This was such an engaging historical fiction mystery book! I loved the writing in it and all the diverse characters that the authors incorporates.

The Last Drop of Hemlock opens with a rumor racing through the Nightingale, a Jazz-era club in New York. The news is confined to the staff-one of their own is dead. The victim is Pearlie Henry, uncle of the Nightingale’s popular singer Bea (Beatrice) Henry. His death is ruled a suicide by Dr. Harris, the physician dedicated to taking care of those living in the poorer sections of the city. But Bea is sure her uncle didn’t commit suicide. Her best friend, Vivian Kelly, a waitress at the club, vows to help her friend find the truth. As she investigates, she discovers a large sum of money is missing from Pearlie’s room. He also has clothing he couldn’t afford on what he made from the Nightingale. How was Pearly making his money and did it lead to his death? But in Prohibition New York, where trying to find the truth means running up against a corrupt justice system more interested in protecting its own illegal activities than justice, the truth may be impossible to find.
Schellman draws the reader deep into Prohibition New York with her use of historical detail and well-rounded characters who clearly belong in this world. I was fairly sure of the murderer’s identity partway through the book, but the how and the why kept me guessing until the end.
If you’re interested in the dark side of the Jazz Age in New York as well as a solid who-done-it, then I recommend The Last Drop of Hemlock.

If you enjoy mysteries and historical fiction, this series is perfect for you. The action takes place in New York City in the 1920s, which means Prohibition and speakeasies. Our main character, Vivian Kelly, works two jobs to make ends meet: making deliveries for a high-end seamstress by day, and waitressing and dancing at the Nightingale club at night.

In addition to scenes at the speakeasy, we also get glimpses into the lives of ordinary working folk. Vivian lives with her older sister, Florence in a tenement building (bathroom down the hall and all that entails).

As the book opens, we find out that Pearlie, uncle to Bea, Vivian’s friend and coworker, has died. It’s ruled a suicide but Bea doesn’t believe it. Also, someone is threatening poor neighborhood folk via anonymous letter, getting them to give up their one precious item, like a gold locket or a set of candlesticks. Those who don’t comply, wind up poisoned. Vivian gets involved.

This time we get more of Florence, and also a lot more of Danny Chin, the Nightingale’s bartender. These characters have really grown on me, as well as Leo, who is also back in this book. Vivian is conflicted about her feelings for Honor, the owner of the Nightingale, and her growing feelings for Leo.

As with the first book in the series, I enjoyed the Author’s Note at the end of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley for this Advanced Copy of The Last Drop of Hemlock by Katherine Schellman. While I think the ending was just okay for me I absolutely love the romance and noir elements.

The Nightingale Mysteries really know how to bring the roaring 1920s atmosphere alive with its speakeasies, jazz music and lingo. I adore the diverse cast and the overall trouble and mayhem that Vivi always finds herself in. Vivi and the whole cast really found a way to have some character growth through these last two books and I really can’t wait to see where it takes them in the books to come.

Although, it took me quite awhile to read this one. The mystery was great, I truly didn’t know who did what, but it felt dragged out a bit. But overall, I love how cozy and lower stakes this mystery feels. It’s easy to just jump into this world and get lost a bit!

The Last Drop of Hemlock
By: Katharine Schellman


This is the second I the Nightingale Mysteries. I enjoyed her first one Last Call at the Nightingale, so I was thrilled to get this one.

New York, 1924

Vivian Kelly is working at the speakeasy where drinks and dances are welcome. She lives with her disinter Florence barely scrapping by. Bea is Vivian’s best friend, but after Beas uncle died and it’s ruled a suicide but they know better. He would never leave his friends and family.

A diverse cast of characters full of intrigue, murder and life at the speakeasy.

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur books for this advanced copy which is out now.
#minotaur, #katharineschellman, #netgalley, #bookreview, #booksconnectus, #bookstagram

The Last Drop of Hemlock

A Mystery

By: Katharine Schellman

Publish Date: 6 June 2023

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books

Historical Fiction/Mystery & Thriller

100 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

I would like to thank both St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Good Reads Synopsis:

In The Last Drop of Hemlock, the dazzling follow up to Last Call at the Nightingale, even a dance can come with a price…
The rumor went through the Nightingale like a flood, quietly rising, whispers hovering on lips in pockets of silence.

