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Nightingale Mysteries #1
Last Call at the Nightingale
New York, 1924.
Vivian Kelly's days are filled with drudgery, from the tenement lodging she shares with her sister to the dress shop where she sews for hours every day.
But at night, she escapes to The Nightingale, an underground dance hall where illegal liquor flows and the band plays the Charleston with reckless excitement. With a bartender willing to slip her a free glass of champagne and friends who know the owner, Vivian can lose herself in the music. No one asks where she came from or how much money she has. No one bats an eye if she flirts with men or women as long as she can keep up on the dance floor. At The Nightingale, Vivian forgets the dangers of Prohibition-era New York and finds a place that feels like home.
But then she discovers a body behind the club, and those dangers come knocking.
Caught in a police raid at the Nightingale, Vivian discovers that the dead man wasn't the nameless bootlegger he first appeared. With too many people assuming she knows more about the crime than she does, Vivian finds herself caught between the dangers of the New York's underground and the world of the city's wealthy and careless, where money can hide any sin and the lives of the poor are considered disposable...including Vivian's own.
Vivian Kelly's days are filled with drudgery, from the tenement lodging she shares with her sister to the dress shop where she sews for hours every day.
But at night, she escapes to The Nightingale, an underground dance hall where illegal liquor flows and the band plays the Charleston with reckless excitement. With a bartender willing to slip her a free glass of champagne and friends who know the owner, Vivian can lose herself in the music. No one asks where she came from or how much money she has. No one bats an eye if she flirts with men or women as long as she can keep up on the dance floor. At The Nightingale, Vivian forgets the dangers of Prohibition-era New York and finds a place that feels like home.
But then she discovers a body behind the club, and those dangers come knocking.
Caught in a police raid at the Nightingale, Vivian discovers that the dead man wasn't the nameless bootlegger he first appeared. With too many people assuming she knows more about the crime than she does, Vivian finds herself caught between the dangers of the New York's underground and the world of the city's wealthy and careless, where money can hide any sin and the lives of the poor are considered disposable...including Vivian's own.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2022
506 people are currently reading
36709 people want to read
About the author
Katharine Schellman
19 books1,194 followersKatharine Schellman is the author of the Lily Adler Mysteries and the forthcoming Nightingale Mysteries. Her debut novel, The Body in the Garden, was one of Suspense Magazine's Best Books of 2020 and led to her being named one of BookPage's 16 Women to Watch in 2020. Her second novel, Silence in the Library, was praised as "worthy of Rex Stout or Agatha Christie" (Library Journal).
Katharine lives and writes in the mountains of Virginia in the company of her husband, children, and the many houseplants she keeps accidentally murdering. Find her on Instagram as @katharinewrites.
Katharine lives and writes in the mountains of Virginia in the company of her husband, children, and the many houseplants she keeps accidentally murdering. Find her on Instagram as @katharinewrites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 838 reviews
April 12, 2023
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur/St. Martin's Press, and Katharine Schellman for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 6.7!**
I visited the Nightingale expecting flappers, moonshine, jazz, mystery, and an aura of danger...but what I got was a bit more of your standard 'corner bar and grill full of forgettable regulars watching a boring baseball game on a Tuesday night' instead.
Vivian sweeps away the long monotony of days sewing in the workhouse aside sister Florence once night falls at the Nightingale, a club featuring the illegal booze, wild dancing, and colorful crowds typical of such an establishment in 1924. Vivian's best friend Bea is her partner in crime, and the two while away many an hour together. One night, however, Vivian finds herself in EXACTLY the wrong place at PRECISELY the wrong time: she discovers a body in the alley by the club. Speechless and horrified, a police raid of the club then occurs, and Vivian finds herself in the whirlwind of this mysterious and ugly crime. Club owner Honor Huxley begs her to keep quiet, but Vivian can't help investigating, despite her secret affection for Honor AND a new man she has met at the club. Who is at the center of this ugly storm...and has Vivian set herself up to be the next target? Can the Nightingale keep its doors open...and keep its dangerous secrets under lock and key? And just how well DOES Vivian know the mysterious new man in her life?
I'll admit, I was absolutely lured to this book by its stellar and beautiful cover. I'm a sucker for literature set during this time period, from The Great Gatsby to Beautiful Little Fools, which was a surprise hit for me earlier this year, and I was hoping to strike gold yet again with Last Call at the Nightingale.
Unfortunately, the third time was NOT the charm with this read.
As much as I felt the cover drew me in initially, this is basically where the atmosphere stopped for me...and I picked this book up hoping that would at least account for 50% of my experience. if you hadn't told me this book was set in the 20's and you'd removed a few context clues, there was little to remind me that's where the story took place, and this setting just didn't come alive. I kept waiting for that immersive and magical experience where I felt thrust back in time, but there was a lot of telling rather than showing, and I had a hard time even picturing what was going on or the decor most of the time.
There's also nothing wrong with the plot, but nothing too memorable about it either. I usually lean towards thrillers over mysteries, so I knew I was a bit outside of my comfort zone here, but I was hoping to feel a bit more thrilled by the goings on than I was. Nothing wrong with a classic whodunit, and I can't say I guessed the perpetrator, but I wasn't wowed by the reveals either. The characters also weren't fleshed out enough for my taste, so they were pleasant enough but not as complex as they needed to be for any sort of an emotional connection. Granted, this IS a mystery rather than a drama, but there's always room for this sort of development in my opinion.
Honestly, the author's note at the ending gave some great references to her research, but also explained the the 1920s and the time period as though readers had never heard of it before, so it might feel a bit unnecessary if you're already familiar with the basics, but there are some decent resources listed if you're the researching sort. Sadly, I wonder if I might enjoy delving into nonfiction about the time period more than I enjoyed this particular book. I loved what I saw through the window of the Nightingale, but much like a glitzy outfit that looked better from far away, the spangles on this dress were simply a trick of the light.
3.5 stars
I visited the Nightingale expecting flappers, moonshine, jazz, mystery, and an aura of danger...but what I got was a bit more of your standard 'corner bar and grill full of forgettable regulars watching a boring baseball game on a Tuesday night' instead.
Vivian sweeps away the long monotony of days sewing in the workhouse aside sister Florence once night falls at the Nightingale, a club featuring the illegal booze, wild dancing, and colorful crowds typical of such an establishment in 1924. Vivian's best friend Bea is her partner in crime, and the two while away many an hour together. One night, however, Vivian finds herself in EXACTLY the wrong place at PRECISELY the wrong time: she discovers a body in the alley by the club. Speechless and horrified, a police raid of the club then occurs, and Vivian finds herself in the whirlwind of this mysterious and ugly crime. Club owner Honor Huxley begs her to keep quiet, but Vivian can't help investigating, despite her secret affection for Honor AND a new man she has met at the club. Who is at the center of this ugly storm...and has Vivian set herself up to be the next target? Can the Nightingale keep its doors open...and keep its dangerous secrets under lock and key? And just how well DOES Vivian know the mysterious new man in her life?
I'll admit, I was absolutely lured to this book by its stellar and beautiful cover. I'm a sucker for literature set during this time period, from The Great Gatsby to Beautiful Little Fools, which was a surprise hit for me earlier this year, and I was hoping to strike gold yet again with Last Call at the Nightingale.
Unfortunately, the third time was NOT the charm with this read.
As much as I felt the cover drew me in initially, this is basically where the atmosphere stopped for me...and I picked this book up hoping that would at least account for 50% of my experience. if you hadn't told me this book was set in the 20's and you'd removed a few context clues, there was little to remind me that's where the story took place, and this setting just didn't come alive. I kept waiting for that immersive and magical experience where I felt thrust back in time, but there was a lot of telling rather than showing, and I had a hard time even picturing what was going on or the decor most of the time.
