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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
It is 1915 in New York. Capability “Kitty” Weeks is nineteen years old and a reporter for the Ladies Page of the New York Sentinel (she wants to report real stories but women are not allowed in the newsroom). Miss Helena Busby is her boss and showing her the ropes (she is also her assistant). Kitty was assigned to cover the Independence Day Gala organized by Mrs. Elizabeth Basshor. Kitty was enjoying the unique fireworks display and then there is screaming. Hunter Cole is dead in the stables. Why was Hunter killed and what was he doing in the stables? Hunter is not a well-liked gentleman. Hunter married a burlesque star, Aimee (scandalous to his family). Since Kitty was at the event, she is asked to help Mr. Flanagan, the reporter assigned the story. Kitty gets to help with background material. Kitty is determined to do a good job (with the hopes of getting her toes into the newsroom). Kitty sets out to interview people at the event and those close to Hunter Cole. Can Kitty’s inquiries help her find the killer?
A Front Page Affair by Radha Vatsal was okay, but not great. The writer tried to make the mystery complicated, but it was easy to solve (the killer was so very obvious). I had a hard time reading the novel (some books you read, others you live). The pace is slow (except for the last few pages) which makes the novel feel longer than it really is. The book contained a lot of information on getting a passport (when the law had just passed), fashion (we get plenty of dress descriptions), and parties. There are a great many details on the beginning of World War I. The basic idea for the book was good, but I did not really enjoy the finished product. Kitty Weeks came more across as a socialite who decided to become a journalist for something to do. She wears beautiful clothes and drives a bright yellow roadster (reminds me of another young sleuth with her car). I just felt the book needed more work to make it a good, finished novel. I give it 3 out of 5 stars. A Front Page Affair would have made a better young adult mystery (with just a little tweaking) because it reminded me of mystery series aimed at that age group.
I received a complimentary copy of A Front Page Affair from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
A Front Page Affair by Radha Vatsal was okay, but not great. The writer tried to make the mystery complicated, but it was easy to solve (the killer was so very obvious). I had a hard time reading the novel (some books you read, others you live). The pace is slow (except for the last few pages) which makes the novel feel longer than it really is. The book contained a lot of information on getting a passport (when the law had just passed), fashion (we get plenty of dress descriptions), and parties. There are a great many details on the beginning of World War I. The basic idea for the book was good, but I did not really enjoy the finished product. Kitty Weeks came more across as a socialite who decided to become a journalist for something to do. She wears beautiful clothes and drives a bright yellow roadster (reminds me of another young sleuth with her car). I just felt the book needed more work to make it a good, finished novel. I give it 3 out of 5 stars. A Front Page Affair would have made a better young adult mystery (with just a little tweaking) because it reminded me of mystery series aimed at that age group.
I received a complimentary copy of A Front Page Affair from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
al0812's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
danileighta's review against another edition
These mysteries felt fluffier than Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series somehow, but I really love the journalist aspect of it all. I also really enjoyed seeing Kitty's slow journey toward independence and the suffrage movement. I will be reading number two!
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
4.0
This was an unexpected delight! I thoroughly enjoyed the first installment in the Kitty Weeks historical fiction mystery series and have added this as a series to watch. Set in 1915 New York City, Capability "Kitty" Weeks is a 19-year-old budding journalist. She is assigned to report on fashion trends and society gossip. However, a murder is committed at a high society Independence Day celebration that she is sent to cover, and gives her an opportunity to write on a topic more typically assigned to a man. Kitty seizes the opportunity and investigates the crime with gusto. As she searches for the truth, she is plunged into the midst of wartime conspiracy that threatens to derail the United States' attempt to remain neutral and to disrupt the lives of the privileged families that she is sent to cover.
The historical details were expertly woven into the story and aided the plot in a believable way. I adored Kitty's tenacity and intelligence, and am eager to see how she matures and evolves as the series proceeds. This period of time and the setting were equally fascinating to me, and I look forward to traveling back to turn-of-the-century New York soon to find out where Kitty's next assignment takes her. This debut novel shows great potential for an exceptional series, which I look forward to reading.
The historical details were expertly woven into the story and aided the plot in a believable way. I adored Kitty's tenacity and intelligence, and am eager to see how she matures and evolves as the series proceeds. This period of time and the setting were equally fascinating to me, and I look forward to traveling back to turn-of-the-century New York soon to find out where Kitty's next assignment takes her. This debut novel shows great potential for an exceptional series, which I look forward to reading.
bexwat's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
julesanne's review against another edition
2.0
What I liked about the novel.
1. The portraying of womens lives in US and Europe in the early 1900s.
2. How men and society viewed women during this period.
3. Historical accuracy of WW 1 and the build up prior to US entering the war.
What I did not care about...the plot was just there.
