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suvata's review
4.0
Based on real historical events, this book is about a Supreme Court judge who mysteriously disappears in the 1930s. The mystery unravels as we read about his wife, his mistress, his maid, and his ties to the New York City mob. It’s a real page turner exclamation
jenleah's review against another edition
3.0
The story itself, based loosely on a true event, was good. I definitely was interested in how the story and characters' lives would be resolved. I didn't like how the story unfolded and the individual characters actions were inconsistent from chapter to chapter, so I was often confused or skeptical about what was happening. For a summer read, this book wasn't a bad choice.
suvata's review against another edition
4.0
Based on real historical events, this book is about a Supreme Court judge who mysteriously disappears in the 1930s. The mystery unravels as we read about his wife, his mistress, his maid, and his ties to the New York City mob. It’s a real page turner exclamation
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
4 STARS
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).
Based on a true scandalizing case where 1930's Justice Joseph Crater seemed to disappear into thin air. Ariel Lawhon uses fiction along with facts to weave an answer to Crater's disappearance.
We see Crater through the eyes of three women...his wife, Stella, who is the ultimate supportive trophy wife dressed in designer duds and lives her life according to society's rules...his mistress, Ritzi, a girl from a small town trying to become an actress but is only a chorus showgirl...his maid, Maria Simon, wife of a police detective trying to earn money to supplement their lives...each holds secrets of the man and of their own.
Thirty five years later Stella meets Detective Simon and finally offers him the truth...
Lawhon uses fiction along with facts to really make the story come alive. The writing and setting of the 1930s seemed quite realistic. It adds flavour to the setting and story. The three women in this story each tell their story and Lawhon does a great job weaving their story together.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).
Based on a true scandalizing case where 1930's Justice Joseph Crater seemed to disappear into thin air. Ariel Lawhon uses fiction along with facts to weave an answer to Crater's disappearance.
We see Crater through the eyes of three women...his wife, Stella, who is the ultimate supportive trophy wife dressed in designer duds and lives her life according to society's rules...his mistress, Ritzi, a girl from a small town trying to become an actress but is only a chorus showgirl...his maid, Maria Simon, wife of a police detective trying to earn money to supplement their lives...each holds secrets of the man and of their own.
Thirty five years later Stella meets Detective Simon and finally offers him the truth...
Lawhon uses fiction along with facts to really make the story come alive. The writing and setting of the 1930s seemed quite realistic. It adds flavour to the setting and story. The three women in this story each tell their story and Lawhon does a great job weaving their story together.
readhikerepeat's review against another edition
5.0
This stunning ripped-from-the-headlines book is one to be read from cover to cover in one sitting. See the review at The Book Wheel.
elemar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mariaelinn's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Sexual violence
kara_henry's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
orygunn's review against another edition
4.0
A cleverly contrived mystery set in 1930's New York. Wonderfully woven stories of the three women involved.
nicolebonia's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating paegturner speculating the real story behind the disappearance of Justice Joseph Crater in 1930 through the women who were closely involved in his life. A wonderfully imagined and brutal rendering of 1930's New York, complete with gangsters, showgirls, corrupt politicians and the women forced to live in their shadows. Completely absorbing and tough to put down once begun.