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Murder at the Cabaret
In New York City, 1925, twenty-two-year-old Penny Fox has a lot on her plate.
After her father's untimely death, she's just inherited his cabaret club—The Primrose—complete with a speakeasy in the basement, made possible by local mob boss Sonny Hargrove. By night, she's managing her father's business while being hounded by a greedy crime lord, and by day, working as a private investigator at her agency called The Sly Fox to help women flee abusive partners and catch their husbands affairs.
To make matters worse, she's currently being sued by a client's husband for snapping pictures of him with his secretary and ruining his marriage. When she comes across another woman being abused, Cora Bellinger, she decides to help her and falls in love, making her fiancé a sworn enemy while trying to process her feelings.
But it isn't until the dancers at her club begin going missing—and then murdered—that Penny realizes a serial killer is on the loose. If she wants to save her club and stop more women from being killed, she'll have to put her private eye skills to good use—before it's too late.
After her father's untimely death, she's just inherited his cabaret club—The Primrose—complete with a speakeasy in the basement, made possible by local mob boss Sonny Hargrove. By night, she's managing her father's business while being hounded by a greedy crime lord, and by day, working as a private investigator at her agency called The Sly Fox to help women flee abusive partners and catch their husbands affairs.
To make matters worse, she's currently being sued by a client's husband for snapping pictures of him with his secretary and ruining his marriage. When she comes across another woman being abused, Cora Bellinger, she decides to help her and falls in love, making her fiancé a sworn enemy while trying to process her feelings.
But it isn't until the dancers at her club begin going missing—and then murdered—that Penny realizes a serial killer is on the loose. If she wants to save her club and stop more women from being killed, she'll have to put her private eye skills to good use—before it's too late.
272 pages, Paperback
Published May 20, 2025
14 people want to read
About the author
Dana Gricken
39 books56 followersDana Gricken is a multi-genre author from Ottawa, Canada. As an avid reader, writer, and daydreamer, her goal is to tell exciting, meaningful stories. When she's not writing, you can find her hanging out with her two cats and watching Star Trek on repeat. She also enjoys cooking and playing video games.
After self-publishing her debut fantasy in 2018, she has gone on to be published by Melange Books, Evernight Teen, Oliver-Heber Books, and Bella Books. With over 14 novels in print, she continues to write and publish both indie and traditionally.
In 2023, she gained a large following on social media. She is known for spreading mental health awareness, being open about her struggles with endometriosis, and encouraging kindness.
She is represented by Metamorphosis Literary Agency. Stay tuned for future releases!
After self-publishing her debut fantasy in 2018, she has gone on to be published by Melange Books, Evernight Teen, Oliver-Heber Books, and Bella Books. With over 14 novels in print, she continues to write and publish both indie and traditionally.
In 2023, she gained a large following on social media. She is known for spreading mental health awareness, being open about her struggles with endometriosis, and encouraging kindness.
She is represented by Metamorphosis Literary Agency. Stay tuned for future releases!
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 16, 2025
Quite the unexpected mystery!
Penny inherits her father’s cabaret and is also running her own private investigative firm. She likes to help women find out the truth about cheating partners and getting them out of abusive relationships. When Cora is being abused outside her club she steps in and offers Cora an opportunity to work as a singer. Then tragedy strikes and Penny finds herself investigating cases suddenly much closer to home.
This was the perfect story, set in 1925, and Penny was breaking the mould. The last thing any business owner needs though is their own workers being murdered. It shook Penny’s world and of course for a long time everyone was a suspect, because so many people passed through the Cabaret every night. Penny wasn’t exactly running a clean establishment, so with a mob boss also on her back about their arrangement to beat prohibition, Penny could ill afford her club being closed and the police snooping about with the murders happening there.
I am not great at solving mysteries and for a long time I wasn’t sure who this could be, but there was a moment when I suspected someone and it was great when I found out it was the right person! There were so many unexpected twists though that I was on the edge of my seat and desperate to find out who it was. There really was a sense of urgency and running out of time, which just kept me hooked. I couldn’t put this down until I found out.
Absolutely fantastic and really exciting! I loved the connection Penny and Cora had and how working together brought them closer. Can’t wait to find out what mysteries they will solve next!
Penny inherits her father’s cabaret and is also running her own private investigative firm. She likes to help women find out the truth about cheating partners and getting them out of abusive relationships. When Cora is being abused outside her club she steps in and offers Cora an opportunity to work as a singer. Then tragedy strikes and Penny finds herself investigating cases suddenly much closer to home.
This was the perfect story, set in 1925, and Penny was breaking the mould. The last thing any business owner needs though is their own workers being murdered. It shook Penny’s world and of course for a long time everyone was a suspect, because so many people passed through the Cabaret every night. Penny wasn’t exactly running a clean establishment, so with a mob boss also on her back about their arrangement to beat prohibition, Penny could ill afford her club being closed and the police snooping about with the murders happening there.
I am not great at solving mysteries and for a long time I wasn’t sure who this could be, but there was a moment when I suspected someone and it was great when I found out it was the right person! There were so many unexpected twists though that I was on the edge of my seat and desperate to find out who it was. There really was a sense of urgency and running out of time, which just kept me hooked. I couldn’t put this down until I found out.
Absolutely fantastic and really exciting! I loved the connection Penny and Cora had and how working together brought them closer. Can’t wait to find out what mysteries they will solve next!
June 3, 2025
Murder most foul
Murders all have their reasons and Penny Fox is determined to find the answers whether the police want her help or not. I gave this 5 stars because as mysteries go the killer will be who you least suspect. Very well written
Murders all have their reasons and Penny Fox is determined to find the answers whether the police want her help or not. I gave this 5 stars because as mysteries go the killer will be who you least suspect. Very well written
dnf
August 5, 2025Wow super info dump starting right off. Soooooo much needlessly crammed into the first couple of paragraphs.
Why do we care what the friend wore to the funeral? It doesn’t contribute to the story in any way.
So early into the story and way too many instances of needlessly over-describing things that are utterly unimportant.
Holy cow how many times in the first few pages are we going to be reminded of the speakeasy!
There’s no way a gangster would so openly talk about illegal stuff such as a speakeasy (because again let’s make sure to mention it 200 times)
How does penny know Cora would never say anything about the… speakeasy? She’s only known her for less than an hour.
Pouring scotch on ice makes penny a talented bartender? Lol low bar to set
Penny is just like a guy being jealous and possessive and super creepy since they just met essentially minutes ago
This writer doesn’t seem to have any concept of 1. How NOT to info dump (especially since none of it is important to the plot) and 2. Show don’t tell.
I can’t be bothered if the writer can’t be bothered.
Why do we care what the friend wore to the funeral? It doesn’t contribute to the story in any way.
So early into the story and way too many instances of needlessly over-describing things that are utterly unimportant.
Holy cow how many times in the first few pages are we going to be reminded of the speakeasy!
There’s no way a gangster would so openly talk about illegal stuff such as a speakeasy (because again let’s make sure to mention it 200 times)
How does penny know Cora would never say anything about the… speakeasy? She’s only known her for less than an hour.
Pouring scotch on ice makes penny a talented bartender? Lol low bar to set
Penny is just like a guy being jealous and possessive and super creepy since they just met essentially minutes ago
This writer doesn’t seem to have any concept of 1. How NOT to info dump (especially since none of it is important to the plot) and 2. Show don’t tell.
I can’t be bothered if the writer can’t be bothered.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews