3.5/5

Edie Shippen is now a private detective, but business is slow and she hasn't even had a solid case to investigate. This all changes when she runs into an old friend, Ava, who is now a movie star. Their reunion is cut short however when Ava's new husband, and costar, dies after being poisoned making her the prime suspect. This is not the only case of poisoning in the city, Gil Lawless has already seen two while working at the morgue. He's still recovering from the events of the previous book and would like to keep his nose clean and out of trouble. However, all three murders seem to be related, and Eddie and Gil won't be able to stay away from each other or from danger.

Another fun addition to this series! I enjoy reading about Edie's adventures because they're entertaining and have a good balance of tension and warm feelings. It's very much a detective book in the way of cozy mysteries, so while there are some stakes the core is mostly the characters and their relationships. Edie is still fun and vivacious, but she does come off as more mature than last book, meanwhile Gil is steady and focused yet more open to his feelings. The ensemble cast is back, characters like Lizzie and Marco make an appearance, plus some new minor ones that I'm presuming will get more developed as the series grows.

When it comes to the mystery this one was harder to solve than the previous one, that one was just too obvious. I liked the challenge and the twists it took but I felt the ending was a bit too rushed and needed a couple more pages of denouement, plus it hinged on a key piece of evidence that we only got near the end. Still, I loved the chemistry between Edie and Gil, and that kept me going even when the mystery wasn't my cup of tea at the end. Interesting set up there at the end for the next book, I'm glad the series is continuing and I will be reading for sure.

Philadelphia, 1921: While heiress Edie Shippen has become a private investigator, she has done more shopping than actual investigating. Her first case is from a woman who suspects her neighbor murdered her husband, a death that the police suspect is natural. When she finds out the coroners involved in the case are her assistant’s brother and her sort of friend Gilbert Lawless, she immediately decides to take the case. Gilbert helped her perviously but was injured. That injury coupled with PSTD from World War I had kept him sidelined, doing desk work until this case. It’s not exactly stated, but one gets the impression Edie is perhaps more than interested in Gilbert as a friend, while Gilbert is probably more interested in avoiding Edie. However, when she shows up at the office to question to question Marco and Gilbert, she manages to rope him into taking her to a party being thrown by a film company to celebrate their latest film as an old friend of Edie’s is one of the guests of honor of the party. Things quickly go sideways a few days after the party when the other guest of honor when her old friend’s new husband is killed during a scene, poisoned by a prop. Incidentally, the method of death happens to be the same as the neighbor in Edie’s first case. Edie is ready to jump in to the investigate, but Gilbert isn’t - he’s been warned about being involved in Edie’s cases.

I enjoyed this book even though it felt like it was as much a slow burn romance between Gilbert and Edie as it was a mystery. There was lots of backstory about Gilbert’s deceased first wife, his efforts to raise his young daughter and provide a better life for her and some about Edie’s family, too.

The is the second book in the Edie Shippen - Gilber Lawless series after 2024’s A Deadly Endeavor.. I think it works as a standalone as I hadn’t read the previous one and still enjoyed it. However, while there wasn’t any explicit spoilers about the first book, there were enough that you could probably figure out the guilty party was. If you’re highly sensitive to spoilers, I’d recommend reading the first book in the series before reading this one.

Highly recommended - I’ve add the first book in the series to by TBR list. I received a copy of this book through NetGalley.Com which I voluntarily reviewed.

