Bright Star
David C. Smith
David C. Smith is best known around these here parts as a writer of sword and sorcery. But he’s not limited to that genre.
Bright Star is a h istorical mystery, taking place in the nineteen teens and in 2014. It’s the story of a fictional woman, Catherine Farr, a farm girl from Palatine, Illinois, who goes on to become one of the most acclaimed stars and studio owners of the silent era. While Catherine is fictional, she was based on a number of early women pioneers in the silent film era.
At the height of her fame and success, Catherine disappeared just before she was gong to California to see about moving her operations there.
Her studio had been burned down by an unknown arsonist and someone had tried to burn her mansion down. Her more recent films had addressed social issues, which caused a great deal of controversy.
Did she dec ide to give up stardom and retire to a quiet, anonymous life? Was she murdered? If so, by whom? Her bigoted uncle? Her director and lover? Continue reading





