A good, interesting and captivating novel. I enjoyed reading about New York in the 1920s, loved the Orchid history, and I liked the main character's personality a lot! I obviously learned a lot about orchids, the Mafia and about life and their social status as an immigrant in America.
I did find the first 20% of the novel a bit slow, but still I could not stop reading! A great read from a great writer! I recommend all her novels!
I received a complimentary ARC of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest.

This is a story of gangsters set in the jazz age of New York. Zia goes from being a librarian to working at the Orchid Hour, a nightclub, and undergoes a personal transformation that is well described. I cannot reveal any details of the plot because that would spoil the novel, but I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it highly.

This is the kind of book you can take the beach or a weekend getaway and escape into the story. Set in New York during the 20's lovers' of historical fiction will enjoy the rich detail about that time period and place. The first part of the book is a bit slow but don't let that turn you off this is a page-turner. They mystrey elements are well done and kept me guessing. If you like a book where the lead character evolves with the story you will enjoy this book.

I needed this book as a New Yorker in this post-pandemic world because NYC was, and always will be, heaven on earth. Five out of five stars, as a NYC, murder mystery, and historical fiction lover. From a New Yorker’s perspective, this book is spot on when describing New York City and its famous neighborhoods, love that! The roaring jazz age of the 20’s feels like a fresh timeline when reading historical fiction. I fell in love with the main character Audenzia, right from the start. And I love libraries! So these four things made the book unputdownable for me! It was a slow burn for the first 3 chapters, and by chapter four, the tension was fast-building. My heart was in my throat as the danger got worse, but the book made me smile too, as the Italian accents were perfect. It made the story suspenseful and fun at the same time. I didn’t know what it was like to live in NYC in the 20’s, so I learned a bit as well. The danger and racism at that time was captivating to read about. Watkin’s and Audenzia’s friendship was a joy (and sad) to see develop. The book really pulled together all the many, many details about this murder mystery at the end, it left me very sad when the book was finished, not because of the ending (which was awesome!) but because I wanted the story to go on and on. For me, it was a perfect historical mystery with excellent character development. Thanks to Lume Books and NetGalley for this ARC. I volunteered to read it and give my honest opinions. #TheOrchidHour #NetGalley

Thank you for this advanced copy which was a great read, I had trouble putting this down! I liked the way it was written and it made for an easy read. I would definitely recommend and look forward to reading another book by this author! A stunner! I guarantee you’ll put everything on hold until you arrive at the shocking final scenes! With a deftly drawn cast of characters, an intriguing plot and an immersive and compelling narrative, this is a one sit compulsive read.

The Orchid Hour reeks, but in the best possible way. It reeks with the smell of lasagna in Little Italy, the smell of cheap gin in a 1920s speakeasy, and most importantly and most delicately with the scent of orchids at midnight. It reeks of sleazy dodges, flimsy aliases, and multiple murders.
The Orchid Hour masquerades as a murder mystery, and it’s satisfying at that level, but underneath that layer, there’s another that’s a love story, and when all those layers are peeled away, it’s a coming-of-age story.
But our hero isn’t a child, not even a teen-ager. She's an Italian-American widow and mother who’s nearly thirty, in a time (not so long ago) when a woman was supposed to have no desires of her own, but only the family’s. When a girl had no girlhood, and a woman was defined only by her place in the family.
That’s where we find Zia de Luca at the opening of the novel, working at her day job at the library, her hair done up in a bun, wearing sensible shoes, going home to do the books for her father-in-law’s cheese shop and looking after her eight-year-old son.
But the first murder puts paid to that, and the second murder sets Zia on the path of vengeance, a path to New York’s nascent criminal under-world, and a path to self-discovery and self-transformation. To a time which will only last as long as the vagrant scent of the orchid, but a time which will change her life forever.
Told not only through Zia’s eyes, but that of the NYPD officer who tries his best to help her and a gangster who sees murder as a simple career opportunity, this novel encompasses New York, 1923 in all its glory and grime, from City Hall to Little Italy, from Greenwich Village to the Great White Way. Thanks to Bilyeau’s masterful hand, we step out into the wilds of New York with Zia. Maybe we’ll find love. Maybe we’ll find ourselves, by being taken out of ourselves.
This is Nancy Bilyeau’s eighth book, her best by far, and she’d already set a high bar. What are you waiting for? Pick it up now.

This book was unputdownable. I couldn't get enough of it. I love the roring twenties and then we make it a murder mystery and secret speakeasy. Yes, yes, yes!
I just reviewed The Orchid Hour by Nancy Bilyeau. #TheOrchidHour #NetGalley
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This book is engrossing. I would happily read more if it was a series.. Audenzia is an interesting protagonist and the supporting characters were well written. As a Brit, I don’t know a lot about Prohibition America, but I appreciated how the author grounded the novel in history. I can’t believe her story is over in just one book.

