A review by mg_in_md_
Queenpin by Megan Abbott

5.0

If you think you know noir and you haven't read this one, you are wrong. This tautly written novel pays homage to classic noir while giving the genre a modern twist. All of the hallmarks are there; even the cover art gives a nod to classic pulp noir. But, this one turns the normally male-dominated genre on its head. The story centers around a nameless young woman who is taken under the wing of mob luminary Gloria Denton. She is ushered into the world of late-night casinos, racetracks, betting parlors, inside heists, and big money. The young protégé quickly climbs the ladder, but her sure footing is challenged when she falls for the wrong guy. She tries to hide her relationship from her mentor, and the two play an intricate game of cat-and-mouse against each other and their bosses. Who will come out on top and emerge as the true Queenpin in this high stakes game? This reader, for one, could not wait to find out, which is why I read this one in just one day!

I used this for the 2018 PopSugar Ultimate Reading Challenge advanced prompt "a book by an author with the same first or last name as you."