. yes please!! I do love a bit of time travel and a murder mystery to boot. This book made me so happy, I read it in a day, travelling to the city and back and during any break that I could get, I loved it so much.
So Lily has been back in her time for 18 months and not much has changed in her life. She misses her friends and life in the past, so when she learns of the fate of one of them she forces her body to jump back to 1953… only she ends up in 1950, just 6 months after she left. She soon finds her friends and manages to explain her absence, throwing herself into saving her friend.
This time we end up in Las Vegas for the most part of the story, which I loved. Vegas in the 50s!! Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, the mob, nuclear bombs, so exciting, so dangerous. It was lovely to see Lily and Louis again, hoping good things for them.
The ending was surprising and perfect!! Thank you Lisa Hall for giving us more from all these wonderful characters.
Publishes on June 20th, thanks so much to Hera for my advanced copy to read. Another easy 5 stars .
So Lily has been back in her time for 18 months and not much has changed in her life. She misses her friends and life in the past, so when she learns of the fate of one of them she forces her body to jump back to 1953… only she ends up in 1950, just 6 months after she left. She soon finds her friends and manages to explain her absence, throwing herself into saving her friend.
This time we end up in Las Vegas for the most part of the story, which I loved. Vegas in the 50s!! Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, the mob, nuclear bombs, so exciting, so dangerous. It was lovely to see Lily and Louis again, hoping good things for them.
The ending was surprising and perfect!! Thank you Lisa Hall for giving us more from all these wonderful characters.
Publishes on June 20th, thanks so much to Hera for my advanced copy to read. Another easy 5 stars .
May 19, 2024
A vintage scooby doo! Lovely easy read, young adult perhaps in the way it's written but still kept me want to read on to the end and solve the mystery.
We travel back in time with Lilly to 1950s Vegas, now I love anything time having most definitely been born way too late so that ticked the box for me. It was a cool addition having real life characters within the story which added to the feeling of being there back in time with them.
A really nice read, nothing bad to say about the book really, didn't have too much depth to it and was easy to follow and a nice little twist that I didn't see coming.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this title.
We travel back in time with Lilly to 1950s Vegas, now I love anything time having most definitely been born way too late so that ticked the box for me. It was a cool addition having real life characters within the story which added to the feeling of being there back in time with them.
A really nice read, nothing bad to say about the book really, didn't have too much depth to it and was easy to follow and a nice little twist that I didn't see coming.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this title.
May 6, 2024
Another 5 stars! Full review to come tomorrow.
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It was wonderful being back with the gang in the 1950s (we start the story on my birthdate, a lot of years before I was born but fun non the less). I loved Lisa's last book in this series, I went in blind that time but was pleasantly surprised with the story and when the second book came out I ran to NetGalley to request it.
I had a blast reading this second installment and seeing all the old friends and famous names was just great. This time Lily is send back to save Evelyn from a horrible marriage but when Lily wakes up in 1950 she is confused, why has she been send to a moment 3 years before the news article she read about Evelyn? What does this mean? I loved that Tilda and Louis just took Lily back like nothing happened and she didn't disappear for 6 months in their time (about 18 months in Lily's).
Once again this was such a great read and everything felt so real and the things Lily knows about the future were weaved into the story really well.
Thank you to NetGalley, Herabooks and Lisa Hall for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
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It was wonderful being back with the gang in the 1950s (we start the story on my birthdate, a lot of years before I was born but fun non the less). I loved Lisa's last book in this series, I went in blind that time but was pleasantly surprised with the story and when the second book came out I ran to NetGalley to request it.
I had a blast reading this second installment and seeing all the old friends and famous names was just great. This time Lily is send back to save Evelyn from a horrible marriage but when Lily wakes up in 1950 she is confused, why has she been send to a moment 3 years before the news article she read about Evelyn? What does this mean? I loved that Tilda and Louis just took Lily back like nothing happened and she didn't disappear for 6 months in their time (about 18 months in Lily's).
Once again this was such a great read and everything felt so real and the things Lily knows about the future were weaved into the story really well.
Thank you to NetGalley, Herabooks and Lisa Hall for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
June 22, 2024
Today was the finale of The Case of the Singer and the Showgirl by Lisa Hall, which I’ve been reading stave by stave with The Pigeonhole, a crime thriller set in 1950s Las Vegas, where Lily Jones is attempting to stop a murder that happened before she was born. Lily’s adventure began in a previous book, when she moved from London to Los Angeles to work in a big hotel. A knock on the head sent her back in time to the Golden Age of Hollywood, where she made friends with a handsome barman, Louis, and his sister Tilda, and together they solved a crime. In this novel, she has to force an accident to slip back again to prevent Louis’ ex-girlfriend, Evelyn, from being brutally murdered in 1953. It sounds complicated, but it isn’t, and the book is fast-paced and entertaining, a bit like an old film, with real stars of the fifties, and The Mob, all of whom she encounters in Las Vegas before its prime. The characters, even the baddies, are well-drawn and believable, and I liked the way real-life stars and their lives are woven into the fiction and juxtaposed with Lily’s anachronistic references to mobile phones, Google, etc. An enjoyable read.
July 19, 2024
Entertaining time travel mystery set in 1950s Las Vegas. For the second time in a month, I have picked up a book that is a sequel and found myself rather bewildered for the first few chapters. However, the author does a pretty good job of bringing us up to speed with the backstory, and I quickly worked out what was happening.
Lily Jones is working two menial jobs in California and struggling to forget her previous time travelling adventure and the people she met in Hollywood. When she sees a news article online reporting the violent death of a woman she knew in that era, she becomes determined to travel back in time to save Evelyn’s life.
On arrival, she learns that Evelyn’s boyfriend Sonny has been jailed on suspicion of murdering a showgirl called Bess. Although protesting his innocence, his alibi is weak and his lawyer seems ambivalent about the case. Lily, her friend Tilda, and romantic interest Louis (Tilda’s brother) go to Las Vegas and soon find themselves surrounded by singers, showgirls, and mobsters, and are soon in danger from asking too many questions.
This was a pacy and enjoyable story which was a lot of fun. The setting is a real strength, with the time travel element allowing for fascinating comparisons between modern and 1950s Las Vegas, and the presence of stars such as Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner adding glamour and sparkle. I’m not usually keen on time travel stories, but this had a lot of humour and didn’t become too way out in its plot. I did eventually suspect who the culprit was, but there were enough twists to keep me guessing for a while, and it was never dull.
An enjoyable reading experience - now to go back and read the first book in the series! 3.5* for me.
Lily Jones is working two menial jobs in California and struggling to forget her previous time travelling adventure and the people she met in Hollywood. When she sees a news article online reporting the violent death of a woman she knew in that era, she becomes determined to travel back in time to save Evelyn’s life.
On arrival, she learns that Evelyn’s boyfriend Sonny has been jailed on suspicion of murdering a showgirl called Bess. Although protesting his innocence, his alibi is weak and his lawyer seems ambivalent about the case. Lily, her friend Tilda, and romantic interest Louis (Tilda’s brother) go to Las Vegas and soon find themselves surrounded by singers, showgirls, and mobsters, and are soon in danger from asking too many questions.
This was a pacy and enjoyable story which was a lot of fun. The setting is a real strength, with the time travel element allowing for fascinating comparisons between modern and 1950s Las Vegas, and the presence of stars such as Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner adding glamour and sparkle. I’m not usually keen on time travel stories, but this had a lot of humour and didn’t become too way out in its plot. I did eventually suspect who the culprit was, but there were enough twists to keep me guessing for a while, and it was never dull.
An enjoyable reading experience - now to go back and read the first book in the series! 3.5* for me.
July 24, 2024
I liked this better than book one, as it flowed better but I still feel it was lacking. A vintage shop in Hollywood only having one party dress from the 1950s era? Oh please! Then just deciding battered converse teamed with them will be fine and she will just blend right in.
Once again Lily let’s her mouth run away with her “forgetting” every time she mentions things that haven’t happened yet and then explains them to us in her POV (just in case we are that stupid as well).
Huge emphasis on men treating women like rubbish. Yes we got it in the first book and we got it this time too. Then shocker….. it’s a woman who’s schemed, lied, hurt other women too, again!
Barely touched on the butterfly effect from Lily messing around in the past.
Also the Sonny story made less and less sense as time went on.
It’s a shame I had such high hopes for these books. They were okay and filled a gap as I got through them easy enough.