This story is set in New York in the 1923. Zia De Luca is a widow, her husband and favourite brother were both killed in the First World War. She now lives with her son in the home of her in-laws and works in the public library, helping her father-in-law with the book keeping for his cheese shop in Little Italy. However, a regular library user approaches her one day and asks her to translate a play from Italian to English for him. The conversation is overheard by her colleague who uses it to accuse her of consorting with the clients and Zia is sacked from the library. Moreover, the man who is waiting for her outside the library is shot in the street, starting a chain of events that set Zia into a darker and murkier side of the city than she had ever guessed existed.
I very much enjoyed the mixture of history, fact and fiction and the period when the book was set. There is prohibition in America and speakeasies are setting up all over the city under the noses of the police who all appear to be in the pay of the gangsters. I loved the descriptions of The Orchid Hour nightclub. The decor, the food, the music and the clientele are all the very best possible and described in beautiful detail.
Zia is an engaging main character, who grows much stronger and sure of herself as the book progresses. Her relationships with Walter, with David da Costa and with her cousin, Sal and the rest of her family developed really well, as they mystery changed their relationship, and who book had a very Italian 'voice' to it.
But it was the period details of things like the bootleg trade, the narcotics, the gang rivalries between the Italians, the Jews, and the Irish, the speakeasies, the costumes, the music, and the slow burn love story that develops that made the book for me. Very enjoyable. With thanks to Netgalley and Lume Books for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

As a big fan of historical fiction, I was exited for this one. Admittedly, I know very little about the Italian-American immigrant experience. I enjoyed this novel for both its historical aspects and the characters. I found myself rooting for all of the characters.

The Orchid Hour jumped right into the plot, which I appreciated. The frame story felt unnecessary; I wish there was more commentary from present-day Zia. The unraveling of the story sucked me in. I didn't really see the ending coming. But the ending did seem a bit abrupt and left me wanting more explanation.

The Orchid Hour is an absolutely wonderful story! You will follow Zia after she has lost her husband in war and is living with her in-laws. Zia goes through the heartache of losing two other people and goes "undercover" herself to try to solve the crimes. In the end she discovers herself and chooses to live her life apart from her in-laws so she can move on.

I sped through this!! Having grown up in New York, this book transported me right back to the city streets I know (and miss!) so well - talk about a serious dose of nostalgia! Loved the heavy dose of Italian food, the detailed descriptions of orchids, and the abundance of real-life characters. It was such fun looking these characters up afterwards and learning more about their lives, and even seeing what they looked like!

I adored Zia, too. What a stellar main character. And good ole Frank, he felt very much the prototype, right down to his speech and mannerisms. There's definitely something magical about The Orchid Hour. I'll definitely recommend this to friends of mine who love New York and love historical fiction.

Thanks to Netgalley and Lume Books for allowing me an opportunity to read this book.

I just reviewed The Orchid Hour by Nancy Bilyeau. #TheOrchidHour #NetGalley

BRILLIANT! Absolutely Brilliant!

Couldn’t put this down which is why I’m doing this review at 1:35am!

There is NOTHING I don’t love about this book. The beautiful cover, the plot, the narrative…..the book hits the ground running and it doesn’t release its grip on the reader until the final word!

For me, this was the best book I’ve read in a long time and a completely new genre to what I would usually read but the author pulled it off with aplomb!

What a book! This was emotionally satisfying and yet and wanted so much more! There’s a murderer loose and a new nightclub with many people imbibing nightly. But you must know how to enter this club, it’s not for everyone’s eyes. When more death comes Zia releases she may be caught between connecting murders. Good classic mystery that will keep you on your toes!

The Orchid Hour by Nancy Bilyeau is a novel that takes place in NYC during the Jazz Age when Prohibition and Speakeasies were a thing. The main character is Zia De Luca, who immigrated from Sicily as a child along with her family. Her character is fictional, but in this book she is related to a family that was real, the Lucanias. And Lucky Luciano (his real name was Salvatore Lucania) is her cousin. During this time, 1920s New York City, the Sicilian community was pretty complicated. This novel captures those complexities. During this period, details of things like the bootleg trade, the narcotics, the gang rivalries between the Italians, the Jews, and the Irish, the speakeasies, and the costumes. I enjoyed the mixture of history, fact and fiction. Speakeasies were set up all over the city under the noses of the police who all appear to be in the pay of the gangsters. So crazy! This was a fun book to read.
Thank you to the publisher, Lume Books and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

New York during the very tumultuous Prohibition Era with its mobsters, flappers, bootleggers and political corruption,The orchid hour is a delicious slice of the Big Apple during the Roaring Twenties.

The adventures and misadventures of Zia DeLuca, an young Italian American war widow caught within a large spiderweb of deceit, lies, corruption, racial discriminations and murder.

A captivating noir full of unexpected twists and turns and blessed with a terrific cast of exquisitely drawn characters that offers the reader a magnificent fictional tapestry of the Great Metropolis that never sleeps!

A hugely entertaining and superbly choreographed whodunit that really deserves to be discovered and enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever!

Many thanks to Lume Books and Netgalley for this fabulous ARC!

