Last night I dreamed of gummy bears again. They were marching in formation, rows and rows of them, and they were not happy. My name is Nora Paige, and I’m an ex-screenwriter, ex-Angeleno, and almost ex-wife. On the bright side, I’m now a fully employed San Franciscan, and almost ex-wife.
So why were the gummy bears marching? I suppose, at other times in my life, I might have looked for some deep Freudian meaning in their shiny, fruit-colored faces. Now I know they’re just reminding me that I’m behind on my candy orders again.
I’m behind on a lot of things these days. Ever since I took the job managing the Palace, a grand historic movie theater in San Francisco, showing classic films from Hollywood’s golden age, I feel like I’ve been behind on everything. I need to finalize the double features we’ll show for March Musicals. (Do I pair Singin’ in the Rain with An American in Paris for Gene Kelly fiends, or do I save American and show it with Gigi for fans who can’t get enough of Paris?) I need to finalize the shift schedules, taking into account that most of the Palace’s staff are either still in high school or long past retirement age. I need to get the ice machine repaired. I need to get the carpets cleaned. I need to (secretly) post a blog. And I always, always, need to order more gummy bears.
It’s my own fault. I wanted something that would keep me busy. After my husband left me—Oh, surely you read about that? When Ted Bishop, international movie star, abandoned his wife to run off with his latest drop-dead gorgeous co-star? Yes, that Ted Bishop. He was my husband. And, as I found out a bit too late, a complete waste of a decade.
After all that went down I needed something to keep me busy. And I really needed to flee Hollywood. The Palace was the perfect answer. I could hide away in a quiet San Francisco neighborhood, crash at a friend’s guesthouse, and generally disappear for a while, comforting myself with the screen classics I’ve loved my whole life. You can’t really feel too sorry for yourself when you see the kinds of things Bette Davis had to put up with.
Oh, and there’s one other thing about the Palace that keeps me nicely distracted. It’s haunted. I know, I know, you’re rolling your eyes right now. I would have rolled mine right along with you a few months ago. But that was before I met Trixie, a bubbly blond usherette with a heart of gold and a crush on Clark Gable. She’s sweet and smart and caring, but sometimes gets a little confused, probably owing to the fact that she died in 1937. And she takes it very personally when anyone else is killed at the Palace.
I would tell you more but I really have to run. Those gummy bears won’t order themselves.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for a chance to win a print copy of Murder At The Palace. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends February 14, 2019. Good luck everyone! Bonus Question: What is your favorite classic movie?
You can read more about Nora in Murder At The Palace, the first book in the NEW “Movie Palace” cozy mystery series, released February 12, 2019.
Welcome to the Palace movie theater! Now Showing: Philandering husbands, ghostly sidekicks, and a murder or two.
When Nora Paige’s movie-star husband leaves her for his latest co-star, she flees Hollywood to take refuge in San Francisco at the Palace, a historic movie theater that shows the classic films she loves. There she finds a band of misfit film buffs who care about movies (almost) as much as she does.
She also finds some shady financial dealings and the body of a murdered stranger.
Oh, and then there’s Trixie, the lively ghost of a 1930’s usherette who appears only to Nora and has a lot to catch up on. With the help of her new ghostly friend, can Nora catch the killer before there’s another murder at the Palace?
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Meet the author
Margaret Dumas lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she reads and writes books when she isn’t watching old movies. See what she’s up to at margaretdumas.com, and check out the movie blog she shares with the fictional Nora Paige at moviesmyfriendsshouldwatch.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Got ” MURDER AT THE PALACE” early this morning and can’t wait to start reading it! I’m a big, 82 year old classic movie fan! Can’t wait to watch my favorite movie ” An Affair To Remember ” when Turner Classic Movies has it on. Another one I love to watch is ” SOMEWHERE IN THE NIGHT” An old mystery from the 1940’s! Love reading your blogs, Dru!
Yay! I hope you love the book. “An Affair To Remember” gets me every time!
Thank you Helga!
Sounds like a fun series. My favorite old movies are Gone with the Wind and Casablanca.
