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Sinners of Starlight City: A Novel
From the author of the international bestseller The German Heiress, a gripping historical drama about a woman determined to avenge the crimes against her family, set at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.
Vengeance is in the family, and the family is a bond like no other…
It’s the worst year of the Great Depression, and America needs all the hope it can get. The Chicago World’s Fair, a glittery city-within-a-city, becomes a symbol of the good that’s yet to come. But every utopia has a seedy side—and that’s Rosa Mancuso’s world. As the mysterious Madame Mystique she mixes magic with a dose of bare skin burlesque, bringing customers to the home of the Fair’s carnival rides and spectacles.
Rosa doesn’t perform for fame, though. She has come from Mussolini’s Italy to America, where she’s plotting her revenge for the murders of her family. The perpetrator will soon arrive at the World’s Fair via a celebrated Italian air fleet, and Rosa is determined to be prepared.
But when her estranged cousin, Mina, comes to her desperate for help, with a dangerous mobster close on her heels, Rosa agrees to protect Mina and her new baby, born across the color line. With the clock ticking, Rosa decides the only way to survive is to make vengeance a family affair and prompt everyone to, at last, confront the sins from their pasts.
A gripping story of retribution, belonging, and survival, Sinners of Starlight City ?boldly explores the complexity of identities straddling ethnic lines and asks, who gets to decide who we are and where we belong?
Vengeance is in the family, and the family is a bond like no other…
It’s the worst year of the Great Depression, and America needs all the hope it can get. The Chicago World’s Fair, a glittery city-within-a-city, becomes a symbol of the good that’s yet to come. But every utopia has a seedy side—and that’s Rosa Mancuso’s world. As the mysterious Madame Mystique she mixes magic with a dose of bare skin burlesque, bringing customers to the home of the Fair’s carnival rides and spectacles.
Rosa doesn’t perform for fame, though. She has come from Mussolini’s Italy to America, where she’s plotting her revenge for the murders of her family. The perpetrator will soon arrive at the World’s Fair via a celebrated Italian air fleet, and Rosa is determined to be prepared.
But when her estranged cousin, Mina, comes to her desperate for help, with a dangerous mobster close on her heels, Rosa agrees to protect Mina and her new baby, born across the color line. With the clock ticking, Rosa decides the only way to survive is to make vengeance a family affair and prompt everyone to, at last, confront the sins from their pasts.
A gripping story of retribution, belonging, and survival, Sinners of Starlight City ?boldly explores the complexity of identities straddling ethnic lines and asks, who gets to decide who we are and where we belong?
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First published July 18, 2023
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About the author
Anika Scott
5 books350 followersGrew up in the Detroit area, Spartan undergrad (international politics), Columbia U grad (journalism). Print journalist in Philly and Chicago, moved to Germany, been there ever since writing, traveling, sampling beer and chocolates, raising a family, staying sane. More about me at www.anikascott.com. Also on Insta - mostly vacation pics! -- as @anikawritesbooks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
December 14, 2024
This book is an excellent read. I set a novella at the Chicago's world fair at the end of the 1800's when they called it White City; it was fascinating to return to Chicago and another world's fair 30 or so years later. While the entire book is excellent, I enjoyed the parts set within the fair the best. Seeing the entertainers and the different sections of the fair was interesting. The ending was very satisfying. Sadly, racism and ignorance and fascism are still far too prevalent today. When will we learn to reject the hatred perpetuated by mediocre white men and their pick mes???
June 19, 2023
Anika Scott's Sinners of Starlight City is a colorful drama set during and inside the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. The coming together of many characters - a dancer with a mysterious past, a young mother at risk of losing her child, mobsters good and bad, and fascist pilots, not to mention the fabulous cast of side characters belonging to the fair - makes for a tale with consistent action and many interwoven threads.
Rosa, the main character, has come to America from Italy but has not been able to leave her tragic past behind. When events conspire to bring her face to face with the perpetrator of that tragedy, she brings together a disparate group of people to carry out some creative retribution.
I'm interested in this time period but I haven't studied the fair at any length, and was surprised to learn about the enthusiastic reception given to Mussolini's pilots by Americans who, at that time, were not that well informed - or who chose to be ignorant - about what was going on in Europe.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rosa, the main character, has come to America from Italy but has not been able to leave her tragic past behind. When events conspire to bring her face to face with the perpetrator of that tragedy, she brings together a disparate group of people to carry out some creative retribution.
I'm interested in this time period but I haven't studied the fair at any length, and was surprised to learn about the enthusiastic reception given to Mussolini's pilots by Americans who, at that time, were not that well informed - or who chose to be ignorant - about what was going on in Europe.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2023
5 Stars
"Magic is a way for you to question the things you thought were true. The impossible is possible." ~ Madame Mystique
I grew up in a small Northern Indiana town about two and a half hours East of Chicago. As a nerdy teen, I would often skip school on a Thursday and catch the Amtrak to Chicago for free museum day. My mother grew up in the even smaller town of Beverly Shores, Indiana. Now part of the Indiana Dunes National Park, Beverly Shores is home to the Century of Progress Homes from the 1933 World’s Fair. Between our close proximity to Chicago and my mother’s uncommon upbringing among the famous World’s Fair houses, I grew up listening to stories of gangsters, Chicago’s tycoons of industry, and the peculiarity of the Century of Progress Homes. So, when I read the description for Sinners of Starlight City by Anika Scott I knew I was in for a treat and this novel did not disappoint.
Rosa Mancuso, aka Madame Mystique, a burlesque dancer at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, is plotting vengeance on the man who murdered her family in Italy. Mina Gallo has given birth to a bi-racial baby prematurely and is trying to get her baby back while also escaping from her mobster family that is hunting for her. Danny, a mobster being paid by the Gallo family to return Mina and take her baby to an orphanage, is just trying to stay alive. All with very different goals, their lives intertwine at the fair and they realize they can all get what they want if they work together. With an intriguing cast of characters helping them along the way, Rosa, Mina, and Danny find that family is not always bonded by blood.