This book is, I think, loosely based on fact. How much, I’m not exactly sure. You don’t learn this until late on in the novel and I’m not going to explain why. If you know more than I do about 1920s New York, it might be obvious to you, but the anti-immigrant and prejudice shown to Italians and others is a little harrowing to read.
How much this played into the events is anyone’s guess, but I believe it was substantially. People do things at a survival level sometimes…….
The story is told in flashbacks from 1963 to 1923 and is shown from a variety of perspectives. That of widowed Zia de Luca, her cousin Salvatore, a police officer and organised criminals. All in all, this was totally fascinating and even though it was slower paced than I typically like, the detail was riveting enough to keep me hooked.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, this has been one of my favourite reads in quite a while.

I was intrigued by the cover design and the title of the book.

This was an interesting read. I thought the writing style was quite dark but elegant, and I was interested in the characters, as I thought some of them seemed enigmatic.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

I’ve been reading Nancy Bilyeau’s work for years, going back to her original medieval trilogy featuring the young Dominican novice, Joanna Stafford. The thing Bilyeau does so well as a historical fiction author is that she immediately pulls the reader into the time frame of the story through all the sounds, sights and cadence of her character’s voices. The Orchid Hour is no exception.

As a lifetime Midwesterner now living in Chicago whose experience with New York is that of a gnat, this story opened up the fascinating world of the city’s Italian immigrant population during Prohibition for me. Admittedly, I found the early unfolding of the story a bit confusing and a little slow going as I tried to understand how everyone was connected, but in all fairness, I have no doubt much of this was because of my unfamiliarity with the Italian culture (especially back then).

As other reviewers here have recounted The Orchid Hour’s plot and characters extensively, I’ll not repeat that here. Instead add, that in besides the twists of the mystery story line, what really pulled me in was how Bilyeau, through Zia’s eyes, introduces us to the undercurrent of emotional challenges for women within a severely patriarchal and familial culture... and then, unexpectedly with great emotional courage, knowing the cost, Zia stands her ground, owns her authenticity, claiming who she really is and what she needs, against the backdrop of familial expectations, making us want to cheer her on!

While skillfully knitting all of the various elements of this story together toward its conclusion, I loved the little extraneous details Bilyeau slipped in. For example, the references to the ‘Egyptian look’ in fashion which was in a frenzy of the time owing to Carter’s 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and the mention of her ‘signature color’ blue from her Genevieve Planché novels...which also happens to be a predominant color in the pharaonic tombs if you’ve ever traveled to Egypt.

Overall, I enjoyed The Orchid Hour and look forward with anticipation to her next book. Finally, I greatly appreciated Nancy’s inclusion of New York’s political and lawful background framing this story in her Author Notes, which only added more weight to her usual attention to historical detail. My thanks to Lume Books and Net Galley for this ARC which I volunteered to read and honestly review.

I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by Nancy Bilyeau – her Joanna Stafford Tudor Trilogy, her two Genevieve Planché thrillers set in the world of 18th century art, and Dreamland, her novel about a Coney Island theme park – so I couldn’t wait to start reading her new book, The Orchid Hour. The setting sounded intriguing: New York’s Little Italy during the 1920s, the era of prohibition, so I was anticipating another good read.

The novel opens in 1923 and introduces us to Audenzia de Luca, known as Zia, a young Sicilian woman whose husband was killed in the Great War. Zia is trying to build a new life for herself and her son and has started working at the Seward Park branch of the New York Public Library while also helping out in her in-laws’ cheese shop in Little Italy. At work one day, she is approached by a regular visitor to the library who asks if she could translate an Italian text into English for him. Zia agrees, but before she can begin the task, the man is found shot dead outside the library.

When a second murder follows the first, a sequence of events is set in motion that leads Zia to the doors of The Orchid Hour, an elegant nightclub that also operates as a speakeasy, selling illicit alcohol in defiance of prohibition. With the police investigation into the murders going nowhere, Zia decides to do whatever she can to uncover the truth. She believes The Orchid Hour holds the key to the mystery but when she discovers that her cousin Salvatore, to whom she is very close, is mixed up with the criminal underworld, she must find a way to bring the killer – or killers – to justice without endangering her own loved ones.

This is not my favourite of Nancy Bilyeau’s books, but with such a range of plots and settings, it’s inevitable that I’ll like some of them more than others and this was still a very enjoyable novel. It was interesting to read about Zia and her family and I found that I was learning a lot about the lives of Italian immigrants in 1920s New York, the way they were treated and the type of jobs open to them, as well as the constant threat of the Society of the Black Hand, who extorted protection money from their fellow Italians. The novel also explores other issues, such as attitudes towards prohibition and why the police would sometimes turn a blind eye, and the best conditions for growing delicate orchids. Bilyeau’s Author’s Note at the end of the book describes some of her research and sources and tells us which of the characters were fictional and which were based on real people.

I found the mystery element of the book slightly less successful, particularly as several chapters are written from the perspective of one of the gangsters, so we knew who was involved in at least one of the murders right from the beginning. Still, I enjoyed this book for the historical detail and because it immersed me in a world I previously knew very little about.

