November 1936. Mayor La Guardia’s political future buckles under a missing persons case in New York City. Simultaneously, Lane unravels devastating secrets in the outskirts of Detroit. As two crimes converge, judging friends from enemies can be a dangerous game . . . Finally summoning the courage to face the past, Lane Sanders breaks away from her busy job at City Hall to confront childhood … to confront childhood nightmares in Rochester, Michigan. An unknown assailant left Lane with scattered memories after viciously murdering her parents. However, one memory of a dazzling solid gold pawn piece remains—and with it lies a startling connection between the midwestern tragedy and a current mystery haunting the Big Apple . . .
Meanwhile, fears climb in Manhattan after the disappearance of a respected banker and family friend threatens the crippled financial industry and the pristine reputation of Lane’s virtuous boss, Mayor Fiorello “Fio” La Guardia. Fio’s fight to restore order leads him into more trouble as he meets a familiar foe intent on ending his mayoral term—and his life . . .
Guided by overseas telegrams from the man she loves and painful memories, only Lane can silence old ghosts and derail present-day schemes. But when the investigation awakens a darker side of her own nature, will she and New York City’s most prominent movers and shakers still forge ahead into a prosperous new age . . . or is history doomed to repeat itself?
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Fantastic book! This is the second in the series and it’s amazing. You do need to read the first one–The Silver Gun–first, but it’s a mystery series, so that’s expected. The author paints a beautiful picture of NYC in the 1930s. Her characters leap off the page and I want to be friends with all of them! There’s just enough history to be authentic, and plenty of creativity to keep you entertained. Seriously, go buy this book and read it ASAP!
Engaging, vivid, and intriguing, this historical mystery is not only a fascinating behind-the-scenes of Fiorello La Guardia’s New York, but an action-packed adventure with quirky characters, snappy dialogue, a hint of romance—and starring one of the pluckiest, most entertaining heroines ever.
Don’t read this book is you are tired. The action is non-stop!
How can she live through and manage to escape so many harrowing events?
The incessant drama was a little over the top for me ( thus 4 rather than 5 stars), but the story is a doozy.
Interesting characters and intriguing situations.
If you love the 1930s, get ready for a fun art-deco ride. The Gold Pawn picks up right where The Silver Gun left off. There’s enough back story to orient the reader, so this can be read as a standalone. Filled with gangsters, dolls, and atmosphere, the story is a nice escape to a sometimes simpler time.
Lane is a thrill-seeking young woman whose heart has been stolen, and we feel her joy at taking risks as well as her anxiety over whether she should indulge her dark side. This contrast creates a fun character who takes us on a journey filled with layer upon layer of lies and deceit. Each revelation takes Lane closer to her ultimate goal, but that journey comes at a personal cost.
While the dialogue felt a bit plain at times, the story was always moving forward and progressing toward an exciting and satisfying conclusion. There are a variety of “heroes” in this story, including a group of homeless kids. This band of street urchins were among my favorite characters in the book.
This was an enjoyable read that held my interest throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed the chance to dive into such a colorful time in history.
Started it and gave up because it felt so stilted.
THE GOLD PAWN by L.A. Chandlar
The Second Art Deco Mystery
It’s 1936 and Mayor Fiorello La Guardia keeps his personal assistant, Lane Sanders, hopping. If he’s not off chasing fires, he’s adding fuel to the fires he makes with Tammany Hall and other enemies. His current concern though is a missing high powered banker and personal friend. In hopes of uncovering some secrets that may help the problems in New York, Lane decides it’s time to travel to her childhood home in Michigan. But it’s more than a missing banker and the resurgence of the Red Scroll Network; Lane is about to face her most dangerous enemy yet…her own inner demons.
The second Art Deco Mystery is filled with fantastic period details, from the clothing and the cars, to the cocktails (I want a Hilty Dilty) and more! This incredible research infuses the book with such an authentic atmosphere that as I read I felt as if I was actually in 1936. Despite all the fine trimmings, the heart of the book looks at darkness. Darkness, not only in the bad guys, but in the good ones as well.
THE GOLD PAWN is a gripping novel that had me glued to the pages whilst at the edge of my seat. It is an emotional rollercoaster filled with plenty of action, treachery, romance, and love. Lots of multilayered characters exist here, obvious villains, bad guys who may have some good, good people with foibles, and loved ones with secrets.Who will Lane trust? And ultimately, can she trust herself?
I absolutely loved this riveting book. There are plenty of laughs, but plenty of shocked gasps as well. THE GOLDEN PAWN is a fine mystery that probes much deeper into the human psyche, even as it entertains.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.