Author: Leslye Penelope
Series: Possible Standalone
Genre: Paranormal/Historical Fantasy/ Mystery
Publisher: Redhook
Publication Date: August 9th, 2022
Edition: Kindle Edition, 392 pages
Source: NetGalley
Purchase: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | BAM | Book Depository | Bookshop | Powell's | Thriftbooks
Synopsis:
Washington D. C., 1925
Clara Johnson talks to spirits, a gift that saved her during her darkest moments in a Washington D. C. jail. Now a curse that’s left her indebted to the cunning spirit world. So, when the Empress, the powerful spirit who holds her debt, offers her an opportunity to gain her freedom, a desperate Clara seizes the chance. The task: steal a magical ring from the wealthiest woman in the District.
Clara can’t pull off this daring heist alone. She’ll need help from an unlikely team, from a jazz musician capable of hypnotizing with a melody to an aging vaudeville actor who can change his face, to pull off the impossible. But as they encounter increasingly difficult obstacles, a dangerous spirit interferes at every turn. Conflict in the spirit world is leaking into the human one and along D.C’.s legendary Black Broadway, a mystery unfolds—one that not only has repercussions for Clara but all of the city’s residents.
Clara Johnson talks to spirits, a gift that saved her during her darkest moments in a Washington D. C. jail. Now a curse that’s left her indebted to the cunning spirit world. So, when the Empress, the powerful spirit who holds her debt, offers her an opportunity to gain her freedom, a desperate Clara seizes the chance. The task: steal a magical ring from the wealthiest woman in the District.
Clara can’t pull off this daring heist alone. She’ll need help from an unlikely team, from a jazz musician capable of hypnotizing with a melody to an aging vaudeville actor who can change his face, to pull off the impossible. But as they encounter increasingly difficult obstacles, a dangerous spirit interferes at every turn. Conflict in the spirit world is leaking into the human one and along D.C’.s legendary Black Broadway, a mystery unfolds—one that not only has repercussions for Clara but all of the city’s residents.
*********************
Lesley Penelope, who also writes as L. Penelope, is one of those auto-read authors for me. I've read almost all her books so far, and have enjoyed each one.
This is a very different book from her other ones. While it still has a fantastical element, this is the first of her books that doesn't have a sci-fi or futuristic element. Having it set in the "real world" 1920's limits the technology and resources available. And as a fan of the 1920's aesthetic when it comes to fashion and music, this book was practically built for me.
The characters shine in all of Lesley's books, and it is no different in this book. All the characters get a chance to shine and have their story told. Something a lot of ensemble stories forget to do. Clara is the main character, but I loved getting to know more about Zelda, I'd love a book 2 to get more of her.
I haven't read many heist books or watched many heist movies. But in most of them, everything happens too conveniently for me to believe that any stakes are all that high. In this book, the stakes felt high, I was nervous for the characters. I wanted to know how they'd achieve their goal and if the people negatively affected would come out safe.
Again, I really hope this has at least a second book. This book has a slightly open ending. There is a conclusion, but more of these characters could never be a bad thing.
This is a very different book from her other ones. While it still has a fantastical element, this is the first of her books that doesn't have a sci-fi or futuristic element. Having it set in the "real world" 1920's limits the technology and resources available. And as a fan of the 1920's aesthetic when it comes to fashion and music, this book was practically built for me.
The characters shine in all of Lesley's books, and it is no different in this book. All the characters get a chance to shine and have their story told. Something a lot of ensemble stories forget to do. Clara is the main character, but I loved getting to know more about Zelda, I'd love a book 2 to get more of her.
I haven't read many heist books or watched many heist movies. But in most of them, everything happens too conveniently for me to believe that any stakes are all that high. In this book, the stakes felt high, I was nervous for the characters. I wanted to know how they'd achieve their goal and if the people negatively affected would come out safe.
Again, I really hope this has at least a second book. This book has a slightly open ending. There is a conclusion, but more of these characters could never be a bad thing.
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