I enjoyed the history in this book more than the characters. It took awhile to follow where the story was going. I did enjoy Zia’s strength and it had a satisfying ending. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the early read in exchanged for my honest opinion.

This book was fantastic and a perfect example of why Nancy Bilyeau is one of the best historical fiction writers there is. Mysterious, delightful, historically accurate, original - this book was near unputdownable. The characterization is perfect, the plot is thrilling, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I highly recommend this book and think anyone who needs a satisfying read is in for a treat with this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers of "The Orchid Hour" by Nancy Bilyeau for the advanced copy of this novel.

I'll start by saying that I enjoyed this book and I think it's is an admirable addition to the wealth of historical fiction that is out in the world right now. Nancy Bilyeau brings us a historical fiction with elements of murder mystery set in prohibition New York with a focus on Italian immigrants and first generation experiences. The book follows Audenzia (Zia) De Luca, a widow with a young son who lives with her in-laws and works at a library. Zia's life is altered following the murder of a patron outside the library as she finds herself at the centre of the investigation. In the aftermath of this murder comes a second tragedy that hits closer to home and throws Zia into a personal investigation which sees her enter the nighttime world of prohibition era nightclubs.

A captivating novel with a strong female lead who grows throughout the narrative. Nancy Bilyeau hits the right balance of romance - subtle and proportional without distracting from the central storyline. I thought all the characters were nicely fleshed out and realistic, My only criticism would be that the ending was slightly rushed and lacked the feeling of danger and tension which I would have expected in a high stakes situation.

An insightful read about speakeasy days, the opportunity for a woman to make her mark, the amazing power of the orchid —all wrapped up in an intriguing mystery and love story. I learned a lot about prohibition and flowers—quite a combination. If this is a time period that you love or that you know nothing about, it’s a great read. The characters are real, adventurous and authentic.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lume books for the Advanced Review Copy.

Courtesy of Netgalley and Lume Books, I received the ARC of The Orchid Hour by Nancy Bilyeau, one of my favorite historical fiction authors. This well researched book focuses on 1923 and the era of prohibition, speakeasies, and the influence of organized crime. In the midst of the real life gangsters, the fictional Zia DeLuca introduces the atmosphere of Little Italy and it's immigrants. As an intelligent and strong central character, she gets caught up in a murder mystery while exploring the dynamics of family bonds. To learn of the allure of fragrant orchids was a bonus! Highly recommend!

"The Orchid Hour" takes readers on a captivating journey through 1920s New York City, where secrets, murder, and a quest for justice intertwine. Following the life of Zia De Luca, a widow struggling to rebuild her life after losing her husband in the war, we are immersed in the vibrant world of Little Italy and the allure of Greenwich Village's speakeasies.

With an intriguing murder outside the library where Zia works and a personal tragedy striking close to home, Zia finds herself at the center of a gripping mystery. As the police investigation falters, she takes matters into her own hands, guided by a cousin who opens her eyes to the seductive underworld of The Orchid Hour. The novel skillfully weaves together themes of ambition, power, and the desire for a fresh start.

As Zia delves deeper into this enigmatic world, the reader is kept on the edge of their seat, eager to uncover the truth alongside her. The author paints a vivid picture of 1920s New York, capturing both the glamorous allure and the shadows lurking beneath the surface.

"The Orchid Hour" is a masterful blend of historical fiction, mystery, and self-discovery. It explores themes of reinvention and the lengths one is willing to go to find justice and protect their loved ones. With its richly drawn characters, immersive setting, and a plot brimming with suspense, this book is an absolute page-turner. Fans of historical mysteries will be delighted by this captivating tale.

Crime and its aftermath is a curious thing. The bullets always seem to find their way home.

Nancy Bilyeau pulls out all the stops in her latest novel, The Orchid Hour. She's dug deep into the past in order to present an era in America where smokey jazz clubs and speakeasies lined the back alleys of New York City. It's 1923 and Prohibition hasn't stopped the wicked thirst of those who tossed back flutes of champagne and those tipping heavy shot glasses with whiskey......from rot gut to the very best.

We'll meet the widow Audenzia "Zia" De Luca, an immigrant from Palermo, who lives with her in-laws and her young eight year old son, Michael, in an apartment above their store De Luca's Cheese. Little Italy is lined with row houses and crammed apartment buildings where recent immigrants clustered. Everyone knows everyone's business.

Zia's intelligence and knowledge of languages gets her a job at the Seward Branch Library, also known as the Immigrants' Library. Zia is an asset to the library and comes to be noticed by a gentleman dressed in black who enters the library at the same time every day. Miles G. Watkins wishes for Zia to translate a play in Sicilian to English. But before she can agree, Watkins is killed in the street. It turns out he's the Deputy Mayor.

And now Zia is being questioned by the police. Furthermore, someone believes that Zia knows crucial information about Watkins that could incriminate the murderer. Honor among thieves guarantees you'll be rubbed out in a heartbeat.

