The Doom List - (Tom Collins Mystery) by Gerard O'Donovan (Paperback)

About the Book

1922. 'Movie czar' Will H. Hays is on a mission to clean up Hollywood by compiling the Doom List - a list of 'undesirables' whom he plans to bar from screen work. Private investigator Tom Collins is hired to protect a leading lady's reputation at all costs, and is drawn into a case of scandal, forbidden passion, blackmail, and cold-blooded murder.

Book Synopsis

The Doom List - you'd rather be dead than be on it: the intriguing new 1920s mystery featuring Irish-born cop turned private investigator Tom Collins.

July, 1922. Newly-appointed 'movie czar' William H. Hays is about to arrive in town on a single-minded mission to clean up Hollywood. He is said to be compiling a list of 'undesirables' whom he plans to bar from screen work. They call it the Doom List.

With the industry in the grip of fear and paranoia, Hollywood's hottest young director Rex Ingram is determined that no hint of scandal should mar the premiere of his new movie, The Prisoner of Zenda, and hires private investigator Tom Collins, a fellow Irishman, with instructions to protect his leading lady's reputation at all costs. But, as Collins discovers, Barbara La Marr isn't the only member of the cast hiding a dangerous secret.

Meanwhile, a body is discovered in the Baldwin Hills to the south of the city. Could there be a connection? Against his better judgement, Collins is drawn into a case of scandal, forbidden love, blackmail . . . and cold-blooded murder.

Review Quotes

"Engrossing... O'Donovan makes fine use of period details, and peoples the cast with fascinating real-life characters. This action-packed, tightly plotted mystery should win the author new fans"-- "Publishers Weekly"

"O'Donovan does a marvelous job with setting and scandal, skilfully evoking the drama of being on an old Hollywood movie set... Fans of 1920s glamour and scandal will enjoy... This fun mystery is a strong entry in the series"-- "Library Journal"

Blending historical figures - Ingram and La Marr, Ramon Navarro and political fixer Kent Kane Parrot - into his vividly etched story, O'Donovan delivers a stylish, scabrous and punchy private-eye investigation-- "The Irish Times"