A Poisonous Silence

Deadly Twenties #2

by Jenny Adams

When a film star is poisoned in Prohibition-era Philadelphia, private investigator Edie Shippen is on the case in the second Deadly Twenties mystery, perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn and Rhys Bowen.

Philadelphia, 1921. Edie Shippen has officially started her new career as a private investigator…even though she has yet to book a client. When she runs into an old friend, the film actress Ava Sylvester, Edie is delighted at the chance to rekindle their relationship. But when Ava’s co-star and new husband, Duncan, dies suddenly, all signs point to Ava. Edie’s first official case begins in earnest, desperately trying to clear her friend’s name.

Gilbert Lawless has carved out a peaceful existence as a coroner’s assistant. The last thing he wants is to jeopardize his position by involving himself with Edie Shippen. But when the body count racks up, Gilbert finds himself drawn into Edie’s investigation on the set of Philadelphia’s most famous film studio, where everyone seems to have something to hide.

As the cameras roll, Edie and Gilbert race to catch a poisoner before one of them ends up being the next body in the morgue.

With a glittering Roaring Twenties backdrop, Jenny Adams sets the stage for the second charming book in the series for fans of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries and Dead Dead Girls.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Adult, Mystery Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Historical Mystery

288 pages, Paperback

Published May 6, 2025

About the author

Jenny Adams has always had an overactive imagination. She turned her love of books and stories into a career as a librarian and novelist. She holds degrees in Medieval Studies and Library Science from The Ohio State University and Drexel University, and currently lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her family.

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not aware this was the second book in a series but I enjoyed it very well as a stand alone.

It is set in 1921 in Philadelphia in the prohibition era. The main character, Edie Shippen, is a financially independent young lady who works as a P.I.,- not to make money as she has plenty, but to help people in trouble. Gilbert Lawless is a coroner's assistant with rather too many personal issues who ends up helping Edie in her work.

In this story a film star is murdered on set and Edie's friend, Ava Sylvester, is the chief suspect. Edie and Gil work together to find out who is really responsible. There is a lot of attraction between the two but Gil is one of those heroes who thinks too much about right and wrong and keeps causing difficulties in their relationship.

Prohibition is a great setting for murders and mystery, with gangsters, clubs with illegal activities and an inefficient police force. I thought the use of a coroner's assistant rather than a detective as Edie's partner was original and it worked well. The characters were good, the mystery interesting and there were plenty of red herrings to keep this reader occupied. Four stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[JoJo_theDodo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little mystery that contained a whole lot of variety including romance. I liked the settings of old Hollywood sets and speakeasies. Enjoyable story, not sure I’m invested enough in the characters to continue reading the series though.

[Maria Tureaud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, yes, YES!!! I loved this one from start to finish and I can't wait for the next book from Adams!

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher

Edie Shippen is now a private detective, but business is slow and she hasn't even had a solid case to investigate. This all changes when she runs into an old friend, Ava, who is now a movie star. Their reunion is cut short however when Ava's new husband, and costar, dies after being poisoned making her the prime suspect. This is not the only case of poisoning in the city, Gil Lawless has already seen two while working at the morgue. He's still recovering from the events of the previous book and would like to keep his nose clean and out of trouble. However, all three murders seem to be related, and Eddie and Gil won't be able to stay away from each other or from danger.

Another fun addition to this series! I enjoy reading about Edie's adventures because they're entertaining and have a good balance of tension and warm feelings. It's very much a detective book in the way of cozy mysteries, so while there are some stakes the core is mostly the characters and their relationships. Edie is still fun and vivacious, but she does come off as more mature than last book, meanwhile Gil is steady and focused yet more open to his feelings. The ensemble cast is back, characters like Lizzie and Marco make an appearance, plus some new minor ones that I'm presuming will get more developed as the series grows.

When it comes to the mystery this one was harder to solve than the previous one, that one was just too obvious. I liked the challenge and the twists it took but I felt the ending was a bit too rushed and needed a couple more pages of denouement, plus it hinged on a key piece of evidence that we only got near the end. Still, I loved the chemistry between Edie and Gil, and that kept me going even when the mystery wasn't my cup of tea at the end. Interesting set up there at the end for the next book, I'm glad the series is continuing and I will be reading for sure.

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars rounded up.