Sinners of Starlight City is my top read of 2023 so far. I know you are not supposed to judge a book by the cover, but the cover for this novel is stunning. It really sets the tone for the mystical aspects of the book and it’s star character Rosa. Scott’s writing is nothing short of magical. She flawlessly uses mixed point of view, first for Rosa and third for Mina and Danny. Her lush descriptions of each setting immerse the reader in rich detail and is a masterful showcase of showing versus telling. She skillfully uses flashbacks to reveal backstory and develop each character’s narrative. The use of magic throughout the story evokes a dreamlike atmosphere, particularly in scenes at the fair.
It’s funny, but the book I’ve enjoyed most this year has been the hardest to write a review for. There is so much to love about this book, I highly recommend it to any fans of historical fiction, those who enjoy a dose of magic in their novels, or anyone wanting to study superb novel writing techniques. Sinners of Starlight City is going to stay with me for a long time as one of my favorite books.
Many thanks to Anika Scott, HaperCollins Publishers Inc., and NetGalley for a complimentary ARC of this novel.
"Magic is a way for you to question the things you thought were true. The impossible is possible." ~ Madame Mystique
I grew up in a small Northern Indiana town about two and a half hours East of Chicago. As a nerdy teen, I would often skip school on a Thursday and catch the Amtrak to Chicago for free museum day. My mother grew up in the even smaller town of Beverly Shores, Indiana. Now part of the Indiana Dunes National Park, Beverly Shores is home to the Century of Progress Homes from the 1933 World’s Fair. Between our close proximity to Chicago and my mother’s uncommon upbringing among the famous World’s Fair houses, I grew up listening to stories of gangsters, Chicago’s tycoons of industry, and the peculiarity of the Century of Progress Homes. So, when I read the description for Sinners of Starlight City by Anika Scott I knew I was in for a treat and this novel did not disappoint.
Rosa Mancuso, aka Madame Mystique, a burlesque dancer at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, is plotting vengeance on the man who murdered her family in Italy. Mina Gallo has given birth to a bi-racial baby prematurely and is trying to get her baby back while also escaping from her mobster family that is hunting for her. Danny, a mobster being paid by the Gallo family to return Mina and take her baby to an orphanage, is just trying to stay alive. All with very different goals, their lives intertwine at the fair and they realize they can all get what they want if they work together. With an intriguing cast of characters helping them along the way, Rosa, Mina, and Danny find that family is not always bonded by blood.
Sinners of Starlight City is my top read of 2023 so far. I know you are not supposed to judge a book by the cover, but the cover for this novel is stunning. It really sets the tone for the mystical aspects of the book and it’s star character Rosa. Scott’s writing is nothing short of magical. She flawlessly uses mixed point of view, first for Rosa and third for Mina and Danny. Her lush descriptions of each setting immerse the reader in rich detail and is a masterful showcase of showing versus telling. She skillfully uses flashbacks to reveal backstory and develop each character’s narrative. The use of magic throughout the story evokes a dreamlike atmosphere, particularly in scenes at the fair.
It’s funny, but the book I’ve enjoyed most this year has been the hardest to write a review for. There is so much to love about this book, I highly recommend it to any fans of historical fiction, those who enjoy a dose of magic in their novels, or anyone wanting to study superb novel writing techniques. Sinners of Starlight City is going to stay with me for a long time as one of my favorite books.
Many thanks to Anika Scott, HaperCollins Publishers Inc., and NetGalley for a complimentary ARC of this novel.
May 13, 2023
Great new historical fiction voice. A good fiction read puts you in a place you have never been, in a time completely unfamiliar to your own, with character who suddenly become people you feel you know. Story kept me curious, wanting to follow till the end
August 22, 2023
Sinners Of Starlight City had a majestic opening, it was alluring and glamorous at the same time. It got me hooked from the very beginning.
I loved the setting of the book, The Fair of Chicago was mysterious and arcane. So many people from different cultures and background came together. The side characters were all colorful and unique.
The first half of the book was kind of slow, as Anika Scott was trying to build up the story but things started to pick up pace towards the end. Historical fiction lovers would love this book.
I received an advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved the setting of the book, The Fair of Chicago was mysterious and arcane. So many people from different cultures and background came together. The side characters were all colorful and unique.
The first half of the book was kind of slow, as Anika Scott was trying to build up the story but things started to pick up pace towards the end. Historical fiction lovers would love this book.
I received an advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 23, 2023
Madame Mystique has everyone at the worlds fair on edge waiting for her arrival, and when she does what a spectacle it is. But most do not know the real reason she has come all the way from Italy. It is to get revenge on a man for the murder of her family. But than her cousin comes being chased by mobsters and will that derail all the original plan or can both problems still be dealt with?
This is a good book from the deep depression era that highlights the Chicago world’s fair, which seems to be the subject of late. But her characters are well thought out and are true to their mission. I love this time period and love how history of this era used in books. There is also plenty of suspense and action to please just about any reader, so I hope you all like it as much as I did.
This is a good book from the deep depression era that highlights the Chicago world’s fair, which seems to be the subject of late. But her characters are well thought out and are true to their mission. I love this time period and love how history of this era used in books. There is also plenty of suspense and action to please just about any reader, so I hope you all like it as much as I did.
June 20, 2023
Set across the glittering lights of Chicago’s World Fair, and the worst year of the depression. Rosa performs on the dicier side of the fair and her need for revenge is palpable on the page, but she is swept into the needs of another and through it all, they find peace. An original storyline for this setting! Engrossing!
March 22, 2023
Set against the backdrop of the Chicago Worlds Fair, this action-packed book is hard to put down. Rosa Mancuso left Chicago for Sicily with her Italian mother after the death of her black father. She was raised in Sicily until her family was violently killed. Narrowly escaping, Rosa eventually returns to Chicago seeking revenge.
Known as Madam Mystique, Rosa is an exotic dancer. Her show at the fair is one of the most popular, and Rosa becomes a celebrity in her own right. However, her main reason for being in Chicago is still revenge.
