Broadway Butterfly: A Thriller

by Sara DiVello

New York in the Roaring Twenties—a riveting true-crime novel, based on one of the most notorious unsolved murders of the era, where power, politics, and secrets conspire to bury the truth. Manhattan, 1923. Scandalous flapper Dot King is found dead in her Midtown apartment, a bottle of chloroform beside her and a fortune in jewels missing. Dot’s headline-making murder grips the city. It also draws a clutch of lovers, parasites, and justice seekers into one of the city’s most mesmerizing mysteries. Among Daily News crime reporter Julia Harpman, chasing the story while navigating a male-dominated industry; righteous NYPD detective John D. Coughlin, struggling against city corruption; and Ella Bradford, the victim’s Harlem maid, closest confidante, and keeper of secrets. Adding fuel to the already volatile a politically connected Philadelphia socialite, an Atlantic City bootlegger, Dot’s dicey gigolo lover, a sultry Broadway dancer, and a cagey sugar daddy guarding secrets of his own. From Broadway’s glittering lights to its sordid underbelly to the machinations of the country’s most powerful men, Julia embarks on a quest for justice. What she discovers, twist after breathtaking twist, might be even more nefarious than murder.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, True Crime, Thriller, Historical, Mystery Thriller

432 pages, Hardcover

First published August 22, 2023

About the author

Sara DiVello is a true-crime writer. Her most-recent book, "Broadway Butterfly," which came out Aug. 1, 2023, is about the murder of Manhattan's It Girl, a scandalous flapper named Dot King, who is found dead in her Midtown apartment, a bottle of chloroform beside her and a fortune in jewels missing. Dot’s headline-making murder grips the city. It also draws a clutch of lovers, parasites, and justice seekers into one of the city’s most mesmerizing mysteries.

Sara is also the founder and host of the Mystery and Thriller Mavens Author Interview Series, streaming live on Facebook and YouTube every Monday, where readers can connect with their favorite writers--or meet their next favorite--and get the inside scoop on the book the night before it comes out.

Sara is proud to have an exclusive streaming partnership with Murder by the Book, a woman-owned, independent bookstore.

Sara has interviewed over 400 authors since the pandemic descended, including celebrities such as Dean Koontz, Patricia Cornwell, Jeffery Deaver, Tamron Hall, Karin Slaughter, Ruth Ware, Lisa Unger, Jane Harper, Walter Mosley, and many more, as well as debut authors.

She also created the Mystery and Thriller Mavens Facebook Group, a free, online book group where readers can watch and participate in interviews, enter giveaways, and dish about their latest reads. All are welcome.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/myste...

Reviews

[Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guys… I LOVED this book!!! 😍 Seriously grab a copy!! Pub date is 8/1/23!! Thank you so much to @mbc_books books for sending me this 5 star ⭐️ read!! Wow!!

I have heard this called a true crime thriller… and that is exactly how it reads. I seriously was at the edge of my seat the entire time. 😳 Why??? Here’s the scoop…

It’s 1923 and Dot King is scandalous… gorgeous… and notorious… the city that never sleeps 🛌… has deemed her the most beautiful woman in NYC… 💞 She is an IT girl if there ever was one!! 🛍👠👜🥂

So when she is found brutally murdered… in her bed…🛌… in a swanky apartment… people are going to talk… 😬🤷‍♀️

First off… this is still an unsolved murder!! 😳OMG right?? Since 1923!!!! Dot was holding court with some very… interesting 🤔….people…the kind that could get away with… murder… 😬

Let me tell you guys… this book was incredible. ❤️I was hooked from the very first page with Dot’s tragic story. The research that went into this book was so extensive and so fascinating ….Yet don’t you worry thriller lovers…. It reads like a true crime story .. because it is!! How is this a debut?? @saradivello absolutely killed it!! 👏👏As the creator and host of @thrillermaven … she knows her murders and mysteries!! 😉

So many coverups… so much … power… another young life lost… You want to know Dot’s story!! Trust me!! 😉🦋

[Allen Eastman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thriller is misnomer

This account of an unsolved murder was a good story of New York high and low society in the 1920's . But it slowly became a record needle stuck in scratched vinyl, dragging out potential resolution never to happen. Non-resolution is disappointing entertainment.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true crime, historical murder mystery set in New York City in the 1920’s…. Sign me up!

I do love a New aYork setting, and the 1920’s is such a fascinating time in history. Sara DiVello has done so much research into this case and it shows. There is so much detail and you will be transported back in time with the writing. It is a long book, with many characters, but at no time was I confused. The characters were so real and ai was fully invested in this story all the way.