This book was like someone poured me a giant shake of things I'm not going to like. You know - take some of this, add some of that, throw in some of this, shake it up, and pour. Too many bits and pieces that have nothing to do with the mystery are added to this book. Yes, it did have a twist at the end; I liked that part, but this is common with these sorts of mysteries.

It could have been great as a mystery minus all the side stories, although they did finally blend somewhat. I mean, we deal with PTSD, Drugs, Mafia, migraines, mild lesbianism, love, a whole slew of main characters and secondary/tertiary characters, and many other things besides several people being killed by poisoning. Cyanide specifically.

Perhaps it would have helped me like this book more had I read the first in this series, but if this book is anything to go by, I think not. I found it to be a tedious read, with nothing in it to make me like the characters or to even lose myself in the time period.

Others have liked this book, so I would suggest you take my opinion for what it's worth and go by your instincts.

*ARC provided by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, the author, and NetGalley.

[Just Blue Through Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and to Crooked Lane Books for the ARC of A Poisonous Silence by Jenny Adams.

What an excellent sequel in the Deadly Twenties Mystery series! I'll admit I've felt a bit discouraged lately in the historical fiction cozy mystery genre, what with Deanna Raybourne and Andrea Penrose each only putting out one book annually, Kate Belli's Gilded Gotham series being placed on hold for a fifth book, Ashley Weaver's Electra McDonnell series coming to a close in May 2025 -- the field has felt a bit empty lately and I really needed something to fill the void. Adams certainly delivered with A Poisonous Silence - I think it was even more successful and entertaining than the series opener, A Deadly Endeavor. New readers definitely do want to start there, as you will miss critical pieces of the character relationships/connections without it.

A Poisonous Silence kicks off roughly four months after the events of A Deadly Endeavor. Gilbert is just returning to field work as a coroner, and Edie has her first official case as a Lady Detective. The rough side to both of their situations? They haven't spoken since the events of the first book have greatly strained their relationship - both finding it difficult to move forward due to the risks they previously encountered. That being said, both have done some personal work on themselves in the intervening months - Edie with a focus on helping women, and Gilbert focused on his mental wellness and non-drug related treatments for his PTSD. Luckily for fans, their paths cross again when both their newest cases end up being about the same man murdered by cyanide. From there it's another fast-paced adventure to find the killer and to understand their motive to stop them before they hurt more people, or, if they have it their way, start a gang war that will put many of Edie and Gilbert's loved ones in the crossfire.

When I read A Deadly Endeavor, I noted it felt a bit predictable -- A Poisonous Silence has strengthened Adams mystery skillset, and this book kept me guessing until the last pages (like the *hopefully* third book will focus on that cryptic ending!).

Fans of Edie and Gilbert will also be pleased with how their relationship progresses - I know I was. Though, the only reason I did remove a star was because some aspects of this felt quite rushed, where one instance either of them would say something unnecessarily cruel, and then a few sentences later they had moved past it without any real processing of the underlying issue. I wish there was a bit of a deeper dive into both of their feelings and intentions with each other - they have both done such fantastic progress on their own personal selves that it seemed sad to have them not really give the same consideration and conversation to each other, even when things were moving along happily.

I also really enjoyed the setting of the story, and I think Adams has done a great job of really setting that 1920s time and place. There was a lot on prohibition, on the influence of the New York 400, etc. that really made this feel well-researched and specific. My review of A Deadly Endeavor compared it to Belli's New York setting, and I truly think Adams has captured a time and place no others are competing with, making this book a great choice for anyone looking for a new foray into historical fiction cozy mystery settings.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the mark of a good writer is often seen in book two of a series. In book one, the author has put in everything – every twinkly, sparkly element they’ve had in mind forever. When it works, it’s magical. Jenny Adams’ debut, A Deadly Endeavor, was just such a beginning. Excellent, rich, main characters, interesting setting, and good storyline. In this book, the second in her series, she proves her chops, with a more focused plot line and continuing the development of her main characters, who are estranged as the book opens.

The story follows Philadelphia socialite Edie Shippen, and a war veteran/doctor suffering from what we would now recognize as PTSD, Dr. Gilbert Lawless. Gil has recently given up a dependence on morphine and taken up boxing to still the demons he wrestles with. It’s 1921, and he served in WWI. Gil is also the widowed father of a young daughter, who lives with his parents.

