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The Girl in the Green Dress
From the author of The Lindbergh Nanny comes an evocative mystery about the 1920 murder of the gambler Joseph Elwell, featuring New Yorker writer Morris Markey and Zelda Fitzgerald.
New York, 1920.
Zelda Fitzgerald is bored, bored, bored. Although she’s newly married to the hottest writer in America, and one half of the literary scene’s "it" couple, Zelda is at loose ends while Scott works on his next novel, The Beautiful and the Damned.
Meanwhile, Atlanta journalist Morris Markey has arrived in New York and is lost in every way possible. Recently returned from the war and without connections, he hovers at the edge of the city’s revels, unable to hear the secrets that might give him his first big story.
When notorious man-about-town Joseph Elwell is found shot through the head in his swanky townhouse, the fortunes the two southerners collide when they realize they were both among the last to see him alive. Zelda encountered Elwell at the scandalous Midnight Frolic revue on the night of his death, and Markey saw him just hours before with a ravishing mystery woman dressed in green. Markey has his story. Zelda has her next adventure.
As they investigate which of Elwell’s many lovers—or possibly an enraged husband—would have wanted the dapper society man dead, Zelda sweeps Markey into her New York, the heady, gaudy Jazz Age of excess and abandon, as the lost generation takes its first giddy steps into a decade-long spree. Everyone has come to do something, the more scandalous the better; Zelda is hungry for love and sensation, Markey desperate for success and recognition. As they each follow these ultimately dangerous desires, the pair close in on what really happened that night—and hunt for the elusive girl in the green dress who may hold the truth.
Based on the real story of the unsolved deaths of Joseph Elwell and New Yorker writer Morris Markey, Mariah Fredericks’s new novel is a glittering homage to the dawn of the Jazz Age, as well as a deft and searing portrait of the dark side of fame.
New York, 1920.
Zelda Fitzgerald is bored, bored, bored. Although she’s newly married to the hottest writer in America, and one half of the literary scene’s "it" couple, Zelda is at loose ends while Scott works on his next novel, The Beautiful and the Damned.
Meanwhile, Atlanta journalist Morris Markey has arrived in New York and is lost in every way possible. Recently returned from the war and without connections, he hovers at the edge of the city’s revels, unable to hear the secrets that might give him his first big story.
When notorious man-about-town Joseph Elwell is found shot through the head in his swanky townhouse, the fortunes the two southerners collide when they realize they were both among the last to see him alive. Zelda encountered Elwell at the scandalous Midnight Frolic revue on the night of his death, and Markey saw him just hours before with a ravishing mystery woman dressed in green. Markey has his story. Zelda has her next adventure.
As they investigate which of Elwell’s many lovers—or possibly an enraged husband—would have wanted the dapper society man dead, Zelda sweeps Markey into her New York, the heady, gaudy Jazz Age of excess and abandon, as the lost generation takes its first giddy steps into a decade-long spree. Everyone has come to do something, the more scandalous the better; Zelda is hungry for love and sensation, Markey desperate for success and recognition. As they each follow these ultimately dangerous desires, the pair close in on what really happened that night—and hunt for the elusive girl in the green dress who may hold the truth.
Based on the real story of the unsolved deaths of Joseph Elwell and New Yorker writer Morris Markey, Mariah Fredericks’s new novel is a glittering homage to the dawn of the Jazz Age, as well as a deft and searing portrait of the dark side of fame.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2025
206 people are currently reading
14560 people want to read
About the author
Mariah Fredericks
26 books683 followersMariah Fredericks was born, raised, and still lives in New York City. She graduated from Vassar College with a degree in history. She is the author of the Jane Prescott mystery series as well as The Lindbergh Nanny, which Nelson DeMille called, "a masterful blending of fact and fiction that is as compelling as it is entertaining." The Wharton Plot, was named one of the best mysteries of 2024 by Library Journal. "An Edith Wharton scholar could read Ms. Frederick’s novel with profit and amusement."—Wall Street Journal. Her next novel, The Girl in the Green Dress, featuring Zelda Fitzgerald and New Yorker writer Morris Markey, is out September 2, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 315 reviews
October 7, 2025
4 ⭐️
The Girl in the Green Dress is a historical mystery that blends two real-life crimes: the 1920 murder of gambler Joseph Elwell and the 1950 murder of journalist Morris Markey, who, in this story, had written articles connected to Elwell’s case.
As he begins investigating Elwell’s murder, Markey meets Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald. With Scott focused on his new novel and Zelda growing restless, she joins Markey in trying to uncover the truth behind the case.
I love books like this that send me down Google rabbit holes wanting to learn more. In this case, I found myself looking up Zelda Fitzgerald, Morris Markey, the real-life murders, and the American Protective League, all of which I wasn’t familiar with before reading.
The author’s note is essential, as it distinguishes between the factual and fictional elements of the story, which I greatly appreciated. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Mariah Fredericks, who did an excellent job bringing the story to life.
Available now. Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for my audio ARC.
The Girl in the Green Dress is a historical mystery that blends two real-life crimes: the 1920 murder of gambler Joseph Elwell and the 1950 murder of journalist Morris Markey, who, in this story, had written articles connected to Elwell’s case.
As he begins investigating Elwell’s murder, Markey meets Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald. With Scott focused on his new novel and Zelda growing restless, she joins Markey in trying to uncover the truth behind the case.
I love books like this that send me down Google rabbit holes wanting to learn more. In this case, I found myself looking up Zelda Fitzgerald, Morris Markey, the real-life murders, and the American Protective League, all of which I wasn’t familiar with before reading.
The author’s note is essential, as it distinguishes between the factual and fictional elements of the story, which I greatly appreciated. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Mariah Fredericks, who did an excellent job bringing the story to life.
Available now. Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for my audio ARC.
August 24, 2025
Mysterious. Detailed. Intriguing.
The Girl in the Green Dress takes a look at an unsolved murder in 1920 of a gambler named Joseph Elwell. The case is real as was the protagonist in this tale Morris Markey. Markey was a reporter who eventually wrote for the The New Yorker. Zelda Fitzgerald the vivacious enigmatic wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald is included as a character. The author's note clears up fact from fiction because a lot of the story is fictionalized. However, many key players in the case and details are true. Markey lives across the street from the victim and is on the scene soon after the body is discovered. He is drawn to investigate and produce articles about the case as it unfolds.
The story is a slow burn mystery that unfurls its clues among the debauchery that was prevalent in the '20's. The red herrings are plentiful and there are many possible motives. The deeper Markey digs into the case the more intriguing it becomes. I thought the characterization of Zelda during this early time in her marriage was fantastic. The author showed the highs and lows of Zelda's moods. It was easy to see that she suffered from mental illness. She was used in the story to help Markey gain access to parties and people that probably wouldn't have talked to him otherwise. Markey worked in the Red Cross during WWI and he's written with symptoms of PTSD although it isn't named due to the time period. I liked that we see two people who are struggling, but they are still pushing on in this quest for answers. Markey's own death is explored in the epilogue which was eerily similar to Elwell's.
