I was pleasantly surprised by this charming book. I picked it up because I'm on a cozy mystery kick and the time travel element perked my interest as a unique twist on a genre that can be very formulaic.

Tess Mancini, a reporter, is out partying in Atlantic City with her best friend when she gets very drunk, slips through time and ends up in Atlantic City of 1955 in the body of her relative, also named Tess and also a reporter. But her grandfather, who in this time is her brother, Val, is accused of murder after threatening an Austrian boarder at the family's boarding house with a racist slur. Convinced he's being framed, it's up to Tess to investigate the murder.

I have a small note of praise for an author who finally works a conflict of interest into the story in a realistic way; Tess isn't assigned the story, but she digs up information on her own.

Along the way she has a lovely slow-burn star-crossed love story with Joe, the local police detective, who's divorced while her aunt's a devout Catholic. Depressingly, their love story did not end in a romance. It was interesting to see the conceit of the time travel device as Tess had her aunt's reactions and instincts, so it was the older Tess who nursed the crush.

The murder mystery got heavy on police procedural which could get slow paced, but I didn't mind that in this case because all the twists and turns kept me guessing. Throw in Nazi hunters and CIA involvement and it added another rich layer.

I felt the historical details were very well researched and there was some nice color about what life was like in the 1950s, without holding back from the hardships and oppression of the time. I liked how it showed how Tess was relegated to puff pieces and the sexist comments she received at work, and how little autonomy she had living at the boardinghouse. But it also showed how women supported women at that time.

The author also had a good handle on what journalism is really like and that lent the story an authentic flair. I love seeing amateur sleuths who are actually investigative reporters. I also really admired Tess as a character and her spunk and determination. It didn't get too deep into character development but was more a fun look at what it might be like to get to know your ancestors.

A promising start to a really fun new series that kept me entertained. I'd read more in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I grew up half an hour from the Steel Pier so when I saw this book I knew I had to read it. Great little mystery with a historical setting. Great job by the author in ensuring there was historical accuracy to really take you back in time with this nice little mystery.

Murder on the Steel Pier: A Tess Mancini Time Travel Mystery by Rosie Genova is an entertaining blend of mystery and time travel, offering an intriguing premise and a well-written plot. The historical setting adds depth and excitement to the story, and Tess is a relatable, strong protagonist. While the book keeps readers engaged with its twists and time-bending adventure, I did wish for more in-depth interactions between Tess and the supporting characters to further enrich the experience. Nonetheless, it’s a fun and enjoyable read for fans of light mystery and time travel. (I received an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.)

At first I almost didn’t finish it, but I’m so happy I pushed through. The first half of the book I didn’t connect to the characters or the story, but the second half really picked up. I ended up enjoying the book so much that I was mad when I finished and I couldn’t start the next book. I did feel like most of it was predictable and I thought it was a little cheesy to include famous people as side characters, but I loved Tess and Harry and the ending made me hopeful we’ll see more of them in the next book.

A time travel mystery? I’m skeptical. But I gotta say. This was pretty enjoyable. It doesn’t over explain the time travel and focuses more on the mystery. I love that. It’s the right kind of blend of historical fiction, mystery, and sci fi to keep me invested. I’m curious how any future books would follow this concept

'Murder on the Steel Pier' has a fascinating plot description and easy to follow writing style, but I personally don't like the main character. For that reason, I won't be continuing with the book. I would recommend this to those wanting a historical mystery with a twist.

Special thanks to Two Roses Books and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Tess wakes up after celebrating her birthday in Atlantic City and soon finds out that she’s traveled back in time to 1955 and is inhabiting the body of an aunt who disappeared before Tess was born. Not only does she have to solve the problem of how to get back to her own time, but when her grandfather is accused of murder Tess has to prove his innocence so that she’ll have a future to go back to.

The author really came up with an interesting premise and I enjoyed the 1955 setting. Although I can’t speak to how realistic the story is to the time, not having lived through it, it seemed like Tess’s aunt had an odd mix of societal structures and at the same time a lot of freedom to work around them. But she couldn’t have solved the mystery if all she did was sit at home so it made sense in the context of the story.

Oh my gosh! I don’t know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t this unputdownable mystery! I became hooked from the beginning! The twists and turns, murder, love story and the history just med together to create a very fun book! Tess is one hell of a girl and I can’t wait to read the next one!! If you like historical mystery you have to read this one!! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book!

This is my first time reading this author. I enjoyed the story and the characters. The mystery kept me guessing (as did some of the unnamed historical characters). I look forward to finding out what happens next.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Who wouldn't like the chance to meet their ancestors when they were young? Reporter Teresa Mancini and her friend are in Atlantic City celebrating her birthday when something strange happens. She finds herself in 1955, in the place of her doppelganger great aunt Theresa Mancini, older sister to her grandfather, who is 19 and also lives in the boarding house run by Zia Netta. The 1955 Theresa was also a reporter, and Tess finds herself drawn into a mystery when her brother Val is accused of murdering a former resident of the boarding house who may have been a Nazi sympathizer. She loves the clothes and the car, but is hoping to help Val beat the murder charge, and eventually return to the present day. Nineteen fifties Atlantic City is vividly portrayed, and the mystery and characters are excellent. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this advance copy.