When Rosa's cousin Mina comes to her begging for help, Rosa Can not turn her away. Mina has given birth to a biracial baby and her Chicago Mob family has decided the baby should be sent to an orphanage. Mina's father paid a mobster, named Danny, to hold Mina hostage until the baby was born. Can Rosa help Mina get her baby before Danny takes it to an orphanage?
Danny is, to me, one of the most interesting characters in the book. He grew up rough, and became a mobster, but has a very kind heart. He knows it is wrong to take Mina's baby. Can he help right this wrong without getting himself killed by the mob?
This book is full of interesting, well-developed characters. Scott's description of the fair makes me wish I could have been there. The sights, the sounds, and the scenery are brought to life as Mina tries to protect and keep her baby and Rosa seeks revenge against the one who killed her family. The story drives on toward an unexpected ending. (No spoilers here!).
This is a story you won't be able to put down.
Read this book if you...
...enjoy historical fiction
...enjoy suspense
...enjoy stories about the mob
Known as Madam Mystique, Rosa is an exotic dancer. Her show at the fair is one of the most popular, and Rosa becomes a celebrity in her own right. However, her main reason for being in Chicago is still revenge.
When Rosa's cousin Mina comes to her begging for help, Rosa Can not turn her away. Mina has given birth to a biracial baby and her Chicago Mob family has decided the baby should be sent to an orphanage. Mina's father paid a mobster, named Danny, to hold Mina hostage until the baby was born. Can Rosa help Mina get her baby before Danny takes it to an orphanage?
Danny is, to me, one of the most interesting characters in the book. He grew up rough, and became a mobster, but has a very kind heart. He knows it is wrong to take Mina's baby. Can he help right this wrong without getting himself killed by the mob?
This book is full of interesting, well-developed characters. Scott's description of the fair makes me wish I could have been there. The sights, the sounds, and the scenery are brought to life as Mina tries to protect and keep her baby and Rosa seeks revenge against the one who killed her family. The story drives on toward an unexpected ending. (No spoilers here!).
This is a story you won't be able to put down.
Read this book if you...
...enjoy historical fiction
...enjoy suspense
...enjoy stories about the mob
July 30, 2023
Set against the dazzling backdrop of the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, this lush and gorgeously written historical fiction novel spins a riveting tale of a quest for justice and vengeance, involving a beguiling exotic dancer approaching the culmination of her well-laid plans to take revenge upon the man responsible for murdering her family seven years ago, her estranged cousin calling on her for help against those seeking to keep her baby from her, and a colourful cast of fair performers, mobsters, and a squadron of Fascist pilots about to land.
The richly descriptive prose brings both settings and characters wonderfully alive, and the story had me spellbound right from the start. There was, quite simply, nothing about this book that I didn't love - an absolute pleasure to read.
*** I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
The richly descriptive prose brings both settings and characters wonderfully alive, and the story had me spellbound right from the start. There was, quite simply, nothing about this book that I didn't love - an absolute pleasure to read.
*** I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
July 19, 2023
At the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, people flock to escape the harsh realities of their own lives and that of the Great Depression that looms crushingly around them. Anything is possible at the Fair and one act holds a certain sense of magic and allure above them all: Madame Mystique.
Rosa Mancuso has built her career as a performer and persona as Madame Mystique surrounding herself in fantasy and myth. While plotting revenge on the man who slaughtered her family in Italy, Rosa's life is suddenly thrust upside down when a distant relation, Mina Gallo, reaches out to her in desperation after her Mobster family forces an arranged adoption of her unplanned baby. Not wishing to get involved, will Rosa be able to keep her focus on the goal of revenge?
It is a rare treat that once you have experienced the prior writing of an author, you know thereafter you will be in for an immense and thrilling journey.
Anika Scott is a masterful storyteller. Seamlessly switching perspectives of our main characters, the narration flows through as smoothly as you like for an uncomplicated and easy read.
Scott is skillful at building an evocative and dreamlike scenery, luring the reader in with the magic and mysticism of the World's Fair before shocking them by the sheer brutality of the hidden realities of fascism and bloody Monster family wars.
The details of the Great Depression are experienced with crippling realism along with their effects upon the characters, making this a hugely interesting read.
For an intricately designed story with an abundance of depth and layered characters, Anika Scott's latest novel is an absolute success and must-read for the historical fiction fans.
Thank you to @duck_books for the copy, and to @instabooktours for inviting me to join the book tour.
Rosa Mancuso has built her career as a performer and persona as Madame Mystique surrounding herself in fantasy and myth. While plotting revenge on the man who slaughtered her family in Italy, Rosa's life is suddenly thrust upside down when a distant relation, Mina Gallo, reaches out to her in desperation after her Mobster family forces an arranged adoption of her unplanned baby. Not wishing to get involved, will Rosa be able to keep her focus on the goal of revenge?
It is a rare treat that once you have experienced the prior writing of an author, you know thereafter you will be in for an immense and thrilling journey.
Anika Scott is a masterful storyteller. Seamlessly switching perspectives of our main characters, the narration flows through as smoothly as you like for an uncomplicated and easy read.
Scott is skillful at building an evocative and dreamlike scenery, luring the reader in with the magic and mysticism of the World's Fair before shocking them by the sheer brutality of the hidden realities of fascism and bloody Monster family wars.
The details of the Great Depression are experienced with crippling realism along with their effects upon the characters, making this a hugely interesting read.
For an intricately designed story with an abundance of depth and layered characters, Anika Scott's latest novel is an absolute success and must-read for the historical fiction fans.
Thank you to @duck_books for the copy, and to @instabooktours for inviting me to join the book tour.