When flapper and model, Dot King is found dead in her New York apartment, there is no shortage of possible suspects. A large bottle of chloroform is next to the body, and the room has been ransacked. Ella Bradford is Dots maid, and she finds the body.

We hear the story and investigation through the eyes of Ella, the police detective John Coughlin and Daily News crime reporter Julia Harpman. As you would expect from this period of time, there is no shortage of corruption, politics, sugar daddies, race issues, gender inequality, class and city underbelly characters.

I loved Julia, the crime reporter. She is a woman in a man’s world, fighting to be taken seriously She will not let go of this case, even when everyone else does. Dot deserves justice, and she puts herself in danger asking tough questions. She is a woman ahead of her time.

Thanks so much to Sara for sending me an advanced copy of her book, and Thriller Book Promotions for putting this on my radar to begin with. Publishes on August 1st.

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

Broadway Butterfly was a book marketed as a thriller but I don’t know if I’d use that term honestly. I’d say this is more historical fiction based on a true story and done incredibly well at that. The writing was superb, you can tell DiVello knows her craft. It was also researched and researched some more so you know you’re getting a fairly accurate account of details pertaining to the unsolved case of Dot King, infamous flapper of 1920’s NYC. I loved the multiple POV (the detective on the case and a scrappy female reporter, along with the wronged wife of one of the suspects), each equally captivating. I thought it might have been able to be tightened up as it was a longish book but other than that, I really enjoyed my tromp through the roaring 20's while trying to catch a killer.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara DiVello transports us to a glitzy, glamorous, and dangerous 1920s New York City, in this pacy, twisting mystery. Through her layered, intriguing cast of characters, DiVello boldly takes on issues of class, gender, race, and corruption, while ratcheting up the tension page after gripping page. BROADWAY BUTTERFLY is classic noir suspense with a beating heart and DiVello is a writer to watch.

[Cynthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not by any stretch of the imagination a thriller. Historical fiction, yes. Thriller, no,

[Yvonne (It's All About Books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finished reading: August 6th 2023

"But then again, investigations where like races: sometimes the dark horse surprised you."

*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***



WARNING: it's unpopular opinion time again!!

Right... I didn't expect this to happen to be honest. True crime is my favorite type of non fiction, and add a historical twist and I'm even more intrigued. I loved the sound of the premise of Broadway Butterfly with its 1920s New York setting and the mystery around the murder of Dot King... And I fully expected having a fantastic time reading this story. Sadly, this book ended up being just about as fun as a trip to the dentist instead. I'm not sure if I was in the wrong mood or if this story simply wasn't for me, but the fact is that against expectations Broadway Butterfly and me most definitely didn't get along.

I still love the idea behind Broadway Butterfly, and it shows that the author has researched everything extensively. The 1920s New York setting makes for such a great backdrop for this story, and it was great to see so many historical references incorporated. BUT. I'm not sure how to classify this book. Is it true crime? Is it historical fiction? What was based on true facts and what was altered/invented to fit the story? Somehow not knowing this made me wonder just how authentic this story was and what to believe.

There was also something about the writing style and tone that simply didn't work for me. I can't put my finger on the why and it's probably just a personal reaction, but what I can say is that I found it extremely hard to find the motivation to keep reading and pay attention to what was happening. This was made even worse by the fact that there are multiple POVs, a huge cast of characters and multiple settings in play; the result was a story that I simply couldn't convince myself to invest the time it demanded to try and untangle it all. In fact, I confess that I started skimreading sooner than later, and I wish I had just DNFed it instead... Not even the ending brings any relief, because Dot King's murder is never solved.

Broadway Butterfly is filled with sordid details, crime, corruption, infidelity, politics and other less pleasant topics. I don't mind a story going dark and twisted, but somehow there was something off about the way the different elements were incorporated into the plot. As a result, its intended effect fell rather flat, and I honestly didn't care what was happening or what happened to any of the characters in play. This lack of connection and struggle with the writing and plot made it very hard to pretend I wanted to know what happened next... Like I said, I ended up skimreading quite a lot of this story, and that is never a good sign.

I know that most people do seem to love this story, so I seem to be the outlier here... But just in case you struggle with Broadway Butterfly as well: you are not alone. I guess this just wasn't the book for me despite my interest in historical true crime. Whatever this story is, I wouldn't call it a thriller though.