New York, 1924. Vivian Kelly has gotten a job at the Nightingale, a speakeasy known to the young and fun as a place where the rules of society can be tossed aside for a dance and a drink, and things are finally looking up for her and her sister Florence. They might not be living like queens—still living in a dingy, two-room tenement, still scrimping and saving—but they’re confident in keeping a roof over their heads and, every once in a while, there is fried ham for breakfast.

Of course, things were even better before Bea’s Uncle Pearlie, the doorman for the Nightingale, was poisoned. Bea has been Vivian’s best friend since before she can remember, and though Pearlie’s death is ruled a suicide, Bea’s sure her uncle wouldn’t have killed himself. After all, he had the family to care for . . . and there have been rumors of a mysterious letter writer, blackmailing Vivian’s poorest neighbors for their most valuable possessions, threatening poison if they don’t comply.

With the Nightingale’s dangerously lovely owner, Honor, worried for her employees’ safety and Bea determined to prove her Uncle was murdered, Vivian once again finds herself digging through a dead man’s past in hopes of stopping a killer.

Book Review:

This is the second book in a series. I would recommend that you read the first book before picking up this one. The author did a great job of giving you back story so you wouldn’t be lost just in case you haven’t read the first book. I gave this book 3 stars. Even though I liked the story and the characters I had a hard time wanting to pick it up, but once i did I couldn’t put it down. The story did seem to drag a little for me at least. I love the family and friendships in this story. i love how they back each other up and even though at time’s they were mad each other they never let that get in the way of their friendship.

Viv wants to help her friend, Bea figure out what truly happened to her uncle. Did he kill himself or did someone do it and make it look like it. Along the way they find out somethings that are hard to believe. There are several mysteries happening at once and this is what caused me some problems. Even though the death of the uncle is solved there are two more mysteries that need to be solved. At least two unsolved mysteries aren’t dangerous or are they. There is also a love triangle between Viv, Honor and Leo. Which one will win Viv’s love you will have to wait and continue reading the series. A new possible love looks like it might appear between Danny and Florence.

There is a lot going on in this story and I do find it interesting enough to continue on with the series but first I need to read the first book.

The Last Drop of Hemlock is the continuation of the throw-back gum shoe murder mysteries where the city, New York in this case was ruled by paid off cops, mob type gangsters, prohibition speakeasys and jazz dance clubs. Women were seen and not heard and expected to make the men happy whatever it took.

But Vivian Kelly, our smart and feisty heroine is not having any of those. She along with her police buddy Leo Green have another nailbiter on their hands and will do everything in their power to help Vivian’s friend.

Bea, a singer at the dance club, the Nightingale where Vivian works is in extreme distress. Her uncle Pearlie, new to the town has died. It has been ruled a suicide, but Bea has her doubts. She comes to Vivian to ask her help to find out the truth.

So, Vivian with the help of Leo begin to look into what happened and something sure smells fishy. They find a bottle of brandy in the deceased’s apartment along with missing money. Vivian and Leo think that more than a suicide occurred here.

They decide to go to the coroner’s office with the brandy bottle and discover that it was laced with a megadose of poison. They begin to investigate and learn that many people in the neighborhood where Vivian and her sister Florence live have been receiving threatening letters if they did not sell certain items they have worth money and leave the money at a drop.

Vivian soon becomes deeply immersed in who would do such a thing to people who can barely afford to put food on their table. But all this changes when her own sister, Florence receives one of the letters. And with the help of Leo and the owner of the Nightingale, Honor, Vivian must become a burglar.

The clues just make no sense, but the more Vivian investigates the more she realizes Bea may not like what they believe could have happened. But her only goal is to keep her sister alive and stop the letters and threats to those who don’t have anything.

The Last Drop of Hemlock is an exciting good old-fashioned who done it. It has intrigue and mystery. The only difference is in this series women seem to be in charge and are the ultimate brave detectives with some help from a few men. Although this is the second book of the series, it certainly could be read as a stand-alone. I eagerly await the next installment.

