1939 Los Angeles. Retired actress Marion Davies, among others, has received a poison pen letters. On hearing about the activities of Lillian Frost and Edith Head she asked them to investigate. But then a murder occurs and the next letter states their demands.
An enjoyable cozy historical well-written mystery with a selection of likeable characters. Another good addition to the series which can be read as a standalone story.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

When a fading star in 1939 Hollywood keeps receiving letters from an anonymous sender threatening to destroy her reputation, she calls on Lillian Frost and Lillian's friend, film costume designer Edith Head, to get to the bottom of it. But getting to the bottom of what appears to be a prank will become increasingly dangerous in The Sharpest Needle by authors Renee Patrick.

Well, I'm four books into the Lillian Frost & Edith Head mystery series by this husband-and-wife team of co-authors writing under one pseudonym. Like the novels that precede it, this fourth book is glinting with glamour from the Golden Age of Hollywood—juxtaposed with sensitive secrets, hazardous intrigues, and the encroaching shadow of impending world war touching it all.

Now, given how much I appreciate the dashes of dry, clever humor in Lillian's narration of her experiences, I'm not altogether sure why I haven't warmed up to her more. Although I understand her, she hasn't fully come alive for me. Also, the romantic (?) side of her life still hasn't given me anything satisfying as a reader, and I'll admit the conclusion of this mystery left me feeling a little ungratified.

Yet, I didn't foresee each of the plot twists as they happened, and as I'm a growing fan of historical mysteries, something in the overall build-up of this series keeps me curious and has me hooked. I'm staying on the lookout for a Book Five. ( )

With occasional snippets from gossip columns, visits to "houses of beauty" catering to the elite, and descriptions of 1930s clothing, the writing team known as Renee Patrick (Rosemarie and Vince Keenan) plant readers so firmly into the soil of Hollywood that they can't help but try to catch glimpses of Clark Gable and Errol Flynn. The Keenans have a deep knowledge of Hollywood (you may have seen them on Turner Classic Movies), so even though you may have a phobia of writers using historical personages as characters, you might change your mind after reading The Sharpest Needle. I've enjoyed this series from the first book-- Design for Dying-- and I like the way the Keenans handle their historical characters: fun, light, and sticking as closely to the facts as possible.

As the personal assistant to a millionaire, Lillian Frost has the ability to take time off to investigate as long as she stays up-to-date with her work. Edith Head, as the head of Paramount Picture's insanely busy costume department, is mainly Lillian's friend and advisor who has a fierce intelligence, an eye for detail, and a wealth of contacts. Through Head, readers get to see what she had to put up with in order to become the best costume designer Hollywood has ever seen.

Through millionaire Addison Rice's contacts, Lillian Frost can be invited almost anywhere, and in this fourth book, she gets to wander Hearst Castle. As we see the grounds and learn of William Randolph Hearst's collecting habits, I was reminded of a scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark. I was longing for a time machine so I could be transported back. Just turn me loose and let me explore, pretty please!

As good as the characters and the setting are, the mystery is every bit as good. There are many paths to follow before readers finally begin to learn what's really going on. If you enjoy multi-layered historical mysteries with strong characters and a fantastic sense of place, you can't go wrong with Renee Patrick's Lillian Frost & Edith Head series. You can jump right in with The Sharpest Needle, but don't be surprised if you find yourself looking for the other three. They're quite addictive!

(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley) ( )