This is noir in all its elements: dark, grisly, tons of bad guys, lots of guns and knives, and making me want to watch old black and white movies! I really enjoyed the book, will read more in future!

This book brought me back to the Golden Age of mystery with its noirish approach to 1930's Phoenix. Tightly plotted, interesting characters and a satisfying ending. I love this writers style and really enjoyed this book.

I lost my kindle and couldn't redownload it. Sorry!
I lost my kindle and couldn't redownload it. Sorry!
I lost my kindle and couldn't redownload it. Sorry!I lost my kindle and couldn't redownload it. Sorry!
I lost my kindle and couldn't redownload it. Sorry!

I thoroughly enjoyed this read, I will say that I didn't realize this was the second book in a series and I unfortunately did not have time to read the first book. That being said I enjoyed the plot and I think the cover art is beautiful. I loved the setting as well as the time period of the book. Its very apparent this book is set in a different time which at times made it hard for me to read. Overall I enjoyed the story but I did struggle with some of the racial slurs in the book.

A gripping blend of historical fiction, mystery and noir. The plot is engaging but slow paced at times. A dark, suspenseful read.
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was not for me. It was a good mystery thriller that was wrote very well but it just didn’t have the plot I was looking for. It took about 50% of reading the book to even get to the “nurse” connection in the book. The scalping and killings were what kept me reading.

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Jon Talton

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

Really enjoyed the forties feel of this book, from the language, the stogies and continuous smoking, the old ways of detecting, etc.

Unfortunately, I was unable to download this book before it was archived and so am leaving this as a review/explanation as I didn't know what else to do after finding a few books I had managed to miss in a section of my account entitled Not Active: Archived, Not Downloaded; so I thought it best to clear it up. I have already bought a copy and will leave a review on places like Amazon, Goodreads, Waterstones, etc, once I've completed it and formed my thoughts on it. Apologies for any inconvenience and thank you for the opportunity.

This book was not for me. I couldn’t get into it. Found myself dreading to read it. I wish it was more interesting, but I just didn’t like it.

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

"The Nurse Murders" by Jon Talton, part of the Gene Hammons series, is a gripping mystery novel that immerses readers in a thrilling tale of suspense. As a nurse myself, it sent chills down my spine. Talton showcases a keen ability to weave together a compelling narrative filled with intriguing characters and a well-crafted plot.

One notable strength is Talton's skillful portrayal of Gene Hammons, the central character, and the surrounding cast. The novel excels in creating a sense of authenticity, with the medical setting and investigative elements adding depth to the story. The plot unfolds with a satisfying balance of suspenseful moments and strategic reveals, engaging readers from start to finish.

However, some readers might find certain aspects of the storyline following typical mystery novel conventions. While the characters are well-developed, there may be moments where the pacing feels slightly uneven, impacting the overall flow of the narrative.

In conclusion, "The Nurse Murders" is a commendable addition to the mystery genre, offering an enthralling story with well-drawn characters. Talton's ability to create an immersive atmosphere and maintain suspense makes it a compelling choice for fans of investigative thrillers. Nonetheless, for those seeking entirely groundbreaking plot twists, there may be elements that feel somewhat familiar.

Picture it.....Phoenix, Arizona in 1936. This is the setting in which Gene Hammon and Pamela Bradbury team up to take down a sadistic lust killer terrorizing the city. This is a dark, gritty look at old school detective work as the two race against the clock to catch a murderer that is simply always one step ahead. I enjoyed the attention to detail in this period piece, making it feel like a noir film in my head. The time period felt authentic, and the characters and their interactions fit well. I enjoyed the tension and complexity of the mystery, the thrill of the chase if you will. Gene and Pamela are a smart match, on and off the case, and I greatly enjoyed their interactions. I will also note that you do not have to read the first book in the series to enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.

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

This book was a bit hard for me to get into. It was based in the 30s. There’s a Lot of racial slurs so that could be a trigger for some people.
I did end up DNFing this book though. Although, I can see people enjoying but it wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I should start by saying that this book was written in the 30's so there are racial slurs that may offend some people. There is also some trigger warnings.

I unfortunately could not get into this book. I believe that if you enjoy historical fiction books then this one will be perfect for you. I encourage everyone to give it a chance.

his was a bit different from the books that I am reading and it is a classic noir PI story set in the 1930'. The author did a great job of giving us a full experience of life back then and the language that was used in that period. Once I got into the story, the suspense and everything else kept me engrossed, and wanted to see what would happen next.

BOOK: THE NURSE MURDERS- 2.5stars
AUTHOR: JON TALTON
PUB DATE: NOVEMBER 2023
🕵🏼‍♂️🕵🏼‍♀️
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.
🕵🏼‍♀️🕵🏼‍♂️
THINGS I LIKED
1. The historical details
2. Pamela and Gene's relationship
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE
1. The storyline and cases, they were disorganized to me
2. The ending
3. The 'nurses murders' didn't start still over 30% of the book
🕵🏼‍♂️🕵🏼‍♀️
This book was just there, I did not enjoy it. I can't really pinpoint what I didn't like, but I know I would have wanted the nurses' murders to be at the forefront of the book.

I don’t even know where to begin for this review. So I should start by saying thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As soon as I read the first page I realized I was reading a mystery novel set in the 30’s. Black and white office, the cigarette smoke, the old fashioned hats, and the mystery music in the background.

Two private investigators team up to find a killer. That’s the focus. There are talks of war, politics, racism, bootlegging, mob bosses and Hitler. It seemed pretty clear that the dialect was pretty accurate. Racial slurs were prominent then. Just facts.

From the very first page till the end of the book I was hooked. I felt like I was not only reading this book but watching a movie in my mind. Depending on how old you are as a reader you may know how I felt. I felt like I was watching a black and white film, where the narrator is a mysterious sounding private detective that narrates the whole story.

I was really sad when this book ending and the ending was not what I expected it made me sad. But at the same time it was almost poetic how it ended.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who love fast paced mysteries, action packed, with a hint of romance and plenty of laughter embedded in one of the best books I’ve read. This will easily be in my top five!

This was a serial killer mystery set in Phoenix in the 1930’s. I’m from the Phoenix area, so it was fun to read about the downtown area and actually be able to visualize the area. There were also well-known people/characters in the story from Arizona history. The author definitely knows his Phoenix history. I also appreciated the author’s use of language appropriate to the era, and the warning he provided at the start of the novel that there will be some slurs that would be offensive. The warning allowed me to be prepared for what was ahead but could still be upsetting to some readers.

The actual story I found it to be a bit slow. Less important parts seemed to drag on in unnecessary detail and important, action scenes were glossed over leaving me with many questions. I’m still not sure how the first chapter applies to the rest of the storyline. The characters were one-dimensional and difficult to connect with. Gene and Pamela’s romance is hard to believe even for that era. They barely knew each other in the past, then work together sleuthing, and immediately fall deeply in love? It seems far fetched.

This the second in the Gene Hammond series. This novel can stand alone, but it may be better suited for readers that have already read the first in the series and have a bigger investment in Gene.

Thank you #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for the opportunity to ready this advanced copy for an honest review.

#mystery #thriller #HistoricalFiction #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #TheMidNOCBookClub

The Nurse Murders
by Jon Talton
Poisoned Pen Press
Crime/Thriller/Mystery
Available 12/5/23
⭐️⭐️⭐️

It's 1936 and a sadistic serial killer is on the loose murdering red haired nurses! Gene Hammons is determined to catch him. Through deductive reasoning, help from friend (and more) Pamela Bradbury, and hints from the killer himself, Gene must bring this killing spree to an end!

I was super excited for this one, but I had a really hard time getting into it. I couldn't seem to make a connection. This is book two of the series, and I did not read the first one. That may have something to do with it.
It was well written, and I liked the story. It just didn't grab me the way I thought it would. I might go back and read book one to see if that makes any difference.

*Please be aware that this book takes place in 1936. There is some offensive language and graphic content.

Thank you to @netgalley @poisonedpenpress
for an advance copy to read!