Last Dance Before Dawn: A Mystery

Nightingale Mysteries #4

by Katharine Schellman

Last Dance before Dawn is the final book in the luscious, mysterious, and queer Nightingale mystery series by Katharine Schellman, set in 1920s New York.

Vivian Kelly has finally created a home and a family at the glamorous speakeasy known as The Nightingale, where no one cares who you are in the daytime. After all, in the underground world of 1920s New York City, everyone has a secret to keep, and they’re on the Nightingale's dance floor to leave those secrets behind. But sometimes it takes more than a dance to escape your past.

When a stranger from Chicago shows up at The Nightingale looking to settle old scores, Vivian and the Nightingale's owner, the mysterious and alluring Honor Huxley, send him packing. They soon discover, though, that the stranger was just a warning. Slowly, the people who have made The Nightingale their home realize that someone is following them. Hunting them. And that someone won’t stop until they unravel a mystery that’s been cold for years: a missing girl, a boy out for revenge, and a truck full of cash that disappeared in a job gone horribly wrong.

Vivian just wants to protect the people she loves, and she's willing to dig into the dirt of the past to make it happen. But some questions are safer left unanswered, and now that Vivian has built a family for herself, she has more to lose than ever before.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Audiobook, LGBT, Historical Mystery

346 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 17, 2025

About the author

Katharine Schellman is the author of the Lily Adler Mysteries and the forthcoming Nightingale Mysteries. Her debut novel, The Body in the Garden, was one of Suspense Magazine's Best Books of 2020 and led to her being named one of BookPage's 16 Women to Watch in 2020. Her second novel, Silence in the Library, was praised as "worthy of Rex Stout or Agatha Christie" (Library Journal).

Katharine lives and writes in the mountains of Virginia in the company of her husband, children, and the many houseplants she keeps accidentally murdering. Find her on Instagram as @katharinewrites.

Reviews

[Lisa Leone-campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last Dance Before Dawn is the riveting finale in the Nightingale Club mystery series. The stories take place during the 1920's where speakeasys were popular and dangerous. A time in which cops could be easily paid to look the other way, and women were second class citizens no matter what job they had. Even when a woman was a nightclub owner. More importantly it's about the way women were treated, and what they had to hide in order to exist. But there was one woman, Vivian Kelly who was street smart, had a day job as a seamstress, and a secret night job at the Nightingale where she danced with male customers. some of whom were very shady.

Over the years Vivian saw a number of dead bodies. She tried to hide her second job from her beloved hardworking sister Florence. But now, Florence is settled and it's time for Vivian to make some hard choices in her life.

Once again there is trouble brewing at the Nightingale Club. A mystery man from Chicago shows up and begins looking for people. Vivian is frightened as she knows who he is looking for and doesn't know why. One thing is for sure; he has killing on the brain!

So, Vivian goes to her boss and friend Honor, the extremely bright and savvy owner of The Nightingale. She is also intrigued but warns Vivien to stay out of the situation. Vivian thinks Honor knows more than she is saying, but Vivian must think about her sister and niece and keeping them safe.

But of course, she begins to quietly investigate and discovers a shocking story which unfolded a few years ago in Chicago in which people were killed and money was stolen and never recovered. It also has hints of a love story. On top of all that, questions about her parents especially about her father will come to light and be scandalous to both her and her sister.

Last Dance Before Dawn is truly a heart palpitating conclusion to a wonderfully written series about the jazz era and what it was like to live back then as women, some of whom were on the good side of the law and others not so much. It will satisfy the reader with all the unanswered questions, and prove that even back then, women could be strong, smart and cunning.

Thank you #NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #KatharineSchellman #LastDanceBeforeDawn for the advanced copy.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not how I envisioned this series would end, and that turned out to be a good thing. This book grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let me go. And I loved getting to imagine each characters future for myself. However, I do not recommend reading this book as a standalone. Not only are the previous books in the series really good, but they’re also necessary to this final books plot. Thanks to Minotaur Books for the ARC.

[Jeannine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of a series can be happy or sad…or both. I loved this conclusion and shed a few happy tears because of the beautiful way tye loose ends came together.

The series-long arc about Vivian and Florence’s father is dealt with. Interestingly and understandably, he ties into the main storyline.

The main story centers The Nightingale speakeasy as some gangsters are hunting a man named “Hugh Brown,” a bootlegger from Chicago. He’s a regular at the club, but none of the staff knows the name. Silence, the Bouncer, is murdered and the staff is on edge. Vivian works with all of her friends separately to figure out who Hugh Brown is…and the reveal is pretty stunning!