Once again Lily let’s her mouth run away with her “forgetting” every time she mentions things that haven’t happened yet and then explains them to us in her POV (just in case we are that stupid as well).
Huge emphasis on men treating women like rubbish. Yes we got it in the first book and we got it this time too. Then shocker….. it’s a woman who’s schemed, lied, hurt other women too, again!
Barely touched on the butterfly effect from Lily messing around in the past.
Also the Sonny story made less and less sense as time went on.
It’s a shame I had such high hopes for these books. They were okay and filled a gap as I got through them easy enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2025
I absolutely love this series! This book made me feel like I was in 1950's Las Vegas, full of glitz, glam & gangsters. Praying there's a 3rd book in the works because I can't get enough of Lily, Louis & Tilda 🤞
April 9, 2025
loved the theme of the book and characters
June 29, 2024
I read this through my online bookclub, Pigeonhole without realizing it was the 2nd book in a series. It can be read as a standalone but I suspect would have made more sense if read after Book 1.
Lily is a character who, by banging her head, can transport herself back in time. She does this to prevent crimes she foresees happening by seeing newspaper articles from the past. In this adventure, she is transported to Las Vegas and the mob with the big entertainers of the day - Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, etc. Somewhat predictable, but still an enjoyable read. 4 stars
Lily is a character who, by banging her head, can transport herself back in time. She does this to prevent crimes she foresees happening by seeing newspaper articles from the past. In this adventure, she is transported to Las Vegas and the mob with the big entertainers of the day - Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, etc. Somewhat predictable, but still an enjoyable read. 4 stars
May 19, 2024
Lily Jones returns for another time-hop back to LA circa 1950.
In the first book she made a number of friends who were mystified by her sudden disappearance. In the 18 months or so that have elapsed in her own time she has often thought about them and always steered away from reading too much about their lives that had continued in the past without her.
But the news that one of the people she knew is potentially in danger of losing her life she tries to re-find her way into the earlier time to try to save another life.
Being a second book this is always a difficult enterprise, especially when the original novel was such a success.
The author plots a clever and mostly trouble-free course in re-introducing time travel and avoiding the inevitable questions, “Where have you been?” “How could you just leave without staying in touch.”
In this second episode Lily quickly re-establishes links with the principal characters from before and that element of continuity enhances the story. The story leaves LA for a newly emerging location, Las Vegas. Gambling, Showgirls and The Mob.
I again enjoyed the elements all time travellers needs to be wary of, and thought the free thinking, modern woman, who is Lily Jones overcame the slip in time. Bemoaning her loss of a mobile and wi-fi connection whilst confronting issues around male and female roles.
At times quite gritty and with a real sense of violence and corruption. The story rattles along at a pace with little time to waste words or back stories. Also delightful in name dropping of A-listers and plotting the growth of this unique place in the desert.
Above all I find the writing quite absorbing and the simple revealing of plot, action based scenes and drama led story telling makes this a book to remember and appreciate.
You wonder if a third outing for Lily could happen and the paradox of time travel can be resolved to keep her memory alive in both eras. I would read book three in a heartbeat and in an accomplished writer like Lisa Hall greater wonders and adventures can follow.
In the first book she made a number of friends who were mystified by her sudden disappearance. In the 18 months or so that have elapsed in her own time she has often thought about them and always steered away from reading too much about their lives that had continued in the past without her.
But the news that one of the people she knew is potentially in danger of losing her life she tries to re-find her way into the earlier time to try to save another life.
Being a second book this is always a difficult enterprise, especially when the original novel was such a success.
The author plots a clever and mostly trouble-free course in re-introducing time travel and avoiding the inevitable questions, “Where have you been?” “How could you just leave without staying in touch.”
In this second episode Lily quickly re-establishes links with the principal characters from before and that element of continuity enhances the story. The story leaves LA for a newly emerging location, Las Vegas. Gambling, Showgirls and The Mob.
I again enjoyed the elements all time travellers needs to be wary of, and thought the free thinking, modern woman, who is Lily Jones overcame the slip in time. Bemoaning her loss of a mobile and wi-fi connection whilst confronting issues around male and female roles.
At times quite gritty and with a real sense of violence and corruption. The story rattles along at a pace with little time to waste words or back stories. Also delightful in name dropping of A-listers and plotting the growth of this unique place in the desert.
