The Last Note of Warning is the third in the Nightingale Mysteries cozy mystery series, but, thanks to massive time and relationship jumps, I thought I missed a book. Set in the 1920s, this series follows Vivian Kelly, a poor young woman who lives with her sister. By day she makes deliveries for a dressmaker and, by night, works at a speakeasy where everyone can and will mingle with anyone, LGBT relationships are nothing to stare at, and the woman running it all makes Vivian’s head turn every time. But murder has a way of following Vivian, and this one forces her to prove her own innocence, forcing her romantic rivals to decide if she’s worth losing everything for.

Several months after the events of the second book, The Last Drop of Hemlock, Vivian is happy with her bootlegger sweetheart Leo, but now lives alone since her sister married the Nightingale’s bartender and is now expecting a baby. After a dress delivery goes unexpectedly awry, she stands accused of murdering the man of the house. He was kind to her, but she maintains she doesn’t know him. The police commissioner, though, needs a culprit, and Vivian’s not only the only one he has, but she’s a nobody and the victim was a member of New York’s high society. With just a week to clear her name and present another suspect, Vivian does all she can to play every card she has, and then some. It’ll strain not just her relationship with her sister, but her romance with Leo and her mutual interest with her boss, Honor. As secrets come to light, Leo and Honor will be forced to decide if Vivian is worth the risk of losing everything.

There’s nothing quite like following a cozy mystery series where the characters grow, change, and undergo major life changes in each installment and then starting the next book only to desperately wonder if you’ve missed a book sometime in the last year since the last book came out. It took me a few chapters and frantic searching to discover, and come to terms with, the fact that I did not miss a book. Instead, The Last Note of Warning makes some big jumps from the second book. It jumps several months into the future. Vivian and Leo are still seeing each other and they seem comfortable with seemingly not moving it forward. Things are, of course, complicated because Leo is the police commissioner’s not quite on the up and up nephew and both Leo and Vivian frequent their favorite speakeasy. But the harder jump to wrap my head around was with Vivian’s sister Florence. I adore Florence, who is older and more levelheaded, and loved her budding romance in the second book with the Nightingale’s bartender, Danny. I expected to see them dating in the next book, not married and expecting a baby, so I kept wondering if I missed a whole book somewhere. After I figured it out and came to terms with it, it was much easier to enjoy the story.

This was a pleasant change from Vivian being forced to solve a murder mystery or taking it upon herself to prove someone was murdered and didn’t commit suicide. Instead, Vivian is the only unknown in a society family’s house when the man of the house is found murdered, so she becomes the sole suspect. Of course Vivian didn’t do it, but the police need someone to pin it on, and she’s a nobody, so no one would miss her. Vivian, though, isn’t new to solving murder mysteries, but she is new to finding most of her allies suddenly standing to the side. Honor and Leo have ties either to the family or the police, so they can’t offer her much help. Instead she finds herself leaning more on a society woman I absolutely love because she runs quite an underground network. Their relationship is fascinating and fun, and I love the way they function. But it was also hard to see people Vivian had come to rely on just not be there for her when her life is on the line. Every girl wants to know if she’s worth it for someone to throw everything they love and care about on the line, right? Well, Vivian’s about to find out, and it creates quite a shuffle in her romantic life.

I really enjoyed this one. The mystery was a lot of fun, there were backward and forward slides in Vivian’s love life, and it was really fun exploring high society. I love the relationship between Vivian and Florence, and enjoyed the quiet, tender moments between them. There’s also the matter of who their father is and who claimed their mother’s body. There wasn’t as much done with this subplot as I had hoped for, but it certainly keeps me reading. There was just too much going on in Vivian’s life in this one, and I was glad to see her complete commitment to it. Vivian is spunky and delightful and I completely get why Florence is forever worrying about her. But I loved her determination to see things through and do whatever it takes to solve the case. It was just harder this time around because I could hear the ticking clock and feel her desperation. It was hard to see everyone standing away from her, but it was also heartening to see who did flock to her.

Vivian has no shortage of friends. Many of the powerful ones who would have been huge helps chose to sit this one out, though I did love the way it all played out in the end. When it looked like Vivian would be forced to go it alone and probably end up arrested, other friends jumped out of the woodwork, eager to help and have fun with it. One of these was a society girl who also frequents the Nightingale, and I really loved how this part played out. I love getting a peek into the glitz and glamour of the 1920s, and this was certainly a fun part of it I didn’t know about. It did feel like it went on for too long, but the things Vivian uncovered were quite interesting. I loved how she thought fast on her feet and could make friends with just about anyone.