May 8, 2023
The 1933 Chicago World's Fair had something for everyone. For just a dime you could be amazed by a huge cinema, carnival rides and shows or the miracle of premie babies in an incubator. None of them caused more hoopla than the mysterious Madame Mystique who seemed to dance on water scantily clad in a rainbow of silk or silently arriving on a camel. Madame Mystique is really Rosa from Sicily and her true reason for being at the fair is to exact revenge for the killing of her entire family at the hands of a now famous Facist pilot. Once the squadron reaches the fair his luck will run out. Rosa's cousin Mina has her own reason for being at the fair. Just days before her newborn baby was stolen from her and left at the premie tent and her familie's goons are after her. She seeks out Rosa who agrees to hide her at the fair and get her baby back. Family justice Sicilian style blends with the unique circus family who are just as willing to put everything on the line for one of their own. THE GODFATHER meets WATER FOR ELEPHANTS for a fantastic story covering two countries and two generations of love and sacrifice outside the family guidelines. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
June 2, 2023
The author provides us with historical fiction mixed with intrigue. The characters grow along the way and by the end, the story gives us a couple of surprises.
I enjoyed the various settings and felt the time period lent itself well to the unfolding story. If you enjoy reading a bit about the mafia, their family, honor and the Chicago World's Fair, this book will interest you.
I also enjoyed the strong women characters. They make decisions that were difficult and their lives were outside the traditional norms of the day. The behind the scenes workings of the World's Fair also was a treat.
Thank you, Goodreads, for the giveaway.
💛💛💛💛💛
I enjoyed the various settings and felt the time period lent itself well to the unfolding story. If you enjoy reading a bit about the mafia, their family, honor and the Chicago World's Fair, this book will interest you.
I also enjoyed the strong women characters. They make decisions that were difficult and their lives were outside the traditional norms of the day. The behind the scenes workings of the World's Fair also was a treat.
Thank you, Goodreads, for the giveaway.
💛💛💛💛💛
March 3, 2024
This novel is centered around the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago. Rosa is a performer, merging dance and magic in a way that's fascinating to some and lurid to others. But she's in Chicago to for more than just performance, an Italian pilot from her past is also due to arrive and Rosa wants vengeance. Her plans are derailed, however, when a young cousin with her own troubles shows up and makes for additional complications with the family Rosa has mixed feelings for. Overall, a good read full of details and action.
June 22, 2023
— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Sinners of Starlight City
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Anika Scott
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Historical Fiction
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 18th July 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3.25/5
”The family we choose is the purest, a tie of the heart, not the blood. It is an honor.”
This was super fascinating!
This review here describes this as The Godfather meets Water For Elephants and I think this is the most perfect description!
I think the trouble with this story is that it was doing SO MUCH that it was a lot to process and I’d get sucked into one storyline, just to be dragged out and sucked into another. They all tied up nicely but it did feel a bit overwhelming at some points in the book.
Sinners of Starlight City is set partly in 1920s Sicily and mainly in 1930s Chicago at its World Fair. I noticed a few Columbus references to keep the setting realistic amongst all the wonders of the circus.
The topics explored in this book are plentiful and sorrowful. There was the exploration of race, particularly interracial couples in those early 1900s time periods. There was an overbearing Sicilian patriarchal family with ties to the mafia and as an extension to this, family honour was also deeply explored. There was premature infancy and the groundbreaking—but morbid—incubators at the World Fair circus where thousands of babies were saved. There was also the history of Sicily, how it’s mafia was integral to the social structure, and how fascism would rise to fight against this, getting our main character, Rosa, in the crossfire.
Whilst this is a lot to digest, there is something extraordinary and magical about this novel, other than the magic tricks of Madam Mystique, there’s also a wonderful found family feel that I found extremely congruent within the setting of the circus.
—Kayleigh🤍
@ Welsh Book Fairy🧚♀️✨
♡Booksta
♡Twitter
♡Blog
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Sinners of Starlight City
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Anika Scott
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Historical Fiction
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 18th July 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3.25/5
”The family we choose is the purest, a tie of the heart, not the blood. It is an honor.”
This was super fascinating!
This review here describes this as The Godfather meets Water For Elephants and I think this is the most perfect description!
I think the trouble with this story is that it was doing SO MUCH that it was a lot to process and I’d get sucked into one storyline, just to be dragged out and sucked into another. They all tied up nicely but it did feel a bit overwhelming at some points in the book.
Sinners of Starlight City is set partly in 1920s Sicily and mainly in 1930s Chicago at its World Fair. I noticed a few Columbus references to keep the setting realistic amongst all the wonders of the circus.
The topics explored in this book are plentiful and sorrowful. There was the exploration of race, particularly interracial couples in those early 1900s time periods. There was an overbearing Sicilian patriarchal family with ties to the mafia and as an extension to this, family honour was also deeply explored. There was premature infancy and the groundbreaking—but morbid—incubators at the World Fair circus where thousands of babies were saved. There was also the history of Sicily, how it’s mafia was integral to the social structure, and how fascism would rise to fight against this, getting our main character, Rosa, in the crossfire.
Whilst this is a lot to digest, there is something extraordinary and magical about this novel, other than the magic tricks of Madam Mystique, there’s also a wonderful found family feel that I found extremely congruent within the setting of the circus.
—Kayleigh🤍
@ Welsh Book Fairy🧚♀️✨
♡Booksta
♡Blog
May 18, 2023
***I received a free copy via Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for a honest review. It is uncorrected paperback ARC copy***
Actual rating: 3.5 stars, rounded up because it's too well written to get a 3.
This was a big step outside of my go-to genres. I'm not one for historical fiction and recently got burned by another HF that I won from Goodreads. So, I was a bit iffy about jumping off into this, despite the fact that it did sound interesting enough to enter a giveaway for a chance at a copy.
Beautiful cover. I know that's no a good way to judge a book, but nevertheless, I like the cover.
The story is well-written, but a bit slow at times. It just hit some lulls, with slow pacing. At times, there was A LOT going on, with a lot of characters but not much actually happening.
Mina wasn't a favorite and I much preferred when the story focused on Rosa/Madam Mystique. It's hard to picture how the story could have played out with Daniel, Rosa and her quest for vengeance, without Mina but I would have been ok with it, as she didn't seem to bring much to the story other than a link from Rosa to her family.
I liked reading about the bits of the Fair and I'm putting trust into the author that she did her research properly to tell a faithful slice of how the fair life was back then or I've been duped, as I don't know much about 1930s Chicago.
