Scan barcode
daredeviling's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I enjoyed the first book in this series enough to pick up the second one, and I found it to be a good, solid read as well. I really like all the characters and their relationships with each other, and I'm so glad that the author took the time to flesh out Vivian and Florence's relationship more especially, since familial relationships are my favs. The fact that Florence is going into Vivian's world a bit and bonding with her sister is super sweet, and I'm excited to see how that will play into the plot of the third book (even though I HATE the whole "main character is accused of murder" plotline, it's so overdone and also personally stressful). I also really liked Danny and Florence's blossoming relationship. It wasn't a ship that I had thought about before, but when it became a thing, I realized how cute it was.
Something that the author did really well in the first book and continues to do well here is how she evokes the atmosphere of the 1920s. As a reader, you really do feel like you have been transported back to that era. Everything about the descriptions, the word choices, and the way that people are described and how they talk bring up images of the era in question, and that can be hard when writing historical fiction. It's also definitely not an era that I read about a lot (not that I read a ton of historical fiction), nor is it an era I'm usually interested in since mob/organized crime is one of the few types of crime I have no interest in, so kudos to the author for pulling me in despite that.
The plot itself was fine, nothing to really write home about. It was interesting and engaging and it kept me reading until I got to the end of the book. As previously mentioned, I especially liked that Danny got more billing in this novel and that we got to see Chinatown and learn more about what it was like to be Chinese living in NYC in the 20s. I'm always a fan of more Chinese representation in any media that I consume, and it was definitely not expected when I first picked up this series. I appreciated the historical note the author put at the end of the novel about the history of Chinese immigration in the late 1800s and early 1900s too.
I haven't decided if I will read the next book because like I said, I hate that specific plotline even though literally everyone does it, but tbh, I probably will because at least this author keeps things fresh and original.
Something that the author did really well in the first book and continues to do well here is how she evokes the atmosphere of the 1920s. As a reader, you really do feel like you have been transported back to that era. Everything about the descriptions, the word choices, and the way that people are described and how they talk bring up images of the era in question, and that can be hard when writing historical fiction. It's also definitely not an era that I read about a lot (not that I read a ton of historical fiction), nor is it an era I'm usually interested in since mob/organized crime is one of the few types of crime I have no interest in, so kudos to the author for pulling me in despite that.
The plot itself was fine, nothing to really write home about. It was interesting and engaging and it kept me reading until I got to the end of the book. As previously mentioned, I especially liked that Danny got more billing in this novel and that we got to see Chinatown and learn more about what it was like to be Chinese living in NYC in the 20s. I'm always a fan of more Chinese representation in any media that I consume, and it was definitely not expected when I first picked up this series. I appreciated the historical note the author put at the end of the novel about the history of Chinese immigration in the late 1800s and early 1900s too.
I haven't decided if I will read the next book because like I said, I hate that specific plotline even though literally everyone does it, but tbh, I probably will because at least this author keeps things fresh and original.
gabriellamorelli's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
freadomlibrary's review against another edition
3.0
I received an e-ARC of this book from Minatour Books and St. Martin's Griffin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Trigger warnings: murder, violence, blackmail, theft, grief, lying, manipulation
I tried, I really did, I swear. This series just isn't for me. If you can see how long it took me to read this book, you'd know it's extremely rare of me to push through this long and manage to finish. Usually, I would've given up, but this was an eARC and I really wanted to give the series a good shot. On paper, this series is for me: queer, set in the 1920's and full of mystery, intrigue and tension. However, I need to be able to connect emotionally to characters to fully buy into a novel and I just cannot with Vivian. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is about her that I just cannot buy into. She's kind of a prickly main character; pretty stubborn and thinks she's more prepared than she is to go into the situations she finds herself in. She also has a nasty habit of lying to the people she cares about the most which honestly grinds my gears to no one. I do like the side characters a lot; I think the dynamic between Vivian, Leo and Honor is really interesting and I like how it's been a slow burn between the love interests. We're still unconfirmed about what the endgame is and I think that's pretty fun for readers. I also liked how the relationships between characters developed in this book from the first. They were expanded, complicated and grew in all different ways. But I just cannot get past the narration. I don't end up hating the novel by any means, but it doesn't call for me to read it or to find out what the mystery is all about. I just slug through it and force myself to pick it up which isn't fun you know? I think this series would definitely be more suited for people who love plot driven narratives, so if that's you, maybe try it out!
