A Murder on Long Island: A 1920s Historical Mystery

Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries #1

by Colette Clark

A death in a locked room and a house full of suspects…
New York, 1925

Penelope “Pen” Banks has a knack for puzzling things out and the uncanny ability to remember everything she sees. Two talents that have helped her make ends meet, playing cards in clubs and speakeasies. Now, they might just help her discover the true cause of death for a dear old family friend.

Agnes Sterling has been found dead in her Long Island mansion. The official cause of death is ruled a suicide. After all, she was found in her locked bedroom with both the bottle of poison and a final handwritten note on the bed next to her.

Penelope is certain Agnes Sterling’s death was not by her own hand. She’s been summoned to Long Island for the reading of the will along with the other beneficiaries. While there, she plans on doing a little sleuthing to discover what really happened to Agnes.

The surprising terms of the will and a secret letter have Pen all the more certain that foul play was at hand.

A Murder in Long Island is the first book in the Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries set in 1920s New York, with a spirited heroine, witty banter, and twists and turns that will leave you guessing. Perfect for readers who enjoy the feel of a cozy mystery with the excitement and daring of Prohibition and the Jazz Age.

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

254 pages, Paperback

First published February 11, 2022

About the author

Colette Clark lives in New York and has always enjoyed learning more about the history of her amazing city. She decided to combine that curiosity and love of learning with her addiction to reading and watching mysteries. Her first series, Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries is the result of those passions. When she’s not writing she can be found doing Sudoku puzzles, drawing, eating tacos, visiting museums dedicated to unusual/weird/wacky things, and, of course, reading mysteries by other great authors.

Reviews

[Noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic setup, but with an independent and headstrong main character that makes this a welcome addition to the genre rather than a tired one. Besides, it’s been a minute since I’ve read a book completely without the urge to reach for my phone. I’m very much looking forward to reading the sequels!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Simply Smashing Murder Mystery

This is a 4.5 🌟 read rounded ⬆️ to 5 🌟.

I really love the 1920s flapper era. A Golden Era full of huge changes, particularly for women, and to have this novel take place during that time with an incredibly intelligent and winsome main character determined to solve her friend's murder was just the bees knees! A wonderfully written cosy mystery that I'm sure to read more of.

[Lady Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 / 5

I have to admit, although this did have a bit of a slow start...well, it just has a bit of everything in it, really!

Ladies and gents, meet Penelope Banks, a very not-heiress who makes her living by gambling. See, she's got something we call a photographic (eidetic) memory, but what in the context of the 1920s, they just call a "peculiar quirk that no one should know about".

Anyways, one of her mother's dear friends apparently passed away via suicide, and Pen's named in the will, so off to Long Island she goes! There, it doesn't take long for Pen's suspicions to be aroused to the conclusion of murder, and so a lovely cozy mystery begins!

In many ways, this was quite typical of a cozy mystery, but since I'm a fan of cozy mysteries myself, it's a formula that I'm quite alright with. Not only that, but I'm indeed quite a fan of the many different aspects of cozy mysteries, starting with their delightful covers! (The face on Penelope is exactly the same as Eleanor Swift, by the way, which leads me to conclude that the same kind of cover maker is used for both books.)

What really makes a great cozy mystery though, especially if in a series, is the characters, and frankly, these characters are delightful--heroes and suspects alike! I'm already shipping Pen with the enigmatic and charming Detective Prescott, I'm amused at poor Cousin Cordelia's antics, I'm wondering if Pen will ever patch up her relationship with her father, I'm curious about the underworld dealings she doesn't want to get involved in and, by the end of the novel, I'm definitely wondering which characters will make a reappearance!

Also, just a heads up for everyone reading this book, which is free with Kindle Unlimited: the end includes a link to get a free prequel to the series, with quite a gorgeous cover of its own, so...yeah, all's well and good, I'll be reading that as well!

And also, though I'm not sure yet, we MAY have yet another contender for a favourite series of mine to add up to my shelves, but I think I'll read further into the series before drawing just that conclusion--and spending the money to get physical copies of the books as well.

Stay tuned until then, I suppose!

[Kymm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in any cozy mystery series is the one that determines if the reader is going to continue or not. For me cozies are all about the characters and the first book is where I get to know everyone. In "A Murder in Long Island" by Colette Clark, Penelope "Pen" Banks is living a life completely different from the one she was born into. After fleeing the altar and a man she didn't want to marry, her father has cut her off and refused to give her any money forcing her to get a job and her own place to stay. But her loss of funds hasn't dampened her attitude, if anything she's become quite resourceful in how she gets by.

When Pen finds out a dear family friend, Agnes Sterling is dead, and she died by suicide she knows there's something fishy going on. There's no way Pen thinks Agnes killed herself and since she's been called to the house for the reading of the will, she's going to get to the bottom of things. She's not the only one called to the reading of the will and for Pen these other guests are more than fellow beneficiaries, they're suspects in Agnes's murder!

I had such a good time reading this one. It's a fun story with great characters and a well thought out mystery and I love the character Pen, she's the kind of lady in the 1920's that I'd like to hope I'd be. Outspoken, independent and willing to buck the system, but do it in a classy way. Pen never forgets the manners or ways of society she grew up with and is always prim and proper when in polite society, but when she's out there earning money at the card table or in the speakeasy, going up against not so reputable men, she has no problem holding her own! I can't wait to see what Pen gets into next. There's twists and turns, a hint of a romance and secrets, secrets, secrets! If you're like me and love cozies, especially historical cozy mysteries, then this is a great start to a new series. And the best part, there's already a book 2! Happy Reading!

[Aysia Fergerson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clearly a fan of Agatha Christie

This book started off really strong in my opinion. It was fun and it kept me engaged at first. Then I realized about half way through the book, that this plot line is the exact same as Agatha Christie’s novel A Mysterious Affair at Styles, which was also the beginning of Christie’s Detective series. The author name drops Agatha Christie (three times), Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. It seemed like she was trying to be like Christie through this novel.

I could tell she really enjoyed writing this, but there were some issues. She played on certain stereotypes that was a little uncomfortable. She overused what I assume was 1920’s slang which made me roll my eyes every time I saw the words “berries” “kale” and especially “Zounds”. The main character Penelope, is kind of annoying at times, she wants to be taken seriously in a word that is oppressive to women, but then she’s always acting so childishly and without forethought, then gets upset when she isn’t taken seriously. She stated acting so silly by the end of the book that I didn’t want to finish. I did, but I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series.

Overall I was a bit disappointed in this book, it was so interesting and fun in the beginning but I think it lost its way by the end.

[Autumn {Seasoned Reader} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored the time period in this book, prohibition playing a big part in this and the setting of NYC is one of my favorites. Done really well, the writing was appropriate for that era and I couldn’t put it down until I found out whodunnit. So excited to have come across this new series!! Pen is a new fave amateur sleuth for sure…

[Eden · Rating 3 out of 5]

2022 - Bk 198. This is one of the many new mystery series that have sprung up thanks to the self publishing options now available. While it isn't up to the sophistication of Rhys Bowen or Carola Dunn, it was very enjoyable and a provides a brief look at the world of the 1920's New York society/speakeasies/Long Island crowd. I did enjoy watching the main character solve the murder and enjoyed her gutsy way of taking on life after being dis-inherited by her father. I will most likely purchase the second book in the series because of the hints in the last chapter.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun!

[babab · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 fun!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope Banks formerly a member of New York’s high society set has been shunned because she left her cheating fiancé at the altar. She now uses her gift of perfect recall to make enough money to support herself as her father has cut her off. Her lone friend left in the fashionable set is Agnes Sterling on of her late mother’s dearest friends. When an unexpected dinner invitation from her father arrives Penelope learns than Agnes has died apparently from suicide. She refuses to believe such a thing and sets out to find the true culprit. After the reading of the will things become both more clear and murkier at the same time. Penelope is more than up for the challenge and determined to find out who could have murdered such a dead friend.
A lovely peek into the past and the rather wild times of the 1920’s in New York City. I very much enjoyed Penelope’s spunk, determination and her strength of character. I love her super power aka her photographic memory which allows her to see clues and connections easily overlooked by others. I love the fact that she never let her reduced circumstances make her bitter or resentful, she simply went out and made herself a new life. A fabulous character to read about with a tricky closed door mystery to solve all set in a wondrously real background of the roaring 20’s. Definitely a must read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[T.A. Burke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't bad at all. Instead of being weighted-down by silly frou-frou dialogue meant to replicate the 1920's, the author has the main character be a bit blunt.

And, I did not guess the murderer.

[Jasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hm. I didn’t love this. I was interested in the beginning (I love a 1920s cozy mystery) but found myself getting bored and not feeling pushed to finish. Penelope annoyed me towards the end, as soon as the detective entered the story. She was so petulant with him, getting angry with him for no good reason in the car. She was also incredibly stupid for ignoring his warnings at the end. Some of her “puzzle solving” had me rolling my eyes - like when she realized someone could use a step stool to reach the buzzers. Well, duh!

[Ана Хелс · Rating 5 out of 5]

За мен класическите дамски криминални романи трябва да се развиват в Англия. Е, понякога главните героини могат и да отскачат до Париж, Кайро или някое селце из Алпите, но винаги е задължително се връщат в лоното на добрата стара Британия, за предпочитане в Лондон или някое древно имение, в комплект с всичките му местни призраци, някое и друго локално чудовище или поне зловеща история за синьобради графове и горди красавици, затворени в кули. Пишман детективките просто трябва да са благородни британски девици, с поне три метра родословно дърво, избродирано от слепи монахини върху многовековен гоблен, и ако има романт��ка, било то във викториански или междувоенни времена, то трябва да се заражда в близост до легендерния Алмак.

Това Америка, със всичките му американски наследници, издънки на европейци, отхвърлили твърде активно своят произход, никога не ме е привличало. Така де, едно е призраци да се гонят из Лондонския Тауър, друго е да се мотаят из царевичните поля на Канзас, или където там технически може да расте бащата на пуканките. Затова и съм избягвала активно поредиците с американки в Америка, поне докато не попаднах на Колет Кларк и нейната жизнена, остроумна, не цепеща басма на милионери, престъпници и ченгета с еднаква хамериканска наглост мис Пенелопи Банкс. Да, тя не е благородничка, майка ѝ е била нещо средно между стриптизьорка, циркаджийка и още няколко неприлични вариации на дама със съмнителен морал, а баща ѝ е червив с пари банкер с кой знае какви финансови източници, и в началото на приключението си изкарва парите като мами разни престъпни елементи на карти, но много скоро мис Банкс се превръща в класически модел на лейди детектив от висшето общество, за което помагат и едни пет милиона наследство от първият срещнат труп.

Нашето момиче е практически безстрашно, и случаите, които ѝ падат в краката обикновено вървят с някои доста съмнителни типове, като гангстери, мафиоти, разглезени богаташки издънки без капка емпатия или амбициозни матрони на висшето общество, които ще те наръгат с вилица, ако случайно си сгрешил какво точно да набодеш със същата, но въпреки обективно малките си шансове, Пени ще оцелее и ще замъкне някак злодеите пред не особено дългата или пъргава ръка на закона. Със свежо чувство за хумор, малко благоприлична романтика, много опасности, непредвидими обрати и тонове вълци в скъпи овчи кожове, поредицата на Колет ще ви стане любима, независимо дали като мен недолюбвате континентите отвъд Океана, или вярвате в тая фалшива мечта за земята на неограничените възможности. Трупове и лейдита има навсякъде.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy going cozy mystery.......

This was a really easy going cozy mystery which had just enough to keep my interest and generate intrigue in how the plot would unfold.

I absolutely love the 1920s and Prohibition provided the perfect backdrop for this story. The story is set firstly in the centre of New York and then moved focus to Long Island. We meet a handful characters throughout, including Penelope, 'Pen', Banks, the main character.

I very much enjoyed the opening chapters where I could picture and almost feel the hustle and bustle of the speakeasies and the thrill of gambling endeavours. If anything I would of liked more of this and felt this backdrop with 'Pen's' comings and goings would have had a larger part in the outcome of the story.

However, I felt as the story progressed it became a little of a slow burn with a hint of predictability. I feel that there could of been a few more clues and the writing style leaned towards guiding the reader to the clues in a descriptive way rather than having a sense of wonder and an element of questionability.

Additionally, I found 'Pen' really hard to connect with and felt she was a little naive, especially at the beginning. Having said that though, I started to warm to her towards the end and curious to see how her character develops in the next two books.

On a further note, I liked the cover design and I overall really enjoyed this book. I will read the other two in the series and this provided a very good, simple and not too complicated murder mystery, which was perfect for reading after a long busy and often hectic day.

Thank you to the author, Colette Clark, and Book Sirens for a free copy of this book. I received an advanced reading copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jacob Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.75 stars)

After reading a random book in the middle of the Penelope Banks Mystery series by Colette Clark, I thought it was time to journey back to the beginning. This story features a locked room mystery (a personal favorite trope of mine) as well as a will-reading gone wrong that also usually makes for an entertaining story. It was great to see Penelope Banks right at the beginning of her detective/sleuthing days, and I thought this book had a lot of fun stuff going for it.

I think I liked the other novel a bit more, but still loved so much of what was in this one and found it all too compelling to put down. Colette Clark has a typical way of laying out the mystery suspects and dissecting them all one but one that I find a bit remedial but also utterly impossible to put down. I was able to predict this mystery solution with relative ease, but there was still a healthy heaping of red herrings throughout.

I think my biggest gripe with this one is that there were multiple mysteries going on at once that I wish had tied together a bit better. I still am a bit unclear why they weren’t tethered more strongly as well. It felt a bit like a missed opportunity. But as for a first book in this series (and I believe a first by Colette Clark in general) this was such a fun read! If you’re into 1920s murder mysteries I highly recommend these books.

All I can say about them is they’re utterly addictive!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover of my book says, “A Murder in Long Island.” Apparently, Ms. Clark, who self-published this book, was schooled after the fact. Nothing happens “in” Long Island; it happens “on” Long Island. I grew up there; I cringed. It is clear that “in” was autocorrected to “on” everywhere it preceded “Long Island” but in some places it led to awkward capital letters. Nevertheless, the story was a cozy locked room mystery à la Agatha Christie, set in 1920s Prohibition-era New York City and on Long Island.

Penelope “Pen” Banks has an eidetic memory, which she has been using to supplement her income at night in speakeasies around New York City by playing cards. She also enjoys puzzling through inconsistencies. After she learns that her dear family friend, Agnes Sterling, has allegedly taken her life, and she is called to a reading of the will at Agnes’s Long Island estate, she finds the cause of death hard to believe and decides to investigate on her own. A letter left to her by Agnes only further confirms her suspicion that foul play occurred.

But she also notices that one of Agnes’s fine paintings has been replaced with a fake. A NYPD detective shows up to investigate after she reported the fake painting to the local police, who seem reluctant to open an investigation into Agnes's death. He is investigating a series of fine art thefts at mansions in their neighborhood, usually while the owners are away. But he decides to help Pen. Another murder occurs while they follow a lead in New York. They help each other solve all the crimes. Moderately entertaining.

[Mike Kerr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penelope “Pen” Banks is charming as a smart, fiercely loyal woman possessing a photographic memory who is yet trapped in the 1920s, suffering the biased and boorish bluster of men and the silly indulgences of unenlightened women. Her friend, the famously wealthy dear “old fun gal” Agnes Sterling is dead. She suspects foul play despite the official view.

The story is playful and amusing harkening to the golden age of novels and even referencing Agatha Christie. It takes place almost entirely in one setting, the Sterling mansion. The scenery is slowly painted as the writing indulges in the many nuanced thoughts, actions and histories of the other characters, though not necessarily moving the plot. I found these characters echoing the figures in the board game Clue with the Major, the pampered Mrs. Holloway, the roughish Raymond, the handsome and witty “confirmed bachelor” Benny etc.

Despite being a murder mystery, the story safely avoids any scenes of violence. Or of sex, for that matter. Murder In Long Island engages a reader’s fancy through sharp dialogue and tell-tale clues. I felt the revelations were artificial, but perhaps what matters is the stylish charm and laughable foibles of entitlement.

[Inishowen Cailín · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic start to brand new series.
Penelope is a very endearing character. She is clever, resourceful and self-sufficient. She relies on herself to get by in the world and she's not against bending the rules or circumventing the law in order to do so.
This first book in the series introduces her as riches to rags character who soon finds herself flush in cash again after inheriting a fortune. The murder mystery and the other mysterious goings-on are very entertaining and I enjoyed watching Penelope puzzle it all out. The suspects were all believable. I was pretty sure who was involved in the art forgery from the beginning but I needed Penelope to figure out exactly how it was all done.
I loved the interactions between Penelope and the Detective. Although he appears later in the novel, sparks fly between them right from the onset and it injects a lot of humour and a certain amount of frisson. I can see how the pair will make a great duo in solving crime for the rest of the series. I can't wait.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penelope - Pen Banks lives with her cousin Cordelia Davies because her dad cut her off for leaving her fiance at the altar when she found him cheating on her.
Pen supplements her office job income with gambling at illegal parties - (she can card count). Lucille "Lulu" helps her out. Mr. Radmacher/Mr. Sweeney
Her mom's best friend:
Agnes Sterling was found dead in her locked bedroom, ruled suicide.
She was invited for the reading of the will.
Staff:Leonard-drive, Chives, butler, Sarah and Edith, maids. Beth - Agnes maid.
Guests: Major Hallaway and wife, Lottie, he is a cousin. Lottie was a klepto - stole mostly jewelry. She fixed Agnes' car causing the accident. She pit the poison in the alcohol. Wrote fake suicide note.
Mrs. Mayweather - friend,
Raymond Colley, Agnes' nephew had Edith forge a painting of Agnes' to get money
Detective Prescott: handsome, may be a suitor in the future
Pen received 5 million plus everything else not named in the will.
Barney cClintock provides the bootleg alcohol.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun mystery series set in 1925, the days of prohibition, bootleggers and speakeasies in New York! Penelope, or Pen, is a young woman disinherited for leaving her groom at the alter after discovering him “canoodling” the night before her wedding! She lives with her Cousin Cordelia in a small apartment and makes her living working as a bookkeeper (with a sideline relieving wealthy men of their money at cards). She has the “strange affliction” of having almost perfect memory, which comes in handy as she goes to Long Island after her friend Agnes Sterling dies of an apparent suicide. Pen believes it was murder and sets out to prove it, one clue at a time. I love the colorful 20’s language, like zounds, gadzooks, you’re the berries and let’s blouse! Pen is saucy and pertinent and so much fun to follow! I’m a definite fan!I received a free ARC and write this review voluntarily.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Murder in Long Island is Book 1 in a Penelope Banks Murder Mystery by Colette Clark. It is 1925 and Penelope (Pen) is a thoroughly modern girl! Raised on 5th Avenue, but, when she crossed her father, she was put out without a penny. Well, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Pen put het brilliant mind to work and made money very creativity. Her cousin, Cordelia, took her in and they eked out a living. Her mother's friend Agnas Sterling suddenly dies and Pen's life dramatically changed. The police say suicide, but is it murder? Agnas is wealthy and family and friends are waiting for the will with hands out. This cozy mystery is outstanding and clever. The characters are interesting and Penelope is very fun and totally smart. I can't wait to read book 2 and see what adventures Pen get into next! I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penelope Banks has spent the last three years living by her wits. When she refused to marry the philandering cad her socially prominant father tried to force on her, she had been summarily disinherited and driven out of her home. Now living with an older cousin of her mother's, Pen supplements her income as a bookkeeper by playing cards in speakeasies. Her photographic memory makes this pastime a snap. But when an old friend of her mother's dies in suspicious circumstances at her home on Long Island, Pen finds herself investigating the death. The collection of relatives and friends gathered for the reading of the woman's will, is stunned when Penelope herself is named heiress to most of the fortune. Then a valuable painting is discovered to be a fake and everyone staying in the house becomes a suspect, including Penelope herself.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am SO delighted to find this new-to-me cozy mystery author! Colette Clark kept me on the edge of my seat as I enjoyed this fast-paced 1920s whodunnit. Protagonist Penelope Banks is bold and adventurous. Her sharp memory makes her a perfect card-shark when she’s cut off by her snobby father… and a successful detective when the old friend who believed in her is murdered. The other characters in this Long Island setting are (believable) caricatures, but Aunt Cordelia is a dear - the perfect contrast to Pen’s modernity. I can’t wait for the second book in this series to be published and see what these women are up to next! I received a complimentary copy of this book via Book Sirens, but was not obligated to post a review.