The hook: Edie has set up shop – after her shenanigans in the first book – as a private detective, thinking she will be handling lost dogs or missing jewellery. Instead, a woman appears at her door looking for justice regarding the poisoning death of her neighbor. She’s sure the wife is guilty of the crime. Coincidentally, this is the same death Gil was called in on to investigate in his job as coroner. While Edie isn’t quite sure she’s up to a murder, she sets out to solve it anyway. When another death occurs, and the two men appear to be linked through the mob bosses they worked for, the murders begin to draw unwelcome attention from the bosses.

It’s the third death that’s a puzzle. Edie had been at a party with Gil when her long time friend Ava, an actress, announces her marriage to her leading man. She invites Edie to watch the filming of her movie – Romeo and Juliet – when the leading man is struck down during filming, an apparent poisoning.

These are the crimes that kick off the story, and the threads that draw Gil and Edie back together. Gil is holding himself somewhat aloof from Edie, thinking to himself he can romance a “fine” girl at his work, but the attraction between Edie and Gil is a powerful one, and this novel certainly has elements of romance throughout. With her lively story telling style and romantic elements, Adams reminds me very much of Ashley Weaver, whose Amory Ames series wrapped up in 2020. If you’re a fan of that series, check out these books.

As Gil and Edie get closer to a solution the threads of their lives converge. Edie’s history with Ava, and her employment of Gil’s sister as her assistant, come to the fore, as does Gil’s history with the neighborhood “boss,” Tommy, who makes no bones about wanting to know how his man was struck down. I thought the solution was pretty ingenious. What stays with me about this series, though, are the main characters of Edie and Gil, who are human and relatable with all their flaws and virtues. Adams also has a knack for pacing, which is not as common as you might think.

This series looks to be settling in for a long run, and I very much look forward to seeing what Edie and Gil get up to in the next book.

[S Mille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Adams
Pub Date May 06, 2025 | Crooked Lane Books

Philadelphia, 1921: While heiress Edie Shippen has become a private investigator, she has done more shopping than actual investigating. Her first case is from a woman who suspects her neighbor murdered her husband, a death that the police suspect is natural. When she finds out the coroners involved in the case are her assistant’s brother and her sort of friend Gilbert Lawless, she immediately decides to take the case. Gilbert helped her perviously but was injured. That injury coupled with PSTD from World War I had kept him sidelined, doing desk work until this case. It’s not exactly stated, but one gets the impression Edie is perhaps more than interested in Gilbert as a friend, while Gilbert is probably more interested in avoiding Edie. However, when she shows up at the office to question to question Marco and Gilbert, she manages to rope him into taking her to a party being thrown by a film company to celebrate their latest film as an old friend of Edie’s is one of the guests of honor of the party. Things quickly go sideways a few days after the party when the other guest of honor when her old friend’s new husband is killed during a scene, poisoned by a prop. Incidentally, the method of death happens to be the same as the neighbor in Edie’s first case. Edie is ready to jump in to the investigate, but Gilbert isn’t - he’s been warned about being involved in Edie’s cases.

I enjoyed this book even though it felt like it was as much a slow burn romance between Gilbert and Edie as it was a mystery. There was lots of backstory about Gilbert’s deceased first wife, his efforts to raise his young daughter and provide a better life for her and some about Edie’s family, too.

The is the second book in the Edie Shippen - Gilber Lawless series after 2024’s A Deadly Endeavor.. I think it works as a standalone as I hadn’t read the previous one and still enjoyed it. However, while there wasn’t any explicit spoilers about the first book, there were enough that you could probably figure out the guilty party was. If you’re highly sensitive to spoilers, I’d recommend reading the first book in the series before reading this one.

Highly recommended - I’ve add the first book in the series to by TBR list. I received a copy of this book through NetGalley.Com which I voluntarily reviewed.

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Jenny Adams’ A Poisonous Silence is a fizzy cocktail of Jazz Age glamour and slow-burning dread, shaken with a twist of poison and served in a coupe glass rimmed with secrets.

Set in 1921 Philadelphia, the novel follows Edie Shippen, a whip-smart private investigator with a socialite’s pedigree and a reformer’s heart. When her old friend Ava Sylvester—now a rising film star—becomes the prime suspect in her husband’s on-set poisoning, Edie’s first official case turns personal. What begins as a favor to a friend quickly spirals into a labyrinth of studio politics, gangland grudges, and buried betrayals.

