Alice-Miranda in Hollywood by Jacqueline Harvey

Title: Alice-Miranda in Hollywood

Author: Jacqueline Harvey

Genre: Fiction/Mystery

Publisher: Puffin

Published: 17^th September 2019/28^th August 2017

Format: Paperback

Pages: 368

Price: $16.99

Synopsis: Lights, camera, action! Yeehaw!

Alice-Miranda and her friends are off to Hollywood to take part in Lawrence Ridley’s new movie. It’s a western with a twist, and they’ll be shooting some scenes on location at the picturesque Grand Canyon. Everyone’s excited to get a sneak peek of the glitz and glamour of show business – especially Caprice!

On set, however, there is high drama with tears and tantrums, romance and a string of suspicious mishaps. Is there a villain lurking behind the scenes, or could the rumours of a curse be true? Alice-Miranda is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery before tensions explode.

~*~

It’s a new adventure for Alice-Miranda and her friends. They’re off to Hollywood to be extras in a film that Lawrence Ridley, Alice-Miranda’s uncle is starring in. Sep, Sloane, Lucas, Millie and Caprice are there too as part of the Winchester-Fayle singing group, ready to meet new friends Sophie, Blade and Sasha, whilst getting an insight into how Hollywood works, from the paparazzi, like Tyger Lombardi, to the Goldberg and Crawford families, a cursed movie, and secrets that two men following someone linked to the movie are determined to uncover.

So the kids are embroiled in strange goings on around the set, where things are going wrong, there’s lots of drama (some from Caprice throughout the book, which is very on brand for her and suits her character), and accidents that could see the film shut down. Things keep going missing, and the new director, Andreas King doesn’t seem to be up to the job. Alice-Miranda is getting her funny feelings, because there is something going on. The question is that what is going on, and who is behind it? And, can they break the curse before the movie is cancelled all together?

I’m nearly finished reading all the Alice-Miranda series – I just have two more left, and then all my gaps will have been filled in. This one was quite different to what I have read before in the series, and it was pretty cool to see where the series can and will go. Alice-Miranda has travelled the world in this series and this time; it looks like she’s going to have fun in Hollywood with her friends. I have liked that not every book has been focused on, or set at the school. This is a refreshing adventure that sees the kids getting to do something new.

The story itself is fun, diverse and pulled me along in the story, and captured the glitzy world of Hollywood as well as the ups and downs of making a movie, all whilst Alice-Miranda gets involved in another mystery, and makes sure everyone knows what is going on. Alice-Miranda is growing up as well, and heading towards new things that shape her life whilst still showing how important her friends and family are.

I liked the way everyone was contrasted against each other as well, whether it was which children were allowed to sit together, the rivalry between Blade and Sasha’s families (apart from the kids), or the distinct ways the different adults acted and treated people, like remembering names, losing things or simply just not getting things right. It showed that life never goes to plan, because not everything is perfect. People were allowed to be messy, and it is always interesting to see how Millie and Caprice get on, or don’t. I felt for everyone having to put up with Caprice at times, especially when she was demanding or spiky with them. She is getting a bit better though.

The sixteenth book in this series was just as good as the first fifteen, and builds on what has come before whilst being its own story as well. It was a fun one to read, and it’s great to see how the characters are growing and changing throughout the series, as well as the different friends that they are making throughout. I am looking forward to seeing what happens in books seventeen and eighteen to finish up the series.