There's also nothing wrong with the plot, but nothing too memorable about it either. I usually lean towards thrillers over mysteries, so I knew I was a bit outside of my comfort zone here, but I was hoping to feel a bit more thrilled by the goings on than I was. Nothing wrong with a classic whodunit, and I can't say I guessed the perpetrator, but I wasn't wowed by the reveals either. The characters also weren't fleshed out enough for my taste, so they were pleasant enough but not as complex as they needed to be for any sort of an emotional connection. Granted, this IS a mystery rather than a drama, but there's always room for this sort of development in my opinion.
Honestly, the author's note at the ending gave some great references to her research, but also explained the the 1920s and the time period as though readers had never heard of it before, so it might feel a bit unnecessary if you're already familiar with the basics, but there are some decent resources listed if you're the researching sort. Sadly, I wonder if I might enjoy delving into nonfiction about the time period more than I enjoyed this particular book. I loved what I saw through the window of the Nightingale, but much like a glitzy outfit that looked better from far away, the spangles on this dress were simply a trick of the light.
3.5 stars
October 17, 2022
Last Call at the Nightingale by Katharine Schellman features a speakeasy where the alcohol flows, the music blares, and couples pack the dance floor. It is at the Nightingale where we first meet Vivian, a young Irish woman, and her friend Bea. The two women are enjoying trips around the dance floor with several gents and sipping champagne and other alcoholic drinks provided by the bartender, Danny. What surprised me early on was that this was a very mixed crowd; Danny is Chinese. Bea, who works at the Nightingale ad lives just a block or so from Vivian and her sister Florence, is Black. The club’s patrons are of all races, genders, and gender identities. The club owner, Ms. Honor Huxley (yes, she goes by “Ms.”) is a lesbian and is not particularly shy about it. She knows everything that goes on in her establishment; if she doesn’t know, she has ways of finding out.
When Vivian and Bea stumble upon a dead man in the alley outside the Nightingale one night, “Hux” makes a deal with Vivian to learn more on the sly in order to keep the police from becoming involved. Vivian may seem naïve, and at times, she seems to have bitten off more than she can chew, but she’s also got plenty of moxie. Despite her sister Flo’s protestations, Viv steps out every night to go to the club and engages the patrons and others in her efforts to glean information about the dead man.
The plot seemed fairly straightforward, but there are some red herrings, which had me quite confused for a while. I wasn’t reading to solve the murder, however. I became absorbed in the lives of the characters, in how they interact and relate to one another. I loved that Bea and Viv are best friends; they seem colorblind and are devoted to one another. The sisters, who were raised by nuns in an orphanage, have a close relationship, although it is different from the two friends. Flo and Viv live together in a tiny tenement residence, work as seamstresses, and pool their money for groceries. But they don’t share confidences as readily as one might expect. Honor Huxley is another fascinating character. When her club is raided and many patrons are arrested, she is in the background providing bail. She and Vivian waltz around, both literally and figuratively, as Vivian seems undecided about which way she swings. Will we see more from the Nightingale, Viv, Bea, and Honor?
I found Last Call at the Nightingale to be a fun, engaging read. Pour yourself a glass of your favorite beverage, put on some jazz, and dive in!
Thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and the author for this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
3 stars
When Vivian and Bea stumble upon a dead man in the alley outside the Nightingale one night, “Hux” makes a deal with Vivian to learn more on the sly in order to keep the police from becoming involved. Vivian may seem naïve, and at times, she seems to have bitten off more than she can chew, but she’s also got plenty of moxie. Despite her sister Flo’s protestations, Viv steps out every night to go to the club and engages the patrons and others in her efforts to glean information about the dead man.
The plot seemed fairly straightforward, but there are some red herrings, which had me quite confused for a while. I wasn’t reading to solve the murder, however. I became absorbed in the lives of the characters, in how they interact and relate to one another. I loved that Bea and Viv are best friends; they seem colorblind and are devoted to one another. The sisters, who were raised by nuns in an orphanage, have a close relationship, although it is different from the two friends. Flo and Viv live together in a tiny tenement residence, work as seamstresses, and pool their money for groceries. But they don’t share confidences as readily as one might expect. Honor Huxley is another fascinating character. When her club is raided and many patrons are arrested, she is in the background providing bail. She and Vivian waltz around, both literally and figuratively, as Vivian seems undecided about which way she swings. Will we see more from the Nightingale, Viv, Bea, and Honor?
I found Last Call at the Nightingale to be a fun, engaging read. Pour yourself a glass of your favorite beverage, put on some jazz, and dive in!
Thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and the author for this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
3 stars
June 11, 2022
Last Call at the Nightingale by Katherine Schellman was well written and imagined. It explored the streets and neighborhoods as well as a particular speak easy in New York City during the colorful Jazz Age years of the early 1920’s when prohibition made selling alcoholic beverages illegal. The vivid descriptions of the rundown tenements, the opulent homes of the very wealthy, the unique and contrasting fashions of the wealthy and poor and the current dances popular with the patrons of the Nightingale were all so easy to visualize from the way the author described them. I felt like I was there, walking the streets, and seeing New York City as it had been in 1924.
Vivian and her older sister Florence had been orphaned at a young and impressionable age. They lived in an orphanage run by nuns until they were of age to live together on their own. They had been guided by the nuns to learn a trade so they would be able to support themselves when they made their way back into the world. They were taught how to sew. Both sisters worked in a dress shop where they sewed dresses and did alterations. Their employer was not very kind or appreciative. Both Vivian and Florence worked long hours and brought home just enough to barely make ends meet. Vivian was happiest when she was able to escape to the Nightingale, an underground dance hall. There Vivian was offered illegal drinks and the pleasure of dancing to help her forget her current situation. Florence never accompanied Vivian there. She was the more serious and conscientious of the two sisters. Vivian viewed The Nightingale as her escape from the reality of what her life was like. Several of the employees at The Nightingale befriended Vivian and watched out for her. One night Vivian and her friend Bea, who was a waitress at The Nightingale, went out into the alley to talk and have a cigarette when they discovered the body of a well dressed dead man. Vivian’s life was changed from that discovery. Intent on solving the mysteries of who the man was, who had killed him and the reason he was murdered became Vivian’s obsession. There were twists and turns around every corner. Every time I thought I had it figured out some new piece of information was added and changed my mind.
I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Last Call at the Nightingale by Katherine Schellman. It was narrated flawlessly by Cara Young. Thank you to Dreamscape Media LLC for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Last Call at the Nightingale in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed listening to it and highly recommend it.
Vivian and her older sister Florence had been orphaned at a young and impressionable age. They lived in an orphanage run by nuns until they were of age to live together on their own. They had been guided by the nuns to learn a trade so they would be able to support themselves when they made their way back into the world. They were taught how to sew. Both sisters worked in a dress shop where they sewed dresses and did alterations. Their employer was not very kind or appreciative. Both Vivian and Florence worked long hours and brought home just enough to barely make ends meet. Vivian was happiest when she was able to escape to the Nightingale, an underground dance hall. There Vivian was offered illegal drinks and the pleasure of dancing to help her forget her current situation. Florence never accompanied Vivian there. She was the more serious and conscientious of the two sisters. Vivian viewed The Nightingale as her escape from the reality of what her life was like. Several of the employees at The Nightingale befriended Vivian and watched out for her. One night Vivian and her friend Bea, who was a waitress at The Nightingale, went out into the alley to talk and have a cigarette when they discovered the body of a well dressed dead man. Vivian’s life was changed from that discovery. Intent on solving the mysteries of who the man was, who had killed him and the reason he was murdered became Vivian’s obsession. There were twists and turns around every corner. Every time I thought I had it figured out some new piece of information was added and changed my mind.
I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Last Call at the Nightingale by Katherine Schellman. It was narrated flawlessly by Cara Young. Thank you to Dreamscape Media LLC for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Last Call at the Nightingale in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed listening to it and highly recommend it.
May 24, 2022
Last Call at the Nightingale, Katherine Schellman, narrated by Sara Young.
Set in New York, Prohibition-era 1924. The Nightingale - an underground dance hall where illegal liquor and champagne flows. The band plays for the crowd to dance with either reckless excitement, or perhaps a passionate waltz. Women dance with men to get free drinks, and it's an not uncommon site to see a woman dancing with a woman. But at the Nightingale, it's private, it's secluded, and "Honor", the female savvy proprietor, keeps tabs on everyone in the club and makes it her business to be respected in and out the club.
One night, Vivian, (just a girl who goes to the club to dance and get a free drink) goes out the backdoor to the ally to have a cigarette and discovers a dead man there. Who is the man? Did someone from the club kill him? No one seems to have any idea.
Soon after discovering the body, Vivian tells Honor about it, but the club is raided and Vivian finds herself in jail. Honor does a favor for Vivian and expecting the favor to be paid back, Honor approaches Vivian with a deal. Vivian agrees to gather information on a certain gent who has been frequenting the club. Vivian doesn't realize her own life will be turned upside down, balancing her kid sister, her sewing job, and the club... she's about to encounter danger she never expected. In fact, it's a journey she doesn't realize that is going to expose a lot of secrets and information. Information is deadly, in more ways than one.
Kudo's to the audio book narrator Sara Young. She does a good job of emotion and enthusiasm. I especially appreciated the voice she provides for the character, "Honor", sultry and sexy just as you imagine the character to be.
Note: This book does contain lesbian, bi-sexual content.
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Katharine Schellman for an AAC in exchange for my honest review.
Set in New York, Prohibition-era 1924. The Nightingale - an underground dance hall where illegal liquor and champagne flows. The band plays for the crowd to dance with either reckless excitement, or perhaps a passionate waltz. Women dance with men to get free drinks, and it's an not uncommon site to see a woman dancing with a woman. But at the Nightingale, it's private, it's secluded, and "Honor", the female savvy proprietor, keeps tabs on everyone in the club and makes it her business to be respected in and out the club.
One night, Vivian, (just a girl who goes to the club to dance and get a free drink) goes out the backdoor to the ally to have a cigarette and discovers a dead man there. Who is the man? Did someone from the club kill him? No one seems to have any idea.
Soon after discovering the body, Vivian tells Honor about it, but the club is raided and Vivian finds herself in jail. Honor does a favor for Vivian and expecting the favor to be paid back, Honor approaches Vivian with a deal. Vivian agrees to gather information on a certain gent who has been frequenting the club. Vivian doesn't realize her own life will be turned upside down, balancing her kid sister, her sewing job, and the club... she's about to encounter danger she never expected. In fact, it's a journey she doesn't realize that is going to expose a lot of secrets and information. Information is deadly, in more ways than one.
Kudo's to the audio book narrator Sara Young. She does a good job of emotion and enthusiasm. I especially appreciated the voice she provides for the character, "Honor", sultry and sexy just as you imagine the character to be.
Note: This book does contain lesbian, bi-sexual content.
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Katharine Schellman for an AAC in exchange for my honest review.
April 2, 2022
***This was a Goodreads Giveaway win. Thanks to GR, the author, publisher and whoever else is responsible. It is a soft cover “Advance Readers’ Edition”. The book arrived in perfect condition and included a very cute little drinks coaster matching the book cover.***
NYC – 1924 – prohibition is the law, speakeasy joints are flourishing and the Nightingale is the place to be.
Vivian and sister Florence are Irish orphans who have proper jobs as seamstresses in one of those horrible dressmaking establishments. Florence is the elder timid sister while Viv loves to dance and have a good time and the Nightingale is the place to do just that. Her coloured friend Bea is a waitress, Chinese Danny is the bartender and Honor Huxley is the Grande dame owner of the Nightingale.
Out for a breath of air in the alley at back of the club Bea and Viv discover a dead body. Honor thinks it best not to get the police involved as the victim turns out to be a prominent citizen. Not good for business!
The next night the club is raided and Vivian is carted off to jail and can’t make bail until Bea arrives with bail money supplied by Honor Huxley.
Now Vivian is in Honor’s debt. Honor gets Vivian involved in trying to find who may have killed the man putting Vivian in a very troublesome position. As much as Viv loves dancing and flirting with the patrons this is dangerous business!
The book captures NYC 1924 perfectly, language and all. 1920’s atmosphere oozes with the jazz band in the background and all manner of upper class and undesirables mixing it up for prohibition gin.
This is a murder mystery with twists you won’t see coming, but it is no fast page turner, it is more of a slow burn because it’s all about the people.
The author has captured some intriguing characters who I’m sure we’ll see again.
Solid FOUR Stars!
NYC – 1924 – prohibition is the law, speakeasy joints are flourishing and the Nightingale is the place to be.
Vivian and sister Florence are Irish orphans who have proper jobs as seamstresses in one of those horrible dressmaking establishments. Florence is the elder timid sister while Viv loves to dance and have a good time and the Nightingale is the place to do just that. Her coloured friend Bea is a waitress, Chinese Danny is the bartender and Honor Huxley is the Grande dame owner of the Nightingale.
Out for a breath of air in the alley at back of the club Bea and Viv discover a dead body. Honor thinks it best not to get the police involved as the victim turns out to be a prominent citizen. Not good for business!
The next night the club is raided and Vivian is carted off to jail and can’t make bail until Bea arrives with bail money supplied by Honor Huxley.
Now Vivian is in Honor’s debt. Honor gets Vivian involved in trying to find who may have killed the man putting Vivian in a very troublesome position. As much as Viv loves dancing and flirting with the patrons this is dangerous business!
The book captures NYC 1924 perfectly, language and all. 1920’s atmosphere oozes with the jazz band in the background and all manner of upper class and undesirables mixing it up for prohibition gin.
This is a murder mystery with twists you won’t see coming, but it is no fast page turner, it is more of a slow burn because it’s all about the people.
The author has captured some intriguing characters who I’m sure we’ll see again.
Solid FOUR Stars!
May 5, 2022
What a great book Katharine Schellman. As soon as I read the first page I was hooked. The is a intriguing Jazz age mystery murder. I really like the character Vivian. I understood from my own experience how she didn't want to waste her young life working at a horrible dress shop. Vivian Kelly is trying to make ends meet at her dress shop job with her sister. At night she ventures out to a Jazz club the Nightingale where she drinks and dances. Next thing she knows, she's being arrested in a raid. When the boss of the Nightingale, Ms. Huxley, asks Vivian to look into the murder, Vivian doesn't know if she should. But she wants answers herself, looking into the dark side of NYC puts her in deeper danger than she expects. The whole cast of characters are great, especially Bea and Danny. They were true friends to Vivian. I really enjoyed the dynamics between Vivian and Hux. I did enjoy her relationship with Mr. Green, but it didn't have the same intensity as Hux's did. The murder mystery was so well done. I enjoyed the many twists and turns. Vivian snooping and figuring things out was exciting. Vivian's sister Florence didn't approve of her nightly activities. I guess Florence was entitled to her opinions. I highly recommend this book. I was kind of sad when I got to the last page. Waiting for your next great book. Katharine.
June 10, 2022
Wow, the descriptions and setting in this book made me feel like I was in the underground dance club the Nightingale right along with the characters.
Seeing a dead man in the alley brought Vivian into trying to find his killer. She definitely got into some dangerous dealings as this mystery unfolded. What I liked was that it was hard to figure out all of the characters dark illegal secrets. It was definitely a twisted prohibition web indeed.