There are secondary storylines with Florence and Danny, Honor, Leo, and Bea. A whole lot is packed into a small package here and it’s a fun ride.

Vivian’s love life has been complicated from the beginning as she has drifted between Leo and Honor. I personally had a favorite by the end of the third book and I was excited to see my favorite making plans with Vivian for the future in this one.

I’m sad it’s over, but I know I’ll be rereading this series over and over in the future. Though I was given an ARC, I’ve already ordered my personal copy!

[Alicia Schaper · Rating 4 out of 5]

# Grateful for the Opportunity to Read This ARC!

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read this advanced reader copy! I have truly adored this series and have grown more attached to the characters with each installment.

Last Dance Before Dawn* immerses you in the story alongside its characters, with captivating details and unexpected twists that certainly do not disappoint. While I am saddened that the series has reached its conclusion, it wrapped up beautifully! I cherished the storyline, although it felt like it ended all too soon!

[Danielle B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice way to wrap up this series -I definitely think this is my favorite of the 4. Vivian is intimidated early on by a guy looking for someone no one’s ever heard of. As the plot thickens, it seems that everyone at the Nightingale is connected and everyone is just trying to stay alive. Some, however, aren’t successful. Who is buddy buddy with the crime boss and who isn’t is the question you have to ask yourself in this book! Will Viv and Florence get some closure on the family they so desperately seek, and if so, will it be worth the wait?

The plot twist of the series happened in the final chapters of this series and I loved it. Leo was always one of my favorite side characters!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great ending to a four book series and one that I’m so happy to have read! I loved the era of 1920s New York City, with its underground speakeasies the diverse characters, and the shadowy figures and bosses lurking around the corners. This is a series you will want to read in order to appreciate the back stories and histories that make up this world. I was hooked from the first book and always looked forward to the next release. Book for wrapped up things in the best way and came to an explosive ending that left me very satisfied and happy with the way things turned out. I will definitely miss these characters and the excitement they bring. I recommend this series highly to those who enjoy good crime fiction with well developed characters that don’t want to get sucked into a lengthy series.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story. Nice ending to the series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This final book in The Nightingale Mysteries series was indeed a thriller. New characters were added and known characters were present. The history of this jazz age period continued to unfold. The conclusion was somewhat evident, even before the end. However there was a twist at the end that surprised me. I love Schellman's writing style. The dialogue and vocabulary brings the jazz age to life. If you want to read this series, it is my opinion that it is important to begin with #1.

[Ann’s Book Chronicles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Location: New York City, NY, USA 🇺🇸

Conclusion: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I liked this 4th and last book in the series a lot! Vivian really was centre stage in this one as a female main character and I liked that a lot for the last book. Even Honor was more participating this time and I was here for that! She is a great paring for Vivian as female leads and they benefited the story and the end a lot. I like Katherine’s writing and this book was just as good as the last. I like that loose ends get tied and no question is left, at least for me. All in all a very recommendable series if you like the 1920s and historical fiction mysteries.

Characters:
- Vivian: took centre stage this time and it was great. She outsmarts all other characters and I liked that.
- Leo: again acted a sidekick this time and I like that he was part of this story. He is smart and kind.
- Honor: 1920s business woman par excellence - I love how she doesn’t allow to be messed with.

What I liked: that the story got nicely wrapped up in this last book.

What I disliked: nothing much, maybe the ending was a little fast.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed in this review are my own. (AD-PRODUCT)

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last Dance Before Dawn is the fourth and final book in the Nightingale Mysteries cozy mystery series. Set during the height of the 1920s, it follows working girl Vivian as she works by day as a delivery girl for a dressmaker and by night as a waitress at a speakeasy, and gets herself tangled up in murder mysteries along the way. In this last book, everything neatly ties back to the beginning, answering a few unanswered questions, resolving the love triangle Vivian finds herself in, and bringing in key players from past books. It’s a bittersweet ending, but it’s also lovely to see just how far everyone’s come.

There’s never a dull night at the Nightingale, with new faces always showing up. One in particular catches Vivian’s eye. He doesn’t quite fit in, and it doesn’t help that he’s asking for a Hugh Brown, certain that someone at the Nightingale must know him, because a crime boss from Chicago, Harlan O’Keefe, is looking for him. Of course, no one at the Nightingale knows a Hugh Brown, but that doesn’t stop O’Keefe from taking a strong and deadly stance with the Nightingale’s staff in order to get his guy. So of course Vivian takes it upon herself to both find this Hugh Brown and protect the people she loves most. At the same time, she and her sister Florence make strides in discovering what happened to their late mother’s body and who their father is, and the answer is more tangled up in Vivian’s case than they expect.