P.S. Find more of my reviews here.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I Had Hope for this Kindle First Book

Those hopes fizzled at chapter 35. Everything got to be repetitious. And no resolution of the crime, just suspicions. I felt sorry for Frances Stotesbury. I didn’t care about anyone else. I skipped to chapter 75 and forced myself to finish.

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. It is the loosely leafed retelling of the brutal murder in the early 1900s of a beautiful NYC dancer/stripper. The book examines the suspects- and there are several, to no avail. This murder has never been solved.

This was gifted to me by Kindle first read program. I do recommend it.

[Jo Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a "true" crime that was never solved so it was a lot of pages going over the same facts.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This historical novel set in the 1920s is based on an actual murder case, where a scandalous flapper type young woman was found dead, with both her rich sugar daddy and abusive boyfriend possible suspects. The book is told through alternating POVs of other characters who apparently also were real people - a police detective, a female newspaper reporter, the dead woman’s maid, and another woman whose connection to the case doesn’t become clear until later in the book.

I’m coming in hot with another bad review - am I grumpy lately or just choosing the wrong books for me? So many Goodreads and bookstagram reviewers, including ones I trust, raved about this one, but for me it was a big miss for so many reasons.

First, for a mystery based on juicy scandal, I just found this a boring slog desperately in need of editing - I feel like this 400+ page book could easily have been at least 100 pages shorter. It’s incredibly repetitive, both within individual chapters and throughout the book, hitting the same themes and ideas, and even sometimes the same phrases, over and over again. We get it, everyone was corrupt, prejudice was rife, rich people were treated differently, etc.

It is also overflowing with details that are just beyond extraneous and did not need to be included. Based on the book itself and the author’s note, it’s clear this book was meticulously researched, but I think it’s one that was perhaps researched to a fault, where the author felt she just had to include every single detail she uncovered, whether it moved the plot along or not.

Also, can someone explain to me why the cover of this one says “a thriller” on it? This is a historical mystery but in no sense a thriller - not just because it’s boring, but because there is no real sense of danger or high stakes for the characters as the book goes on.

But worst of all (spoiler alert), turns out that the real crime this book was based on remains unsolved to this day! So after all that, there isn’t even an ending!

If you want a historical mystery based on a real case that is actually a thriller (set in the 1930s), I suggest Amy Harmon’s The Unknown Beloved; or, for another fictional look at crime and corruption in the 1920s, Beatriz Williams’ Wicked City series.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corruption ran rampant in 1920’s New York and this book drops us right down in the middle of it.

True Crime (The Dot King Case) meets historical fiction and it’s fascinating. This novel has been meticulously researched. Being told from multiple POV works well to add more intrigue. I loved how as the perspective shifted, it brought more questions to the forefront. Each layer of the case that was peeled back, revealed new possibilities, lies, and blame.

The Broadway Butterfly has all the trappings of a memorable read. DiVello created something special here.

[Jamele (BookswithJams) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished last night and my gosh I did not want it to end! I love a New York setting and 1920s New York is one of the best. Dot King is a flapper that is found dead in her bed with a bottle of chloroform and a fortune of jewels missing. She is found by her Harlem maid, Ella Bradford, who also happens to be her closest confidante, and from there we are engulfed in the city’s underbelly that is as corrupt as they come. NYPD detective John D. Coughlin is trying to solve the case while dealing with several bumps in the road, one of them being reporter Julia Harpman, who is proving to be quite successful herself at knowing details the public does not yet know.

This had me hooked from the beginning, I loved the characters, especially Julia, who was set on finding out what happened to Dot no matter what. As we know, this was not a normal profession for a woman during that time, and I found her so fascinating. She was also key in revealing how rampant and intertwined the corruption was, from the lowest criminals to the powerful, and how risky it could be to try and expose it.

This was very well done, thorough, and I loved all of the POV’s, it really provided great insight into that time period. I loved this one so much, and I cannot recommend it enough, if you have not added this to your TBR, please do so now!

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, Thriller Book Lovers Promotions, and NetGalley for the digital copy to review.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. It was done well but still lacked a spark that made us care about the people involved. The author tried to make the wealthy wife and family sympathic and only succeeded in making her whinny. Given the time period perhaps this was to be expected but I don't believe this was the aim. The afterword seemed like unnecessary rehashing of what had already been in the book as well. But it was nice to know she had done her research on it. I would have rather had a simple list of resources like a non fiction book if she had really wanted to go that route just the same.

