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The Wicked City #2
The Wicked Redhead
The dazzling narrator of The Wicked City brings her mesmerizing voice and indomitable spirit to another Jazz Age tale of rumrunners, double crosses, and true love, spanning the Eastern seaboard from Florida to Long Island to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
1924. Ginger Kelly wakes up in tranquil Cocoa Beach, Florida, having fled south to safety in the company of disgraced Prohibition agent Oliver Anson Marshall and her newly-orphaned young sister, Patsy. But paradise is short-lived. Marshall is reinstated to the agency with suspicious haste and put to work patrolling for rumrunners on the high seas, from which he promptly disappears. Gin hurries north to rescue him, only to be trapped in an agonizing moral quandary by Marshall’s desperate mother.
1998. Ella Dommerich has finally settled into her new life in Greenwich Village, inside the same apartment where a certain redheaded flapper lived long ago...and continues to make her presence known. Having quit her ethically problematic job at an accounting firm, cut ties with her unfaithful ex-husband, and begun an epic love affair with Hector, her musician neighbor, Ella’s eager to piece together the history of the mysterious Gin Kelly, whose only physical trace is a series of rare vintage photograph cards for which she modeled before she disappeared.
Two women, two generations, two urgent quests. But as Ginger and Ella track down their separate quarries with increasing desperation, the mysteries consuming them take on unsettling echoes of each other, and both women will require all their strength and ingenuity to outwit a conspiracy spanning decades.
1924. Ginger Kelly wakes up in tranquil Cocoa Beach, Florida, having fled south to safety in the company of disgraced Prohibition agent Oliver Anson Marshall and her newly-orphaned young sister, Patsy. But paradise is short-lived. Marshall is reinstated to the agency with suspicious haste and put to work patrolling for rumrunners on the high seas, from which he promptly disappears. Gin hurries north to rescue him, only to be trapped in an agonizing moral quandary by Marshall’s desperate mother.
1998. Ella Dommerich has finally settled into her new life in Greenwich Village, inside the same apartment where a certain redheaded flapper lived long ago...and continues to make her presence known. Having quit her ethically problematic job at an accounting firm, cut ties with her unfaithful ex-husband, and begun an epic love affair with Hector, her musician neighbor, Ella’s eager to piece together the history of the mysterious Gin Kelly, whose only physical trace is a series of rare vintage photograph cards for which she modeled before she disappeared.
Two women, two generations, two urgent quests. But as Ginger and Ella track down their separate quarries with increasing desperation, the mysteries consuming them take on unsettling echoes of each other, and both women will require all their strength and ingenuity to outwit a conspiracy spanning decades.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 550 reviews
October 21, 2019
3.5 stars- Assigned- Good, but not great. Be sure to read the first book- The Wicked City- before starting this one.
December 18, 2019
Gin Kelly's voice is just delightful. I'm glad there'll be a third book concluding her adventures.
December 28, 2019
Beatrix Williams has spun an entertaining story. This is the second book in the wicked City series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, however I do think not having read the first book detracted from my enjoyment a little. I had a hard time getting into the story and I think that’s because I did not know the character’s background. I love feisty female characters, I love books that take place in the 20s, and I love books set in multiple time periods. This book had all three and more. The book starts in 1924 with Ginger down in Florida having run from danger and tragedy that happened in New York in the previous book. The story than bounces to 1998 and Ella who has just left her husband and is living in an apartment that is situated over the speakeasy where Ginger once worked. Ginger’s presents is still very strong in the building and Ella is intrigued. What follows is a story filled with scandal, danger, secrets, lies, love, Family, blackmail, and deceit. I have to admit I found the 1998 storyline a little more compelling, however Ginger was such a dynamic character. I also loved the little bit of mystery and trying to figure out what tide Ella and ginger together. I’m excited to see how everything is going to play out in the last book in the series.
This book in emojis. 🛥 🏖 🍸 🎷 👩🏻🦰
🎧🎧🎧 The audiobook was narrated by Dara Rosenberg and Julie McKay. I love when books told from multiple perspectives are narrated by different narrators. I also thought both these narrators gave such authenticity to the character and time period that they were narrating.
*** Big thanks to William Morrow and Harper Audio for my copy of this book ***
This book in emojis. 🛥 🏖 🍸 🎷 👩🏻🦰
🎧🎧🎧 The audiobook was narrated by Dara Rosenberg and Julie McKay. I love when books told from multiple perspectives are narrated by different narrators. I also thought both these narrators gave such authenticity to the character and time period that they were narrating.