The ending was great since I really had no idea who the killer was until the big reveal. It was surprising enough that I had to rethink if I missed something. This book truly has a great historical setting and the mystery writing was top notch!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
Seeing a dead man in the alley brought Vivian into trying to find his killer. She definitely got into some dangerous dealings as this mystery unfolded. What I liked was that it was hard to figure out all of the characters dark illegal secrets. It was definitely a twisted prohibition web indeed.
The ending was great since I really had no idea who the killer was until the big reveal. It was surprising enough that I had to rethink if I missed something. This book truly has a great historical setting and the mystery writing was top notch!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
July 7, 2022
Vivian Kelly is poor, living with her sister in New York in 1924, both of them working to keep a tenement roof over their heads and themselves from the streets. Despite this, she’s not afraid to dream, and her nightly escapes to the underground dance hall The Nightingale provide her life with a secret glitter and glamour, not to mention a whole lot of fun.
But when she discovers a dead man in the alley behind the club, she has no idea just how complicated her life is going to become.
Prohibition may have only lasted for 13 years, but it’s sparked the imagination of many an artist. Katharine Schellman hasn’t just set her novel here for the aesthetic though – instead, she touches on issues of segregation, poverty, and class divides with a deft hand that leaves plenty of room for a very satisfying murder mystery with a great deal of heart. The club at the center of the novel, The Nightingale, is more than just a place to dance the night away; it’s a refuge for anyone not completely accepted in the daylight world. Whether they be poor, people of color, LGBTQ+; all are welcome, and there’s an acceptance among its patrons that what happens at the Nightingale stays there.
All of this, of course, means that Vivian Kelly has a lot at stake; and if there was ever a protagonist to get the reader onside it was her. Vivian is charming and vivacious, a hard worker who cares about her family and friends, and a courageous woman who can be afraid and persist regardless. Every character in this book felt natural and realistic, but Vivian stood out as a clear favorite for me. The historical setting is great, too; well-researched and portrayed with the kind of detail that brings a setting to life, without over-egging it and pulling too much focus from the characters or the mystery.
All around, a very good book, one I really enjoyed, from an author I’m very excited to see more from. The ending, while wrapping this up into a standalone novel if it needs to be, leaves me hopeful that we may see more from these characters – and what luck if we do.
This review originally appeared at mysteryandsuspense.com
But when she discovers a dead man in the alley behind the club, she has no idea just how complicated her life is going to become.
Prohibition may have only lasted for 13 years, but it’s sparked the imagination of many an artist. Katharine Schellman hasn’t just set her novel here for the aesthetic though – instead, she touches on issues of segregation, poverty, and class divides with a deft hand that leaves plenty of room for a very satisfying murder mystery with a great deal of heart. The club at the center of the novel, The Nightingale, is more than just a place to dance the night away; it’s a refuge for anyone not completely accepted in the daylight world. Whether they be poor, people of color, LGBTQ+; all are welcome, and there’s an acceptance among its patrons that what happens at the Nightingale stays there.
All of this, of course, means that Vivian Kelly has a lot at stake; and if there was ever a protagonist to get the reader onside it was her. Vivian is charming and vivacious, a hard worker who cares about her family and friends, and a courageous woman who can be afraid and persist regardless. Every character in this book felt natural and realistic, but Vivian stood out as a clear favorite for me. The historical setting is great, too; well-researched and portrayed with the kind of detail that brings a setting to life, without over-egging it and pulling too much focus from the characters or the mystery.
All around, a very good book, one I really enjoyed, from an author I’m very excited to see more from. The ending, while wrapping this up into a standalone novel if it needs to be, leaves me hopeful that we may see more from these characters – and what luck if we do.
This review originally appeared at mysteryandsuspense.com
June 13, 2022
Rating: 3.75
“First in a captivating Jazz age mystery series from author Katharine Schellman, Last Call at the Nightingale beckons readers into a darkly glamorous speakeasy where music, liquor, and secrets flow.” GR
I started this one by listening to the audiobook but quickly realized the narrator wasn’t for me. Everything was feeling very flat and I was having a hard time getting into the story. Luckily, I was also given a physical copy and started reading that instead. I’m so glad I did because I definitely had a better experience with this story.
This is a fun murder mystery to read while relaxing with a good drink. It was well written and while the plot wasn’t anything new or crazy I still found it enjoyable. I really loved that it took place in the 1920’s because it's been forever since I’ve read a book from that time. The author did a great job of making the reader feel as though they were in the club. It definitely made me want to go dancing! Since this is a murder mystery I’m keeping the review short to avoid spoilers. Just know it was well written and I found the characters to be likable and they all had their own personalities.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this one. It has strong female characters, a close bond between two good friends and takes place in a fun/fresh setting. I’ve seen mixed reviews so I think this book will definitely depend on the person and their mood.
Thank you so much @minotaur_books & @dreamscapemedia for the #gifted copy on #netgalley and the physical copy in exchange for an honest review.
“First in a captivating Jazz age mystery series from author Katharine Schellman, Last Call at the Nightingale beckons readers into a darkly glamorous speakeasy where music, liquor, and secrets flow.” GR
I started this one by listening to the audiobook but quickly realized the narrator wasn’t for me. Everything was feeling very flat and I was having a hard time getting into the story. Luckily, I was also given a physical copy and started reading that instead. I’m so glad I did because I definitely had a better experience with this story.
This is a fun murder mystery to read while relaxing with a good drink. It was well written and while the plot wasn’t anything new or crazy I still found it enjoyable. I really loved that it took place in the 1920’s because it's been forever since I’ve read a book from that time. The author did a great job of making the reader feel as though they were in the club. It definitely made me want to go dancing! Since this is a murder mystery I’m keeping the review short to avoid spoilers. Just know it was well written and I found the characters to be likable and they all had their own personalities.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this one. It has strong female characters, a close bond between two good friends and takes place in a fun/fresh setting. I’ve seen mixed reviews so I think this book will definitely depend on the person and their mood.
Thank you so much @minotaur_books & @dreamscapemedia for the #gifted copy on #netgalley and the physical copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2022
Good historical fiction makes you feel immersed in a different time and place. This one felt like I was at a costume party where the characters occasionally yell out “Wheeeeeee, it’s the 1920s!” and then try to use “fella” in every other sentence, just for kicks.
Throughout the novel, I was consistently aware of the author’s machinations to advance the plot and pull the strings that are usually in the background. While the story was fine, it did make me appreciate the skill it takes to make writing flow naturally and effortlessly. I frequently take that for granted, and I shouldn’t.
Throughout the novel, I was consistently aware of the author’s machinations to advance the plot and pull the strings that are usually in the background. While the story was fine, it did make me appreciate the skill it takes to make writing flow naturally and effortlessly. I frequently take that for granted, and I shouldn’t.
July 28, 2022
Last Call at the Nightingale by Katharine Schellman is book 1 of the Nightingale Mysteries series, and I think it is off to a strong start! This is a medium to slower paced story set in 1920s New York, and I was really excited about the setting as well as the dance hall The Nightingale where some of the plot takes place. I was honestly thinking the setting would have felt more alive considering it was the ROARING 20s after all, but I found it a little lacking in that respect. Schellman did do an excellent job with the characters though, and I felt like I got to know all of them pretty well, which is great for the start of a series. Vivian is our only viewpoint and I think that worked quite nicely even though I am usually a fan of multiple POVs. It was interesting watching her sleuthing to figure out who killed the man in the alley, and I am also hoping to get a lot more of her backstory as the series progresses.
