Hollywood Buzz

by Margit Liesche

Book Overview

Pucci Lewis was used to ferrying fighter planes and undercover work. But it is the dark hours of WWII, and Hollywood's biggest stars, studio moguls, and Washington bureaucrats are working... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590585798
• ISBN13: 9781590585795
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
• Length: 285 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

HOLLYWOOD BUZZ HAS IT ALL

HOLLYWOOD BUZZ has it all: suspense, mystery, smart dialogue, well-researched history with a combination of real and fictitious characters, and an inside look at the WASPs and their contribution to America, as well as a seductive dose of Hollywood during WWII. Margit Liesche is a first-rate story teller with an elegant writing style that keeps readers turing the pages and wanting more. I also highly recommend Ms. Liesche's first book, LIPSTICK AND LIES. Hope this is not the end of the tales of Pucci Lewis. We fans want more.

UNIQUE AND SPELLBINDING

WOW! What a memorable character and fascinating storyline. Margit Liesche's "Hollywood Buzz" is sure to create a buzz in the literary world. Within the first few pages, Liesche's lead character, Pucci Lewis, leaps from the pages and into the reader's mind as we accompany her on a brand new (slightly unorthodox) military assignment ... in Hollywood. What a unique concept! A brave, intelligent WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilot) assigned to duty in Tinseltown. It seems that Pucci's expertise as a WASP is needed to complete a documentary film attempting to showcase this elite group of women and their efforts in the war. The film is a combined effort of the government and Hollywood to create a movie aimed at inciting patriotism and support for the troops. When ensues is a beautifully written tale of intrigue, sabotage, conspiracy, blackmail, and the search for truth. Set against the backdrop of a major Hollywood production (complete with an introduction to some of the most influential motion picture stars of the day), it appears that someone will stop at nothing, including murder, to halt the production of the film. But who and why? Was Pucci's now comatose predecessor (Frankie) a victim of foul play? Was her plane crash a result of pilot error, faulty equipment, or was she targeted for elimination? The reader will find themselves enthralled as these questions (and more) are systematically answered by Ms. Liesche's engaging writing style. This read is truly an adrenaline rush ... an entrancing story which will appeal to history buffs, WWII enthusiasts, military lovers, and those still captivated by the golden age of Hollywood. I found the reading experience much like watching a classic movie. Ms. Liesche's attention to detail was very much appreciated, as was her obvious extensive research into all aspects of her storyline, character, and setting. I was particularly impressed with the author's masterful use of the first person point of view. I found it refreshing, unique, and flawlessly executed. The cover is magnificently depictive of the storyline, and is reminiscent of a 1940's Hollywood movie poster. "Hollywood Buzz" a classy tale about a classic era.

A good history lesson for younger adults

Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (11/08) Pucci Lewis has just been assigned to two important missions. One task is to supervise and provide input into a film that Hollywood producers are making about WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots) to be certain they are represented accurately. Her second objective is to quietly investigate the suspicious aviation accident of a fellow WASP. When sabotage is suspected, Pucci has difficulty finding the truth because so many people are exhibiting strange behavior and she must be wary of their possible motives. Was it men who are angry that women have taken over their flying duties or could it have been Nazi spies who have infiltrated the country and wish to do harm to its citizens? Set during World War II, "Hollywood Buzz" provides a good history lesson for younger adults about different war efforts, such as female pilots stepping in to fly planes while many male pilots were deployed overseas. It also touches on the sacrifices people had to make to conserve materials that would be needed to improve national defense strategies. This is an important concept to convey because in recent wars in which the United States has been engaged, most of its citizens have not experienced any personal negative effects in terms of material items. Older generations will probably enjoy recollecting their past histories and teaching their families about their personal wartime experiences. They will also better appreciate the actors and actresses mentioned in the book. (I had heard of some of them but am completely unfamiliar with their work.) While the story is well-conceived, I feel there are too many unnecessary characters, with small roles that do little, if anything, to advance the plot. In the beginning sequences when Pucci first arrives in Hollywood, too many characters were introduced at one time, making it difficult for me to remember where they fit in on the making of the movie about the WASPs. Also most of the characters seemed to behave in shady ways because they were not fully developed and their activities were not thoroughly explained. "Hollywood Buzz" by Margit Liesche provides readers with a realistic portrayal of life in the United States in the 1940s. The plot is engaging and will appeal to a broad adult audience.

engaging WWII military mystery

Having prevented a Nazi plot in Detroit (see LIPSTICK AND LIES) Women Air Force Service Pilot Pucci Lewis is assigned by her superior officer Miss C to go undercover at Fort Roach, a converted movie studio serving as the home base of the First Motion Picture Unit (FMPU). The mission of the unit is to create training and propaganda films in support of the war. Her official assignment is to replace injured pilot Frankie Beall whose job was to insure the movie makers treat the WASP with respect; however her real secret task is to investigate the suspicious plane crash in which veteran pilot Frankie was hurt in her life threatening crash. Pucci works for producer Roland Novaro and quickly realizes female pilots are treated as a joke worse than her boss expected. However what concerns Pucci more is the squabbling between the producer, the editor Rask and the abusive abrasive director Brody. She also learns from airplane mechanic Mad Maxine Beacock that the plane the WASP pilot flew was deliberately sabotaged, but a cover-up has occurred though neither woman knows why. Soon others are murdered including Brody as the cover-up turns deadly. Paying homage to the WASP warriors, Margit Liesche writes an engaging WWII military mystery that provides a deep look at the female pilot corps and at Hollywood goes to war. The whodunit hooks the audience as Pucci's assignment changes from investigating sabotage probably by Nazis to a homicide inquiry. She is a terrific lead as she holds the plot together. However, the deep cast makes the tale refreshing as they bring to life the roles of women and Hollywood in the 1940s at a military base in the States. Harriet Klausner