Book Log 17/2012 - Barbara Hambly: Bride of the Rat God

This combination of mystery and supernatural fantasy is set in the world of silent movies, Hollywood studios and Chinatown. Norah, a First World War widow living miserably in Manchester is swept up into the crazy world of 1923 Hollywood by her deasd husband's sister Chris. Chrysanda Flamande is a silent movie star. living life in the fast lane, but essentially good-hearted. She whisks Norah off to Hollywood as dogsitter for her three Pekes and general companion.

When a pretty young stuntman who stood in for Chris on her last movie is viciously hacked to death, signs point to one of Chris' co-stars on her current movie, but this brutal murder is not in the least straightforward. An elderly Chinese wizard (by his own account), Shang Ko, The Shining Crane, tells them that the necklace Chris (and the stuntman) wore on the last movie is a talisman which has summoned the Rat God of ancient Chinese legend.

No one believes at first, but Chris's life is in danger and with the studio boss treating it as a publicity opportunity it's left to Norah and the camera-man Alec, to protect Chris from the horror that's stalking her.

The characters are nicely drawn, the background detail authentic-seeming and the gently developing romance between Norah and Alec is sweet. Recommended.

Book Log 17/2012 - Barbara Hambly: Bride of the Rat God

This combination of mystery and supernatural fantasy is set in the world of silent movies, Hollywood studios and Chinatown. Norah, a First World War widow living miserably in Manchester is swept up into the crazy world of 1923 Hollywood by her deasd husband's sister Chris. Chrysanda Flamande is a silent movie star. living life in the fast lane, but essentially good-hearted. She whisks Norah off to Hollywood as dogsitter for her three Pekes and general companion.

When a pretty young stuntman who stood in for Chris on her last movie is viciously hacked to death, signs point to one of Chris' co-stars on her current movie, but this brutal murder is not in the least straightforward. An elderly Chinese wizard (by his own account), Shang Ko, The Shining Crane, tells them that the necklace Chris (and the stuntman) wore on the last movie is a talisman which has summoned the Rat God of ancient Chinese legend.

No one believes at first, but Chris's life is in danger and with the studio boss treating it as a publicity opportunity it's left to Norah and the camera-man Alec, to protect Chris from the horror that's stalking her.

The characters are nicely drawn, the background detail authentic-seeming and the gently developing romance between Norah and Alec is sweet. Recommended.