The Last Drop of Hemlock (The Nightingale Mysteries, 2)
Readers are quickly drawn into Prohibition-era New York jazz clubs in this follow-up to Schellman’s first Nightingale mystery (Last Call at the Nightingale), starring plucky heroine Vivian Kelly. Vivian now works for the Nightingale, an underground speakeasy. Things are finally starting to go well for her until her good friend, Bea, needs help; Bea’s uncle has died from poisoned alcohol. It is deemed a suicide, but Bea knows there’s more to the story. Vivian and Bea team up to find the truth, uncovering a blackmailing scheme, ties to the mob, and more sinister plots than either of them imagined. As they get closer and closer to the mystery of his death, they also get closer and closer to endangering their own lives.
Vivian and Bea make a fine team, but their friends and neighbors really make the story. Through these various characters, readers get a feel for what life was like for a wide range of people in the city during this time. I liked the pace as it helped to build tension and provided Schellman the opportunity to describe the scenery, but some readers may not appreciate the slow build. Overall, this is a well-plotted mystery with a unique array of characters, vivid backdrop, and suspenseful climax. I look forward to seeing another installment of this delightful mystery series.
