Scandal in Babylon

by Barbara Hambly Book 1 in the Silver Screen Historical Mysteries series.

First published 2021

Amazon

4.3(318)

Los Angeles, 1924. British widow and classical scholar Emma Blackstone works as companion to her sister-in-law Kitty Flint, a beautiful silent-film star whose career depends more on charisma than acting. When Kitty’s estranged first husband Rex Festraw is found murdered in her dressing room with a threatening letter apparently written by Kitty, the studio has every reason to contain the scandal.

Emma is convinced Kitty has been framed. Her investigation moves through dressing rooms, parties, producers and discarded lovers as she reconstructs Rex’s dealings and discovers what Kitty has concealed. Solving the murder means learning how readily Hollywood can manufacture guilt as well as celebrity.