Perfect for fans of Lara Prescott’s The Secrets We Kept, this haunting debut novel–and Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year–is set against the background of New York City in the 1920s… transgressions, and, with a few strokes of the keys before her, she seals their fate. But while she may hear about shootings, knifings, and crimes of passion, as soon as she leaves the room, she reverts to a dignified and proper lady. Until Odalie joins the typing pool.
As Rose quickly falls under the stylish, coquettish Odalie’s spell, she is lured into a sparkling underworld of speakeasies and jazz. And what starts as simple fascination turns into an obsession from which she may never recover.
more
Ending did not resolve.
A real page-turner for me. Hard to review without spoilers, but the author creates a sinister vibe from the beginning with Rose’s fascination with the new typist, Odalie. I found the story quite Gatsby-esque from time to time, reflecting the dream of money and decadent partying against the backdrop of prohibition. The book could’ve been condensed in places, and some annoying modern expressions popped up in dialogue. Reviewers comment about the ambiguous ending. Maybe it’s up to the reader? A very entertaining read
Excellent all the way through! Suzanne Rindell is an excellent author that writes very compelling books. The ending can be interpreted different ways and is good for discussion.
I was listening to this book on my phone and didn’t want to stop. It grabbed my attention right from the beginning. Very unpredictable ending.
I loved this book! If you think you know what’s coming next, you’re wrong. It has many twists and very entertaining. There are two major women characters that you would never think would work well together, but they seem to learn a lot from each other. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. A real page-turner!
It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read.
A great book about friendships, endearing characters.
Well written. Women in the 1920sndid not have a lot of options so this was an interesting look at one kind of employment. Plus an amazing profile at a woman living life of crime.
Outcome that seems predictable is turned on its head. This one keeps you reading even though a couple of slow spots.
Didn’t like the ending. Left us hanging.
With a twist and a turn one of the characters puts the other behind bars. A good read.
Unusual but interesting character development and how easily it is to be drawn in by charismatic, or sociopaths…which is it?
I could not get into this story. Didn’t finish the book.
In the first half I thought I knew where this story was going, then I started to question my initial instincts. By the end I felt unsettled and unsure. Fascinating journey.
There is not a wrong note in this first person story of NYC in the raucous 1920s. The last line turns it all upside down. I loved it!
The ending confused me. Was it a cop out by the author? Was I not paying attention? What did I miss? I don’t think I would have missed that, but did I? Is she crazy? Am I crazy?
Well written and very good twist at end
Not a fan; a bit slow and the characters were very unlikeable
The novel about Rose, a police stenographer/typist in 1920’s New York, reads like a dark interior monologue. I had read other reviews which sometimes found this narration style a bit boring and the narrator’s language somewhat stilted. (Rose is an orphan, sent by the nun’s who raised her and recognized her possibilities to a school where she learned typing. It is conceivable to me, that she would also have been exposed to more formal manners and language at the school.) I found the book fascinating–beginning to end. Rose’s personality is puzzling, even troubling. At the end of the book, when I thought I had everything figured out, I suddenly realized that I wasn’t sure of anything. I have recommended this novel to my book club. I can’t wait to discuss it with them.
I liked this book. In a way, it reminded me of Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. This takes place over a period of time. It captures a period of time of speakeasies and women of “questionable ” morals. It’s a fun read.