There’s a lot going on in this novel, and sometimes it was a little too much. There’s the mystery involving Hugh Brown, the discovery of Vivian and Florence’s father and the effect that has on everything, changes happening within the Nightingale partly because of the current mystery and partly because it’s time, and the cautious dance between Vivian and Honor. This being the last novel in the series, it has a lot to resolve in addition to dealing with an entire mystery, but I did like how it all tied together. It was mostly neat and tidy, and sometimes it felt overly complicated with some parts of the story getting more page time than others. I also felt like things were sped up a little too much, and I felt like I was taking a dive into something that should have taken a few more books to play out. But I did enjoy the way it ended, and I like the feeling that these characters just quietly went back to their daily lives and things are playing out the way they’re supposed to.

I really did like how all the pieces fit together to form a whole. Each plot was linked to everything else, and it’s so deftly done. At the same time, I thought they linked up a little too quickly and a little too conveniently. I was disappointed that all the little clues just seemed to light up in the narrative. It was so easy to pick up on all of them, so I was a bit let down when I figured out all the key pieces before Vivian did. I could even predict what she was going to do next with that information. I’m not sure if it’s just because Vivian’s become this predictable after three books or if the dropped clues were just that glaringly obvious. But it was nice to be able to focus on all the other details because I’d already solved each puzzle.

Though the story often felt a little bloated and predictable, I did enjoy it. There’s a great deal of emotion in this one as everyone’s lives were upended. Vivian feels things very deeply here, and I really liked how it affected her throughout the story. The changing relationship between her and Honor, while I thought it evolved really fast considering their history in a previous book, was really lovely, and I loved how much they allowed themselves to feel, their pull to each other stronger than all the big and small betrayals from the past. Then there’s Florence’s new family, one that’s adopted Vivian as well, and the things they’ll go to protect their own. It’s fierce, and fascinating, and I just loved how much everyone has come together to form a family, whether it’s Florence’s in-laws or the Nightingale’s staff. It’s lovely to see how far they’ve come and how close they are.

Last Dance Before Dawn really took me into the 1920s, and I loved every moment. While the story felt a little too burdened with things and the characters perhaps a touch more emotional than I’m used to, I really loved this world. It felt real to me, and I loved how it balanced the sparkling upper crust and how they took part in the illicit, and how the poorer working classes found their own ways to indulge and forget for a night. I loved seeing the daytime and the nighttime, and the way LGBTQ relationships were viewed back then was really nicely woven in. There’s subtle prejudice, but I liked how the characters rose above it.

As the final book in the series, Last Dance Before Dawn really managed to wrap things up and offer a beautiful future to all the characters. It was nice to see some old faces and meet some new ones. It’s bittersweet, and I sometimes wonder just how much Vivian will manage to stay out of trouble, but it was fantastic to see how each book built towards this conclusion. Vivan has really grown, and it was wonderful to get to know her. This was a fun book, if sometimes a little too stuffed, and I’m sad to say good-bye to everyone, even if I think they all ended up much better off than where they started.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last Dance Before Dawn is the fourth and final book of Katharine Schellman's exciting historical series Nightingale Mysteries. I'm really heartbroken that this is over! It's much better to read the series from the beginning, else you may be a bit confused if you don't know what transpired in previous books. That being said, I unfortunately didn't get to read book three, but I had no trouble following along. This was the best book of the series! I'll miss it, but at least it went out with a bang!

In 1925 in Manhattan, Prohibition is in full swing. Vivian Kelly has made a home and family for herself at the Nightingale speakeasy. Everyone there has secrets to keep, but no one really cares there. They are, after all, looking to leave their secrets and the real world behind. A stranger from Chicago shows up looking to settle old scores, and Honor Huxley, the speakeasy's owner, sends him on his way. However, that stranger was just a warning. People who have made the Nightingale their refuge are being followed and hunted. And it won't end until he solves a mystery that's been cold for many years: a missing girl, a young man out for revenge and a truck full of cash that disappeared when a job went dreadfully sideways. Vivian wants to protect the people she loves, and begins to dig up the past to keep them safe. But will she remain safe if those secrets are revealed? Now that she has a family, she has so much more to lose!