I listened to the audio version narrated by Marnye Young who brought these characters to life.
If you're a fan of intricate mysteries and the 1920's this is definitely one to check out.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing an ALC for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Girl in the Green Dress takes a look at an unsolved murder in 1920 of a gambler named Joseph Elwell. The case is real as was the protagonist in this tale Morris Markey. Markey was a reporter who eventually wrote for the The New Yorker. Zelda Fitzgerald the vivacious enigmatic wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald is included as a character. The author's note clears up fact from fiction because a lot of the story is fictionalized. However, many key players in the case and details are true. Markey lives across the street from the victim and is on the scene soon after the body is discovered. He is drawn to investigate and produce articles about the case as it unfolds.
The story is a slow burn mystery that unfurls its clues among the debauchery that was prevalent in the '20's. The red herrings are plentiful and there are many possible motives. The deeper Markey digs into the case the more intriguing it becomes. I thought the characterization of Zelda during this early time in her marriage was fantastic. The author showed the highs and lows of Zelda's moods. It was easy to see that she suffered from mental illness. She was used in the story to help Markey gain access to parties and people that probably wouldn't have talked to him otherwise. Markey worked in the Red Cross during WWI and he's written with symptoms of PTSD although it isn't named due to the time period. I liked that we see two people who are struggling, but they are still pushing on in this quest for answers. Markey's own death is explored in the epilogue which was eerily similar to Elwell's.
I listened to the audio version narrated by Marnye Young who brought these characters to life.
If you're a fan of intricate mysteries and the 1920's this is definitely one to check out.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing an ALC for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 1, 2025
Based on a true story, this intriguing and well-crafted historical fiction mystery kept me thoroughly engaged and entertained. While utilizing the real-life characters of Joseph Elwell a gambler and bridge teacher to the social elite and Morris Markey a young aspiring newspaper journalist, the author intersperses the larger-than-life personalities of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Readers are given a vivid and captivating look into the Roaring Twenties and the beginning of the Jazz Age in New York City while trying to solve a murder.
Under the watchful eye of Markey, the life of Elwell the murder victim is slowly revealed, unfolding like flowers in spring. As time moves on, the branches of the investigation become more and more complex. Zelda introduces Markey to the extravagant lives of the rich and famous, along with continuous wild parties and a wide array of suspects, including the girl in the green dress who was one of the last people seen with Elwell.
The writing and plot arc of this story flowed seamlessly, settling on a climactic final conclusion. This book reminded me of A Killing on the Hill by Robert Dugoni. I would recommend this book to historical fiction fans who are also mystery lovers, as well as readers who enjoyed this author's previous book, The Lindbergh Nanny.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press-Minotaur Books for a digital ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Under the watchful eye of Markey, the life of Elwell the murder victim is slowly revealed, unfolding like flowers in spring. As time moves on, the branches of the investigation become more and more complex. Zelda introduces Markey to the extravagant lives of the rich and famous, along with continuous wild parties and a wide array of suspects, including the girl in the green dress who was one of the last people seen with Elwell.
The writing and plot arc of this story flowed seamlessly, settling on a climactic final conclusion. This book reminded me of A Killing on the Hill by Robert Dugoni. I would recommend this book to historical fiction fans who are also mystery lovers, as well as readers who enjoyed this author's previous book, The Lindbergh Nanny.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press-Minotaur Books for a digital ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 5, 2025
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Jazz age NYC, F. Scott & Zelda - it’s a party. The war is ending and so is the siege of Spanish Flu; time to roar in the 1920’s!
It’s a bit unusual but got me invested to start with, author, Mariah Fredericks, begins the book with the ending. To be perfectly honest, by the time I finished the book, I had completely forgotten about it. It’s only a chapter long in 1950 and then we are set back 30 years to 1920 and find Morris Markey bemoaning his professional status in comparison to that of F. Scott Fitzgerald. He’s at a party and having girl trouble. This 21 year old, transplant from Atlanta, is also looking for a story to establish himself as a reporter extraordinaire. He NEEDS a story.
Markey gets his wish when his neighbor is murdered. It’s here the book title comes into play as he observed a woman wearing a green and silver dress entering Joseph Elwell’s apartment the night before. Elwell is rich, handsome, drives a fancy car, has race horses, plays cards and invests successfully in the stock market. Finding his killer will be the story Markey needs to establish himself at The Daily News.
For the first ten chapters, author, Mariah Fredericks, keeps the action moving at a rapid pace. Markey investigates and partners with Zelda Fitzgerald to open society doors. I was tuned in and looking forward to a rollicking good time solving this closed house murder mystery that’s loosely based on historical events and figures.
Once Markey is convinced to solve the murder, not just report on it, there’s a notable downshift in energy. I’m crediting some of that to the discovery process, including character development, but IMO, there are too many scenes and secondary characters that aren’t needed. A good editor could tighten up the storyline and give readers an experience that’s more in keeping with the main characters and their lifestyles.
Zelda and Markey are an intriguing partnership with F. Scott making only a few, but important, appearances. Both characters struggle with mental health issues that are veiled by social status, behavior, job expectations, other people and the minutiae of daily life.
Slightly above cozy level, THE GIRL IN THE GREEN DRESS is a good read for those interested in 1920’s NYC, Historical Mysteries and Fiction or Literary Adjacent Fiction. Sexual and Violent content is a very soft PG, maybe even G. Language is PG containing a smattering of soft expletives and only 1 participled f-bomb, to which I ask the author, Why? SMH…📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, via Kindle, with thanks
Jazz age NYC, F. Scott & Zelda - it’s a party. The war is ending and so is the siege of Spanish Flu; time to roar in the 1920’s!
It’s a bit unusual but got me invested to start with, author, Mariah Fredericks, begins the book with the ending. To be perfectly honest, by the time I finished the book, I had completely forgotten about it. It’s only a chapter long in 1950 and then we are set back 30 years to 1920 and find Morris Markey bemoaning his professional status in comparison to that of F. Scott Fitzgerald. He’s at a party and having girl trouble. This 21 year old, transplant from Atlanta, is also looking for a story to establish himself as a reporter extraordinaire. He NEEDS a story.
Markey gets his wish when his neighbor is murdered. It’s here the book title comes into play as he observed a woman wearing a green and silver dress entering Joseph Elwell’s apartment the night before. Elwell is rich, handsome, drives a fancy car, has race horses, plays cards and invests successfully in the stock market. Finding his killer will be the story Markey needs to establish himself at The Daily News.
For the first ten chapters, author, Mariah Fredericks, keeps the action moving at a rapid pace. Markey investigates and partners with Zelda Fitzgerald to open society doors. I was tuned in and looking forward to a rollicking good time solving this closed house murder mystery that’s loosely based on historical events and figures.
Once Markey is convinced to solve the murder, not just report on it, there’s a notable downshift in energy. I’m crediting some of that to the discovery process, including character development, but IMO, there are too many scenes and secondary characters that aren’t needed. A good editor could tighten up the storyline and give readers an experience that’s more in keeping with the main characters and their lifestyles.