*** Big thanks to William Morrow and Harper Audio for my copy of this book ***
October 12, 2019
I love historical fiction and the author is considered masterful at this genre. However, I just couldn’t get into THE WICKED REDHEAD, the sequel to THE WICKED CITY, which I haven’t read. Maybe it’s because I didn’t like main character Gin Kelly, described as a “floozy” in love with a “disgraced Prohibition agent” in 1924. The dual timeline narrative in 1998 with Ella Dommerich, who lives in the Greenwich Village apartment once occupied by Gin, also didn’t compel me. Other reviewers who have read all of Williams’ novels have been thrilled by this latest; I am clearly an outlier. As the French say, “Chacun à son goût.” 3 of 5 stars.
Pub Date 10 Dec 2019
Thanks to the author, HarperCollins Publishers, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#TheWickedRedhead #NetGalley
Pub Date 10 Dec 2019
Thanks to the author, HarperCollins Publishers, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#TheWickedRedhead #NetGalley
January 14, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
I WANT MORE GINGER!! I don't know what it was about this one, but I loved The Wicked Redhead by Beatriz Williams way more than The Wicked City. Something about the ending maybe? Or maybe it's just because the more I read about Ginger Kelly the more I feel like I know her and want to know what happened to her, Ella's story be damned.
Okay that was probably a bit harsh, but my favorite storyline is definitely Gin's and I just adore her wit and her spunk, and her love affair with Oliver Anson Marshall makes my heart swell. This book wasn't as near as violent as The Wicked City was, but there are still a couple of scenes that will make your blood pump. I listened to The Wicked Redhead on audio like the first book, and once again I think that is the way to go although it is also nice to have a physical copy to look back at and for the content at the back of it.
I actually listened to the audio at 1.5 speed and I think that is the perfect pace for both narrator's voices. I found that listening to their normal voices was a bit of drag but sped up they both sound perfect. Although, I will say that the narrator for Ginger has the perfect pitch to her voice and once again put me back in the 20s. I'm really enjoying the setting of this series, and the romance aspect combined with all the crap that Gin finds herself in (as well as Ella's predicament) has kept me interested and I find myself never wanting it to end.
Final Thought: I absolutely loved The Wicked Redhead and it picked up exactly where The Wicked City left off so this is definitely a series you have to read in order. I thought it had a bit of a slow start but eventually things got really interesting and this book ended with a nice bang. I really can't get enough of Gin Kelly so I hope Williams will continue this series for a long time to come. If you like historical fiction sent during the prohibition with some great romance that isn't too descriptive then you definitely need to check out this series. The author's writing style is very vivid and immersive, and I would read anything she writes.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
I WANT MORE GINGER!! I don't know what it was about this one, but I loved The Wicked Redhead by Beatriz Williams way more than The Wicked City. Something about the ending maybe? Or maybe it's just because the more I read about Ginger Kelly the more I feel like I know her and want to know what happened to her, Ella's story be damned.
Okay that was probably a bit harsh, but my favorite storyline is definitely Gin's and I just adore her wit and her spunk, and her love affair with Oliver Anson Marshall makes my heart swell. This book wasn't as near as violent as The Wicked City was, but there are still a couple of scenes that will make your blood pump. I listened to The Wicked Redhead on audio like the first book, and once again I think that is the way to go although it is also nice to have a physical copy to look back at and for the content at the back of it.
I actually listened to the audio at 1.5 speed and I think that is the perfect pace for both narrator's voices. I found that listening to their normal voices was a bit of drag but sped up they both sound perfect. Although, I will say that the narrator for Ginger has the perfect pitch to her voice and once again put me back in the 20s. I'm really enjoying the setting of this series, and the romance aspect combined with all the crap that Gin finds herself in (as well as Ella's predicament) has kept me interested and I find myself never wanting it to end.
Final Thought: I absolutely loved The Wicked Redhead and it picked up exactly where The Wicked City left off so this is definitely a series you have to read in order. I thought it had a bit of a slow start but eventually things got really interesting and this book ended with a nice bang. I really can't get enough of Gin Kelly so I hope Williams will continue this series for a long time to come. If you like historical fiction sent during the prohibition with some great romance that isn't too descriptive then you definitely need to check out this series. The author's writing style is very vivid and immersive, and I would read anything she writes.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
January 22, 2020
It’s a shame I enjoyed the first one in this setting but, this one was a little bit slow and boring which is such a shame. It continues straight on after the first one. It just didn’t rock my boat not sure if I’ll bother with the third one when it comes out.
January 24, 2020
3 stars
After loving Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams I had hoped to enjoy this book just as much. I did not. Not that this book isn't good, but that is it - only good - not great like Summer Wives. I can't really pinpoint why this book did not work for me as well as Summer Wives, it just didn't.
Alternating chapters (which I am getting pretty tired of!) between two women, one from 1924 and one from 1998. They are connected by the apartment in which they both lived and Ella, from 1998, begins a search for Ginger from 1924 through her few picture postcards. From loves lost, to mysterious pictures, to questions about fathers, two stories morph into one.
I still enjoy Williams style of writing and will continue to read her books, even though this particular book was not my favorite.
