I am such a fan of Amy Harmon’s. Her writing is always so lyrical and you are guaranteed to be swept away no matter what she writes. Her previous books have covered genres including fantasy, historical fiction, contemporary and young adult just to name a few. I was intrigued to read what a mystery/crime novel by Amy would be like. I went in with no real expectations, except knowing Amy to be a talented author who can literally turn her hand to any genre. Her storytelling in any field with the characters she produces and research undertaken is always impressive.

‘Malone had learned that the images most people presented to the world didn’t reflect reality.’

The Unknown Beloved is based on actual happenings in 1930's Cleveland, Ohio during the Great Depression. It’s dark, sinister and gruesome. Infamous names including Eliot Ness and Al Capone arise. In terms of the criminal mystery it leans into the morbid and graphic but all based on facts from the real ‘Torso Murders’ of the day. You get an accurate sense of what Cleveland, poverty and the Great Depression really felt like. Add into the mix a serial killer and it most definitely is a dark read.

‘No, the murders weren’t about the victims. Malone was convinced the murders were about the killer himself.’

Amy is a magician with how she turns her pen to any genre. She fits no author model. What a talent. Yes, this is a crime thriller, however, it is so much more given the author is Amy Harmon. The characters are real, the crimes are most certainly real but so too is the love story between the two leads. In many ways, it is like watching a black and white classic movie come to life. The blend of real facts with Amy’s fictional story is sublime. She even adds in a touch of the supernatural! In any other author's hands I would be wary, but not with Amy - it just adds that next layer of depth to the story. It is not only effective but most believable.

“The truth is, the harder we are, the easier we shatter. It takes some softness to absorb life’s blows.”

This book is a crime thriller, it is historical fiction, it is a romance, it is mystery, it is classic Amy Harmon. Her story telling is something that has to be experienced. Amy has an incredible way with words and I will gladly read anything and everything she writes. This book, whilst not my favourite of hers, still testifies to her incredible storytelling. It conveys such depth and soul, sorrow and pain, hope and love, with moments that will simply steal your heart away. Do yourself a favour and go read some Amy Harmon. You won’t be disappointed.

“Must we try everything to know something is wonderful?” she asked softly. “I don’t think so.”






This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

“Your heart is too soft for this Dani Flanagan.”
“Maybe so (Michael). But perhaps your heart is too hard.”

Gritty yet mystical and heartfelt. Harmon’s newest book tackles a dark time in Cleveland history with finesse and humanity.

A gruesome serial killer. A town shaken to its core. A grumpy, closed off detective. And a highly compassionate young woman. The makings of an unforgettable read.

Fedoras and long black cars set the damper mood for this story. But it’s Dani’s light touch that awakens the plot’s full potential. This dark story strewn with victims and laced with fear is offset by the gentleness we find in Dani. That dichotomy is adeptly executed and creates a message of hope even in the bleakest of circumstances.

The cruelest truth in this story is that of the butcher’s victims. Real people. Most lost to the world and left nameless. Yet Harmon manages to shine light onto them, well honoring them all of these years later.
“Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortal.”

This book sets lofty goals… blending true crime facts from the Cleveland Torso Murders into a mystery/romance steeped in magic. And yet, it works. Which is why Harmon continues to be a go-to author I can count on.

Many thanks to @amy.harmon.author and @amazonpublishing for this #gifted copy. (Is it wrong to say that I’m already eagerly awaiting the next book?)

Is there any better way to start a new year than reading an excellent book by the lovely Amy Harmon? No, I think not.

The Unknown Beloved may have been my first read of 2022, but it quickly became one of my favorites of the year.

It combines historical romance and mystery thriller with an age gap and a slow burn, written in Amy Harmon’s signature poetic prose.

Reading this book was an absolute pleasure from start to finish, and I had a hard time putting it down long enough to function as a normal human.

The storyline follows a beautiful journey into the heart of a saintly treasure named Dani, who uses her supernatural gifts to give names to the indigent dead in the downtrodden times of the 1930s.

