One Hundred years ago in Hollywood, silent films were king. Three friends running away from an a crooked burlesque show owner. The trio of Irene, Missy and Henry run towards the new promise land, Hollywood. The story of this novel is not the rag to riches but the restrictions that Hollywood studios put upon their stars. Jews, homosexuals, people of color should not become stars. The white stars should not be immoral, take drugs and date out side their race.

Fans of old Hollywood will enjoy this story. ( )

Irene Van Beck has had enough of working for a traveling burlesque show. She has a plan, and together with fellow dancer Millie Martin, she is ready to start a new life. Tagging along with them is comedian Henry Weiss, and soon they are off to Hollywood on the next train. However, there it is one thing to dream about finding fame in Hollywood; it's a different thing in real life. Just finding a paying job is hard enough, but Irene, Millie, and Henry won't give up, and they have each other to rely on.

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It all starts in 1921 when Irene Van Beck and her two friends, Millie and Henry, jump from a moving train. They were tired of life with a travelling burlesque show...low pay, abuse, constant moving around. The three friends find their way to Hollywood, dreaming of a new life acting in "flickers.'' Turns out, Hollywood glamour is an illusion hiding a seedy underside. The friends experience hunger, disappointment, and loss while trying to make it big in tinseltown.

I love tales of Old Hollywood, so jumped on the chance to read an early copy of this book by Juliette Fay. So many hopefuls have gone to Hollywood in the past 100 years....only to learn that competition is killer and the lifestyle is a soul-sucking experience. Many seek the glamour and fame...but few ever find it. These three friends experience so much together after jumping off that train...and the story is mesmerizing. It's like a peek behind the curtain into the dark shadows behind the glamour of Old Hollywood. Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down!!

This is the first book by Juliette Fay that I've read. I've added her book about the Vaudeville era, The Tumbling Turner Sisters, to my TBR stack!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Gallery Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.** ( )

Three friends—serious Irene, ditzy Millie, and stalwart Henry—escape an oppressive burlesque show to try their luck in silent-film era Hollywood. This book starts out well, but drags in the middle, and the ending seems rushed. I was also hoping for more of a 1920s atmosphere beyond a few slang words and references to Prohibition. I was particularly unconvinced by the characters, whose attitudes seemed surprisingly modern for their time period. Not a bad book, but it could have been better. ( )

4.5 stars.

City of Flickering Light by Juliette Fay is an engrossing novel that takes place in Hollywood during the early 1920s.

Irene Van Beck, Millie Martin and Henry Weiss creatively leave behind their life in burlesque for the bright lights of Hollywood. All three have heartache in their pasts so none of them are in touch with their families. Silent pictures are all the rage so this group of friends heads to Hollywood in hopes of hitting it big. Their close-knit friendship bolsters them as they each endure highs and lows as they fight for their big breaks.

Irene is a former Vaudevillian who is the mastermind of their escape from the burlesque show. She is rather serious, incredibly independent and extremely practical. Irene gives little away about herself, but she is fiercely loyal to her friend, Millie.

Millie is perpetually sunny, charming and a bit scatterbrained. She lives in the moment and gives little thought to the consequences of her decisions. In the aftermath of one of her choices, Millie turns to very unhealthy means to try to escape her feelings. Luckily for her, she has Irene and Henry to make she does not end up like some of the other women they meet in Hollywood.

Henry has the looks to be a star but initially, he relies on skills he learned at his beloved grandfather's side. He is very responsible and he shares his good fortune with Irene and Millie. It is not until he begins working as an actor that Henry is willing to admit and accept the undeniable truth about himself.

City of Flickering Light is a truly captivating novel with a cast of endearing and lovable characters. Irene, Millie and Henry are vibrantly developed with fascinating backstories. All three are courageous and determined as they work hard to turn their dreams into reality. Juliette Fay's impeccable research and uncanny ability to weave fact with fiction bring this entrancing novel vividly to life. An absolutely brilliant story that takes readers behind the scenes of the Roaring Twenties and the Golden Age of Hollywood. ( )