What happens when a Hitchcock screening ends with a real-life murder? That’s the irresistible premise behind TCM host and author Alicia Malone’s Murder at the Movies: A Movie Palace Mystery, a cozy mystery that combines classic Hollywood, movie-palace nostalgia, and a murder investigation.
This novel tells the story of Audrey Sullivan and her return to Pine Island, New England, after the death of her grandmother. There, she takes over the family’s historic Starlight Movie Palace. While she arrives determined to give the theater a new beginning, it doesn’t take long for trouble to find her.
For classic movie fans, the setting is one of the book’s biggest attractions. The Starlight Movie Palace is exactly the kind of place that inspires nostalgia: an old theater with history, character, and a connection to the community. Malone’s own background as a Turner Classic Movies host gives the novel an added authenticity. Her love of movies comes through in the story, making this a particularly appealing read for anyone who enjoys classic cinema. The Hollywood references add another layer of fun without taking away from the central mystery.
At the same time, Murder at the Movies is about more than solving a murder. It is also a celebration of movie theaters and the special role they play in our lives. The Starlight represents a piece of local history that Audrey is determined to preserve, making the theater’s survival almost as important as discovering who killed Liam Ross.
The result is a charming and entertaining mystery with plenty of atmosphere. Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries will find all the familiar ingredients: an intriguing murder, a determined amateur sleuth, suspicious characters, hidden motives, and a close-knit community full of secrets. Classic-film lovers get the added pleasure of a story steeped in the world of moviegoing and will delight in recognizing the references to numerous classic films.
The book is available for pre-order here, to be released in October 2026.
Hometowns to Hollywood 