1. The portraying of womens lives in US and Europe in the early 1900s.
2. How men and society viewed women during this period.
3. Historical accuracy of WW 1 and the build up prior to US entering the war.
What I did not care about...the plot was just there.
dougbiv4's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
msnyderk's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to really like this book but I just can't. Three stars as it was okay but not great. There was a lot of plodding along and as much as I wanted to like Kitty I kept finding her one dimensional and a bit annoying. There was a lot of research done for this book but way too much made it into the book. So much I don't need to know. I think the writer has promise. Not sure I want to try the second book though.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
For the past few days I have been trying to find time to read Radha Vatsal's debut novel, A Front Page Affair. Things have come up that have been poaching on my reading time. I got home from work at 9:15pm...took my shower and then buckled down to read. I finished 10 minutes to midnight so technically still part of Mystery Monday!
RATING: 3.5 STARS
MAY 1, 2016; Sourcebook Landmarks
It is 1915, New York and the latest headlines in the paper scream about the sinking of the Lusitania, as well as, the shooting of J.P. Morgan in his mansion. Capability "Kitty" Weeks wants to be a journalist and write big headlines for newspapers. Currently, she is assisting the Editor of the Lady's Page on writing about fashion, gossip and parties. While on her next assignment, to a Fourth of July party, Kitty ends up in the middle of a murder in high society.
Kitty jumps into the case to prove her worth as a journalist but doesn't realize all that goes into trying to follow the clues. In this case the clues are leading to a bigger picture as the war in Europe is trying to break the American's neutrality. As Kitty delves deeper into who killed Hunter Cole she also gets herself closer to danger.
Two things right off the bat - what a gorgeous cover! It is a cover that will make you pick this book up. The other thing that you will notice a chapter into the novel is that Vatsal has done her research. The setting of the book is wonderfully done. While the main characters and story is fictional, much surrounding the fiction is historical fact. There are few people and events I have highlighted and want to Wikipedia and Google about later. I enjoyed this book but the mystery ran a bit away from me. It started off like a cozy historical mystery and went into a bit of espionage like Susan Elia MacNeal's Maggie Hope series. I am wondering if the series will be more of a mystery or intrigue. I enjoyed the characters in the novel but they still seem a bit aloof to the reader. I feel like we get more about history and war that we lose out on the feeling the characters. I do like the characterization of Kitty, as it is a very realistic view of a young woman trying to find herself and her way. I see great potential for this character growing, and can see this series getting tighter. Often at times with the first book in the series, as well as being a debut, it shows a glimmer what is to come. I am sold and will be patiently waiting for the next book. Oh, and the other thing I found interesting - in a good way - there was no in your face love story/interest. We meet a young woman finding herself, and Vatsal sticks to that!
Please see blog mynovelesquelife.blogspot.ca for Author Q&A
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
RATING: 3.5 STARS
MAY 1, 2016; Sourcebook Landmarks
It is 1915, New York and the latest headlines in the paper scream about the sinking of the Lusitania, as well as, the shooting of J.P. Morgan in his mansion. Capability "Kitty" Weeks wants to be a journalist and write big headlines for newspapers. Currently, she is assisting the Editor of the Lady's Page on writing about fashion, gossip and parties. While on her next assignment, to a Fourth of July party, Kitty ends up in the middle of a murder in high society.
Kitty jumps into the case to prove her worth as a journalist but doesn't realize all that goes into trying to follow the clues. In this case the clues are leading to a bigger picture as the war in Europe is trying to break the American's neutrality. As Kitty delves deeper into who killed Hunter Cole she also gets herself closer to danger.
Two things right off the bat - what a gorgeous cover! It is a cover that will make you pick this book up. The other thing that you will notice a chapter into the novel is that Vatsal has done her research. The setting of the book is wonderfully done. While the main characters and story is fictional, much surrounding the fiction is historical fact. There are few people and events I have highlighted and want to Wikipedia and Google about later. I enjoyed this book but the mystery ran a bit away from me. It started off like a cozy historical mystery and went into a bit of espionage like Susan Elia MacNeal's Maggie Hope series. I am wondering if the series will be more of a mystery or intrigue. I enjoyed the characters in the novel but they still seem a bit aloof to the reader. I feel like we get more about history and war that we lose out on the feeling the characters. I do like the characterization of Kitty, as it is a very realistic view of a young woman trying to find herself and her way. I see great potential for this character growing, and can see this series getting tighter. Often at times with the first book in the series, as well as being a debut, it shows a glimmer what is to come. I am sold and will be patiently waiting for the next book. Oh, and the other thing I found interesting - in a good way - there was no in your face love story/interest. We meet a young woman finding herself, and Vatsal sticks to that!
Please see blog mynovelesquelife.blogspot.ca for Author Q&A
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***