Trigger warnings: murder, violence, blackmail, theft, grief, lying, manipulation
I tried, I really did, I swear. This series just isn't for me. If you can see how long it took me to read this book, you'd know it's extremely rare of me to push through this long and manage to finish. Usually, I would've given up, but this was an eARC and I really wanted to give the series a good shot. On paper, this series is for me: queer, set in the 1920's and full of mystery, intrigue and tension. However, I need to be able to connect emotionally to characters to fully buy into a novel and I just cannot with Vivian. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is about her that I just cannot buy into. She's kind of a prickly main character; pretty stubborn and thinks she's more prepared than she is to go into the situations she finds herself in. She also has a nasty habit of lying to the people she cares about the most which honestly grinds my gears to no one. I do like the side characters a lot; I think the dynamic between Vivian, Leo and Honor is really interesting and I like how it's been a slow burn between the love interests. We're still unconfirmed about what the endgame is and I think that's pretty fun for readers. I also liked how the relationships between characters developed in this book from the first. They were expanded, complicated and grew in all different ways. But I just cannot get past the narration. I don't end up hating the novel by any means, but it doesn't call for me to read it or to find out what the mystery is all about. I just slug through it and force myself to pick it up which isn't fun you know? I think this series would definitely be more suited for people who love plot driven narratives, so if that's you, maybe try it out!
time_travel_tragedy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Loved this first book and i loved this one just as much. I love how much research Katharine does for her books and she provides resources if we want to learn more. I had no idea there used to be a law preventing Chinese women from immigrating to the United States. I'm definitely going to have to check out the resources she provided.
As for the story itself, it got a little hard to follow towards the end. There was just so much happening. I understood enough to be like yeah. . . That sounds like it tracks but not enough to fully understand how Vivian connected the dots.
The dynamics between Vivian, Leo, and Honor are so wonderful still. I loved that we got to see Florence come out of her shell a little bit and I am excited to see where her & Danny's story goes in the third book.
She is such an intelligent and thoughtful writer. I'm tempted to check out her first series in the meantime waiting for the third book.
As for the story itself, it got a little hard to follow towards the end. There was just so much happening. I understood enough to be like yeah. . . That sounds like it tracks but not enough to fully understand how Vivian connected the dots.
The dynamics between Vivian, Leo, and Honor are so wonderful still. I loved that we got to see Florence come out of her shell a little bit and I am excited to see where her & Danny's story goes in the third book.
She is such an intelligent and thoughtful writer. I'm tempted to check out her first series in the meantime waiting for the third book.
booked_904's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
elemomi's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
day_fisher's review
4.0
I was easily sold on another Nightengale mystery to solve. The Prohibition era is a great setting and I enjoy the characters that may be rough on the outside but deeply care for those around them.
livefrommylibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Vivian Kelly has gumption, a good head on her shoulders, and a healthy respect for the challenges that surround her. She also has a pair of resourceful friends a little bit in love with her. With the help of friends, favors, and potential lovers, Vivian sets out to untangle the unfortunate mess surrounding an apparent suicide with connections to the Nightingale.
Katharine Schellman has a way with words. This second installment of the Nightingale Mystery series, like the first, has more tension than I usually seek in my mysteries, but I just love her work so much that I can’t help myself. I’m thoroughly delighted by the turns of phrases and the brilliant character crafting. The narrator, Sara Young, is marvelous and her voice brings this story to life beautifully. There’s adventure, growth, diversity, and a lovely little bit of love in this latest installment.
Set in the Jazz Age, this sequel returns us to the lovely cast of folks, scraping by and doing their best, supporting each other along the way, and trying to sort out exactly what’s happened when one of their own - a beloved uncle - is found unexpectedly deceased. There's mystery, risk, community and maybe even a little blackmail to keep us on our toes the whole way through! I'm looking forward to the upcoming sequel - The Last Note of Warning - coming to us in June 2024! I'm sure it'll be another exhilarating ride with wit and heart!
Katharine Schellman has a way with words. This second installment of the Nightingale Mystery series, like the first, has more tension than I usually seek in my mysteries, but I just love her work so much that I can’t help myself. I’m thoroughly delighted by the turns of phrases and the brilliant character crafting. The narrator, Sara Young, is marvelous and her voice brings this story to life beautifully. There’s adventure, growth, diversity, and a lovely little bit of love in this latest installment.
Set in the Jazz Age, this sequel returns us to the lovely cast of folks, scraping by and doing their best, supporting each other along the way, and trying to sort out exactly what’s happened when one of their own - a beloved uncle - is found unexpectedly deceased. There's mystery, risk, community and maybe even a little blackmail to keep us on our toes the whole way through! I'm looking forward to the upcoming sequel - The Last Note of Warning - coming to us in June 2024! I'm sure it'll be another exhilarating ride with wit and heart!