Out of all the ways I saw this series ending, I certainly didn't see any of this coming! Maybe I would have had a clue if I read the previous book? Would I have? Vivian and Florence Kelly were orphans who grew up in an orphanage; they knew their mother had died, but had no idea what had happened to their father. Florence had been doing research on their father. A good amount of the book dealt with that issue; it was tied wonderfully to the storyline of the man who was threatening all who were a part of the Nightingale. Who was this Hugh Brown the stranger and his goons were searching for? This part of the book, when all was revealed, had me totally gobsmacked! I was not expecting THAT! This was such an outstanding series, but it was the characters who had me coming back. Vivian and her sister Florence worked at a dress shop, but at night Vivian served at the Nightingale and filled in when short a bartender. Being there - and dancing, which she so loved - made her the most happy she'd ever been. For the first two books I was not crazy about Honor Huxley. There was attraction between her and Vivian, but I just didn't trust Honor; she would manipulate Vivian. However, I really grew to like her here; maybe it was because she revealed a tender side of herself. I was rooting for another character for Vivian, but I think where that ended up was a good thing. I really liked sister Florence who married Danny Chin, the head bartender and Honor's right-hand man. They just had an adorable baby named Mei. It took me a while to warm up to Florence, but I liked Danny from the first book. I absolutely adored Beatrice (Bea) Henry, aka "Beatrice Bluebird", a Black woman who sang at the club and was Vivian's best friend. My favorite character, however, has always been Leo Green, a bootlegger who I thought was going to have a grand romance with Vivian. I was wrong on that count! New character "Mr. Quinn" was a revelation. And the goons were perfect bad guys you loved to hate. This last book of the series and its characters have made this one of my favorites so far this year. I'm going to miss the Nightingale!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[C.R. Comacchio · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s for an ARC of this novel to read and review.

When you find a book series you love, it’s very hard to come to terms with the fact that you are reading its final installment. You’re not prepared to concede that you’ll never again read about new developments in the lives and loves of your favourite characters. That’s especially true when the characters are so well-written, and their lives and loves so well-drawn. This is the case for Katherine Schellman’s cast at the Nightingale, a smoky, music-filled speakeasy in Jazz Age New York City.

In this final outing for Vivian Kelly, the female lead, much has changed, including Vivi herself. She is still tight with her older sister Florence, now happily married to bartender Danny, with a beautiful baby girl, and living above his family’s Chinese restaurant. For the orphaned Kelly girls, the warmhearted Chin family is as much of a family as they’ve ever had. Their mother had left their father abruptly when Florence was a toddler and Vivian not yet born. When she died shortly after giving birth, they were raised in the local Catholic orphanage, trained as seamstresses, and let into the world to fend for themselves as teenagers. No one knew what had become of their father.

That longing to know follows them through the previous three novels and they manage to get to the truth in this one. Their father, by a strange twist in circumstances, is not only closer than they thought, but also unwittingly involved in some of the same channels. The situation gets dangerously close to ‘be careful what you wish for.’

Getting into further detail regarding those circumstances would reveal too much of the main mystery, which, in the way of serials, never strays far from the Nightingale and its beautiful, and shrewd owner, Honor Huxley. A ruthless Chicago mobster will stop at nothing to find a mystery man known as Hugh Brown who once worked for him. He suspects Honor knows him, but she won’t cooperate. Her own faithful men and their families are threatened, including that of Bea, known as Bluebird, their enormously talented singer. Vivian is also threatened, and Danny and Florence fear for their lives and their baby’s.

The pressure on Honor intensifies as men disappear or are found brutally killed. Then they use someone especially important to her as leverage. Her relationship with Vivian has also evolved, pivoting from attraction through distrust and back, through the earlier books. It continues, frustratingly, much the same way here until Vivian makes a decision that precipitates both loss and gain, the closing of some opportunities and the stirrings of others.

Once again, the author does a lovely job with the historical setting, especially concerning the Nightingale, which is ‘home’ to so many of the city’s outsiders. Although the Nightingale was exactly the kind of place where ‘acting out’ and dropping masks could comfortably happen, in an atmosphere of illicit booze, tobacco smoke, the latest and most daring music and fashion, much of what went on there was confined to its crowded floors and tables. That included the love between women, and between couples of different cultures and races. The tensions are very real.

Of course, even a clever author can’t fix those tensions without denying history. Schellman doesn’t try to glide over the hatreds that keep them going, and how they constrain even attempts to bridge the gaps. What she does really well is to show that, for those who choose love over glory or even safety, there is hope. The ending was done in an intelligent and ultimately believable fashion, but many of us wish the Nightingale saga could just go on.

