The Starlet by Mary McNamara (Book Review 2010-94)

Product Description

It’s a not-so-well-respected rule in Hollywood that what happens on location stays on location. But when a hot young leading man winds up dead in his Rome hotel room, his costar’s life is about to go off the rails in a very public way—even by celeb standards. At the tender age of twenty-three, Mercy Talbot has won an Oscar, battled addiction, wrecked more than her share of cars, and burned down her house. Her look-alike mother keeps her on a tight leash (and fueled with an endless supply of OxyContin and cocaine) and her producers demand a grueling schedule. By the time she stumbles across Juliette Greyson, a Hollywood insider on a much-needed vacation, Mercy is surrounded by photographers and about to emerge drunk, high, and naked from a public fountain. Whisking her away to an idyllic Tuscan ‘retreat,’ Juliette is about to discover another rule of Hollywood: wherever the starlet may go, the drama will follow.

About the Author

Mary McNamara has worked for the Los Angeles Times for seventeen years, writing extensively about the inner workings of Hollywood. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children. The Starlet is her second novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; Original edition (June 8, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439149844
• ISBN-13: 978-1439149843

SOURCE: PUBLISHER

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!

I adored Mary McNamara's first book Oscar Season and The Starlet did not disappoint.  The cover continues that theme and is even more striking with the bold red, white and black motif.  The story really seems ripped from the pages of today's TMZ and is amazing.  I know this had to have been written at least a year ago, but the main character of Mercy Talbot really looks like she is based on the wreck of the minute, Lindsay Lohan.  And without giving away too much, the death of Mercy's costar seems plagued with Heath Ledger and David Carradine issues--or does he? Combine all of your favorite guilty pleasures of reading in this perfect book for summer.  


McNamara's beautiful writing will also make you want to get on the next plane to Italy and visit Tuscany.  I have been there once before and this really makes me long for the food and scenery which is all perfectly described.  I can only imagine that with the author's history in writing for the LA Times entertainment section, that a lot of this story is based on true facts and real people.  You just have to change the names to protect the guilty.