[Dorit Cohen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do not read this book. It is extremely slow paced, switches characters confusingly and worst of all has no real ending. I understand that this is based on a true story of an unsolved murder but it would have been better if the author picked someone to commit the murder or anything to make the end of the book interesting. I struggled to get through this book and thought at least there would be a good ending but I was wrong and I’m annoyed I read the whole thing.

[Sheila Thomas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Time Wasted

While I enjoyed reading about the many characters and their connections to each other, the ending of this novel was a major disappointment. Came way feeling like I had wasted my time on this book. Sad.

[Sarah Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

unsolved mystery?!?!

I cannot believe I read this entire thing and the case wasn’t even solved! ugh! some parts were written horribly cliche as well, causing me to roll my eyes occasionally. I did appreciate the historical context at the end. not my favorite read this year. :(

[Ellen Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hit or miss?

The facts are riveting. But , there is no real ending to the mystery. My poinion? MISS!! Skip the book!!

[Kate Vocke (bookapotamus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever heard of the Broadway Butterfly?⁣
⁣
When flapper Dot King is found dead in her NYC apartment, all signs point to murder - missing jewels, a bottle of chloroform, a hot-headed boyfriend - yet police are quick to dismiss the signs that lurk beneath the obvious. What follows is an investigation of epic proportions that grips the city and points in all directions - from political agendas and bootleggers, to sugar daddys and socialites - the twisted web of deep, dark secrets runs rampant throughout the east coast. ⁣
⁣
Daily News crime reporter Julia Harpman is chasing the story in a male dominated industry and determined to find justice for Dot - no matter how nefarious the cover-ups become, or how dangerous it could be for her.⁣
⁣
It’s an unsolved murder of a Manhattan It Girl in one of the most glamorous of cities during the most glittering of eras, and I was shocked I had never heard of it before. Impeccably researched with riveting prose, it’s a stunning read from start to finish - perfect for true crime junkies, historical fiction fans, and thriller lovers alike - there’s something for everyone in this captivating and tragic story.⁣
⁣
I had the pleasure of meeting Sara at ThrillerFest and she is one of those people whose smile just lights up a room and she is a champion in the book world. Her passion and dedication to this story is just incredible and her stunning narrative and infallible chronology of details will be something I will not soon forget. I love how she is keeping Dot’s name alive all these years later, and how this story is a tribute to incredible women like Julia, and the lengths women went to tell stories all those years ago.⁣
⁣
Bravo Sara for an extraordinary debut!⁣

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh this was excellent! I seen so many great reviews for this so of course I needed to see what it was all about. I mean a true crime historical mystery that's based on a real unsolved murder case, and taking place in NYC during the roaring 20s?! 🙌🏼  YES please!! Loved it from page one. 

Dot King is a scandalous flapper girl and is found dead in her Manhattan apartment. There's chloroform next to her body, a fortune in jewels missing, and her room is a disaster. There are  many suspects it could be. Crime reporter Julia Harpman wants to solve this case even when law enforcement has swept it under the rug! 

I can tell the author put a lot of research into this book. The time period was fascinating to read about and I was captivated. This one was steady paced and really enjoyable. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

Out now.

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, this was good. Very well written and pulled me in. Dragged a bit about 3/4 in, then got great again. The ending was… not what I wanted but so well done that I didn’t mind. Especially given the historical context.

I also really appreciate the portrayal and dissection of race, gender, and class in this book. It was forthright without being overtly political or preachy. I think she really nailed the division of justice based on those factors in a way that still kept the plot strong.

Definitely recommend this one.

[Leslie Zemeckis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will grip you from the start. When a gal about town who flits dangerously close to many dangerous men winds up murdered she becomes the obsession of a gal reporter who wants to get to the bottom of who killed the beautiful Broadway Butterfly. The research and detail on this one is everything and you’ll feel like you are in New York during the roaring twenties

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved first 40% of this book. Read on Kindle. Then it fizzled. It became long and drawn out with a rather blah ending. I really think the Editors should have reigned in second half to be more entertaining. Great premise and great storytelling but it foundered last half.

[Les · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first experience with a Non Fiction Novel and it was delightful

In 1920s a woman is found murdered; she's a "Broadway Baby" these attractive kept flappers

There is an easy suspect her dirt ball abusive boyfriend but there's a mystery man

And her African American maid is being treated with the typical casual racism of the era

And the Mystery man is close to the President Warren G Harding whose corruption knew no bounds

All being reported by a woman crime reporter

It's brilliant

[Julia Palagyi · Rating 1 out of 5]

this might be the most boring book I’ve ever read I couldn’t even finish it I don’t know how it has a 4 star average rating. it’s truly awful

[Celeste Haehnel]

If I had to hear about "pink toes," one more time, I was going to snap. Otherwise, I rather enjoyed this book.

