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littletaiko's review
4.0
Gina is a smart, clever, young woman who has taken a job in a Chicago speakeasy as a way to earn a living while she takes care of her ailing father. When not working as a cigarette girl at the club she has taught herself how to fix the electrical appliances that her dad used to fix in order to make sure that end of the business doesn't falter. Gotta love her determination. Shortly after she starts working at the club, the photographer is murdered right in front of Gina. Of course she gets involved in trying to figure out what happened, how does it relate to the club, the death of the previous cigarette girl and possible her own family?
katreader's review
4.0
MURDER KNOCKS TWICE by Susanna Calkins
The First Speakeasy Mystery
Times are tough in 1929 Chicago. With her father unable to work, Gina Ricci takes a job as a cigarette girl at a speakeasy called The Third Door. Gina needs the money and is determined to prove she's no rube and that she's tough enough to handle anything thrown at her. While taking a break she hears a noise, only to discover the speakeasy's photographer has been attacked. With his dying breath he gives her his camera telling her to hide it. Scared, Gina keeps quiet, but resolves to find out what Marty wanted her to hide and why. As she slowly starts to uncover the many secrets hidden by The Third Door Gina discovers that life is about to get a lot more dangerous.
MURDER KNOCKS TWICE starts slowly with the author throwing in lots of slag from the era making the dialogue sound a bit trite. The story, however, is compelling and the characters interesting. I found the narrative more and more compelling as I read on and by the end I was completely enamoured by it.
Gina Ricci is a likeable gum chewing protagonist who can take care of herself. When she finds herself out of her depths, she takes steps to rectify the situation. In this first Speakeasy Mystery she learns about her past, her family, and makes steps to ensure her own future.
MURDER KNOCKS TWICE is a keen historical mystery that brings the prohibition era to life. I enjoyed my immersion into the glamour, desperation, and mob influence of the times and I look forward to going back. I believe Billy Bottles has a Mary Pickford with my name on it!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The First Speakeasy Mystery
Times are tough in 1929 Chicago. With her father unable to work, Gina Ricci takes a job as a cigarette girl at a speakeasy called The Third Door. Gina needs the money and is determined to prove she's no rube and that she's tough enough to handle anything thrown at her. While taking a break she hears a noise, only to discover the speakeasy's photographer has been attacked. With his dying breath he gives her his camera telling her to hide it. Scared, Gina keeps quiet, but resolves to find out what Marty wanted her to hide and why. As she slowly starts to uncover the many secrets hidden by The Third Door Gina discovers that life is about to get a lot more dangerous.
MURDER KNOCKS TWICE starts slowly with the author throwing in lots of slag from the era making the dialogue sound a bit trite. The story, however, is compelling and the characters interesting. I found the narrative more and more compelling as I read on and by the end I was completely enamoured by it.
Gina Ricci is a likeable gum chewing protagonist who can take care of herself. When she finds herself out of her depths, she takes steps to rectify the situation. In this first Speakeasy Mystery she learns about her past, her family, and makes steps to ensure her own future.
MURDER KNOCKS TWICE is a keen historical mystery that brings the prohibition era to life. I enjoyed my immersion into the glamour, desperation, and mob influence of the times and I look forward to going back. I believe Billy Bottles has a Mary Pickford with my name on it!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
bookguyinva2022's review
4.0
Let me tell you dolls. That was one snazzy prohibition era mystery. For once a gangster tale, sort of, that didn't get bogged down in the violence. I loved the characters and description of life in a speakeasy. A promised series, I can't wait for the next installment. Boop boop a do and twenty three skadoo, get out there and grab this one.
never4get's review
3.0
This was an 'easy' read. Interesting enough, but not entirely engaging. The human story of Gina, trying to earn enough to support her father who has Parkinsons and can no longer work, is sympathetic, though.
The atmosphere of the Prohibition in 1920's Chicago and working in a speakeasy establishment was interesting and probably quite authentic.
The murder/s and Gina's involvement didn't really ring true and her inheritance of Marty's fortune seemed unlikely.
The atmosphere of the Prohibition in 1920's Chicago and working in a speakeasy establishment was interesting and probably quite authentic.
The murder/s and Gina's involvement didn't really ring true and her inheritance of Marty's fortune seemed unlikely.
goodjollymissmolly's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
ptaradactyl's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Gah! Gina, darling, if everyone keeps telling you to stop asking questions and avoids certain topics at the vaguely mob-adjacent speakeasy, at least attempt to be subtle when you persist in asking them. Just! Stop!
The plot is interesting. The world is cool. Gina just keeps painting a target on her back and acting like it makes her tough.
The plot is interesting. The world is cool. Gina just keeps painting a target on her back and acting like it makes her tough.
diannel_04's review
4.0
Chicago in the 1920, speakeasies, gangsters, what more could a girl want? I really enjoyed the story of Gina Ricci. I will read the next book in this series.
gpg's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this first one in author's Speakeasy Series - solid writing - I need to read a few more of her books but she might turn into one of my all-time favorite mystery authors!