Zelda and Markey are an intriguing partnership with F. Scott making only a few, but important, appearances. Both characters struggle with mental health issues that are veiled by social status, behavior, job expectations, other people and the minutiae of daily life.
Slightly above cozy level, THE GIRL IN THE GREEN DRESS is a good read for those interested in 1920’s NYC, Historical Mysteries and Fiction or Literary Adjacent Fiction. Sexual and Violent content is a very soft PG, maybe even G. Language is PG containing a smattering of soft expletives and only 1 participled f-bomb, to which I ask the author, Why? SMH…📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, via Kindle, with thanks
August 25, 2025
This is an entertaining, beautifully written, historical fiction mystery novel which is based on actual persons and events. It has an engaging, intelligent male protagonist who is an investigative reporter, murder, an intriguing mystery, wit, a touch of humor, twists and turns, and a satisfying conclusion. The delightful Zelda Fitzgerald is well portrayed. A list of works consulted is appreciated, and the author's notes are interesting and enlightening. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, Ms. Fredericks, and NetGalley, who provided me with an advanced reader copy of this fabulous novel. This is my honest opinion.
August 21, 2025
New York, 1920, a young journalist, Morris Markey, becomes interested in the murder of gambler, Joseph Elwell, and his amateur sleuth assistant, who is none other than writer Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Gosh, this premise sounded intriguing, and it was based on some historical fact. But the portrayal of Zelda Fitzgerald was not what I expected- she comes across as pixieish and just a silly gal. Morris was an interesting character, and maybe this should have been called his mystery, since he was the central character in the novel. It is also through his eyes that we have most of the story. Also, I couldn't help but get this feeling that it was Nick Carraway and Daisy ( characters of The Great Gatsby) that were found on the page and not the real people it was meant to focus on.
Expected Publication o2/09/25
Goodreads Review 21/08/25
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Gosh, this premise sounded intriguing, and it was based on some historical fact. But the portrayal of Zelda Fitzgerald was not what I expected- she comes across as pixieish and just a silly gal. Morris was an interesting character, and maybe this should have been called his mystery, since he was the central character in the novel. It is also through his eyes that we have most of the story. Also, I couldn't help but get this feeling that it was Nick Carraway and Daisy ( characters of The Great Gatsby) that were found on the page and not the real people it was meant to focus on.
Expected Publication o2/09/25
Goodreads Review 21/08/25
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 4, 2025
The Girl in the Green Dress explores the true mystery set in 1920s New York, involving the unsolved murder of the gambler Joseph Elwell.
Morris Markey arrives in New York to become a writer, and is searching for a story that would give him his big break. He happens to live across from Joseph Elwell and witnesses Joseph entering his building with a gorgeous woman dressed in a green dress. Shortly after, Joseph’s murder is announced by a screaming housekeeper. Morris skillfully makes his way inside Joseph’s house before anyone else to gain as much information as possible.
Morris approaches the Fitzgeralds as they were the last ones to see Joseph alive, right before his murder. Zelda Fitzgerald is more than happy to join the forces with Morris as it gives her a purpose in her life which she feels is missing.
This story offers scenarios and methodical search through clues. It might be an engaging read for those who like delving into scenarios and analyzing them without much action or pace. The writing is quite descriptive.
The novel captures the vibrant atmosphere of the period with themes of fame and desire, the parties and overindulgences, the famous and yet troubled life of Zelda, and Markey’s PTSD.
Personally, I struggled to connect with the characters as I prefer deeper character-development. But on the other hand, it is a standard with mystery stories.
The story mixes real people and events with fiction, for example, Morris Markey and Zelda Fitzgerald never met. Personally, I prefer true stories to stick to the facts as much as possible. This is a huge mix of facts and fiction and is a personal preference.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Morris Markey arrives in New York to become a writer, and is searching for a story that would give him his big break. He happens to live across from Joseph Elwell and witnesses Joseph entering his building with a gorgeous woman dressed in a green dress. Shortly after, Joseph’s murder is announced by a screaming housekeeper. Morris skillfully makes his way inside Joseph’s house before anyone else to gain as much information as possible.
Morris approaches the Fitzgeralds as they were the last ones to see Joseph alive, right before his murder. Zelda Fitzgerald is more than happy to join the forces with Morris as it gives her a purpose in her life which she feels is missing.
This story offers scenarios and methodical search through clues. It might be an engaging read for those who like delving into scenarios and analyzing them without much action or pace. The writing is quite descriptive.
The novel captures the vibrant atmosphere of the period with themes of fame and desire, the parties and overindulgences, the famous and yet troubled life of Zelda, and Markey’s PTSD.
Personally, I struggled to connect with the characters as I prefer deeper character-development. But on the other hand, it is a standard with mystery stories.
The story mixes real people and events with fiction, for example, Morris Markey and Zelda Fitzgerald never met. Personally, I prefer true stories to stick to the facts as much as possible. This is a huge mix of facts and fiction and is a personal preference.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2025
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Sept. 2, 2025
Author Mariah Fredericks has a knack of retelling famous mysteries, putting her own spin on the well-known stories, such as in her novels “The Lindbergh Nanny” and “The Wharton Plot”. Her new novel, “The Girl in the Green Dress”, takes on the infamous F. Scott Fitzgerald, his wife Zelda, and the journalist Morris Markey, who end up investigating the death of infamous and notorious gambler Joseph Elwell. As a man known for having many, very public, affairs, any of the women could be responsible for Elwell’s death, not to mention any of the women’s husbands or family members who are seeking revenge. But when Markey’s life is threatened, his investigation takes him in a completely new direction and the outcome could have life-altering results.
The novel starts off with a prologue, several years ahead of the main plot, when an as-of-yet-unidentified man is found dead in his study, in an assumed suicide. Then, the story jumps back in time to a few years after the first World War, where Markey has just arrived in New York City, hoping to make his name as a journalist in the Big Apple. This becomes the main plotline, where Markey is the protagonist- a hefty, lumbering, single man who is hoping to find the love of his life while he scrounges for a story. Markey is likable and charming, pitiable even, and he is the most relatable character in the bunch. The epilogue of the story returns us to where the prologue left off, and the shocking connection between the two story lines is made.
Fredericks crafts a creative and engaging murder-mystery, set in the Roaring Twenties with F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, serving as prominent figures, making “Dress” an absolute page-turner. Most of “Dress” is based on true events, which makes it all the more interesting, and Frederick’s well-researched story line flows well. Although Markey is the main character, he features as background fodder to the remarkable and unforgettable Fitzgerald’s, which is an honest depiction of the power couple, who became the centre of attention in any crowd.
Frederick’s “Dress” is an immersive visit to 1920s New York, combined with a murder mystery (or three), with posh, eccentric characters and an intriguing and suspenseful plot. After reading both “Nanny” and “Wharton”, I was glad to read Frederick’s “Dress”. I very much look forward to seeing what real-life mystery she takes on next.
Expected publication date: Sept. 2, 2025
Author Mariah Fredericks has a knack of retelling famous mysteries, putting her own spin on the well-known stories, such as in her novels “The Lindbergh Nanny” and “The Wharton Plot”. Her new novel, “The Girl in the Green Dress”, takes on the infamous F. Scott Fitzgerald, his wife Zelda, and the journalist Morris Markey, who end up investigating the death of infamous and notorious gambler Joseph Elwell. As a man known for having many, very public, affairs, any of the women could be responsible for Elwell’s death, not to mention any of the women’s husbands or family members who are seeking revenge. But when Markey’s life is threatened, his investigation takes him in a completely new direction and the outcome could have life-altering results.
The novel starts off with a prologue, several years ahead of the main plot, when an as-of-yet-unidentified man is found dead in his study, in an assumed suicide. Then, the story jumps back in time to a few years after the first World War, where Markey has just arrived in New York City, hoping to make his name as a journalist in the Big Apple. This becomes the main plotline, where Markey is the protagonist- a hefty, lumbering, single man who is hoping to find the love of his life while he scrounges for a story. Markey is likable and charming, pitiable even, and he is the most relatable character in the bunch. The epilogue of the story returns us to where the prologue left off, and the shocking connection between the two story lines is made.
Fredericks crafts a creative and engaging murder-mystery, set in the Roaring Twenties with F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, serving as prominent figures, making “Dress” an absolute page-turner. Most of “Dress” is based on true events, which makes it all the more interesting, and Frederick’s well-researched story line flows well. Although Markey is the main character, he features as background fodder to the remarkable and unforgettable Fitzgerald’s, which is an honest depiction of the power couple, who became the centre of attention in any crowd.
Frederick’s “Dress” is an immersive visit to 1920s New York, combined with a murder mystery (or three), with posh, eccentric characters and an intriguing and suspenseful plot. After reading both “Nanny” and “Wharton”, I was glad to read Frederick’s “Dress”. I very much look forward to seeing what real-life mystery she takes on next.
May 13, 2025
Zelda Fitzgerald, the Jazz Age, and an unsolved murder in 1920s New York make for a scintillating mystery that kept me reading at pace from page one to the denouement. The era, the vividly drawn narrative and the beautifully imagined Zelda make for a splendid read. Series, please!
August 29, 2025
5 stars. What a fun and twisty historical crime mystery featuring the real life figures of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and the true unsolved crime of NY socialite Joseph Elwell. This tale takes readers to NYC in the 1920s during the dawn of the jazz age. Journalist Morris Markey pairs up with Zelda as amateur sleuths to investigate, and hopefully solve the case of Mr. Elwell. It’s quite the sordid affair with another murder following the first, many clues and various motives uncovered. Loved how Fredericks goes to great depth to give a real sense of Zelda Fitzgerald’s life at that time. Fitzgerald fans and crime/mystery readers are sure to enjoy this cat and mouse whodunnit. A fantastic story. Do recommend the audio! 📖🎧 Pub. 9/2/25
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2025
FULL REVIEW WILL BE ON SEPTEMBER 3.
It's the 1920s, and we meet Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Morris Markey, and Joseph Elwell.
We know Scott and Zelda, but learn about Morris and Joseph in this meticulously researched book by Ms. Fredericks.
Morris and Joseph were murdered in real life and Ms. Fredericks uses both men as the basis for her book with this gorgeous cover.
Historical fiction fans will thoroughly enjoy this book and will find themselves looking up information on both men as I did. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
It's the 1920s, and we meet Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Morris Markey, and Joseph Elwell.
We know Scott and Zelda, but learn about Morris and Joseph in this meticulously researched book by Ms. Fredericks.
Morris and Joseph were murdered in real life and Ms. Fredericks uses both men as the basis for her book with this gorgeous cover.
Historical fiction fans will thoroughly enjoy this book and will find themselves looking up information on both men as I did. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
June 30, 2025
The Girl in the Green Dress
By: Mariah Fredericks
After reading the authors book The Lindbergh Nanny, I knew I would be intrigued with this one.
The Jazz Age, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and a murder. I was all in. The author meticulous details of the era and story were spot on. I read in one sitting.
I look forward to her next one. Isn’t this cover stunning?
By: Mariah Fredericks
After reading the authors book The Lindbergh Nanny, I knew I would be intrigued with this one.
The Jazz Age, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and a murder. I was all in. The author meticulous details of the era and story were spot on. I read in one sitting.
I look forward to her next one. Isn’t this cover stunning?
April 23, 2025
Reviewed for Library Journal; full review appears there.
September 20, 2025
How gorgeous is this cover??? I love it!!! 💚 Thank you so much @minotaur_books #partner for my gorgeous gifted copy!! I don’t read alot of HF so I am really picky about which ones I do! I am so glad I read this as it was absolutely fascinating. 💚 I picked up with the audio when I was on the go and it also was fantastic!! Thank you @dreamscape_media 💚
1920… NYC… A new journalist with the NY Times moves in and he is looking 👀 for a hot story… and he finds it.. right across the street from his new residence. A very suspicious death… Joseph Elwell… still to this day.. unsolved… 😳
Joseph Ellwell was last seen with.. you guessed it.. a girl with a green dress 👗… Was she the murderer?? This starts a whole investigation with our newbie Morris Markey and an unlikely friend… none other than the wife of F Scott Fitzgerald!! Zelda..
I loved reading about everything about these two. The setting in the roaring 1920’s was amazing! It kept me not only guessing but highly entertained. I admit I ran to Google a ton of times.
The ending left me shocked! 😮 😳 I do love how the author wrapped it up for us. Perfection. 😉@mariahfredericks did an amazing job letting us know what was based on true events and what was not. However I still ran 🏃♀️to get more info!! It was extremely interesting.
1920… NYC… A new journalist with the NY Times moves in and he is looking 👀 for a hot story… and he finds it.. right across the street from his new residence. A very suspicious death… Joseph Elwell… still to this day.. unsolved… 😳
Joseph Ellwell was last seen with.. you guessed it.. a girl with a green dress 👗… Was she the murderer?? This starts a whole investigation with our newbie Morris Markey and an unlikely friend… none other than the wife of F Scott Fitzgerald!! Zelda..
I loved reading about everything about these two. The setting in the roaring 1920’s was amazing! It kept me not only guessing but highly entertained. I admit I ran to Google a ton of times.
The ending left me shocked! 😮 😳 I do love how the author wrapped it up for us. Perfection. 😉@mariahfredericks did an amazing job letting us know what was based on true events and what was not. However I still ran 🏃♀️to get more info!! It was extremely interesting.
November 9, 2025
A Jazz Age era real-life unsolved locked room murder and real-life figures blended with an effervescent fiction plot had me sitting up and taking notice. I’d heard of Mariah Fredericks’ historicals before and planned to read her stuff, but it was the idea of Zelda Fitzgerald as part of an amateur detecting duo that had me pulling the trigger (pun intended).