I was invested in the story, as I wanted to see how Rosa got her revenge, if she got her revenge. Daniel was a nice addition to the story and I enjoyed founding along on his side journeys.
This wasn't so great that I'm a huge fan of historical fiction now but perhaps I won't shy away from it quite as badly, especially if Ms. Scott is telling the tale.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars, rounded up because it's too well written to get a 3.
This was a big step outside of my go-to genres. I'm not one for historical fiction and recently got burned by another HF that I won from Goodreads. So, I was a bit iffy about jumping off into this, despite the fact that it did sound interesting enough to enter a giveaway for a chance at a copy.
Beautiful cover. I know that's no a good way to judge a book, but nevertheless, I like the cover.
The story is well-written, but a bit slow at times. It just hit some lulls, with slow pacing. At times, there was A LOT going on, with a lot of characters but not much actually happening.
Mina wasn't a favorite and I much preferred when the story focused on Rosa/Madam Mystique. It's hard to picture how the story could have played out with Daniel, Rosa and her quest for vengeance, without Mina but I would have been ok with it, as she didn't seem to bring much to the story other than a link from Rosa to her family.
I liked reading about the bits of the Fair and I'm putting trust into the author that she did her research properly to tell a faithful slice of how the fair life was back then or I've been duped, as I don't know much about 1930s Chicago.
I was invested in the story, as I wanted to see how Rosa got her revenge, if she got her revenge. Daniel was a nice addition to the story and I enjoyed founding along on his side journeys.
This wasn't so great that I'm a huge fan of historical fiction now but perhaps I won't shy away from it quite as badly, especially if Ms. Scott is telling the tale.
February 23, 2023
The premise of the book was fascinating to me. The allure of the World’s Fair has always intrigued me, especially when you add in an enigmatic burlesque dancer and a runaway mother searching for her baby. Unfortunately, there was something missing, and I never quite connected with the characters. I think that because they were so guarded and wary, and because they doled out their stories a bit at a time, they were distant not only from each other but also from the reader. It’s still an enjoyable read but not the top of my historical fiction list.
July 6, 2023
This ARC was a Giveaway win, & I was delighted with it. The POV splits between cousins Rosa Mancuso & Mina Gallo. Both were born into a Sicilian family with mafia ties. As each woman tells her story, you'll be horrified, yet amazed by their resilience & strength. These two do have something in common. I won't give it away because then you'll know the secret! The setting is the Chicago World's Fair, with lots of intrigue. It's riveting from the start, & at the end, we realize how strong family ties can reach....
July 21, 2023
4.5 stars
I loved the mixture of mystery and intrigue at the show of Madame Mystique versus the revenge and secrets in the story of Rosa and her family. Two sides of the same coin that Rosa held and kept turning to achieve her aim of avenging her family’s deaths.
The community at the World’s Fair sounded wonderful and provided such support to Rosa. Her found family at the Fair so necessary for Rosa’s success.
Anika Scott is a master of storytelling and her characters so vivid and detailed. Mina and Hope’s stories wound seamlessly through Rosa’s life and at times my heart was in my mouth at the threat to all three females. Just wonderful.
I loved the mixture of mystery and intrigue at the show of Madame Mystique versus the revenge and secrets in the story of Rosa and her family. Two sides of the same coin that Rosa held and kept turning to achieve her aim of avenging her family’s deaths.
The community at the World’s Fair sounded wonderful and provided such support to Rosa. Her found family at the Fair so necessary for Rosa’s success.
Anika Scott is a master of storytelling and her characters so vivid and detailed. Mina and Hope’s stories wound seamlessly through Rosa’s life and at times my heart was in my mouth at the threat to all three females. Just wonderful.
July 5, 2023
I enjoyed this story and its intersecting web of revenge, but most especially the true results of revenge in particular. Ms. Scott delivers the emotion and reality of people's innermost battles deftly and honestly.
Her chosen site for her tale was a plus for me; I loved The Devil in The White City and learning all about Chicago's World Fair. The backdrop of the "family" of fair workers is something I find truly heartwarming. It's a well-written story I'd absolutely recommend.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you!
Her chosen site for her tale was a plus for me; I loved The Devil in The White City and learning all about Chicago's World Fair. The backdrop of the "family" of fair workers is something I find truly heartwarming. It's a well-written story I'd absolutely recommend.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you!
May 15, 2025
After Rosa's father dies her mother flees back to Sicily with her. There they start a new life until the fascists, led by her cousin, Paolo, come and kill her whole family. She escapes with her maid, Fiammetta, and joins a circus. Seven years later she has come to America and is Madame Mystique, one of the star attractions of the Chicago World's Fair. Paolo is coming over as part of an Italian contingent and she is planning her revenge.
Suddenly a spanner is thrown into her plans in the form of her cousin, Mina, who has just given birth and is running from a gangster, a very handsome, charming gangster.
This is an excellent piece of historical fiction and I will definitely read more by this author.
Suddenly a spanner is thrown into her plans in the form of her cousin, Mina, who has just given birth and is running from a gangster, a very handsome, charming gangster.
This is an excellent piece of historical fiction and I will definitely read more by this author.
December 1, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Being an historical setting, I appreciate the amount of research that was made for this book. The author was able to bring the story to life and allowing the reader to connect with the characters ordeals.
One issue I had was how small my download appeared.
Beautifully written, good plot.
Being an historical setting, I appreciate the amount of research that was made for this book. The author was able to bring the story to life and allowing the reader to connect with the characters ordeals.
One issue I had was how small my download appeared.
Beautifully written, good plot.
December 12, 2025
Set at the Chicago World's Fair during the Great Depression, the main character reconnects with her cousin from Sicily that needs help. This leads to a collaboration among a variety of characters which develop into a great read1
August 3, 2025
The backdrop of the story is the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. Madame Mystique, a/k/a Rosa Mancuso is performing as a dancer/magician while also plotting to avenge (think mafia code of honor) the brutal murder, back in Italy, of her family. Her niece and newborn baby appear and complicate her plans.