[Beth Peninger · Rating 5 out of 5]

United States Publication: June 17, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

It's nearing the end of 1925, and Vivian is finally feeling safe after almost landing in prison for the rest of her life six months ago. Since discovering the real culprit and breaking things off with Leo, she's become an Aunt and continued to make plans for her future. She's unsure if her future will unfold as a delivery girl for the dressmakers, but she's certain to find a way to ensure her future includes the Nightingale. The club, both the physical building and its patrons and coworkers, is like family. When a thug dressed up as Fifth Avenue money comes into the Nightingale looking for Hugh Brown, Vivian and her co-workers can honestly say they have no idea who that is. But he doesn't believe them and decides the staff and owner of the Nightingale need the squeeze put on them in order to cough up what they know about Hugh Brown. Except nobody has ever heard of Hugh Brown. With a two-day deadline to hand over Hugh Brown to this thug, Vivian and Honor feel the pressure of finding this Brown character, getting his side of the story, and then deciding what to do. Meanwhile, Flo and Viv's efforts to locate anyone who knew their mother have finally yielded some results, and their meeting with their deceased father's sister, Ruth, is a peculiar and unsettling interaction that leads to a surprising revelation. The clock ticks down on the two-day deadline, and Flo and Viv grapple with the revelation of newly discovered family, the future becomes uncertain, and Vivian knows that unless someone does something drastic, the fight for a future will be for naught.

A great final book in an excellent series. Schellman wrapped up several proverbial loose threads with this title, giving Vivian and her sister a way to move forward regarding their past, present, and future, restoring happiness to Leo - who was nursing a twice-broken heart, allowing the Bluebird to glimpse a future where she coould spread her figurative wings through her singing, and giving Honor a partner in life and business. I devoured this final title, truly did not put it down until it was finished. I have zero complaints with it. I really enjoyed the arc Schellman took Vivian through in these four books. I loved how she tackled some taboo topics for the 1920s and brought historical accuracy to them, without allowing them to be hidden under the guise of political correctness. Historical fiction is historically (pun most definitely intended) hard for me to grasp and enjoy, but Schellman succeeded in capturing and maintaining my interest and attention for a series set in the mid-1920s. I loved it. It was clear that she had done her research and brought it to life to the best of her ability, and, in my opinion, she was incredibly successful. I highly recommend this series.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last Dance Before Dawn by Katharine Schellman is a fantastic read.

Will Vivian learn to trust before it is too late?

Vivian Kelly
Our sleuth and main character is Vivian Kelly. Now that her sister is married off and has a baby, Vivian is somewhat lost and lonely. She just isn't feeling the thrill of life like she was. Vivian misses Florence, even though they don't live that far away from each other. It must be hard when the only family you have ever known grows up and makes their own family.

Vivian has so much growth in this story. She truly finds her own happiness, yet also experiences so much heartache. I was so thrilled that she found her happiness and her place in the world. The choices that she makes won't be easy either, but at least she knows what she wants and isn't afraid this time to go for it.

The heartache that Vivian and Florence go through is horrible. Yet it sounds like the two of them are resilient and are moving forward.

The Mystery
Mr. O'Keefe is back in town, and he isn't messing around. He wants Hugh Brown, but no one really knows who Hugh is. O'Keefe doesn't care, and they had better find this man or else. One of their friends was killed. Then they find their father is in town, but it isn't the happy reunion that the girls hoped for. I have to say that I felt so sorry for Vivi and Flo. They want a family so bad, but they need to look at the one that has already chosen them.

Five Stars
My rating for Last Dance Before Dawn by Katharine Schellman is five stars. This is the last installment in the series, and I couldn't be happier with the ending. The author brings so much authenticity to this series. I could run around the Nightengale at night with the lights off and still know my way. This is such a fabulous series, please check it out, Pal. I think you will love the descriptions, characters, and mysteries that Ms. Schellman came up with.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Last Dance Before Dawn by Katharine Schellman.

Until the next time,

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Last Dance Before Dawn is the fourth historical mystery featuring the prohibition era jazz club The Nightingale written by Katharine Schellman. Released 17th June 2025 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a well written historical cozy(ish) mystery with an ensemble returning cast of characters and based on a fictitious New York City speakeasy during prohibition. There are a number of gender-fluid, bi-, and otherwise non-traditional presenting characters which was nice to see. The cast is also racially diverse and the story is blissfully without "token" representations. It might not be, strictly speaking, historically accurate, but it was refreshing to read. Other than the kindly wishful anachronistic diverse cast, the book seems to do a good, relatively accurate job with the official/police and political corruption of the time.