The audiobook was also really nice to listen to and is narrated by Sara Young. I was very happy with Young's narration and her voice fit Vivian perfectly in my mind. I would highly recommend listening to the audio if you like them, and this book was easy to follow along with that way as well. The thing that really stood out for me in Last Call at the Nightingale was the characters, and Vivian and her sister completely endeared themselves to me. Their relationship is a key part of the story besides the murder, and I can't wait to see how it grows in future books. They have a little bit of a mysterious past which I KNOW is going to be explored, and I am excited for that as well as seeing more of the club. I hope that the next book will have even more of that Roaring 20s glamour, and I would recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction and mysteries, and anything set in New York.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The audiobook was also really nice to listen to and is narrated by Sara Young. I was very happy with Young's narration and her voice fit Vivian perfectly in my mind. I would highly recommend listening to the audio if you like them, and this book was easy to follow along with that way as well. The thing that really stood out for me in Last Call at the Nightingale was the characters, and Vivian and her sister completely endeared themselves to me. Their relationship is a key part of the story besides the murder, and I can't wait to see how it grows in future books. They have a little bit of a mysterious past which I KNOW is going to be explored, and I am excited for that as well as seeing more of the club. I hope that the next book will have even more of that Roaring 20s glamour, and I would recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction and mysteries, and anything set in New York.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 24, 2022
Last Call at the Nightingale is a mystery novel which takes place during the 1920’s in New York during prohibition and the Jazz Age. Within the story are aspects of the time period which are quite thought provoking. During this time women were looked down upon and those who were not well off and had menial jobs were not respected by men or by other upper-class women. These women felt the burden of poverty and trying to make ends meet at whatever cost. It was difficult for them to ever move up in society. Some did anything to make extra money in order to just eat and have a roof over their heads.
What was not talked about was sexuality. Although there was an underground gay community, both men and women had to hide their feelings for fear of being beaten or killed. They could even be arrested. It was best then to deny what you felt and conform to the norm.
Vivian Kelly is a seamstress, along with her sister Florence. Raised as orphans, their lives are hard. They barely make any money, work hard for very little, appreciate the handouts of their neighbors and tolerate the abuse of their boss who is herself a woman. But at night…Vivian lets loose at The Nightingale, a dance hall which sells illegal alcohol. She is fortunate as the owner of the establishment, Honor, a woman has taken a liking to her. She gets to dance with wealthy men and gets to drink for free. Flornce does not approve of Vivian’s behavior and feels it will get her into trouble.
And then it does. One night at the dance hall she finds the dead body of a wealthy man out back of the club. She is told by the club owner to forget what she has seen. The club cannot afford any trouble. But Vivian can’t let go of what she saw. She becomes fascinated and obsessed with what could have happened to him and why. But there are people who don’t want her poking around and when she finds herself arrested when the club is raided, it makes her life even harder. She knows she is in trouble but has no one to turn to. Then Honor makes an offer she cannot refuse.
Suddenly she is being accosted by sleezy gangsters who threaten to kill her and her sister if she doesn’t stop snooping into the murder. But she is in too deep at this point and in order to save herself she must figure out what happened and why. Will she get to the bottom of it before she becomes the next body? Will she ever feel safe again?
Last Call at the Nightingale is a wonderful old fashion mystery written in an old fashion way. It reads like a story from True Detective, a magazine from years ago. There is fast action, goons, murder, mystery, mayhem and a strong woman who decides to take them all on.
Thank you #Goodreads #MinotaurBooks #KatharineSchellman #LastCallattheNightingale for the advanced copy. The book will be out on June 7.
What was not talked about was sexuality. Although there was an underground gay community, both men and women had to hide their feelings for fear of being beaten or killed. They could even be arrested. It was best then to deny what you felt and conform to the norm.
Vivian Kelly is a seamstress, along with her sister Florence. Raised as orphans, their lives are hard. They barely make any money, work hard for very little, appreciate the handouts of their neighbors and tolerate the abuse of their boss who is herself a woman. But at night…Vivian lets loose at The Nightingale, a dance hall which sells illegal alcohol. She is fortunate as the owner of the establishment, Honor, a woman has taken a liking to her. She gets to dance with wealthy men and gets to drink for free. Flornce does not approve of Vivian’s behavior and feels it will get her into trouble.
And then it does. One night at the dance hall she finds the dead body of a wealthy man out back of the club. She is told by the club owner to forget what she has seen. The club cannot afford any trouble. But Vivian can’t let go of what she saw. She becomes fascinated and obsessed with what could have happened to him and why. But there are people who don’t want her poking around and when she finds herself arrested when the club is raided, it makes her life even harder. She knows she is in trouble but has no one to turn to. Then Honor makes an offer she cannot refuse.
Suddenly she is being accosted by sleezy gangsters who threaten to kill her and her sister if she doesn’t stop snooping into the murder. But she is in too deep at this point and in order to save herself she must figure out what happened and why. Will she get to the bottom of it before she becomes the next body? Will she ever feel safe again?
Last Call at the Nightingale is a wonderful old fashion mystery written in an old fashion way. It reads like a story from True Detective, a magazine from years ago. There is fast action, goons, murder, mystery, mayhem and a strong woman who decides to take them all on.
Thank you #Goodreads #MinotaurBooks #KatharineSchellman #LastCallattheNightingale for the advanced copy. The book will be out on June 7.
October 12, 2022
I received an Advanced Reader's Edition from an event at my local library.
During the roaring 20s Vivian Kelly and her sister Florence both work at a dress shop and share the same tenement lodging. But unlike her sister, Florence, Vivian loves to go out every night drinking and dancing at the Nightingale. One night she discovers a dead body in the alley near the Nightingale and after being caught in a police raid Vivian finds herself caught up in the middle of the murder investigation that she must help solve in order to keep both herself and her sister safe.
During the roaring 20s Vivian Kelly and her sister Florence both work at a dress shop and share the same tenement lodging. But unlike her sister, Florence, Vivian loves to go out every night drinking and dancing at the Nightingale. One night she discovers a dead body in the alley near the Nightingale and after being caught in a police raid Vivian finds herself caught up in the middle of the murder investigation that she must help solve in order to keep both herself and her sister safe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2022
3.5 stars.
Orphaned sisters Florence and Vivian Kelly live small, hard lives, working for poor wages and long hours for a small-minded and judgmental seamstress. They live together in a small apartment, and Vivian craves a bigger, better life, so she spends her nights dancing at the Nightingale Lounge/speakeasy.
Vivian finds the proprietress, Honor Huxley, attractive (the attraction is clearly mutual between the two women), and Vivian also finds various men at the lounge attractive, and hopes to find her way to her better life through a relationship/marriage to one of them.
One night, Vivian comes across the dead body of a man in the alley behind the bar. This incident starts Vivian questioning various regulars, as well digging into the life of the dead man, who it turns out was fairly unsavoury and involved in shady dealings.
Vivian gets threatened and roughed up. She also begins a romance with Leo, a new regular at the Nightingale, and whom Honor mistrusts, getting Vivian try to dig up info on him. Also, tensions keep rising between Vivian and Florence, as Florence worries incessantly about her younger sister, and the harm she could come to by spending each night at the speakeasy.
I liked this. I was a little confused about the relationships, whether business or romantic, amongst some of the characters, but liked how despite getting pushback and threats, Vivian kept digging into the murdered man’s background till she determined the important connections between him and someone she knew through the Nightingale.
I like the feel of this time period New York, and how the Nightingale is a haven for Honor and her bartender, Danny Chin, neither of whom conform to public expectations of respectability. It’s also an intersection between different types of people: young women desperate for unconventional opportunities, young, bored and rich people flouting rules, criminals involved in bootlegging, and people possibly of different sexualities.
