The Fate of a Flapper

This was a historical murder mystery set in 1929 Chicago. Prohibition was the law of the land, but illegal bars were flourishing. Local police and politicians were easily bribed. The Federal Agents, known as the Drys, were not so easily swayed. This was also the era of gangs and violence, including the infamous Valentine Day Massacre. Gangsters and others didn’t think twice about sending a warning message via bombs. It was a period of unrest and became even more unstable when the stock market crashed.

The majority of the action took place at the not so secret speakeasy, the Third Door. This was where the main character, Gina Ricci, worked as a cigarette girl. After two customers died within hours of each other, Gina’s policewoman cousin, Nancy, asked for her help in photographing the scene. Tainted alcohol was not uncommon during this time. But Gina investigated all possible angles, sometimes putting herself in danger. With the help of her cousin and potential suitor Roark, who was still married to Harriet, they tried to figure out who killed a flapper and a business man.

I enjoyed the speakeasy setting, along with the many diverse characters involved in running that place.
They each had their own personality, from the tough persona of the Signora who owned the Third Door to her equally menacing bodyguards/bouncers, Gooch and Little Johnny. Then there was Neddy Fingers who entertained the customers while Billy Bottle readied their drinks. Besides Gina, the servers also included Lula and Jade, who also were part of the entertainment. The visual descriptions and dialogue took you back to that era and the energized ambiance of the Third Door. Those scenes were central to the story and were well developed.

Overall, this was an entertaining read especially for those who enjoy mysteries with the Prohibition era as a backdrop.
An ARC was given for an honest review.

1929 Chicago—Gina Ricci, cigarette girl at the Third Door speakeasy receives a call from her cousin, police officer Nancy Doyle. Nancy asks Gina (who’s an photographer on the side) to go to the scene of a murder an photograph the body. Gina is shocked to find that she recognizes the victim as one of two girls seen at the Third Door the night before. Everything points to a poisoning—but what Gina saw and overheard the night before has her questioning—was it something in the “hooch” at the Third Door, or is it a case of murder?

Calkins does well with her characters, who are very well drawn, especially Gina, who makes an engaging protagonist. She is intelligent, vivacious, and sympathetic, with a true sense of self.

The story is based in an era filled with political and social unrest, as well as colorful personalities and places. The narrative, with it’s vivid imagery and authentic dialogue evokes that time and place very well. Calkins ability to inject details of that time, with it’s mobs, raids, bombings, and the looming disaster of the Depression, adds much to the plot, and to Gina’s investigation.

This was a very enjoyable and entertaining read which I highly recommend.

I cannot give this novel enough praise. I loved this book. The writing was extrememly well done and well crafted that you just wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next. It was definitely hard to put down. It’s a light mystery but very entertaining and the perfect summer read. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

The Fate of a Flapper is the second in a series of mysteries set in 1929 Chicago, during the age of prohibition, gangs, violence, and unrest. Gina Ricci is a young woman working as a waitress and cigarette girl, to try to support herself and her ailing father, at the not so secret speakeasy, The Third Door. Danger is lurking around every corner and a series of deadly bombings over the last weeks has Gina on edge. When Gina is approached by her cousin Nancy, an ambitious member of the police force, with a request to assist in photographing a crime scene, Gina has no idea what she's in for. Two customers with ties to The Third Door, have been killed, and even worse, Gina recognizes on of the victims. Could it be a simple case of tainted alcohol, or is there something more sinister at work? When a third patron when ties to the speakeasy falls gravely ill, Gina jumps into action, hoping to forestall any other tragic outcomes.
Susanna Calkins provides another fascinating glimpse into prohibition era Chicago, with many references and to real events prominent during the time, such as the Saint Valentine's Day massacre, and the upcoming crash of the stock market. The research is evident in the meticulously crafted atmosphere. Readers are thrust into the seedy underworld of 1920's Chicago, from the smoke laden speakeasies, to the fashion and dialogue true to the time period. The mystery was complex and intriguing, with plenty of drama behind the scenes, including the reappearance of a complicated love interest and the introduction of a new, potentially dangerous suitor as well. I highly recommend this book, as well as the first in the series, for those looking for a intriguing, historical mystery to get lost in.

Historical mysteries are a favorite of mine and this series set in 1929 Chicago is a winner. Gina is a cigarette girl working in a speakeasy called the Third Door. It's located in the basement of a local drug store and the hooch is smuggled in by way of false bottoms in crates containing lotions, potions and such destined for the drug store shelves. Right under the noses of the Drys, the local nickname for the Feds who are tasked with enforcing the laws of Prohibition. Gina's boss, the Signora, is a force to be reckoned with but so is Gina. She is the major breadwinner for herself and her ailing father and she has learned how to stay on The Signora's good side. Not an easy thing considering she owns a large chunk of the neighborhood.
In the first book of the series, Murder Knocks Twice, Gina's cousin leaves her his photographic equipment and she has mastered photography well enough that she is asked by her cousin Nancy, a police woman who wants to rise in the ranks, to come to a crime scene and take pictures so she can do her own investigating. Gina is surprised when she sees the victim - a young woman she had served the night before at the Third Door. Soon another death occurs and Gina joins in the investigation. These are dangerous times in Chicago and some of the dangers might just focus on Gina.
The mystery is well plotted and satisfying but the real pleasure reading this mystery is the way it lets the reader become immersed in the time period. The sights, sounds, language, the historical events all lead the reader into Gina's world and I can't wait to read more.
My thanks to the publisher St. Martin's Griffin and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Gina's working in a speakeasy in order to help her sick father- and in 1929 Chicago, that's a lot to deal with. Not only does she have to stay on the right side of the Signora, she has to keep an eye out to make sure they aren't being raided. All's pretty much ok until one morning her cousin Nancy, a police officer, asks her to help photograph a crime scene- two women are dead. Two women who Gina saw drink a lot of drinks with a group of men the night before! Nancy, Gina, and Officer Roark investigate and find, of course, there's more than just bad booze out there. I had not read the first book so this was a standalone for me- and it was fine that way. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. It's an atmospheric and fun read that highlights Chicago during the late 20s.