The Seventh Veil of Salome
A young woman wins the role of a lifetime in a film about a legendary heroine—but the real drama is behind the scenes in this sumptuous historical epic from the author of Mexican Gothic.
1950s Hollywood: Every actress wants to play Salome, the star-making role in a big-budget movie about the legendary woman whose story has inspired artists since ancient times.
So when the film’s mercurial director casts Vera Larios, an unknown Mexican ingenue, in the lead role, she quickly becomes the talk of the town. Vera also becomes an object of envy for Nancy Hartley, a bit player whose career has stalled and who will do anything to win the fame she believes she richly deserves.
Two actresses, both determined to make it to the top in Golden Age Hollywood—a city overflowing with gossip, scandal, and intrigue—make for a sizzling combination.
But this is the tale of three women, for it is also the story of the princess Salome herself, consumed with desire for the fiery prophet who foretells the doom of her stepfather, Herod: a woman torn between the decree of duty and the yearning of her heart.
Before the curtain comes down, there will be tears and tragedy aplenty in this sexy Technicolor saga.
Reviews
"In Moreno-Garcia’s skillful hands, you’ll find the satisfaction of richly drawn characters, saturated settings and deftly constructed plot twists. Inhaling her backlist has been the unexpected delight of my summer. No matter the genre — gothic, horror, noir — she’ll embody its essence with a verve all her own. “The Seventh Veil of Salome,” Moreno-Garcia’s 10th novel, is an old Hollywood tale crossed with fire and brimstone. And like her previous works, it’s a compulsive page turner... [and] a shrewd examination of faith and desire."
“When Mexican actress Vera Larios is cast in a big-budget swords-and-sandals picture as the temptress Salome, she’s soon feeling the sting of racism and sexism on and off the set. Moreno-Garcia is a hypnotic raconteur who ably builds tension as a White actress’s resentment of Larios reaches a fever pitch.... [THE SEVENTH VEIL OF SALOME] burns more slowly than some of Moreno-Garcia’s others, but the payoff in the closing chapters is incandescent."Washington Post
“This suspenseful saga captures the lengths one is willing to go to make it in show business—and the price they pay to get there.”TIME
“Moreno-Garcia’s documentary-style format is reminiscent of Daisy Jones and The Six or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but the layered, dark storytelling is all her own, drawing you in all the way to a thrilling end.”People
“Silvia Moreno-Garcia is best known as an author of gothic horror and fantasy, but she’s just as capable of building immersive worlds based in reality as she is at inventing them from scratch, so readers can expect to be thoroughly pulled into not one but two captivating backdrops.”The A.V. Club
"Dazzling... Moreno-Garcia is a gifted storyteller, vividly rendering both the intrigue and dangers of the ancient world Salome inhabits and the allure and ugliness (ingrained sexism and racism) of Golden Age Hollywood while spinning a thoroughly captivating, thrilling tale."Booklist, STARRED Review!
"A rousing success: Moreno-Garcia proves, once again, that she is a master of her craft."
"The Seventh Veil of Salome is another triumph from Moreno-Garcia, a page-turning historical drama with mythic overtones that will please readers of her realistic fiction and her more fantastical work alike."
"Moreno-Garcia shines a light on the racial and gender politics of postwar Hollywood and intertwines her tale with enough real history to please Tinseltown obsessives."
“Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the ultimate writing chameleon. Looking for a good horror? She's got you covered with Mexican Gothic and Silver Nitrate. Looking for a magical fairytale? Gods of Jade and Shadow is your perfect next read. And now she's back with another historical drama (you know, after you finish reading The Daughter of Doctor Moreau) that will transport you to another grand tale that will absolutely mesmerize you as you to the fullest.”
"From an author who has yet to find a genre she cannot master, THE SEVENTH VEIL OF SALOME is a surefire hit that will leave you gasping in your seat long after the credits roll.”"
"Silvia Moreno-Garcia delivers electricity, desire, and tragedy. Salome is—without a doubt—'that girl’. She is a star and will shine until she burns out."
“It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with everything Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes, and her new book release is no exception. The Seventh Veil of Salome is a layered historical epic offering a fascinating depiction of 1950s Hollywood.”Geek Girl Authority
"Using a kaleidoscope of perspectives, Moreno-Garcia skillfully depicts the rise of a starlet in 1950s Hollywood, capturing not only the glamour of poolside parties but also the sordid underbelly of the industry. That alone would be a great read, but she also weaves in the original story of Salome, adding rich layers to a story that bubbles with anticipation and will leave you spellbound."Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Spectacular
"I've been a huge Silvia Moreno-Garcia fan since her sensational Mexican Gothic, but this epic of 1950s Hollywood really hits my sweet spot! A pensive Mexican ingenue becomes the talk of Tinseltown when she lands the part of Salome in a big-budget sword-and-sandal biblical epic; meanwhile a jealous starlet schemes to steal her place in the spotlight. Against their splashy soundstage drama, the real Salome (or is she?) tells her own story of love, revenge, and betrayal. The Seventh Veil of Salome is absolutely not to be missed!"Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye
"I’ve long been a fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing. To me, she’s one of the most versatile, quirky, and interesting writers around. In The Seventh Veil of Salome, she reveals—veil by veil—layers of emotion, character, the Bible, and Hollywood. What a fun and compelling dance."Lisa See, New York Times bestselling author of Lady Tan's Circle of Women
"This is a darkly thrilling gem of a novel, a page-turner that winds ever more tightly around its twin heroines as they navigate Biblical court intrigues and 1950s studio scandals. Like the best Hollywood epics, The Seventh Veil of Salome catches you in its spell and won't let go until the credits roll!"Helene Wecker, author of The Golem and the Jinni and The Hidden Palace
"Is there any genre that Silvia Moreno-Garcia can’t write? I’ve yet to find one so far... Her writing style never fails to drag me headfirst into her stories, and this one was no different."
"The Seventh Veil of Salome is a whirlwind of ambition, power, and tragedy set against the backdrop of Hollywood’s golden era. It is a must-read for those who appreciate masterful storytelling, rich character development, and a nuanced exploration of the complexities within the entertainment industry. Silvia Moreno-Garcia continues to be a literary force to be reckoned with, leaving her mark on the literary landscape with each dazzling tale she weaves."
"Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s latest, The Seventh Veil of Salome is not to be missed"
Awards & Accolades
People Magazine: Book of the Week
Apple Books: Apple Books: "2024's Most Anticipated Books, Fiction"
LatineLit: "Bestsellers, October 2024"