Zia contacts her cousin, Salvatore Lucania, who she believes is into small crimes and misdemeanors. He's her link into finding out what actually happened with Watkins. Sal gets her a job at The Orchid Hour, an upscale speakeasy where Zia hopes to hobnob with the rich and infamous. She'll go to the police with what she finds out......or she'll turn up like Watkins.

Bilyeau lines this one with actual factoids of the criminals in and out of speakeasies and in and out of jail in New York City. We've got a solid female lead character who re-invents herself to keep her family safe and to help land the bad guys in jail. But the body count rises and the risks rise even faster. New York became a Tale of Two Cities with the best of times in imbibing illegal liquor and the worst of times with the heinous crimes committed to keep the booze flowin' and the illicit money coming in. And, believe me, Bilyeau delivers in aces.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Lume Books and to Nancy Bilyeau for the opportunity.

In Nancy Bilyeau's latest novel, "The Orchid Hour," readers are transported to 1920s New York City, where they are introduced to Zia De Luca, a widow residing in Little Italy. Zia's life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes entangled in a murder investigation after a man she was asked to translate for is killed. With the police questioning her and her life in danger, Zia embarks on a quest for the truth, aided by her cousin Salvatore.
Bilyeau skillfully blends historical fiction, mystery, and self-discovery in this captivating tale. The novel explores themes of reinvention, ambition and power.
Fans of historical mysteries will find themselves engrossed in the gripping narrative.

Set in Prohibition era New York, The Orchid Hour is a compelling, atmospheric murder mystery. Young widow Audenzia seeks answers after her politician read and then her father in law are brutally murdered. The author captures the period well, the underground speakeasies, police corruption and the power of the crime mind as well as the music and fashion of the Jazz Age. I enjoyed it very much. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The style is easy to read and the story draws you in, I didn't know orchids could be so interesting.
The 'real' characters in the story come to life and the descriptions of the 20s and prohibition/bootlegging seem very accurate.

THE ORCHID HOUR swept me up from the very first page, and didn’t let go until the end. Nancy Bilyeau masterfully intertwines historical details and facts (as well as a few real-life characters) into the narrative without slowing the pace or becoming didactic. I enjoyed the atmospheric and immersive glimpse of 1920s New York, especially Greenwich Village. The clothing and food descriptions were divine! This is a novel redolent with sensuality, intrigue, and suspense. If you like Agatha Christie, you will love THE ORCHID HOUR.

Zia is a smart, well-read heroine with a steady head on her shoulders. As she navigates the politics of the dangerous underworld she finds herself a reluctant player within, loyalty to her family and her strong sense of integrity serve as a spoil to the illicit dealings she bears witness to. The author demonstrates sensitivity and empathy as she relays the complex realities of the immigrant experience in the US, and balances the sometimes dire situations Zia faces with hopefulness and a bit of romance along the way.

Don’t miss the author’s note, which contains intriguing information about the real-life characters Bilyeau features in the novel. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed this novel set in 1920s New York. At the heart of the story is Zia, a young Italian-American widow who becomes tangentially involved with organized crime as she tries to investigate and avenge a family tragedy. Although people are murdered, this is not really a mystery novel. And although there are criminals, most of them are not portrayed as entirely evil. However, there is a manic uncertainty throughout the story. Characters seem to act irrationally and impulsively, without clear motive — whether it be drug use, or hidden loyalties, or family connections. The conclusion was satisfying but abrupt. I would love to see a series devoted to Zia and the rest of her life story, rather than have it quickly recounted in the last chapter.

All in all a satisfying story with interesting characters. I just wish it continued!

What a unique historical fiction novel. This book surrounds the story of Zia, a widow, living with her late husband's family and following the rules laid out for her. But when tragedy strikes and the police cannot do anything, she takes matters into her own hands.

Books about strong women are always worth the read!!

Thanks to Net Galley and Lume Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The Orchid Hour is an historical novel set in Prohibition era New York and all that entails: post World War 1 trauma, political and police corruption, the Jazz Age, institutional racism, speakeasies and gangsterism.
The main character and first person narrator of parts of the book is Audenzia (Zia), a young war widow with a young son who is enfolded but constrained by the social and family rules of the Sicilian families she was born in and married into. As an employee she meets and befriends an elderly man. When he, and later her beloved father-in-law, are killed she sets out to discover why. Her quest brings her to the Orchid Hour, a smart night club owned by a powerful gangster.
Bilyeau fills the story with fictional characters, intertwined with many real people. The story is almost incidental. What strikes is the way she brings to life the people, the mood, the culture and the hopes, dreams and fears of 1920s New York: Prohibition, jazz, drug addiction, model T Fords, early cinema and immigrant communities, as well as nods to the theory of eugenics, innocent support of Italians for the rising Mussolini and the craze for orchids.
A well crafted story and an easy read.

librarian, immigrants, translators, ESL, widow, relatives, historical-novel, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, suspense, mafia, racketeering, NYC, NYPL, murder-investigation, NYPD, secrets, lies, thriller, intolerance, bullying, botany, 1920s, cultural-assimilation, cultural-differences, cultural-exploration, cultural-heritage, politics, politicians, Brooklyn, paparazzi*****

