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Nightingale Mysteries #3
The Last Note of Warning
The Last Note of Warning is the third in the luscious, mysterious, and queer Nightingale mystery series by Katharine Schellman, set in 1920s New York.
Prohibition is a dangerous time to be a working-class woman in New York City, but Vivian Kelly has finally found some small measure of both stability and freedom. By day, she’s a respectable shop assistant, delivering luxurious dresses to the city’s wealthy and elite. At night, she joins the madcap revelry of New York’s underworld, serving illegal drinks and dancing into the morning at a secretive, back-alley speakeasy known as the Nightingale. She's found, if not love, then something like it with her bootlegger sweetheart, Leo, even if she can't quite forget the allure of the Nightingale's sultry owner, Honor Huxley.
It’s not a safe life. Every day comes with the threat of poverty; every night could be the police raid that ends in disaster. But it’s a better life than Vivian once thought possible, and she’s determined to cling to it with both hands.
Then the husband of a wealthy client is discovered dead in his study, and Vivian was the last known person to see him alive. With the police and the press both eager to name a culprit in the high-profile case, she finds herself the primary murder suspect.
She can’t flee town without endangering the people she loves, but Vivian isn’t the sort of girl to go down without a fight. She can strike a deal with the police commissioner: one more week of freedom before she’s arrested for good. She can cash in every favor she has from the criminals she calls friends to prove she had no connection to the dead man.
But she can’t prove what isn’t true.
The more Vivian digs into the dead man’s life, counting down the hours until the police come for her, the harder it is to avoid the truth: someone she knows wanted him dead. And the best way to get away with murder is to set up a girl like Vivian to take the fall.
Prohibition is a dangerous time to be a working-class woman in New York City, but Vivian Kelly has finally found some small measure of both stability and freedom. By day, she’s a respectable shop assistant, delivering luxurious dresses to the city’s wealthy and elite. At night, she joins the madcap revelry of New York’s underworld, serving illegal drinks and dancing into the morning at a secretive, back-alley speakeasy known as the Nightingale. She's found, if not love, then something like it with her bootlegger sweetheart, Leo, even if she can't quite forget the allure of the Nightingale's sultry owner, Honor Huxley.
It’s not a safe life. Every day comes with the threat of poverty; every night could be the police raid that ends in disaster. But it’s a better life than Vivian once thought possible, and she’s determined to cling to it with both hands.
Then the husband of a wealthy client is discovered dead in his study, and Vivian was the last known person to see him alive. With the police and the press both eager to name a culprit in the high-profile case, she finds herself the primary murder suspect.
She can’t flee town without endangering the people she loves, but Vivian isn’t the sort of girl to go down without a fight. She can strike a deal with the police commissioner: one more week of freedom before she’s arrested for good. She can cash in every favor she has from the criminals she calls friends to prove she had no connection to the dead man.
But she can’t prove what isn’t true.
The more Vivian digs into the dead man’s life, counting down the hours until the police come for her, the harder it is to avoid the truth: someone she knows wanted him dead. And the best way to get away with murder is to set up a girl like Vivian to take the fall.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2024
About the author
Katharine Schellman
14 books903 followersKatharine Schellman is the author of the Lily Adler Mysteries and the forthcoming Nightingale Mysteries. Her debut novel, The Body in the Garden, was one of Suspense Magazine's Best Books of 2020 and led to her being named one of BookPage's 16 Women to Watch in 2020. Her second novel, Silence in the Library, was praised as "worthy of Rex Stout or Agatha Christie" (Library Journal).
Katharine lives and writes in the mountains of Virginia in the company of her husband, children, and the many houseplants she keeps accidentally murdering. Find her on Instagram as @katharinewrites.
Katharine lives and writes in the mountains of Virginia in the company of her husband, children, and the many houseplants she keeps accidentally murdering. Find her on Instagram as @katharinewrites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 6, 2024
I had to give myself a minute to recover before writing about the newest installment in The Nightingale series by Katharine Schellman. This book was suspenseful and had me quite emotional! The main character, Vivian Kelly, has to prove herself innocent of a murder. At the same time, she is navigating changes in her relationships with her newlywed sister, her boss/sometimes love interest, and another friend who is also a love interest. All this while we see all the characters trying to survive working-class, 1920s New York. There's a stunning contrast between the lives of our main characters and that of upper-class New York, as the main character makes deliveries for an exclusive, custom dress shop.
The writing in this book instantly took me to the 1920s. From word choices to setting descriptions, the atmosphere permeated the story. Each chapter counted down the days until Vivian was to be taken into custody by the corrupt police commissioner, which heightened the suspense and gave me a feeling of dread as she followed leads (and worked her two jobs, which barely provide for food and shelter). I cried before Vivian did over her hopeless situation! Of course, there was a break in the case and a satisfying conclusion, but not without a little hint of more to come with Vivian's relationship with her boss.
The writing in this book instantly took me to the 1920s. From word choices to setting descriptions, the atmosphere permeated the story. Each chapter counted down the days until Vivian was to be taken into custody by the corrupt police commissioner, which heightened the suspense and gave me a feeling of dread as she followed leads (and worked her two jobs, which barely provide for food and shelter). I cried before Vivian did over her hopeless situation! Of course, there was a break in the case and a satisfying conclusion, but not without a little hint of more to come with Vivian's relationship with her boss.
July 6, 2024
Vivian is accused of murder after stumbling on a dead husband after delivering new dresses to his new wife. The dead man was considerably wealthy, and the family and its servants are quick to point the finger at Vivian, with the police happy to take the easy route and arrest an innocent, much less well-off woman.
Leo, her sort of boyfriend, helps get her out, but his police commissioner uncle gives her a week to find a more credible suspect, or she’s back in jail.
Thinking Honor might be able to help her, Vivian relays what happened, and then is shocked when Honor says she can’t help Vivian. Using what few, other connections she has, Vivian begins digging into the dead man’s family, looking for someone who might have hastened the man’s death. The man's will exposes a secret leading back to the Nightingale, but also gives Vivian a better picture about the dead man and his avaricious family.
The world author Katherine Schellman show's us in this series is wonderfully fleshed out, and each new installment set in 1920s New York City just keeps getting better.
Vivian continues to be an appealing main character, using her intelligence to navigate both the world of the Nightingale, but also that of the rich women she delivers dresses to daily.
The dangerous situation Vivian finds herself in has her dealing much more closely with police than she likes; it's not safe dealing with police as a poor woman of Irish descent, but Vivian keeps her head, and bargains for information from her few allies as she investigates who really had it in for the wealthy man so she can stay out of jail.
I also liked the progression of Vivian and her sister's relationship. They're on a much better footing than in book one, and it's great to see another side of the city in the life Florence and Danny are making together.
I was disappointed in Leo, but, there is a slight change in Vivian's and Honor's relationship, and I'm interested in where this might go.
Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Leo, her sort of boyfriend, helps get her out, but his police commissioner uncle gives her a week to find a more credible suspect, or she’s back in jail.
Thinking Honor might be able to help her, Vivian relays what happened, and then is shocked when Honor says she can’t help Vivian. Using what few, other connections she has, Vivian begins digging into the dead man’s family, looking for someone who might have hastened the man’s death. The man's will exposes a secret leading back to the Nightingale, but also gives Vivian a better picture about the dead man and his avaricious family.
The world author Katherine Schellman show's us in this series is wonderfully fleshed out, and each new installment set in 1920s New York City just keeps getting better.
Vivian continues to be an appealing main character, using her intelligence to navigate both the world of the Nightingale, but also that of the rich women she delivers dresses to daily.
The dangerous situation Vivian finds herself in has her dealing much more closely with police than she likes; it's not safe dealing with police as a poor woman of Irish descent, but Vivian keeps her head, and bargains for information from her few allies as she investigates who really had it in for the wealthy man so she can stay out of jail.
I also liked the progression of Vivian and her sister's relationship. They're on a much better footing than in book one, and it's great to see another side of the city in the life Florence and Danny are making together.
I was disappointed in Leo, but, there is a slight change in Vivian's and Honor's relationship, and I'm interested in where this might go.
Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
May 10, 2024
Juggling her life between the day job managing Dress deliveries to the Elite art of society and at night dissolving herself in the back-alley life of Nightingale, Vivian is paying the price of her freedom with hard work. But when she goes knocking on one of the doors for dress delivery, trouble finds her. She is now a prime suspect in a murder and has just a week to find someone better to pin the blame.
The 1920s is a very interesting timeline for this story to be placed in. There are illegal nightclubs, elite parties, tea parties and all sorts of mishaps one can expect. The plot is set pretty fast and the constant progression with new discoveries around the mysteries keeps readers like us well engaged. I have a thing for strong-headed women and people who don't give up until the very end - and I found both traits developed well into our protagonist's character.
There was Leo's character however that I did not really love a tad bit, I felt he did not have enough backbone, to stand up for himself, or maybe I have not read the previous two books in this mystery series, so I feel a lack of build-up on his front. Nevertheless, it did not stop me from enjoying the story and having a great reading time with it. Lastly, I found the book well represents interracial differences and hints of LGBT tropes too.
Thanks for the review copy @minotaur_books @katharinewrites
Genre: #mystery #murdermystery #historicalfiction
The 1920s is a very interesting timeline for this story to be placed in. There are illegal nightclubs, elite parties, tea parties and all sorts of mishaps one can expect. The plot is set pretty fast and the constant progression with new discoveries around the mysteries keeps readers like us well engaged. I have a thing for strong-headed women and people who don't give up until the very end - and I found both traits developed well into our protagonist's character.
There was Leo's character however that I did not really love a tad bit, I felt he did not have enough backbone, to stand up for himself, or maybe I have not read the previous two books in this mystery series, so I feel a lack of build-up on his front. Nevertheless, it did not stop me from enjoying the story and having a great reading time with it. Lastly, I found the book well represents interracial differences and hints of LGBT tropes too.
Thanks for the review copy @minotaur_books @katharinewrites
Genre: #mystery #murdermystery #historicalfiction
June 10, 2024
Vivian works late into the night at a speakeasy.....she also works a day job delivering dresses to wealthy clients. No one ever thought that it would be her day job that would land her in trouble.
As she waits for customer the husband is very kind to her. When he is called away by a maid announcing a visitor Vivian falls asleep waiting for the wife. When she wakes her life is changed. She finds the husband and he has been murdered. Since she is the only stranger in the house the police commissioner is set on arresting her.
It is only because of Vivian's boyfriend Leo, the commissioner's nephew, that she is able to get one week of freedom to see what she can find out on her own. Vivian is very good at finding secrets, but this may be more than she can handle.
This is the 3rd book in a series, but read well as a stand alone. I had not read the first books and had no difficulty connecting with the characters. I do have an opinion about Leo, but won't go into more about that, in case of spoilers for readers following the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Book for the opportunity to enjoy this fun, prohibition era, mystery e-ARC
As she waits for customer the husband is very kind to her. When he is called away by a maid announcing a visitor Vivian falls asleep waiting for the wife. When she wakes her life is changed. She finds the husband and he has been murdered. Since she is the only stranger in the house the police commissioner is set on arresting her.
It is only because of Vivian's boyfriend Leo, the commissioner's nephew, that she is able to get one week of freedom to see what she can find out on her own. Vivian is very good at finding secrets, but this may be more than she can handle.
This is the 3rd book in a series, but read well as a stand alone. I had not read the first books and had no difficulty connecting with the characters. I do have an opinion about Leo, but won't go into more about that, in case of spoilers for readers following the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Book for the opportunity to enjoy this fun, prohibition era, mystery e-ARC
June 7, 2024
Another solidly plotted, fun Nightingale mystery from Katharine Schellman. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
This is an enjoyable and light historical mystery series that has been consistently well-paced and likable throughout its first three installments. These always feel like relatively low stakes mysteries, mostly because you know things will turn out alright in the end, but I appreciate having a go-to series where I know this will be the case.
I still wish there was a greater plot line tying the books together, as they feel more like standalones featuring the same characters rather than a series since they’re absent any sort of mystery or major plot thread that evolves from book to book.
Mostly the characters are a likable if thinly written bunch, though I still wish we saw less of Honor and more of Mags, Bea, and Viv’s sister. All are present and contributing to the story here, but I’d like to see them feature more prominently in the future.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
This is an enjoyable and light historical mystery series that has been consistently well-paced and likable throughout its first three installments. These always feel like relatively low stakes mysteries, mostly because you know things will turn out alright in the end, but I appreciate having a go-to series where I know this will be the case.
I still wish there was a greater plot line tying the books together, as they feel more like standalones featuring the same characters rather than a series since they’re absent any sort of mystery or major plot thread that evolves from book to book.
Mostly the characters are a likable if thinly written bunch, though I still wish we saw less of Honor and more of Mags, Bea, and Viv’s sister. All are present and contributing to the story here, but I’d like to see them feature more prominently in the future.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
May 29, 2024
3.5 Stars
Thanks to Minotaur books for the chance to read this ARC.
This was an interesting slow burn of a mystery. I was definitely intrigued at the start, but it kinda fizzled out shortly after. For whatever reason, it took me FOREVER to read this book. Although the plot hooked me for a bit, my desire to continue reading it faded more and more each day. The 19020s speakeasy setting was enjoyable though. It wasn’t amazing and it wasn’t terrible, just not my vibe. I like to feel something when I read a book and I got nothing from this. I did enjoy the friendship between Vivian and Bea. Bea was a rider forsure and I liked how they had each other’s backs. I do understand that this is the 3rd book in the series and I have yet to read the others so maybe that’s why it didn’t hit like I wanted it to? Regardless, for the slow burn mystery lovers out there, this one is for you.
Thanks to Minotaur books for the chance to read this ARC.
This was an interesting slow burn of a mystery. I was definitely intrigued at the start, but it kinda fizzled out shortly after. For whatever reason, it took me FOREVER to read this book. Although the plot hooked me for a bit, my desire to continue reading it faded more and more each day. The 19020s speakeasy setting was enjoyable though. It wasn’t amazing and it wasn’t terrible, just not my vibe. I like to feel something when I read a book and I got nothing from this. I did enjoy the friendship between Vivian and Bea. Bea was a rider forsure and I liked how they had each other’s backs. I do understand that this is the 3rd book in the series and I have yet to read the others so maybe that’s why it didn’t hit like I wanted it to? Regardless, for the slow burn mystery lovers out there, this one is for you.
June 2, 2024
I really enjoyed this latest addition to the Nightingale mystery series. I flew through this one! The stakes were very high and it was interesting to see how different characters reacted to specific outside pressures. The choices some of those characters made surprised me. I’m interested to see how that plays out in future books.
This is a great series. I love the LGBTQ+ representation in a Roaring Twenties setting. Vivian is at the edge of so many worlds. She’s white, but Irish (so still discriminated against in certain ways). She is working class but often rubs elbows with the rich and powerful. She’s a shopgirl by day and a waitress at an illegal speakeasy by night. She’s also bi, which makes for a very intriguing love triangle.
Vivian deals with a lot of high-powered people on a regular basis—from the police commissioner to the owner of the dress shop to criminal masterminds. I love that several of these people are women, especially those involved in NYC’s criminal underbelly. These women are very good at what they do and it’s fascinating to see all their machinations play out.
Note: This is the third book in the Nightingale mystery series. This story builds off the previous books, so it is best to read them in order. Book 1 is Last Call at the Nightingale.
Romance Steam Rating: Gentle Simmer [2 out of 5] (Closed Door/Fade-To-Black)
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for an Advanced Reader Copy eBook.
This is a great series. I love the LGBTQ+ representation in a Roaring Twenties setting. Vivian is at the edge of so many worlds. She’s white, but Irish (so still discriminated against in certain ways). She is working class but often rubs elbows with the rich and powerful. She’s a shopgirl by day and a waitress at an illegal speakeasy by night. She’s also bi, which makes for a very intriguing love triangle.