I really appreciated how Vivian took advantage of the situations she was thrown into, and even managed to come to better arrangements professionally for herself, Florence and her best friend, Bea, one of the bar’s waitresses. I liked where and who Vivian was by the end: clearer on what she wanted, and less naïve about those around her, and bolder.
Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Orphaned sisters Florence and Vivian Kelly live small, hard lives, working for poor wages and long hours for a small-minded and judgmental seamstress. They live together in a small apartment, and Vivian craves a bigger, better life, so she spends her nights dancing at the Nightingale Lounge/speakeasy.
Vivian finds the proprietress, Honor Huxley, attractive (the attraction is clearly mutual between the two women), and Vivian also finds various men at the lounge attractive, and hopes to find her way to her better life through a relationship/marriage to one of them.
One night, Vivian comes across the dead body of a man in the alley behind the bar. This incident starts Vivian questioning various regulars, as well digging into the life of the dead man, who it turns out was fairly unsavoury and involved in shady dealings.
Vivian gets threatened and roughed up. She also begins a romance with Leo, a new regular at the Nightingale, and whom Honor mistrusts, getting Vivian try to dig up info on him. Also, tensions keep rising between Vivian and Florence, as Florence worries incessantly about her younger sister, and the harm she could come to by spending each night at the speakeasy.
I liked this. I was a little confused about the relationships, whether business or romantic, amongst some of the characters, but liked how despite getting pushback and threats, Vivian kept digging into the murdered man’s background till she determined the important connections between him and someone she knew through the Nightingale.
I like the feel of this time period New York, and how the Nightingale is a haven for Honor and her bartender, Danny Chin, neither of whom conform to public expectations of respectability. It’s also an intersection between different types of people: young women desperate for unconventional opportunities, young, bored and rich people flouting rules, criminals involved in bootlegging, and people possibly of different sexualities.
I really appreciated how Vivian took advantage of the situations she was thrown into, and even managed to come to better arrangements professionally for herself, Florence and her best friend, Bea, one of the bar’s waitresses. I liked where and who Vivian was by the end: clearer on what she wanted, and less naïve about those around her, and bolder.
Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
January 7, 2022
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
3.5/5 I did enjoy this but I kind of wanted more from it.
Last Call at the Nightingale is a Jazz age mystery murder. Vivian Kelly is trying to make ends meet at her dress shop job with her sister, while at night she goes out dancing and drinking at the Nightingale. One night Vivian finds someone murdered, next thing she knows, she's being arrested in a raid. When the boss of the Nightingale, Ms. Huxley, asks Vivian to look into the murder, Vivian doesn't know if she should. But she wants answers herself, looking into the dark side of NYC puts her in deeper danger than she expects.
Vivian was an easy character to like. I totally got that she wanted to enjoy her youth, not just waste it working at the miserable dress shop. I do wish her relationship with her sister was better discussed. It mostly felt like Florence was made into a villain because she doesn't approve of Vivian's nightly activities. To an extent I get it, but Florence is entitled to her own opinion and likes. It felt like she wasn't given the page time to explore or explain this to her sister.
I loved the cast of the Nightingale. Bea and Danny were such great friends to Vivian. I loved these two so much. Then there's Ms. Huxley. I was so in love with this boss ass bitch. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Vivian and Hux, I wish we got more of it. I did enjoy her relationship with Mr. Green, but it didn't have the same intensity as Hux did.
The murder mystery was so well done. This part I have zero complaints. I loved seeing Vivian snooping around and figuring shit out. There were so many twists and turns and I enjoyed this part of it very much.
Rep: white bisexual female MC, Jewish male love interest, white lesbian female love interest, Chinese male side character, Black female side character.
CW: Illegal alcohol consumption (prohibition), blood, death, gun violence, injury/injury detail, lesbophobia/lesbomisia, queer slur, misogyny, murder, panic attacks, racism, sexism, violence.
3.5/5 I did enjoy this but I kind of wanted more from it.
Last Call at the Nightingale is a Jazz age mystery murder. Vivian Kelly is trying to make ends meet at her dress shop job with her sister, while at night she goes out dancing and drinking at the Nightingale. One night Vivian finds someone murdered, next thing she knows, she's being arrested in a raid. When the boss of the Nightingale, Ms. Huxley, asks Vivian to look into the murder, Vivian doesn't know if she should. But she wants answers herself, looking into the dark side of NYC puts her in deeper danger than she expects.
Vivian was an easy character to like. I totally got that she wanted to enjoy her youth, not just waste it working at the miserable dress shop. I do wish her relationship with her sister was better discussed. It mostly felt like Florence was made into a villain because she doesn't approve of Vivian's nightly activities. To an extent I get it, but Florence is entitled to her own opinion and likes. It felt like she wasn't given the page time to explore or explain this to her sister.
I loved the cast of the Nightingale. Bea and Danny were such great friends to Vivian. I loved these two so much. Then there's Ms. Huxley. I was so in love with this boss ass bitch. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Vivian and Hux, I wish we got more of it. I did enjoy her relationship with Mr. Green, but it didn't have the same intensity as Hux did.
The murder mystery was so well done. This part I have zero complaints. I loved seeing Vivian snooping around and figuring shit out. There were so many twists and turns and I enjoyed this part of it very much.
Rep: white bisexual female MC, Jewish male love interest, white lesbian female love interest, Chinese male side character, Black female side character.
CW: Illegal alcohol consumption (prohibition), blood, death, gun violence, injury/injury detail, lesbophobia/lesbomisia, queer slur, misogyny, murder, panic attacks, racism, sexism, violence.
May 24, 2022
Last Call at the Nightingale—what a fun story! —one that has the reader swaying to the music of the roaring twenties. The 1920’s in New York City is an era of dance halls, speakeasys, and jazz clubs, venues for relaxation and fun, both legal and illegal. One special club, The Nightingale, welcomes all patrons who can give Silence, the doorkeeper, the secret password. And behind closed doors, fun-seekers find short-skirted dancers, dangerous gangsters, and lots of bootlegged booze. But revelers are there because the drinks and the jazz are guaranteed to wash away one’s worries.
For the main character, Vivian, this club is her haven, a much-needed escape from her daily work as a dressmaker. She can and must protect the Nightingale, even if it means becoming involved solving a murder. This book is a fast-paced mystery with twists that kept me wondering. I love the author’s language, writing voice, and character-based plot.
And in case you ever need it, the password is “I’ll dance ‘til last call.”
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.
For the main character, Vivian, this club is her haven, a much-needed escape from her daily work as a dressmaker. She can and must protect the Nightingale, even if it means becoming involved solving a murder. This book is a fast-paced mystery with twists that kept me wondering. I love the author’s language, writing voice, and character-based plot.
And in case you ever need it, the password is “I’ll dance ‘til last call.”
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.
August 31, 2024
I am SPEECHLESS. Let me just say I am so happy to learn that we will be getting more Nightingale mysteries, because this one left me utterly in love with the characters and that speakeasy.
The ending was wrapped up in a perfect bow as a standalone, with delightful teases of the possibilities that the future might bring. Completely satisfying as a voracious lover of mysteries.
The ending was wrapped up in a perfect bow as a standalone, with delightful teases of the possibilities that the future might bring. Completely satisfying as a voracious lover of mysteries.
July 24, 2022
I love all the strong female characters in this book. I also love the time setting. I look forward to reading book 2!
February 27, 2022
Vivian sees things she shouldn't, in a place she shouldn't be.