Above all I find the writing quite absorbing and the simple revealing of plot, action based scenes and drama led story telling makes this a book to remember and appreciate.
You wonder if a third outing for Lily could happen and the paradox of time travel can be resolved to keep her memory alive in both eras. I would read book three in a heartbeat and in an accomplished writer like Lisa Hall greater wonders and adventures can follow.
April 1, 2025
Mystery set in LAS VEGAS
The Case of the Singer and the Showgirl is the second book by Lisa Hall to feature Lily Jones. Lily is a 25-year-old Londoner who is obsessed with movies from the golden era of Hollywood. Somehow she has found a way to travel back in time and she has previously saved a celebrated movie star from being murdered back in 1949. Having returned to the present, she misses the glamour of the world of films but also, perhaps more so, a certain suave bartender called Louis. With her personal life in London looking rocky she wistfully wonders whether she could go back. She is drawn to researching the people she met to find out what happened next for them, only to discover that one woman – Evelyn – was murdered in 1953. Suddenly a return to the past is critical – she could save a life.
Lisa Hall writes convincingly about the Las Vegas of the 1950s, which was extraordinarily glamorous and innovative for the period, but of course less so than the LA that Lily knows from the 21st century. She has to keep remembering not to divulge things that she knows from the future to the friends she is with in the 1950s, and this leads to a certain amount of wry humour, which I enjoyed. There’s a lot of name dropping of famous movie stars, who have cameo roles. The invented characters fit well into the story and have personalities of their own.
I loved the timeslip adventures I read as a child and so the premise of this book was appealing. Hall goes into great detail about the settings and the characters and perhaps I was impatient but, while I found it fascinating, I really wanted to pick up the pace of the plot. I was also at a slight disadvantage, not having read the earlier book in the series. I think that might have made a difference, though this book does work as a stand-alone novel.
Recommended as a light and entertaining read, which is remarkably upbeat for a crime novel.
The Case of the Singer and the Showgirl is the second book by Lisa Hall to feature Lily Jones. Lily is a 25-year-old Londoner who is obsessed with movies from the golden era of Hollywood. Somehow she has found a way to travel back in time and she has previously saved a celebrated movie star from being murdered back in 1949. Having returned to the present, she misses the glamour of the world of films but also, perhaps more so, a certain suave bartender called Louis. With her personal life in London looking rocky she wistfully wonders whether she could go back. She is drawn to researching the people she met to find out what happened next for them, only to discover that one woman – Evelyn – was murdered in 1953. Suddenly a return to the past is critical – she could save a life.
Lisa Hall writes convincingly about the Las Vegas of the 1950s, which was extraordinarily glamorous and innovative for the period, but of course less so than the LA that Lily knows from the 21st century. She has to keep remembering not to divulge things that she knows from the future to the friends she is with in the 1950s, and this leads to a certain amount of wry humour, which I enjoyed. There’s a lot of name dropping of famous movie stars, who have cameo roles. The invented characters fit well into the story and have personalities of their own.
I loved the timeslip adventures I read as a child and so the premise of this book was appealing. Hall goes into great detail about the settings and the characters and perhaps I was impatient but, while I found it fascinating, I really wanted to pick up the pace of the plot. I was also at a slight disadvantage, not having read the earlier book in the series. I think that might have made a difference, though this book does work as a stand-alone novel.
Recommended as a light and entertaining read, which is remarkably upbeat for a crime novel.
June 11, 2024
This is the follow-up to The Mysterious Double Death of Honey Black where Lily Jones time-slipped back to the Golden Age of Hollywood's 1950s to save Honey Black. She also fell in love and was devastated when she returned to her mundane humdrum present day life.
So much so that she finds herself googling some of the people she met in the 50s and what happened to them. But what she finds shocks her as she discovers that Evelyn, Louis' ex, was brutally murdered. Ok... I'll pause here to say the obvious... You might want to read Honey Black first so you can get to know the characters before re-meeting them in this book. Well, for that reason and also it's a cracking book in its own right.
Oh my days. I loved the Honey Black book when I read it and have to say that I loved this one just as much. I do love the glamour and glitz of the bygone era, the golden age of Hollywood so it is great that the author is recreating it and giving it more intrigue with an absolutely cracking case for Lily to once again get her teeth into. This time she crosses paths with the Mob, with interesting effects...