After loving Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams I had hoped to enjoy this book just as much. I did not. Not that this book isn't good, but that is it - only good - not great like Summer Wives. I can't really pinpoint why this book did not work for me as well as Summer Wives, it just didn't.
Alternating chapters (which I am getting pretty tired of!) between two women, one from 1924 and one from 1998. They are connected by the apartment in which they both lived and Ella, from 1998, begins a search for Ginger from 1924 through her few picture postcards. From loves lost, to mysterious pictures, to questions about fathers, two stories morph into one.
I still enjoy Williams style of writing and will continue to read her books, even though this particular book was not my favorite.
October 12, 2019
I love historical fiction and the author is considered masterful at this genre. However, I just couldn’t get into THE WICKED REDHEAD, the sequel to THE WICKED CITY, which I haven’t read. Maybe it’s because I didn’t like main character Gin Kelly, described as a “floozy” in love with a “disgraced Prohibition agent” in 1924. The dual timeline narrative in 1998 with Ella Dommerich, who lives in the Greenwich Village apartment once occupied by Gin, also didn’t compel me. Other reviewers who have read all of Williams’ novels have been thrilled by this latest; I am clearly an outlier. As the French say, “Chacun à son goût.” 3 of 5 stars.
Pub Date 10 Dec 2019
Thanks to the author, HarperCollins Publishers, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#TheWickedRedhead #NetGalley
Pub Date 10 Dec 2019
Thanks to the author, HarperCollins Publishers, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#TheWickedRedhead #NetGalley
December 5, 2019
Review originally appeared on Open Letters Review.
Hot, and on the heels of 2017's The Wicked City, the next installment in the series from the prolific Beatriz Williams gives readers a hearty dose of Gin Kelly. Picking up nearly exactly where the first book left off, The Wicked Redhead once again splits the story between two leading ladies and would-be roommates, if only they weren't separated by time.
In 1998, Ella Dommerich seeks sanctuary from a cheating husband in a Greenwich Village apartment that the fiery Geneva Kelly (known as Ginger, or its fittingly shortened version, Gin) called home back in 1924. The previous book saw the women get acquainted, or, rather, Ella's realization that her new building may be haunted by the ghosts of roaring twenties parties past. The apartment itself still reeks of Gin.
Book two slathers more cement on the connection between Ella and Ginger, which seems to be more than a shared abode across history; Ella discovers that one of her elderly family members may have known this mysterious woman in her heyday. Intermingled with other revelations within her family sphere, Ella is on the hunt to uncover more details regarding Ginger's life and her abrupt disappearance from New York.
Meanwhile, back in 1924, Ginger Kelly is in hiding on the sunny shores of Florida after being drawn into a plot to bring down her bootlegging stepfather in the previous installment. She and her companions may have survived the brutal conclusion to that affair, but it has left scars on them all. Now self-tasked with raising her newly orphaned baby sister, Ginger begs her beloved Anson, the orchestrator of the previous mayhem, to give up his goals of being reinstated as a agent of prohibition. A recurring nightmare tells her that his return to the force will eventually be the end of the man she loves.
Though The Wicked City saw a fairly even split between the two ladies' sections, its follow-up shows a heavy bias toward the vivacious Miss Kelly. Only a few events dominate Ella's portion of this novel, and, as they are largely made up of internal struggles and quiet unraveling of family mysteries, her sections prove a stark contrast to the series of events in 1924. Making up only about a quarter of the book, Ella's contributions feel notably sparser and certainly less exciting in comparison.
The dominant portions of the book following Gin Kelly show her dealing with the consequences of not only the physical attacks from her stepfather, but also the long-reaching impacts of earlier choices, including playing with a particular man's heart. The events of the first book forced her to realize her own infallibility and although she retains her dazzling confidence in this sequel, a humbler side of Ginger emerges.
What results is a fun, if lopsided, new addition to the series. Beatriz Williams writes with the elegant breeziness of a practiced hand; the ease with which she endears her characters to readers alone makes the book praise-worthy. Ella's search not only for her familial connection to Ginger, but also for the reclamation of her own voice following her husband's heartbreaking betrayal will likely prove extremely relatable to the audience, and Ginger is finely-crafted firecracker, thrumming with life.
With such characters, it is hard not to notice the missed opportunities present in this second book. Many questions from the first book lay unanswered, their existence all noted in this installment with no hint as to whether or not they will ultimately be resolved. For instance, still lurking in the shadows is Ginger's biological father. A few more breadcrumbs are dropped on the path when Gin receives what she believes to be an unsigned letter from him. Never outright revealing his identity, his attempt at communication seems to make Ginger more uncomfortable than anything else; when asked why she wants to learn her father's identity she replies with characteristic snark, “not because I'm sentimental...only because the devil seems to know who I am, and I don't particularly enjoy the mismatch.” By the end of the book, readers, too, will likely be wondering about the dangling end to this missed connection.
