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Tess Mancini Time Travel #1
Murder on the Steel Pier
Greetings from the Nifty Fifties…
The morning after a blowout birthday celebration in Atlantic City, crime reporter and party girl Tess Mancini wakes up in an unfamiliar place—1955. Bread is eighteen cents a loaf, Ike occupies the White House, and the Boardwalk is crawling with vintage cars and vintage wise guys. A bewildered Tess is sure of only two One, she’s not crazy, and two, the clothes are fabulous. Somehow, she’s living the life of her Great-Aunt Theresa, who disappeared decades before Tess’s birth.
In her 1950s existence, Tess is a reporter at the local newspaper, living at a boarding house owned by her Zia Antonetta, an Italian immigrant with a big secret. It turns out Theresa has a kid brother, teenaged troublemaker Val Mancini—aka Tess’s paternal grandfather. Though determined to return to her own time, Tess’s curiosity takes over. What happened to the first Theresa Mancini? And is Tess’s trip through time connected to her aunt’s fate?
But when young Val is accused of murdering a boarding house guest, a Nazi in hiding, Tess ends up with two investigations on her hands—and is now stuck in time until she can prove Val’s innocence. As she searches for answers, she finds allies in a dishy police detective and a suspiciously charming fellow reporter. The clock is ticking for Tess to find a way home, but first, she has to keep her grandfather off Death Row.
Because before Tess can get back to the future … she needs to make sure she has one.
Praise for Murder on the Steel Pier
"This stylish, creatively written and highly entertaining mystery will keep you turning pages long past bedtime!" -Terrie Farley Moran, award winning author of the Murder, She Wrote series
“Murder on the Steel Pier is impossible to put down, offering an irresistible blend of mystery, history, and time travel. I felt like I was in 1950s Atlantic City along with heroine Tess. Unlike her, I didn’t want to leave! I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for Tess’s next adventure.”-Agatha Award-Winning Author Ellen Byron
"Get ready for a fun adventure as Murder on the Steel Pier transports you back in time. Tess Mancini is a delightful and determined heroine who will have readers cheering for her as she attempts to find her way back home." - Catherine Bruns, USA Today Bestselling and Award-Winning Author
The morning after a blowout birthday celebration in Atlantic City, crime reporter and party girl Tess Mancini wakes up in an unfamiliar place—1955. Bread is eighteen cents a loaf, Ike occupies the White House, and the Boardwalk is crawling with vintage cars and vintage wise guys. A bewildered Tess is sure of only two One, she’s not crazy, and two, the clothes are fabulous. Somehow, she’s living the life of her Great-Aunt Theresa, who disappeared decades before Tess’s birth.
In her 1950s existence, Tess is a reporter at the local newspaper, living at a boarding house owned by her Zia Antonetta, an Italian immigrant with a big secret. It turns out Theresa has a kid brother, teenaged troublemaker Val Mancini—aka Tess’s paternal grandfather. Though determined to return to her own time, Tess’s curiosity takes over. What happened to the first Theresa Mancini? And is Tess’s trip through time connected to her aunt’s fate?
But when young Val is accused of murdering a boarding house guest, a Nazi in hiding, Tess ends up with two investigations on her hands—and is now stuck in time until she can prove Val’s innocence. As she searches for answers, she finds allies in a dishy police detective and a suspiciously charming fellow reporter. The clock is ticking for Tess to find a way home, but first, she has to keep her grandfather off Death Row.
Because before Tess can get back to the future … she needs to make sure she has one.
Praise for Murder on the Steel Pier
"This stylish, creatively written and highly entertaining mystery will keep you turning pages long past bedtime!" -Terrie Farley Moran, award winning author of the Murder, She Wrote series
“Murder on the Steel Pier is impossible to put down, offering an irresistible blend of mystery, history, and time travel. I felt like I was in 1950s Atlantic City along with heroine Tess. Unlike her, I didn’t want to leave! I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for Tess’s next adventure.”-Agatha Award-Winning Author Ellen Byron
"Get ready for a fun adventure as Murder on the Steel Pier transports you back in time. Tess Mancini is a delightful and determined heroine who will have readers cheering for her as she attempts to find her way back home." - Catherine Bruns, USA Today Bestselling and Award-Winning Author
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2025
23 people are currently reading
1713 people want to read
About the author
Rosie Genova
10 books350 followersProud Jersey girl Rosie Genova is a multi-genre author. Her work includes a Jersey shore cozy series, The Italian Kitchen Mysteries, and the upcoming Tess Mancini Time Travel Mysteries, set in 1955 Atlantic City. She is also the author of standalone suspense and a couple of rom-coms that presently live in her computer files (but are longing to be released into the wild). A former teacher and journalist, Rosie’s non-fiction has appeared in Entrepreneur magazine and The New York Times. The mother of three sons, Rosie still lives in her favorite state with her husband, too many dusty antiques, and a charming mutt named Lucy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 28, 2025
Who wouldn't like the chance to meet their ancestors when they were young? Reporter Teresa Mancini and her friend are in Atlantic City celebrating her birthday when something strange happens. She finds herself in 1955, in the place of her doppelganger great aunt Theresa Mancini, older sister to her grandfather, who is 19 and also lives in the boarding house run by Zia Netta. The 1955 Theresa was also a reporter, and Tess finds herself drawn into a mystery when her brother Val is accused of murdering a former resident of the boarding house who may have been a Nazi sympathizer. She loves the clothes and the car, but is hoping to help Val beat the murder charge, and eventually return to the present day. Nineteen fifties Atlantic City is vividly portrayed, and the mystery and characters are excellent. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this advance copy.
March 16, 2025
Oh my gosh! I don’t know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t this unputdownable mystery! I became hooked from the beginning! The twists and turns, murder, love story and the history just med together to create a very fun book! Tess is one hell of a girl and I can’t wait to read the next one!! If you like historical mystery you have to read this one!! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book.
April 2, 2025
Tess Mancini celebrates her thirty-fifth birthday with copious drinks, partying it up with her best friend, and wakes up with a hangover—and also about seventy years in the past. We’ve all been there, am I right?
In Murder on the Steel Pier by Rosie Genova, Tess needs to do two things: 1) find a way back home and 2) keep her grandfather (at the time a teenager) from being pinned for a murder he didn’t commit, thus effectively erasing his descendants from existence. She’s aided in this quest by somehow assuming her great aunt’s position; they have the same name (slightly different spelling) and look similar to the point of almost identical but not quite, as Tess is a little thinner and has a tattoo. That part of the story is never explained, but I kind of like the mystery of it. It’s like Tess is and isn’t her great aunt; she can speak Italian, drive a manual transmission car, and read shorthand—things she can’t actually do—and she also hears her great aunt’s voice in her head, prompting her along at certain intervals or outright speaking for her to supply names she ought to know. It reminded me of playing a video game; Theresa saying “I need to check my post office box” is like when you’re stuck in an area and clicking around and the character you’re playing will helpfully advertise what to do next.
The mystery was fun in that it felt like a good mystery story where clues and red herrings—so many red herrings!!—are sprinkled throughout the text. It got a little bit convoluted near the end, but it was still enjoyable to follow along with Tess as she pieced it together.
The characters themselves were great, and what I loved was it was a cast of people who struggled in the time, which the author highlighted. Tess and her family are Italian, and as it’s post-war, others may view them with suspicion. Tess (and Theresa), Bridget, and Carolina were restricted just by being women, and Carolina faced a different oppression by being black. Joe O’Brien was a divorced Irish Catholic, and the divorce has isolated him from his religion and made it impossible for him to seek the girl he loves. Harry Stein is Jewish, so there’s the obvious anti-Semitism of the era (not uncommon to modern readers, sadly). It was just interesting to see that while there were some fun bits to the past, it wasn’t all roses, and all of that added to help ground me in the story.
I guess if I had a quibble, it was that the author wouldn’t name names for the famous people who briefly popped up. I love little cameos like that (if they at least make sense, and both did for this story), and it was weird that the text danced around identifying them. We all KNOW who they were, and since the book drops Paul Newman’s name and Tyrone Power’s, too, I guess I don’t see why we couldn’t for the other two.
So! I’d recommend this book for people who love historical fiction and mysteries. There may even be romance on the horizon—fingers crossed!—which would really fill my trifecta of “favourite genres”. I wish I could IMMEDIATELY dive into the second book to see what Tess is planning next, but alas! I’ve got a long wait ahead of me.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In Murder on the Steel Pier by Rosie Genova, Tess needs to do two things: 1) find a way back home and 2) keep her grandfather (at the time a teenager) from being pinned for a murder he didn’t commit, thus effectively erasing his descendants from existence. She’s aided in this quest by somehow assuming her great aunt’s position; they have the same name (slightly different spelling) and look similar to the point of almost identical but not quite, as Tess is a little thinner and has a tattoo. That part of the story is never explained, but I kind of like the mystery of it. It’s like Tess is and isn’t her great aunt; she can speak Italian, drive a manual transmission car, and read shorthand—things she can’t actually do—and she also hears her great aunt’s voice in her head, prompting her along at certain intervals or outright speaking for her to supply names she ought to know. It reminded me of playing a video game; Theresa saying “I need to check my post office box” is like when you’re stuck in an area and clicking around and the character you’re playing will helpfully advertise what to do next.
The mystery was fun in that it felt like a good mystery story where clues and red herrings—so many red herrings!!—are sprinkled throughout the text. It got a little bit convoluted near the end, but it was still enjoyable to follow along with Tess as she pieced it together.
The characters themselves were great, and what I loved was it was a cast of people who struggled in the time, which the author highlighted. Tess and her family are Italian, and as it’s post-war, others may view them with suspicion. Tess (and Theresa), Bridget, and Carolina were restricted just by being women, and Carolina faced a different oppression by being black. Joe O’Brien was a divorced Irish Catholic, and the divorce has isolated him from his religion and made it impossible for him to seek the girl he loves. Harry Stein is Jewish, so there’s the obvious anti-Semitism of the era (not uncommon to modern readers, sadly). It was just interesting to see that while there were some fun bits to the past, it wasn’t all roses, and all of that added to help ground me in the story.
I guess if I had a quibble, it was that the author wouldn’t name names for the famous people who briefly popped up. I love little cameos like that (if they at least make sense, and both did for this story), and it was weird that the text danced around identifying them. We all KNOW who they were, and since the book drops Paul Newman’s name and Tyrone Power’s, too, I guess I don’t see why we couldn’t for the other two.
So! I’d recommend this book for people who love historical fiction and mysteries. There may even be romance on the horizon—fingers crossed!—which would really fill my trifecta of “favourite genres”. I wish I could IMMEDIATELY dive into the second book to see what Tess is planning next, but alas! I’ve got a long wait ahead of me.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 10, 2025
I was pleasantly surprised by this charming book. I picked it up because I'm on a cozy mystery kick and the time travel element perked my interest as a unique twist on a genre that can be very formulaic.
Tess Mancini, a reporter, is out partying in Atlantic City with her best friend when she gets very drunk, slips through time and ends up in Atlantic City of 1955 in the body of her relative, also named Tess and also a reporter. But her grandfather, who in this time is her brother, Val, is accused of murder after threatening an Austrian boarder at the family's boarding house with a racist slur. Convinced he's being framed, it's up to Tess to investigate the murder.
I have a small note of praise for an author who finally works a conflict of interest into the story in a realistic way; Tess isn't assigned the story, but she digs up information on her own.
Along the way she has a lovely slow-burn star-crossed love story with Joe, the local police detective, who's divorced while her aunt's a devout Catholic. Depressingly, their love story did not end in a romance. It was interesting to see the conceit of the time travel device as Tess had her aunt's reactions and instincts, so it was the older Tess who nursed the crush.
The murder mystery got heavy on police procedural which could get slow paced, but I didn't mind that in this case because all the twists and turns kept me guessing. Throw in Nazi hunters and CIA involvement and it added another rich layer.
I felt the historical details were very well researched and there was some nice color about what life was like in the 1950s, without holding back from the hardships and oppression of the time. I liked how it showed how Tess was relegated to puff pieces and the sexist comments she received at work, and how little autonomy she had living at the boardinghouse. But it also showed how women supported women at that time.
The author also had a good handle on what journalism is really like and that lent the story an authentic flair. I love seeing amateur sleuths who are actually investigative reporters. I also really admired Tess as a character and her spunk and determination. It didn't get too deep into character development but was more a fun look at what it might be like to get to know your ancestors.
A promising start to a really fun new series that kept me entertained. I'd read more in this series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Tess Mancini, a reporter, is out partying in Atlantic City with her best friend when she gets very drunk, slips through time and ends up in Atlantic City of 1955 in the body of her relative, also named Tess and also a reporter. But her grandfather, who in this time is her brother, Val, is accused of murder after threatening an Austrian boarder at the family's boarding house with a racist slur. Convinced he's being framed, it's up to Tess to investigate the murder.
I have a small note of praise for an author who finally works a conflict of interest into the story in a realistic way; Tess isn't assigned the story, but she digs up information on her own.
Along the way she has a lovely slow-burn star-crossed love story with Joe, the local police detective, who's divorced while her aunt's a devout Catholic. Depressingly, their love story did not end in a romance. It was interesting to see the conceit of the time travel device as Tess had her aunt's reactions and instincts, so it was the older Tess who nursed the crush.
The murder mystery got heavy on police procedural which could get slow paced, but I didn't mind that in this case because all the twists and turns kept me guessing. Throw in Nazi hunters and CIA involvement and it added another rich layer.
I felt the historical details were very well researched and there was some nice color about what life was like in the 1950s, without holding back from the hardships and oppression of the time. I liked how it showed how Tess was relegated to puff pieces and the sexist comments she received at work, and how little autonomy she had living at the boardinghouse. But it also showed how women supported women at that time.
The author also had a good handle on what journalism is really like and that lent the story an authentic flair. I love seeing amateur sleuths who are actually investigative reporters. I also really admired Tess as a character and her spunk and determination. It didn't get too deep into character development but was more a fun look at what it might be like to get to know your ancestors.
A promising start to a really fun new series that kept me entertained. I'd read more in this series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 11, 2025
I have been trying to get through this book for the better part of a month now and I think it’s time to call it quits. There’s nothing inherently wrong with it; in fact, the premise is appealing and the setting of Atlantic City, my old stomping grounds, drew me in right away. Where I struggled was in a few places: 1) the time travel didn’t seem to affect Tess too much and, at times, it didn’t even seem like she realized she was in a different time period. That’s not to say that it’s not described well, I just didn’t get the feel of the 50s from the story. 2) the writing in general didn’t engage me and I found myself not wanting to pick the story back up. This just really wasn’t for me and I ended up DNF at 50%.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
March 2, 2025
A vintage, colorized masterpiece!
Thank you BookSirens for sharing the ARC for review, and to 'Kate - The BookSirens Librarian' for introducing me to this amazing pre-release wonderland.
Put on your reading hat, play all your favorite Johnny Cash, Harry Belafonte, and Elvis hits in the background, the lilting aroma of coffee around you, and embark on this time-travel journey back to the 1950s with Rosie Genoa's Murder on the Steel Pier. Time travel-themed stories are challenging to write and keep the reader engaged at the same time. This book beautifully manages both. Spice up the mix with a murder mystery, and you have a sure-fire recipe for a bestseller!
Atlantic City as the story's setting is very beautifully described - with many references to flowers, bouquets, and green expanses synonymous with the garden state. The 50s were the generation of big cars, fashionable and colorful outfits, and the love for all kinds of excesses - casinos, music, and road trips. This book covers all these aspects and makes the plot so much more believable. It was a colorized piece of renaissance that played in my mind throughout my reading journey.
I could see very distinct feminist themes throughout the book, and the author presents really powerful women who were progressive and ahead of their time. Tess, her Aunt, Caroline, and even to a large extent - Lara Diamond are strong and confident female character sketches by themselves and beautifully portrayed.
Nazis? Yup. I am a WW2 buff, I enjoyed the scenes of post-WW2 America when things were settling down, but scars of the past still haunted and lingered in the minds and hearts of suburban Atlantic City denizens. While the topic was well-researched and presented, the drama and suspense made it even more interesting.
The prose is sublime, and the painstaking research is evident in the parallels drawn between life in the 1950s and present-day life, sometimes insightful and sometimes funny. I particularly enjoyed the parts when modern slang was used, and also the times Tess used her progressive millennial ingenuity, giving the reader an insight into how much we as a society have evolved in our thoughts, actions, words, mindsets, and ideas seventy years later.
I look back at this book with grateful admiration. It made me appreciate the 1950s for all of its glory. Listening to the classics with a strong coffee mug in hand was a delightful experience. Rosie Genoa, you've written a masterpiece!
Thank you BookSirens for sharing the ARC for review, and to 'Kate - The BookSirens Librarian' for introducing me to this amazing pre-release wonderland.
Put on your reading hat, play all your favorite Johnny Cash, Harry Belafonte, and Elvis hits in the background, the lilting aroma of coffee around you, and embark on this time-travel journey back to the 1950s with Rosie Genoa's Murder on the Steel Pier. Time travel-themed stories are challenging to write and keep the reader engaged at the same time. This book beautifully manages both. Spice up the mix with a murder mystery, and you have a sure-fire recipe for a bestseller!
Atlantic City as the story's setting is very beautifully described - with many references to flowers, bouquets, and green expanses synonymous with the garden state. The 50s were the generation of big cars, fashionable and colorful outfits, and the love for all kinds of excesses - casinos, music, and road trips. This book covers all these aspects and makes the plot so much more believable. It was a colorized piece of renaissance that played in my mind throughout my reading journey.
I could see very distinct feminist themes throughout the book, and the author presents really powerful women who were progressive and ahead of their time. Tess, her Aunt, Caroline, and even to a large extent - Lara Diamond are strong and confident female character sketches by themselves and beautifully portrayed.
Nazis? Yup. I am a WW2 buff, I enjoyed the scenes of post-WW2 America when things were settling down, but scars of the past still haunted and lingered in the minds and hearts of suburban Atlantic City denizens. While the topic was well-researched and presented, the drama and suspense made it even more interesting.
The prose is sublime, and the painstaking research is evident in the parallels drawn between life in the 1950s and present-day life, sometimes insightful and sometimes funny. I particularly enjoyed the parts when modern slang was used, and also the times Tess used her progressive millennial ingenuity, giving the reader an insight into how much we as a society have evolved in our thoughts, actions, words, mindsets, and ideas seventy years later.
I look back at this book with grateful admiration. It made me appreciate the 1950s for all of its glory. Listening to the classics with a strong coffee mug in hand was a delightful experience. Rosie Genoa, you've written a masterpiece!
February 14, 2025
I received an advance review copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I was very excited to read this book, because I grew up outside of Atlantic City. Not during this time period. I don't remember AC without the casinos, but there were still a lot of names and places in there that were familiar to me. I particularly enjoyed the shout out to Ventnor, because that is where my dad grew up. Honestly, I would have enjoyed the book just for those reasons, but I enjoyed the story on its own.
Things I liked:
Tess - I liked Tess. I really enjoyed her fish out of water story, so to speak. I think we've all imagined what it would be like to go back in time, but the way the author put us into Tess's mind was satisfactory. Tess was a modern girl who was trying to get things done in a different timeline, but she had to learn to function within the confines of that time. It was tough for her and the reader could sympathize with her.
Some of the side characters - There are quite a few characters in this story that were really funny or engaging or just plain mysterious. For the most part, they were very well written. Meeting Tess's Italian family and her extended circle was fantastic.
Things I didn't like:
Some of the side characters - While some of the side characters were really well developed, I felt that a few of them were very one-dimensional. I understand that this is the first book in a series and perhaps we will get more information about the characters as we go on. Just comparing how well we got to know Zia and how little we know about Carolina. I felt there could have been even just a few more details about the other characters at the boarding house, especially since they all seemed to play a big difference in Tess's life.
The hidden names - I don't know how else to word that, but I really didn't like "The Professor" or "The Singer." I mean, I figured it out pretty quickly who the author was referring to. It's easy enough, given how they interact with Tess, to figure out who they were. So why not just use their names? If it was some kind of permission issue, that's one thing. If it wasn't, and it was just the author's choice, it was a bit irritating and did take me out of the story a bit.
The other Tess - We don't find out really anything about her story. I need to know what happened!
Overall, this was an enjoyable story. The idea of time traveling to the past and figuring out how to fit in is always one of my favorite story ideas. The things I didn't particularly care for were minor and hopefully are things that will be explained as the series continues. The mystery was good, keeping you guessing until the end. Hopefully, Tess will be back soon and maybe visiting Lucy the Elephant on her next trip to Atlantic City.
My rating: 4 stars
Things I liked:
Tess - I liked Tess. I really enjoyed her fish out of water story, so to speak. I think we've all imagined what it would be like to go back in time, but the way the author put us into Tess's mind was satisfactory. Tess was a modern girl who was trying to get things done in a different timeline, but she had to learn to function within the confines of that time. It was tough for her and the reader could sympathize with her.
Some of the side characters - There are quite a few characters in this story that were really funny or engaging or just plain mysterious. For the most part, they were very well written. Meeting Tess's Italian family and her extended circle was fantastic.
Things I didn't like:
Some of the side characters - While some of the side characters were really well developed, I felt that a few of them were very one-dimensional. I understand that this is the first book in a series and perhaps we will get more information about the characters as we go on. Just comparing how well we got to know Zia and how little we know about Carolina. I felt there could have been even just a few more details about the other characters at the boarding house, especially since they all seemed to play a big difference in Tess's life.
The hidden names - I don't know how else to word that, but I really didn't like "The Professor" or "The Singer." I mean, I figured it out pretty quickly who the author was referring to. It's easy enough, given how they interact with Tess, to figure out who they were. So why not just use their names? If it was some kind of permission issue, that's one thing. If it wasn't, and it was just the author's choice, it was a bit irritating and did take me out of the story a bit.
The other Tess - We don't find out really anything about her story. I need to know what happened!
Overall, this was an enjoyable story. The idea of time traveling to the past and figuring out how to fit in is always one of my favorite story ideas. The things I didn't particularly care for were minor and hopefully are things that will be explained as the series continues. The mystery was good, keeping you guessing until the end. Hopefully, Tess will be back soon and maybe visiting Lucy the Elephant on her next trip to Atlantic City.
My rating: 4 stars
March 31, 2025
Time-travel to Atlantic City in 1955 with Tess Mancini! You’ll meet her Italian family, some somewhat shady characters, and get caught up in a mystery that you won’t be able put down!
Warning:
If you have housework to do or cooking to attend to while reading this novel, the house will stay dirty and the cooking will be burned (or not started!)
Supposedly the first in a series about Tess Mancini; I can’t wait for the next one!
*Arrrrgh! It won’t be released until 2026!😱*
Warning:
If you have housework to do or cooking to attend to while reading this novel, the house will stay dirty and the cooking will be burned (or not started!)
Supposedly the first in a series about Tess Mancini; I can’t wait for the next one!
*Arrrrgh! It won’t be released until 2026!😱*
April 26, 2025
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Tess Mancini’s birthday party was a doozy. So much so, she not only wakes up in a strange room but a different decade! It’s 1955! She has now stepped into the life of her Great-Aunt Theresa and is living at her Zia Antonetta’s boarding house along with Theresa’s 19-year-old brother, AKA her paternal grandfather. She has also had to fill Theresa’s shoes as a cub reporter for the local newspaper. Theresa disappeared way before Tess was even born so what is she doing here?
While trying to figure out how to return to her own time, her brother/grandfather gets into a bunch of trouble. He is the prime suspect in the murder of one of the guests at the boarding house, a suspected Nazi in hiding. Afraid that her presence in the past could change the future, she is aware she needs to be careful while making sure her brother/grandfather is cleared of the crime. While she investigates, she gets help from a co-worker and a police detective. Both attractive and interesting, but she isn’t sure if one or both have ulterior motives in helping her. Her main focus is proving her grandfather’s innocence and getting back to the future. Where is that darn DeLorean when you need it?
Time travel isn’t usually my genre, but having read Ms. Genova’s previous cozy mysteries, I had to read this one, and I am so happy that I did.
The story immediately pulled me in. Waking up, back in time, a time so different. A time when women were very restricted, being a black woman even more so. A divorced man could be shunned by his church and unable to pursue the woman he cares about. People were suspicious of Italian families, Nazi’s hiding in plain sight, anti-Semitism was prevalent. This all hit me in the face, as this is when the current U.S. administration thinks our country was great and is working diligently to take us back to it.
All the characters in this story resonated with me. They continued to develop as the story continued. Tess was so well-written. While the future always filled her mind, she also had Theresa’s thoughts and skills. She could type like a whiz and could read shorthand. She could speak and understand Italian and drive a car with a manual transmission. She could also hear her Great Aunt Theresa’s voice in her head, and sometimes Theresa’s words just came out of her mouth. She also had to be able to keep her thoughts and actions in check while meeting members of her family whom she had only heard stories about. She got a little overzealous a time or two, but was able to cover her actions quickly. It takes time to create characters with so much depth and layers. This author did that so well.
Ms. Genova also plotted out a great mystery. Tess’s curious nature really took over, and she wished for her cell phone and the internet several times. She had to do some old-fashioned legwork, and she was up for the task. Theresa’s connection with Detective Joseph O’Brien, who had the looks of an old-time movie star, helped her to stay out of too much trouble. The mystery is complicated with several viable suspects, but it always came back to Val. Tess dug up several good tidbits of information, some making the case bigger than anyone thought. The author served up a good share of red herrings amongst all the twists and turns, which made following Tess through her process quite entertaining. The story ends fascinating way and with a little cliffhanger.
I appreciated Ms. Genova’s attention to detail in describing Atlantic City in the 50s. The boarding house, the newspaper office, and everywhere Tess traveled about the city were crystal clear. A trip through Theresa’s closet and drawers was a real treat, especially all the hats. Funny though, Tess and Theresa were not the same size in one area, so Tess got to do some shopping while doing a little sleuthing.
Murder on the Steel Pier sets this new series off to a fabulous start. A historical cozy with a bit of the feel of a noir novel, with an appealing protagonist, and an intriguing mystery that will keep readers guessing and entertained. It was especially timely with things that are happening in the world today.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
Tess Mancini’s birthday party was a doozy. So much so, she not only wakes up in a strange room but a different decade! It’s 1955! She has now stepped into the life of her Great-Aunt Theresa and is living at her Zia Antonetta’s boarding house along with Theresa’s 19-year-old brother, AKA her paternal grandfather. She has also had to fill Theresa’s shoes as a cub reporter for the local newspaper. Theresa disappeared way before Tess was even born so what is she doing here?
While trying to figure out how to return to her own time, her brother/grandfather gets into a bunch of trouble. He is the prime suspect in the murder of one of the guests at the boarding house, a suspected Nazi in hiding. Afraid that her presence in the past could change the future, she is aware she needs to be careful while making sure her brother/grandfather is cleared of the crime. While she investigates, she gets help from a co-worker and a police detective. Both attractive and interesting, but she isn’t sure if one or both have ulterior motives in helping her. Her main focus is proving her grandfather’s innocence and getting back to the future. Where is that darn DeLorean when you need it?
Time travel isn’t usually my genre, but having read Ms. Genova’s previous cozy mysteries, I had to read this one, and I am so happy that I did.
The story immediately pulled me in. Waking up, back in time, a time so different. A time when women were very restricted, being a black woman even more so. A divorced man could be shunned by his church and unable to pursue the woman he cares about. People were suspicious of Italian families, Nazi’s hiding in plain sight, anti-Semitism was prevalent. This all hit me in the face, as this is when the current U.S. administration thinks our country was great and is working diligently to take us back to it.
All the characters in this story resonated with me. They continued to develop as the story continued. Tess was so well-written. While the future always filled her mind, she also had Theresa’s thoughts and skills. She could type like a whiz and could read shorthand. She could speak and understand Italian and drive a car with a manual transmission. She could also hear her Great Aunt Theresa’s voice in her head, and sometimes Theresa’s words just came out of her mouth. She also had to be able to keep her thoughts and actions in check while meeting members of her family whom she had only heard stories about. She got a little overzealous a time or two, but was able to cover her actions quickly. It takes time to create characters with so much depth and layers. This author did that so well.
Ms. Genova also plotted out a great mystery. Tess’s curious nature really took over, and she wished for her cell phone and the internet several times. She had to do some old-fashioned legwork, and she was up for the task. Theresa’s connection with Detective Joseph O’Brien, who had the looks of an old-time movie star, helped her to stay out of too much trouble. The mystery is complicated with several viable suspects, but it always came back to Val. Tess dug up several good tidbits of information, some making the case bigger than anyone thought. The author served up a good share of red herrings amongst all the twists and turns, which made following Tess through her process quite entertaining. The story ends fascinating way and with a little cliffhanger.
I appreciated Ms. Genova’s attention to detail in describing Atlantic City in the 50s. The boarding house, the newspaper office, and everywhere Tess traveled about the city were crystal clear. A trip through Theresa’s closet and drawers was a real treat, especially all the hats. Funny though, Tess and Theresa were not the same size in one area, so Tess got to do some shopping while doing a little sleuthing.
Murder on the Steel Pier sets this new series off to a fabulous start. A historical cozy with a bit of the feel of a noir novel, with an appealing protagonist, and an intriguing mystery that will keep readers guessing and entertained. It was especially timely with things that are happening in the world today.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
March 31, 2025
Murder on the Steel Pier is Book 1 In A Tree Man in I Time Travel Mystery by Rosie Genova. It's Tess 35 birthday and she wakes up in 1955! I felt that this beginning was perfect. She met her grandfather, before he met her grandmother, and other family members. The author lays the foundation for the characters through Tess. I found the mystery to be excellent. Can These navigate successfully in the past? You must read the book to find out. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
May 18, 2025
I don’t usually give five stars to cozy mysteries, but I really enjoyed this one on a deeper level. Tess, an Italian-American reporter, is transported to 1955 Atlantic City in the body of her aunt who went missing long ago. Her 1955 brother, who is her actual grandpa, is an accused of murder, and she needs to clear his name. If he goes to prison, she knows she might never exist.
Tess lives in a 1955 boarding house run by her Italian aunt, and I could smell and taste the meatballs and sauce. The book is well researched, and I enjoyed learning about the time and place. Also, I did not solve the mystery, which was clever and a bit complicated.
Looking forward to the sequel when it comes out and hoping it addresses the teaser that her aunt goes missing so we can learn more details about that story line.
Tess lives in a 1955 boarding house run by her Italian aunt, and I could smell and taste the meatballs and sauce. The book is well researched, and I enjoyed learning about the time and place. Also, I did not solve the mystery, which was clever and a bit complicated.
Looking forward to the sequel when it comes out and hoping it addresses the teaser that her aunt goes missing so we can learn more details about that story line.
March 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc
A time travel mystery? I’m skeptical. But I gotta say. This was pretty enjoyable. It doesn’t over explain the time travel and focuses more on the mystery. I love that.It’s the right kind of blend of historical fiction, mystery, and sci fi to keep me invested. I’m curious how any future books would follow this concept
A time travel mystery? I’m skeptical. But I gotta say. This was pretty enjoyable. It doesn’t over explain the time travel and focuses more on the mystery. I love that.It’s the right kind of blend of historical fiction, mystery, and sci fi to keep me invested. I’m curious how any future books would follow this concept
May 19, 2025
Excellent book! Great original story idea which obviously had been very thoroughly researched. It was well written as evidenced by just how believable I found it to be. Atlantic City in 1955; a place I would also like to time travel to one day. Read it….you will enjoy it!
April 19, 2025
Murder on the Steel Pier by Rosie Genova hooked my attention with this line in the book blurb about a modern female reporter who wakes up in 1955 and… “Somehow, she’s living the life of her Great-Aunt Theresa, who disappeared decades before Tess’s birth.” I mean… that puts a new spin on time travel! Not only do we have the murder mystery that occurs in the book but we also have the underlying mysteries of 1) how did she end up in 1955 and how does she get back? and 2) what happened to her Great-Aunt Theresa? This added all kinds of intrigue that kept me reading and kept my mind whirling with possibilities.
I thought the author did a great job of showing how Tess struggled to figure out where she was when she wakes up in 1955. Some time travel books tend to gloss over that initial confusion and have the character catch on & acclimate pretty quickly, but Genova takes the time to let Tess process what has happened, where she is, and – surprise, surprise – that she’s living her Great-Aunt’s life. They share the same name so at least that part is easy. I enjoyed seeing this experience through Tess’s eyes and how the author handled all the little details. And then the murder mystery takes on a very personal layer when modern Tess’s grandpa – who she’s now experiencing as her Great-Aunt Theresa’s brother – becomes the prime suspect. From the mob to post-war sentiments that are still running high, there are several directions the investigation could have gone, and our intrepid reporter manages to stay in the middle of it. It’s well-plotted in all aspects, and I liked tagging along as Tess nosed around.
Bottom Line: Murder on the Steel Pier by Rosie Genova is part historical cozy mystery and part noir fiction with a compelling time travel twist. I was hooked right away by the latter – a modern young woman who wakes up in 1955, living the life of her great-aunt who disappeared 70 years ago. And, even when I became absorbed in the murder mystery too, I stayed invested in how Tess got there – and why – and what happened to her great-aunt. I think it could have been a bit shorter (it dragged some in the middle for me) but it still kept me entertained. Fun cameos from famous faces in the 50s added authenticity as well as plot layers, and I hope this isn’t the last we see of Tess Mancini. I wonder where she’ll end up next!
Reviewer’s Note: Followers of my reviews may want to be aware that there is a moderate amount of mild cursing and use of God’s name as an expletive in this novel
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
I thought the author did a great job of showing how Tess struggled to figure out where she was when she wakes up in 1955. Some time travel books tend to gloss over that initial confusion and have the character catch on & acclimate pretty quickly, but Genova takes the time to let Tess process what has happened, where she is, and – surprise, surprise – that she’s living her Great-Aunt’s life. They share the same name so at least that part is easy. I enjoyed seeing this experience through Tess’s eyes and how the author handled all the little details. And then the murder mystery takes on a very personal layer when modern Tess’s grandpa – who she’s now experiencing as her Great-Aunt Theresa’s brother – becomes the prime suspect. From the mob to post-war sentiments that are still running high, there are several directions the investigation could have gone, and our intrepid reporter manages to stay in the middle of it. It’s well-plotted in all aspects, and I liked tagging along as Tess nosed around.
Bottom Line: Murder on the Steel Pier by Rosie Genova is part historical cozy mystery and part noir fiction with a compelling time travel twist. I was hooked right away by the latter – a modern young woman who wakes up in 1955, living the life of her great-aunt who disappeared 70 years ago. And, even when I became absorbed in the murder mystery too, I stayed invested in how Tess got there – and why – and what happened to her great-aunt. I think it could have been a bit shorter (it dragged some in the middle for me) but it still kept me entertained. Fun cameos from famous faces in the 50s added authenticity as well as plot layers, and I hope this isn’t the last we see of Tess Mancini. I wonder where she’ll end up next!
Reviewer’s Note: Followers of my reviews may want to be aware that there is a moderate amount of mild cursing and use of God’s name as an expletive in this novel
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
April 4, 2025
MURDER ON THE STEEL PIER by Rosie Genova
The First Tess Mancini Time Travel Mystery
In celebration of her March 31st birthday Tess Mancini headed to Atlantic City to celebrate. But after too much tequila she wakes up with a hangover and the biggest April Fool's Day surprise of all. Instead of her hotel room Tess finds herself in what appears to be an old-fashioned B&B. Without her phone! Somehow she knows where things are and soon discovers when. Tess Mancini has stepped into the life of her Great Aunt Theresa in 1955. If that weren't enough, her hot-headed brother (well, Theresa's brother, her grandfather) is accused of murdering one of the guests at their boarding house. With some innate knowledge and the words of Theresa in her head Tess will have to figure out what happened to her aunt, how to get home, and clear her grandfather of a murder charge so that she can be born!
I love a good time travel story and MURDER ON THE STEEL PIER certainly qualifies! With WWII in the recent past and the Civil Rights movement in the near future I loved how the book incorporated aspects of both in this 1950s setting. I also love how Tess encountered two very important real people and while not explicitly giving their names I knew exactly who they were! I also liked how Tess was able to appreciate some things of this time, such as the fashion and the quiet, while glad certain other aspects of the past remain there.
The first Tess Mancini Time Travel Mystery isn't a complete fish out of water story. Tess struggles with a lot of the differences in 1955, but she has an in with Theresa. While Tess doesn't know how to drive a stick, Theresa does and thus Tess can. Theresa also provides a knowledge of who's who and how to properly handle certain situations. Tess may be up a creek, but she has a paddle! I appreciate how Tess is able to give some spunk and sass, surprising people who see a more quiet "good girl".
The mystery itself was well plotted with plenty of red herrings, twists and turns, and more than one surprise. I really enjoyed the varied characters and how they interacted with each other with Tess pushing the boundaries of Theresa's time, with a little help from her great aunt.
Wonderful characters, loads of period detail, and an intricate mystery combine to make MURDER ON THE STEEL PIER a delightfully unique start to a new series.
The First Tess Mancini Time Travel Mystery
In celebration of her March 31st birthday Tess Mancini headed to Atlantic City to celebrate. But after too much tequila she wakes up with a hangover and the biggest April Fool's Day surprise of all. Instead of her hotel room Tess finds herself in what appears to be an old-fashioned B&B. Without her phone! Somehow she knows where things are and soon discovers when. Tess Mancini has stepped into the life of her Great Aunt Theresa in 1955. If that weren't enough, her hot-headed brother (well, Theresa's brother, her grandfather) is accused of murdering one of the guests at their boarding house. With some innate knowledge and the words of Theresa in her head Tess will have to figure out what happened to her aunt, how to get home, and clear her grandfather of a murder charge so that she can be born!
I love a good time travel story and MURDER ON THE STEEL PIER certainly qualifies! With WWII in the recent past and the Civil Rights movement in the near future I loved how the book incorporated aspects of both in this 1950s setting. I also love how Tess encountered two very important real people and while not explicitly giving their names I knew exactly who they were! I also liked how Tess was able to appreciate some things of this time, such as the fashion and the quiet, while glad certain other aspects of the past remain there.
The first Tess Mancini Time Travel Mystery isn't a complete fish out of water story. Tess struggles with a lot of the differences in 1955, but she has an in with Theresa. While Tess doesn't know how to drive a stick, Theresa does and thus Tess can. Theresa also provides a knowledge of who's who and how to properly handle certain situations. Tess may be up a creek, but she has a paddle! I appreciate how Tess is able to give some spunk and sass, surprising people who see a more quiet "good girl".
The mystery itself was well plotted with plenty of red herrings, twists and turns, and more than one surprise. I really enjoyed the varied characters and how they interacted with each other with Tess pushing the boundaries of Theresa's time, with a little help from her great aunt.
Wonderful characters, loads of period detail, and an intricate mystery combine to make MURDER ON THE STEEL PIER a delightfully unique start to a new series.
February 13, 2025
Tess Mancini wakes up in a brand new world—1955. A whirlwind celebration of her 35th birthday in present-day Atlantic City has somehow transported her back in time and into the mysterious life of her great-aunt Theresa. Caught up in a murder investigation, Tess barely has time to register the similarities between herself and Theresa before Tess's grandfather Val is accused of the crime. Can Tess, now an Italian Catholic lady bound by the conventions of the times, bring about justice for Val and save her lineage?
I slowed my reading pace with this story because it was so good that I wanted to savour every delicious piece. The author successfully circumnavigated the trappings of a time-walking story. The usual clothing problem was handled with aplomb, and Tess was eased into her new situation due to her familiarity with her family's history.
What a main character we have in Tess! She's likeable and smart. She has quick wits and is tenacious enough to fight her way through the conventionalities of the 1950s. She's loyal to her "brother grandfather" and willing to do the necessary to restore his reputation. In short, the perfect heroine.
The mystery took many twists and turns. I'm glad I set a more leisurely tempo for this read; I would have missed some of the more intricate details had I rushed. Tess turned out to be a great reporter (her modern-day calling, after all) and a worthy detective.
Murder at the Steel Pier has become one of my favourite time-travel stories. I am anxious to read the next in the series and can't promise to be as careful with that reading. I'll probably guzzle it up!
This thoughtful cosy is well worth the read, especially if the reader loves the concept of time travel.
Thank you to Rosie Genova and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.
I slowed my reading pace with this story because it was so good that I wanted to savour every delicious piece. The author successfully circumnavigated the trappings of a time-walking story. The usual clothing problem was handled with aplomb, and Tess was eased into her new situation due to her familiarity with her family's history.
What a main character we have in Tess! She's likeable and smart. She has quick wits and is tenacious enough to fight her way through the conventionalities of the 1950s. She's loyal to her "brother grandfather" and willing to do the necessary to restore his reputation. In short, the perfect heroine.
The mystery took many twists and turns. I'm glad I set a more leisurely tempo for this read; I would have missed some of the more intricate details had I rushed. Tess turned out to be a great reporter (her modern-day calling, after all) and a worthy detective.
Murder at the Steel Pier has become one of my favourite time-travel stories. I am anxious to read the next in the series and can't promise to be as careful with that reading. I'll probably guzzle it up!
This thoughtful cosy is well worth the read, especially if the reader loves the concept of time travel.
Thank you to Rosie Genova and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.
February 17, 2025
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Murder on the Steel Pier by Rosie Genova is a Tess Mancini Time Travel Mystery.
Tess Mancini, an investigative reporter for the Central Jersey Journal, was out celebrating her birthday on March 31st. But when she woke up the next morning, she found herself in 1955—as her great-aunt Theresa. Confused and terrified by this bizarre time jump, Tess desperately searched for a way back home while trying to avoid raising suspicion among her family. However, when her grandfather found himself in trouble, she had no choice but to step in and help. Being a female reporter in the 1950s was no easy feat, but Tess refused to back down. Determined, she set out to uncover the real murderer and find a way back to her own time.
This is an incredible time-travel mystery with well-developed characters and an engaging plot full of surprises. The story is well-written, with immersive world-building and detailed descriptions where needed. The steady build-up adds intensity to the mystery, creating a compelling whodunit filled with numerous suspects and strong motives.
Tess is an admirable protagonist—likable, relatable, and fiercely determined. I especially loved her research skills and feisty personality. My favorite part was the scene at the pier when everything was finally revealed.
I highly recommend this book to all mystery lovers and truly hope there will be a next installment!
Murder on the Steel Pier by Rosie Genova is a Tess Mancini Time Travel Mystery.
Tess Mancini, an investigative reporter for the Central Jersey Journal, was out celebrating her birthday on March 31st. But when she woke up the next morning, she found herself in 1955—as her great-aunt Theresa. Confused and terrified by this bizarre time jump, Tess desperately searched for a way back home while trying to avoid raising suspicion among her family. However, when her grandfather found himself in trouble, she had no choice but to step in and help. Being a female reporter in the 1950s was no easy feat, but Tess refused to back down. Determined, she set out to uncover the real murderer and find a way back to her own time.
This is an incredible time-travel mystery with well-developed characters and an engaging plot full of surprises. The story is well-written, with immersive world-building and detailed descriptions where needed. The steady build-up adds intensity to the mystery, creating a compelling whodunit filled with numerous suspects and strong motives.
Tess is an admirable protagonist—likable, relatable, and fiercely determined. I especially loved her research skills and feisty personality. My favorite part was the scene at the pier when everything was finally revealed.
I highly recommend this book to all mystery lovers and truly hope there will be a next installment!
March 29, 2025
I spent many summers in my youth vacationing at the Jersey Shore. I was intrigued and curious about how time travel was interlaced with a murder mystery set in 1950s Atlantic City. And Wowzie, I was impressed. Imagine waking up in a strange yet familiar room, in an era half a century or more before you were born. And who doesn’t wonder about the characters in their ancestry, the wacky aunt, that rebellious great-grand something, or your parent’s parents?
Rosie Genova takes readers on a nostalgic journey via time travel, where her FMC, Tess Mancini, jumps off the page and into your life. I couldn’t put this book down. Add a dose of mystery, time travel, and murder; the suspense will keep you reading deep into the night. So, grab your favorite snacks and beverages, and cuddle up for a ride through 1955 at the Jersey shore you will never forget.
Part sci-fi, part suspense, part mystery, the author weaves an entertaining tale, better than any suspenseful mystery on TV, filled with a well-rounded blend of shady characters and a setting so real you think you are inside the book as you read. For that rainy weekend or a long weekend at the beach, make sure you pack Murder on the Steel Pier inside your carry-on. You will not be disappointed.
I want to thank Book Sirens, the author, and the publisher, for the opportunity to read this as a free ARC. This review is voluntary and is mine alone
Rosie Genova takes readers on a nostalgic journey via time travel, where her FMC, Tess Mancini, jumps off the page and into your life. I couldn’t put this book down. Add a dose of mystery, time travel, and murder; the suspense will keep you reading deep into the night. So, grab your favorite snacks and beverages, and cuddle up for a ride through 1955 at the Jersey shore you will never forget.
Part sci-fi, part suspense, part mystery, the author weaves an entertaining tale, better than any suspenseful mystery on TV, filled with a well-rounded blend of shady characters and a setting so real you think you are inside the book as you read. For that rainy weekend or a long weekend at the beach, make sure you pack Murder on the Steel Pier inside your carry-on. You will not be disappointed.
I want to thank Book Sirens, the author, and the publisher, for the opportunity to read this as a free ARC. This review is voluntary and is mine alone
March 31, 2025
Birthdays are often said to be “The first day of the rest of your life”. What if a shared birthday takes you into the life of one of your ancestors? This gripping story takes present day Tess Mancini back to the birthday, and into the life of, her Great Aunt Theresa Mancini. Events Tess never knew about unfold in “real” time and she is there to play a part in them through Theresa. Her experiences unfold in 1955 Atlantic City, with colorful locations and characters that the reader comes to know as she does. The premise is not a hindrance to the plot. It acts, in it's own way as a type of character, a half existence caught in each of two generations of the same family at the same time. The characters, major and minor, are well rounded and they all offer their own realities, good and bad, for us to see. The story moves along and reveals a plot that makes me think of branches on the family tree, each point leading to something new(or is it old?). Sprinkled with history of the area and some historical cameos, it is a world that offers a glimpse into life “back then” tinged with a current perception. The ending left me grateful for the visit and wanting to go back again, which appears possible. We will have to wait and see if all the elements align again, and if they do, how it will happen this time for Tess and Theresa.
My thanks to BookSirens for making the ARC available to review.
My thanks to BookSirens for making the ARC available to review.
February 3, 2025
This is an entertaining time-travel adventure that takes the reader back to Atlantic City in the 1950s. The sassy-journalist-protagonist is forced to solve a mystery to save her grandfather (and the future generations) of her Italian-American family. Some famous characters pop up (think a blue eyed-crooner and a genius with messy hair). We get yummy meatballs and sauce, adorable 1950s fashion, a cool vintage Buick convertible, and a whole slew of sketchy characters. Tess has to juggle a confounding mystery with her confusion about an unexpected travel through time and the past life of her Great Aunt Theresa.
Oh, and there's a hunky cop as a side kick.
In the matter of full transparency...I don't like time travel books. I find it frustrating when the protagonist is confused about what's happening--because the reader is also confused. But once Tess stops asking questions like "how did I get here" and gets down to the business of solving a crime that hits too close to home, the storyline races to the finish.
The ending is excellent and opens the door for a sequel that I'm ready to read NOW!
The details of 1950s Atlantic City make this book shine. Lots of fun, and a great introduction to a new series.
Grade: A
Happy reading,
Penny
Oh, and there's a hunky cop as a side kick.
In the matter of full transparency...I don't like time travel books. I find it frustrating when the protagonist is confused about what's happening--because the reader is also confused. But once Tess stops asking questions like "how did I get here" and gets down to the business of solving a crime that hits too close to home, the storyline races to the finish.
The ending is excellent and opens the door for a sequel that I'm ready to read NOW!
The details of 1950s Atlantic City make this book shine. Lots of fun, and a great introduction to a new series.
Grade: A
Happy reading,
Penny
March 28, 2025
Murder on the Steel Pier by Rosie Genova is a sparkling cocktail of mystery, nostalgia, and time-traveling intrigue that had me hooked from page one. Imagine waking up hungover—not just in a stranger's house, but in an entirely different decade! That’s exactly what happens to sharp-tongued crime reporter Tess Mancini, who finds herself thrust into the high-heeled shoes of her Great-Aunt Theresa in 1955 Atlantic City.
Rosie Genova nails the retro vibes—greased-up hot rods, smoky jazz clubs, and good old-fashioned mobsters—all while threading a gripping whodunit through the Boardwalk lights. Tess is an absolute blast to follow: witty, gutsy, and completely out of her element but never out of her depth. The mystery of her aunt’s disappearance and the murder of a Nazi fugitive creates a layered, suspenseful narrative, and the stakes feel real—especially when her teenage grandfather becomes suspect number one.
I adored the supporting cast, especially the swoon-worthy detective and the sly, silver-tongued reporter who may or may not be helping her—or just helping himself. The book is full of clever twists, emotional depth, and one heck of a time-travel paradox. It’s Back to the Future meets His Girl Friday with a splash of noir and a whole lot of heart.
Rosie Genova nails the retro vibes—greased-up hot rods, smoky jazz clubs, and good old-fashioned mobsters—all while threading a gripping whodunit through the Boardwalk lights. Tess is an absolute blast to follow: witty, gutsy, and completely out of her element but never out of her depth. The mystery of her aunt’s disappearance and the murder of a Nazi fugitive creates a layered, suspenseful narrative, and the stakes feel real—especially when her teenage grandfather becomes suspect number one.
I adored the supporting cast, especially the swoon-worthy detective and the sly, silver-tongued reporter who may or may not be helping her—or just helping himself. The book is full of clever twists, emotional depth, and one heck of a time-travel paradox. It’s Back to the Future meets His Girl Friday with a splash of noir and a whole lot of heart.
March 31, 2025
Well written, keeps you turning the pages while you try to find who did it. Full of drama. mystery, murder, spies, family, villains, friends, action and best of all time travel. Tess is from the future . When out drinking she somehow ends up in the year 1955. She is now switch places with her Grandfather's sister. Living that life and in the home of her Grandfather-Val along his Grandmother. Not understanding how this switch has taken place but she is happy to be there to see what there were all like. When Val is accused of killing one of the guest staying at the B & B after calling him a Nazi. Tess starts to investigate what really happened and then shares some of it with Joe. Joe is a friend of the family and also lead detective looking to solve the murder. Joe is a scarred war veteran that served during the war. She works hard to solve the mystery but has lots of road blocks that she will need to go around. After solving the mystery , she needs to try to return to he own time. One day she hopes to return to find out what happens to her Aunt. What an excellent story to curl up with and enjoy. Can't wait for the next story in this series. Would strongly recommend to everyone.
I received this story and leave this unbiased, honest review.
I received this story and leave this unbiased, honest review.
January 27, 2025
This fun-to-read, twisty, surprising novel was my best read of the summer! As a Jersey Shore girl myself, this felt both like a return home and also to an adventure into a completely new world, full of saddle shoes, neon lights, and some of my favorite historical icons. It's her hometown, but in an Alice-in-Wonderland style twist, everything familiar is turned on its head, as Tess has somehow embodied her great-aunt Theresa after a boozy, blurry, birthday.
The novel leans into Genova's hallmark style: an overly involved Italian American family, bubbling pots of marinara and meatballs, quippy dialogue, and a mystery that took me to the very last moment to unravel. At the same time, this novel is easily my favorite of her works. The sophistication of the character development and the world-building are masterful indeed.
If you loved His Girl Friday, you'll love the scenes of Tess as a reporter in her 50s newsroom.
If you loved The Maltese Falcon, you'll love Tess's interactions with the neighborhood cop, whom she needs to keep at arm's length if she will ever solve this mystery.
It's a truly perfect read and I can't wait to pick it up again.
The novel leans into Genova's hallmark style: an overly involved Italian American family, bubbling pots of marinara and meatballs, quippy dialogue, and a mystery that took me to the very last moment to unravel. At the same time, this novel is easily my favorite of her works. The sophistication of the character development and the world-building are masterful indeed.
If you loved His Girl Friday, you'll love the scenes of Tess as a reporter in her 50s newsroom.
