The Magnificent Esme Wells

Set in the glamorous worlds of Hollywood and Las Vegas during its early days, The Magnificent Esme Wells is a coming-of-age novel narrated by a sharp, observant young girl named Esme. Through her eyes, readers witness the complex lives of her parents—a small-time gangster and a movie showgirl—and the twists and turns of her own journey amid the golden age of American entertainment and crime. Richly detailed and infused with noir elements, the story explores themes of family, love, and the elusive nature of the American dream.