Vivian deals with a lot of high-powered people on a regular basis—from the police commissioner to the owner of the dress shop to criminal masterminds. I love that several of these people are women, especially those involved in NYC’s criminal underbelly. These women are very good at what they do and it’s fascinating to see all their machinations play out.
Note: This is the third book in the Nightingale mystery series. This story builds off the previous books, so it is best to read them in order. Book 1 is Last Call at the Nightingale.
Romance Steam Rating: Gentle Simmer [2 out of 5] (Closed Door/Fade-To-Black)
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for an Advanced Reader Copy eBook.
June 30, 2024
I loooooove this series! Uhhhh the 1920’s, the drama, the lifestyle, the wealth, the murder…what could be a better mix for a story?!? Vivian is one of my favorite literary characters -her street smarts and determination to, just, survive makes for an easy page turner. I already have ideas on where the next book may go and I can’t wait to see if I’m right! Book 4…I’m already ready for you!
July 3, 2024
4.5 stars!
Another entertaining mystery set during Prohibition at the Nightingale Club.
The cast of characters is familiar and interesting.....Vivian, Bea, Honor, Leo, Danny.
I recommend reading/listening to the books in order (this is number 3) to get the full rich backstory of each character and the ever-resourceful Vivian.
Expertly narrated by Sara Young.
Another entertaining mystery set during Prohibition at the Nightingale Club.
The cast of characters is familiar and interesting.....Vivian, Bea, Honor, Leo, Danny.
I recommend reading/listening to the books in order (this is number 3) to get the full rich backstory of each character and the ever-resourceful Vivian.
Expertly narrated by Sara Young.
July 4, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for the free book for review.
This fast-paced historical mystery, set in 1920s New York City, is a real page-turner. Vivian Kelly, our protagonist, is someone you can't help but root for. She's likable and always seems to be in the wrong place at the right time. With just a few friends and the clock ticking, she must uncover the murderer before she gets arrested. The author spices things up with political intrigue, social class, and a tangled relationship. I love the twisty plot, the dead-end suspicions, and the ultimate revelation. It's a compelling read that keeps you guessing until the very end.
This fast-paced historical mystery, set in 1920s New York City, is a real page-turner. Vivian Kelly, our protagonist, is someone you can't help but root for. She's likable and always seems to be in the wrong place at the right time. With just a few friends and the clock ticking, she must uncover the murderer before she gets arrested. The author spices things up with political intrigue, social class, and a tangled relationship. I love the twisty plot, the dead-end suspicions, and the ultimate revelation. It's a compelling read that keeps you guessing until the very end.
June 3, 2024
The Last Note of Warning is the third in the Nightingale Mysteries cozy mystery series, but, thanks to massive time and relationship jumps, I thought I missed a book. Set in the 1920s, this series follows Vivian Kelly, a poor young woman who lives with her sister. By day she makes deliveries for a dressmaker and, by night, works at a speakeasy where everyone can and will mingle with anyone, LGBT relationships are nothing to stare at, and the woman running it all makes Vivian’s head turn every time. But murder has a way of following Vivian, and this one forces her to prove her own innocence, forcing her romantic rivals to decide if she’s worth losing everything for.
Several months after the events of the second book, The Last Drop of Hemlock, Vivian is happy with her bootlegger sweetheart Leo, but now lives alone since her sister married the Nightingale’s bartender and is now expecting a baby. After a dress delivery goes unexpectedly awry, she stands accused of murdering the man of the house. He was kind to her, but she maintains she doesn’t know him. The police commissioner, though, needs a culprit, and Vivian’s not only the only one he has, but she’s a nobody and the victim was a member of New York’s high society. With just a week to clear her name and present another suspect, Vivian does all she can to play every card she has, and then some. It’ll strain not just her relationship with her sister, but her romance with Leo and her mutual interest with her boss, Honor. As secrets come to light, Leo and Honor will be forced to decide if Vivian is worth the risk of losing everything.
There’s nothing quite like following a cozy mystery series where the characters grow, change, and undergo major life changes in each installment and then starting the next book only to desperately wonder if you’ve missed a book sometime in the last year since the last book came out. It took me a few chapters and frantic searching to discover, and come to terms with, the fact that I did not miss a book. Instead, The Last Note of Warning makes some big jumps from the second book. It jumps several months into the future. Vivian and Leo are still seeing each other and they seem comfortable with seemingly not moving it forward. Things are, of course, complicated because Leo is the police commissioner’s not quite on the up and up nephew and both Leo and Vivian frequent their favorite speakeasy. But the harder jump to wrap my head around was with Vivian’s sister Florence. I adore Florence, who is older and more levelheaded, and loved her budding romance in the second book with the Nightingale’s bartender, Danny. I expected to see them dating in the next book, not married and expecting a baby, so I kept wondering if I missed a whole book somewhere. After I figured it out and came to terms with it, it was much easier to enjoy the story.
This was a pleasant change from Vivian being forced to solve a murder mystery or taking it upon herself to prove someone was murdered and didn’t commit suicide. Instead, Vivian is the only unknown in a society family’s house when the man of the house is found murdered, so she becomes the sole suspect. Of course Vivian didn’t do it, but the police need someone to pin it on, and she’s a nobody, so no one would miss her. Vivian, though, isn’t new to solving murder mysteries, but she is new to finding most of her allies suddenly standing to the side. Honor and Leo have ties either to the family or the police, so they can’t offer her much help. Instead she finds herself leaning more on a society woman I absolutely love because she runs quite an underground network. Their relationship is fascinating and fun, and I love the way they function. But it was also hard to see people Vivian had come to rely on just not be there for her when her life is on the line. Every girl wants to know if she’s worth it for someone to throw everything they love and care about on the line, right? Well, Vivian’s about to find out, and it creates quite a shuffle in her romantic life.
I really enjoyed this one. The mystery was a lot of fun, there were backward and forward slides in Vivian’s love life, and it was really fun exploring high society. I love the relationship between Vivian and Florence, and enjoyed the quiet, tender moments between them. There’s also the matter of who their father is and who claimed their mother’s body. There wasn’t as much done with this subplot as I had hoped for, but it certainly keeps me reading. There was just too much going on in Vivian’s life in this one, and I was glad to see her complete commitment to it. Vivian is spunky and delightful and I completely get why Florence is forever worrying about her. But I loved her determination to see things through and do whatever it takes to solve the case. It was just harder this time around because I could hear the ticking clock and feel her desperation. It was hard to see everyone standing away from her, but it was also heartening to see who did flock to her.
Vivian has no shortage of friends. Many of the powerful ones who would have been huge helps chose to sit this one out, though I did love the way it all played out in the end. When it looked like Vivian would be forced to go it alone and probably end up arrested, other friends jumped out of the woodwork, eager to help and have fun with it. One of these was a society girl who also frequents the Nightingale, and I really loved how this part played out. I love getting a peek into the glitz and glamour of the 1920s, and this was certainly a fun part of it I didn’t know about. It did feel like it went on for too long, but the things Vivian uncovered were quite interesting. I loved how she thought fast on her feet and could make friends with just about anyone.
The truly fun parts, though, were when Vivian learned things about the people around her, things that helped her understand why they couldn’t help and things that had her looking at things in different lights. Some of it I could predict, but some things took me a little longer to figure out. I did feel like it took her too long to really home in on the major players in the murder mystery because doing that probably would have helped her solve this in a much shorter amount of time. But, at the same time, it would have taken away from other parts of the story that had to be told. Besides, Vivian’s best friend Bea steps in in the most amazing and committed way. I love the cautious spunk Bea has, and the devotion these friends have for each other is incredible and heartwarming.
