This gets two stars because the history of Hollywood and the studios in the twenties was interesting. But that's the best part of this. Otherwise, it This gets two stars because the history of Hollywood and the studios in the twenties was interesting. But that's the best part of this. Otherwise, it was slow and dragged, there were too many plotlines, and the ending was obvious. I don't know if the author thinks the reveal at the very end of who the killer is, so to speak, should be a surprise to the reader, but it was so obvious from the first 30-50 pages what was going on, I assumed it was part of the story. I thought we were supposed to have figured that out and it was so apparent, everyone reading would know what was happening (I won't say because I don't want to spoil it for someone if someone doesn't figure it out for themselves), so there would be some even greater reveal or twist at the end. But, alas, that was not to be, and I am so disappointed that the author thought that the ending would be a surprise. ...more
Did you think that the best character in the 'Maltese Falcon' was the secretary? Did you also think that Hildy Johnson, Rosalind Russell's character iDid you think that the best character in the 'Maltese Falcon' was the secretary? Did you also think that Hildy Johnson, Rosalind Russell's character in 'His Girl Friday', should have dumped both of those idiots and started her own newspaper? First off, we should be friends. Second, this is the noir story for you! I had so much fun with this book. It is a classic '30s mystery set in foggy San Francisco, but completely from the secretary's perspective, when her boss spirals after a particularly vicious femme fatale comes into their lives. To keep the business afloat, she takes on a new case with the help of her boss Nick's connections, friends and family members, and some aid from some surprising corners. Maggie is an Irish Catholic sassy, working-girl who was a joy to follow as she learns the ropes and plunges deep into a Prohibition-era underworld.
The cast of characters is great and there are twists and turns certainly reminiscent of the best Humphrey Bogart movies have to offer. I have read Raymond Chandler and this is an excellent homage to those worlds and that writing, but from the female gaze. I will add, there is a racial slur used at the end of the book that I do not think was necessary. While it certainly was a term used often at the time, it really didn't add anything to the text or the characters and I don't think this bit of 'authenticity' was needed and I hope it isn't used in the rest of the series. But I am so excited that I got to read this story and learn about this series and I look forward to continuing it in the future.
Thank you NetGalley, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), and Claire M. Johnson for a free copy of this eARC in return for an honest review. #FogCity #NetGalley...more
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