A Novel of Golden-Era Hollywood (Hollywood's Garden of Allah novels Book 1)

I was pleasantly surprised. The story was like a picture book. The clarity of a Hollywood in the past is remarkable. I'm a native of Los Angeles and have heard and seen some of the old pictures of that time. A Big fan of the early films. My parents went to some of the clubs mentioned. The author brought all those people to life for me. Even William Randolf Hearst. Thank you! Martin Turnbull.

I thought this was a wonderful story. It tickled me that fiction was so nicely intertwined with reality. I was drawn in by all the characters, fantasy and real, and their progression and life alterations were not unrelateable. The era was definitely one I am fascinated with, so I was happy to have found it. I look forward to reading the sequels.

Very well written and interesting characters intertwined with actors from early movie history. I enjoyed this book and could easily see individual books written about each of the three main characters. I will seek other books written by this author.

I'll read practically anything about Old Hollywood, but I couldn't make it past the halfway mark of this.
There are characters, there is a plot of sorts, research has been done, but that's about it. People and situations have all been encountered before (gay character run out of town back home, aspiring career girl faces unwanted pregnancy and abortion, sweet aspiring actress shows spunk, celebrities of the period are introduced as window-dressing).
The style of the writing varies wildly from an almost literary tone ("She cut the word loose and let it float between them like a soap bubble") to weird ("...the memory of that night still gutted him") to simply crass ("They were screwing before the second aftershock"). More than one character speaks standard English some of the time, then falls into more colloquial patterns for no particular reason except that the author just remembered these are supposed to be unsophisticated people.
Nothing about this book is memorable or involving except the often-jarring shifts in tone and diction level. This is a shame, because the author has clearly done his homework about the place and era.
There are many good Hollywood novels (google "Hollywood Novels" for a list), but "The Garden on Sunset" isn't one of them
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I loved this book about Hollywood and the stars of Golden Era! I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Read the other 5 star reviews for a real feel of the story.
Also make sure you read "Subway People" a short story from Martin Trumbull! He mentions it in "The Garden on Sunset"! Wonderful!

I love reading books during this time period. I loved how the 3 main characters came together from different places and formed a tight and lasting friendship while pursuing similar goals. It felt at times like the story jumped around a bit but it was enjoyable none then less.

I have enjoyed everyone of these books! They are fun and give a different perspective on the old Hollywood. Wish there were more of them like this! Would recommend to anyone who enjoys reading about that era!

I enjoyed this book. Nothing deep or heavy but a fun read before bed to relax and think of what I generally picture as the excitement of early Hollywood. I had expected the addition of real people as characters in a work of fiction to be trite or heavy handed or generally just annoying but the author worked them in well. I'm going to buy more in the series.

Unusual and completely absorbing. A look into a world unknown to all but a few and brought to life by Martin Turnbull. Fascinating characters and an intricate plot complete the ingredients for a good read. P

I happened to read this story just before I visited LA. It was so much fun to see some of the same locations that played a central role in this book. That being said, the author found a very believable voice for the characters--young and naive--trying to make it in a Hollywood of a bygone day.

If you enjoy reading about actors and all else involved in filmdom, The Garden on Sunset is the place to go. At times a bit disjointed, but overall an enjoyable read. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series from Martin Turnbull.

Great book ..if you love old Hollywood ..this is the book for you. I worked for Paramount Pictures in the 90s and loved it...this book captures all the .glitz, grit and glamour of old Hollywood ..nazimova... Now I must find a book on her life. And I have already purchased the rest of the books in the series ...

Great story in a wonderful setting!! I want to read all the books in the series as the bring old Hollywood to life! This book was a quick read because I couldn't wait to see what happened to the characters. If you like books set in this era, I think you will enjoy this one.

I liked this book, enjoyed the Golden Hollywood era setting. But I had a hard time with how many years this took place over. Lots of name dropping for the sake name dropping it seemed. But I did like the main characters and plan on reading the next in the series.

I love the entire concept of three young people going to Hollywood just as the talkies are starting, hoping to find their place in history. I hope someone buys this book for the movie rights loved it,

A brilliant, realistic view of an amazing time in the history of movies and a fascinating time in American history.
The players in this story are so believable.
This is not my usual choice of reading matter. Now I can't wait to read the next instalment.