The Last of Note of Warning is probably my favorite installment in the series so far. It did a lot with the characters and really put Vivian’s safety and life on the line. I loved seeing the players shuffling around as their own lives have to play out in certain ways. It’s also always just so much fun to travel around in high society with Vivian. I adored her bravery and the way she looked at things with a realistic eye. Even though I had faith she’d figure it out, things looked bleak from time to time, so I had a great deal of fun with this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Several months after the events of the second book, The Last Drop of Hemlock, Vivian is happy with her bootlegger sweetheart Leo, but now lives alone since her sister married the Nightingale’s bartender and is now expecting a baby. After a dress delivery goes unexpectedly awry, she stands accused of murdering the man of the house. He was kind to her, but she maintains she doesn’t know him. The police commissioner, though, needs a culprit, and Vivian’s not only the only one he has, but she’s a nobody and the victim was a member of New York’s high society. With just a week to clear her name and present another suspect, Vivian does all she can to play every card she has, and then some. It’ll strain not just her relationship with her sister, but her romance with Leo and her mutual interest with her boss, Honor. As secrets come to light, Leo and Honor will be forced to decide if Vivian is worth the risk of losing everything.
There’s nothing quite like following a cozy mystery series where the characters grow, change, and undergo major life changes in each installment and then starting the next book only to desperately wonder if you’ve missed a book sometime in the last year since the last book came out. It took me a few chapters and frantic searching to discover, and come to terms with, the fact that I did not miss a book. Instead, The Last Note of Warning makes some big jumps from the second book. It jumps several months into the future. Vivian and Leo are still seeing each other and they seem comfortable with seemingly not moving it forward. Things are, of course, complicated because Leo is the police commissioner’s not quite on the up and up nephew and both Leo and Vivian frequent their favorite speakeasy. But the harder jump to wrap my head around was with Vivian’s sister Florence. I adore Florence, who is older and more levelheaded, and loved her budding romance in the second book with the Nightingale’s bartender, Danny. I expected to see them dating in the next book, not married and expecting a baby, so I kept wondering if I missed a whole book somewhere. After I figured it out and came to terms with it, it was much easier to enjoy the story.
This was a pleasant change from Vivian being forced to solve a murder mystery or taking it upon herself to prove someone was murdered and didn’t commit suicide. Instead, Vivian is the only unknown in a society family’s house when the man of the house is found murdered, so she becomes the sole suspect. Of course Vivian didn’t do it, but the police need someone to pin it on, and she’s a nobody, so no one would miss her. Vivian, though, isn’t new to solving murder mysteries, but she is new to finding most of her allies suddenly standing to the side. Honor and Leo have ties either to the family or the police, so they can’t offer her much help. Instead she finds herself leaning more on a society woman I absolutely love because she runs quite an underground network. Their relationship is fascinating and fun, and I love the way they function. But it was also hard to see people Vivian had come to rely on just not be there for her when her life is on the line. Every girl wants to know if she’s worth it for someone to throw everything they love and care about on the line, right? Well, Vivian’s about to find out, and it creates quite a shuffle in her romantic life.
I really enjoyed this one. The mystery was a lot of fun, there were backward and forward slides in Vivian’s love life, and it was really fun exploring high society. I love the relationship between Vivian and Florence, and enjoyed the quiet, tender moments between them. There’s also the matter of who their father is and who claimed their mother’s body. There wasn’t as much done with this subplot as I had hoped for, but it certainly keeps me reading. There was just too much going on in Vivian’s life in this one, and I was glad to see her complete commitment to it. Vivian is spunky and delightful and I completely get why Florence is forever worrying about her. But I loved her determination to see things through and do whatever it takes to solve the case. It was just harder this time around because I could hear the ticking clock and feel her desperation. It was hard to see everyone standing away from her, but it was also heartening to see who did flock to her.
Vivian has no shortage of friends. Many of the powerful ones who would have been huge helps chose to sit this one out, though I did love the way it all played out in the end. When it looked like Vivian would be forced to go it alone and probably end up arrested, other friends jumped out of the woodwork, eager to help and have fun with it. One of these was a society girl who also frequents the Nightingale, and I really loved how this part played out. I love getting a peek into the glitz and glamour of the 1920s, and this was certainly a fun part of it I didn’t know about. It did feel like it went on for too long, but the things Vivian uncovered were quite interesting. I loved how she thought fast on her feet and could make friends with just about anyone.
The truly fun parts, though, were when Vivian learned things about the people around her, things that helped her understand why they couldn’t help and things that had her looking at things in different lights. Some of it I could predict, but some things took me a little longer to figure out. I did feel like it took her too long to really home in on the major players in the murder mystery because doing that probably would have helped her solve this in a much shorter amount of time. But, at the same time, it would have taken away from other parts of the story that had to be told. Besides, Vivian’s best friend Bea steps in in the most amazing and committed way. I love the cautious spunk Bea has, and the devotion these friends have for each other is incredible and heartwarming.
The Last of Note of Warning is probably my favorite installment in the series so far. It did a lot with the characters and really put Vivian’s safety and life on the line. I loved seeing the players shuffling around as their own lives have to play out in certain ways. It’s also always just so much fun to travel around in high society with Vivian. I adored her bravery and the way she looked at things with a realistic eye. Even though I had faith she’d figure it out, things looked bleak from time to time, so I had a great deal of fun with this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 23, 2024
I got The Last Note of Warning and then realized that it was book 3 in a series. Of course, I went back and read the first two before I started this. While this ended up being my favorite, I’m glad I went back and read the other two. This one relies heavily on the background established in the first two books.
Vivian is at it again, but this time her freedom is on the line. She finally has a life she enjoys, delivering dresses for the shop during the day and serving drinks at the Nightingale by night. She has a steady date in Leo and while Honor has denied her a relationship they have been able to remain friendly. That is until Vivian is in the middle of a delivery and the husband ends up murdered and she is immediately to blame. She will spend the remainder of the story using all of her detective skills and high level connections gained in the first two books to try and clear her name and avoid spending the rest of her life in jail.
This one was definitely more high-stakes and I enjoyed it more than the other two. The semi-love triangle was a bit much for me, because at this point Honor no longer should be an option. She has clearly made her decision as to where her interests are and it is not in a relationship. I am also wondering if we are ever going to find out about Vivian and Florence’s parents. It seems like it has been dragged out way too long at this point.
Enjoyed the story, didn’t love the ending.
Vivian is at it again, but this time her freedom is on the line. She finally has a life she enjoys, delivering dresses for the shop during the day and serving drinks at the Nightingale by night. She has a steady date in Leo and while Honor has denied her a relationship they have been able to remain friendly. That is until Vivian is in the middle of a delivery and the husband ends up murdered and she is immediately to blame. She will spend the remainder of the story using all of her detective skills and high level connections gained in the first two books to try and clear her name and avoid spending the rest of her life in jail.
This one was definitely more high-stakes and I enjoyed it more than the other two. The semi-love triangle was a bit much for me, because at this point Honor no longer should be an option. She has clearly made her decision as to where her interests are and it is not in a relationship. I am also wondering if we are ever going to find out about Vivian and Florence’s parents. It seems like it has been dragged out way too long at this point.
Enjoyed the story, didn’t love the ending.
March 26, 2024
"The Last Note of Warning" by Katharine Schellman is a captivating addition to the Nightingale mystery series, set in 1920s New York. Protagonist Vivian Kelly finds herself embroiled in a murder case when the husband of a wealthy client is found dead, and she becomes the prime suspect. With danger lurking and time running out, Vivian must navigate a treacherous world of secrets and deception to clear her name. Schellman's vivid prose and intricate plot twists make for a gripping read, perfect for fans of historical mysteries.
April 6, 2024
This series just keeps getting better and better and, in this case, more nail biting. Once again, our heroine, Vivian, gets dumped into a situation that threatens her happiness and liberty. I have to admit that this book is so thrilling and scary that I lasted a whole 15% of the book before I peeked at the end or else I was going to stay up all night reading it. This is a fantastic mystery set in a dynamic era in time. Highly recommended!
April 11, 2024
I am not very good at writing reviews.
First of all Thank you for the book!
I enjoyed this book very much. Poor Vivian, what she went through for the whole week. Being accused of murder and trying to prove her innocense. And some of the shady characters she had to deal with and always seeking acceptance for who she is. Great story and I thought it was written very well. I will recommend this book to others.
First of all Thank you for the book!
I enjoyed this book very much. Poor Vivian, what she went through for the whole week. Being accused of murder and trying to prove her innocense. And some of the shady characters she had to deal with and always seeking acceptance for who she is. Great story and I thought it was written very well. I will recommend this book to others.
