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justinekorson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley for Providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
This is the first story I've read by Stacy Lee despite knowing about her work for several years now and WOW what a story to start with. I've always enjoyed a murder mystery so to read one that was centered around Los Angeles in the 1930's was really fun to read. I especially enjoyed the sisters because I felt like May and Gemma are like my sister and I. (It works too because my sister is also older than me, as May is, and I'm a little menace like Gemma is). May was constantly stressed about keeping the family afloat/together through their mother's pregnancy and their father's absence and Gemma was constantly making things harder for her! Gemma was also very clever and spontaneous though so I throughly enjoyed her. Gemma's banter with others was always great though. Her sarcasm was unmatched and the way her older sister would always hit her when she said something a little stupid or insulting was very on brand for how siblings act (in my opinion).
I also really enjoyed the small little romance aspect of this story. You could really tel from the get-go how much Wallace cared for May and was trying to play it off (and how May felt the same way but was ALSO pretending that she didn't like him). I loved their interactions together and thought they were so cute! I was glad that they ended on good terms.
What had surprised me was the small romance that sort of appeared between Gemma and Freddie. It was pretty unexpected, especially since I thought Freddie would have a one and done appearance when he bought flowers from the girls (and Gemma conned him into buying the most expensive flowers). I was also confused because Gemma was only 17 if I believe and Freddie was already a practicing doctor which meant he had to be at least 21? Maybe? I'm not sure how young doctors would be in the 1930's but I was very confused by how the author kept bringing them together. I do admit I thought they were cute and could potentially work out but it sounded like, by the end, that Gemma wouldn't forgive him for his role in Lulu's murder (even if it was unintentional). Gemma talked about the red string of fate in relation to her and Freddie twice, once when she was contemplating if he was meant to be in his life and then again when she found out what he'd done. So in my opinion, it doesn't sound like they ever end up together in some distant future.
I'm also really glad that May got to follow her dream of being an actor! I was worried that she wouldn't be able to, especially after the blowback from all the girls lies but everything worked out well in the end for the girls.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
This is the first story I've read by Stacy Lee despite knowing about her work for several years now and WOW what a story to start with. I've always enjoyed a murder mystery so to read one that was centered around Los Angeles in the 1930's was really fun to read. I especially enjoyed the sisters because I felt like May and Gemma are like my sister and I. (It works too because my sister is also older than me, as May is, and I'm a little menace like Gemma is). May was constantly stressed about keeping the family afloat/together through their mother's pregnancy and their father's absence and Gemma was constantly making things harder for her! Gemma was also very clever and spontaneous though so I throughly enjoyed her. Gemma's banter with others was always great though. Her sarcasm was unmatched and the way her older sister would always hit her when she said something a little stupid or insulting was very on brand for how siblings act (in my opinion).
I also really enjoyed the small little romance aspect of this story. You could really tel from the get-go how much Wallace cared for May and was trying to play it off (and how May felt the same way but was ALSO pretending that she didn't like him). I loved their interactions together and thought they were so cute! I was glad that they ended on good terms.
What had surprised me was the small romance that sort of appeared between Gemma and Freddie. It was pretty unexpected, especially since I thought Freddie would have a one and done appearance when he bought flowers from the girls (and Gemma conned him into buying the most expensive flowers). I was also confused because Gemma was only 17 if I believe and Freddie was already a practicing doctor which meant he had to be at least 21? Maybe? I'm not sure how young doctors would be in the 1930's but I was very confused by how the author kept bringing them together. I do admit I thought they were cute and could potentially work out but it sounded like, by the end, that Gemma wouldn't forgive him for his role in Lulu's murder (even if it was unintentional). Gemma talked about the red string of fate in relation to her and Freddie twice, once when she was contemplating if he was meant to be in his life and then again when she found out what he'd done. So in my opinion, it doesn't sound like they ever end up together in some distant future.
I'm also really glad that May got to follow her dream of being an actor! I was worried that she wouldn't be able to, especially after the blowback from all the girls lies but everything worked out well in the end for the girls.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Xenophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Death, Chronic illness, Hate crime, Violence, Blood, Sexism, and Homophobia
whitneyfoster's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I was excited to read this, but the story really dragged on.
May and Gemma, are sisters supposedly investigating the murder of their former classmate turned movie star. The authorities are not interested in a Chinatown crime during the 1930s, so the sisters take matters into their own hands. May is quiet and passive, Gemma more assertive.
I was looking forward to the mystery, but it was more like a historical fiction with the murder taking a backseat to the lives of May and Gemma. It does give an interesting story to life in San Francisco Chinatown during the 1930s, but I came for the mystery and there just wasn’t enough there. When the author then added love interests for the sisters, I’d had enough.
This is a great YA historical fiction, but not a mystery/thriller. The low rating is mainly because I wish there were more of the investigation and less about their personal lives because, again, it’s not what I came for.
May and Gemma, are sisters supposedly investigating the murder of their former classmate turned movie star. The authorities are not interested in a Chinatown crime during the 1930s, so the sisters take matters into their own hands. May is quiet and passive, Gemma more assertive.
I was looking forward to the mystery, but it was more like a historical fiction with the murder taking a backseat to the lives of May and Gemma. It does give an interesting story to life in San Francisco Chinatown during the 1930s, but I came for the mystery and there just wasn’t enough there. When the author then added love interests for the sisters, I’d had enough.
This is a great YA historical fiction, but not a mystery/thriller. The low rating is mainly because I wish there were more of the investigation and less about their personal lives because, again, it’s not what I came for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, Blood, Chronic illness, and Death
henrygravesprince's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
In the interest of full disclosure, this review is specifically regarding a DRC copy of the book from Net Galley, so while I imagine this eBook was pretty close to finalized, some details may have been changed between my copy and the official release.
If you like historical murder mysteries, especially with an Old Hollywood sort of glint to them, and want a read that’s interesting and refreshing, I’d definitely recommend this. If you’re looking for solid mysteries in general, this is a worthwhile read. I think the strongest element here is the characters and their interactions; the weakest is the ending which, while not bad at all, felt kind of quick. I could also have done with less of the villain monologue, but I get that it’s pretty par the course for YA mysteries as a genre to have the confrontation where a villain explains everything. Just not my favorite element of the genre. If the author writes more with these characters in particular, I’m definitely on board; if not, I’m still interested in what she writes going forward.
I liked the development happening for May and Gemma throughout the story, with each of them learning to be a little more like each other. I like the way the conflict is crafted here, both internal and external. May’s internal conflict is really well-handled, her impulse to protect her family and their honor batting against the desire she has to stand up for the vulnerable. I wish the narratives of other characters, like Peony, would have been more prominent and incorporated into the story more cohesively.
The writing style is strong and very consistent. You can tell the author has done the work to find her voice. The prose is very developed, succinct and vivid, never too much or too little. Grammar was all-around adequate and consistent, overall as unnoticeable as it should be. Word choice was clear, effective, and efficient; the author is good at balancing details with quick pacing. The cast was very well-established, with side characters being easily distinguishable from one another and the main cast easily memorable. The character dynamics really shine; they all feel believable and authentic.
I did find myself wishing there were a little more consistency in how the chapters were relegated to the POV character; I would have rathered some chapters be longer than to have two May chapters or Gemma chapters back to back, but that’s because I’m a stickler for consistency. The shifts in point of view were, however, made very clear. The book is well-paced and goes by quickly. Ultimately, the mystery feels coherent and well-crafted, the conclusion working well and matching the overall narrative.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and Gun violence
Minor: Pregnancy
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