To be honest, I think my response to this book was colored by a book set in the same era that I read recently. Author Katharine Schellman does an excellent job setting the scene. You can almost feel the sweat pouring off bodies, the crowded dance floor, and the quiet desperation of many of those at the Nightingale. Vivian, a working class Irish lass, bisexual, finds escape from her harsh reality at the club and winds up being the one to find a dead body in the alley behind the club. The dark side of the Jazz Age, with prohibition and the frequently almost forced exuberance of the era shine forth throughout the book. The characters are nicely introduced and include different races, creeds, and sexual leanings. Wealth and the role of women during the Jazz Age, not to mention the early 1900's in America, are brought out, as are the various prejudices of the times. Sadly, many of these prejudices cling to the American lifestyle today. In other words, there is a great deal going on in this book.
Despite the dark tone of the setting, again, perhaps because of my previous readings and being a history major, I liked Vivian and sympathized with her situation. Many of my ancestors probably lived similar lives, making it all the more real to me as a reader. Vivian's pursuit of the truth took courage and in a way the murder took a backseat to me as the story progressed because of the bigger picture of the times. The world was already harsh and full of secrets for a relatively innocent girl like Vivian, making her courage all the more impressive. She's trying to survive but have some fun, too, and winds up caught up in a murder investigation. She even gets arrested at one point but is bailed out by friends she's made at the Nightingale. We should all deserve such friends.
I won't detail the plot, it's easily accessible in many places, but it moved along from the first page. As noted, the author does an excellent job of setting the scene and the alternating sense of hope, despair, and fear that underlies the plot. Caught between the secrets of those who inhabited the Nightingale, the whims and lack of care from those of a higher status, where lives like hers might be considered irrelevant, Vivian emerges as a strong woman in a time when strong women weren't the norm. Thus, read this one as much for a look at a dark period of American history, the roles of women, and the differences between social levels as a mystery. If you enjoy history, you'll enjoy this book and maybe, like me, find yourself looking up "The Great Gatsby" and discovering it was written the year this book is set in, only a year after the Charleston took the world by storm.
Thank you, #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for this thoughtful, occasionally troubling bit of time travel back into an era that looked so delightful on the surface but was full of darker undertones. Oddly enough, I enjoyed it.
To be honest, I think my response to this book was colored by a book set in the same era that I read recently. Author Katharine Schellman does an excellent job setting the scene. You can almost feel the sweat pouring off bodies, the crowded dance floor, and the quiet desperation of many of those at the Nightingale. Vivian, a working class Irish lass, bisexual, finds escape from her harsh reality at the club and winds up being the one to find a dead body in the alley behind the club. The dark side of the Jazz Age, with prohibition and the frequently almost forced exuberance of the era shine forth throughout the book. The characters are nicely introduced and include different races, creeds, and sexual leanings. Wealth and the role of women during the Jazz Age, not to mention the early 1900's in America, are brought out, as are the various prejudices of the times. Sadly, many of these prejudices cling to the American lifestyle today. In other words, there is a great deal going on in this book.
Despite the dark tone of the setting, again, perhaps because of my previous readings and being a history major, I liked Vivian and sympathized with her situation. Many of my ancestors probably lived similar lives, making it all the more real to me as a reader. Vivian's pursuit of the truth took courage and in a way the murder took a backseat to me as the story progressed because of the bigger picture of the times. The world was already harsh and full of secrets for a relatively innocent girl like Vivian, making her courage all the more impressive. She's trying to survive but have some fun, too, and winds up caught up in a murder investigation. She even gets arrested at one point but is bailed out by friends she's made at the Nightingale. We should all deserve such friends.
I won't detail the plot, it's easily accessible in many places, but it moved along from the first page. As noted, the author does an excellent job of setting the scene and the alternating sense of hope, despair, and fear that underlies the plot. Caught between the secrets of those who inhabited the Nightingale, the whims and lack of care from those of a higher status, where lives like hers might be considered irrelevant, Vivian emerges as a strong woman in a time when strong women weren't the norm. Thus, read this one as much for a look at a dark period of American history, the roles of women, and the differences between social levels as a mystery. If you enjoy history, you'll enjoy this book and maybe, like me, find yourself looking up "The Great Gatsby" and discovering it was written the year this book is set in, only a year after the Charleston took the world by storm.
Thank you, #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for this thoughtful, occasionally troubling bit of time travel back into an era that looked so delightful on the surface but was full of darker undertones. Oddly enough, I enjoyed it.
July 15, 2022
⭐️2
I have mixed feelings about this book. The characters and setting were amazing but the plot was just not it. Like at the start it was pretty slow and I thought that it would get like more interesting or more fast-paced but for the rest of the book it was like that too. You only really could enjoy the actual mystery and going out to find the answer part of the book in the last fifty pages. Also I feel like it wasn’t a good mystery like the way it was written just made it kinda bad it had no development whatsoever like no progress was made about the mystery until, again, the last fifty pages. Also I feel like it just didn’t have any interesting aspects about it so I was definitely disappointed. The characters and setting of this book was my favorite part. I read these violent delights just a week ago and the vibes this book was giving off reminded me of these violent delights except the plot was just worse lol. They both take place in the 1920’s and just remind me of such a lively time. The characters were literally amazing in this book too! The main character Vivian is in a love triangle between Leo and honor. It’s more of a subtle love triangle like it’s not like fierce competition of anything but they do both like her and like see each other as threats. Danny is my fav character out of this book. He just gives off the best vibes and he also cares about all of his friends. This book wasn’t my favorite but I still enjoyed the other aspects like the characters and the setting.
I have mixed feelings about this book. The characters and setting were amazing but the plot was just not it. Like at the start it was pretty slow and I thought that it would get like more interesting or more fast-paced but for the rest of the book it was like that too. You only really could enjoy the actual mystery and going out to find the answer part of the book in the last fifty pages. Also I feel like it wasn’t a good mystery like the way it was written just made it kinda bad it had no development whatsoever like no progress was made about the mystery until, again, the last fifty pages. Also I feel like it just didn’t have any interesting aspects about it so I was definitely disappointed. The characters and setting of this book was my favorite part. I read these violent delights just a week ago and the vibes this book was giving off reminded me of these violent delights except the plot was just worse lol. They both take place in the 1920’s and just remind me of such a lively time. The characters were literally amazing in this book too! The main character Vivian is in a love triangle between Leo and honor. It’s more of a subtle love triangle like it’s not like fierce competition of anything but they do both like her and like see each other as threats. Danny is my fav character out of this book. He just gives off the best vibes and he also cares about all of his friends. This book wasn’t my favorite but I still enjoyed the other aspects like the characters and the setting.
May 3, 2022
1924-NYC-Vivian and Florence Kelly share a tenement. Vivian is a seamstress, and life is not very exciting, until she starts going to The Nightingale, a dance hall where liquor is served during prohibition. She dances the Charleston, drinks and loses herself in this world.
One day Vivian discovers a body, and her world is turned upside down. She also gets caught in a police raid, but is freed from jail. Everyone feels she knows more about the body and knows more than she really does. Or does she? Crime, corruption, illegal activities, murder, a sisters bond and this era make this novel a fun read.
This was my first book by this author. Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Katharine Schellman for this advanced audio. This novel is due out June 7, 2022. The narrator is amazing and brings this novel alive. Play some light Jazz, get a light drink and curl up with this novel.
One day Vivian discovers a body, and her world is turned upside down. She also gets caught in a police raid, but is freed from jail. Everyone feels she knows more about the body and knows more than she really does. Or does she? Crime, corruption, illegal activities, murder, a sisters bond and this era make this novel a fun read.
This was my first book by this author. Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Katharine Schellman for this advanced audio. This novel is due out June 7, 2022. The narrator is amazing and brings this novel alive. Play some light Jazz, get a light drink and curl up with this novel.
June 4, 2022
This was an exceedingly atmospheric murder mystery and I’m absolutely obsessed with this cover - It’s just so captivating and stunning!