June 4, 2024
The setting (New York City during prohibition) is one of my favorites for any historical fiction book. There’s something glamorous about those underground speakeasys with the jazz music and flirting. This was a time period where being working class didn’t necessarily mean you were excluded from the scene, and LGBTQ relationships were nothing to side eye in those smoky clubs.
Vivian Kelly works as a shop assistant in a dress shop, where she has a front row view of the luxuries that the wealthy elite can afford. By night, Vivian works serving drinks and dancing the night away in a deliciously illegal underground club known as the Nightingale. As the book opens, Vivian is dating bootlegger Leo and her sister Florence has recently married the bartender at the Nightingale and is pregnant with their first child. I hadn’t read the previous book but it seems that Vivian is also in a semi-love triangle with the owner of the Nightingale, Honor.
It isn’t the Nightingale that gets Vivian into hot water during this mystery, it’s a dress delivery that Vivian makes to the home of a wealthy client. When the client’s husband is found dead at home and it turns out Vivian was the last to see him alive, she becomes a prime suspect. Though there are other suspects, Vivian is working class and the victim was part of the wealthy high society, so the police commissioner finds her to be the simplest culprit.
Vivian negotiates a week to clear her name and turn up another suspect, but that isn’t her only problem. The more she looks into the dead man, the more convinced she becomes that she might know the real killer personally. And that person may have set Vivian up to take the fall for the crime. The pressure of the case strains her relationships with her sister, Leo, and Honor. Secrets begin to surface and Vivian may find herself left out of both of her love interests and sent straight to prison.
Since I hadn’t read the previous books, I was worried that I wouldn’t understand the dynamics between the characters, but that wasn’t a struggle at all. Pretty quickly I learned the good and the bad of her relationship with Leo (the bad being namely that he is related to the police commissioner accusing Vivian of the crime). I also loved Florence (Vivian’s sister) and her husband Danny (the bartender at the Nightingale). I can’t speak to whether their courtship was tortured in previous books, but in this book, they are a completely likable couple. Florence is the more measured sister, which made her the perfect supporting character to Vivian’s bold and slightly dangerous approach to life.
Through a delightful and gripping mystery, there is an interesting undercurrent of classism that is explored just the right amount. Vivian was the only non-status person present in the house of a wealthy murder victim, so she becomes the prime suspect whether it makes sense or not. As everyone that Vivian thought she could trust begins to question her, Vivian sees that they may not come through for her in her time of need. Who will pull through for Vivian? You’ll have to read to find out!
Vivian is a great character and a lot of fun to read about. Vivian’s love life is anything but settled. Some relationships fall apart, others come together, but in the end it’s possible none of them are right for her. Vivian is going through one of those life events that drops all pretense and starkly bares her relationships for her. Some people that she thought were on her side fail her, but others come to her aid. It’s the type of moments that show Vivian who her real friends are.
A wonderful mystery for those new to Vivian and the Nightingale crew and fans of the series alike!
Thank you to Minotaur Books for my copy. Opinions are my own.
Vivian Kelly works as a shop assistant in a dress shop, where she has a front row view of the luxuries that the wealthy elite can afford. By night, Vivian works serving drinks and dancing the night away in a deliciously illegal underground club known as the Nightingale. As the book opens, Vivian is dating bootlegger Leo and her sister Florence has recently married the bartender at the Nightingale and is pregnant with their first child. I hadn’t read the previous book but it seems that Vivian is also in a semi-love triangle with the owner of the Nightingale, Honor.
It isn’t the Nightingale that gets Vivian into hot water during this mystery, it’s a dress delivery that Vivian makes to the home of a wealthy client. When the client’s husband is found dead at home and it turns out Vivian was the last to see him alive, she becomes a prime suspect. Though there are other suspects, Vivian is working class and the victim was part of the wealthy high society, so the police commissioner finds her to be the simplest culprit.
Vivian negotiates a week to clear her name and turn up another suspect, but that isn’t her only problem. The more she looks into the dead man, the more convinced she becomes that she might know the real killer personally. And that person may have set Vivian up to take the fall for the crime. The pressure of the case strains her relationships with her sister, Leo, and Honor. Secrets begin to surface and Vivian may find herself left out of both of her love interests and sent straight to prison.
Since I hadn’t read the previous books, I was worried that I wouldn’t understand the dynamics between the characters, but that wasn’t a struggle at all. Pretty quickly I learned the good and the bad of her relationship with Leo (the bad being namely that he is related to the police commissioner accusing Vivian of the crime). I also loved Florence (Vivian’s sister) and her husband Danny (the bartender at the Nightingale). I can’t speak to whether their courtship was tortured in previous books, but in this book, they are a completely likable couple. Florence is the more measured sister, which made her the perfect supporting character to Vivian’s bold and slightly dangerous approach to life.
Through a delightful and gripping mystery, there is an interesting undercurrent of classism that is explored just the right amount. Vivian was the only non-status person present in the house of a wealthy murder victim, so she becomes the prime suspect whether it makes sense or not. As everyone that Vivian thought she could trust begins to question her, Vivian sees that they may not come through for her in her time of need. Who will pull through for Vivian? You’ll have to read to find out!
Vivian is a great character and a lot of fun to read about. Vivian’s love life is anything but settled. Some relationships fall apart, others come together, but in the end it’s possible none of them are right for her. Vivian is going through one of those life events that drops all pretense and starkly bares her relationships for her. Some people that she thought were on her side fail her, but others come to her aid. It’s the type of moments that show Vivian who her real friends are.
A wonderful mystery for those new to Vivian and the Nightingale crew and fans of the series alike!
Thank you to Minotaur Books for my copy. Opinions are my own.
June 18, 2024
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
The Last Note of Warning is the third historical mystery featuring the prohibition era jazz club The Nightingale written by Katharine Schellman. Released 4th June 2024 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
This is a well written historical cozy(ish) mystery with an ensemble returning cast of characters and based on a fictitious New York City speakeasy during prohibition. There are a number of gender-fluid, bi-, and otherwise non-traditional presenting characters which was nice to see. The cast is also racially diverse and the story is blissfully without "token" representations. It might not be, strictly speaking, historically accurate, but it was refreshing to read. Other than the kindly wishful anachronistic diverse cast, the book seems to do a good, relatively accurate job with the official/police and political corruption of the time.
There's a significant romance subplot, so readers who enjoy romance and mystery will find a lot to love here. There is never much security or stability in the main characters' lives, and eschewing society's rigid standards means that MC Viv is again in the crosshairs of lazy/incompetent/corrupt cops when circumstances mean that she is the prime suspect in a high profile murder. She and her allies are forced to band together to clear her name and find the real culprit.
Despite being the third book in the series, it works well enough as a standalone, and the main mystery is resolved in this volume. The language is mostly accurate to the period and adds a lot to the read. It should be noted that the characters do develop over the series and there are references to events from the earlier books which will be spoilers if read out of order (nothing super major, but they're there).
The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of 10 hours, 9 minutes and is well narrated by series narrator Sara Young. She has a warm and rich clear alto voice and does a good job delineating the widely varied accents of a range of characters of all ages and both sexes including elderly and young voices. Sound and production quality are high throughout the recording.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Last Note of Warning is the third historical mystery featuring the prohibition era jazz club The Nightingale written by Katharine Schellman. Released 4th June 2024 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
This is a well written historical cozy(ish) mystery with an ensemble returning cast of characters and based on a fictitious New York City speakeasy during prohibition. There are a number of gender-fluid, bi-, and otherwise non-traditional presenting characters which was nice to see. The cast is also racially diverse and the story is blissfully without "token" representations. It might not be, strictly speaking, historically accurate, but it was refreshing to read. Other than the kindly wishful anachronistic diverse cast, the book seems to do a good, relatively accurate job with the official/police and political corruption of the time.
There's a significant romance subplot, so readers who enjoy romance and mystery will find a lot to love here. There is never much security or stability in the main characters' lives, and eschewing society's rigid standards means that MC Viv is again in the crosshairs of lazy/incompetent/corrupt cops when circumstances mean that she is the prime suspect in a high profile murder. She and her allies are forced to band together to clear her name and find the real culprit.