Review of "A Poisonous Silence" by Jenny Adams
Oh, I just finished "A Poisonous Silence" by Jenny Adams (huge thanks to Crooked Lane Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!), and I'm just bursting to tell you all about it! Imagine stepping into a 1920s drawing-room, all glittering and glamorous, but then peeking behind the curtains and finding a world of secrets and shadowy corners. That's exactly the vibe this book gives you – a wonderful mix of elegance and intrigue.
The mystery itself? Absolutely delightful! I was completely hooked, trying to piece together the clues right alongside the characters. And let me tell you, I was wrong so many times! Jenny Adams really knows how to keep you guessing, with twists and turns that kept me turning the pages late into the night.
But what truly made this book special for me were the characters. They felt like real people, with their own quirks and secrets. I loved getting to know them, and I was so invested in their stories. Plus, the way the book explores the lives of women in the 1920s, across all those different social classes, was just fascinating. It really made you think about the challenges they faced, and the strength they showed.
If you're looking for a mystery with a touch of glamour, a dash of intrigue, and characters you'll genuinely care about, "A Poisonous Silence" is perfect for you. It's like curling up with a cup of tea and a really good puzzle – you won't want to put it down! I highly recommend it!
Thanks again NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book was so much fun to read. I have not read the first but didn't feel lost in the slightest. I also don't think they spoiled enough of the first book to make it something I wouldn't pick up. The pace was steady, the romance was just enough to keep you interested, and the characters all likeable in their own way. I would definitely recommend this to someone that wanted a period (almost) cozy mystery.

An excellent follow up to the first in the series! I loved the glimpses into film and queer history and the mystery kept me guessing until the climax. Also, it looks from that ending like we may be lucky enough to get more in this series?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

Sick with the flu, I was glad to have this advanced copy to keep me company! The second in a series with Masterpiece Classic vibes, this did not disappoint! I was a big fan of the first book, and Gil and Edie were just as dashing and enjoyable to read about in this book. The plot was twisty and I loved learning more about all the characters. Jenny Adams writes beautifully, and the atmosphere and history is so rich!

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane for an early copy of this ebook. Opinions are my own.

This is the second book in the Deadly 20's series, and I didn't read the first. However, that did not take away from my enjoyment of this book. There is, of course, some back story that is eluded to here that I am missing, but it didn't detract overly much from the story. I would recommend reading them in order if you can, though.

Edie and Gilbert are both extremely likable main characters. She is feisty and determined while he is steadfast and loyal, but together, they make the perfect detecting team even when they don't want to admit it. I like the dynamics between them and hope that they continue to grow in their relationship. The side characters are also intriguing, and I appreciate that even those that seem like villains maintain an element of humanity and morality.

The crime here is also done well, and I found myself trying hard to determine the culprit right along with our sleuths. I did happen to get there before them, but that was okay. I enjoyed the suspense that, while certainly present, was not overpowering and did not detract from the mystery as it can sometimes do. It placed this book squarely in the mystery genre, as opposed to thriller, with just enough intensity to keep me turning pages.

I'll definitely be going back to pick up the first book in this series and look forward to future books as well.

📖 Book Review 📖 It may have been a year since we first met Edie and Gilbert in A Deadly Endeavor, but A Poisonous Silence picks up only a few short months after the end of the first installment in the Deadly Twenties Mystery series. While I do genuinely believe that you could pick up this as a standalone, the first book is so good and adds so much depth to the characters, I highly recommend a visit to your local library or independent bookstore ahead of reading this one to enhance the whole experience! If you are intrigued by the roaring twenties, Prohibition, old Hollywood films, and murder mysteries with an intelligent and strong female lead , then this one is definitely for you! Jenny Adams has done it again with a deliciously clever gem of historical fiction!

This the second installment in the Deadly Twenties series, and I was so glad to be back with Edie and Gilbert in prohibition-era Philadelphia. Edie is now working as a lady detective and has received her first case when her friend is accused of murder. Her second case quickly follows when a woman comes seeking her help and accuses her neighbor of the murder of her husband. With gangsters, movie stars, and murder, this is a really interesting plot! Unfortunately, it wasn’t as interesting as the first one and I found myself getting frustrated with the main characters as they seemed to make the same mistakes. I have high hopes for the next one where we should see Edie and Gilbert work together.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this early copy! All opinions are e timely my own.

Perhaps its because I didn't read the first book, but I really couldn't get into this one. Gilbert is still recovering from injury and this impacts his approach throughout (but its not mentioned in this intro). and his relationship with Edie. So there's a lot of tension. The tone and style of writing the dialogue just seemed stilted too

Perhaps just not my cup of tea - but I am sure there will be others who enjoy this style.

I am grateful to have received an advance reader copy. My thanks to Crooked Lane Books, Netgalley and the author. The opinions are my own.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for this digital ARC.