This one takes place in Manhattan in the 1920s Jazz Age and roaring twenties. I’ve always been incredibly intriguing by this era and the whole idea of speakeasy’s during prohibition so I just loved this setting! Add in some secrets, crime, corruption and a whodunit and I’m in!
I admired how poignant this one was and it’s inclusiveness. Schellman did a great job of including diverse representation and touching upon class, gender, race and sexual orientation seamlessly.
I enjoyed sleuthing alongside Vivian and I was excited to know that this was the first of a forthcoming series and I look forward to joining her next adventure!
This one takes place in Manhattan in the 1920s Jazz Age and roaring twenties. I’ve always been incredibly intriguing by this era and the whole idea of speakeasy’s during prohibition so I just loved this setting! Add in some secrets, crime, corruption and a whodunit and I’m in!
I admired how poignant this one was and it’s inclusiveness. Schellman did a great job of including diverse representation and touching upon class, gender, race and sexual orientation seamlessly.
I enjoyed sleuthing alongside Vivian and I was excited to know that this was the first of a forthcoming series and I look forward to joining her next adventure!
May 2, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley- Goodreads- Minotaur Books- and Katharine Schellman for giving me opportunity to read and listen to this book. I found it an amazing book. I had a hard time putting it down! I finished this book within twenty four hours ( or less). Katharine has a way to really capture you the reader and holding your interest. She did a very good job at researching the time era in wich this book is set. You could almost see- feel- and smell what she was writing about. I love that you the reader thinks you have the mystery all figured out then all the sudden its a plot twist that is spectacular! Have fun reading this one- as I did!!
June 7, 2022
read my review on ig
Rep: bi mc, lesbian side character, Black side character, Chinese American side character
CWs: violence, implied rape, implied child sexual abuse
Rep: bi mc, lesbian side character, Black side character, Chinese American side character
CWs: violence, implied rape, implied child sexual abuse
July 6, 2022
I think the best parts of this for me were that it was 1) focused on working class/poor characters and 2) how casually diverse the characters were. But the mystery itself wasn't my favorite, I just didn't find it all that engaging. Would definitely try another book by the same author, though.
July 25, 2022
I love a good murder mystery and this one was a good one. There are strong female characters here as well as strong male characters and I really enjoyed the time setting. I’m so glad there is more to come. I can hardly wait to spend more time at the Nightingale!
April 17, 2023
4.5 rounded up! This was an engaging, multi layered mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. I was sent a review copy of the second book in this series by the publisher for review, and since I had time, I read this first book to have a complete understanding of the characters. The story takes place in 1924 New York City in the jazz age, which is a time I really don’t read much of, and I found that I really liked it. It’s obvious to me that a good amount of research was put into this book leaving the backdrop, and the characters very believable and true to the times. At the center of the story is a murder and the back alley behind a speakeasy. Several stories swirl around and the path to the truth Kept my attention and was very entertaining. This is my first time reading anything by this author and I really enjoyed her writing and her development of characters. I’m so glad I chose to read this book 1st and now I am really looking forward to the next one which, as I mentioned, I’ve already received from the publisher, Minotaur books. It’s a quick and easy read that I flew through. This is a series that I will definitely be continuing. If you choose to read this book, I would also recommend reading the interesting authors note in the back. There’s some really interesting information in it and you can also get a feel for how much Catherine Shulman enjoyed writing this novel.
June 5, 2022
Last Call at the Nightingale is a historical murder mystery set in Prohibition-era New York City. A struggling seamstress with no good job prospects, Vivian Kelly's days are spent either at work or in a grubby apartment, where she lives with her older sister Flo. But her nights are spent in a speakeasy, the Nightingale, where she can dance to her heart's content, drink illegal booze, and meet interesting people.
One night Vivian discovers a dead body of a wealthy man shot outside the Nightingale. As a favor to Nightingale's charismatic owner, Honor, Vivian agrees to find out what she can about the dead man and learn possible motives for his murder. In the process, she discovers that poking into the lives of the rich and privileged comes with dangers.
I enjoyed this book very much. It has all the elements of a good murder mystery: an interesting setting, a spunky protagonist, a diverse cast of characters/suspects, and a touch of romance. I liked Vivian and her friends, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
*ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss
One night Vivian discovers a dead body of a wealthy man shot outside the Nightingale. As a favor to Nightingale's charismatic owner, Honor, Vivian agrees to find out what she can about the dead man and learn possible motives for his murder. In the process, she discovers that poking into the lives of the rich and privileged comes with dangers.
I enjoyed this book very much. It has all the elements of a good murder mystery: an interesting setting, a spunky protagonist, a diverse cast of characters/suspects, and a touch of romance. I liked Vivian and her friends, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
*ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss
May 26, 2022
I’m a sucker for books about New York City, particularly ones that take place in a different historical time period. This one, Last Call At The Nightingale, certainly fits the bill. Time and place are 1924 Manhattan, New York City. We not only learn about speakeasies (so popular during Prohibition) but we also get glimpses into the lives of ordinary working folk as well as the ultra-rich. Our main character, Vivian Kelly, lives with her older sister in what seems to be a tenement building (bathroom down the hall and all that entails). Both of them work as seamstresses at a small company that caters to well-to-do women. For fun, Vivian likes to go to The Nightingale at night, where she can dance and be treated to a free drink or two. One night, Vivian discovers a body outside the club, and reports it to the club’s owner, Honor. Honor is wonderfully drawn; she is someone who skirts both the law and society’s conventions, as she prefers women to men and is drawn to Vivian. Vivian isn’t quite sure what she wants, as she seems interested in both Honor and a man she meets at the club, Leo. Not long after the body is discovered, the club is raided by the police and Vivian is among those arrested. Because Honor bails her out, Vivian owes her a favor, which is how Vivian gets involved investigating, albeit reluctantly. I didn’t figure out the killer, which is the mark of a well-written and well-plotted book.
I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. The narrator, Sara Young, did a fine job with the many voices.
I particularly enjoyed the Author’s Note at the end of the print/ebook, which gave interesting information on speakeasies, bootlegging, the relations between different immigrant groups and races, the easing up of race and class lines in these nightclubs and dance halls, the changing role of women, as well as the queer subculture that existed during the Jazz Age. I hope this note is included in the final version of the audiobook.
Thank you to Dreamscape Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook and to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own
I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. The narrator, Sara Young, did a fine job with the many voices.
I particularly enjoyed the Author’s Note at the end of the print/ebook, which gave interesting information on speakeasies, bootlegging, the relations between different immigrant groups and races, the easing up of race and class lines in these nightclubs and dance halls, the changing role of women, as well as the queer subculture that existed during the Jazz Age. I hope this note is included in the final version of the audiobook.
Thank you to Dreamscape Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook and to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own
June 8, 2024
I was super excited to read this mystery novel set in Prohibition New York City but ended up being fairly disappointed. There wasn't anything necessarily wrong with the writing or the plot. The characters were interesting and the setting was super fun. Schellman's NYC was historically researched, well-written, and touched on racial divisions of the time in an impressive way. However, I found myself wanting a bit more mystery and twists in a novel that was marketed as a true mystery novel. I think my main problem was that it read more like a piece of historical fiction (which I love) but I wanted it to be more mysterious. I found myself waiting for the plot twist or a jump scare that never really came. If I had gone into it viewing the novel as a Prohibition historical fiction novel I would have enjoyed it more. If I was rating it as purely a mystery novel, I would give it probably 2 or 2.5 stars, but that didn't seem fair because overall, I think the novel was well-written and the characters were unique. I was planning on reading the other two novels in the series but I think I'll put them on the back burner for now. However, if you are interested in the Prohibition era (cough cough Erin Shannon), this is a wonderful historical fiction novel that I would recommend reading.
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