City of Mirrors: A Diana Poole Thriller
Actress Diana Poole (introduced in Shooting Hollywood, 2012), now in her 40s, feels fortunate to get a job when she goes back to work a year after her husband’s death. Then, a week after her movie-star mother dies, Diana finds her job, her equilibrium, and even her life at risk. Just after she’s asked by her producer to talk to young actress Jenny Parson, who’s struggling with her lines, Diana discovers Jenny’s body and becomes involved in a dizzying and deadly nonstop chase, with her only real ally “fixer” Leo Heath. As Jenny’s powerful father spares no resources in getting answers about his daughter’s death, the underbelly of the Hollywood rich and famous is displayed, with the body count mounting and long-held secrets revealed. Diana, who uses her acting ability to good effect, proves tough and smart enough to prevail, as her initial aversion to Heath yields to a strong attraction. Overly convoluted plot aside, this is a compelling view of Hollywood’s dark side by former actress Howe as seen through the eyes of insider Diana, whose future exploits bear watching. --Michele Leber