**2-Star Review: *The Yankee Club* by Michael Murphy**

*The Yankee Club* by Michael Murphy attempts to blend noir mystery with historical fiction, following former detective Jake Donovan as he returns to 1930s New York City after a successful stint as a pulp crime writer. Soon, he finds himself embroiled in a murder investigation that involves old friends, political intrigue, and dangerous secrets from his past.

While the premise is intriguing, *The Yankee Club* falls short in execution. The story tries to capture a classic noir atmosphere but struggles with inconsistent pacing and somewhat flat characterizations. Although Murphy includes elements like speakeasies and period-specific slang to evoke the 1930s, they sometimes feel superficial, lacking the immersive depth needed to transport the reader fully into the era.

The mystery itself is also underwhelming, with predictable plot twists and a lack of suspense that leaves the reader disengaged. The dialogue occasionally feels forced, and Jake’s character lacks the depth or complexity needed to carry a strong noir story.

Overall, *The Yankee Club* has the potential to be a charming homage to classic detective novels but lacks the polish and intrigue to stand out. Mystery fans may find it enjoyable for its nostalgia, but others may find it forgettable.

A fun noir with action elements. The novel is well paced with colorful character and very enjoyable. A classic hardboiled story set at the end of Prohibition the main character is constantly running into real life characters as he tries to solve a murder.

New York City during prohibition is an excellent setting for a mystery. Jake and Laura are well-developed characters and I loved the cameos of real people in the book. This is a good first book in a series.

I found this book easy to get into and it held my attention from the start. I loved the way the story flowed and how the characters grew as the pages flew past. I cant wait to read more from this author.