Enter the world of Little Italy in NYC of the early 1920s complete with warts and all. People with strong beliefs and wills, people who want only to make others subservient, people with overwhelming greed, and those who mostly want to right wrongs. Follow Audenzia (Zia) De Luca through these challenging and changing times while learning a lot of how things were a hundred years ago in this particular arena. This is an entrancing story once you get past all of the scene setting basics.
I requested and received an EARC from Lume Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

This is a very enjoyable read. Zia is a librarian turned New York flapper in the 1920s. She is from an Italian immigrant family and learns the hard way just how difficult it can be for a young woman to try and navigate life in a crime-ridden and violent city. This novel oozes both the glamour and the horror of the Jazz Age, with gangsters, night clubs and political intrigue in the Big Apple.

I’m a big fan of Nancy Bilyeau’s historical fiction. Her writing here is just as evocative of the times about which it was written: the jazz age New York. Zia, the main character is a young widowed woman living with her son and in laws. Through the book the reader watches her challenged by political and gangster shenanigans. While I did enjoy the story, I found I didn’t particularly connect with Zia and generally found this one of the author’s less compelling efforts. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

This book captivated me from the start, I cant wait for it to be released so I can buy it for friends and family to read! I adored the historical setting and the use of the 20's. it all felt so well researched and the scene setting was incredible I felt like I was actually there. the mystery side was just as captivating! this is the perfect book to read when you're snuggled up inside with a blanket and a cup of tea as its raining outside. the vibes of this book are irresistible and the writing style fits the plot so well. it was also well paced, steady and then fast as and when it needed. overall I honestly have no complaints and I'm so excited to give this book as a gift.

Set in 1920s corrupt New York City, a young widow unwittingly gets caught up murder and organized crime.

A complicated, dual timeline, multiple point of view novel and a sheer joy to read. Set in Prohibition New York City, the rich prose brings the characters and history here to vivid life. I love this author’s other books: Dreamland, The Blue, Fugitive Colors. I haven’t read the trilogy set in Henry Tudor’s England but it’s on my list. Dreamland is one of my favorites of all time.
Audenzia De Luca, widowed by World War I, and her son, live with her husband’s family and works in the bakery they own. She also works in a library, though most of her co-workers look down on her because she is an Italian immigrant from Sicily and her husband’s family from Naples. Even in Italian families, the Sicilians are looked down on. (My own family was the same way—this story resonated so much while I was reading about those family dinners and conversations, very acutely drawn.) When an odd character takes in interest in Zia, her co-worker makes sure everyone knows she is stepping out of line here. But the strange man only wants an English translation of an Italian play from her. He’ll pay her, and the money is badly needed. When he’s gunned down in front of the library, Zia loses her position due to austerity measures at the library and evil gossip.
From there, the story unfolds into solving the mystery of the strange man’s death and all who were involved, from gangsters to politicians. Zia needs to find out the truth and obtains a position at the Orchid Hour, where the high-power deals are made. She’ll find the truth, but it will cost her almost everything.
Highly recommended historical mystery, rich with detail, impeccable pacing, and hard to put down.

I love books where the protagonist is passionate about what they do and love the detailed family background in book. The beginning is profound. I liked that even after the loss of loved ones in War, the FMC focuses on her work and her extraordinary skill like speaking and writing more than one language certainly intrigued me. As the story unfolds, it becomes gripping, tragic, and mysterious.

Set in New York, 1923. It has Multiple POV. Frank and Zia, both of their stories are poignant and touching. Zia works in a public library and after that works in her in-laws shop. While she also has a son and she has lost her husband and one of her brother in war. When someone gets murdered outside the library, the rumours begin to spread and then second tragedy strikes. And somehow both of them seems to be connected with The Orchid Hour. While Frank Hudgins is a lieutenant and he is investigating about the murders. Will the investigators get to the bottom of the mystery? And the police investigation kept me at the edge of my seat. The book deals with crimes,politics, wealth and power.

Setting and Tropes:
•1920s New York
•Greenwich Village
•Italian American FMC
•Multiple POV
•First Person
•Homicide Investigation

Thank you Netgalley, Author and Publisher.

I read The Blue some years ago and really enjoyed. When I saw this book on Netgalley, I decided to request it and I was not disappointed. Zia De Luca is a widow with a young son, living with her in-laws in Little Italy in New York. She is working part-time at the public library when a man she briefly interacted at the library is killed. At first, Zia is of made a target of police interest. But then another murder, closer to home, occurs, which has Zia seeking answers herself before anyone else is hurt. This takes Zia into the underworld of the speakeasy during the Prohibition to solve this crime.

I really enjoyed this book for its wonderful worldbuilding of Little Italy, New York, the 1920s, the underworld. You really felt you were right there, along with Zia. And it's shown that Zia is smart and stronger than she knows as she takes on so much when she has lost so much. And the end of the story is quite satisfactory with hope of a better future.