I have many favorite classic movies, but #1 is West Side Story….
Thank you for the giveaway…..
Nora would never have found the theater if her husband had not left, so it is a win for her!
I love how she shows old movies. They are the best and there are so many of them! Of course, Gone With the Wind is a bit long in theaters, but one of my favorites. Casa Blanca and The Maltese Falcon are some others. Any of the musicals, especially with dancing also are amazing! I wish I could see them on the big screen!
Congratulations on the book! I cannot wait to read it!
Thank you so much, and you’re so right about Nora! Even the things that seem the worst can have an upside!
I’d love to win! My favorite classic is West Side Story.
Looking forward to reading this series. I love classic movies. My favorite? The Maltese Falcon!
I love books that have some historical factors in them. Thanks for the chance to enter this giveaway. I wish this theater was in my neighborhood since I love the old musical movies. Gene Kelly and Audrey Hepburn are two of my favorite.
Sounds a must on my wishlist of books too read. Thanks for the chance.
Sounds like a really fun story! My favorite classic movie is Singin’ In the Rain. Thanks for the chance to win.
My favorite classic movie is IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT. I watch it at least once a year.
Please, I want this book.
Gosh, it’s hard to pick just one. So I’ll pick Arsenic and Old Lace. This sounds like a really good book. Thanks for the review and the contest.
My favorite classic movie is Gaslight. This novel sounds captivating and wonderful. Thanks for this intriguing feature and giveaway.
Sounds like a fun book. I don’t think I can pick just one movie
What a great premise for a cozy mystery! I look forward to reading about Nora and Trixie at the Palace. My favorite classic movie is Desk Set with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy ~
I love classic movies. Vertigo, The Big Sleep and Roman Holiday.
Good morning Dru. This looks like a fun read, so please add my name to the list of wannabe winners.
This sounds like a fun book! I would have to pick Gone with the Wind as my favorite classic movie.
I love old movies, and the setting of the book is perfect. I love the simplicity of the cover. I would love to read this.
This sounds delightful.
This sounds like such a fun read and with a great premise. The ghost has got to be adorable and helpful when solving mysteries at the Palace – sounds like she is. Looking forward to being reminded of all the great classic movies. I will enjoy getting to know Nora and Trixie. The cover art is perfect for the story line.
Yay! I hope you like it!
I would love to read this haunted book.
Classic movie—Fried Green Tomatoes.
Sounds like a great new series! My favorite star from that era is Joan Fontaine.
This sounds great. I love old movies. My favorite is any of the Thin Man movies–I love William Powell and Myrna Loy
I do to! My first mystery series from a few years ago, Speak Now and How To Succeed in Murder, were my version of a modern-day Nick and Nora. So much fun!
This story line has so many possibilities! Such as the soon-to-be ex-husband popping up in the future, hopefully to get his cometojesus moment! I don’t have a favorite classic movie, but I do have favorite actors. James Cagney, William Powell, and Ronald Colman to name a few. Those men had charisma!
My favorite classic movie is “Gone With the Wind”. I really enjoyed the synopsis of the book. Can’t wait to read.
Sounds like a great read.
Two favorites are To Kill A Mockingbird and Harvey.
Oh, those are so good!
Looking forward to reading! Thanks fore chance!
There are so many good classic movies, but two that I will always hold dear are The Wizard of Oz and It’s a Wonderful Life. Thanks for the chance to win! Sounds wonderful
This sounds like a delightful series and I am looking forward to reading it! I LOVE the Art Deco Cover.
I suppose my favorite classic is The Wizard of Oz, but the Thin Man is right up there as well. I love Asta!!❤
You’ve now made me think about a movie with Asta and Toto. Thank you!
One of my favorites is Rear Window.
“The Wizard of Oz” then later “Gone with the Wind”
Interesting read.
Love this premise, cannot wait to read.
Yay! I hope you like it!
Love this Cover
This book 📖 sounds really good 👍
Thanks
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**** WINNER ****
Murder At The Palace is Celia Fowler
Congratulations!