1890 in New York and Genevieve and Daniel's wedding was only a matter of weeks away. Both of them were investigating recent and suspicious fires when Daniel was caught with photographer, Dagmar, in his dark room, with the building on fire and the two of them trapped - deliberately it would seem. The police deemed it an accident, and when Genevieve visited her physician one evening, she was locked in the cellar by persons unknown, and the house above set ablaze. Someone was desperate to stop their investigations into the fires, and doing what they'd done only made the two of them more determined.

When Genevieve went missing, Daniel and her family were desperate. Daniel rounded up the men he trusted and they searched high and low. When they couldn't find her, and neither could the police, they began to suspect the worst. Would Genevieve be found alive? And would Daniel discover who wanted them dead?

Opulence and Ashes is the 4th in the Gilded Gotham Mystery series by Kate Belli and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fast paced, filled with gritty tension and heart stopping moments, I'm really looking forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

If you like historical mysteries, you’ll really enjoy this one. I’ve enjoyed all the entries in this series about Genevieve, the daughter of a wealthy Gilded Age family in New York, who works as a journalist. She is now engaged to Daniel, who grew up in a gang in the city, but became the heir to a multimillionaire. Genevieve and Daniel work together to solve some mysterious fires that seem targeted at various reformers. It seemed pretty obvious who the bad guys were, but Genevieve has, apparently, not read many historical mysteries, since it takes her too long to figure things out.

I enjoyed the historical ambiance of the story. Genevieve is a bit of a Nellie Bly sort of heroine. I was a bit exasperated with her going into dangerous situations by herself because she is so determined to be independent, but she’s the novel’s heroine so it always works out eventually for her and Daniel.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

BOOK: OPULENCE AND ASHES
AUTHOR: KATE BELLI
PUB DATE: 17 OCTOBER, 2023
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Wow! This book was so amazing I finished it in half of a day. Genevieve and Daniel are already one of my favorite couples. It's not surprising I liked this book, it contained my favorite genres like Historical Fiction, Cozy Mystery and Romance. It was perfect on all counts
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I loved that I got the POV from Genevieve and Daniel. I loved the storyline, the mystery, it was wonderful! I never would have imagined who the culprits were and the horrors Genevieve went through.
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I truly enjoyed this book, but I'd have preferred if the author had a glossary of the previous characters. But, they didn't confuse me much, it can still be read as a stand-alone.

It's 1890, Genevieve and Daniel are almost married, and they're busy working for social justice and better conditions for poor children. Unfortunately, there's an arsonist afoot in New York and Genevieve has fallen afoul of him. This alternates between the two of them (a nice device) as they head on a collision course toward the villain. And their wedding. Belli gives both good backstory, making this an easy read as a standalone, and terrific atmospherics of Gilded Age New York- a time and place that wasn't that Gilded for everyone. Fans will be pleased to see growth in both characters and to spend time not only with them but also with others from earlier installments such as Genevieve's brother. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A very good read- I'm looking forward to the next one.

Genevieve and Daniel are finally engaged! As their wedding approaches in 1890, they've decided to use their wealth and social sway for good. Genevieve continues her work as a society (and sometimes investigative) journalist, while Daniel works with an investigative photographer Dagmar Hansen to expose societal ills. But when one suspicious fire becomes a series of them, Genevieve disappears in the course of her investigations and Daniel desperately tears the city apart to find her.

I can't get enough of Genevieve and Daniel! And what a dramatic exploration of a LOT of social injustices of the day (many of which continue to this day, as do the prejudices that reinforce them): poverty, reproductive health and contraception, mental health, and unjust incarceration. This was a vivid and heavy one. Lots of triggers here (see below). It was helpful to have mentions of key events from previous books, which honestly serves to reminds me of all the trauma-inducing events they’ve been through. It’s a wonder they are still sane! As a reader I want to suspend reality and believe that all these things can happen to the same two people, while ALSO getting a glimpse into two realistic people in the very-real past. But it’s hard to have both. I can't wait to get my hands on the final version so I can read the historical notes--I can see Nelly Bly, Madame Restell, and others like them being serious inspiration for this one!

Triggers: abuse, abuse of disabled/neurodivergent/ chronically mentally ill, arson, murder, sexual abuse, self-harm

Another fantastic installment in Kate Belli's Gilded Gotham Mystery series! Belli mixes history, action, and romance to create a riveting story, with an ending that I certainly didn't expect. I loved every second of it, and look forward to the next one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this arc, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.

5/5 stars: This is the newest entry Belli's Historical Mystery that's set in Gilded-Age New York. Belli's not only written incredibly complex and likable characters. Additionally, I love how Belli features not only the glitz and glamour of the 500 but also explores the experiences of other social classes living in the city, through the main character's backstories and the eclectic cast of side characters. Most importantly, Belli's mystery plot’s well balanced with plenty of clues, red herrings and suspects that you'll be left guessing the whodunit 'til the last page. Sensitive topics are touched on, take care and CWs. This is the fourth book in the Gilded Gotham Mystery series, to start at the beginning pick up Deception by Gaslight.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Fourth in the Gilded Gotham historical mystery series, this one centers on wedding planning for Genevieve (a society journalist) and Daniel (a rags-to-riches philanthropist), at least when they’re not investigating suspicious fires, a murder, the appearance of a long-lost relative and a horrifying imprisonment…lots going on here.

I’ve been enjoying this series as it’s progressed and found this one to be a good addition to the continuing story. I like both Genevieve and Daniel as characters and especially enjoy the inclusion of specifically women’s issues during this period and place (1890s New York). I’ve found each book well written and always look forward to the next.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing the free early arc of Opulence and Ashes for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

With Genevieve and Daniel on the cusp of marriage, they must navigate not only their pasts but a serial arsonist. As a daughter of a NY firefighter, I found this one particularly enjoyable although the resolution felt a little convoluted.

3.5 stars. This was a well written historical mystery with interesting world & character building. I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series, and although there was mention of past events it didn’t feel like I’d missed out on anything too vital to this plot.

I am coming to this series very late. It would have been helpful if I had read the previous books in this series. It was well written and I’m sure there was some great character development. It was difficult to follow for me and I would say you need to start at book one. I will definitely be looking for the first three books to read.

A very twisty mystery with a villain I did not see coming. The story covered quite a few controversial topics for the time period, so it may have been stretched a little thin in that respect, but was all tied together nicely. Also, Genevieve and Daniel’s relationship continues to grow, and it’s beautiful.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Following the harrowing events of the previous installment, Genevieve and Daniel are now engaged and preparing for their future together. A series of arson attacks draw them in and puts Genevieve in particular in danger. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it to fans of the series (and I recommend the series to fans of Deanna Raybourn or Victoria Thompson). It did not have quite the same pace as the previous book, but I enjoyed the development of Genevieve and Daniel's relationship without sacrificing the tension that kept the relationship interesting.

I am docking one star for the author's attempts to reframe a Gilded Age story according to modern sensibilities. Contraceptives and reproductive rights feature as part of the plot-line, and the main characters go out of their way - repeatedly - to voice progressive thinking with regard to reproductive rights. These moments felt like the author breaking the fourth wall (does that term apply in books?) and detracted from the story in my opinion. Other readers may appreciate it.

The fourth installment of Kate Belli's Gilded Gotham series is another edge-of-your-seat action packed story with Genevieve and Daniel as their wedding day quickly approaches.

In this novel we have both Genevieve's and Daniel's perspectives. While the couple are apart managing their own particular elements of solving the flames engulfing parts of the city, I still felt the strong link of their relationship and their love for each other in another death defying adventure.

Genevieve and Daniel also further advance their efforts around labor reform, child indentures and womens' rights, and Belli delicately brings forth some of the awful elements of how limited the lower classes are in basic human rights and dignity. While Genevieve's story arc takes her to a dark and desolate place, both physically and emotionally, readers can understand the trauma of other women in similar situations. Daniel also has an emotional and heartfelt arc that gives readers a deeper view into his past and his family.

Old enemies show their faces again, and the elite continue their own meddling in new ways to the previous books; the pacing is very consistent, with continuous movement toward a heated conclusion.

Overall I greatly enjoyed the story. As a Deanna Raybourne and Andrea Penrose fan. I find Belli's series to be an American equivalent to Victorian historical mysteries. I'm excited to see what happens next - especially now that Genevieve and Daniel are newlywed and Daniel may have more strands to pull to find his other siblings.

Genevieve and Daniel work together to solve a series of mysteries - arson, homicide, and a missing woman. Great descriptions of New York City in 1890 - the wealth disparity, fight for women's rights, and the neighborhoods of immigrants who made up the city. The plot was complex but the author did a good job of tying together what seemed to be unrelated strands. One star off because the pacing in the first half to two-thirds seemed slow with some repetitive plot points, mostly involving a newly found relative of Daniel, and the myriad social issues jammed into the plot when a focus on one or two would have been easier to follow. I think it's better to have read the series in order, as some of the characters' relationships are key to the solution. A great addition to the series and I look forward to the next in the series. Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Such a rich and intriguing plot. I just love this book and this series. The author is so talented and it's a pleasure to see how she weaves the key aspects together.

As before Gen and Daniel partner up to get to the bottom of just what is going on., and it goes way beyond the murders. The reader does gain some insights into the less-than-glamorous aspects of life in these times.

Daniel also learns a little more about his family history.

I truly cannot wait to read the next one in the series.

With thanks to #NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and the author, @kate_Belli for my free advanced reader copy to review in exchange for an honest opinion

photographer, wealthy, wedding, journalist, law-enforcement, family-dynamics, family-drama, family-history, business-partners, amateur-sleuth, class-consciousness, NYC, historical-novel, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, arson, 1889, thriller, suspense, suspicion, cozy-crime, friendship, newspapers, angst, misogynistic-era, missing-persons, attempted-murder, threats, gangs, corruption, social-history, social-injustice, social-issues, series, riveting*****

I love this series! I was intrigued by the photographer who might have been patterned after Jacob Riis.
Genevieve and Daniel are my heroes and since I geek history and enjoy NYC...
The publisher's blurb is a good hook so there is no need for recap and spoilers are just wrong. Fascinating characters, twisty plot, red herrings that would frighten a fish monger, and a truly riveting story. Loved it!
I requested and received an EARC from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Another great title in this series. A lot of history including women’s rights, gang activity and warfare, city corruption and the tenacity of two who intend to do good.

ummmmmmmm, I got approved!!! Thank you to the author and the publishers! I have loved these books since the very first one to say that I was excited to start a new one would be an under estimation. I loved the character development we as readers have gotten over the course of this series. I have also loved the setting and how beautifully it is described by the wonderful author Kate Belli. Here's wishing and hoping for another mystery! 4 stars would read again.

Belli perfectly balanced the mystery and romantic elements of her story, maintaining the excitement when the narrative switches from one focus to the other. The historical aspects of the novel are clearly well researched. It’s refreshing to find a historical novel that incorporates social issues deeper than uncomfortable corsets, with Genevieve, her mother, and her friends advocating for women’s healthcare among other causes. I would recommend this book to others who love historical mystery series, and I look forward to further entries.