One can hope that The Wicked Redhead will not be the last Wicked City novel Beatriz Williams aims to pen. The characters are downright addictive and far too enjoyable to be given up after a mere two books. Beyond that, the frustratingly unresolved storylines demand a definitive conclusion to the series. The lack of closure is bound to keep readers up at night, though such an interruption still may be preferable to the late-night clamor of a ghost speakeasy.
Hot, and on the heels of 2017's The Wicked City, the next installment in the series from the prolific Beatriz Williams gives readers a hearty dose of Gin Kelly. Picking up nearly exactly where the first book left off, The Wicked Redhead once again splits the story between two leading ladies and would-be roommates, if only they weren't separated by time.
In 1998, Ella Dommerich seeks sanctuary from a cheating husband in a Greenwich Village apartment that the fiery Geneva Kelly (known as Ginger, or its fittingly shortened version, Gin) called home back in 1924. The previous book saw the women get acquainted, or, rather, Ella's realization that her new building may be haunted by the ghosts of roaring twenties parties past. The apartment itself still reeks of Gin.
Book two slathers more cement on the connection between Ella and Ginger, which seems to be more than a shared abode across history; Ella discovers that one of her elderly family members may have known this mysterious woman in her heyday. Intermingled with other revelations within her family sphere, Ella is on the hunt to uncover more details regarding Ginger's life and her abrupt disappearance from New York.
Meanwhile, back in 1924, Ginger Kelly is in hiding on the sunny shores of Florida after being drawn into a plot to bring down her bootlegging stepfather in the previous installment. She and her companions may have survived the brutal conclusion to that affair, but it has left scars on them all. Now self-tasked with raising her newly orphaned baby sister, Ginger begs her beloved Anson, the orchestrator of the previous mayhem, to give up his goals of being reinstated as a agent of prohibition. A recurring nightmare tells her that his return to the force will eventually be the end of the man she loves.
Though The Wicked City saw a fairly even split between the two ladies' sections, its follow-up shows a heavy bias toward the vivacious Miss Kelly. Only a few events dominate Ella's portion of this novel, and, as they are largely made up of internal struggles and quiet unraveling of family mysteries, her sections prove a stark contrast to the series of events in 1924. Making up only about a quarter of the book, Ella's contributions feel notably sparser and certainly less exciting in comparison.
The dominant portions of the book following Gin Kelly show her dealing with the consequences of not only the physical attacks from her stepfather, but also the long-reaching impacts of earlier choices, including playing with a particular man's heart. The events of the first book forced her to realize her own infallibility and although she retains her dazzling confidence in this sequel, a humbler side of Ginger emerges.
What results is a fun, if lopsided, new addition to the series. Beatriz Williams writes with the elegant breeziness of a practiced hand; the ease with which she endears her characters to readers alone makes the book praise-worthy. Ella's search not only for her familial connection to Ginger, but also for the reclamation of her own voice following her husband's heartbreaking betrayal will likely prove extremely relatable to the audience, and Ginger is finely-crafted firecracker, thrumming with life.
With such characters, it is hard not to notice the missed opportunities present in this second book. Many questions from the first book lay unanswered, their existence all noted in this installment with no hint as to whether or not they will ultimately be resolved. For instance, still lurking in the shadows is Ginger's biological father. A few more breadcrumbs are dropped on the path when Gin receives what she believes to be an unsigned letter from him. Never outright revealing his identity, his attempt at communication seems to make Ginger more uncomfortable than anything else; when asked why she wants to learn her father's identity she replies with characteristic snark, “not because I'm sentimental...only because the devil seems to know who I am, and I don't particularly enjoy the mismatch.” By the end of the book, readers, too, will likely be wondering about the dangling end to this missed connection.
One can hope that The Wicked Redhead will not be the last Wicked City novel Beatriz Williams aims to pen. The characters are downright addictive and far too enjoyable to be given up after a mere two books. Beyond that, the frustratingly unresolved storylines demand a definitive conclusion to the series. The lack of closure is bound to keep readers up at night, though such an interruption still may be preferable to the late-night clamor of a ghost speakeasy.
December 22, 2019
A beautiful story told in two timelines which picked up from the first book, The Wicked City. I feel that reading the first book first would thoroughly give the reader a better understanding of the amazing characters that Beatriz Williams have created.
Though I did not read the first book, I still thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful story told from 1924 during the Jazz Age and Prohibition Era, and how it connects to 1998 with Ella Dommerich in Greenwhich Village.
Ginger Kelly is an awesome character you will fall in love with for her strength, will and wit. The connection of these two characters I found amazing to read. I am a huge fan of Historical Fiction and witty characters and I certainly enjoyed this amazing book!