The truly fun parts, though, were when Vivian learned things about the people around her, things that helped her understand why they couldn’t help and things that had her looking at things in different lights. Some of it I could predict, but some things took me a little longer to figure out. I did feel like it took her too long to really home in on the major players in the murder mystery because doing that probably would have helped her solve this in a much shorter amount of time. But, at the same time, it would have taken away from other parts of the story that had to be told. Besides, Vivian’s best friend Bea steps in in the most amazing and committed way. I love the cautious spunk Bea has, and the devotion these friends have for each other is incredible and heartwarming.

The Last of Note of Warning is probably my favorite installment in the series so far. It did a lot with the characters and really put Vivian’s safety and life on the line. I loved seeing the players shuffling around as their own lives have to play out in certain ways. It’s also always just so much fun to travel around in high society with Vivian. I adored her bravery and the way she looked at things with a realistic eye. Even though I had faith she’d figure it out, things looked bleak from time to time, so I had a great deal of fun with this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Katharine Schellman’s "The Last Note of Warning," the third installment in the Nightingale mystery series, offers a thrilling and atmospheric dive into the perilous world of 1920s New York. With a backdrop of Prohibition and the vibrant, yet dangerous, nightlife, Schellman crafts a luscious and intriguing tale that blends mystery, romance, and the queer experience in an era fraught with both glamour and risk.

Vivian Kelly, the novel’s resilient protagonist, lives a double life. By day, she’s a diligent shop assistant, rubbing elbows with the city’s elite as she delivers luxurious dresses. By night, she transforms into a vivacious fixture of the Nightingale, a clandestine speakeasy where she serves illegal drinks and dances till dawn. Her complicated relationships with her bootlegger boyfriend, Leo, and the enigmatic owner of the Nightingale, Honor Huxley, add layers of emotional depth to her character.

The story takes a sharp turn when Vivian becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a wealthy client’s husband. With the police and media circling, she strikes a desperate deal for one week of freedom to clear her name. Schellman masterfully builds tension as Vivian delves into the victim’s life, uncovering secrets and lies, and realizing that someone close to her might be setting her up to take the fall.

Schellman’s writing vividly captures the essence of the era, from the smoky, jazz-filled nights at the speakeasy to the ever-present threat of police raids. The novel’s historical detail and immersive setting are significant highlights, drawing readers into a world where every night holds both excitement and danger.

"The Last Note of Warning" excels in character development, particularly in portraying Vivian’s determination and vulnerability. Her interactions with a cast of well-drawn supporting characters, each with their own motives and secrets, keep the narrative engaging and the mystery complex.

However, while the book is richly atmospheric and character-driven, it occasionally stumbles in pacing. Some middle sections of the novel can feel a bit slow, as the build-up to the climax takes its time. Yet, this minor flaw is overshadowed by the overall suspense and the intricate plotting that leads to a satisfying resolution.

In summary, "The Last Note of Warning" is a captivating addition to the Nightingale series. Schellman’s ability to weave together mystery, romance, and historical authenticity creates a compelling read that keeps you guessing until the very end. Fans of historical mysteries, especially those with strong female leads and queer themes, will find much to love in this evocative and suspenseful tale.

I really enjoyed this latest addition to the Nightingale mystery series. I flew through this one! The stakes were very high and it was interesting to see how different characters reacted to specific outside pressures. The choices some of those characters made surprised me. I’m interested to see how that plays out in future books.

This is a great series. I love the LGBTQ+ representation in a Roaring Twenties setting. Vivian is at the edge of so many worlds. She’s white, but Irish (so still discriminated against in certain ways). She is working class but often rubs elbows with the rich and powerful. She’s a shopgirl by day and a waitress at an illegal speakeasy by night. She’s also bi, which makes for a very intriguing love triangle.

Vivian deals with a lot of high-powered people on a regular basis—from the police commissioner to the owner of the dress shop to criminal masterminds. I love that several of these people are women, especially those involved in NYC’s criminal underbelly. These women are very good at what they do and it’s fascinating to see all their machinations play out.

Note: This is the third book in the Nightingale mystery series. This story builds off the previous books, so it is best to read them in order. Book 1 is Last Call at the Nightingale.