I was great and also heartbreaking watching Lily reconnect with Louis. It's been a few months since she left him and her other new friends suddenly. Disappearing without a trace. And now she's expecting them to not only welcome her back, but also trust in what she has to say next. I also loved all the name dropping, especially with Lily's additional commentary on "what happens next" for certain celebrities, but I will leave you to discover these as the author intends.
And the ending, after the case has been wrapped up, after the dust has settled, most satisfactorily, well, I can't say anything more than I really hope there's a book three and that I can get my hands on it soon.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So much so that she finds herself googling some of the people she met in the 50s and what happened to them. But what she finds shocks her as she discovers that Evelyn, Louis' ex, was brutally murdered. Ok... I'll pause here to say the obvious... You might want to read Honey Black first so you can get to know the characters before re-meeting them in this book. Well, for that reason and also it's a cracking book in its own right.
Oh my days. I loved the Honey Black book when I read it and have to say that I loved this one just as much. I do love the glamour and glitz of the bygone era, the golden age of Hollywood so it is great that the author is recreating it and giving it more intrigue with an absolutely cracking case for Lily to once again get her teeth into. This time she crosses paths with the Mob, with interesting effects...
I was great and also heartbreaking watching Lily reconnect with Louis. It's been a few months since she left him and her other new friends suddenly. Disappearing without a trace. And now she's expecting them to not only welcome her back, but also trust in what she has to say next. I also loved all the name dropping, especially with Lily's additional commentary on "what happens next" for certain celebrities, but I will leave you to discover these as the author intends.
And the ending, after the case has been wrapped up, after the dust has settled, most satisfactorily, well, I can't say anything more than I really hope there's a book three and that I can get my hands on it soon.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
June 25, 2025
Did I scream loudly enough about how much I loved ‘The Mysterious Double Death of Honey Black’?! Because within seconds of finishing that review, I lept off the sofa to grab this next installment which serves as Book #2 in the Hollywood-Hotel Mystery Series. And let me tell you, Lisa Hall does so brilliantly once again!
‘The Case of The Singer & The Showgirl’ is a fresh new story and not a rehash of Book 1, and that itself is a testament to Lisa’s creative writing and ideas. She knows how to keep the world familiar while still delivering something totally new.
This time around, Lily is teaming up with her old friends, Tilda and Louis which was something I’d not expected. The three of them form a fun, dynamic trio that gives this story a whole new rhythm. I felt a real sense of adventure this time around and I loved watching their teamwork as the story progressed.
I was thrilled to get comforting cameos from Jean and Honey, and stepping back into their world felt like magical (I really did love book 1 didn’t I!!). That familiar warmth and atmosphere returns but now, we’re headed to Las Vegas in 1950, and what a setting it is! Lisa captures the era and place so well. The bright lights, the glitzy casinos, the desert - it’s all so vivid without ever feeling overly or boringly descriptive.
One of my favorite touches, just like in Book 1, is the clever use of real-life characters and places. It adds this glamorous layer of realism that made me feel even more immersed in Lily’s world. Speaking of Lily, I really appreciated how carefully Lisa handles her inner struggle with her constant effort to stay grounded in the past, to avoid letting her knowledge of the future (hello, Sopranos reference!) creep in. It’s funny and effective.
All in all, this was such a pleasurable read. A very worthy sequel with a great story to tell, and I’m thrilled I got to spend more time in this world. Book 3 is out in just a few weeks and I’m desperate to see where Lily’s time-travel takes her next!
‘The Case of The Singer & The Showgirl’ is a fresh new story and not a rehash of Book 1, and that itself is a testament to Lisa’s creative writing and ideas. She knows how to keep the world familiar while still delivering something totally new.
This time around, Lily is teaming up with her old friends, Tilda and Louis which was something I’d not expected. The three of them form a fun, dynamic trio that gives this story a whole new rhythm. I felt a real sense of adventure this time around and I loved watching their teamwork as the story progressed.
I was thrilled to get comforting cameos from Jean and Honey, and stepping back into their world felt like magical (I really did love book 1 didn’t I!!). That familiar warmth and atmosphere returns but now, we’re headed to Las Vegas in 1950, and what a setting it is! Lisa captures the era and place so well. The bright lights, the glitzy casinos, the desert - it’s all so vivid without ever feeling overly or boringly descriptive.