Despite being the last book in the series, it works well enough as a standalone, and the main mystery is resolved in this volume. Additionally the overarching interrelationships are left in a stable and mostly satisfying denouement. The language is fairly accurate to the period and adds a lot to the read. It should be noted that the characters do develop over the series and there are references to events from the earlier books which will be spoilers if read out of order (nothing super major, but they're there).

The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of 10 hours, 11 minutes and is well narrated by series narrator Sara Young. She has a warm and rich clear alto voice and does a good job delineating the widely varied accents of a range of characters of all ages and both sexes including elderly and young voices. Sound and production quality are high throughout the recording.

Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[boogleloo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars: This is the fourth entry in Schellman's Nightingale Mysteries series which is a 2SLGBTQIA+ Historical Mystery that takes place in New York 1925 and follows an underground speakeasy and dance hall waitress and dress shop assistant who turns sleuth after a stranger from Chicago shows up at the club looking to settle old scores. With more to lose than ever before, she'll find herself digging into the dirt of the past – a missing girl, a boy out for revenge and a truck full of cash that disappeared in a job gone horribly wrong – and she'll have to work fast to protect the people she loves. With plenty of twists and turns, Schellman has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Smart and witty, Schellman's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's great to catch up with Vivian (Viv) and her friends and family. She's a tough and tenacious woman determined to live her life as she wants. And I have to say I appreciate Viv's struggle to choose between her romantic interests, Leo and Honor, and applaud her for following her heart. It's also evident Schellman pays attention to the historical details with plenty of research. I love the exploration of the 2SLGBTQIA+ lifestyle and the struggles minorities faced, including interracial marriage, (Viv's sister Florence is married to a Chinese man). With tact and sensitivity, Schellman touches on some tough topics; so take care and CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Last Call at the Nightingale. This is a great finale to an awesome series; highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

[Lisa Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last Dance Before Dawn is the last book in Katharine Schellman's terrific 1920's set mystery series set in and around the nightclub known as the Nightingale.

Over 4 books, we've grown to love the crew at the Nightingale - Viv, our protagonist, waitress and sometime sleuth; Honor, the aloof, competent bar owner (and possible love interest for Viv); Bea, Viv's best friend and chanteuse extraordinaire (aka Beatrice Bluebird); Florence, Viv's straight-arrow sister, now navigating motherhood; Danny, charming bartender and Florence's husband; and Leo, all-round mysterious guy, nephew to the police commissioner and one-time love interest for Viv. This bunch are a racially, economically and sexuality mixed group, and they are in many ways each other's chosen family.

This being the final book in a strong series, there are a lot of ends to be tied up. Somehow, Schellman manages that without leaving anything feeling forced. Viv and Florence get some closure around their family history, though it may not be in the form they would have chosen. Viv and Honor and Leo have to figure out if they're a triangle or not. And somehow, people have to figure out who the mysterious Hugh Brown is. I did not figure it out quickly, which I always think is a good sign. As ever, there's an unexpected twist or two in the resolution - again, something I enjoy as a reader.

Schellman always does her homework, and that means that her books genuinely make you feel like you are hanging out with the denizens of a 20's speakeasy in New York. She raises big issues within the stories - poverty, racism, sexism, homophobia - but not ever in a way that feels forced. These are stories of people living their lives as best they can. 4 stars and a tear or two to be leaving the Nightingale for the last time.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the e-arc.

[Kiaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th and last book in a rich and captivating series set in Jazz Age NYC. The Nightingale is a popular speakeasy whose owner, Honor Huxley and staff have formed their own “found family”. The central character is Vivian…a young woman who loves to dance and the jazz music that allows her to escape the crime, poverty, racism and corruption that surrounds her everyday life. As orphans, Viv and her older sister Florence have long for information about their parents and are thrilled when they receive a letter from a woman who they learn is their Aunt. Through her, they finally meet their long lost father, Clyde Quinn who turns out to have unfatherly interest in Vivian and her friend Leo Green. A gangster, Quinn’s boss is the ruthless and murderous crime lord O’Keefe. The O’Keefe gang has returned to NYC from Chicago in search of revenge against a guy named Brown, who is secretly, Leo Green. Quinn uses his connection to the girls to appease his boss in finding Brown. A “rat” at the Nightingale has told O’Keefe that Brown has been seen there…thus setting up a murderous confrontation between O’Keefe and Quinn with Vivian and Honor. There are subplots about a number of other character and they all fit seamlessly together to bring emotional and satisfying endings to all their stories. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC of this book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vivian Kelly has finally found a sense of home at The Nightingale, a glittering speakeasy where secrets are left at the door. But when a stranger arrives with ties to a dangerous past, Vivian is forced to confront buried truths to protect the people she loves. As threats close in and old mysteries resurface, she realizes that some secrets don’t stay hidden forever—and this time, everything she’s built is on the line.

