annieb123
Written on Nov 15, 2019
Blues in the Dark is a Hollywood noir with parallel alternating plotlines from the 1940s and present day by Raymond Benson. Released 8th Oct 2019 by Skyhorse on their Arcade Crimewise imprint. It's 336 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats.
The author uses the parallel story lines to pretty good effect here and main character Karissa (a filmmaker) becomes more and more involved in the 1940s life and death of femme fatale movie star Blair Kendrick after renting Blair's house which hasn't been changed much since her death in 1949. The plot revolves around dirty money, corruption, racism, sexism, and the motion picture industry of the golden age of Hollywood.
This is a gritty thriller; the language is rough, there's sexual content, murder, etc. The plotting and dialogue are well done, and the writing is entertaining - the author is a competent writer. I will say that the main plot twists are so heavily foreshadowed that I assumed they were meant to be known before the denouement reveal.
I would heartily recommend this one to fans of noir and golden age Hollywood. Highly readable and entertaining.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.