One of my favorite touches, just like in Book 1, is the clever use of real-life characters and places. It adds this glamorous layer of realism that made me feel even more immersed in Lily’s world. Speaking of Lily, I really appreciated how carefully Lisa handles her inner struggle with her constant effort to stay grounded in the past, to avoid letting her knowledge of the future (hello, Sopranos reference!) creep in. It’s funny and effective.
All in all, this was such a pleasurable read. A very worthy sequel with a great story to tell, and I’m thrilled I got to spend more time in this world. Book 3 is out in just a few weeks and I’m desperate to see where Lily’s time-travel takes her next!
July 31, 2024
Lily Jones returns in “The Case of the Singer and the Showgirl.” She enters the narrative feeling lonely and looking back at the new friends she’d made in the path of changing Hollywood history and reveling in the part that she knew she played. In looking back on the internet, she finds that the ex-girlfriend of man she was sweet on was brutally murdered. In the first outing, Lily hit her head and found herself in the past but in “The Case of the Singer and the Showgirl” she has a purpose in going back in time and a goal.
This is case of the second book successfully building on the first and surpassing it. You can read “The Singer and the Showgirl” on its own but the first book in the series “The Mysterious Double Death of Honey Black” is also a quick and entertaining read. The author is clearly settled into her characters and environment. While there are new characters brought into the timeline, many are known to Lily and the adjustment to her situation is less abrupt this time. Lily was the Queen of Not Picking up Context Clues in the first outing and maintains that title in this second novel while somehow not reading as so simpleminded. This time Lily must meet the local underworld. Again, the author relies on sterotypes and tropes but to a satisfying effect.
“The Case of the Singer and the Showgirl” is not “War and Peace.” The story moves quickly facilitated by smooth transitions and a plot with some surprises making it a wonderful vacation or downtime read. I had intended to read the book during downtime on vacation but read the whole thing easily within the 10-hour drive south.
If you like time travel and mystery, pick up “The Case of the Singer and the Showgirl” today.
This is case of the second book successfully building on the first and surpassing it. You can read “The Singer and the Showgirl” on its own but the first book in the series “The Mysterious Double Death of Honey Black” is also a quick and entertaining read. The author is clearly settled into her characters and environment. While there are new characters brought into the timeline, many are known to Lily and the adjustment to her situation is less abrupt this time. Lily was the Queen of Not Picking up Context Clues in the first outing and maintains that title in this second novel while somehow not reading as so simpleminded. This time Lily must meet the local underworld. Again, the author relies on sterotypes and tropes but to a satisfying effect.
“The Case of the Singer and the Showgirl” is not “War and Peace.” The story moves quickly facilitated by smooth transitions and a plot with some surprises making it a wonderful vacation or downtime read. I had intended to read the book during downtime on vacation but read the whole thing easily within the 10-hour drive south.
If you like time travel and mystery, pick up “The Case of the Singer and the Showgirl” today.
June 23, 2024
This is the second book featuring Lily Jones who has the ability to transport herself back in time. Unfortunately I hadn't read the first book so was a little confused at the start of this one. However there's quite a lot of back story which helped. This time Lily is on a mission to try and prevent the murder of one of the characters she'd met previously. However she arrives not in 1953 when the murder took place but in 1950 which made things more difficult. She gets involved with the Mob in Las Vegas which is never a good idea! I enjoyed this book, the characters were interesting and interspersed with real celebrities from that period including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin etc. I get the feeling we haven't heard the last of Lily. Thanks to the Pigeonhole and the author for the opportunity of reading this book.
June 26, 2024
The second in the Hotel Hollywood timeslip mysteries. Lily Jones returns to the 1950s to try to both solve a murder and stop a murder in Las Vegas. Consequently, she becomes embroiled with the Mob, thereby putting herself in danger. It’s a race against time but can Lily win the contest?
Having read the first book in the series, The Mysterious Double Death of Honey Black, I was eager to read the second. It didn’t disappoint. Fast paced and action packed, it’s a fun and entertaining tale. I loved the combination of real and fictional characters and the world of the Golden Age of Tinseltown is described beautifully. I read this book via the Pigeonhole app, which I received one stave a day over ten days. It’s certainly a page turner! I very much enjoyed it and look forward to more adventures with Lily Jones and friends.