Juxtaposing Dani is the threat of an evil serial killer who is taunting police with his cleverness and cunning.

Then there is Michael, the mysterious government agent tasked with finding The Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run and has a history with Dani, making this the perfect way to bring them together once again.

While the sordid details about the murders are shared, it doesn’t in any way take away from the beauty of the relationship between Dani and Michael.

Both have seen hardships in their lives, but Dani’s inherent light and goodness rescue Michael from his life of self-imposed loveless isolation.

Their growth throughout the story is so believable and heartwarming; I wanted to read about them long after the book ended.

As with several of Amy Harmon’s other books, historical figures and events are prominent within the plot, this time the infamous Elliot Ness of Al Capone fame. I love how she weaves history and pearls of wisdom on the state of humanity into her storylines.

The Unknown Beloved is a book that absolutely needs to be on your TBR for 2022!

I'm picturing Oscar Isaac as Michael Malone and you can't stop me.

Listen, this is first and foremost a historical thriller/crime novel and I thought it was decidedly well done and I did enjoy the slight fantastical elements. I did some times get a bit weirded out by the age difference in our leads but it never felt predatory or imbalanced power-wise.

This is a very well-paced thriller. It sets up the real facts about this case well but roots you successfully in the made-up characters along with the fictionalized real ones so that you care a lot the whole time the plot is happening. The pace worked particularly well for the romance too. It allowed for these very different characters to figure themselves out and find the reality of each other over time. Harmon writes such soft yet passionate romances and its great to read about.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy.

Amy Harmon’s latest release, The Unknown Beloved, is everything I love about reading. Opening one of Harmon’s books, I’m guaranteed a completely immersive experience. I’m undoubtedly put right in the center of it all and Cleveland during the terrifying reign of The Butcher is a haunting place to land. I adore the way Harmon uses real life events and in this case, people, to shape the fictional part of the story she wants to tell. The love that is built between Malone and Dani is so beautiful even the backdrop of murder and mayhem couldn’t sully it. With gorgeous prose, impeccable pacing and smooth as silk storytelling Amy Harmon successfully tells the tale of the unsung heroes and gives voice to The Unknown Beloved.

The Unknown Beloved is an imaginative telling of the criminal investigation into the Torso Murders committed in Cleveland, Ohio during the 1930s. The Unknown beloved were the nameless victims, with no families to report them missing or care that they were gone.

Eliot Ness, who was working for the city during the murders, brings in Michael Malone, a special agent for the Treasury Department to assist with the investigation. Malone boards at the home of Daniella Flanigan who lives with her maiden aunts in Cleveland. Malone first met Dani fifteen years earlier when he was a beat cop in Chicago assigned to help her after her parents died under suspicious circumstances. It was then Malone learned of Dani's special ability to read stories from fabric.

Part mystery and part love story, the Unknown Beloved is a fascinating look at the 1930s.

I missed Amy Harmon's poetic, beautiful writing in this one, but it was more than a love story, it was a historical crime book. I wanted more of the love story, but I liked the characters and the way the mystery played out. .Not your typical Amy Harmon fashion, but it was still good. You just can't go wrong with Amy Harmon at the wheel.

Is there anything Amy Harmon can't write? I mean, I just wanted to climb into this book and live within in the pages with her characters. This author is one of the very few reasons that I can no longer say I don't like historical fiction or pnr/fantasy. Dani Flanagan is one kick ass woman, with a beautiful soul, and an amazing gift. And Michael Malone didn't stand a chance. I loved the intrigue and the history and the romance and I'm sad that it's over. Maybe Amy Harmon will find a way to bring us along on more Dani and Malone adventures!!!

