The Girl from the Grand Hotel

A Novel

De: Camille Aubray

Narrado por: Mozhan Navabi

The #1 bestselling author of Cooking for Picasso and The Godmothers returns with The Girl from the Grand Hotel, a dazzling historical novel that brings listeners into the glamorous world of the first (and doomed) Cannes Film Festival and the deadly atmosphere of Europe on the brink of war.

Summer 1939. The glittering Côte d’Azur is having a particularly brilliant season, as the world’s wealthiest vacationers collide with Hollywood’s illustrious movie stars for the first-ever film festival on the French Riviera.

Into this hothouse playground comes an American named Annabel Faucon. Having left a dead-end job and a broken heart back in New York, she’s escaped to a summer stint at the fabulous Grand Hotel, where her uncle is the manager. But when a major movie studio brings its flock of stars to stay at the hotel, Annabel is handpicked to “keep an eye on” two of the mysterious arrivals: a screenwriter who’s been “in his cups” and a renegade actor who keeps luring the studio’s female star into his independent productions.

The arrival of Nazi guests only intensifies the situation. Suddenly everyone is watching everybody else during this feverish last summer before the outbreak of World War II. Faced with international spies who will stop at nothing to get what they want, Annabel finds herself embroiled in murder, intrigue, and a race against the clock to disrupt a secret Nazi communications system.

Inspired by true events and the histories of three great hotels on the Côte d’Azur—with appearances by such real-life luminaries as Marlene Dietrich, F. Scott Fitzgerald, James Cagney, and Mae West—The Girl from the Grand Hotel is a brilliant thriller that is not to be missed.

Book discussion questions are available here: https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/www.blackstoneaudio.com/docs/BookClubKit_TheGirlFromTheGrandHotel.pdf

©2024 Camille Aubray LLC (P)2024 Blackstone Publishing

Reseñas de la Crítica

Historical Novel Society

A Rap Sheet Pick

Barnes & Noble Favorite Indie Book

loved the Historical

the story was great, really liked the use of real history and people. I liked the twist it took and then came back to the story.

A delightful listen

For those people that enjoy historical fiction this book is a treat.

The story is centered at the Grand Hotel amidst the first nearby Cannes Festival in 1939. Along with the glamour of Hollywood names is the backstabbing of the industry politics amidst those who wanted to placate the ominous presence of the Nazis and their spies.

It all comes together seamlessly as you see the early work of the French resistance as the foreboding forces of Hitler threaten their very existence.

I enjoyed hearing the names of big screen dignitaries such as Elsa Lancaster and Charles Laughton weave in and out of the story. It also created a tender and understanding portrait of F. Scott Fitzgerald as a committed, hardworking artist that was much abused by the Hollywood elite.

The narrator’s voice was compelling and used a variety of accents to bring the characters to life.

This was a pleasant listen that I would highly recommend to fans of historical fiction.

Riviera Radiance: A Tale of Old Hollywood Glamour

The Girl From The Grand Hotel" by Camille Aubray is a masterful summer beach read, whisking you away to the picturesque Grand Hotel on the French Riviera in 1939. Perfect for Old Hollywood enthusiasts, it features iconic stars like Charles Laughton and Marlena Dietrich amid the backdrop of the first Cannes Festival. As war looms, follow Anabella, a young American girl, as she navigates the glitz, glamour, and uncertainties of life at the hotel. With captivating storytelling, Aubray transports readers to a world of luxury, intrigue, and the looming shadows of World War II, making it an unforgettable tale for those who appreciate the golden age of cinema and historical fiction. The narrator Mozhan Navabi does a fantastic performance that will keep you listening for hours!

Nice premise

Interesting what if...book with the first Cannes film festival in 1939 as a backdrop for all the activity at the Grand Hotel. Scott Fitzgeral figures prominently as do other icons of Hollywood's Golden Era all while Hitler is invading Poland for the start of WII. The ending seemed an afterthought. it came up very quickly and very abruptly without any clue. but I greatly enjoyed the book.

Great story.

Loved the story. Good characters. Plenty of twists to keep your interest. Loved the setting.
Narrator’s voice needs more variety.