The Manhattan Confessions
1920s Manhattan. Ivy Malone, a librarian for the New York Historical Society, has been taking histories of local senior citizens to put in the group’s newsletter and archives. When high society’s Adeline King tells Ivy her tale, she makes her promise to keep her identity secret. And the reason is obvious. Adeline wasn’t always Adeline, and she didn’t always rub elbows with New York’s elite. She came from Ireland in a time when the Irish were refused jobs and basic services simply for being Irish. In order to survive, she got involved with a gang and became a wealthy alderman’s mistress.
Ivy’s story about Adeline is immediately popular, and a man starts following her and showing up at her work, demanding to know Adeline’s true identity. At the same time, Ivy’s cousin Gina has escaped from Mussolini’s Italy, and Ivy is trying desperately to get her out of detention at Ellis Island. While Ivy is dealing with Gina, she meets another man who claims a connection to Adeline.
This novel caught my interest right away, and it was a quick, informative, and enjoyable read. Through Gina’s ordeal at Ellis Island, I learned that immigrants did not always just “pass through.” They had to have extensive family documentation, and in some instances, they needed to have a job lined up. Some of them went through immigration service companies who helped them get what they needed. This service was not cheap, and the companies were not always honest. The subjects of human trafficking and workers’ rights at that time are also explored. Sweet, clean romances are woven into the story. Through Gina, we learn a bit of what it was like in Mussolini’s Italy. This is a nice combination of history, mystery, romance, and a bit of thriller. Recommended.