"The Last Note of Warning" by Katherine Schellman is the third in a series featuring Vivian Kelly who works two seemingly unrelated jobs in mid-1920s New York. Daytime she makes deliveries and final alterations for a high-end dressmaker. Nightime she works as a waitress and sometimes dancer for a high-class speakeasy, her real passion. The two careers intersect in this book after a client's husband is murdered while Vivian waits for the client to return home for her final fitting.

Although the book could be read as a standalone, it would help to have read the earlier books in order to better understand some of the major supporting characters and their relationships. I enjoyed the book and recommend it, especially to anyone who has read the first two in the series. I did find the pace sluggish at points, but overall it was a good read. It does have elements of LGBTQ and interracial relationships, but they are not a major part of the plot or character motivations. This review is based on an advance review copy from NetGalley.

The Last Note of Warning is Katherine Schellman's third installment of the Nightingale Mysteries and all of the reader's favorite characters are back in action, living their best lives after dark. In this novel, Vivian finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time and is accused of murdering a well known "fat cat". While she is understandable distraught, the Commissioner of the Police Force gives her one week to clear her name. With the odds very much stacked against her, and without the help of her secret love, Honor Huxley, Vivian must find out who had the most to claim by taking down this very powerful man.

I found this plot to be interesting, but very drawn out. The action dragged in the middle and while the audience can assume Vivian is going to come out on the right side of the law, I found myself skipping pages just to get there. The ending fell a bit flat as well. On the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed Schellman's portrayal of the queer and drag culture in Harlem during this time period. Mention of Harlem's Hamilton Lodge and Masquerade Balls gave the audience an understanding of and a peek into a little mentioned aspect of the LGBTQ historical community.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this novel.

The stakes are even higher in this mystery when Vivian Kelly is the only suspect in a murder. She has a week to find another suspect for the corrupt commissioner, or she‘s going to jail.

This series just keeps getting better! One of the biggest things I love in this series is the cast. Every character, from Vivian our protagonist, to minor characters that show up only for a page or two, are distinct, They have unique voices, backgrounds, and motivations. And it’s such a diverse cast. In this volume, we get to see Viv rely on the support of the community she’s built for herself at the Nightengale, and we also get to learn more about Honor, one of the most mysterious side characters in the whole series. And I really enjoy Vivian. She is such a great protagonist. She’s plucky and determined and determined, while showing that she is human. We see her fear as her deadline creeps closer.

And the countdown did an excellent job of ramping up the tension, The mystery itself was paced really well, and while I did predict part of the solution, the red herrings were really well fleshed out, and I found myself second guessing my predictions several times. I cannot wait to read more in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this arc.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Katharine Schellman for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I have absolutely loved this series so I was so excited to get approved for the third book !!

While Vivian is out making her dress deliveries, the unexpected happens and a clients husband gets murder. Even worse Vivian is arrested for the murder. Vivian convinces the commissioner to giver her a week to try and clear her name. Will it be enough time for Viv and her friends to find the truth?

The first two books of the series have been fantastic and the third, The Last Note of Warning, didn't disappoint! I love the style of writing and time frame of these books. The storyline keeps moving and keeps you glued to the book wanting to know what happens next! The characters are loveable and steal your heart! 4.5 stars from me and hope there will be more!

This was a delightful murder mystery that had me very intrigued. I loved the depth the characters had and the writing was exceptional. I couldn’t put this book down, I just had to find out who the murderer was.

3.5 stars

This was an interesting slow burn of a mystery. I was definitely intrigued at the start, but it kinda fizzled out shortly after. For whatever reason, it took me FOREVER to read this book. Although the plot hooked me for a bit, my desire to continue reading it faded more and more each day. The 1920s speakeasy setting was enjoyable. It wasn’t amazing and it wasn’t terrible, just not my vibe. I like to feel something when I read a book and I got nothing from this. I did enjoy the friendship between Vivian and Bea. Bea was a rider forsure and I liked how they had each others backs. I do understand that this is the 3rd book in the series and I have yet to read the others so maybe that’s why it didn’t hit like I wanted it to? Regardless, for the slow burn mystery lovers out there, this one is for you.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this arc.

This is a heroine who isn’t always easy to love and she, at times, made me want to shake her a bit over her confrontations with other characters. But then Vivian Kelly has grown up in the world of orphanages and hard knocks where you have to look out for yourself first. As this is book three in the series, there will be spoilers here for the first two. I think new readers could start here but it would be a steep learning curve to get all the relationships and tangled web of interactions straight.