"The truth is, the harder we are, the easier we shatter. It takes some softness to absorb life's blows."
Isn't that the truth? I highlighted so many quotes from this story because they resonated with me, they were so profound. I made myself take my time while reading this, not rushing, but savoring every single word.
Michael and Dani met when she was 10 and he was 23, just starting out as a cop in Chicago. Her parents were killed and he was in charge of getting her to her aunts in Cleveland. Michael was going through a rough patch in his life and doing this gave him purpose.
Fast forward 13 years, a case brings Michael to Cleveland and fate takes over from there. He remembers Dani, her special gift, and her spellbinding eyes from all those years before. He is undercover trying to help solve the Torso Murders, and gets into the seedy underbelly of Cleveland. Dani knows she can help him solve these crimes, but he wants to protect her at all costs. Michael also doesn't believe good things can happen to him, everything he has ever loved has been taken away, It takes Dani to make him realize that the good comes with the bad and weathering the storm together is the most important part.
This story has it all, true crime, murder, mystery and of course, a love so true that fate led them back together after so many years. I am a huge true crime fan and the fact that this was set near my hometown was just icing on the cake. I will always read Amy's words, but this one just hit me right in the heart and refuses to let go.
Thank you to Lake Union, Amy Harmon and Netgalley for an early copy.

I’ve been a fan of Amy Harmon’s work for quite sometime. Her books are completely engrossing and her characters are fully developed and complex.
I will admit that I was a bit apprehensive when I found out that The Unknown Beloved is a detective story starring Eliot Ness. However, The Unknown Beloved is so much more than a “who done it”.
The characters are wonderful people, and I enjoyed getting to know them as they worked to protect the indigent of Cleveland from a serial killer. I was absolutely delighted when I read the author’s note and found out how many of the characters in the book really existed.
This is a great book that will appeal not just to fans of historical fiction, but to fans of women’s fiction and mysteries as well.

Thank you Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amy Harmon continues to wow me with her talent for writing any genre and writing it well. She has such a way with words that totally captivates and transports the reader. The Unknown Beloved combines some of my favorite genres, mystery, romance, and historical fiction. I was thrilled to dive in and immediately swept into the story and characterization of Malone and Dani. I loved how Dani’s talent put an extra spin on the story and enjoyed when she would describe what she saw. The investigation itself was also fascinating, if not totally gruesome, to read about and I’m glad the descriptions weren’t glossed over as I think it provided a more intense insight into the case. As always, I immensely enjoyed reading the Author’s note at the end as it provides a deeper knowledge into how the characters and investigation came to be. I’m in awe of the research that the author puts into events in history and care into preserving so much truth and dignity to the people who inspired her. Just a couple of things hindered a 5 star review from me for this one. There were parts that were a little slow for me and dragged a bit, and I didn’t quite feel as much of a connection between characters for the love interest. I think maybe some of the conversations were a bit stilted and though the detachment was part of the character, I had trouble connecting as well. Nevertheless, I very much enjoyed the story and will look forward to anything Amy Harmon writes in the future. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC copy to review.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for the free book.
I am so excited to be reading another Harmon book, and I am going to start on her backlist soon because she writes so well. I was instantly dragged into Michael and Dani's story. What a character Michael Malone was - and a lot of these characters are based on real people. Her author's note was so fascinating. With Dani, her gift added a fun twist to this crime mystery. She had such a heart for people and it was so easy to not end up loving this character. I would love to read more books with these two in them. This book is based on a true serial killer in Cleveland in the 1930s, and I knew nothing about it. But how terrifying this time must've been in this city. Harmon captures the atmosphere so well. I can't wait to read more of her work, and I know she writes in so many different genres, which is so exciting for me.

The Unknown Beloved is a dual timeline historical mystery set in Chicago in 1923 and during the great depression in Cleveland in 1938.

Daniela Flanagan is ten years old when she returns home and discovers her parents are dead. Michael Malone is the young policeman assigned to the case, it’s ruled as a murder and suicide and he’s not convinced. He takes Dani to Cleveland, to live with her mother’s two elderly aunts and the only family she has left.

Fifteen years later, Michael Malone is send to Cleveland to try and solve a high profile case. His friend Eliot Ness is the director of safety, a serial killer is prowling the streets, his victims are people who are down on their luck, poor vagrants, who will not be missed and hard to identify.