Thank you #NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #TheLastDropofHemlock #KatherineSchellman for the advanced copy.

I really enjoyed this story! I didn’t realize there was another book in the series and will be adding that to my to be read list. Vivian was a dynamic character with a lot of depth. I enjoyed her storying and love how it was set during the prohibition era. I felt like at times the murder mystery was a bit lost on me as I really just enjoyed the story and characters of it all. All in all I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Thank you netgalley and publisher for the advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

Welcome to Prohibition Era New York. Again! We are once again dancing and drinking with Vivian Kelly. I loved the first one in this series and was so happy to read another book with the rich and diverse cast of characters. I really appreciate how Schellman writes characters that are real - they have flaws and personalities and thoughts that are genuine. I love that this book has a mystery that is explored but that there is also a theme of what happened to Vivian's mother that ties the books together. Also, and this is the best part, new information comes to light that definitely leaves room for another book!!

This is the sequel to Last Call at the Nightingale and I loved it just as much as the first one. I’m not a big historical fiction fan, but these crime fiction books are set during Prohibition in NYC and that is a time period I really enjoy reading about. Vivian, the main character, is dynamic and interesting and I loved that Florence and Danny were given more of a storyline in this book. These books have LGBTQIA representation, and I have so many thoughts about the characters and what I hope happens with them. This is a fantastic Summer read to add to your list!

I did not like this one as much as the first book. The same sparkling setting is here which I love. And I love the characters, and I was excited to get back into this world, but the plot on this one move just too slow for my taste. Not enough was happening. It was very very slow. I still plan to continue with the series if another one comes out but this one was not my favorite.

TL;DR

The Last Drop of Hemlock is a beautifully depicted mystery during the Jazz Age in New York City. Vivian Kelly must solve who is threatening her neighbors, friends, and sister while staying ahead of the police and figuring out where she stands with her boss. This delightful mystery does not disappoint. Recommended.

Disclaimer: The publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Any and all opinions that follow are mine alone.

Review: The Last Drop of Hemlock by Katharine Schellman

In preparing for this review, I had to ask myself why I don’t read much in the mystery genre. I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy, and a lot of the stories I love in that genre are mysteries. The Dresden Files are some of my favorite books, and that’s just a mystery dressed up in fantasy clothing. So, why don’t I peruse the mystery aisle more often at the bookstore? When I saw a chance to get The Last Drop of Hemlock by Katharine Schellman from Minotaur Books, I was interested in a way that I’m usually not for a lot of mysteries. The Last Drop of Hemlock is set in the Jazz Age, and that is what I found most interesting. What draws me to mystery stories is the setting and characters. Upon reading, it becomes clear that Katharine Schellman has created a wonderful setting for her Nightingale Mysteries series. The Last Drop of Hemlock is the second book in the series and was a fun introduction to that world. Scraping by during the day and waitressing in a glitzy speakeasy at night, Vivian Kelly is a character worth getting to know.

Prohibition gave organized crime a chance to establish itself and grow its power. Americans didn’t abide by the laws prohibiting alcohol; they turned to underground, illegal clubs called speakeasies. Vivian Kelly is a waitress at a speakeasy in New York City during the night and delivers dresses during the day. She’s hustling just to survive, but with the additional money from the Nightingale, Vivian has achieved a little comfort in her life. She lives with her sister Florence, who is a dressmaker but doesn’t join Vivian at the speakeasy. Their lives are tough but endurable. The building in which they live contains a lot of people struggling more than the sisters. When one of the bouncers at the Nightingale seemingly commits suicide, Vivian begins asking questions. Pearlie, the bouncer, didn’t seem capable of suicide. Pearlie was the uncle of the Nightingale’s talented singer, Bea, and Bea doesn’t believe Pearlie committed suicide. Vivian believes her and soon stumbles into a series of threatening letters to residents of the poorer areas. Someone is stealing important, personal items from people who don’t have much and likely can’t go to the cops. If they don’t comply with the threats, the thieves are poisoning people. Soon, Vivian’s sister gets a letter, and it’s up to Vivian to figure out who’s behind the whole scheme.

