Reviews

The Gimlet Slip by Fiona Davis, Greg Wands

sruhsh's review against another edition

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

jess_lovesbooksok's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Gimlet Slip - A Novella 

by Fiona Davis & Greg Wands

🥃As a part of the ALC program by @librofm I had an amazing journey through New York City in the 1930’s! @fionadavisauthor and @misterwands put together quite an interesting, entertaining and sophisticated novella!🥃

🥂Oh how I loved the setting and the plot! To begin with, New York, 1933, thirsty city. What’s not to love about a glimpse into the past?🥂

🥃Liquor, drugs and all vices combined with a strong, ruthless woman behind it. A huge empire ran by Lydia Gardiner. Will it last? Is everyone here who seems to be? 🥃

🍾Will Lydia make it? Is it possible to run a city and go unharmed? What’s really behind it all?

My own thoughts 💭 

🍸I seriously enjoyed all the final explanation, it made every loose end crystal clear 🍸

Don’t miss this novella! Fast paced, multiple POV’s and an amazing narration!🥃🍸🥂🍾

I had such a ride!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 

@librofm @fionadacisauthor @misterwands 

memull17's review against another edition

4.25

I was easily convinced to listen to this audiobook for a couple of reasons. 
One-it’s super short 3 hrs 
And
Two- I love the prohibition/old school gangsters era 
I will definitely be adding more Fiona Davis books to my tbr 

amysundet's review

adventurous

4.0

jennifermreads's review

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I see “Fiona Davis” and I auto-buy, auto-read, auto-love. If you doubt that an inanimate object can be a character, you need to read Fiona Davis’ work. She has a knack for breathing life into the buildings where she sets her novels. The settings become an integral part of her stories. Except in The Gimlet Slip. 

When I saw that The Gimlet Slip was a novella and only being released as an audiobook, I was hesitant. The blurb did not mention a specific architectural feature—but it did promise “a dangerous bootlegging scheme…set in glamorous and gritty Prohibition-era New York City.” Ok, I thought, no architectural marvel in this story but bootlegging? Prohibition? Head-strong woman? I’m here for it! 

Alas, this was a novella that begs for a full-length treatment. Yes, I was drawn to the three main characters and very interested in the scheme. But I wanted more. I craved a deeper look at Lydia’s life, more details about Jo’s background, and to walk further in Sam’s shoes. The novella was a broad stroke at the story and I wanted the nitty-gritty. 

The narration was good. The actor for Jo had me hesitating a bit. It wasn’t that I disliked the reader; it just took to the end of Jo’s section before I truly felt comfortable listening to her. 

If Fiona and Greg make this into a complete novel? I would buy it in a heartbeat—even without the architectural character for which Fiona Davis has become known. 

Note: Fiona Davis said in a  Goodreads Q&A that the e-book is to be published six months after the audiobook’s release.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol and Violence

Minor: Child abuse

Child abuse is inferred and "off-page"

readthisandsteep's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I am a fan of Fiona Davis's writing and how she brings the NYC of past eras to life with her engaging historical fiction. Now, she has teamed up with Greg Wands for an action-packed audiobook novella full of prohibition-era drama.

1933, and Jo Hayes has transitioned from her unlikely role as an auto mechanic to a bootlegger's booze runner. After a night of utter chaos, Jo is desperate for a fresh start, which she finds in the notorious Lydia Gardiner, the queenpin of a criminal empire. However, an ambitious NYPD detective with a personal vendetta has his eye on both of them. This audiobook is only 2 hours and 50  minutes long, perfect if you’re looking for a quick listen, with strong and fierce female MCs, atmosphere and period detail, and even a bit of mystery. 

Carolina Hoyos, Patty Mattson, and Marco Pelaez narrate the audiobook. Their combined performances bring the story's glamour, excitement, and clandestine danger to life, with each of them lending their unique voice talent to different sections of the book. Their exceptional performances make the characters feel as though they've stepped out of another era.  I enjoyed listening to this audiobook and only wish the book had been longer! 

Thank you to Libro.fm and Penguin Random House audio for the free audiobook!

no_more_shelf_control's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

 THE GIMLET SLIP by Fiona Davis & Greg Wands narrated by several great narrators was a perfectly fun way to end my work week! Thank you, @librofm
for this fun audio novella by @prhaudio!

A delightfully fun and clever story of Jo Hayes, a young woman with a flair for driving and auto mechanics, who finds herself in the seedy empire of Lydia Gardiner, a successful crime boss. They work to skirt the grasp of a detective with a personal vendetta.

I really enjoyed this adventurous tale of fierce women. I love the romantic bootlegging era, and skilled driving by Jo! I was impressed.

For a quick listen that packs a punch of great characters and an adventurous plot, be sure to grab this story, which is out now! 

ohthebooksshewillread's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

3.75

onmalsshelf's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

4.0

booked_with_meg's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0