Overall, I give this four stars. Thank you to Netgalley and Lume Books for giving me a free advanced reader copy. I have written and provided this review voluntarily.

3.5 rounded up

A historical fantasy plus a mystery - This was such a fun ride
My first book by this author, I really liked it - Very Godfather + Agatha Christie vibes

I especially loved reading about NYC in the 1920s and the analogy with orchids was pretty good

I thank NetGalley and Lume Books for providing me an Arc copy of this book, which I freely chose to review.
I discovered Nancy Bilyeau through Rosie’s Book Review Team (my thanks to Rosie and all the team members) a while back, and I’ve been an avid follower of her since, although I am aware I have plenty of back reading to catch up with, as this is only the third of her novels I read. And yes, it is as good as the other two.
Bilyeau is one of those authors who seems to have been born for a particular genre, historical fiction, and she has an uncanny ability to bring to life past eras, places, and people, and to seamlessly create a rich historical tapestry by combining real historical figures with fictional characters, at the same time pulling the readers into intriguing stories and making them inhabit a world and a time they might know little about.
In this case, the author introduces us to the New York of the early 1920s, the prohibition era, with Zia (Audenzia), a young Italian emigrant who arrived in New York with her family when she was very young, now a widow (her husband died during WWI), with a young son, and living in her in-laws apartment in Little Italy. She works in a public library, although things are about to change there (funding cuts and eugenics play a part in that), and her life gets thrown into turmoil due to events that, at least initially, seem to have little to do with her. Being now an orphan and a widow, from Sicily, (her late husband was from Naples and there are issues at play there), means that she follows pretty strict rules as to what she should do, what is proper, and how much freedom she is actually allowed. When two violent events strike —the second one directly affecting her life and her circumstances—, she decides to take things into her own hands, and her life is changed forever. This is also an adult coming-of-age story, as Zia has to make many changes to her life to follow her plan, which has a greater impact on her way of seeing things than she’d ever expected. The myth of Persephone and Hades is mentioned several times in the novel, and it seems particularly fitting to Zia’s life and to the novel as a whole. (And yes, although I remembered the story vaguely, I did check it in more detail as I was reading the novel, and it is fascinating).
The story is narrated mostly from Zia’s point of view, in the first person, and that helps readers feel closer to her, empathise with her, and understand how she feels, her doubts, her uncertainty, her hopes, and her strength and determination. She is very loyal to her family, and to her family duties, but the weight of tradition weighs heavy on her, and she soon realises that some members of her family have taken a dangerous path, although that doesn’t stop her from feeling quite close to them (him, in this case). We meet many other characters, some entirely fictional, while others are well-known historical figures, many from the underworld, and the author provides us with some other perspectives, as some of the chapters are narrated, in the third-person, from two other characters’ point of view: Frank, an NYPD detective whose family circumstances are quite difficult (his wife is in hospital, in a coma, suffering from a disease doctors seem to know little about, most probably encephalitis, and people who are familiar with the movie Awakenings or the book by Dr Oliver Sachs will get an idea of what it must have been like for the illness sufferers and their relatives), and Louis, a hoodlum looking for a way into the criminal organisations running things in New York (based on the real Louis Buchalter). This introduces us to other spheres and helps us understand the complexity of New York society at the time and the forces that influenced people, pulling them sometimes in directions they didn’t want to go (but not all were that reluctant either).
There is an initial chapter set in the 1960s, in New York. We meet an older Zia, and a new investigation into events from the past makes her remember what happened. We retrieved her in the 1960s at the end, and the trip down memory lane is one full of excitement, threats, revenge, crime, eugenics, prejudice, police and political corruption, bootleggers, drugs, but also new fashions, music (Charleston, jazz), the roaring twenties, prohibition, cars, modernity, new roles and social mobility, speakeasies, night-clubs, delicious foods, traditional Italian life, women with careers, the world of cinema, and, orchids. The author does not hammer us with her research, but she creates a vivid canvas where all our senses (even the smell) transport us to New York in the 1920s. She explains what fascinated her about the era in her author’s note, at the end of the book, and it is well worth a read, as she explains who the fictional and real characters are, and includes a reading list for those who might want to find more about the era and many of the topics discussed throughout the book, together with podcasts and TV series. She also mentions the real locations of the story, recommends some museums (and a library) for us to visit, and acknowledges the many people who have helped her create this fascinating world.
I don’t want to spoil the story by going into too much detail, but I particularly enjoyed the transformation Zia goes through, and how she becomes an independent woman, able to make her own decisions and even move out of her in-laws' home. She also finds love, but she does not become foolishly romantic or lose her sense of self, and she manages to lead a full life despite the odds. I loved her relationship with her relatives, particularly Sal, and her memories of her childhood and her passage to New York. I also enjoyed the information about the orchids (a plant that has always fascinated me), and the opportunity to peer into the lives and psyches of some characters whose alliances and morality were not straightforward. This is not a simple story with a happy ever after for all involved, as many bad things happen during it, but, all things considered, I thought the ending was perfect.
This is a novel I’d recommend to anybody interested in 1920s US history, especially concerning the prohibition era in New York, those who are fascinated by that historical period and the changes taking place in society at the time, and also anybody who appreciates a beautifully written story with a main female character who grows and develops, discovering new things about her surrounding, and especially about herself. She might lose some of her innocence in the process, but there is much to gain as well. Any fans of the author should read it, and for those who haven’t met her yet, this is a great opportunity to do so.