Vivian has managed to advance in one of her two jobs where she worked long hours at a seamstress shop. Today’s delivery though has landed her with a possible murder charge as she was the one who found the victim. The Police Commissioner, who doesn’t really care if she did it or not, has given her a week to find the real killer or he’ll happily throw her to the wolves. Can Vivian find the clues from the people involved in order to clear her name?

Vivian also still works at The Nightingale, a speakeasy carefully and ruthlessly run by Honor Huxley, a queer woman who wears pants, knows which palms to grease, and who takes few prisoners. Vivian and Honor have felt sparks as they dance and kiss but as Vivian finds, she is still very much on her own despite what Honor seems to feel for her. Another person helping Vivian is Leo who has his own issues with the Police Commissioner but also some contacts who might help Vivian.

The people Vivian needs to assist her are usually not nice people and live by collecting and paying off debts. I do something for you and then can call in the debt when I need something from you. One sinister yet also interesting woman (who like Honor has bruisers who work for her) first appeared in book one and smilingly catches Vivian in a net of debt. Paying that off helps Vivian discover a few things. Other people Vivi knows from the Nightingale fill in some blanks in the puzzle. But Vivi’s Black friend Bea, who sings like a sultry angel, is probably the most helpful.

Vivi chases clues, eliminates red herrings, struggles to keep from collapsing from the work and stress but does finger the killer though the end way things play out is still complicated. She also shows she’s been learning and manages to put herself ahead of the debt game with one person who has lots of power and now owes Vivian … big. I also enjoyed watching Vivi and her (now married and very happy) sister Florence who have worked through tough relationship times.

There are still unresolved personal issues for Vivian and her sister as well as an upcoming and I hope happy event for them, and others, to look forward to. Vivian’s relationships with two other important people in her life have changed and yeah, now someone else owes her. Vivian is getting wiser, also a bit harder but is not one to go down without a fight. B-

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
The third book in the prohibition-era series about Vivian Kelly sees her faced with new challenges.
Even though she's happier with her work situation, with a day job making deliveries for a dress shop and a part time job as a waitress at the Nightingale speakeasy, Vivian's life is still complicated.
During one of her deliveries, she ends up being the last person seen with a rich socialite who appears to have been murdered. She does manage to gain time to try and prove her innocence by calling in some favours and her hunt for the truth takes her all over 1920s New York.
Like some other readers I was puzzled by the way the authorities kind of jumped to conclusions, but then let her go to investigate instead of the police doing this. I also find it odd that this series is described as 'queer', based on, a kiss or two between women? the inclusion of women dancing with women?
I'm also hoping that the somewhat abrupt ending promises a 4th book where Vivian might have some time to figure out what's really important to her.
Recommend for fans of mysteries with realistic backgrounds and 'regular people' characters.

This series is so fun! The setting is perfect and I love the roaring 20s vibes throughout the book! The mystery took me a little bit to get into this time, but by the end, I was very invested and loved the twists and turns. I also love the romance subplots! I definitely have my favorite love interest but both were so sweet and fun to read! I really hope Katharine Schellman writes another in the series very soon!

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Last Note of Warning is my new favorite in this sumptuous, decadent mystery series! It has more of the same fantastic speakeasy vibes: the parties, the dresses, the drinks, the music! Paired with the dynamic cast of characters we know and love and a great mystery makes this one hot summer read!

In The Last Note of Warning, our favorite lead character Vivian must prove her innocence in a murder case, and she's got one week to do it. I loved the time countdown with this book and I feel like Schellman improved her pacing in this installment. The timeline keep things moving along quickly and I really couldn't put this one down.

Without giving spoilers, the characters in this book, who were already mysterious, got another dose of intrigue. To be more specific: we get more back story on the elusive Honor Huxley. I really enjoyed getting deeper into the lives of these characters and now I can't wait for the fourth book!

I received a free digital copy of The Last Note of Warning from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

As a mystery, this book does a good job of telling an intriguing story. Maybe it’s me, but I had a hard time with the premise that the police wouldn’t bother investigating the murder of a prominent citizen—and instead assume that the person who discovered the body must the killer, and if she wants to avoid a guilty verdict, she’s going to have to find the true killer herself. If you can overlook this situation, then you might enjoy the story.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I got The Last Note of Warning and then realized that it was book 3 in a series. Of course, I went back and read the first two before I started this. While this ended up being my favorite, I’m glad I went back and read the other two. This one relies heavily on the background established in the first two books.

