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eBook Category: Historical Fiction EPPIE Award Finalist
eBook Description: Harold Gilbert comes to Los Angeles in 1912 to try and make it as a comic in the nascent California film industry; Max Randolph is a delivery boy and extra who dreams of making great dramatic pictures like D.W. Griffith. Together they launch a film company that Harold's comedic talent propels to success. But while Harold wants to keep making good pictures better, Max only cares about consolidating power, especially over his prime moneymaker, Harold Gilbert. When naïve young Ella Davies joins the company, Max's callous treatment of the girl and his growing lust for control compel Harold to strike out on his own. But Max has one final power play up his sleeve--involving a mysterious girl from his past and a hotel room in San Francisco... The Latham Loop takes the reader through the back lots and boardinghouses, vaudeville theaters and amusement piers of early Los Angeles as Harold pursues his dream of success in the movie industry.

eBook Publisher: Amber Quill Press, Published: 2003
Fictionwise Release Date: August 2005

This eBook is part of the following series:

• Laura Mazzuca Toops's Harold Gilbert Series

4 Reader Ratings: Great Good OK Poor

Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [1.4 MB], eReader (PDB) [274 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [279 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [247 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [233 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [288 KB], hiebook (KML) [649 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [365 KB], iSilo (PDB) [230 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [287 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [329 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [362 KB]
Words: 85785
Reading time: 245-343 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
ISBN: 1-59279-059-3

"...A flavorful fictional novel of Hollywood, covering the years 1913 to 1920. Loop tells the story of a silent screen comedian, not unlike Harold Lloyd, named Harold Gilbert who rises from vaudeville to become a leading star in the movies. Frankly, when I first got this I was not interested in reading about a fictional movie star and his so-called struggles in Hollywood. Well, first impressions aside, I gave it a chance--and I was thoroughly hooked. What I liked especially was Ms. Topos' ability to juggle several unrelated subplots with varying characters effortlessly, then slowly, but deftly, weave them together. All her characters, not just Gilbert, are fleshed out perfectly, each distinctive in his own way. Gilbert is a very likable personality and his comedy routines, which I wrongly dreaded as probably being unfunny, are handled charmingly by the author...Laura Mazzuca Toops is quite a fine writer. Her narrative...is clean, crisp, direct and very involving. I warn you, however, that if you buy the new The Latham Loop, and I urge that you do pronto, especially if you're a silent movie fan, you can't help but get Slapstick. It's essential. The author's knowledge of early film serves her and the book well, incorporating real movie experiences into her saga; her characters are real and sympathetic (except Max Randolph, but he's divertingly despicable). I can't wait for the last in this series (which would be the middle story between these two volumes). Maybe then the author will take pity and reveal the whereabouts of Baby Becky. She'd better."--Laura Wagner, Classic Images Magazine

"Author Laura Toops takes readers on an unforgettable journey to the not-so distant past to the birth of Hollywood and moving pictures. Companies rise and fall, stars are born and forgotten, and readers are inexplicably drawn to the main characters. Harold is a unique hero, sometimes unsure of himself and nervous, but he's also loyal, true, determined and ready to take a chance. The way Ms. Toops captures real-life personalities takes The Latham Loop beyond the realm of fiction. These characters are not perfect or nor do they contain only minor character flaws; they're real. Harold has moments that shock and surprise the readers. I didn't mention the secondary characters in the review, as I was more drawn to Harold. Yet even they have their own uniqueness, and I look forward to seeing them in next books. As this is part of a series, all the loose ends weren't tied up as well as I like, but it does raise all sorts of questions as to what will happen next. I'm looking forward to the release of Slapstick, Book II of The Harold Gilbert Trilogy."--Sharyn McGinty, In The Library Reviews

"The birth of Hollywood in the 1910s comes vividly to life in this outstanding novel about a star of slapstick comedy. The author skillfully interweaves diverse characters in an intricate narrative that includes overtones from such real incidents as the William Desmond Taylor and Roscoe Arbuckle cases."--William M. Drew, film historian, author, Speaking of Silents: First Ladies of the Screen

"The Latham Loop recreates the exciting era of early Hollywood with its lively and engaging cast of characters. Toops' novel is right on the money, complete with comedy, tragedy and behind-the-scenes scandals."--Arnie Bernstein, author, Hollywood on Lake Michigan: 100 Years of Chicago and the Movies

"...An excellent, engaging story of life in a rapidly changing world--the early 1900s....This book was one of those that keeps you up at night finishing it! I couldn't put it down. The touches of history--from the descriptions of old movie cameras to the old boardwalks--were wonderful, and added a depth to the world not found in all historical fiction. Hal and Max, and their struggles to find themselves, touched my heart, and made me very anxious to see how it would all turn out. This is the first of a trilogy, and I can't wait to read more about Hal, and see what other novels this author brings to life. I highly recommend The Latham Loop--it's excellent!--Kara Wolf, Historical Fiction Reviewer

"...A story that takes the reader behind the scenes of the Golden Era of Hollywood, written so that the reader begins to understand how tough it really was back then. The author has certainly done her research, and aptly takes the reader back to the early days of Los Angeles and filmmaking. Historical research gives the reader a very real feel of the lifestyle and glitz of that era, and how it was truly much harder to make a living at the time that is perhaps portrayed these days. This novel will take the reader on a journey into the past, and into a setting a time frame that is not too common in novels these days. Very well done, this reader recommends The Latham Loop for the reader who is looking for something a little different."--Theresa Norman, Denise's Pieces Book Reviews

"...A realistic story about the California Film Industry in the early 1900s. It's a story of dreams-dreams that Max and Harold share, but for different reasons. Ms. Toops has definitely done her research, and tells the story very graphically with realistic descriptions of the era. She also does a great job of making you feel and see what the characters are about...The story is enjoyable and historically credible. As I've said before, a review is just one person's opinion, and if you enjoy historicals set in this era, I urge you to read The Latham Loop and draw your own conclusion."--Brett Scott, The Romance Studio

They rode in silence, putting as many miles as fast as they could between them and the horrible thing that happened in San Francisco. Harold sat shivering against the passenger side window, staring blankly into the darkness; Max drove like a man possessed, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.