By chance Michael and Dani meet again, her aunts Zuzana and Lenka rent out a room and they need the extra income. Michael Malone is the tenant, a career cop and he now works undercover. Dani and her aunts are dressmakers, they own a shop and take in piece work and do clothing repairs. Dani also cares for the indigent dead at a local mortuary and most are buried in unmarked graves.

Michael is going through evidence collected from the various locations where parts of the bodies were found and searching through police records looking for any clues they might have missed. He visits witnesses, shantytowns, bars, gambling dens, he even rides the rails as a hobo and desperate for any leads.

Dani and Michael have a connection, they develop feelings for each other and Michael tries to ignore the chemistry between them. Dani has a sixth sense, Michael discovers her talent and after a lot of thought he lets her help him, they try to locate The Butcher of Kingsbury Run and it's risky!

I received a copy of The Unknown Beloved from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review, the narrative was rather gory and morbid and not something I would normally read. However, Amy Harmon uses real facts about the murders, victims, Michael Malone and Eliot Ness to write a nail-biting historical murder mystery, set in Cleveland during the depression and you really get a sense of what it was like to live there at the time and with a serial killer on the loose. I'm not squeamish, this book might be too graphic for some people and four stars from me.

Alluring and Absolutely Captivating!

Amy Harmon has a niche of creating a beautiful enthralling story by incorporating factual people and events with fictional characters. The Unknown Beloved is a story rich with history, love, and danger.

The setting begins in Chicago during the Roaring Twenties, a period in history of dramatic social and political change. Where organised crime was a forefront for the prohibition. A young cop, Mike Malone is impacted by a murder that orphans a young Dani Flanagan. A connection is made between the young officer and the adolescent Dani, but Dani is sent away to live with her aunts.

Years later in 1938, during the Great Depression, a manacial serial killer, “The Butcher of Kingsbury Run”, is running amuck in Cleveland dismembering his victims. The infamous Eliot Ness, lead lawman in this case, recruits the help of his friend Mike Malone to help catch the killer. Mike is reacquainted with the now grown woman, Dani Flanagan when he rents a room from her aunts while working the case. Dani has an intuitiveness that comes to Mike’s aid while trying to track down and catch “The Butcher”.

So much detail, intrigue, and characterization that this whole story engulfs the reader in a historical era as if they were experiencing it first hand. I loved everything about this story, and Amy Harmon’s historical fiction has become my new favourite reads.

I'm always mesmerized by this author’s formidable character descriptions and this story was no exception.

This suspenseful mystery transported me to Depression Era Chicago. Our heroine Dani Flanagan is a young child who returns home to make the most horrific discovery. Detective Michael Malone is assigned the daunting task of breaking the horrible news. How she takes these news was eery and really sets the tone to who she is. Dani is unlike any heroine. Her true grit comes through as she deals with her new horrific reality. Fast forward 15 years and detective malone and Dani’s paths cross again. Malone is on a league of his own as far as heros are concerned.

The vivid imagery, the strong and smart plot line had me completely captivated from beginning to end.
The characters are so well developed, I felt like I was watching a movie and the story unfolded before me.
What develops between Dani and Malone is a slow burn, unique, unconventional romance that’s so delicious, gritty and raw it was totally unputdownable.
My lips are sealed as to how her story develops and what happens to her, but let me just say it’s so worth reading and finding out!!

Pub date: 4/19/22
Genre: historical fiction, crime fiction
In one sentence: Officer Michael Malone comforted 10-year-old Dani Flanagan when here parents were killed; 15 years later, she'll try to help him catch a serial killer.

I picked this one up after hearing great things from my fellow bookstagrammers about Amy Harmon's previous books. I liked the 1930s setting - it was gritty and dangerous yet glamorous, and I felt immersed in the time period. Dani was a great MC - I loved how she helped untangle the mystery using her gift of understanding a person through their clothing. The plot slowed down a bit in the middle, but I'm still glad I picked up this unique read. The story is inspired by a true crime - be sure to read the author's note!