I highly enjoyed this entertaining read and look forward to the third book in this series.
Though I did not read the first book, I still thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful story told from 1924 during the Jazz Age and Prohibition Era, and how it connects to 1998 with Ella Dommerich in Greenwhich Village.
Ginger Kelly is an awesome character you will fall in love with for her strength, will and wit. The connection of these two characters I found amazing to read. I am a huge fan of Historical Fiction and witty characters and I certainly enjoyed this amazing book!
I highly enjoyed this entertaining read and look forward to the third book in this series.
March 11, 2023
3 Stars for The Wicked Redhead (audiobook) by Beatriz Williams read by Dara Rosenberg and Julie McKay.
I was looking for a 1920’s, prohibition era story. I didn’t realize this was a dual timeline. The two different stories are good but I think it would have been better to stick to one timeline for this one.
I was looking for a 1920’s, prohibition era story. I didn’t realize this was a dual timeline. The two different stories are good but I think it would have been better to stick to one timeline for this one.
December 8, 2019
Although I haven’t read the first book, I highly enjoyed this second novel in the ‘Wicked City’ series. The Wicked Redhead has dual timelines set in 1998, and the latter going back to 1924 during the jazz and prohibition era with characters Ginger (Gin) Kelly.. she’s a smart, saucy redhead that’s quite scandalous in her day, and girl-next-door Ella that finds a vintage (nude) photograph of a beautiful mysterious redhead.
Entertaining, intriguing and overflowing with mystery, danger and fiery hot romance, I couldn’t put it down.
Thanks so much to NetGalley, William Morrow and Mrs. Williams for the preview copy!
Entertaining, intriguing and overflowing with mystery, danger and fiery hot romance, I couldn’t put it down.
Thanks so much to NetGalley, William Morrow and Mrs. Williams for the preview copy!
June 21, 2025
I am enjoying this trilogy of Beatriz Williams and enjoying it in audio. Our story continues with our dual timeline heroines, and this book furthers the connection between the two. In both timelines there is a love triangle, although the beleaguered couples are quite clear. But in each scenario, its complicated.
Ginger, Gin, Genevra is the obvious fabulous spitfire heroine of the two, while Ella is more understated. This book definitely brings forth for both couples, the issue of parents and children, and their relationships. The Darling of the book, naturally, is Gin's sister Patsy, who is the star when ever she appears. She leaps off the page into your arms.
Naturally, I will have to get to the Wicked Widow quite soon. See how the rest of this unfolds....
Ginger, Gin, Genevra is the obvious fabulous spitfire heroine of the two, while Ella is more understated. This book definitely brings forth for both couples, the issue of parents and children, and their relationships. The Darling of the book, naturally, is Gin's sister Patsy, who is the star when ever she appears. She leaps off the page into your arms.
Naturally, I will have to get to the Wicked Widow quite soon. See how the rest of this unfolds....
December 10, 2019
The Redhead from 'The Wicked City' (#1 Wicked Series), Geneva ‘Ginger’ Kelly, better know as ‘Gin” to her closer friends, returns to the pages of “The Wicked Redhead” in book two of Beatriz Williams’ Wicked City series. Let me be the first to tell ya, these pages are smokin’.
We first encounter Ginger escaping from her stepfather Duke Kelly, back in River Junction, Maryland; who it seems she and the Marshall boys, Billy and Anson (lots more about them later), had just killed and put a large dent in his illegal whiskey making business. Since it was 1924 and Prohibition ruled, any liquor making, drinking or transporting was all illegal. Now of course, that didn’t stop any of this from occurring, no it just encouraged the entrepreneurial types to start their own businesses. The economy of this illegal trade made many people very rich but never helped to prohibit the drinking of alcohol. That’s another story well documented in many books.
Meanwhile, back in New York city in 1998, our other character, Ella Gilbert is having a hell of a week. Readers might remember Ella married the supreme bastard of men, Patrick, who cheated on Ella from day one of their marriage and possibly everyday after. Fortunately for Ella, she finally caught him in the act with a prostitute in the lobby of their apartment building. Divorce proceedings began the next day, or thereabouts. Yay for Ella. She then moved to a new and smaller apartment where handsome musician, Hector, also serves as the superintendent, and owner. Water damage in Ella’s apartment forces her to bunk in Hector’s apartment while he works on her apartment. Yep, you guessed it; try as they might to keep their hands off each other they just can’t; but they fall in love too.
So, on we go alternating chapters and decades between 1924 and 1998. Ginger Kelly is just trying to live her life while avoiding gangsters who worked for Duke. She’s also trying to avoid being talked into marrying Billy Marshall out of pity, and is trying to marry Anson Marshall, his brother who she loves.
Ella is trying to avoid her ex-husband who she hates; and stay with Hector, who she loves. At the same time, she’s trying to discover more about the redhead in the picture she has of Ginger Kelly; and the connection she had with the building Hector now owns.
