The Trouble with Scarlett (Hollywood's Garden of Allah novels Book 2)

In his second "Garden of Allah" novel, "The Trouble with Scarlett," Martin Turnbull takes us back to the late 1930s where our three friends, Kathryn, Marcus, and Gwendolyn are a little older, much wiser, and still living at Hollywood's Garden of Allah Hotel.

As Turnbull takes the gloves off, we begin to see the nastier side of old Hollywood. Louella Parsons and Kathryn go head to head (Louella shows us her claws, as she dumps a chicken fricassee dinner on Kathryn). Hedda Hopper shows up, and Kathryn proves there is more than enough Hollywood gossip for the three of them.

In this second installment, Turnbull provides us with a wonderful, front row seat to 1938-39, probably the most glorious two years for film making in Hollywood history. Along the way, we learn that Talulah Bankhead, Joan Crawford, and Paulette Goddard all were considered for the role of Scarlett in "Gone with the Wind," and that Vivian Leigh was the long shot because she was British. We also learn a few secrets concerning the making of "The Women" (my favorite film), and the "The Wizard of Oz."

In one breathtaking scene that takes place during the filming of "Gone with the Wind," we wilt with Marcus as he sweats in the heat in an old, wool, confederate uniform. Joining hundreds of extras, he moans and slowly "dies" as Scarlett (Vivien Leigh) wanders through their midst. Off camera, a still prostrate Marcus delivers a message to Leigh from George Cukor, who has been ousted as director since Clark Gable, apparently, refused to be directed by a "fairy."

We also meet F. Scott Fitzgerald as he takes up temporary residence at the Garden of Allah. As he works on screen plays, he falls on and off the wagon; and off the wagon, he is not a pretty sight. Dorothy Parker and Robert Benchley move in, providing the kind of advice only they could offer (along with many authentic "Parkerisms" such as when Dorothy tells Gwendolyn that her Scarlett O'Hara-type dress "flounce per ounce ratio is just right").

It truly does not get better than this if you are a film buff and you love to "time travel" while reading. I loved Turnbull's first Garden of Allah novel, "The Trouble on Sunset," and I love this second novel. Thankfully, he has four more in print, and four more promised after that.

A great continuation of the Garden of Allah series. Now we know the three main characters, the story romps through an era of them searching for their career (or at least search for job stability, even if careers aren't bedded down, or achieved yet).

This book is funnier than the first, with some set-pieces and prat-falls. I loved the scenes with Marcus at Hearst Castle, and Gwendolyn's screen quest in her quest to be cast as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With The Wind. That moment has some longer-term consequences, but is just plain funny in the moment!

The book romps through the nightclubs of Hollywood, populated with a walk-on cast of Greats, as well as the gossip columnists, the underground gay scene, the sleazy and al-powerful casting agents - the metaphorical gate-keepers for access to the studios for aspiring stars (there is a literal gate-keeper at MGM as well, who plays an ongoing role in the series). All this while the "who will be Scarlett O'Hara?" question and speculation reaches fever pitch.

Some of the real-life characters who play a substantial role in this volume include George Cukor, the tragic F Scott Fitzgerald and Greta Garbo. There's great cameos by Joan Crawford and Spencer Tracy.

This volume is still light and frothy, though as Orson Wells makes his appearance at volume's close, you know the atmosphere is about to intensify.

DISCLAIMER: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes.

A fun and funny romp through the early days of Hollywood. Turnbull has created a world rich in accurate historical detail for his characters to wander through and populated it with real life stars and studio bigwigs, writers and reporters. His knowledge of the period is impressive. Vivid little touches like F. Scott Fitzgerald's addiction to sugary soft drinks really show off the author's ability to turn obscure factoids into compelling insights into character. This humanizes people we otherwise tend to see as a famous name and list of accomplishments.

Turnbull introduces us to this world through the struggles of three aspiring wannabes, as they try to break into acting, writing, and reporting respectively. Each of them is likeable in their own way. Gwendolyn is spunky and bull-headed. Marcus has a softness to him and a craving to prove himself. Kathryn wears the reluctant cynicism of every newshound both before and after her. Classic underdogs all. If you can't see glimpses of yourself in one of them, then you'll at least find yourself rooting for them to overcome the staggering odds aligned against them.

The tone of the book resembles a sitcom or screwball comedy with characters leaping from one humorous situation to the next. This keeps the pace lively, but leads to one of the flaws of The Trouble With Scarlett. First, the need to put Kathryn, Marcus, and Gwendolyn into the middle of big events, like the burning of the King Kong set for Gone With The Wind, can lead to odd jumps in time. It's a bit jarring to realize that several months have gone by since the last chapter.

