Kulper, Kendall. A Starlet’s Secret to a Sensational Afterlife. Holiday House, 2023. 978-0-823-45361-0. $19.99. 347 p. Grades 9-12.

To the outside world, Henrietta “Henny” Newhouse seems like just another aspiring actress trying to break into the movie business in 1934 Los Angeles. But Henny has a secret – after the death of a Hollywood acquaintance, she’s started seeing the ghosts of women who have disappeared, victims in various ways of men within the entertainment industry. Declan Collins is a stuntman turned actor with a secret of his own – he somehow has the power of invincibility. He can survive stunts such as jumping off tall buildings or being run over by a wagon without a scratch. He’s also secretly working for a private investigator looking into the disappearance of a young actress. When Henny lands a starring role in a film at Silver Cup Studios, the studio pairs her with Declan to act as a couple at events around town for publicity purposes. Sparks fly between the pair, and they eventually reveal their secrets to one another. They then team up in an attempt to find out what is happening to young women in Hollywood and to try to bring the powerful Hollywood figures behind the crimes to justice.

THOUGHTS: This highly engaging historical fiction title will have readers eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next. Holds appeal for fans of mystery, historical fiction, cinema history, and romance. Highly recommended.

Historical Fiction