[Jim Dooley · Rating 4 out of 5]

BROADWAY BUTTERFLY concludes with a Postscript that warns of Spoilers, and that struck me as quite funny. After all, would anyone who would intentionally skip to the end of a book be concerned about encountering Spoilers? Perhaps I'm missing the point.

If the book had been filmed, it would likely be listed as a Docudrama. Like IN COLD BLOOD, it takes actual events and people, but crosses the boundary of "flat reporting" to take the Reader into the lives and minds of the historical "characters." Consequently, it uses meticulous research as the "jumping off point." As for the Postscript mentioned earlier, it provides a bit more background into the real people and locations, even including a welcome link to the writer's webpage that provides truly worthwhile photographs and videos.

And there might lie the reason for the Spoiler alert. I am a Reader who much prefers having an image of the players and locations in a book if they are available. Now, I didn't scan the Table of Contents ahead of time to know of the existence of the Postscript ... and I wouldn't have skipped ahead unless I'd decided (at some point) not to finish the book. Still, it would have enhanced my enjoyment of the story if I'd been able to see the "cast of characters and locations" ahead of time. It would have created a stronger "you are there" quality.

Once again, BROADWAY BUTTERFLY reminds me of my lament that Goodreads doesn't offer "half-star" options. I would certainly have bumped this to 4-1/2 stars without hesitation. My main concern was with the number of times it "goes over the same ground." Since we are following a police investigation and newspaper reporting, that would happen as efforts were made to keep facts straight. However, reading multiple chapters during a reading session, I had a number of "I was told that already" moments. Also, there were times when it felt as if I was reading a 1920's version of ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN.

That said, when I finished the book, I certainly wanted to learn more. So, the Postscript and the link to the writer's webpage were greatly appreciated as an excellent starting point for digging deeper. (I wasn't prepared to "meet" Hilda Ferguson. Wow!)

The writer excels in creating a sense of the period. Being a long time film collector with a particular penchant for "old" movies (which now can mean the 1970's!), I've basked in the 1920's and 1930's often. BROADWAY BUTTERFLY does create a nice sense of what it must have been like. Also, the writer's style is very easy to follow, and I looked forward to each reading session.

BROADWAY BUTTERFLY is an enjoyable crime thriller that reminded me of "The Black Dahlia" of a later era ... and even had a passing nod to a major component in E.L. Doctorow's RAGTIME. I recommend it.

[Darcia Helle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you love historical fiction? True crime? The Roaring Twenties? If you replied “yes” to any of those questions, then this book is for you!

Broadway Butterfly is a historical crime novel based on a real, unsolved murder from the 1920s.

Throw all the stars at this book! I was lost in the story from the very first page.

Characters: complex, fascinating, memorable.

Plot: captivating, realistic, intense.

Writing: engaging, vivid, immersive.

This book was my July Amazon First Reads pick. I loved it so much that I now want a hardcover copy for my shelf. And look at that gorgeous cover! It’s basically commanding me to buy it.

[Cindy (leavemetomybooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1920s New York, BROADWAY BUTTERFLY is based on the real-life murder of Dot King, a beautiful young woman living on a knife’s edge, where the outwardly glamorous, glitzy world of flappers intersected with the city's seamy underbelly of corrupt, morally bankrupt, dangerous men.

DiVello’s meticulous research brings the investigation of Dot’s murder to life through multiple perspectives - the detective investigating Dot’s murder, a young female crime reporter, Dot’s Black housekeeper, and a wealthy, high-society lady.

Myriad twists and turns and unanswered questions will leave readers wondering what exactly happened to Dot and outraged by the machinations required for her murderer(s?) to get away with it.

I enjoyed reading this book - it was clearly a labor of love and DiVello did a fantastic job imagining how scenes would have played out. I do wish it had been a tad shorter, but the story is so complicated I’m not sure how that would be accomplished without leaving something important out.

This is a must-read for fans of historical true crime - it was like a fictionalized version of Kate Winkler Dawson’s work.

* thank you to the author, Amazon Publishing, and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for the review copy. Broadway Butterfly publishes August 1.

[Nicole Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

DiVello weaves a compelling story, but I admittedly lost interest before the end. Redundant and repetitive. I enjoyed the insight into Frances's character, who was the true victim, and I just could not muster up enough sympathy for Dot King. You reap what you sow.