Great fun. The author takes readers on an entertaining journey through the nexus of Hollywood and fills out his palette of fictional characters with real movie stars. Ever wanted a time machine to take you back to Old Hollywood? Here it is.

From a technical perspective, the book is imperfect. There are plot lines that fizzle and a few rough or confusing transitions. That said, this is an incredibly well-researched novel including amazingly accurate details such as Rudolph Valentino's preference for writing in green ink. Readers can tell that the writer loves early Hollywood history and is extremely knowledgeable --reminiscent of TCM's Robert Osborne. The story is compelling enough to balance out the minor writing flaws and I will give the second book in the series a chance.

Mr Turnbull...I was intrigued from beginning to end...I loved your characters..May I suggest that you delve a bit more into each so as to g I v e the reader a bit more individuality of each character? They all needed a character "boost"! All said...good job, I am a fan.....

what a wonderful storyteller. Mr. Turnbull captures the era of old Hollywood so perfectly you do not want the book to end. I am now on the third in the series and the quality of the writing never flags. If you love this period in the movies you must read these books.

Finished this first novel and now moved on to the second. Growing up in and around the movie industry, I have heard bits and pieces of some of the goings on at the Garden of Allah Hotel... this fills in the gaps in great style and enthusiasm. Can't wait to read them all!

enjoyable..it was interesting to see how the author put some of the old movie stars into the story..a quick read ,likeable characters,a good story line...well worth the time spent in old hollywood...i will be reading the next books to see how it all turns out..

Finished this first novel and now moved on to the second. Growing up in and around the movie industry, I have heard bits and pieces of some of the goings on at the Garden of Allah Hotel... this fills in the gaps in great style and enthusiasm. Can't wait to read them all!

enjoyable..it was interesting to see how the author put some of the old movie stars into the story..a quick read ,likeable characters,a good story line...well worth the time spent in old hollywood...i will be reading the next books to see how it all turns out..

Growing up in Los Angeles, many times I would drive by the Garden of Allah and wonder what it was. I couldn't wait to find out! This book is so much fun. In a sec you are taken back to the 1930's and Hollywood. The characters and descriptions keep you until the end. Can't wait to read the next one.

Having a love for old Hollywood, I came across The Garden of Allah Novels by Martin Turnbull on Facebook. I signed up to be on the readers club list and was able to read the first chapter of this book. From that point on, I knew l had to read the series.
Reading the Garden of Allah novels made me feel like I was there watching the events unfold. Kathryn , Gwendolyn and Marcus became my favorite fictional friends. Alla became my most favorite of all, especially because she once was alive and real.

After being intrigued by a movie about the industry changing event of silent movie to speaking, the story of Marcus, Kathryn and Gwendolyn takes you up close and personal to mingle with the stars and lesser lights of the Hollywood scene. I've been vaguely familiar with the names of stars from this bygone area, like Valentino, Errol Flynn and Greta Garbo. I used to sit in Café Valentino in Ravenburg Germany, eating my favorite salad, enjoying a huge cup of cappuccino with Valentino smiling down on my from a movie poster. Errol Flynn embodied the perfect pirate while I was growing up, only recently replaced by Johnny Depp.

Starting with Marcus trying to get a closer look at the lady by the pool at the Garden of Allah, to see if it's really Greta Garbo, to Kathryn's little adventure seeing the Hindenburg land while pursuing her dream of being a Hollywood reporter and Gwendolyn's trials and tribulations to meet the right people to get cast in a movie. Martin Turnbull pulls you into the stories, the lives, the ups and downs of that era, making the characters your new best friends whose life experiences you can't wait to discover.

Let Martin Turnbull take you on a beautiful and fun ride to the real Hollywood.

And Martin, if you are reading this, I am serious! I want the next book now!

Intriguing glimpse at life in Hollywood's heyday through the eyes of three dreamers. Rubbing elbows with celebrities and learning the hard way how to navigate the journey to opportunities and hoped success amidst the glitz and glamour that defined the times. Very enjoyable and engaging read.

For fans of Hollywood and the classic movies this entire series is a great read. There are lots of references to things that really happened smoothly blended into the stories of people you have never met outside these books. Definitely worth reading.