Stardusted

A Frankie Franklin Mystery

By: Deb McCaskey

Narrated by: Mary Castillo

Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

It’s 1935 in Hollywood, and Fortune Pictures' brightest star, Frankie Franklin, is making another picture that will help her fans forget there’s a Depression going on. But when a real bullet in a prop gun seriously wounds her young costar, Frankie is driven to find out who caused the shooting and why, because the one thing everyone knows is: She did it.

©2019 Deborah McCaskey (P)2020 Deborah McCaskey

Fabulous mystery of a bygone era

Author Deb McCaskey creates a fun story about an actress, Frankie Franklin, making movies during the depression. Frankie is a beloved bright spot in American films. The details of Frankie and her environment pull the listener (and I imagine the reader) into this wildly exciting crime Frankie commits using a prop gun during filming at a major Hollywood studio sound stage.

This unique story takes one inside Hollywood in the 1930s. Here failing stars, studio manipulators, and even the cops become possible suspects for planting a live round that Frankie shoots into a co-actor.

The voice of Frankie, my favorite character, on the set kept me listening on the edge of my seat.
As I crouched there in my flesh-colored bathing suit, Sam’s bloody hand in mine, the horror remained, now joined by surprisingly fierce anger. Damnit, this was just a picture, with costumes and made-up things to say. With blood that was just glycerin and chocolate syrup. No one was supposed to really be shot. I felt ill. I wanted Sam to be unshot. And I wanted to strangle whoever was responsible.

The writing is vivid and comes across clearly in the narration, where people, places, and things are quickly painted in one’s imagination. The details like the fountain pen and gumshoe squarely identified this story as well-researched and spot-on for the times. I felt like I was walking among the stars, trying to find out who was to blame.

The well-developed characters and scenes make this original storyline even better. As Frankie moves from clue to clue overcoming crazy obstacles compelled me to keep listening. Mary Castillo provides fantastic voice narration, with a great pace from start to finish. Her voice is part of why I am now a fan of Frankie. The quality of the audio is excellent, making the tension loud and clear during every minute. I highly recommend you give this story a listen. I cannot wait for Author Deb McCaskey to release the next Frankie Franklin Mystery.

Disclaimer: this audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

Stardusted

Frankie is a star in the depression era and helps bring joy to the nation. During a scene where she is set to shoot a villain she actually shoots the young man. She is a real trooper and keeps her hysteria under wraps. But then she some how becomes embroiled in not only the accidental shooting but eventually a real murder as well as someone who almost kills her. Now she follows her instincts, all against the studio head's opinion.
Follow Frankie as she goes from one clue to another and one disaster to another as she steams ahead to a conclusion.
Mary Castillo is an excellent narrator that draws you into the story and keep you enthralled.
Fantastic audio and story!

Enjoyed it!

Stardusted has an original storyline that kept me glued to my headphones. The characters are well rounded and interesting. I enjoyed the suspense in this well written book. The narrator has a pleasant voice and gave a wonderful performance.