Map to Paradise by Susan Meissner is an interesting read with many twists and turns. Three women have formed an alliance with each other even though they suspect each other of various crimes or situations. The book is set in the 1950s during the era of blacklists in Hollywood. People were not trusting each other and were selling out each other to avoid being in trouble with the government for being a ‘communist’ .
Melanie Cole is one of the blacklisted people, all because she went to a party with her boyfriend. She has a maid coming in daily, Eva. Eva is an immigrant from Europe who was displaced by WWII. She is obviously hiding something and it loath to put herself in the limelight. Really Melanie’s house doesn’t need that much attention, but it is job and she is safe. Next door to Melanie is a famous writer in Hollywood, Elwood, a recluse. Melanie is positive Elwood would help her if she could just get past his sister in law June, who is almost his gatekeeper. It is interesting that June is digging around Elwood’s roses. The three women help each other while attempting to keep their secrets their own. Different happenings make each one suspicious of the other one. Yet the world is a dangerous place in Hollywood.
The book is not a turn the page every minute to discover what is happening, as much as it is a slow reveal of the characters, their motivations and secrets. The ending does tie everything up nicely revealing a number of truths and reminding them the world is a dangerous place for them. Map to Paradise by Susan Meissner is an interesting read.