The story moves along and we learn the background of the people who will intersect in Rosa's life and goals. The fabric of the Fair is interesting and adds a lot to the plot and the interplay of characters. The good guys aren't always good and the bad guys aren't always bad. There are complex emotional relationships and several types of love story all of which lead to a dramatic climax - of sorts.
I enjoyed the book.
The story moves along and we learn the background of the people who will intersect in Rosa's life and goals. The fabric of the Fair is interesting and adds a lot to the plot and the interplay of characters. The good guys aren't always good and the bad guys aren't always bad. There are complex emotional relationships and several types of love story all of which lead to a dramatic climax - of sorts.
I enjoyed the book.
October 26, 2025
AUDIOBOOK: I like stories set during the Chicago World Fair times. This was a perfectly enjoyable story. Likable characters. Story was fairly predictable but the narrator made it a good listen.
December 5, 2024
It had a slow start but very compelling characters. I ended up very invested in how the stories intertwined. The ending was melancholy but satisfying.
June 7, 2023
This was a Goodreads win and I want to thank Anika Scott, and William Morrow/Harper Collins for this advance copy.
Beautifully written historical drama with a cast of characters that I fell in love with. Rosa, Mina, and Danny each carry with them a history of pain, heartache and survival and Anika Scott brings their stories to the surface as they help each other face their fears and hopefully put their past behind them and find contentment.
The 1933 Chicago World’s Fair was the perfect setting and Anika’s research did justice to the grandeur and majesty of it all. I felt like I was there strolling down the main promenade in awe and amazement.
This is the first of Ms. Scott’s novels for me and I look forward to reading more.
Beautifully written historical drama with a cast of characters that I fell in love with. Rosa, Mina, and Danny each carry with them a history of pain, heartache and survival and Anika Scott brings their stories to the surface as they help each other face their fears and hopefully put their past behind them and find contentment.
The 1933 Chicago World’s Fair was the perfect setting and Anika’s research did justice to the grandeur and majesty of it all. I felt like I was there strolling down the main promenade in awe and amazement.
This is the first of Ms. Scott’s novels for me and I look forward to reading more.
July 30, 2023
Take a trip back in time to visit the spectacle of the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, courtesy of Anika Scott.
In her latest novel, SINNERS OF STARLIGHT CITY, we experience the sights, sounds and smells of the fair through the eyes of Rosa Mancuso, who performs as the mysterious and sultry Madame Mystique. We also meet 18-year-old Mina Gallo, who is imprisoned in a house in Cicero, waiting for the birth of her baby. Mina’s mafioso family is embarrassed by her unwed state and wants to have the child taken to an orphanage, Mina returned to the family, and life to continue as it was before she made what in their eyes is an unsavory alliance with someone of color.
It turns out that these two women are cousins. And while they only knew each other for a short time in their early childhood, the connection is enough for Rosa to help Mina escape from the house, and for Mina to repay that favor later. Both are determined to accomplish their goals. Mina's seems innocent enough. She wants to keep her baby. But when her child is born too early, Mina also knows that the only way the infant might survive is if she's taken to the World's Fair. There, a new invention --- an incubator --- will keep her warm and oxygenated. The problem then becomes how to get her back after she survives.
Rosa, on the other hand, is looking for revenge. When she was just a teenager, her family was brutally murdered in their home in Sicily by someone she thought was a friend. Rosa barely escaped with her life and has survived since then, but only with the constant thought of getting revenge for her loved ones.
Revenge is a central theme of the story. But Scott also cleverly juxtaposes ideas about race alongside the rise of fascism in Italy. We see from actual quotes how many in America shockingly and openly supported and cheered fascism. Examples of racism in Chicago are rampant in the story, as are "noble" thoughts about honor and family pride. Rosa's Italian family was horrified when her mother married a Black man with whom she had fallen in love. When he was killed in race riots, she went home with her child looking for support. But she and Rosa eventually went to live in Sicily.
Mina studied to become a nurse and fell in love with a Black surgeon. But he was killed before they could be married, leaving Mina pregnant and alone. Remembering their sister (Rosa's mother), Mina’s father and his brother decide that the best thing for her is to take away her child so she can return to her previous life. What Mina wants is not part of the equation.
One issue that Scott forces us to consider is if revenge is really worthwhile in the end. Will Rosa be better off once she gets the revenge she has sought for so long? Does her family's adherence to the Italian code of revenge help them or harm them? There are also characters who must forgive those who abused them, and some who have to atone for the harm they have perpetrated on others. Are there ever circumstances that make violence acceptable, even moral? Have our feelings about race in this country changed as much as might be expected over the past 90 years?
We think about these questions as we contemplate the decisions both women make in this gripping novel.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
In her latest novel, SINNERS OF STARLIGHT CITY, we experience the sights, sounds and smells of the fair through the eyes of Rosa Mancuso, who performs as the mysterious and sultry Madame Mystique. We also meet 18-year-old Mina Gallo, who is imprisoned in a house in Cicero, waiting for the birth of her baby. Mina’s mafioso family is embarrassed by her unwed state and wants to have the child taken to an orphanage, Mina returned to the family, and life to continue as it was before she made what in their eyes is an unsavory alliance with someone of color.
It turns out that these two women are cousins. And while they only knew each other for a short time in their early childhood, the connection is enough for Rosa to help Mina escape from the house, and for Mina to repay that favor later. Both are determined to accomplish their goals. Mina's seems innocent enough. She wants to keep her baby. But when her child is born too early, Mina also knows that the only way the infant might survive is if she's taken to the World's Fair. There, a new invention --- an incubator --- will keep her warm and oxygenated. The problem then becomes how to get her back after she survives.
Rosa, on the other hand, is looking for revenge. When she was just a teenager, her family was brutally murdered in their home in Sicily by someone she thought was a friend. Rosa barely escaped with her life and has survived since then, but only with the constant thought of getting revenge for her loved ones.