Adams excels at atmosphere. The film studio is a character in itself—equal parts dream factory and snake pit—where every spotlight casts a shadow and every actor wears more than one mask. The prose is crisp and evocative, with just enough period detail to transport without overwhelming. Think Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries meets The Thin Man, but with a sharper feminist edge.

What truly elevates the novel is the dynamic between Edie and Gilbert Lawless, a coroner’s assistant with a haunted past and a reluctant hero’s heart. Their chemistry crackles, not just romantically but intellectually, as they navigate a case that’s as much about identity and reinvention as it is about murder.

A Poisonous Silence is the second in the Deadly Twenties series, but it stands confidently on its own. It’s a mystery that respects its readers’ intelligence, a historical novel that doesn’t romanticize the past, and a character study that lingers long after the final page.

If you’re drawn to mysteries where the stakes are personal, the setting is sumptuous, and the silence is anything but empty—this one’s worth the listen, the read, or both.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Deadly 20's series, and I didn't read the first. However, that did not take away from my enjoyment of this book. There is, of course, some back story that is eluded to here that I am missing, but it didn't detract overly much from the story. I would recommend reading them in order if you can, though.

Edie and Gilbert are both extremely likable main characters. She is feisty and determined while he is steadfast and loyal, but together, they make the perfect detecting team even when they don't want to admit it. I like the dynamics between them and hope that they continue to grow in their relationship. The side characters are also intriguing, and I appreciate that even those that seem like villains maintain an element of humanity and morality.

The crime here is also done well, and I found myself trying hard to determine the culprit right along with our sleuths. I did happen to get there before them, but that was okay. I enjoyed the suspense that, while certainly present, was not overpowering and did not detract from the mystery as it can sometimes do. It placed this book squarely in the mystery genre, as opposed to thriller, with just enough intensity to keep me turning pages.

I'll definitely be going back to pick up the first book in this series and look forward to future books as well.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sophomore effort in an historical mystery series was every bit as good as its predecessor...probably a little better as we already had the background set up, and I felt more invested in the characters and plotline.

This one centers around the 1920s film industry and features poison as the weapon of choice. Both the mains, Edie and Gil, are seen to be striving to overcome some issues in their lives, and I must say it's a bit refreshing to watch characters who have roadblocks in their lives reaching to heal/care for themselves.

We continue to see Edie in her quest to become a "modern" woman as she begins her private investigator endeavor, and Gil is a revelation as a man beset by past demons who is striving to become both a better caregiver/assistant coroner. Both are compelling in their own ways, but together they are a solid, intelligent team.

There's some humor and obviously some suspense, and even though I had figured out the villain from the cast of suspects, I didn't feel let down or have a "I told you so" moment. Rather I just enjoyed the ride to its conclusion.

I'm excited to see where this series leads and look forward to future Edie and Gil adventures.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing the free early arc of A Poisonous Silence for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

[Khansa Iram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: A Poisonous Silence is an emotionally resonant and cleverly layered novel that blends psychological tension with quiet, haunting grief. Jenny Adams crafts a story that is as much about what’s left unsaid as what is spoken — and it’s in those silences where the book truly shines. The protagonist is both vulnerable and sharp, pulled into a mystery that unravels at a pace perfectly suited for the atmosphere of suspense. The emotional weight of grief and personal trauma is handled delicately, without melodrama, making the characters feel raw and real. Adams writes prose that is both subtle and evocative, frequently conveying the mood of a scene in a single line. What stood out most was the strong sense of place — the settings are painted with such emotional texture that they become characters themselves. The story moves with deliberate restraint, which some readers might find slow, but for those who enjoy introspective thrillers, this approach will feel deeply satisfying. A minor drawback is that a few side characters could have been more fleshed out. Still, this doesn’t take away from the compelling central narrative and emotional payoff at the end. In short: This is a slow-burning, thoughtful mystery that lingers in your mind long after the final page. Ideal for fans of literary suspense with a psychological edge.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is 1921 Philadelphia and Edie Shippen has set up shop as a private detective. She expects to help women find their missing pets or lost jewelry but her first client is a woman asking for help to prove the murderer of a man she watched grow up is his wife. When a second man dies in a similar fashion, Edie and Dr. Gil Lawless are convinced the deaths are related. The both worked for a local mob boss. But when a third man, a movie star in town to shoot a film is found dead using the same poison, everyone is convinced, yet trying to figure out how they are connected. Leave it to Edie to make the connection, but finding the proof is another matter.
I completely enjoyed this second book in the series. The relationship between Edie and Gil is progressing while Lizzie is finding her own. Frances is still recovering from the mayhem in book one and is off to Paris to regain her bearings. Grandmama played only a minor role in this book much to my delight. The twists and turns of the plot were excellent and certainly kept me guessing until the end. I am hoping this series has a long long life if these first two books are any indication of what it will be.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 out of 5
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC
Like others, I read book #2 without having read book #1 - touted as perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn, who I really like, but this book let me down.
I didn't like the protagonist - I realize she's trying to shed years of being a spoiled rich girl, but it just didn't convince me. The friends to lovers + second chance tropes were really transparent, and while I understand that most women expected to marry in the 20s, I thought that the romance part was really forced.
While all the loose ends got tied up at the end, I thought that it was a bit deus ex machina, and felt that the narrative would have benefited from some streamlining. I think, as well, that the author is using a dump of 'popular ideas' of what the 20s were really like to the extent that a lot of the set pieces seem like they were just imported from diCaprio's Gatsby..
Fine for anyone who just wants to read another period piece, but I won't go out looking for the next instalment. YMMV.