Having read the first book in the series, The Mysterious Double Death of Honey Black, I was eager to read the second. It didn’t disappoint. Fast paced and action packed, it’s a fun and entertaining tale. I loved the combination of real and fictional characters and the world of the Golden Age of Tinseltown is described beautifully. I read this book via the Pigeonhole app, which I received one stave a day over ten days. It’s certainly a page turner! I very much enjoyed it and look forward to more adventures with Lily Jones and friends.
June 22, 2024
This was an interesting read which I mostly enjoyed. Incorporating real characters and events was well done, but I was left with lots of questions. The way Lily managed to move between time zones seems very random, so she may be safer staying in Hollywood in 1951!
As others have said, reading the previous book may have helped to answer my questions/ Where did Lily live when she visited before? We find out at the end that Honey has some of her possessions, but all she has when she arrives is a vintage dress from a Charity Shop, worn with Converse! No money, toiletries etc. You really do have to suspend reality and practicality to read this book.
Thanks to Pigeonhole and Lisa for the reading experience.
Three and a half stars, rounded up to four.
As others have said, reading the previous book may have helped to answer my questions/ Where did Lily live when she visited before? We find out at the end that Honey has some of her possessions, but all she has when she arrives is a vintage dress from a Charity Shop, worn with Converse! No money, toiletries etc. You really do have to suspend reality and practicality to read this book.
Thanks to Pigeonhole and Lisa for the reading experience.
Three and a half stars, rounded up to four.
June 22, 2024
Easy to read, engaging plot, interesting characters and pulled me in straightaway, so much so that I purchased the preceding book to this one on the strength of the first few chapters.
It's amateur sleuthing with the glitz and glamour, as well as the gangsters, of 1950s Hollywood combined with a spot of time travel.
Real actors and real events of the period are referred to but within a fictional context which makes the story a quirky and refreshing read.
I will definitely read about Lily's first case and if there are any more books due in this series would automatically read those too.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Pigeonhole for bringing this book to my bookshelf. I've enjoyed opening it up and reading a bit about Lily and Co's exploits each day.
It's amateur sleuthing with the glitz and glamour, as well as the gangsters, of 1950s Hollywood combined with a spot of time travel.
Real actors and real events of the period are referred to but within a fictional context which makes the story a quirky and refreshing read.
I will definitely read about Lily's first case and if there are any more books due in this series would automatically read those too.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Pigeonhole for bringing this book to my bookshelf. I've enjoyed opening it up and reading a bit about Lily and Co's exploits each day.
August 24, 2024
Ooo this was so much funnnn! 1950s Las Vegas was almost as good as the 1950s Hollywood from the Double Death of Honey Black with all the sparkles and glamour and scandals but with the even bigger threat of the mob gangsters for Lily and Louis to face this book definitely matched up. Love the vibes love the romance love to era but… the only annoying thing with this book is that sometimes I can’t stand Lily. She can be sooo dumb and self centred (I mean I guess all narrating main characters can be like that for the purposes of the plot but I still don’t like it) like oh no I have to go back but not thinking anything through like babe just leave a note at least🙄. Anyway still a good read and will definitely read the next book when it comes out😊
July 1, 2024
I didn't realise when I started this book that it was the second in a series so not having read the first one it was a bit confusing.
Lily Jones has the ability to transport back in time and this time Lily is on a mission to try and prevent the murder of one of the characters she'd met previously. However she arrives not in 1953 when the murder took place but in 1950 which made things more difficult. She gets involved with the Mob in Las Vegas which is never a good idea! The characters were interesting and interspersed with real celebrities from that period including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin etc. A really good read and I reckon this isn't the end for Lily she will be back.
Lily Jones has the ability to transport back in time and this time Lily is on a mission to try and prevent the murder of one of the characters she'd met previously. However she arrives not in 1953 when the murder took place but in 1950 which made things more difficult. She gets involved with the Mob in Las Vegas which is never a good idea! The characters were interesting and interspersed with real celebrities from that period including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin etc. A really good read and I reckon this isn't the end for Lily she will be back.