Revenge is a central theme of the story. But Scott also cleverly juxtaposes ideas about race alongside the rise of fascism in Italy. We see from actual quotes how many in America shockingly and openly supported and cheered fascism. Examples of racism in Chicago are rampant in the story, as are "noble" thoughts about honor and family pride. Rosa's Italian family was horrified when her mother married a Black man with whom she had fallen in love. When he was killed in race riots, she went home with her child looking for support. But she and Rosa eventually went to live in Sicily.
Mina studied to become a nurse and fell in love with a Black surgeon. But he was killed before they could be married, leaving Mina pregnant and alone. Remembering their sister (Rosa's mother), Mina’s father and his brother decide that the best thing for her is to take away her child so she can return to her previous life. What Mina wants is not part of the equation.
One issue that Scott forces us to consider is if revenge is really worthwhile in the end. Will Rosa be better off once she gets the revenge she has sought for so long? Does her family's adherence to the Italian code of revenge help them or harm them? There are also characters who must forgive those who abused them, and some who have to atone for the harm they have perpetrated on others. Are there ever circumstances that make violence acceptable, even moral? Have our feelings about race in this country changed as much as might be expected over the past 90 years?
We think about these questions as we contemplate the decisions both women make in this gripping novel.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
May 23, 2023
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher William Morrow for an advance copy of the novel set in the glitz and glitter of a World's Fair, while a country around the suffers, and revenge is not far away.
World's Fair or Expositions have probably something else that we will not see again. Pandemics, cost, uncertain economic rewards, cost as well as a general lack of wonder in people anymore have pretty much made the idea of showcases for a country passé. Is it on TikTok? Can I Uber around it? What's it Yelp score? Back in the day, World's Fair's were full of magic, majesty and a magnificant future scape of what could be possible. A cleaned up, gentrified, fantasy world showing what a city could be, not what it really was. Chicago's World's Fair offered a place where gangsters, hobos, and starving families didn't exist, though it took place during the worst of the Depression. A place where everything bad could be forgotten. Except for revenge. Sinners of Starlight City by Anika Scott is a story of family, vengeance, politics, race, dreams, and harsh reality set in the splendor of a Chicago dreamland.
The year is 1933, and the Great Depression is still ongoing making life miserable for many. Europe is started to slowly boil with countries falling to dictators, who are starting to make trouble. However the World's Fair is in Chicago and too many Americans it is a time to forget, see the sights, ride the rides and take in some daring shows. Madame Mystique is one of the more popular attractions, offering magic, and a little burlesque bringing all the boys to Mystique's yard. However Mystique is dancing for much more than money. Rose Mancuso aka Mystique wants revenge on those who helped murder her family in Italy, and knows that these members of the Fascist government will be coming to Chicago. And she is prepared to meet them, for the last time. However Mina, a cousin comes to Rose in trouble in more ways than one. Rose suddenly finds herself dealing with a lot more than assassination.
A very surprising story that went to lot of places I did not expect, but really enjoyed. Anika Scott writes about the Depression, Fascism, Italian politics, race relations, gangsters, politics, burlesque and much more. Scott is also very capable of sharing enough information and letting the story breathe, and at the same time adding both thrills, and problems for Rose to deal with. The characters are very good, and seem real. The research that Scott must have done is really in depth. The smells, the streets, the way people talked and acted, really very well done. Much more than a simple beach read, a book that really aims high, and delivers everything is asks itself.
Recommended for fans of Lisa Scottoline and Kate Atkinson, especially in subject matter and research. A very good book that is very absorbing and interesting. This is the first that I have read by Anika Scott, and I am looking forward to reading many more.
World's Fair or Expositions have probably something else that we will not see again. Pandemics, cost, uncertain economic rewards, cost as well as a general lack of wonder in people anymore have pretty much made the idea of showcases for a country passé. Is it on TikTok? Can I Uber around it? What's it Yelp score? Back in the day, World's Fair's were full of magic, majesty and a magnificant future scape of what could be possible. A cleaned up, gentrified, fantasy world showing what a city could be, not what it really was. Chicago's World's Fair offered a place where gangsters, hobos, and starving families didn't exist, though it took place during the worst of the Depression. A place where everything bad could be forgotten. Except for revenge. Sinners of Starlight City by Anika Scott is a story of family, vengeance, politics, race, dreams, and harsh reality set in the splendor of a Chicago dreamland.
The year is 1933, and the Great Depression is still ongoing making life miserable for many. Europe is started to slowly boil with countries falling to dictators, who are starting to make trouble. However the World's Fair is in Chicago and too many Americans it is a time to forget, see the sights, ride the rides and take in some daring shows. Madame Mystique is one of the more popular attractions, offering magic, and a little burlesque bringing all the boys to Mystique's yard. However Mystique is dancing for much more than money. Rose Mancuso aka Mystique wants revenge on those who helped murder her family in Italy, and knows that these members of the Fascist government will be coming to Chicago. And she is prepared to meet them, for the last time. However Mina, a cousin comes to Rose in trouble in more ways than one. Rose suddenly finds herself dealing with a lot more than assassination.
A very surprising story that went to lot of places I did not expect, but really enjoyed. Anika Scott writes about the Depression, Fascism, Italian politics, race relations, gangsters, politics, burlesque and much more. Scott is also very capable of sharing enough information and letting the story breathe, and at the same time adding both thrills, and problems for Rose to deal with. The characters are very good, and seem real. The research that Scott must have done is really in depth. The smells, the streets, the way people talked and acted, really very well done. Much more than a simple beach read, a book that really aims high, and delivers everything is asks itself.
Recommended for fans of Lisa Scottoline and Kate Atkinson, especially in subject matter and research. A very good book that is very absorbing and interesting. This is the first that I have read by Anika Scott, and I am looking forward to reading many more.
October 6, 2023
Anika Scott created a riveting and unforgettable novel with "Sinners of Starlight City." Set in the midst of the Great Depression at the wonderous World's Fair in Chicago, each chapter is fraught with tension, each character carrying out a tightrope act as they balance between a world of violence and the possibility of a brighter future.