I was excited to jump into book 2 of A Deadly Twenties Mystery. Edie Shippen is trying to settle into life as a "private investigator"... but the problem is she has yet to book a case. When she finally gets her first job, it unexpectedly throws her right back together with Gilbert Lawless. Coroner's assistant by day, troubled veteran with shell shock by night. He and Edie were thrown together for the events of book 1, and their chemistry is undeniable.

Edie's old friend from California, major movie star Ava, comes under scrutiny when her new husband dies unexpectedly on a movie set. Can Edie and Gil untangle the threads of these cases that tie them together? and will they finally address their attraction to each other?

What a ride! Fingers crossed for book 3.

this was a great sequel in the Deadly Twenties Mystery series, it had the element that I was looking for from the first book. It had that Prohibition-era element that I wanted and the mystery was really well done. I was invested in the characters and how everything worked with them. Jenny Adams was able to create a strong story and was glad I read this.

This second entry in what promises to be a great series is just as interesting and well-done as the first. This one picks up a few months after the last ended. It could be read as a stand alone, but some of the interactions and references will make more sense if you have read the first. Edie and Gilbert find out that what look like separate murder cases that they are investigating are in fact connected, and the cases prove to involve both two local crime families and a movie studio. The cases are interesting and well constructed, and the relationship between Edie and Gil is compelling as Gil continues to struggle with tragedies from his past. The 1920s Philadelphia setting works well, as do the supporting characters from the first book. I’m already looking forward to the next one. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Crooked Lane Books for the ARC of A Poisonous Silence by Jenny Adams.

What an excellent sequel in the Deadly Twenties Mystery series! I'll admit I've felt a bit discouraged lately in the historical fiction cozy mystery genre, what with Deanna Raybourne and Andrea Penrose each only putting out one book annually, Kate Belli's Gilded Gotham series being placed on hold for a fifth book, Ashley Weaver's Electra McDonnell series coming to a close in May 2025 -- the field has felt a bit empty lately and I really needed something to fill the void. Adams certainly delivered with A Poisonous Silence - I think it was even more successful and entertaining than the series opener, A Deadly Endeavor. New readers definitely do want to start there, as you will miss critical pieces of the character relationships/connections without it.

A Poisonous Silence kicks off roughly four months after the events of A Deadly Endeavor. Gilbert is just returning to field work as a coroner, and Edie has her first official case as a Lady Detective. The rough side to both of their situations? They haven't spoken since the events of the first book have greatly strained their relationship - both finding it difficult to move forward due to the risks they previously encountered. That being said, both have done some personal work on themselves in the intervening months - Edie with a focus on helping women, and Gilbert focused on his mental wellness and non-drug related treatments for his PTSD. Luckily for fans, their paths cross again when both their newest cases end up being about the same man murdered by cyanide. From there it's another fast-paced adventure to find the killer and to understand their motive to stop them before they hurt more people, or, if they have it their way, start a gang war that will put many of Edie and Gilbert's loved ones in the crossfire.

When I read A Deadly Endeavor, I noted it felt a bit predictable -- A Poisonous Silence has strengthened Adams mystery skillset, and this book kept me guessing until the last pages (like the *hopefully* third book will focus on that cryptic ending!).

Fans of Edie and Gilbert will also be pleased with how their relationship progresses - I know I was. Though, the only reason I did remove a star was because some aspects of this felt quite rushed, where one instance either of them would say something unnecessarily cruel, and then a few sentences later they had moved past it without any real processing of the underlying issue. I wish there was a bit of a deeper dive into both of their feelings and intentions with each other - they have both done such fantastic progress on their own personal selves that it seemed sad to have them not really give the same consideration and conversation to each other, even when things were moving along happily.

I also really enjoyed the setting of the story, and I think Adams has done a great job of really setting that 1920s time and place. There was a lot on prohibition, on the influence of the New York 400, etc. that really made this feel well-researched and specific. My review of A Deadly Endeavor compared it to Belli's New York setting, and I truly think Adams has captured a time and place no others are competing with, making this book a great choice for anyone looking for a new foray into historical fiction cozy mystery settings.