“Readers who love glamorous historical fiction will be mesmerized by the life of Dorothy Hale… a woman determined to make a name for herself in a world ruled by men and governed by money, power, and connections. The elegant timeframe and high fashion of the era, replete with jazz music and roaring parties that would be the envy of Gatsby’s crowd.”
— PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BOOKLIFE, EDITOR’S PICK
“Invitingly readable… Surprisingly gripping… Dorothy emerges as both a charismatic and vulnerable figure… A smart and touchingly sympathetic fictional portrayal of an enigmatic woman. “
—KIRKUS REVIEWS, STARRED REVIEW
“This book is delicately woven into a masterpiece of fact and fiction. Hamilton writes with eloquence and precision… She has an amazing gift for figurative language, creating imagery that unfolds seamlessly.”
—MANHATTAN BOOK REVIEW, FIVE-STAR REVIEW
“Fascinating…” “The author is skilled and provides vivid descriptions.” “The landscape of the book in setting and culture reminds the reader of The Great Gatsby.”
—JUDGES, IBPA BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AWARDS
“This finely-crafted gem of a novel holds within it an entire world: Jazz Age New York, with all its vibrancy and thrill. Rich with smart dialogue and period detail, it’s a window into a vanished time, bringing historical legends back to life—but more than that, it’s a mirror that helps us see our own society more clearly.”
—KERMIT ROOSEVELT, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE NATION THAT NEVER WAS
“For those interested in the 1920s and especially fans of The Great Gatsby, this book will be a thrilling read… In many ways, it is a historical primer for readers interested in the lives of early celebrities who paved the way for today’s. Lady Be Good conveys the economic rift rifling America even then… it also subtly highlights the objectification and oppression of women during this time period. The ageism Hale faced echoes with the ageism and scrutiny contemporary artists like Madonna have recently faced. Hamilton’s book is a gripping, well-researched read.”
—THE US REVIEW OF BOOKS →
“This marvelous tale captures so many elements that make for an enticing read: love, loss, romance, glamour, friendship, betrayal, mystery, and suspense. All these aspects transcend time, making her story seem both historical and modern at the same time. This was one of those books that I just couldn’t put down, essentially due to the author’s remarkable talent for creating engaging and delicious scenes and dialogue… One of the things that makes this book a great success is the author’s ability to bring across so many different emotional responses to the reader… An enthralling, beautifully written story full of interesting period details… After reading this, I felt like you do when you’ve seen a good film. All you want to do is watch it over again.”
—SAN FRANCISCO BOOK REVIEW, FIVE-STARS →
“Hamilton’s refined prose delivers tight, concise bursts of dialogue and vivid scene-setting. To that point, Lady Be Good succeeds at blurring the lines between fiction and non-fiction, a testament to Hamilton’s prowess as both an investigator and a storyteller. A high-society coming-of-age story that proves truth is sometimes stranger than fiction, Lady Be Good provides an intoxicating mix of glitz, glamour, love, and betrayal, complete with a heartbreaking ending that lingers long after the final page.”
—INDIEREADER →
“An absolute candy dish of luxury, opulence, and grandeur. Every word as delicious as the next. A lens into the upper echelon of the Roaring 20s.”
—ASHLEY LONGSHORE, ARTIST & ENTREPRENEUR
“Based on the real life and tragic demise of Dorothy Hale, an actress and socialite who took Jazz Age New York by storm, Pamela Hamilton’s Lady Be Good is a richly detailed work of historical fiction that truly captures the atmosphere of the time and place, the personalities of the characters involved (both real and imagined), and the events that unfolded over the course of Hale’s extraordinary lifetime. What’s more, Hamilton combines all these factors to produce a surprisingly fast-paced and engaging story that fosters a real sense of sympathy and understanding for Dorothy. Lady Be Good is the enthralling story of an astonishing life lived largely in the spotlight, with all the good and bad that entails. The story has plenty of suspense and surprises.”
—LA BOOK REVIEW
“In this deeply evocative story, Hamilton beautifully captures the themes of love and betrayal, class and culture, and the price of fame. With stylish prose and clever dialogue, she reveals the fascinating story of Dorothy Hale and her complicated friendship with Clare Boothe Luce—two women of intellect, wit, and beauty who strive to have it all and ultimately transcend societal expectations imposed on women to realize their dreams. Meticulously researched and well told, Lady be Good is a magnificent debut novel, taking readers on an enthralling journey with the famed and fêted as they make their mark on American culture.”
—BILL DEDMAN, PULITZER PRIZE WINNER, NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF EMPTY MANSIONS
“Lady Be Good is an extraordinary work about a remarkable woman in a unique period. Pamela Hamilton writes with such gravitas and dedication, delivering a framework of facts and research assembled with an imaginative pen.”
—READERS’ FAVORITE, FIVE-STAR REVIEW →
“An inherently fascinating and exceptionally well written, organized and presented work of historical fiction, Lady Be Good is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community, college and university library General Fiction collections.”
—MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
“Did you ever wonder what was going through the mind of an outstandingly beautiful, improbably elegant and gifted woman? Satisfaction?Contempt for ordinary people? Desperate fear of losing one’s high status? Dorothy Hale was surely that person, and in Lady Be Good, Pamela Hamilton takes us, as only superb fiction can, deep into that mind. Based on meticulous research and with prose as stylish as Hale herself, Hamilton recounts the mystery of the dazzling socialite, whose friends included Frida Kahlo and Clare Booth Luce. Lady is a deep and fascinating investigation of fame, class, gender, appearance, and the American dream. It’s a truly compelling story.”
—DENNIS MCNALLY, NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF ON HIGHWAY 61
“Lady Be Good is a coming-of-age story. It’s a love story. It’s a story of friendship, grace, and betrayal. Pop open a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and fall into Dorothy Hale’s rarified world of glitz, glamour, and grand times during the Jazz Age. Poignant, heartbreaking, and a whole lot of fun, it’s filled with snappy dialogue and vivid descriptions of the glitterati of 1930s New York. Hamilton delivers an astonishing and tender portrait of a captivating woman who is navigating scandals in the highest echelons of society, alongside her outspoken confidante Clare Boothe Luce. Written in lyrical prose, this absorbing tale tells the true story of a misunderstood woman who captured the hearts of all of those who knew her. Irresistible. You’ll never look at the Frida Kahlo portrait in the same way again.”
—ANDREA CAGAN, LOS ANGELES TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR
Honors & Awards
- Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
- A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
- Booklife by Publishers Weekly Editor’s Pick
- Winner of the 2022 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for Historical Fiction
- Winner of the National Indie Excellence Award for Chick-Lit
- National Indie Excellence Award Silver Medal for Faction
- Winner of the Royal Dragonfly Book Award in the Fiction and Historical Fiction categories
- Readers’ Favorite International Book Award
- American Fiction Award
- Eric Hoffer Award Finalist
- IAN Book of the Year Award
- Finalist for the Mark Twain Book Award for Humor and Satire
- Finalist for the Goethe Book Award for Historical Fiction
- One of Literary Hub’s Top 5 Books with unusually affecting female characters