In case you need any further recommendations, these are the author’s words on how and why she became interested in the subject of this novel:
My idea for this historical novel grew from my fascination with Jazz Age New York, a place and time filled with both the exquisite and the ugly. It’s almost as if one can’t exist without the other.
Her novel shows the precarious balance between the two, and how difficult it was not to stray too far into the dark side.

The Orchid Hour bring about one word to describe - Vintage!

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc copy of this book.

You step right into, what feel you vintage, classic, and pure historical. It's rare historical fiction is done so well, where you feel like you are watching a feel good movie, straight out of a world similar to great Gatsby. The vibes had be immersed!

Really good historical fiction with loads of historical details and an interesting plot. I absolutely loved the first half of this but found I was less engaged with the second but even so, it’s full of good characters and the twenties in New York with speakeasies and Little Italy and the aftermath of the war makes for a cracking read.

A captivating novel set in Jazz Age New York City. The Orchid Hour is a story of boot-legged liquor, flowers that smell sweetest at night, gangsters and swells, and a society ready to let loose after the ravages of war and epidemic disease, It is a tale that begins in a cheese shop in Little Italy and twists its way through the winding streets of Greenwich Village into the world of speakeasies, Tammany Hall, and a new kind of criminal empire that is taking root in America. It is Zia's story, the young Italian widow whose life is torn apart by murder and who takes it upon herself to seek answers and justice. This is an atmospheric novel that pulls the reader into the past and holds us there. It is a smoky read shot in black and white. I would have given it 5 stars but for the ending which lets go of the noirish quality that is so delicious in the rest of the book. Recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lume Books for the opportunity to read The Orchid Hour in exchange for an honest review.

Historical/magical/fantasy fiction... what more could you ask for! I loved the style of this book, well written characters and a great plot.

It’s 1963 and Audenzia ‘Zia’ De Luca is remembering New York in the Roaring Twenties, a period of gangsters, prohibition and an underworld of speakeasies where anything goes. It’s 1923 and Zia De Luca is a young widow who works in a public library and lives in Little Italy over a cheese shop. Her life is full of rules, she may live in New York but she is Sicilian and as a woman her freedom is limited. This was such an evocative and powerful read - I do find this era quite fascinating and this author has described it so well. Told from multiple POV’s and multiple timelines which can sometimes make it hard to follow but definitely not in this case.

Briefly, after loosing her job at the public library she finds that a library regular who she has become friendly with has been murdered outside the library. And then another murder closer to home shocks her into action. Using her family connections she changes her appearance and gets a job at speakeasy The Orchid Hour believing someone there was involved in both murders.

Although this is fiction there are a lot of real people in the book particularly famous gangsters like Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky and J Edgar Hoover, future FBI director - there is more information in the author notes you should read. I loved this book, the way it was written, the plot, the setting my only small gripe is the end where so much is explained in such a short chapter which made it feel a bit rushed. However, it was a very enjoyable and entertaining read and the historical information about corruption and prohibition very detailed and interesting.

Audenzia (Zia) Luciana emigrates with her family from Italy to New York in the early 20th century. They brave the hostile neighbours until they move to the area known as 'Little Italy'. Zia meets Armando De Luca, they get married & have a son, Michael. Armando is killed in WWI alongside Zia's younger brother, & she also loses her parents to the 'flu epidemic so 1923 sees Zia living with her in-laws & working a quiet job at the local library. One day, a regular visitor to the library called Mr Watkins asks Zia to translate a play for him. Their small interaction sets off a chain reaction which completely changes Zia's life, bringing her back into contact with her cousin Salvatore Luciana who runs with a rougher crowd, & is involved with the opening of a speakeasy club named The Orchid Hour. When her father-in-law is shot & killed & all enquiries point to The Orchid Hour as the epicentre of what is going on, & when the police don't seem interested in investigating the killing, Zia manages to get a job at the club to carry out her own investigation.

New York in the 1920s? I am there for that! I'm a big fan of the whole flapper, speakeasy, Louise Brooks era. I really liked Zia, the main character, & seeing her develop from being a quiet woman older than her years & only interested in raising her son, to a more confident modern woman was wonderful. The book starts out at quite a slow pace, but once The Orchid Hour becomes involved, the story picks up. There's highlighting of the xenophobia that Italian-Americans faced in America in the 1920s, & the rise of organised crime via the subverting of Prohibition laws. I swear you can almost hear Humphrey Bogart giving a voice over as you read it. One of the best books I've read this year.

TWs: xenophobia, gun violence, murder.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Lume Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.