Did You Hear about Kitty Karr? A Novel

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Named one of the Chicago Public Library's Best Books of 2023
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Reader's Digest's "13 Best Books of 2024"
Woman's World, "14 Captivating Family Saga Books Filled With Drama, Mystery, History and More!"

"Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? is an intoxicating and seductive debut, drawing you into an underground Hollywood world that is as glamorous as it is dangerous. Kitty Karr is an iconoclastic, complicated, and fascinating woman, whose legacy is as relevant as ever today. Crystal Smith Paul is a thrilling new voice in fiction and I cannot wait to see what she does next."
-Taylor Jenkins Reid, bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Carrie Soto Is Back

"An ambitious novel, illuminating the complexities of racial identity, particularly what it means to be Black in Hollywood no matter the era. It's the kind of book that makes you want to know more about Hollywood's hidden history."
-New York Times Book Review

"A fascinating look at what it means to have a seat at the table, and what might be sacrificed along the way."
-Kelly Yang, The New York Times

"Crystal Smith Paul enchants readers in this page turner."
-Melissa D'Agnese and Carissa Mosness, Woman's World

"A fantastic debut that signals great things to come."
-Rachel Strolle, Reader's Digest

"Propulsive and entertaining, with broad historical relevance and critical cultural significance, this is the uniquely American story we all need to read-it holds a piece of all of us. I absolutely loved it and will be looking forward to more from Crystal Smith Paul."
-Jayne Allen, bestselling author of Black Girls Must Die Exhausted

"An engrossing saga, Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? explores the heartbreaking sacrifices that one woman must make in order to succeed in the Golden Age of Hollywood-and the way in which her difficult choices echo throughout later generations. Crystal Smith Paul's debut about family, celebrity, and racism-both historic and modern-captivates."
-Marie Benedict, bestselling author of The Mitford Affair and coauthor of The Personal Librarian

"The witty and sensational Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? marks Crystal Smith Paul as a brilliant new talent to watch."
-Kalisha Buckhanon, bestselling author of Speaking of Summer and Running to Fall

"A compelling odyssey into the consequences our choices can have across history and generations, the moral complexities of those choices, and the devastating secrets hidden behind even the most glamorous and opulent of lives and the most 'pristine' family trees. An immensely entertaining debut."
-Christine Pride, coauthor of We Are Not Like Them

"Paul's debut is a riveting, often heartbreaking tale that explores race, privilege, and celebrity in America through the eyes of a one-of-a-kind character. Readers of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Piper Huguley will be enthralled."
-Booklist, starred review

"Paul's sprawling multigenerational debut hits the ground running with a peek at the complicated family life of an iconic, privacy-seeking clan of Hollywood stars: the St. Johns. . . . With a plot worthy of a miniseries, an extensive cast, and a historical sweep, Paul succeeds in entertaining as well as enlightening."
-Kirkus Reviews

"Paul's novel highlights the burden and loss of racism by focusing on the color line and passing."
-Library Journal

"[U]nflinchingly details the racism, misogyny, and exploitation Kitty faced as a young woman."
-Publishers Weekly

"The characters and the twists and turns of their lives kept me turning the pages to the end. This is one that readers will be talking about for a long time. I loved every page."
-Victoria Christopher Murray, bestselling coauthor of The Personal Librarian and author of more than 30 novels