[K McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second entry in what promises to be a great series is just as interesting and well-done as the first. This one picks up a few months after the last ended. It could be read as a stand alone, but some of the interactions and references will make more sense if you have read the first. Edie and Gilbert find out that what look like separate murder cases that they are investigating are in fact connected, and the cases prove to involve both two local crime families and a movie studio. The cases are interesting and well constructed, and the relationship between Edie and Gil is compelling as Gil continues to struggle with tragedies from his past. The 1920s Philadelphia setting works well, as do the supporting characters from the first book. I’m already looking forward to the next one. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

1921 Philadelphia and Edie Shippen is trying to establish herself as a private investigator. She hasn’t got a single client but when an actress is poisoned, Edie along with Lizzie is on the case. When her friend Ava appeals to her, to help her as she is thought of as a murder suspect, Edie puts caution to the side. Along with her friend and a romantic interest, Gilbert Lawless from the coroners office, Edie and Gilbert have to tread carefully. Apart from the body count increasing, Gilbert finds that he is bringing the wrath of the mob on his family and they will stop at nothing to protect their own.

The setting of the theatre with its own double standards where women were concerned, what was considered proper for society women like Edie and the chasm that separates Edie and Gilbert who was just a ordinary middle class guy. Characterization was spot on, there were plenty of blind ends to follow, Prohibition added to the story.

[Lindsay Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous historical mystery and romance from Jenny Adams! God I could not love Edie and Gilbert more!

This second installment in the Deadly Twenties series follows a string of poisonings in jazz-age Philadelphia. Newly minted private investigator Edie and coroner’s assistant Gilbert are thrust together once more to track down a killer.

Jenny never disappoints with her mystery plotline—meticulous and clever!—but the real star of this book is the two main characters (and their sizzling romance!). The purity of the yearning in this book knows no bounds. Edie is the ebullient, big-hearted woman that earnest, gunshy Gilbert needs in his life. It’s a perfect partnership, an exquisite love story that drives these two closer and closer to each other as they track down the trail of a killer.

I couldn’t love these book or characters more. A Poisonous Silence is the most delightful romp of suspense, heart, and heat—Jenny Adams never disappoints!

[A Reader's Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a harrowing end to the first book in this series, Edie and Gil have both recovered physically and are back on the job; Edie is now a PI, and Gil is back at the morgue. When a series of poisonings disrupts a new movie that's being filmed and threatens the fragile peace between warring gangs, Edie and Gil are in a race against time to find the culprit.

I adored the first book in this series, and this one is no different. Edie and Gil are well developed characters, and the secondary characters are interesting and three dimensional. Although the actual mystery is fairly straight forward (a series of poisonings), the interplay with Edie and Gil's personal lives really helps rachet up the tension, and I definitely couldn't put the pieces together early. Moreover, Edie and Gil grow in this book both separately and together, and I hope we get to see them in another installment!

5/5 stars.

[callistoscalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 Book Review 📖 It may have been a year since we first met Edie and Gilbert in A Deadly Endeavor, but A Poisonous Silence picks up only a few short months after the end of the first installment in the Deadly Twenties Mystery series. While I do genuinely believe that you could pick up this as a standalone, the first book is so good and adds so much depth to the characters, I highly recommend a visit to your local library or independent bookstore ahead of reading this one to enhance the whole experience! If you are intrigued by the roaring twenties, Prohibition, old Hollywood films, and murder mysteries with an intelligent and strong female lead , then this one is definitely for you! Jenny Adams has done it again with a deliciously clever gem of historical fiction!

[Daria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complicated mystery in which Edie Shippen tries to solve a series of poisonings. Gangsters and the brand-new movie industry also make appearances. Edie works closely with Gil, a coroner from an Irish immigrant family well below Edie's social status. The details of life in 1920s Philadelphia are fascinating, and the author does a good job developing the characters (Edie is more mature in her actions) and their relationships. "A Poisonous Silence" is the second in a series, and it may be difficult for a new reader to understand all of the relationships and characters' back stories. Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars so rounding up. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sick with the flu, I was glad to have this advanced copy to keep me company! The second in a series with Masterpiece Classic vibes, this did not disappoint! I was a big fan of the first book, and Gil and Edie were just as dashing and enjoyable to read about in this book. The plot was twisty and I loved learning more about all the characters. Jenny Adams writes beautifully, and the atmosphere and history is so rich!

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane for an early copy of this ebook. Opinions are my own.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Private investigator Edie takes on her first case when a film actress’s husband is murdered, all signs pointing to her friend. As the body count rises, she and a reluctant coroner’s assistant must solve the mystery before they become the next victims.

This is a fun and entertaining cozy mystery with a romantic subplot. While it can be read as a standalone, it would be better to read the series in order. The humor and character relationships add dimension to the mystery plot.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Sven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just as enthralling as book 1. Edie and Gilbert are just amazing together. He thinks he made a mistake before and does not want to repeat it. She is just so independent and wanting to matter that she subtly pushes him to give more. Their tentative bond gets tested multiple times with all the murder, mystery, and mayhem surrendering them. I have my hopes and cheers up for them to make it together.

#netgalley #APoisonousSilence

[Avril Hemingway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prohibition is a bit of a different setting for a murder mystery series.. The era allows the opportunity to includes things like gangsters and clubs with illegal activities. I also liked that Edie's partner in solving the mysteries wasn't a detective for a change. This is book 2 and I didn't realise this and hadn't read Book 1 but didn't feel this hindered my enjoyment of this one. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Poisonous Silence was incredible! Jenny Adams truly knows how to weave suspense and emotion together flawlessly. I was hooked from the first chapter and found myself thinking about the characters even when I wasn’t reading. Her writing has only gotten stronger with this second book, and the twists kept me on edge in the best way. Highly recommend to anyone who loves a story that grips your heart and your mind. Can’t wait to see what she writes next!

[JoAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book begins in Manayunk a few years after the end of World War I. Many place names from the Philadelphia area follow. The characters shop at Wanamaker’s, go to the Reading Terminal Market to get Bassets ice cream, and travel the River Drives to Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy. The characters and the mystery are interesting enough, but my rating is actually based on my familiarity with all locations as I have lived in the Philadelphia area for much of my life.

[Mike K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely done. I know all the areas mentioned in the book and Jennytreats them accurately. She has a good knowledge o Philadelphia at that time. The plot and characters are well done. I didn’t know about the first book, but I have to find it and read it.
I look forward to the next installment.

My apologies!! Apparently I read this a year and a half ago and gave it 5 stars. I can only blame my 78 year old memory, which gets me in a lot of trouble. I still have to go back and read it again.

[M. Stevenson]

An excellent follow up to the first in the series! I loved the glimpses into film and queer history and the mystery kept me guessing until the climax. Also, it looks from that ending like we may be lucky enough to get more in this series?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

[Librarian D.o.a.]

1920s Philadelphia continues to charm in the second Deadly Twenties Mystery. A film set featuring a version of Romeo and Juliet is the scene of a cyanide poisoning, following the deaths of local gang members who have also been poisoned. How could the murders be related?

[Amanda Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cracker from Jenny Adams. I love Edie and Gil, their dynamic is so tender and beautiful, with moments of playfulness and whimsy. Great mystery to solve, too. Loved the movie set setting!! And the way Jenny weaves through such intimate historical moments.