This book was such a great mix between mystery/thriller and historical fiction, and of course with an added touch of romance. I enjoyed experiencing the 1920's through Vivian's eyes. Her determination to solve the mystery was compelling and sucked me in as a reader. Her character was also very witty and a little snarky and I enjoyed that way too much. I did not read the previous 3 books, and while I don't think it's needed to enjoy this story to it's fullest, I really wish I would have because I enjoyed this one so much. I will definitely be going back to read them.

The side characters in this story were just as enjoyable to read about as Vivian was. I especially liked Leo and Honor and all that their characters added to the story. The plot was just as good, and the mystery aspect was fun and made this a real pager turner, and the 1920's was portrayed pretty well in the context of the story. I definitely recommend this one!

Rating: 3.5/5
Spice: 1/5

Tropes:
LGBTQ+ Rep
Found Family
Family Trauma
Secret Identities
Strong & Bold FMC

Thank you to Minotaur Books, Katharine Schellman, and Netgalley for this eARC. All thoughts are my own.

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Nightingale is open for business once again in the fourth novel of Schellman's Prohibition murder mystery series. Vivian, Bea, Honor and the rest of the well loved employees of the Nightingale are in trouble once again and are fighting time in order to determine which mobster or bootlegger is after the money this time. Part historical fiction, part romance, the characters are well established at this point but some of their "secrets" aren't exactly being hidden as well making the reader skeptical of the emotional depth of these people.

One of the major flaws I saw in the novel was Vivian's new found confidence. Her take charge behavior came off more reckless than necessary and made her "street smarts" seem like just plain luck. It was irksome in my opinion. While this last installment was more gangster driven than Schellman's last three novels, it's conclusion was satisfactory and gave justice to the employee's of the Nightingale.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this novel.

[books_with_sass · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are back with Vivian and the gang at the Nightingale. When a man with a reputation for not taking no for an answer comes in asking about Hugh Brown, Vivian and Honor are clueless as to who he's looking for. But Harlan O'Keefe is sure that they know more than they're saying, and he's giving them two days to come clean. Vivian and Honor will have to keep their wits about them with a mobster on their tail, a new bartender with secrets of his own, and an unexpected guest at the Nightingale. When the restaurant that Florence and Danny live over with their baby, Mei, and Danny's family gets broken into, there's no way to know if it's connected to O'Keefe and Hugh Brown or not. But Vivian has to figure it out fast before time's up.

This was just what I would expect from a book in this series. Great characters, wonderful world building, and some red herrings. Pretty much everything that a reader would want is tied up nicely with a bow.

All in all, this is a great ending to the series (although I'm sad to see it go!). If you like a historical fiction story with queer characters and an interesting mystery, definitely read this series.

[Jessica Samuelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this conclusion to the Nightingale mystery series. Vivian has come a long way since first stumbling into the not-so-legal side of the city. It’s been fascinating to follow her adventures living on the edge between respectability and scandal. The stakes were very high in this one. I liked how tidbits from past books found their way into this one.

This is a great series. I love the LGBTQ+ representation in a Roaring Twenties setting. Vivian deals with a lot of high-powered people on a regular basis—from the police commissioner to the owner of the dress shop to criminal masterminds. I love that several of these people are women, especially those involved in NYC’s criminal underbelly. These women are very good at what they do and it’s fascinating to see all their machinations play out.

Note: This is the fourth and final book in the Nightingale mystery series. This story builds off the previous books, so it is best to read them in order. Book 1 is Last Call at the Nightingale.

Romance Steam Rating: Gentle Simmer [1.5 out of 5] (Closed Door/Fade-To-Black)

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ADORE this series! The mysteries, the roaring 20s ambiance, the engaging characters, HONOR HUXLEY? I have been obsessed since book one. And as sad as I am that this series is over, this was the perfect conclusion. The mystery was so tied to so many of the characters present throughout the series that it felt like the perfect mystery to end on! And the twists and turns kept me constantly on my toes. Plus the chemistry between all of the characters was incredible. And we cannot forget the epic sapphic romance that has been brewing for the entire series. I love the Nightingale club and all of these characters so much. If you enjoy a historical mystery with the perfect amount of romance, you absolutely must pick up this series! After obsessing over this series, I think I need to pick up Katherine Schellman's other books very soon!