Despite being the third book in the series, it works well enough as a standalone, and the main mystery is resolved in this volume. The language is mostly accurate to the period and adds a lot to the read. It should be noted that the characters do develop over the series and there are references to events from the earlier books which will be spoilers if read out of order (nothing super major, but they're there).
The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of 10 hours, 9 minutes and is well narrated by series narrator Sara Young. She has a warm and rich clear alto voice and does a good job delineating the widely varied accents of a range of characters of all ages and both sexes including elderly and young voices. Sound and production quality are high throughout the recording.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
June 6, 2024
This book is rich in description, misdirection, friendship, love, and family.
This is the third in the series, but I don't feel like I missed out on much by not reading the first two in the series. There are minor hints of past events, but the book focuses primarily on this murder. Vivian is accused of murdering a man just because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. This was the 1920s, and police work during that time may not have been as up to snuff as we see today. She is given one week to find an alternate suspect. She chases all of the clues with the help of one love interest, Leo, her friend, Bea, and a few others who may not have Vivian's best interests in mind. This trio finds themselves in some sticky situations around town but also in some fascinating locations. It is important to read the author's notes at the end. She discusses some of the events in the book and the research to accurately include those events in this book. If you didn't think they had drag events in the 1920s, think again.
This was such a wonderful mystery! It wasn't what I expected, but I don't know if I had any real expectations going into this novel. I had no idea who to suspect because many people had motives to kill this man. The revelation was quite a surprise, it was no one I expected.
I like that the author did not shy away from the LGBTQ angle. While it is not overt, there is a ball that actually occurred, which was a masked drag ball. Vivian also has a love interest in Leo and her boss, Honor. I felt like these scenes were authentic to the time and the characters.
There is also Vivian's relationship with her sister, Flo. With her sister married and expecting a baby, they aren't in the same house anymore, but that doesn't mean their bond isn't any less. You can see how much they care about each other.
This book has many wonderful characters besides the few that I have mentioned. So many people came out to support Vivian in uncovering the truth in this murder investigation. Some didn't think she would find the truth, and others treated this situation as a way for Vivian to "owe them" to be repaid at a later date. I do love how Vivian turned the tables on a few of these characters, putting herself in a better position.
This is a series definitely worth reading. If the first two books are anything like this one, that means they are well researched and fairly accurate to the times.
We give this book 5 paws up.
This is the third in the series, but I don't feel like I missed out on much by not reading the first two in the series. There are minor hints of past events, but the book focuses primarily on this murder. Vivian is accused of murdering a man just because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. This was the 1920s, and police work during that time may not have been as up to snuff as we see today. She is given one week to find an alternate suspect. She chases all of the clues with the help of one love interest, Leo, her friend, Bea, and a few others who may not have Vivian's best interests in mind. This trio finds themselves in some sticky situations around town but also in some fascinating locations. It is important to read the author's notes at the end. She discusses some of the events in the book and the research to accurately include those events in this book. If you didn't think they had drag events in the 1920s, think again.
This was such a wonderful mystery! It wasn't what I expected, but I don't know if I had any real expectations going into this novel. I had no idea who to suspect because many people had motives to kill this man. The revelation was quite a surprise, it was no one I expected.
I like that the author did not shy away from the LGBTQ angle. While it is not overt, there is a ball that actually occurred, which was a masked drag ball. Vivian also has a love interest in Leo and her boss, Honor. I felt like these scenes were authentic to the time and the characters.
There is also Vivian's relationship with her sister, Flo. With her sister married and expecting a baby, they aren't in the same house anymore, but that doesn't mean their bond isn't any less. You can see how much they care about each other.
This book has many wonderful characters besides the few that I have mentioned. So many people came out to support Vivian in uncovering the truth in this murder investigation. Some didn't think she would find the truth, and others treated this situation as a way for Vivian to "owe them" to be repaid at a later date. I do love how Vivian turned the tables on a few of these characters, putting herself in a better position.
This is a series definitely worth reading. If the first two books are anything like this one, that means they are well researched and fairly accurate to the times.
We give this book 5 paws up.
May 17, 2024
2SLGBTQIA+ Historical Mystery set in New York 1925 following a speakeasy waitress and dress shop assistant who turns sleuth after a client's husband's murdered and she finds herself the main suspect.
5/5 stars: This is the third entry in Schellman's Nightingale Mysteries series, which is a 2SLGBTQIA+ Historical Mystery that takes place in New York 1925 and features an underground speakeasy and dance hall waitress and dress shop assistant who turns sleuth after a wealthy client's husband's murdered and finds herself the main suspect. Given one week to find the killer, she'll cash in every favor to find out who's setting her up to take the fall. With plenty of twists and turns, Schellman has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. It's also evident Schellman pays attention to the historical details with plenty of research. I also love how she explores the 2SLGBTQIA+ lifestyle and the struggles of the Chinese experience and interracial marriage in 1920's New York. Additionally, Schellman's writing and character work is stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's great to catch up with Vivian and her friends and family. She's a tough and tenacious woman determined to live her life as she wants. And I have to say Viv's struggles with her love life, will it be Leo or Honor, keep things interesting. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Last Call at the Nightingale. This is a great read, highly recommend!
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
5/5 stars: This is the third entry in Schellman's Nightingale Mysteries series, which is a 2SLGBTQIA+ Historical Mystery that takes place in New York 1925 and features an underground speakeasy and dance hall waitress and dress shop assistant who turns sleuth after a wealthy client's husband's murdered and finds herself the main suspect. Given one week to find the killer, she'll cash in every favor to find out who's setting her up to take the fall. With plenty of twists and turns, Schellman has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. It's also evident Schellman pays attention to the historical details with plenty of research. I also love how she explores the 2SLGBTQIA+ lifestyle and the struggles of the Chinese experience and interracial marriage in 1920's New York. Additionally, Schellman's writing and character work is stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's great to catch up with Vivian and her friends and family. She's a tough and tenacious woman determined to live her life as she wants. And I have to say Viv's struggles with her love life, will it be Leo or Honor, keep things interesting. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Last Call at the Nightingale. This is a great read, highly recommend!
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
June 4, 2024
The Last Note of Warning is the third book in Katharine Schellman's Nightingale series, set in 1920's New York City.
The Nightingale is the speakeasy where the main character, Viv, works, and finds home. This installment has Viv trying to keep herself out of jail while solving a murder in which she is the prime suspect. Her boss and sometimes romantic interest, Honor, is deeply connected to the victim in unexpected ways, and Viv has to navigate that as well.
This is a strong third installment, and I thought it worked better than book 2. Honor is solidly back in place as a character, and also as someone Viv would like a shot at loving (which kind of faded out in the last book). The other regulars are here - Viv's sister, Florence doing her own navigation as a white member of her husband's Asian family; Danny, the Nightingale's bartender, and Viv's brother-in-law; Leo, Viv's partner in crime and sometimes romance; and Bea, Viv's remarkable best friend. One of the best thing about a Schellman book is that she lets all her characters grow along the way - they don't ever stay static.
Schellman is also a terrific researcher. This book takes us into the historical drag scene in New York City in the 20's, and also makes clear that privilege makes a huge difference to what you can and can't do. The perspective in these series is not of the idle rich slumming it in a downtown speakeasy - it's the people working the floor, and behind the bar and with the band and in sweatshops. It is richly imagined and backed up with that strong research.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur for the e-arc.
The Nightingale is the speakeasy where the main character, Viv, works, and finds home. This installment has Viv trying to keep herself out of jail while solving a murder in which she is the prime suspect. Her boss and sometimes romantic interest, Honor, is deeply connected to the victim in unexpected ways, and Viv has to navigate that as well.
This is a strong third installment, and I thought it worked better than book 2. Honor is solidly back in place as a character, and also as someone Viv would like a shot at loving (which kind of faded out in the last book). The other regulars are here - Viv's sister, Florence doing her own navigation as a white member of her husband's Asian family; Danny, the Nightingale's bartender, and Viv's brother-in-law; Leo, Viv's partner in crime and sometimes romance; and Bea, Viv's remarkable best friend. One of the best thing about a Schellman book is that she lets all her characters grow along the way - they don't ever stay static.