I think true crime and historical fiction fans will enjoy this one. I'm planning to read more from Amy Harmon, starting with her previous work The Songbook of Benny Lament. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely fell in love with this book from the very beginning. It transported me to the 1930s when life was so different. The story had just the right mixture of angst and mystery along with a beautiful love story.

THE UNKNOWN BELOVED
● Dani Flanagan (25) & Michael Malone (40)
● seamstress / criminal investigator
● Chicago, 1923 -1938
● hunting a serial killer - The Butcher
● Michael is a no-nonsense hero
● Dani has a special gift
● age-gap
● slow burn
● historical fiction
● mystery / suspense
● features some real people

Amy Harmon is a favorite author of mine. She writes the most unique stories that keep the reader coming back for more. While at the library I saw a lady holding one of Ms. Harmon's books and we got into a fun conversation while we waited to check out our books. I was able to recommend more books by Ms. Harmon after hearing what kind of books she liked to read. I had a great time discussing all the unique facets of Ms. Harmon's books with this lady.

**Complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**

Amy Harmon is one of the few authors who always exceeds my expectations. She can deliver super original stories with the most unique and intriguing characters. She can create stories that make you feel so many different emotions. The Unknown Beloved is a suspenseful and beautiful historical fiction/romance novel. I absolutely loved the setting of this book and I found it very interesting to read about how police work was done back in those days. The characters were the highlight of this book and I was fully invested in the relationship between Malone and Dani. I loved how they met and were reunited many years later. I enjoyed seeing them become friends and seeing that bond grow into love.

The characters were just so amazing. I especially loved Dani, she was so sweet and selfless. My heart broke for what she went through as a child. I thought the balance between romance and suspense was great. I enjoyed that the story tackled a serial killer case, and I was very invested in seeing how everything would develop. There were moments where I was on the edge of my seat with suspense and moments that had me smiling. Dani's ability to help Malone with the case was very unique and I loved everything about it. I didn't want this book to end, and I personally wouldn't mind if Amy decided to turn this book into a series where Dani and Malone work together to solve cases. Amy Harmon has shown again that she can write absolutely anything and hit it out of the park. I already can't wait to see what story she'll write next.

Chicago 1923: Tortured by the loss of his two children and estrangement of his wife, young policeman Michael Malone is ready to end his life. Just one more case and that'll be that. But when he meets 10-year-old Dani Flanagan, orphaned on the eve of her birthday in a case ruled a murder/suicide that Michael knows is so much more, he escorts her to live with her aunts and she gives him hope and purpose. He joins Eliot Ness as one of the Untouchables, taking down Al Capone.
Cleveland 15 years later: Eliot Ness is now the Director of Safety in Cleveland, where the Torso murders are continuing to terrorize the poor neighborhoods. The community is on edge the longer the case goes on and refuse to talk to the police so they decide to bring in cops from other areas to investigate undercover. Michael is set up in a local boarding house and he's shocked to discover that his innkeeper is none other than Dani. She discovers the real reason he's in Cleveland and is determined to use her gift to help him solve the case. But the closer they get to identifying the Butcher, the more it puts Dani in danger of becoming his next victim.
This book is based on real people and the true crime case of the Torso murders. The author did an excellent job of setting the scene of the city and time period, I could almost see the story like a black and white movie playing in my head. Dani's gift helped her with her job in the morgue, giving the indigent dead respect and a proper memorial. I really found her gift and the way she used it for good to be fascinating. Rough, jaded, and cynical Michael Malone was fascinating to me too, feeling he didn't deserve happiness, dedicated to his job. I'm glad he finally accepted a happy ending. This was definitely a five star read for me.
I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Probably one of the most heartbreaking and heartwarming stories that I’ve read lately. I loved her previous books but this one really touched me in more ways than others .
The friendship, the feelings and love , the suspenseful moments, everything was pure delight to read.
What an amazing book to enjoy!

Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy