Elizabeth SimsElizabeth Sims | Official Website | CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO THE HOME PAGE
  • The Actress

    "Sims' wry commentary on life in Hollywood is dead-on."

    Publishers Weekly
  • The Extra

    "an intelligent thriller."

    —Jay Strafford Richmond Times-Dispach
  • On Location

    "You just have to love Rita."

    Kirkus Reviews
  • The Actress

    "Intricate and surprising, this is a gripping read."

    —Kristine Huntley Booklist
  • The Extra

    "The two leads, Rita and George, are engaging and believable."

    —Hallie Ephron Boston Globe
  • On Location

    "Sims orchestrates the action--and occasional comic relief--for maximum impact."

    Publishers Weekly
  • The Actress

    "A page-turner from stem to stern!"

    Kirkus Reviews
  • The Extra

    "Goes down easy, like a perfect cup of coffee."

    Crimespree Magazine
  • On Location

    "A fast-paced, atmospheric mystery. Sims shines."

    —Melinda Bargreen The Seattle Times
  • The Actress

    "The fascination will keep you up late."

    —Jay Strafford Richmond Times-Dispach
  • The Extra

    "An engaging thriller."

    —Harriet Klausner
  • On Location

    "As smart as it is compelling."

    —Michele Leber Booklist
  • The Actress

    "Sims has a well-plotted and engaging winner here."

    —Melinda Bargreen The Seattle Times
  • The Extra

    "...and a lost beagle."

    Kirkus Reviews
  • On Location

    "Heart-pounding and page-turning."

    —Jay Strafford Richmond Times-Dispach
  • The Actress

    "Exhilarating! Elizabeth Sims provides a fascinating tale."

    —Harriet Klausner
  • The Extra

    "Brisk prose, facile storytelling, engaging characters."

    —Michele Leber Booklist
  • On Location

    "Rita's best role to date."

    —Lynne F. Maxwell Mystery Scene
  • The Actress

    "Rita is a strong and believable voice."

    —Roberta Alexander The Mercury News
  • The Extra

    "A perfect blend of mystery, comedy and romance."

    —Rosa St.Claire Miami Books Examiner
  • On Location

    "A fabulous novel."

    —Harriet Klausner
  • The Actress

    "A veteran mystery writer with a crackerjack tale."

    Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Holy Hell


Holy Hell postcard high resolution

book group guide

Holy Hell is the first of the Lillian Byrd Crime Stories



These questions don't have right or wrong answers—they're just things to think over and have fun with in your group discussion.


  1. When Lillian resorts to "mild violence," does she help or harm herself?

  2. At first Lillian hesitates to "out" herself to the police. Do you think she has a right to her privacy in this matter?

  3. Why would you say Lillian tries to solve Jean's (Iris's) murder on her own?

  4. Is Lillian acting unethically when she keeps seeing Judy? When she lies to the police?

  5. Mrs Creighter handles Bonnie's sexuality in a horrifying way. What do you think causes parents to react in various ways when they find out a son or daughter is a homosexual?

  6. Who is the better detective, Minerva or Lillian?

  7. Lillian goes to bed with Minerva after spending only one day with her. Is that love or lust? Does it matter?

  8. Does Lillian know herself well? Does she learn anything in Holy Hell?

  9. Lillian is certainly not a glamourous and confident heroine. How would you describe her appeal?

  10. It looks like Lillian may need to find a new job. If you were an employment counselor, what line of work would you suggest?

  11. Did you find this book humorous? What was the funniest moment?

  12. Did you find this book scary? What was the scariest scene?

Questions developed by The Logical Woman for ElizabethSims.com.


Book Group Dessert Suggestion

From Holy Hell: Chocolate and Oranges (see page 191.)

A bar of bittersweet chocolate lurked somewhere in my pantry; I found it and broke it into small pieces and put them on a plate with some fresh orange segments.


"A little dessert," I offered as I brought out the tray, "in keeping with the evening."...




A Note to Book and Writers' Groups

IN PERSON
Elizabeth loves meeting with book groups and writers' groups. If your group would like to have her for a visit, let her know. She lives on the West Coast and sometimes travels across the country, so who knows, maybe she could coordinate a visit to your group with other travel. (She does not charge for meeting with groups.)

BY PHONE
Elizabeth has "attended" book groups by speaker phone. If you'd like to arrange a phone call for your group email Elizabeth to request a date and time.

BOOKPLATES
You can request signed bookplates on the more page under signed copies.

Email Elizabeth: esims@elizabethsims.com

BOOK GROUP GUIDES:

    The Rita Farmer Mysteries

  1. On Location
  2. The Extra
  3. The Actress

    The Lillian Byrd Crime Stories

  1. Easy Street
  2. Lucky Stiff
  3. Damn Straight
  4. Holy Hell


Read on!

buy Holy Hell
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chapter 1
interview
book group guide
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