The Last Secret of Lily Adams

A Novel

De: Sara Blaydes

Narrado por: Erin Bennett, Soneela Nankani

The death of a legendary actress reveals a wealth of Hollywood secrets in a breathtaking novel about betrayal, rivalry, and the punishing brutality of fame.

One of the brightest stars of Hollywood’s golden age was Lily Adams, the beloved picture of all-American innocence. Why she suddenly vanished from the spotlight was a mystery even to those closest to her.

Upon Lily’s death seventy years later, her granddaughter, Carolyn Prior, struggles to understand a woman she loved but never really knew. Then, sifting through the memorabilia of a once-glamorous career, Carolyn comes across a letter from her grandmother. It’s the trembling admission of a secret life and a story that begins and ends with superstar Stella Lane, Lily’s archrival of the silver screen—a bombshell who was brutally murdered.

As Carolyn unearths her grandmother’s connection to the notorious unsolved slaying, her life collides with Lily’s in the most shocking ways. And with each stunning new revelation, Carolyn must decide how much she is willing to risk to unlock the truth.

©2024 Sara Blaydes (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Sara Blaydes’ novel is a wonderfully satisfying mix of mystery, romance, and family drama, alternating between the present day and the Golden Age of Hollywood…This is a perfect read for film buffs who enjoy uncovering secrets.”—Historical Novels Review

Loved This Book Did Not Like The Narrator

I read this because it was mentioned alongside a similar book that I did not like. This was much better. I guessed the twist about halfway through, but it didn’t lessen my enjoyment. I still gasped because of how it was laid out and presented.

The present-day mother/daughter storyline didn’t work for me. I found it annoying and unnecessary, and it didn’t add anything to the story. The daughter needed to tone it down and the mother needed a backbone.

I went back and forth between reading and listening, and I didn’t enjoy the present-day narrator. Her delivery had a hesitant, vocal fry rhythm that made every statement sound unsure. I initially thought this might be a character choice, but after listening to another book with the same narrator, I realized it’s simply her narration style and it’s not for me. I’ll be skipping audiobooks narrated by her in the future.

That said, I’m a new fan of the author.

Great Hollywood story

Enjoyed this story of a granddaughter attempting to solve the mysteries her famous Hollywood grandmother kept hidden

Old Hollywood drama

Randomly chose this book to listen to and so glad I did! Reminds me of Evelyn Hugo and great big beautiful life with the back and forth of old Hollywood and present day. Really enjoyed!

Historical mystery set around Hollywood’s Golden Age!

The Last Secret of Lily Adams is a recently released historical fiction mystery! I saw this one available on KU read and listen (you get the audiobook if you download the ebook) and I instantly grabbed it. It’s told in dual timeline with present day and a tale from Hollywood’s Golden Age! I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to see what else the author releases as this was their debut.

In present day we are following Carolyn and her teenage daughter. Recently divorced, Carolyn and her daughter are in California to clear out her beloved grandmother’s home. Her grandmother was Lily Adams, one of Hollywood’s Golden Age darlings. Lily left clear instructions in her will that there was to be no funeral and any item of historical value in her home be donated to the Golden Age Museum for an exhibit about her life. Carolyn finds her grandmother’s diary and a letter with it about a secret she kept for years and has to finally share,“My story begins and ends with Stella Lane.” Carolyn is shocked since Stella Lane was another famous actress of the Golden Age who was brutally murdered, and she had no idea her grandmother even knew her…

In the other chapters, we go back in time and follow Lily Adams’ life and career. She started out working as a lowly employee in the costume department of a movie studio, always dreaming she’d one day grace the screens. And then seeing that come to be and the complicated relationships that came with that life!

I really enjoyed this one! It was fast-paced and kept me intrigued. And of course coming with the audio for being on KU read and listen was definitely a win. I’m excited now to see what else this author writes.

Incredible book!

I obsessively listened to this wonderful story night and day until it was over. The characters popped to life, the story was intriguing and the ending made me want to cry in a good way. Everything about this book was perfection.