The mysteries and love stories in this book will keep you turning pages nonstop; including some sensual lovemaking scenes that might make your blood pressure rise. Thank you, Beatriz. I highly recommend this book but suggest you read the first in the series before you do.
Thank you Netgalley, William Morrow and Harper Collins Publishers, and Beatriz Williams
We first encounter Ginger escaping from her stepfather Duke Kelly, back in River Junction, Maryland; who it seems she and the Marshall boys, Billy and Anson (lots more about them later), had just killed and put a large dent in his illegal whiskey making business. Since it was 1924 and Prohibition ruled, any liquor making, drinking or transporting was all illegal. Now of course, that didn’t stop any of this from occurring, no it just encouraged the entrepreneurial types to start their own businesses. The economy of this illegal trade made many people very rich but never helped to prohibit the drinking of alcohol. That’s another story well documented in many books.
Meanwhile, back in New York city in 1998, our other character, Ella Gilbert is having a hell of a week. Readers might remember Ella married the supreme bastard of men, Patrick, who cheated on Ella from day one of their marriage and possibly everyday after. Fortunately for Ella, she finally caught him in the act with a prostitute in the lobby of their apartment building. Divorce proceedings began the next day, or thereabouts. Yay for Ella. She then moved to a new and smaller apartment where handsome musician, Hector, also serves as the superintendent, and owner. Water damage in Ella’s apartment forces her to bunk in Hector’s apartment while he works on her apartment. Yep, you guessed it; try as they might to keep their hands off each other they just can’t; but they fall in love too.
So, on we go alternating chapters and decades between 1924 and 1998. Ginger Kelly is just trying to live her life while avoiding gangsters who worked for Duke. She’s also trying to avoid being talked into marrying Billy Marshall out of pity, and is trying to marry Anson Marshall, his brother who she loves.
Ella is trying to avoid her ex-husband who she hates; and stay with Hector, who she loves. At the same time, she’s trying to discover more about the redhead in the picture she has of Ginger Kelly; and the connection she had with the building Hector now owns.
The mysteries and love stories in this book will keep you turning pages nonstop; including some sensual lovemaking scenes that might make your blood pressure rise. Thank you, Beatriz. I highly recommend this book but suggest you read the first in the series before you do.
Thank you Netgalley, William Morrow and Harper Collins Publishers, and Beatriz Williams
December 3, 2019
Things pick up where they left off in The Wicked City. Oliver and Ginger are hiding out in Cocoa Beach with the Fitzwilliams and the year is 1924. If you read Cocoa Beach, you are familiar with these characters. Oliver and Ginger are escaping the horrible fight they had with notorious bootleggers, including her wretched stepfather, Duke Kelly. Oliver leaves Ginger behind to go pursue some business and requests that she wait for him in Florida. Gin isn't someone who waits around and when Oliver's mother suggests she returns to New York City with her in order to help Oliver's brother, Billy, who is recovering from the fight. The problem is Billy still thinks that Gin is his fiancée, so things are starting to get a little complicated for Gin. She feels guilty about Billy's injury as it's her stepfather who is responsible, so Gin returns to New York to help him out. Then there's a parallel storyline featuring Ella in 1998. If you remember from The Wicked City, her husband cheated on her and she moved out. While at her new apartment, she met Hector, who she has hit it off with tremendously, but things aren't quite over with her ex-husband. Conflicts ensue. Ella and Gin are linked and readers find out exactly how as the story progresses. The Wicked Redhead by Beatriz Williams is a fun sequel to The Wicked City. If you like the Prohibition era mixed in with rumrunners, romance, bootlegging, a strong heroine, and a ton of adventure, you will especially appreciate this historical tale.
Read my full review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
Read my full review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
December 9, 2019
I like this author's books but sadly I was not in love with this book. While, I have not read the first book in this series, that was not the issue. It was the fact that I was not in "love" with the main characters. In the beginning, I did think I would really like Ella because she did show that she would bounce back on her feet but it was Gin that I did like.
Yet, I found the pacing in the beginning to be really slow. I even put the boo down and walked away from it for a bit. When I came back, I did pick up in the middle and the story got more intriguing and better. Gin was still my favorite. If the book could have just featured her I would have been happy. Ms. Williams does a wonderful job of writing time period books. Instantly, I am always transported to the time period in which the story is taking place in. This book may not have been a favorite of mine, I will still read books from this author.
Yet, I found the pacing in the beginning to be really slow. I even put the boo down and walked away from it for a bit. When I came back, I did pick up in the middle and the story got more intriguing and better. Gin was still my favorite. If the book could have just featured her I would have been happy. Ms. Williams does a wonderful job of writing time period books. Instantly, I am always transported to the time period in which the story is taking place in. This book may not have been a favorite of mine, I will still read books from this author.