Rosa Mancuso has long lived two lives. As the glamorous Madame Mystique, she dazzles crowds with her burlesque show, illusions, and dancing. She curries favors, builds a following, and gains the acclaim necessary to earn top billing at the Chicago World's Fair. For many, this would be the achievement of a lifetime. For Rosa, however, it's just a means to an end as she works her connections to get close enough to the famed Italian Air Fleet to execute a revenge killing almost a decade in the making.
Rosa finds herself drawn into the shadier side of Chicago's Mob Scene when her estranged cousin, Mina, recognizes her photo in a local paper and comes to her desperate for help as her father and uncle try to force her to abandon her newborn daughter. As a product of a mixed-race marriage herself, Rosa finds she is unable to turn away Mina and baby Hope. Now with the threat of the mob and her chance of revenge speeding toward her Rosa must use all of her wits to try and wrestle her uncles into meting out the justice her mother so deserved while also running another con behind the scenes that might just give Mina and Hope the happy ending she never recieved.
Scott's novel is sweeping, and gorgeous and will be the hit of book clubs across the nation as readers flock to a novel that provides an atmospheric and lush look at an underrepresented era of historical fiction. Multiple plotlines and perspectives will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they race to "Sinners of Starlight City's" brilliant conclusion. Perfect for seasoned readers of Fiona Davis, Kate Quinn, and Martha Kelly Hall, and for fans new to the historical genre who are interested in exploring a point in history not centered around a World War, "Sinners of Starlight City" is sure to be atop everyone's best of the year list. A special thanks to NetGalley and to William Morrow for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy of "Sinners of Starlight City" in exchange for an unbiased review!
Rosa Mancuso has long lived two lives. As the glamorous Madame Mystique, she dazzles crowds with her burlesque show, illusions, and dancing. She curries favors, builds a following, and gains the acclaim necessary to earn top billing at the Chicago World's Fair. For many, this would be the achievement of a lifetime. For Rosa, however, it's just a means to an end as she works her connections to get close enough to the famed Italian Air Fleet to execute a revenge killing almost a decade in the making.
Rosa finds herself drawn into the shadier side of Chicago's Mob Scene when her estranged cousin, Mina, recognizes her photo in a local paper and comes to her desperate for help as her father and uncle try to force her to abandon her newborn daughter. As a product of a mixed-race marriage herself, Rosa finds she is unable to turn away Mina and baby Hope. Now with the threat of the mob and her chance of revenge speeding toward her Rosa must use all of her wits to try and wrestle her uncles into meting out the justice her mother so deserved while also running another con behind the scenes that might just give Mina and Hope the happy ending she never recieved.
Scott's novel is sweeping, and gorgeous and will be the hit of book clubs across the nation as readers flock to a novel that provides an atmospheric and lush look at an underrepresented era of historical fiction. Multiple plotlines and perspectives will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they race to "Sinners of Starlight City's" brilliant conclusion. Perfect for seasoned readers of Fiona Davis, Kate Quinn, and Martha Kelly Hall, and for fans new to the historical genre who are interested in exploring a point in history not centered around a World War, "Sinners of Starlight City" is sure to be atop everyone's best of the year list. A special thanks to NetGalley and to William Morrow for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy of "Sinners of Starlight City" in exchange for an unbiased review!
July 22, 2023
I enjoyed "Sinners of Starlight City" very much. A great historical fiction story that takes place in Chicago at the 1936 Chicago Fair. It's also a story of family, forgiveness and redemption. When Mina gives birth to her daughter while being locked up and hidden by her father, Danny, one of her father's henchmen immediately takes the baby for life saving treatment until she's well then, he's taking her to the nearest orphanage. Mina does whatever she can to escape her ordeal and get to her baby whose being kept in the incubator exhibition at the fair where she can grow and get healthier after arriving too early. Her father and uncle are big mobsters and family is everything, until Mina has an illegitimate daughter who would shame the family, now her dad wants the baby gone, and will do whatever he can to make sure the two aren't reunited.
Rosa performs at the fair as Madame Mystique and has quite the following. Mina, Rosa's cousin turns to her for help to get the baby back. But Rosa is preoccupied with getting revenge for her family's death back in Italy and when she hears the culprit in their deaths is flying in with an armada to visit the fair, she begins planning her pay back. Rosa has a slew of fair friends and with their help she has the chance to get back at Paolo, the one who killed her family years ago and wants to be her friend again. Rosa is a strong woman with vengeance on her mind but is still willing to help her cousin, Mina and uses her connections at the fair to get close to the baby. Soon there is an unlikely hero in the quest to get Hope the baby back. No one will be more shocked at this as Mina is though.
Between Mina and her daughter Hope, Rosa and Paolo and her uncle Tino and father Salvatore the story is action filled and very exciting. I enjoyed the characters and loved the setting of the Chicago fair. I would have loved to see the fair and all the various acts and exhibits, it all sounds so impressive. This is an unputdownable book that takes you on a wild ride through the life of the Mafia and those who just want to escape it. I say yes to this book and hope you all grab it for your next read! Happy Reading!
Rosa performs at the fair as Madame Mystique and has quite the following. Mina, Rosa's cousin turns to her for help to get the baby back. But Rosa is preoccupied with getting revenge for her family's death back in Italy and when she hears the culprit in their deaths is flying in with an armada to visit the fair, she begins planning her pay back. Rosa has a slew of fair friends and with their help she has the chance to get back at Paolo, the one who killed her family years ago and wants to be her friend again. Rosa is a strong woman with vengeance on her mind but is still willing to help her cousin, Mina and uses her connections at the fair to get close to the baby. Soon there is an unlikely hero in the quest to get Hope the baby back. No one will be more shocked at this as Mina is though.
Between Mina and her daughter Hope, Rosa and Paolo and her uncle Tino and father Salvatore the story is action filled and very exciting. I enjoyed the characters and loved the setting of the Chicago fair. I would have loved to see the fair and all the various acts and exhibits, it all sounds so impressive. This is an unputdownable book that takes you on a wild ride through the life of the Mafia and those who just want to escape it. I say yes to this book and hope you all grab it for your next read! Happy Reading!
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