Schellman is also a terrific researcher. This book takes us into the historical drag scene in New York City in the 20's, and also makes clear that privilege makes a huge difference to what you can and can't do. The perspective in these series is not of the idle rich slumming it in a downtown speakeasy - it's the people working the floor, and behind the bar and with the band and in sweatshops. It is richly imagined and backed up with that strong research.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur for the e-arc.
June 3, 2024
Vivian's life finally started to improve until the day she delivered dresses to Mrs. Buchanan, one of the richest women in New York. She didn't find her at home, but while waiting, she was drinking coffee with her husband. He was called to a meeting with a client and soon after, Vivian found him lying dead on the floor. Vivian immediately called for help. Being the last person to see Mr. Buchanan alive, Vivian was charged with his murder. The commissioner gave her a week to prove her innocence, otherwise she would face the death penalty.
Vivian was in the wrong place at the wrong time and her mission was to find the real murderer. She had her friends from The Nightingale who tried to help her find the truth. Only Honor, the owner of speakeasy, who always supported Vivian, refused to help.
Good mystery with an interesting set up. I found myself in a world of illegal nightclubs, parties, and gambling. Gossip and eavesdropping were normal activities in society back then. I was afraid for Vivian when she eavesdropped on the conversation behind the door, but even more intriguing was an arranged eavesdropping during the reading of the will.
I liked the Nightingale staff and how supportive they were of each other. The Nightingale, a speakeasy, was an illegal place where young people partied, drank, and danced all night long. This story made me feel like I was back in the days of Prohibition in New York, which I knew little about.
Vivian was in the wrong place at the wrong time and her mission was to find the real murderer. She had her friends from The Nightingale who tried to help her find the truth. Only Honor, the owner of speakeasy, who always supported Vivian, refused to help.
Good mystery with an interesting set up. I found myself in a world of illegal nightclubs, parties, and gambling. Gossip and eavesdropping were normal activities in society back then. I was afraid for Vivian when she eavesdropped on the conversation behind the door, but even more intriguing was an arranged eavesdropping during the reading of the will.
I liked the Nightingale staff and how supportive they were of each other. The Nightingale, a speakeasy, was an illegal place where young people partied, drank, and danced all night long. This story made me feel like I was back in the days of Prohibition in New York, which I knew little about.
May 31, 2024
The Last Note of Warning is Katherine Schellman's third installment of the Nightingale Mysteries and all of the reader's favorite characters are back in action, living their best lives after dark. In this novel, Vivian finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time and is accused of murdering a well known "fat cat". While she is understandable distraught, the Commissioner of the Police Force gives her one week to clear her name. With the odds very much stacked against her, and without the help of her secret love, Honor Huxley, Vivian must find out who had the most to claim by taking down this very powerful man.
I found this plot to be interesting, but very drawn out. The action dragged in the middle and while the audience can assume Vivian is going to come out on the right side of the law, I found myself skipping pages just to get there. The ending fell a bit flat as well. On the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed Schellman's portrayal of the queer and drag culture in Harlem during this time period. Mention of Harlem's Hamilton Lodge and Masquerade Balls gave the audience an understanding of and a peek into a little mentioned aspect of the LGBTQ historical community.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this novel.
I found this plot to be interesting, but very drawn out. The action dragged in the middle and while the audience can assume Vivian is going to come out on the right side of the law, I found myself skipping pages just to get there. The ending fell a bit flat as well. On the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed Schellman's portrayal of the queer and drag culture in Harlem during this time period. Mention of Harlem's Hamilton Lodge and Masquerade Balls gave the audience an understanding of and a peek into a little mentioned aspect of the LGBTQ historical community.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this novel.
June 20, 2024
The Last Note of Warning is the third book in a Prohibition-era murder mystery series. By day, Vivian Kelly works as a shop delivery girl, and by night, she works in a fashionable speakeasy, the Nightingale, where the booze flows freely, dancing lasts all night, and people don't have to hide their true selves. In the first two books, Vivian helped to solve two murders connected to the Nightingale. In the Last Note of Warning, Vivian becomes the main suspect in the murder of a wealthy man. She only has one week to find the true killer before she is arrested for a crime she didn't commit.
I have to admit I struggled with this book a little. I didn't love it as much as previous books. Even though the stakes were higher, with Vivian being the suspect, the story was not grabbing my attention. Maybe I was just not in the right mood for a murder mystery. I thought the mystery was compelling, but the pacing was slow. I also was left unimpressed with the romance. Vivian has two love interests, and I found both lacking. I did appreciate queer representation. I would recommend The Note of Warning to readers who enjoyed previous books or those looking for a queer historical mystery/fiction.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley
I have to admit I struggled with this book a little. I didn't love it as much as previous books. Even though the stakes were higher, with Vivian being the suspect, the story was not grabbing my attention. Maybe I was just not in the right mood for a murder mystery. I thought the mystery was compelling, but the pacing was slow. I also was left unimpressed with the romance. Vivian has two love interests, and I found both lacking. I did appreciate queer representation. I would recommend The Note of Warning to readers who enjoyed previous books or those looking for a queer historical mystery/fiction.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley
May 26, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
The third book in the prohibition-era series about Vivian Kelly sees her faced with new challenges.
Even though she's happier with her work situation, with a day job making deliveries for a dress shop and a part time job as a waitress at the Nightingale speakeasy, Vivian's life is still complicated.
During one of her deliveries, she ends up being the last person seen with a rich socialite who appears to have been murdered. She does manage to gain time to try and prove her innocence by calling in some favours and her hunt for the truth takes her all over 1920s New York.
Like some other readers I was puzzled by the way the authorities kind of jumped to conclusions, but then let her go to investigate instead of the police doing this. I also find it odd that this series is described as 'queer', based on, a kiss or two between women? the inclusion of women dancing with women?
I'm also hoping that the somewhat abrupt ending promises a 4th book where Vivian might have some time to figure out what's really important to her.
Recommend for fans of mysteries with realistic backgrounds and 'regular people' characters.
The third book in the prohibition-era series about Vivian Kelly sees her faced with new challenges.
Even though she's happier with her work situation, with a day job making deliveries for a dress shop and a part time job as a waitress at the Nightingale speakeasy, Vivian's life is still complicated.
During one of her deliveries, she ends up being the last person seen with a rich socialite who appears to have been murdered. She does manage to gain time to try and prove her innocence by calling in some favours and her hunt for the truth takes her all over 1920s New York.
Like some other readers I was puzzled by the way the authorities kind of jumped to conclusions, but then let her go to investigate instead of the police doing this. I also find it odd that this series is described as 'queer', based on, a kiss or two between women? the inclusion of women dancing with women?
I'm also hoping that the somewhat abrupt ending promises a 4th book where Vivian might have some time to figure out what's really important to her.
Recommend for fans of mysteries with realistic backgrounds and 'regular people' characters.
June 6, 2024
Vivian is back and mixed up in another mystery in this, the third instalment of the Nightingale mystery series!
Set in roaring 1920’s New York, Vivian is a mild mannered dress shop delivery girl by day and a queer speakeasy party girl by night! Usually she finds herself mired in trouble from her evening occupational hazards… but this time her delivery gig has put her in the stew, when she stumbles upon her clients freshly murmured husband! An easy suspect when she is found with the victim’s blood on her hands, the police make it clear that they aren’t going to look much further for another assailant… it’s up to Vivian and her friends to find the real killer after she’s given a week to prove her innocence!
This third book in the series really built upon the background created in the last two books and added some new and interesting layers to the characters and their connections. The high stakes mystery had me on the edge of my seat as Vivian fights for her freedom and on the way finds out who her true friends are!
The Last Note of Warning by Katharine Schellman is available now! Thanks to Minotaur Books for my review copy.