December 8, 2019
Although I haven’t read the first book, I highly enjoyed this second novel in the ‘Wicked City’ series. The Wicked Redhead has dual timelines set in 1998, and the latter going back to 1924 during the jazz and prohibition era with characters Ginger (Gin) Kelly.. she’s a smart, saucy redhead that’s quite scandalous in her day, and girl-next-door Ella that finds a vintage (nude) photograph of a beautiful mysterious redhead.
Entertaining, intriguing and overflowing with mystery, danger and fiery hot romance, I couldn’t put it down.
Thanks so much to NetGalley, William Morrow and Mrs. Williams for the preview copy!
Entertaining, intriguing and overflowing with mystery, danger and fiery hot romance, I couldn’t put it down.
Thanks so much to NetGalley, William Morrow and Mrs. Williams for the preview copy!
September 29, 2019
The Wicked Redhead picks right up where The Wicked City left us. I absolutely love Gin Kelly and can not wait for more of her story. I loved catching up with Ella and Hector and can't wait to see what is next for them. I loved how so many of the past characters of Beatriz Williams's books are making appearances. I loved The Wicked Redhead and can not wait for more of both Gin's and Ella's story. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.
November 1, 2024
Review from October 2024: I think these books are too busy but they hang together MUCH better if you read them all at once and they're really tremendous documents of connectivity. Beatriz Williams' attention to detail and connection is AMAZING. Sometimes a bit much. But amazing.
It's been too long since I read the last book in this series and I have no idea what's happening, and I don't have the brain capacity to figure it out.
It's been too long since I read the last book in this series and I have no idea what's happening, and I don't have the brain capacity to figure it out.
May 11, 2021
📚 Hello Book Friends! THE WICKED REDHEAD by Beatriz Williams is a spectacular historical novel taking place in 1924 during Prohibition and has a modern storyline happening in 1998. It picks up when The Wicked City left off. In modern days, Ella continues her search for more information on Gin while discovering that she is pregnant with her estranged husband’s child. While in the past, Gin and Anson barely made it alive to Florida where to take refuge. But this did not last long as Anson is called back to the heat of capturing rumrunners on high seas and Gin will do all she can to save him.
This duology is beautifully written. It is entertaining and captivating. If you love stories about the early 20s’ or would love to know more about that era, this is for you. I recommend you read both books in order to get the full effect of this amazing duology.
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March 4, 2020
I am a huge fan of Beatriz Williams, but this book was a bit of a disappointment. I read Wicked City a while ago, and supposedly this one picks up where that one left off. I still felt like some back story was missing, especially for Gin. I felt like we never got the full story of what happened that set Gin and Oliver in the run, unless it is fully explained in Wicked City and I just forgot. I always felt like I was behind the curve on this book. I also didn’t really like Gin. She was almost a caricature of a “tough dame”. All the characters seemed a bit flat and one dimensional to me, though I adored Patsy.
But it was still an enjoyable read, just not a favorite.
PS: I just read my review of The Wicked City and I had the same reaction to it that I had to this book. At least I’m consistent!
But it was still an enjoyable read, just not a favorite.
PS: I just read my review of The Wicked City and I had the same reaction to it that I had to this book. At least I’m consistent!
December 23, 2019
The second part of the Wicked City, Gin Kelly is in love with Agent Anson. She survives all the goings on from book 1 but life is still difficult. I love this continuation of the story. Many characters that I have met before in other Beatriz Williams make appearances in this novel such as the Marshalls and the Schuylers.
December 13, 2019
Gin... both a drink and a name! Ginger is the Wicked Redhead, and boy do things get red hot in Beatriz Williams' second book in this series. You can read my review on my blog here! https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2019/12/1...
February 15, 2020
I have now read several books by Beatriz Williams and she is a pretty reliable 3-star read for me. Her novels are definitely chick-lit, but I enjoy her writing, her stories, her character development and the historical perspective she brings to most of her novels - especially the Prohibition Era happenings in this series. What I do NOT like is that so many of her books are part of a series, and I haven't always known this when I've started reading some of them.
While they can be read as stand-alones - as this one was for me (Part 2 of the "Wicked City" series) - I felt I missed a lot by not having read the first Wicked City in the series. When I picked this up I didn't realize I hadn't read the first one and that was to my detriment. I did read Cocoa Beach, which has some overlapping characters, but I think that takes place after this one. Because of the repetition of characters and places, I found the chronology confusing.
In addition to not being privy to whatever history happened in the first of the Wicked City series - and there were many references to things I didn't get that were obviously from the first book in the series - there were two parallel narratives going on here (one in 1924, and the other in 1998) that didn't align up that well for me. There was a connection, for sure, but it was slim, and this resulted in a fairly blah and disappointing ending. This isn't the first time I've found Williams' endings disappointing.