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old mysteries and missing money.
Sorry as I am to know that this is the end of a wonderful series, I truly enjoyed this book. The characters have always been vibrant and engaging, the world building all too believable, the activities and attitudes reflective of the time. I loved each of the books, but this is the best and was built upon the others.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected digital galley from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you! Pub Date Jun 17, 2025
#LastDanceBeforeDawn by Katharine Schellman @katharinewrites #TheNightingaleMysteriesBk4
@stmartinspress @minotaur_books #HistoricalMysteries #CrimeFiction #QueerFiction #Pride
#prohibitionera #Bookstagram #historicalmystery #CrimeFiction #gangsters #sapphicromance #NYC #bootlegging #angst #thriller #suspense #dancehall #secrets #extortion #lostandfound

[Teresa (blewballoon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid conclusion to the series. I may have found this one a bit more predictable than the others, but that could be because I knew the series was ending and I had an idea how things were probably going to wrap up. Vivian's character journey throughout the books is a bit of a squiggly line, but she consistently throws herself in the face of danger for just about anyone and her deductive reasoning isn't bad. Hopefully she'll have more stability and less reason to take so many risks in the future. Mixed feelings about how Leo's story went. I wonder if I would have preferred if he just quietly exited the story after the last book, but maybe in a way Vivian will get to be a kind of aunt to two children.

Content Warnings:
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Blood, Murder, Alcohol
Minor: Gun violence, Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual harassment

[Patti Procopi · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I have to say that I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I don't usually go for a book that is 4th in a series but I had actually read the first 3 Nightingale Mysteries so I was thrilled when I got the 4th!
These are very well researched with good characters that you care about. The stories take place at an illegal nightclub during prohibition. The main character, Vivian Kelly, is a poor girl who starts going to the club at night to drink and dance and forget about her life for a while. Unfortunately she seems to be the kind of girl who gets involved in murders! And she charges pell-mell into things trying to solve the crimes.
This is the last book in this series which makes me kind of sad but at the same time, it was well wrapped up which I like. Hate those dangling endings. RECOMMENDED.

[Scilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vivian meets a new man from Chicago at the Nightingale. He is not very nice, and wants to know where Hugh Brown is. The next day Florence and Vivian get a letter from the woman who claimed their mother's body who wants to meet them. They soon find out that she is the brother of their father and she tells them that he is dead. However, Vivian later finds he's very much alive. She also finds out that Silence (the man on the door at the Nightingale has been killed. The man who was looking for Hugh Brown doesn't give up. He is still looking, and Vivian needs to be very careful where she goes and that she has someone with her. Then Vivian finds that her friend Leo went by the name Hugh Brown. The book gets very exciting near the end when Vivian arranges to get together with the Chicag0 man, Leo, Vivian, and a bunch of police get together.

This is a very exciting book! I thank Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC so that I could read the book before publication.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I really liked this book.
Back in the days of prohibition and Speakeasys, Vivian is a worker at the Nightingale. She meets some shady but powerful characters, who are looking to find a mystery man to "settle a score". This puts Vivians family (her sister, brother-in-law, and their baby) in danger. Her boss, Honor, is quiet and unassuming, and knows who the mystery man is, and seeks to protect him.
If I had one negative thing to say (therefore a 4/5 rating) it would be that there were too many characters in the book, and I found myself "taking notes" so I could recall them all and put the pieces of the mystery together. This is the first Nightengale mystery I have read, and I enjoyed to.

[Daria · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the final book in a 4-book series, Last Dance Before Dawn may be difficult for newcomers to the series to understand. Many of the primary characters appeared in former books, so the series is best read in order to understand all of the background and relationships. Vivian, the heroine of the series, is a fascinating character: brave and loyal, but also reckless and foolhardy, she makes use of her network of contacts to figure out how to save The Nightingale, the club where she works, from a gangster who is convinced the club's employees are hiding someone. The author brings Jazz Age New York to life. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the eARC.

[Roxx Tarantini · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final book in this series, this was the first of Schellman's works I've read. And I WILL be going back to read the others!

In Vivian, Schellman has created an intricate character. At times naive and trusting, she's also exceedingly brave and fiercely loyal. As her story unfolds, you are swept away by the obstacles she battles while trying to save The Nightingale and her determination to succeed.

A good read for a quiet afternoon

[I was fortunate to receive a pre-publication of the book thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur books, with no expectation to review. all comments and opinions are entirely my own and given freely.]