Second, when you know that some important plot point or funny bit of slapstick or critical encounter is always going to occur whenever the narrative shifts to a different character, it removes any sense of surprise you might enjoy when an unexpected event blindsides you as you read.

Lastly, and most importantly, the lack of down time means that the focus is mostly on "Things Happening" and not on "Characters Being." To be fair there is the odd bit of introspection from the main three, but for the most part, Marcus, Gwen, and Kathryn are the same people they were at the start of the story. We know how they behave and how they react to situations, but we don't always get to know who they are on a deeper level. We don't see them change. And given how much potential these characters have to transform into fully-fledged three dimensional people despite their start as strings of words on a page, this is disappointing.

However, as a comedy the book succeeds, and as a glimpse of a vanished world built on dreams and back-stabbing, The Trouble With Scarlett is exceptional. Whatever flaws it has are structural, and not every book has to be a serious examination of existential man. Enjoy it as a light-hearted frolic through the sets and spotlights of old Hollywood.

One thing that never gets old--celebrity gossip. On the surface, this novel is akin to People magazine (if People magazine had been around in the 1930s). With every page there are famous names, fabulous fashions, relationships forming and relationships dissolving. Beautiful homes. Celebrity parties. Excess to the nth degree. Turnbull's Garden of Allah novels are pure fun with famous actors, directors, writers and moguls as far as the eye can see. (These books would make terrific movies or television series) The author knows the period. He understands it. He brings the golden age of Hollywood to life. Reading it is like being a fly on the wall at an exclusive party.

On another level, if you're a fan of the movie for Gone With The Wind, this novel is a must read. Searching for the actress to play Scarlett O'Hara obsessed the nation for a year. And the way the movie was made? Read the book and see for yourself.

The Trouble With Scarlett is much more than gossip or history. It follows the adventures and misadventures of three friends trying to make it big in Hollywood. Beautiful Gwendolyn who'll do anything to get her big break in the movies; sweet, troubled Marcus the talented screenwriter; and sensible Kathryn, girl reporter. Over and over they're forced to ask themselves: Just how far am I willing to go to follow my dreams?

This, the second book in the Garden of Allah series, is even better than the first, which is very good. This series reminds me of living in the Bay Area in the 1970s when "Tales of the city" was serialized in the S.F. Chronicle. Readers got hooked on it and looked forward to reading each new segment. As was the case with those stories, Martin Turnbull has created a group of characters the reader can care about, groan at their foibles and cheer their successes. He has done a great job of recreating Hollywood in the 1930s with vivid descriptions and great scenes. Highly recommended!

I have read the "Garden of Allah" books since the beginning and can say so far I have thoroughly enjoyed them. Being an avid reader I do tend to be picky, as my reading time is limited these days and I want to make it count. This series meets all the requirements - I am definitely hooked. This volume really gives you insight into the characters now that they are more mature and adjusted to Hollywood and the way things worked during the heyday of the major studios and epic movies. If you enjoy watching movies from the 30's and 40's, you will definitely enjoy this series. This particular volume "The Trouble with Scarlett" shows a bit of the trouble and effort that was put into making Gone with the Wind and still is able to weave the characters and their lives and relationships into the history of Hollywood in an entertaining way. I say, "Keep them coming Mr. Turnbull - because I will DEFINITELY keep reading them! This book critic gives you "2 thumbs up"!

Good premise. A couple typos threw me off, such as "Francis" for the female "Frances" who was a screenwriter for the Thin Man, and "Paul Whiting" orchestra instead of the "Paul Whiteman" orchestra. The writing style was akin to the 1930s timeframe. The story could have been well done without the peppered vulgarities, though.

Another romp through the golden days of Hollywood as Gwendolyn, Marcus and Kathryn continue thier quest for fame and fortune. Set in the 30s, the backdrop is the search for an actress to play Scarlett in Gone With the Wind, the movie that could launch or enhance the careers of writers, directors and actors. The line between historical fact and fiction is so well trod that I found myself believing that the fictional characaters actually existed. The attention to historic detail is superb. The gang become embroiled in intrigue and bitchiness which both develops and reveals their characters leaving me wanting more. I enjoyed this one even more than the first.

This book moves very quickly. Short chapters with cliffhanger-style endings keep the action flowing.
The wealth of specific details show that Turnbull knows his classic Hollywood.
Why hasn't a publishing company picked these novels up? Lost opportunity.

After I finished the first book, I immediately downloaded this one and the third one. I read this in less than a day. It's well written, and I cheer for all the main characters. Can't wait to start the third!