June 23, 2024
I think I may have enjoyed this book more if I had read the previous one. I found the constant references back to the first book irritating because the context was never fully explained, leaving me feeling a little lost, particularly when it came to Lily's relationships with the characters in the 1950s. This is a standalone novel, though, and the action is continuous. Much of the story is rather cliched, but enjoyable nonetheless. I generally enjoy historically-based novels, and that aspect of this book was done well. Thanks to Lisa Hall and the Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read it.
August 31, 2024
although it was good as a standalone, it didn't meet my expectations for a sequel to the double death of honey black. i really liked the approach for this and the whole premise of it, but idk i just couldn't really resonate with it as much as i did the last one
the characters felt slightly different to last time, the whole mood felt different, but i understand it was a different setting so that is probably it
i'm also a punctuation nazi and some of the sentences and their lack of commas bugged me
despite this, i really am hoping for a third book !
the characters felt slightly different to last time, the whole mood felt different, but i understand it was a different setting so that is probably it
i'm also a punctuation nazi and some of the sentences and their lack of commas bugged me
despite this, i really am hoping for a third book !
June 22, 2024
I really enjoyed The mysterious double death of Honey Black so was excited to read this follow up. I love the time travelling element and think it is done well by the author. There is a mix of real life events and people and fictional ones which work well together and help the plot fit into place.
The characters from the first book are brought back in the second book and it's nice to catch up with them.
I'm hoping the series continues so we can see Lilly stop something else happening and see how the characters are progressing.
Thanks to netgalley and Hera for the advanced copy.
The characters from the first book are brought back in the second book and it's nice to catch up with them.
I'm hoping the series continues so we can see Lilly stop something else happening and see how the characters are progressing.
Thanks to netgalley and Hera for the advanced copy.
June 22, 2024
3.5 stars. Read via online book group The Pigeonhole. I wish I’d read the first book as that would have put things more in context and mainly at the beginning there were references to the previous book. A good premise of Lily time travelling from 2020 to 1950 to prevent a murder. Loved that it was mainly set in Las Vegas and the cameo roles of the famous of that time. Liked the characters of Lily, Louis and Tilda. Now to read book one to put it all together
July 31, 2024
This is the second in the series I have picked up so I knew much better what to expect. Like the last time the setting is fabulous. Also like the last time it‘s an easy read that doesn‘t require much thinking or being overly invested in the characters. What you see is what you get.
Exactly right for a Spain holiday in 36 degrees Celsius when all you want is a bit of scenery sparkle and an uncomplicated plot.
Exactly right for a Spain holiday in 36 degrees Celsius when all you want is a bit of scenery sparkle and an uncomplicated plot.
August 8, 2024
A lovely easy going digestible read that I could go back and forth to with no immediate rush.
A lovely break from the usual intense murder and psychological thrillers!
I love the whole 1950’s era, the glitz and the glamour with the famous faces and imagining how it would actually feel to be Lily from the year 2020 being back in old Hollywood.
Would definitely recommend!
I read book 2 first so will be reading book 1 as a prequel lol
A lovely break from the usual intense murder and psychological thrillers!
I love the whole 1950’s era, the glitz and the glamour with the famous faces and imagining how it would actually feel to be Lily from the year 2020 being back in old Hollywood.
Would definitely recommend!
I read book 2 first so will be reading book 1 as a prequel lol
June 11, 2024
I loved this. A brilliant timeslip novel, the sequel to the equally brilliant Honey Black finds Lily returning to Old Hollywood to hopefully prevent yet another tragedy.
I love the mix of history, real people and fictional characters and the setting is beautifully imagined and compelling.
It is a page turner and a joy to read. Highly Recommended.
I love the mix of history, real people and fictional characters and the setting is beautifully imagined and compelling.
It is a page turner and a joy to read. Highly Recommended.
July 19, 2024
Another fun book in this series. Imagine solving a mystery without all the modern technology, despite being used to relying on it. Imagine being thrown back in time to the Hollywood heydays, and hanging out with all the stars.
Not being well versed in the classics, I'm sure some of the allusions pass me by, but this is still a great murder mystery book with some fun characters and scenes.
Not being well versed in the classics, I'm sure some of the allusions pass me by, but this is still a great murder mystery book with some fun characters and scenes.
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