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arielkirst's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book. It reminded me very much of the Phryne Fisher novels. Sassy female investigator (sort of), in the 20s, drinks and takes multiple lovers, bisexual, awesome.
Except it wasn't nearly as good as I wanted it to be. Every single guy, with the exception of Harry, tried to get Oliver to run away with them, declared their undying love. I couldn't even keep the guys straight half the time, they were all just besotted and personality-less. Also, the writing wasn't all that good. I did finish it. The mystery was interesting, and I didn't predict the killer. But overall, I wasn't a fan.
Except it wasn't nearly as good as I wanted it to be. Every single guy, with the exception of Harry, tried to get Oliver to run away with them, declared their undying love. I couldn't even keep the guys straight half the time, they were all just besotted and personality-less. Also, the writing wasn't all that good. I did finish it. The mystery was interesting, and I didn't predict the killer. But overall, I wasn't a fan.
krisrid's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book! A wonderful flavour of 1920's Grenwich Village, and an absolutely delightful protagonist in Olivia Brown!!
When Olivia Brown, and her friend and housekeeper Mattie inherit a Grenwich Village brownstone from her heretofor unknown great-aunt, they pick up and move in.
The brownstone comes with a tenant, who doesn't pay rent and has been granted life-long tenancy, but Olivia quickly realizes that Harry Melville, Private Investigator, is her kind of people. In fact, she soon finds herself helping him with his cases, and liking the work.
But when people around her start meeting mysterious and deadly ends, Olivia fears for her own safety, and suddenly can't trust those she thought were her closest friends, and doesn't know where to turn.
This is a wonderfully atmospheric book, which puts the reader right into 20's New York, when women had just started to live their own lives, when Prohibition meant bathtub gin, speakeasies and lots of free love. This story has everything a reader could want, including Olivia.
I fell totally in love with Olivia from the first page! She is smart and sassy, independant and creative - a true 20's new woman. Early in the book, Olivia says: "I had thought I might get a job as a secretary when Mattie and I first arrived in New York, but thank God, I started selling my poems. I would have made a dreadful secretary, as I'm so easily distracted and keep none of my opinions to myself." I can totally relate, so I connected to Olivia immediately.
The story, and what goes on is interesting and holds your interest as we meet the quirky and odd characters who people the Village and Olivia's life. As she investigates who might want to harm her, we explore all the charm of this unique period of New York history and it is a wonderful journey.
I enjoyed this book very much, and was happy to learn that there are more Olivia Brown novels to come. I will definitely read other stories with Olivia as the star, and recommend this book to anyone who likes strong female characters, or 1920's New York.
When Olivia Brown, and her friend and housekeeper Mattie inherit a Grenwich Village brownstone from her heretofor unknown great-aunt, they pick up and move in.
The brownstone comes with a tenant, who doesn't pay rent and has been granted life-long tenancy, but Olivia quickly realizes that Harry Melville, Private Investigator, is her kind of people. In fact, she soon finds herself helping him with his cases, and liking the work.
But when people around her start meeting mysterious and deadly ends, Olivia fears for her own safety, and suddenly can't trust those she thought were her closest friends, and doesn't know where to turn.
This is a wonderfully atmospheric book, which puts the reader right into 20's New York, when women had just started to live their own lives, when Prohibition meant bathtub gin, speakeasies and lots of free love. This story has everything a reader could want, including Olivia.
I fell totally in love with Olivia from the first page! She is smart and sassy, independant and creative - a true 20's new woman. Early in the book, Olivia says: "I had thought I might get a job as a secretary when Mattie and I first arrived in New York, but thank God, I started selling my poems. I would have made a dreadful secretary, as I'm so easily distracted and keep none of my opinions to myself." I can totally relate, so I connected to Olivia immediately.
The story, and what goes on is interesting and holds your interest as we meet the quirky and odd characters who people the Village and Olivia's life. As she investigates who might want to harm her, we explore all the charm of this unique period of New York history and it is a wonderful journey.
I enjoyed this book very much, and was happy to learn that there are more Olivia Brown novels to come. I will definitely read other stories with Olivia as the star, and recommend this book to anyone who likes strong female characters, or 1920's New York.
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