The Last Drop of Hemlock by Katharine Schellman is a third person historical mystery. This is the second book in The Nightingale Mysteries series. Vivian Kelly is the main character, and the book follows her as she seeks information on Pearlie’s death. This book is quick and fun with a beautiful setting. Schellman’s depiction of New York City during the Jazz Age is excellent, and after the completion of the novel, she gives some recommendations for further reading about that time.

The Jazz Age

Schellman clearly did a lot of research into Jazz Age New York to set the background for her story. She’s created a lovely little few city blocks that focus on people often not discussed in that time. At the same time, she paints a portrait of the city as a place of danger and excitement with people just barely scraping to get by. Her scenes in the Nightingale are by far the best. Readers can feel that it’s a safe space for Vivian, and her job there is central to her life.

Schellman takes readers to Chinatown in NYC for a portion. While she doesn’t give us a lot of background info, she does discuss how Asians were discriminated against during that time. The law was that only men could immigrate for labor purposes. The powers that be were afraid of Asian women coming over and having kids, increasing the non-white population in the country. Sounds familiar, right?

A lot of the dialogue uses language from that era, and it can seem kind of hokey to modern ears. However, it works. It’s another way of setting readers in the time.

Love Triangle

Vivian is caught in a love triangle with her boss, Honor Huxley, and Leo, the nephew of the corrupt police chief. This isn’t a main plot point, but it simmers in the background. It’s notable because it’s a bisexual love triangle. Honor is a woman, as far as I can tell. I don’t know if she identifies another way. Honor owns the Nightingale and may be a small time gangster. At the very least, she owns and operates an illegal drinking establishment. Honor desires Vivian, but she also sees her feelings for Vivian as a potential weakness that her enemies could exploit. Between Honor and Vivian is a restrained, yet powerful yearning to be together. Leo, on the other hand, doesn’t hide his feelings. He pursues Vivian outright, and she’s hesitant, likely holding out hope for Honor. The love triangle wasn’t a main plot line, but it added tension to parts of the story. It was well done.

I don’t know about sexual politics during the Jazz Age, but I do know that LGBTQ+ people have existed as long as there have been people. So, it was interesting to see Schellman’s depiction of character’s reactions to Vivian and Honor. I don’t know if it was an accurate portrayal or not, but I can say it felt real. I think people have always been a lot more accepting that our modern sensibilities believe. Some people had to be accepting of LGBTQ+, like today, and some people had to be hateful bigots, like today. I do know the Jazz Age was often viewed as a time of loose morals, and in certain peoples vocabulary, that means accepting of different sexualities.

Mystery

The mystery here wasn’t as important to me as the setting and characters. I enjoyed Vivian’s interactions more with her friend, co-workers, sister, and romantic interests more than her sleuthing. I didn’t solve the mystery, exactly. I had a partial solution, but I enjoyed everything else more. I did like that the mystery was small and affected everyday people. Schellman had me more interested in how Vivian would protect people than in who was doing the dastardly deeds. I appreciate that reversal. Usually, in mysteries, I want answers to my questions and will miss what a joy the characters are. Here, the joy of the characters shown through.

Conclusion

Katharine Schellman’s The Last Drop of Hemlock is a beautiful depiction of the Jazz Age with a focus on the less affluent. Vivian Kelly is a smart, tough detective pulled in many directions as she tries to figure out who’s stealing from the poor. The threat of the police during Prohibition, other gangster’s, and crime is a constant throughout the novel, but Vivian finds escape on the dance floor of the Nightingale. When you read this book, you’ll escape with her. Recommended.

The Last Drop of Hemlock by Katharine Schellman is a multi-layered murder mystery that kept me guessing. I enjoyed the characters and how they were interwoven into each others lives both personally and professionally. The use of poison was a unique touch.

The pacing of the book was a little jumbled. At times it moved fast and at others it went to a crawl. I think it had to do with the repetition of the letter system and then it being described over and over again to different characters.

This is the first book I've read in the series and I felt it worked well as a standalone.

Thank you for access to this ARC!

The Last Drop Of Hemlock was definitely a hard to rate because it definitely was an easy read being the second book in a series yet had its obvious flaws in the pace.

I didn't feel lost once but that said the storyline was definitely one that was everywhere while in the main point of view character Vivian's journey to solve one murder mystery for her Black friend Bea's uncle, Pearlie. But then another dangerous thing within said incident with the relative is put on hold. My problem is she didn't pursue action until the threats were personal when her older sister Florance at risk. It was dragged out in many points the second half of the book. in part for this diverted cause to protect and other familiar things. While also solving a case where people with almost nothing lifes are in danger.

As a book the period and drama of the 1920's was at times what kept me going to finish this EARC. Not to mention I had to borrow the audio book from the library to get through the last 25% or so. It was a surprise ending though so I have to give it four stars for how clever it was for me. But at many points I questioned why certain things were only done once things escalated for both her and the sister. It was ruined a tiny bit on the focus of them both plus some loliness, feasibly and desperation. In the end though it was a solid read if you don't mind some risky moves for a tense and intentional historical mystery of NYC in during prohibition.

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the chance to read a copy of The last drop of Hemlock by Katherine Schellman. This is the 2nd book in the Nightingale mysteries. I loved the first book Last call at the Nightingale, with the exception of the abrupt ending and while I enjoyed Last drop, it wasn't as good as Last call. The characters are great, I enjoy the chemistry between Vivian and Leo, and the author made me feel like I was in the twenties at the Nightingale. The mystery was good, but I found the first part of the book somewhat disconnected and I had to go back to the ending of the first book to remind myself of some of the characters. I do recommend this series, and suggest you read Last call at the Nightingale first. 31/2 stars rounded to 4.

Another foray into the seedy, yet often surprisingly wholesome, world of the Nightingale-a 1920s speakeasy owned by a fascinating woman. There is so much history in this series, and so much heart. Vivian and her sister are orphans trying to make their way in New York City. Florence as a talented seamstress, and Vivian who works at the speakeasy under its beguiling owner, Honor Huxley.

While Vivian works to uncover clues about the murder of her best friend’s uncle, she also tries to untangle her feelings about Honor, which have only become more complicated. As the mystery deepens, so does her confusion and longing. I love the easy way Schelleman paints Viv’s bisexuality, using the setting of the Nightingale as a social equalizer.

I’m so happy with the way the series is progressing and can’t wait to see what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my free copy. These opinions are my own.

A historical mystery set in the 1920s prohibition era New York City. Just like the first book in this series Last Call At The Nightingale this second installment was so fabulously written. The book is deeply rooted in well researched historical fiction while having a captivating mystery plot and an inclusive cast of appealing characters. Schellman presents to us the social divide that existed between the haves and have-nots during The Roaring Twenties, a period of rapid economic growth and social change. The eponymous Nightingale is a speakeasy that serves a mixed clientele in race, class, and sexuality. I loved that this book just like the first one focused on how people who were at a disadvantage lived not just a privileged few. Viviane the sleuth is a seamstress by training earning extra cash waitressing. Left an orphan with just her sister Florence she knows how hard it is to just make a living but she also loves to dance the Charleston.
Pearly a bouncer at the Nightingale is dead and the police is quick to assume a suicide, there is not really much interest in the death of a middle aged black man but for Vivian it‘s personal since Pearly is her friend Bea‘s uncle and Bea is convinced that a suicide is out of the question. Vivian quickly uncovers that there may have been way more to this death … and things get dangerous.

"Hemlock" is that great historical novel that immerses you in a time and place long gone by.

Vivian and Florence are a pair of Irish sisters in Jazz Age New York. Their closest friends are their neighbors and an eclectic bunch based out of The Nightingale speakeasy.

Prohibition era New York was a flourishing time for organized crime and dirty cops. Vivian comes too close to both when her friend Bea's uncle is murdered and they are unwilling to let an un-investigated crime be declared suicide.

Vivian's romance with Leo, and her sister's budding romance with Danny Chin add a sweet note to this story. I look forward to more of the unresolved story of their mother and her background .

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the second book in the Nightengale series an it was just as good as the first book!

Vivian and Bea are back to mystery solving when Uncle Pearlie is found dead, the cops say it was a suicide but the girls believe otherwise and go on a mission to prove it was murder. I really enjoy these characters, the storylines are really interesting and engaging and the Nightengale setting is the perfect atmosphere.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.