If you loved The Maltese Falcon, you'll love Tess's interactions with the neighborhood cop, whom she needs to keep at arm's length if she will ever solve this mystery.
It's a truly perfect read and I can't wait to pick it up again.
March 27, 2025
This book was a fun, cozy mystery, with time-travel, unforgettable characters, and high stakes. Tess’s reaction to waking up in the 50s was entirely believable, and when reality sets in, she handles it better than I would! I loved the vivid descriptions of everything, it makes it feel as though you’re there beside Tess, experiencing everything. Much more immersive than just looking at old photos or film. She and her great aunt are basically doppelgängers with very few differences to the point those around her don’t seem to notice she’s different added a nice twist to the story. One of my favorite parts was how the ghost of her aunt seemed to be whispering in her ear at times, helping her along a little. I was just as invested in solving the mystery as Tess, although I wasn’t the one who would be undoubtedly stuck in the 50s if it wasn’t solved. After this, I hope there are more mysteries in the cards for Tess. If you like time travel, women sleuths, and cozy noir mysteries, you need to read this!
March 27, 2025
I am an ARC reader and this is my honest opinion. I had a bit of a time travel craze a few years ago after I first discovered Outlander. I read quite a few books and was intrigued by the author's many and varied methods of sending their characters back in time and their reactions, adaption to their new surroundings (or not ). It's been a while since I last read such a book and this one was very interesting, I found. Tess Manchini didn't randomly slip back in time, she found herself in the life of her great aunt, of the same name shortly before her younger brother, 21st century Tess's grandfather, is accused of murder. It's an interesting story, and Tess's shock at the differences and limitations she encounters in 1955 are fascinating and frustrating. Her main difficulty is in regulating her language - there are a lot of words and expressions a "Good girl" in 1955 definitely wouldn't say that come easily to 21st century Tess! I enjoyed this book and I will be waiting when book 2 appears.
April 10, 2025
Only Time will Tell
I am not sure where to start. There was so much action and realism that I wanted to keep reading to see what the protagonist would do or who she would interrogate next.
I loved this book as the cover and the storyline grabbed me from the start.
Since I grew up in the 50s, I had a blast reading every page and could relate to so much of the storyline, scenery, and characters.
I loved the protagonist, Tess, being fiesty and determined to find answers wherever and whoever she could to save her Brother Grampa from going to prison and face the death penalty.
I enjoyed reading this book as it brought back so many memories of living in that time period era.
I hope to read more from this author and can't wait for book 2 to come out.
Rosie Genova is a great writer. The whole book was evenly paced and had everything in it with realistic characters, great scenery, plot, and being error free, making the book flow smoothly, easy, and enjoyable to read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I am not sure where to start. There was so much action and realism that I wanted to keep reading to see what the protagonist would do or who she would interrogate next.
I loved this book as the cover and the storyline grabbed me from the start.
Since I grew up in the 50s, I had a blast reading every page and could relate to so much of the storyline, scenery, and characters.
I loved the protagonist, Tess, being fiesty and determined to find answers wherever and whoever she could to save her Brother Grampa from going to prison and face the death penalty.
I enjoyed reading this book as it brought back so many memories of living in that time period era.
I hope to read more from this author and can't wait for book 2 to come out.
Rosie Genova is a great writer. The whole book was evenly paced and had everything in it with realistic characters, great scenery, plot, and being error free, making the book flow smoothly, easy, and enjoyable to read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 2, 2025
What a fun book! Tess Mancini wakes up the morning after celebrating her thirty-fifth birthday and discovers that she is, "lost in 1955, in this Atlantic City version of Pleasantville." She weirdly seems to have become her Great Aunt Theresa and to "have an awareness of her consciousness." Tess now knows people that she has never met. She even encounters old blue eyes himself! Then a murder happens and she finds herself trying to keep her grandfather out of jail! The Atlantic City Steel Pier seems to be the center of the experiences she has. There were many things that I liked about this book. Tess is a sassy, go-getter heroine. Looking back on everyday life in the fifties with her--the fashions, cost of living, telephones, typewriters, cars etc. was entertaining. I thought this book was well written and it was a page turner for me. I look forward to future adventures with Tess.
February 21, 2025
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Present day journalist Tess Mancini unexpectedly time-travels to her Italian family’s boarding house in 1955--where, as a woman, she’s treated like a child by her relatives, and expected to hold her tongue along with her curiosity. A challenge, considering she also finds herself tasked with preventing her then teenage grandfather from being unjustly convicted of murder.
Expertly researched and crafted, Genova weaves an intricate web of twists and turns that had me guessing the identity of the real murderer, incorrectly, until the end. Through it all, Genova infuses the story with the warmth of blood family and found family. A dash of an impossible time-crossed romance, along with a couple of cameo appearances by real-life historical figures, ramps up the sky-high fun quotient and left me wanting more. Brava!
Present day journalist Tess Mancini unexpectedly time-travels to her Italian family’s boarding house in 1955--where, as a woman, she’s treated like a child by her relatives, and expected to hold her tongue along with her curiosity. A challenge, considering she also finds herself tasked with preventing her then teenage grandfather from being unjustly convicted of murder.
Expertly researched and crafted, Genova weaves an intricate web of twists and turns that had me guessing the identity of the real murderer, incorrectly, until the end. Through it all, Genova infuses the story with the warmth of blood family and found family. A dash of an impossible time-crossed romance, along with a couple of cameo appearances by real-life historical figures, ramps up the sky-high fun quotient and left me wanting more. Brava!
February 26, 2025
Time travel. Family secrets. Murder and mystery. If these phrases appeal to you as they do me, you will love Murder on the Steel Pier.
Imagine going to bed in one time, and waking up in another. Not only that, but waking up as a family member long since passed. Pair that with a murder that could possibly change your family and affect its history and bam folks ... we have a cozy mystery winner.
This was a fun read the entire time. Easy five stars. Tess is a great MC and I adore everything about her, especially her resourcefulness. The story was fun as well and made it hard to put this down. Ah responsibilities why do you plague my want to just read all day.
If you love mysteries in general, but are a cozy mystery fan at heart, definitely grab this one. I sincerely appreciate the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
Imagine going to bed in one time, and waking up in another. Not only that, but waking up as a family member long since passed. Pair that with a murder that could possibly change your family and affect its history and bam folks ... we have a cozy mystery winner.
This was a fun read the entire time. Easy five stars. Tess is a great MC and I adore everything about her, especially her resourcefulness. The story was fun as well and made it hard to put this down. Ah responsibilities why do you plague my want to just read all day.
If you love mysteries in general, but are a cozy mystery fan at heart, definitely grab this one. I sincerely appreciate the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
March 17, 2025
Tess wakes up after celebrating her birthday in Atlantic City and soon finds out that she’s traveled back in time to 1955 and is inhabiting the body of an aunt who disappeared before Tess was born. Not only does she have to solve the problem of how to get back to her own time, but when her grandfather is accused of murder Tess has to prove his innocence so that she’ll have a future to go back to.
The author really came up with an interesting premise and I enjoyed the 1955 setting. Although I can’t speak to how realistic the story is to the time, not having lived through it, it seemed like Tess’s aunt had an odd mix of societal structures and at the same time a lot of freedom to work around them. But she couldn’t have solved the mystery if all she did was sit at home so it made sense in the context of the story.
The author really came up with an interesting premise and I enjoyed the 1955 setting. Although I can’t speak to how realistic the story is to the time, not having lived through it, it seemed like Tess’s aunt had an odd mix of societal structures and at the same time a lot of freedom to work around them. But she couldn’t have solved the mystery if all she did was sit at home so it made sense in the context of the story.
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