Morris Markey is driven to leave the southland for the bright glitzy life of New York City for the buzz of excitement that keeps his mind stuck back in the dark days of the war and, he if he wants his big break into the newspaper world, he has to be where its all happening. Frustratingly, he can’t quite get his big break circling the glamourous NYC scene on the edges with no real in. Then, his across the street neighbor gets popped in his own home with all the doors and windows locked and Markey knows for a fact an unknown woman in green dress left that house the night before. An opportunity doesn’t just happen, he makes it happen when he does some private investigating of Elwell’s house on his own.
Scott’s focused on his book and Zelda Fitzgerald is left at loose ends and seized by boredom. Oh sure, there are parties and wild spectacles to be had, but then a hungry reporter taps her to help get him in with the people surrounding Joseph Ewell and palling around with Markey to get the scoop and then crack the case has her grabbing the bubbly and stepping out on the hunt.
The Girl in the Green Dress was full of the lush, glam Roaring Twenties and the Bright Young Things celebrating life after the darkness of WWI. Daring Flappers, dashing men, and wealth on display in this NYC society setting, but also the sordid side of life and the effects of war on people who called it ‘shell shock’ or other terms long before PTSD, counseling and therapy came to be known. I appreciated all this set up and the careful attention to the characters that made the history genre as solid as the mystery side.
The murder victim had his fingers in many pies and Markey discovered that plenty of people had a reason to see the man dead. Then another murder happens. Fitzgerald appears a few times and Zelda is a means to ease Markey’s path, but this is very much Markey’s case to solve. There was a short prologue at the beginning dated decades after the main events of the story making me well aware of where things would eventually lead.
I also appreciated the author following up at the end to help explain what was fact and what was fiction. I’d heard a little in previous reading and of course reading the requisite F. Scott Fitzgerald book or two for class (including The Great Gatsby). Based on my limited knowledge, the characters seemed to be portrayed well. This seemed to standalone, but I enjoyed it so much and being in the world of The Great Gatsby that I wouldn’t mind if Zelda and Markey get a new murder to solve.
All in all, a sparkling world of light and dark, edgier dealings and a clever blend of the fiction with the reality of this unsolved crime. Charleston dance this one onto your reading stack.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer 10.27.25.
Morris Markey is driven to leave the southland for the bright glitzy life of New York City for the buzz of excitement that keeps his mind stuck back in the dark days of the war and, he if he wants his big break into the newspaper world, he has to be where its all happening. Frustratingly, he can’t quite get his big break circling the glamourous NYC scene on the edges with no real in. Then, his across the street neighbor gets popped in his own home with all the doors and windows locked and Markey knows for a fact an unknown woman in green dress left that house the night before. An opportunity doesn’t just happen, he makes it happen when he does some private investigating of Elwell’s house on his own.
Scott’s focused on his book and Zelda Fitzgerald is left at loose ends and seized by boredom. Oh sure, there are parties and wild spectacles to be had, but then a hungry reporter taps her to help get him in with the people surrounding Joseph Ewell and palling around with Markey to get the scoop and then crack the case has her grabbing the bubbly and stepping out on the hunt.
The Girl in the Green Dress was full of the lush, glam Roaring Twenties and the Bright Young Things celebrating life after the darkness of WWI. Daring Flappers, dashing men, and wealth on display in this NYC society setting, but also the sordid side of life and the effects of war on people who called it ‘shell shock’ or other terms long before PTSD, counseling and therapy came to be known. I appreciated all this set up and the careful attention to the characters that made the history genre as solid as the mystery side.
The murder victim had his fingers in many pies and Markey discovered that plenty of people had a reason to see the man dead. Then another murder happens. Fitzgerald appears a few times and Zelda is a means to ease Markey’s path, but this is very much Markey’s case to solve. There was a short prologue at the beginning dated decades after the main events of the story making me well aware of where things would eventually lead.
I also appreciated the author following up at the end to help explain what was fact and what was fiction. I’d heard a little in previous reading and of course reading the requisite F. Scott Fitzgerald book or two for class (including The Great Gatsby). Based on my limited knowledge, the characters seemed to be portrayed well. This seemed to standalone, but I enjoyed it so much and being in the world of The Great Gatsby that I wouldn’t mind if Zelda and Markey get a new murder to solve.
All in all, a sparkling world of light and dark, edgier dealings and a clever blend of the fiction with the reality of this unsolved crime. Charleston dance this one onto your reading stack.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer 10.27.25.
November 12, 2025
This historical mystery is about the death of gambler and ladies man, Joseph Elwell in 1920. Around the same time of his death, writer Morris Markey arrives in town looking for his first breakthrough story. Markey saw Elwell with a girl in a green dress the night before. According to reports, the doors and windows were locked in Elwell’s residence. Could the girl in the green dress have shot her lover? His first task was to find her and question Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald as they also saw him the night before and maybe they know who the girl was.
When he went to speak with the Fitzgeralds, Zelda was exuberant to help with the investigation while Scott worked. An unlikely pair, but the imagined persona of Zelda made this mystery so fun to read! It was a decadent time full of socialites, drinking, gambling, and dancing. When a lead draws them to a card game, Zelda shines with her knowledge of bridge and asking probing questions. Despite their efforts it didn’t take them closer to finding the gunman.
Knowing this was a true crime, but not knowing any names involved, I was frequently googling. As for the way Zelda was portrayed, I can’t comment except that reading this book was very entertaining. The ending was shocking and more googling ensued 😂 The epilogue explained where fact and fiction blur.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an early copy.
When he went to speak with the Fitzgeralds, Zelda was exuberant to help with the investigation while Scott worked. An unlikely pair, but the imagined persona of Zelda made this mystery so fun to read! It was a decadent time full of socialites, drinking, gambling, and dancing. When a lead draws them to a card game, Zelda shines with her knowledge of bridge and asking probing questions. Despite their efforts it didn’t take them closer to finding the gunman.
Knowing this was a true crime, but not knowing any names involved, I was frequently googling. As for the way Zelda was portrayed, I can’t comment except that reading this book was very entertaining. The ending was shocking and more googling ensued 😂 The epilogue explained where fact and fiction blur.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an early copy.
September 3, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the arc!
August 25, 2025
Big Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the Publisher for the advanced copy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
'The Girl in the Green Dress' is a historical mystery taking place in the Jazz era, by Mariah Fredericks.
The story follows a young reporter as he tries to leave his mark among the fabulous and famous of his time by following a big lead on a murder case of his neighbour. The story features many big names of that era, but the main ones are Morris Markey, of course, and Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.
The mystery, first of all, was nicely paced, and it had many players and suspects. The presentation of the jazz era was also masterfully done, and it was oozing glamour and prestige.
The characters, moreover, were well handled and endearing.
The audiobook, finally, was nicely narrated and produced.
'The Girl in the Green Dress' is a historical mystery taking place in the Jazz era, by Mariah Fredericks.
The story follows a young reporter as he tries to leave his mark among the fabulous and famous of his time by following a big lead on a murder case of his neighbour. The story features many big names of that era, but the main ones are Morris Markey, of course, and Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.
The mystery, first of all, was nicely paced, and it had many players and suspects. The presentation of the jazz era was also masterfully done, and it was oozing glamour and prestige.
The characters, moreover, were well handled and endearing.
The audiobook, finally, was nicely narrated and produced.
June 10, 2025
*4.5 stars ✨
November 22, 2025
A Disappointing Mystery Cloaked in Jazz-Age Glamour
In The Girl in the Green Dress, Mariah Fredericks sets out to tell a lush, historical mystery centered on the 1920 murder of Joseph Elwell. The novel spends much of its time with Morris Markey, an ambitious but fundamentally inert reporter, whose static personality and muddled motivations render him deeply unengaging. Indeed, Morris is by far the most problematic aspect of the book: he is boring in temperament, abominable in his ambition, and, worst of all, dramatically inert — he lacks the spark or depth to carry the novel.
Morris is introduced as a war veteran, fresh from World War I, desperate for a big break in New York journalism. Fredericks leans into his ambition, but she never gives him sufficient interior complexity. He is driven by the purest self-interest — to make a name for himself — without much of an ethical center or a deeper emotional core. While that could have made for a ruthless, morally ambiguous protagonist, in practice it just makes him tedious. His desire to solve Elwell’s murder is less about truth or justice, and more about getting the scoop that will fix his career. When he interviews suspects, questions witnesses, or prowls crime scenes, the prose often reads like a business transaction, not a desperate, haunted man trying to connect to something bigger than himself.
Because Morris dominates so much of the narrative, the emotional stakes feel thin. Even when he teams up with Zelda Fitzgerald — arguably the novel’s greatest strength — his reactions and observations feel flat. The chemistry that Fredericks hints at between Markey and Zelda never quite lands: Morris admires her social ease, her bravery, her brilliance — but he never reciprocates in a way that feels magnetic or layered. He’s not charming enough to be likable, not unpleasant enough to be compelling, and ultimately seems to exist only to observe the more fascinating characters around him.
That brings me to Zelda Fitzgerald, who is leagues more interesting than Morris. In a novel that bills itself as “featuring Zelda Fitzgerald,” she deserves more than a cameo — and thank goodness, she mostly delivers. Fredericks gives Zelda the life, voice, and appetite she’s often praised for in real life. She is bored with her role as “it” society wife, desperate for meaning, and endlessly hungry for sensation. Rather than simply being Scott’s muse, Fredericks’ Zelda is proactive, sharp, and emotionally restless. Her scenes crackle: she drags Morris into the whirlwind of jazz-age nightlife, high-society parties, and whispered conversations with New York’s elite. Her social connections open doors; her daring spirit pushes the investigation forward; her genius makes her memorable. In comparison, Morris comes off as a wallflower watching her dance.
If Zelda is the heartbeat of the novel, the crime itself — the murder of Elwell — disappointingly lacks sharpness. The investigation meanders through high society, multiple suspects, and social gossip, but the mystery never quite coalesces into truly gripping suspense. As many readers have noted, the crime feels mediocre: not wickedly ingenious, not profoundly sinister, just another locked-room murder wrapped in glitz. Fredericks tries to elevate the stakes via postwar paranoia — the American Protective League, secrets from the war, surveillance — but these elements feel tacked on rather than integral. The resolution, when it comes, feels underwhelming, as if the plot had padded itself with historical detail rather than building to a satisfying payoff.
Pacing is another issue. The story is leisurely, drifting through parties, social scenes, and small investigations, but rarely hurtling toward a climax. Several reviewers on sites like The StoryGraph observed that “the pace was so slow” and that plot points take too long to develop. Rather than propelling the reader forward, Fredericks seems content to luxuriate in the sparkle of the Jazz Age. While the era is richly evoked — the prose is lyrical, full of period detail, and beautifully rendered Macmillan Publishers+1 — the languid momentum undercuts the mystery’s urgency.
Ultimately, The Girl in the Green Dress feels like a novel where style overwhelms substance. Zelda is luminous, the social world is alluring, but Morris is an uninspiring anchor. His ambition, which could have made him a morally complex anti-hero, instead just makes him tedious and self-absorbed.
Conclusion: On Green Dresses in Modern Media
Ironically, while the crime novel may disappoint, the motif of green clothing—which gives the book its title—points to a broader fascination in modern storytelling. The “green dress” has become a recurring symbol of mystery, wealth, desire, and power. Think of the haunting green dress in the film Atonement, which evokes beauty, forbidden passion, and emotional fracture. Or consider Scarlett O’Hara’s famous green curtain dress in Gone with the Wind, a bold signifier of defiance, creativity, and social ambition.
In Fredericks’s novel, the green dress similarly functions as a symbol of allure and danger: the woman who wore it might hold the key to Elwell’s downfall, but she also represents the kind of glamour and enigma that characters like Morris and Zelda both desire and fear. That duality—the green dress as a marker of both fairy-tale beauty and dark secrets—is deeply resonant. It’s no wonder that green garments continue to appear in modern media as more than fashion statements; they are signifiers of ideals and contradictions, of envy and wealth, of innocence tinged with peril.
In sum, while The Girl in the Green Dress may fall short in its execution — especially if, like me, you find Morris inert and the pacing sluggish — the novel taps into a rich visual and symbolic tradition. And perhaps that's the real art: not the mystery itself, but the way Fredericks uses that simple, vibrant green to evoke the seductive contradictions of the Jazz Age — and by extension, our own.
In The Girl in the Green Dress, Mariah Fredericks sets out to tell a lush, historical mystery centered on the 1920 murder of Joseph Elwell. The novel spends much of its time with Morris Markey, an ambitious but fundamentally inert reporter, whose static personality and muddled motivations render him deeply unengaging. Indeed, Morris is by far the most problematic aspect of the book: he is boring in temperament, abominable in his ambition, and, worst of all, dramatically inert — he lacks the spark or depth to carry the novel.
Morris is introduced as a war veteran, fresh from World War I, desperate for a big break in New York journalism. Fredericks leans into his ambition, but she never gives him sufficient interior complexity. He is driven by the purest self-interest — to make a name for himself — without much of an ethical center or a deeper emotional core. While that could have made for a ruthless, morally ambiguous protagonist, in practice it just makes him tedious. His desire to solve Elwell’s murder is less about truth or justice, and more about getting the scoop that will fix his career. When he interviews suspects, questions witnesses, or prowls crime scenes, the prose often reads like a business transaction, not a desperate, haunted man trying to connect to something bigger than himself.
Because Morris dominates so much of the narrative, the emotional stakes feel thin. Even when he teams up with Zelda Fitzgerald — arguably the novel’s greatest strength — his reactions and observations feel flat. The chemistry that Fredericks hints at between Markey and Zelda never quite lands: Morris admires her social ease, her bravery, her brilliance — but he never reciprocates in a way that feels magnetic or layered. He’s not charming enough to be likable, not unpleasant enough to be compelling, and ultimately seems to exist only to observe the more fascinating characters around him.
That brings me to Zelda Fitzgerald, who is leagues more interesting than Morris. In a novel that bills itself as “featuring Zelda Fitzgerald,” she deserves more than a cameo — and thank goodness, she mostly delivers. Fredericks gives Zelda the life, voice, and appetite she’s often praised for in real life. She is bored with her role as “it” society wife, desperate for meaning, and endlessly hungry for sensation. Rather than simply being Scott’s muse, Fredericks’ Zelda is proactive, sharp, and emotionally restless. Her scenes crackle: she drags Morris into the whirlwind of jazz-age nightlife, high-society parties, and whispered conversations with New York’s elite. Her social connections open doors; her daring spirit pushes the investigation forward; her genius makes her memorable. In comparison, Morris comes off as a wallflower watching her dance.
If Zelda is the heartbeat of the novel, the crime itself — the murder of Elwell — disappointingly lacks sharpness. The investigation meanders through high society, multiple suspects, and social gossip, but the mystery never quite coalesces into truly gripping suspense. As many readers have noted, the crime feels mediocre: not wickedly ingenious, not profoundly sinister, just another locked-room murder wrapped in glitz. Fredericks tries to elevate the stakes via postwar paranoia — the American Protective League, secrets from the war, surveillance — but these elements feel tacked on rather than integral. The resolution, when it comes, feels underwhelming, as if the plot had padded itself with historical detail rather than building to a satisfying payoff.
Pacing is another issue. The story is leisurely, drifting through parties, social scenes, and small investigations, but rarely hurtling toward a climax. Several reviewers on sites like The StoryGraph observed that “the pace was so slow” and that plot points take too long to develop. Rather than propelling the reader forward, Fredericks seems content to luxuriate in the sparkle of the Jazz Age. While the era is richly evoked — the prose is lyrical, full of period detail, and beautifully rendered Macmillan Publishers+1 — the languid momentum undercuts the mystery’s urgency.
Ultimately, The Girl in the Green Dress feels like a novel where style overwhelms substance. Zelda is luminous, the social world is alluring, but Morris is an uninspiring anchor. His ambition, which could have made him a morally complex anti-hero, instead just makes him tedious and self-absorbed.
Conclusion: On Green Dresses in Modern Media
Ironically, while the crime novel may disappoint, the motif of green clothing—which gives the book its title—points to a broader fascination in modern storytelling. The “green dress” has become a recurring symbol of mystery, wealth, desire, and power. Think of the haunting green dress in the film Atonement, which evokes beauty, forbidden passion, and emotional fracture. Or consider Scarlett O’Hara’s famous green curtain dress in Gone with the Wind, a bold signifier of defiance, creativity, and social ambition.
In Fredericks’s novel, the green dress similarly functions as a symbol of allure and danger: the woman who wore it might hold the key to Elwell’s downfall, but she also represents the kind of glamour and enigma that characters like Morris and Zelda both desire and fear. That duality—the green dress as a marker of both fairy-tale beauty and dark secrets—is deeply resonant. It’s no wonder that green garments continue to appear in modern media as more than fashion statements; they are signifiers of ideals and contradictions, of envy and wealth, of innocence tinged with peril.
In sum, while The Girl in the Green Dress may fall short in its execution — especially if, like me, you find Morris inert and the pacing sluggish — the novel taps into a rich visual and symbolic tradition. And perhaps that's the real art: not the mystery itself, but the way Fredericks uses that simple, vibrant green to evoke the seductive contradictions of the Jazz Age — and by extension, our own.
May 19, 2025
I would like to thank Goodreads for sending me a copy of this mystery featuring Zelda Fitzgerald. This was such a great mystery read based on the real story of the unsolved deaths of Joseph Elwell and New Yorker writer Morris Markey. Mariah Fredericks has done such a great job writing this fictional mystery based on a true story. Writer Morris Markey had served in the First World War and been a correspondent for the second. He moved from Atlanta to New York for success and recognition. He needs a big story to accomplish his goal. After hearing the screams from a murder and seeing the lady in the green dress he meets Zelda Fitzgerald who is bored, wealthy, and wants attention, love and sensation. She sweeps Morris up in this Jazz Age and together they try to solve this murder mystery while her wealthy writer husband works on his next novel. Zelda is young, gives Morris an initial interview of what she witnessed the night before while she and Morris enjoy an orange blossom drink that has gin and vermouth. I enjoyed reading this mystery where Morris and Zelda work to close in on what really happened the night of the murder of Elwell who was a society man, wealthy and known for courting wealthy married women. I highly recommend that you buy, gift but most importantly read this interesting mystery. I know you won't be disappointed.
September 6, 2025
I'm not always a fan of historical fiction based on real events, but this was really good and interesting. I loved that it had F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda Fitzgerald, as supporting characters. The writing made me feel like I was in the 1920's, it was great. The book is based on the unsolved deaths of Joseph Elwell and New Yorker writer Morris Markey. I look forward to reading more by this author.
*Provided a DRC (digital review copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.
*Provided a DRC (digital review copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.
June 16, 2025
“The Girl in the Green Dress” by Mariah Fredericks is an imaginary historical fiction based on the 1920s murder of gambler Joseph Elwell. The story is told through the eyes of New Yorker writer Morris Markey and the famous “it” girl Zelda Fitzgerald.
Joseph is found shot through the head in his swanky townhouse and Markey and Fitzgerald realize they were the last two people to see him alive just before a ravishing woman dressed in a stunning green dress is seen leaving his home. As they begin to investigate the crime together, we are taken on a decade long journey into the heady jazz age of the roaring 20s and the scandalous press of that time.
An interesting conclusion to the mystery makes for some very entertaining reading.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Joseph is found shot through the head in his swanky townhouse and Markey and Fitzgerald realize they were the last two people to see him alive just before a ravishing woman dressed in a stunning green dress is seen leaving his home. As they begin to investigate the crime together, we are taken on a decade long journey into the heady jazz age of the roaring 20s and the scandalous press of that time.
An interesting conclusion to the mystery makes for some very entertaining reading.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 28, 2025
I quite enjoyed learning of the author Morris Markey, whom I’d never heard of before. I definitely went down a rabbit hole finding out about him once I’d finished reading especially after the authors note at the end shared the true aspects of his life.
While the story of Zelda being a part of his life is fictionalized I do feel like it portrayed Zelda well and she was a fantastic addition to the story. This was a good mashup of history and mystery.
I did switch to the ebook because I didn’t love one particular accent the narrator attempted. I believe it was supposed to be Swiss but it didn’t work and listening really took me out of the story.
Thanks to the publisher for the alc via Netgalley,
While the story of Zelda being a part of his life is fictionalized I do feel like it portrayed Zelda well and she was a fantastic addition to the story. This was a good mashup of history and mystery.
I did switch to the ebook because I didn’t love one particular accent the narrator attempted. I believe it was supposed to be Swiss but it didn’t work and listening really took me out of the story.
Thanks to the publisher for the alc via Netgalley,
September 7, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up. I love how Fredericks takes actual historical events and uses them as a basis for historical fiction novels that feature people you've heard of. I was not as engaged in this one as I was with The Lindbergh Nanny (which I absolutely loved), but I will definitely continue to check out what Fredericks writes.
September 5, 2025
The Girl in the Green Dress follows Morris Markey, a veteran hoping to make his mark in the newspaper world. After moving to the big city, he’s quickly swept up in the bustle of urban life—until one morning he hears the housekeeper across the street shouting about a shooting. That’s when Markey stumbles onto his story.
The victim is Joseph Elwell, a gentleman gambler known for teaching wealthy married women how to play cards. Did he anger a client? Or perhaps a jealous spouse? Whoever killed him must have been close as Elwell was found shot inside his locked home.
To navigate Elwell’s social world, Markey turns to the Fitzgeralds, especially the magnetic Zelda, who is eager for a distraction while her husband toils away at his latest novel. Together, they begin untangling the threads of high society intrigue.
As readers, we follow Markey and Zelda through countless theories and possibilities, piecing together clues and weighing their credibility. But after so much careful buildup, the final reveal felt abrupt and unsatisfying, as if the solution had been rushed after pages of slow deliberation.
Though I usually enjoy historical mysteries, this one dragged for me. The story often read more like a character study of Jazz Age elites than a suspenseful whodunit. With tighter pacing and sharper dialogue, it might have hit the mark—but perhaps I simply wasn’t the intended audience.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and author Mariah Fredericks for the advanced copy of the audiobook. The Girl in the Green Dress is out now. All opinions are my own.
Http://www.instagram.com/passionforprose
The victim is Joseph Elwell, a gentleman gambler known for teaching wealthy married women how to play cards. Did he anger a client? Or perhaps a jealous spouse? Whoever killed him must have been close as Elwell was found shot inside his locked home.
To navigate Elwell’s social world, Markey turns to the Fitzgeralds, especially the magnetic Zelda, who is eager for a distraction while her husband toils away at his latest novel. Together, they begin untangling the threads of high society intrigue.
As readers, we follow Markey and Zelda through countless theories and possibilities, piecing together clues and weighing their credibility. But after so much careful buildup, the final reveal felt abrupt and unsatisfying, as if the solution had been rushed after pages of slow deliberation.
Though I usually enjoy historical mysteries, this one dragged for me. The story often read more like a character study of Jazz Age elites than a suspenseful whodunit. With tighter pacing and sharper dialogue, it might have hit the mark—but perhaps I simply wasn’t the intended audience.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and author Mariah Fredericks for the advanced copy of the audiobook. The Girl in the Green Dress is out now. All opinions are my own.
Http://www.instagram.com/passionforprose
August 18, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the audio ARC. **No Spoilers**
This is the first I have read from this author: Mariah Fredericks. I love history told through a fictional lens. There have been many stories around the frivolous Fritzgerald’s…the notorious writer and his dramatic wife Zelda. However, this novel is based on another newspaper writer, Morris Markey at the start of his career, investigating the mysterious death of wealthy gambler, Joseph Elwell.
This is the whirlwind of “who dunit” with the many suspicious characters… where the lack of morals of the rich to the lowest of the common folk is questionable.
Well done! Please ensure to read and listen to the authors note at the end. It will definitely send you down a Google hole.
Will be definitely looking into this writers backlist.
This is the first I have read from this author: Mariah Fredericks. I love history told through a fictional lens. There have been many stories around the frivolous Fritzgerald’s…the notorious writer and his dramatic wife Zelda. However, this novel is based on another newspaper writer, Morris Markey at the start of his career, investigating the mysterious death of wealthy gambler, Joseph Elwell.
This is the whirlwind of “who dunit” with the many suspicious characters… where the lack of morals of the rich to the lowest of the common folk is questionable.
Well done! Please ensure to read and listen to the authors note at the end. It will definitely send you down a Google hole.
Will be definitely looking into this writers backlist.
July 19, 2025
Huge thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this gem! I loved everything about it—the writing was so smooth and vivid, I felt like I was watching the story unfold right in front of me. The characters, their clothes, their lifestyle… it all felt so real. And that plot twist?! Totally caught me off guard in the best way. Highly recommend picking this one up!
September 10, 2025
3-1/2 stars
Thank you for the gifted copy of this audiobook from NetGalley, the publisher, and the author, Mariah Fredericks. It is my 2nd novel by this wonderful author (The Lindberg Nanny). I LOVE AUDIOBOOKS and appreciate so much that so many novels continue to have this format. The review of this audiobook novel is my own and I haven't written any spoilers in my review that you won't find in the publisher's blurb.
This mystery set during the Jazz age is about the 1920 murder of Joseph Elwell of NY, who was a notorious gambler with a reputation for "dating" wealthy, married, women. Set in NYC, it also features the wonderful Zelda Fitzgerald, and a new writer Morris Markey. Markey had previously served his country in France during WWI and has some lingering effects and who moves to NY to make his name as a writer.
Upon hearing that Elwell has been found shot, Markey finally has his big story. He decides to seek help from the Fitzgeralds, but Scott is too busy working on his latest novel, and since Zelda isn't about to sit around and do nothing, she offers to help Markey with his investigation. They discover there were many people who might have wanted Elwell dead. No big surprise!
Pros: It's based on actual history during the 1920's and historical fiction is always an enjoyable way to discover more about US history. I discovered many interesting details about NY, a city I love, and the Fitzgeralds. Mariah Fredericks researches her novels deeply and carefully so the result is well-done and feels authentic.
Cons: I don't think I meshed with the female narrator because I couldn't enjoy this novel as hard as I tried. I kept through it to the end so I could leave my review for this gifted copy. This should be considered as a personal issue on my part and one that might not be across the board.
Thank you for the gifted copy of this audiobook from NetGalley, the publisher, and the author, Mariah Fredericks. It is my 2nd novel by this wonderful author (The Lindberg Nanny). I LOVE AUDIOBOOKS and appreciate so much that so many novels continue to have this format. The review of this audiobook novel is my own and I haven't written any spoilers in my review that you won't find in the publisher's blurb.
This mystery set during the Jazz age is about the 1920 murder of Joseph Elwell of NY, who was a notorious gambler with a reputation for "dating" wealthy, married, women. Set in NYC, it also features the wonderful Zelda Fitzgerald, and a new writer Morris Markey. Markey had previously served his country in France during WWI and has some lingering effects and who moves to NY to make his name as a writer.
Upon hearing that Elwell has been found shot, Markey finally has his big story. He decides to seek help from the Fitzgeralds, but Scott is too busy working on his latest novel, and since Zelda isn't about to sit around and do nothing, she offers to help Markey with his investigation. They discover there were many people who might have wanted Elwell dead. No big surprise!
Pros: It's based on actual history during the 1920's and historical fiction is always an enjoyable way to discover more about US history. I discovered many interesting details about NY, a city I love, and the Fitzgeralds. Mariah Fredericks researches her novels deeply and carefully so the result is well-done and feels authentic.
Cons: I don't think I meshed with the female narrator because I couldn't enjoy this novel as hard as I tried. I kept through it to the end so I could leave my review for this gifted copy. This should be considered as a personal issue on my part and one that might not be across the board.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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