[Dianne Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this light hearted Cozy Mystery! Well edited and entertaining, the characters are well developed and believable. Many times authors will try to give female protagonists the personality and privileges that we expect today to a character set in a more restrictive time period. Colette Clark has done a great job of making Penelope interesting and active while still acknowledging the limitations that would have been placed on a woman of her time, even one of privileged background and means.

It has been fun to watch Penelope mature even within the confines of this one book. I look forward to reading about her future adventures.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost awesome

I want to like this series more than I actually do. There are clever ideas and creative characters,but the individual books do not have great cohesion. I can only assume that it’s because there are teaser novellas that the author offers if readers join her newsletter. Perhaps they bridge the gap between each book? Except that each book seems to take place within a week or two of the previous book least the fmc turn 25. I couldn’t say as I didn’t read them. As it is, there are a few slight issues with the 1920’s lingo, for example the slang “kale” is used ad nauseam. There are other words for money and one would think that different people of different ages and backgrounds might not all use the exact same slang.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently the Kindle Unlimited algorithm has decided that I like 1920s mysteries with a plucky heroine. And this is about my favorite so far. Penelope was disinherited by her father for unknown reasons three years ago. She lives with her father's cousin Cordelia and makes money by gambling. Her edge? Her eidetic memory. But shock of all shocks, her father has called her for dinner. Her mother's dear friend Agnes is dead. Supposedly she did herself in but Penelope isn't so sure. Especially since the same people who were there at her aunt's car accident are the same ones who are there this weekend.
The mystery is maybe a little thin and I really wish we had gotten to know Agnes but I am looking forward to getting to know the other characters.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder or Suicide ? . . .

Penelope “Pen” Banks has an amazing photographic memory, as well as the reasoning power to figure things out that would stump others. When her dear friend Agnes Sterling is found dead in her mansion, it is ruled a suicide because she was in a locked room with poison and a note beside her.

But Penelope is sure that Agnes would not have killed herself. Pen was asked to come to Long Island for the Will’s reading since something was left to her. So it’s the perfect time for her to do a little sleuthing. Will she discover what happened and who murdered her friend?

[K Crombie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in a new series and what a lot of fun it is. A 'locked-room' mystery after the Agatha Christie style of murder and a cast of both likeable and loathsome characters. I thought the author had clearly done a careful job of researching the Prohibition era in which the story is set and I find that learning new and unusual facts really adds charm and depth to a story. The main character, 'Pen' Penelope is clever and kind and fast with her witty retorts. I also liked that she's not perfect and makes mistakes as she goes along - this leaves room for her character to grow, which I hope the author will allow her to do in the subsequent books.
A great story, well done!

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't want a good mystery especially one set in the era of speakeasies and gangsters. The other 20s, the 1920's is not just jazz and flappers but can mask a seedier side that results in murder even in the world of high society. When Penelope is summons for a will reading at the home of one of her mom's closest friends, she refuses to believe that it was death by suicide. Is it related to greed over her money or something more nefarious?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable debut. It's a cozy mystery set in the 20's and I love stories of that era. Such an experience going back in time especially with female characters and the illicit alcohol.

I really like the character of Penelope, and loved her irreverance and sass. I also love a locked room type mystery so this ticked all the boxes. I was pulled along with the story and read it so quickly as I was totally hooked. I can't wait for the next in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.