Set in roaring 1920’s New York, Vivian is a mild mannered dress shop delivery girl by day and a queer speakeasy party girl by night! Usually she finds herself mired in trouble from her evening occupational hazards… but this time her delivery gig has put her in the stew, when she stumbles upon her clients freshly murmured husband! An easy suspect when she is found with the victim’s blood on her hands, the police make it clear that they aren’t going to look much further for another assailant… it’s up to Vivian and her friends to find the real killer after she’s given a week to prove her innocence!
This third book in the series really built upon the background created in the last two books and added some new and interesting layers to the characters and their connections. The high stakes mystery had me on the edge of my seat as Vivian fights for her freedom and on the way finds out who her true friends are!
The Last Note of Warning by Katharine Schellman is available now! Thanks to Minotaur Books for my review copy.
June 19, 2024
Prohibition is a dangerous time to be a working-class woman in New York City, but Vivian Kelly has finally found some measure of stability and freedom. By day, she’s a respectable shop assistant, delivering luxurious dresses to the city’s wealthy and elite. At night, she joins the madcap revelry of New York’s underworld, serving illegal drinks and dancing into the morning at a secretive, back-alley speakeasy known as the Nightingale. She's found, if not love, then something like it with her bootlegger sweetheart, Leo, even if she can't quite forget the allure of the Nightingale's sultry owner, Honor Huxley.
Then the husband of a wealthy client is discovered dead in his study, and Vivian was the last known person to see him alive. With the police and the press both eager to name a culprit in the high-profile case, she finds herself the primary murder suspect.
She can’t flee town without endangering the people she loves, but Vivian isn’t the sort of girl to go down without a fight. She'll cash in every favor she has from the criminals she calls friends to prove she had no connection to the dead man. But she can't prove what isn't true.
The more Vivian digs into the man’s life, and as the police close in on her, the harder it is to avoid the truth: someone she knows wanted him dead. And the best way to get away with murder is to set up a girl like Vivian to take the fall.
Can the next book focus on Vivian’s investigation of their mother and potentially their father? PLEASE! I’m ready to know more about Florence and Vivian. I also want to see where Vivian’s relationship with Honor goes from here. While I like their chemistry, I would also like to see Vivian make a final choice, Honor or Leo.
The commissioner makes a great villain. I would like to see more from Leo’s family, but also for someone to put the commissioner in his place. Maybe make him the next suspect?
Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.
Then the husband of a wealthy client is discovered dead in his study, and Vivian was the last known person to see him alive. With the police and the press both eager to name a culprit in the high-profile case, she finds herself the primary murder suspect.
She can’t flee town without endangering the people she loves, but Vivian isn’t the sort of girl to go down without a fight. She'll cash in every favor she has from the criminals she calls friends to prove she had no connection to the dead man. But she can't prove what isn't true.
The more Vivian digs into the man’s life, and as the police close in on her, the harder it is to avoid the truth: someone she knows wanted him dead. And the best way to get away with murder is to set up a girl like Vivian to take the fall.
Can the next book focus on Vivian’s investigation of their mother and potentially their father? PLEASE! I’m ready to know more about Florence and Vivian. I also want to see where Vivian’s relationship with Honor goes from here. While I like their chemistry, I would also like to see Vivian make a final choice, Honor or Leo.
The commissioner makes a great villain. I would like to see more from Leo’s family, but also for someone to put the commissioner in his place. Maybe make him the next suspect?
Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.
June 16, 2024
Took a bit to roll back into the story. And the crime was very coincidental. The links to viv were fragile at best. Unless you just assume anyone of low class can be railroaded to prison. She saw the gentleman on the ground and probably should have screamed immediately. She just had dealt with more bodies than most. But to accuse her was crazy. The week of wandering was silly but it gave her time to find out who was trying to kill him and who actually did kill him. All the little investigations were interesting but didn’t tie into any now. Rich continue to spend money as if it doesn’t matter and Viv’s class live on penny’s tossed from above. So crazy. And I didn’t understand the machinations of the import business or why she gave 10 valuable shares for a possible future favor when the other share holder I thought was her own boss and possible savior.
Yes Hattie gave her intel. But —— convinced her mom to turn herself in. Granted she was sick (but that seems perpetual) and likely not going to live long in jail. But that was something. And mom didn’t seem to be living anymore just ‘subsisting’ on hate and loss.
Yes Hattie gave her intel. But —— convinced her mom to turn herself in. Granted she was sick (but that seems perpetual) and likely not going to live long in jail. But that was something. And mom didn’t seem to be living anymore just ‘subsisting’ on hate and loss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2024
"The Last Note of Warning" by Katherine Schellman is the third in a series featuring Vivian Kelly who works two seemingly unrelated jobs in mid-1920s New York. Daytimes she makes deliveries and final alterations for a highend dressmaker. Nightimes she works as a waitress and sometimes dancer for a high-class speakeasy, her real passion. The two careers intersect in this book after a client's husband is murdered while Vivian waits for the client to return home for her final fitting.
Although the book could be read as a standalone, it would help to have read the earlier books in order to better understand some of the major supporting characters and their relationships. I enjoyed the book and recommend it, especially to anyone who has read the first two in the series. I did find the pace sluggish at points, but overall it was a good read. It does have elements of LGBTQ and interracial relationships, but they are not a major part of the plot or character motivations. This review is based on an advance review copy from NetGalley.
Although the book could be read as a standalone, it would help to have read the earlier books in order to better understand some of the major supporting characters and their relationships. I enjoyed the book and recommend it, especially to anyone who has read the first two in the series. I did find the pace sluggish at points, but overall it was a good read. It does have elements of LGBTQ and interracial relationships, but they are not a major part of the plot or character motivations. This review is based on an advance review copy from NetGalley.
July 4, 2024
The Last Note of Warning is the third book in a Prohibition-era murder mystery series set in New York starring Vivian Kelly, who works for a dress shop making deliveries and at a jazz club at night as a waitress. While making a delivery she stumbles across the body of a murdered man and is promptly arrested as the suspect. Vivian along with a cast of recurring characters (her sometimes sweetheart Leo, sister Florence, co-worker/BIL Danny, best friend Bea, and club owner Honor Huxley) need to find the real killer and make sure Vivian doesn't go to prison for a crime she didn't commit.
The plot was complex with lots of hidden secrets and relationships revealed and suspects with murky motives. The setting of 1920s NY with its crime, corruption, and also excitement was well-portrayed, along with its racial, class, ethnic, and sexual divides. I think it's helpful to read the earlier books in the series to understand the relationship development. Thanks to Minotaur and NetGalley for the ARC.
The plot was complex with lots of hidden secrets and relationships revealed and suspects with murky motives. The setting of 1920s NY with its crime, corruption, and also excitement was well-portrayed, along with its racial, class, ethnic, and sexual divides. I think it's helpful to read the earlier books in the series to understand the relationship development. Thanks to Minotaur and NetGalley for the ARC.
June 5, 2024
This is the third book in the rich and vibrant Nightingale mystery series set in prohibition-era New York. I enjoy this series for its unique speakeasy setting and the cast of diverse and memorable characters that keep the story interesting.
The main character is Vivan Kelly, who really gets put through the wringer in this book. She is the last person to speak to a man who was murdered in his home. I honestly thought there was no way she was going to untangle herself from this legal mess. Needless to say, the mystery plot was full of suspense and angst surrounding the final outcome.
Not only does Vivan have to defend herself from a murder charge, some of her romantic relationships also appear to be coming to a close. This adds to the tension and stress, but I’m glad to see her move on.
I highly recommend you read this series if you want to be immediately transported to New York in the 1920’s.
I received a free eARC from the publisher; all opinions are my own.
The main character is Vivan Kelly, who really gets put through the wringer in this book. She is the last person to speak to a man who was murdered in his home. I honestly thought there was no way she was going to untangle herself from this legal mess. Needless to say, the mystery plot was full of suspense and angst surrounding the final outcome.
Not only does Vivan have to defend herself from a murder charge, some of her romantic relationships also appear to be coming to a close. This adds to the tension and stress, but I’m glad to see her move on.
I highly recommend you read this series if you want to be immediately transported to New York in the 1920’s.
I received a free eARC from the publisher; all opinions are my own.
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