The Movie Star and Me

On his journey back home from the Pacific war, young veteran Frank Russell discovers something in his bag that completely changes his life. He finds himself in a business he never expected to enter, but exceeds expectations in his new workplace. Climbing to the top, making friends with the big guys, and dating Hollywood’s most beautiful face all seems fine and dandy until he starts to see what really goes on behind the scenes. Learning that not all that glitters is gold, Russell finds himself trapped in a dangerous world of secrets, lies, and scandal.

The Movie Star And Me is one of the carefully styled, thoughtfully developed, and thoroughly enjoyable novels. The book houses a riveting storyline, and Durham has delicately weaved in banners of suspense that will keep the pages flipping. It can appeal to a wide variety of readers: set in the late 1940s, much of the storyline boasts a patriotic theme; Intense war combat scenes, Communist scandals, and an American Dream vibe are sure to charm all readers with a liking for historical fiction or a love for red, white, and blue. The novel will also be perfect for readers with an interest in the movie industry and Hollywood life. It’s the right balance of suspense and romance, making a very interesting read for anyone. The plot takes turns at every corner, and readers are sure to be entrenched in the main character’s life- and will most likely be unable to put down the book for hours at a time!

It’s the perfect length too — not overly long to the point of boredom, but long enough to keep the reader engaged and committed to a continuously developing story. The stark contrast between the main character’s time in muddy combat and the iconic glam of Hollywood drama creates a unique and original plot. Be warned: the ending is quite unexpected. Perhaps an effort to teach that not everyone has a perfect fairytale ending, the ending may not leave readers content. Fortunately, Durham does give us the blessing of an epilogue that offers at least some closure. The Movie Star And Me, expected ending or not, is still a very fun story worthy of a full recommendation.