I had a hard time keeping some of the stories and characters straight. I listened to the audio of this and found myself drifting off a lot more than I do with most novels. So again, I'm giving this 3 stars, but just barely. I would absolutely recommend reading The Wicked City first, and then The Wicked Redhead. I wish I had done this.
While they can be read as stand-alones - as this one was for me (Part 2 of the "Wicked City" series) - I felt I missed a lot by not having read the first Wicked City in the series. When I picked this up I didn't realize I hadn't read the first one and that was to my detriment. I did read Cocoa Beach, which has some overlapping characters, but I think that takes place after this one. Because of the repetition of characters and places, I found the chronology confusing.
In addition to not being privy to whatever history happened in the first of the Wicked City series - and there were many references to things I didn't get that were obviously from the first book in the series - there were two parallel narratives going on here (one in 1924, and the other in 1998) that didn't align up that well for me. There was a connection, for sure, but it was slim, and this resulted in a fairly blah and disappointing ending. This isn't the first time I've found Williams' endings disappointing.
I had a hard time keeping some of the stories and characters straight. I listened to the audio of this and found myself drifting off a lot more than I do with most novels. So again, I'm giving this 3 stars, but just barely. I would absolutely recommend reading The Wicked City first, and then The Wicked Redhead. I wish I had done this.
December 2, 2019
This book was such a mess. I was hoping to get some resolutions to the first book but this was the least satisfying thing I've read all year.
February 29, 2020
I devoured this second book in Beatriz Williams' prohibition series set in the 1920s! You visit Florida, NYC, Novia Scotia and more!
I love Ginger and Patsy. The way Ginger thinks and talks is great! So sassy! I love all the mystery and the action of the rum runners and pirates.
I am still trying to figure out the family connections. We still don't know who Ginger's actual father is and now we have the added mystery of who is Ella's real father, so I'm certainly expecting a 3rd book....
I love how Beatriz Williams throws in characters from her other books. The fact that Pepper is Ella's mom is great and just adds to the fun!
If you haven't read book 1, The Wicked City, you definitely want to start there. This is a great series!
I love Ginger and Patsy. The way Ginger thinks and talks is great! So sassy! I love all the mystery and the action of the rum runners and pirates.
I am still trying to figure out the family connections. We still don't know who Ginger's actual father is and now we have the added mystery of who is Ella's real father, so I'm certainly expecting a 3rd book....
I love how Beatriz Williams throws in characters from her other books. The fact that Pepper is Ella's mom is great and just adds to the fun!
If you haven't read book 1, The Wicked City, you definitely want to start there. This is a great series!
May 25, 2020
Read The Wicked City and had to move onto the next pretty quickly...needed to know more about Gin and Ella. Certainly hope this isn't the end of the story!!
November 27, 2019
I love Gin Kelly’s story. I’m not as huge of a fan as Ella but I love any story that connects to Annabelle and Stefan! Gin has such a unique voice and I love that Beatriz Williams had the courage to write about the Prohibition Age.
November 7, 2019
Beatriz Williams is one of my favorite authors. I tell fans of historical fiction that they must read her books. Since her first novel, she has woven wonderful tales – most including, in a major or minor way, the Schuyler family. In The Wicked Redhead we learn more about Ginger Kelly in 1924 as well as Ella Dommerich Gilbert (daughter of Pepper Schuyler) in 1998, characters we met in Book 1 - The Wicked City. This book also starts by tying up a loose end from Williams’ Cocoa Beach. It makes good sense to read all the author’s books in order but at the very least, Book 1 in this series should be read first. And luckily online I found a (fictional) Schuyler family tree, so I didn’t have to struggle to remember all the people who made welcomed appearances in The Wicked Redhead. So, getting back to this book – we’re taken on a fun ride with Ginger from Florida to New York and beyond - entangled in the dangerous world of Prohibition and the love of two brothers. And for Ella, we see her dealing with moving on from a bad marriage, discovering a new love and her fascination with a professional, provocative photograph of a sexy redhead who lived in her Greenwich Village apartment – Ginger Kelly. Many thanks to Edelweiss, HarperCollins and Ms. Williams for an advance copy in exchange for this honest review.
October 8, 2019
I am so excited that Gin Kelly is back!! Thank you to edelweiss plus , Beatriz Williams and Harper Collins. When an author can incorporate other novels, it is such a thrill! Cocoa Beach and A Certain Age - if you are a true fan, you will recognize the names in the Wicked Redhead! Let's not forget to mention the law firm!! When reading this, I wanted to be in a smoky jazz filled room with a gin and tonic! Beatriz can really set the scene!
Any my favorite quote has to be.. "flame-haired mountain tart as I am".
Already anticipating book three!!!
Any my favorite quote has to be.. "flame-haired mountain tart as I am".
Already anticipating book three!!!
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