Vivian is at it again, but this time her freedom is on the line. She finally has a life she enjoys, delivering dresses for the shop during the day and serving drinks at the Nightingale by night. She has a steady date in Leo and while Honor has denied her a relationship they have been able to remain friendly. That is until Vivian is in the middle of a delivery and the husband ends up murdered and she is immediately to blame. She will spend the remainder of the story using all of her detective skills and high level connections gained in the first two books to try and clear her name and avoid spending the rest of her life in jail.

This one was definitely more high-stakes and I enjoyed it more than the other two. The semi-love triangle was a bit much for me, because at this point Honor no longer should be an option. She has clearly made her decision as to where her interests are and it is not in a relationship. I am also wondering if we are ever going to find out about Vivian and Florence’s parents. It seems like it has been dragged out way too long at this point.

Enjoyed the story, didn’t love the ending.

Whew! I wasn’t sure how Vivian Kelly was going to get herself out of this one! And while her physical person may be totally safe, her emotional self is all over the place. I can’t even imagine. Debts and favors and forgiveness and relationships are left scattered all over the place. And while the story was a little slow to start for me, by the halfway mark it was speeding along.

I received a copy of this book from Minotaur Books.

2SLGBTQIA+ Historical Mystery set in New York 1925 following a speakeasy waitress and dress shop assistant who turns sleuth after a client's husband's murdered and she finds herself the main suspect.

5/5 stars: This is the third entry in Schellman's Nightingale Mysteries series, which is a 2SLGBTQIA+ Historical Mystery that takes place in New York 1925 and features an underground speakeasy and dance hall waitress and dress shop assistant who turns sleuth after a wealthy client's husband's murdered and finds herself the main suspect. Given one week to find the killer, she'll cash in every favor to find out who's setting her up to take the fall. With plenty of twists and turns, Schellman has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. It's also evident Schellman pays attention to the historical details with plenty of research. I also love how she explores the 2SLGBTQIA+ lifestyle and the struggles of the Chinese experience and interracial marriage in 1920's New York. Additionally, Schellman's writing and character work is stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's great to catch up with Vivian and her friends and family. She's a tough and tenacious woman determined to live her life as she wants. And I have to say Viv's struggles with her love life, will it be Leo or Honor, keep things interesting. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Last Call at the Nightingale. This is a great read, highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

"The Last Note of Warning is the third in the luscious, mysterious, and queer Nightingale mystery series by Katharine Schellman, set in 1920s New York.

Prohibition is a dangerous time to be a working-class woman in New York City, but Vivian Kelly has finally found some measure of stability and freedom. By day, she's a respectable shop assistant, delivering luxurious dresses to the city's wealthy and elite. At night, she joins the madcap revelry of New York's underworld, serving illegal drinks and dancing into the morning at a secretive, back-alley speakeasy known as the Nightingale. She's found, if not love, then something like it with her bootlegger sweetheart, Leo, even if she can't quite forget the allure of the Nightingale's sultry owner, Honor Huxley.

Then the husband of a wealthy client is discovered dead in his study, and Vivian was the last known person to see him alive. With the police and the press both eager to name a culprit in the high-profile case, she finds herself the primary murder suspect.

She can't flee town without endangering the people she loves, but Vivian isn't the sort of girl to go down without a fight. She'll cash in every favor she has from the criminals she calls friends to prove she had no connection to the dead man. But she can't prove what isn't true.

The more Vivian digs into the man's life, and as the police close in on her, the harder it is to avoid the truth: someone she knows wanted him dead. And the best way to get away with murder is to set up a girl like Vivian to take the fall."

Here's a hint, never be the fall guy, or gal as the case may be.

It's prohibition and Vivian Kelly lives in New York City. During the day she works for a woman who makes fancy dresses for the rich, and now she delivers the dresses and makes sure they fit. At night she works at the Nightingale, a speak easy. In this book she makes a delivery where the woman is out and she has to wait for her to do the fitting. She chats with the husband until the maid calls him away to meet another caller. After waiting a long time, she realizes she needs to get back to work. On her way out she finds the husband dead, and she is the only suspect. Leo tries to take care of her; the Commissioner lets her go, but tells her she has 7 days to prove her innocence or find the killer.

The book becomes very exciting. This is a great addition to the series. I thank Netgalley and Crooked Lane Publishing for the ARC so I could read the book before publication.

This is part of a series and I jumped in at this book. This book was so detailed and it sucked me right into the plot. I felt like dancing and swaying right along with them. I enjoyed the mystery and was on the edge of my seat right up till the end. Very well done. I love a good 1920 prohibition mystery.