Picture a dynamic duo spinning tales of murder and glamour in 1930s Hollywood—meet Renee Patrick! This pseudonym belongs to married couple Rosemarie and Vince Keenan, whose passion for film noir and Old Hollywood fuels their captivating Lillian Frost & Edith Head mystery series. With a knack for blending fact and fiction, they whisk readers into Tinseltown’s golden age, where costume designers turn sleuths amid star-studded scandals.
From their first novel, the Keenans have crafted a world where historical figures like Edith Head, the legendary costume designer, team up with fictional heroines to unravel Hollywood’s darkest secrets. It’s a champagne-fueled romp through a bygone era, and you’re invited to the premiere!
The Making of Renee Patrick
Rosemarie and Vince Keenan, both New Yorkers, didn’t meet until fate tossed them together at a South Florida ad agency. Rosemarie, a research administrator and poet, has a love for vintage fashion and 1930s cinema, while Vince, a screenwriter and editor of Noir City magazine, lives and breathes film noir. Their shared obsession with classic Hollywood and cocktails sparked the idea for Renee Patrick, a pen name born just before their silver wedding anniversary in 2016. Inspired by Rosemarie’s fascination with costume designers and Vince’s deep film knowledge, they set out to write mysteries that capture the glitz and grit of Tinseltown’s past.
Renee Patrick’s Unforgettable Stories
The Lillian Frost & Edith Head series, starting with Design for Dying (2016), is Renee Patrick’s crown jewel. Set in 1937 Los Angeles, it follows Lillian Frost, a former actress turned sleuth, and Edith Head, the real-life costume designer, as they solve a murder involving a stolen gown. The novel’s fast-paced plot and witty dialogue earned it a spot on NPR’s 2017 Summer Reading list. Dangerous to Know (2017) dives into 1938 Hollywood, weaving a scandal involving Nazi sympathizers and stars like Jack Benny, praised for its historical accuracy and glamour.
Script for Scandal (2019) tackles a 1936 bank robbery, blending real events with fictional intrigue, while The Sharpest Needle (2020) sees Lillian and Edith investigating poison pen letters targeting actress Marion Davies. Idle Gossip (2022), the fifth book, explores 1940s Hollywood’s gossip-driven underbelly. The Keenans’ style is snappy, noirish, and meticulously researched, with cameos from icons like Orson Welles and Barbara Stanwyck, making each book a love letter to classic cinema.
Their novels stand out for their immersive atmosphere—think period music, vintage fashion, and Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes drama. Rosemarie and Vince even listen to 1930s tunes while writing to channel their characters’ world, ensuring every detail feels authentic.
Why Renee Patrick Matters
Renee Patrick’s work revives the allure of Hollywood’s golden age, offering readers a portal to a time when studios ruled and scandals simmered. Their novels have earned nominations for prestigious awards like the Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity, cementing their place in historical mystery fiction. By spotlighting Edith Head, they celebrate unsung heroes of cinema, while Lillian Frost’s plucky spirit resonates with fans of strong female leads. For classic movie buffs and mystery lovers, Renee Patrick delivers a double feature of nostalgia and suspense.
The Keenans’ ability to weave historical gossip into gripping plots has also sparked renewed interest in Old Hollywood’s lesser-known stories, from costume designers’ influence to pre-war intrigue. Their books are a reminder that even in Tinseltown’s dazzle, shadows hide secrets worth uncovering.
- Pen Name: Renee Patrick (Rosemarie and Vince Keenan)
- Key Works: Design for Dying, Dangerous to Know, Script for Scandal, The Sharpest Needle, Idle Gossip
- Awards: Nominated for Agatha, Anthony, Left Coast Crime, and Macavity Awards
- Hometown: Originally New York, now Seattle
Snag Design for Dying and dive into Renee Patrick’s sparkling world of Hollywood noir—your ticket to glamour and mystery awaits!