Sapphic in the Shadows: A 1920's New York Mystery - Episode 1: The First Case

by Leanna Headley, Alex B. Porter

As the new secretary to a private investigation firm, Ella Quick expects to spend her days making coffee and filing paperwork so it’s a pleasant surprise when her boss, Josie Desroches, takes her on assignments that not only open her eyes to the world but also teach her a thing or two about herself.

A Sapphic Historical Mystery Series
Set in New York City in the Roaring Twenties during a period of social revolution for women everywhere, bringing about significant change from fashion to suffrage to sexual expression, Sapphic in the Shadows follows Ella’s adventures as she and her feisty boss solve mysteries, get entangled with drugs, prostitutes and the mafia and encounter the biggest, most ingenious crime organization that the city has ever known.

Does it complicate things that Ella seems to be having romantic feelings for her boss? Certainly. Will it confuse matters further when Ella discovers her boss is a lesbian? A flirtatious and outlandish lesbian who regularly uses sex to get what she wants? Definitely.

Has Ella bit off more than she can chew by taking this job or would she have been better off staying at home, hoping to snag a rich husband?

Genres: Lesbian, LGBT, Historical Fiction, Queer, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2018

Reviews

[charlotte, · Rating 2 out of 5]

i think the story needed to be expanded, not 24 pages long, but it was decent enough

Rep: lesbian mcs

[lauraღ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short and therefore hard to judge, but I really like the premise (1920s lesbians investigating mysteries!) and the characters. I love Josie's Holmesian intelligence and arrogance. A self assured woman is a beautiful thing. And Ella is an adorable protag.

3.5 stars. I am interested in reading the rest of the series, but if I do so I'll probably pick up the full collection.

[Petrina Binney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clever storyline featuring Josie, a lesbian private detective in 1920s New York, her male accountant, Matthew, who poses as the private detective so as not to put off clients, and new secretary, Ella. Having only just joined the agency, Ella finds herself participating in sting operations, trying on different personas and swallowing down her intrigue in seductive new boss, Josie.

There seem to be some wonderful cases to come:

“‘A ticket attendant for the Little Vaughan Theater on Broadway appears to have run off with a case full of the performers’ cocaine,’ said Matthew, in a blank voice. ‘They would like you to retrieve it.’”
E01, Chapter 5, Sapphic in the Shadows: A 1920s New York Mystery by Leanna Headley and Alex B. Porter

… and I look forward to reading the rest of the episodes.

[Eel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not Really a Book

This tiny story is more like a scene than a whole book. I wouldn’t even call it a prequel.

Ella starts her first day on a new job and spends some time with her boss and gets a crush. The whole episode thing is strange and obviously leads to a larger story, but how big is it? What is this?

[Grace Jompe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went in with an open mind but I was really let down to be honest. I understand that it's a short story and it's the first in a series but I feel that there's so much more that could have been done with the story. It's neither good nor bad, it's just there.

[Shannon Rohrer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. My only sadness is that it wasn't longer. I would love a bindup of all these "episodes", for I'm sure it would make a more satisfying read.

Well done, very saucy and intriguing.

[gsievers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually really liked this!! I wasn't expecting it but it was actually kinda slay and I Really wanna find a way to read the rest of them!it was a cute read for the night and I Loved the 99% gay characters :P

[Jewell Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

1920's love

I was really intrigued by this short story. Can take you less than an hr to get through. One spicy scene that makes you wana keep reading. I'd be interested to know what happens next for sure. I would love to see the character development as well for sure.

[Bronwin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mild spice with a hint oh mystery

This is a quick nibble of a book. The plot comes in quick as a wink. Two blinks and the reader is left safely at the end of the story. I would have liked to see a longer format on these fun characters.

[Amy L Sand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

Bit of a twist there! I enjoyed the experience. Thanks for story. I will definitely have to get more of your work!

[Sandra Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read.

Two friends, have an detective agency. They hire a young girl, to assist them. The lady is the detective, the man, the accountant. The lady, also has a secret.

[Lunarsenic · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very short, I didn't really get into it, and it didn't make me want to read the next ones.
Also, I really don't think the spicy thing adds anything. For me, it actually did the opposite...

[victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

super short read, it was free on the Kobo shop and did its thing

[ErinysG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short story, it was interesting and a bit on the Quick side… ha, but I guess that helped move the plot along? I wouldn’t say no to reading more of the small series.