kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the first-person narrator's voice... Lola hates being referred to as a "society matron" at the staid age of thirty-one. This is set in the United States in the Prohibition Era, and involves bootleg, jazz, and gangsters... all the trappings of the period. The two woman detectives, Lola and Berta, embark upon a scheme to recover a roll of movie film and get deeper into the crime scene than they expect. I enjoyed this a lot and look forward to more in the series.
ebuxton2's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a fun, cozy mystery that is just plausible enough to keep you hanging on. If you liked Finlay Donovan is Killing it, you would like this story. Similarly to Finlay, Lola and her housekeeper get tangled up with gangsters, frauds and one maybe bad, maybe good guy who charms our main character. The mystery got a little convoluted and hard to follow about 80% of the way (a few too many characters) but overall a fun read!
henrismum's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
First in series - Discreet Retrieval Agency
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
Why I added this book to my TBR pile: I'm not sure if it turned up as a suggestion on TSG or Good Reads, or if I found it on a list of cozies.
Will I read more of the series?Probably Not Maybe Highly Likely This book was cute and funny with the will they / won't they suggestion of a romance. The characters were realistic and intriguing. I want to see where Ms. Chance takes her characters.
The narrator was Suzy Jackson. She did a good job bringing Lola to life.
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
Why I added this book to my TBR pile: I'm not sure if it turned up as a suggestion on TSG or Good Reads, or if I found it on a list of cozies.
Will I read more of the series?
The narrator was Suzy Jackson. She did a good job bringing Lola to life.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Fatphobia, Body shaming, Classism, and Murder
honu_girl's review against another edition
4.0
Written from Lola Woodby's perspective this is a lovely riff of a classic detective tale. Full of 1920's lingo and rich description, this story wanders through simple theft to double murder. I look forward to more in this series.
ericawrites's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book to be a fun, breezy read, and very who-done-it comedically leaning. Lola and Berta were entertaining. However, it falls apart at the end to get the most drama and the villain's motivations are a played out trope. Especially when, like all who-done-its, there were multiple characters with major motivations.
abookolive's review against another edition
2.0
Not a fan of this one, unfortunately. The prohibition-era setting didn't feel at all authentic and the main character CONSTANTLY talking about her weight in a negative way was intensely aggravating. More thoughts on Booktube: https://youtu.be/Z9HJYZx6p2o
diannel_04's review
4.0
A fun new series for me to explore. Lola Woodby's dissolute husband, Albie, dies and leaves her with nothing but a loyal, Swedish cook, Berta. Because of his ways she is forced out of her home by his prig of a brother, Chisholm (even the name is prissy). Fortunately she knows he had a love nest in Washington Square and so with Berta and a cute dog names Cedric in tow moves in there.
At the funeral one of Albie's floozies asks her to find a film reel for her and offers her $3,000 to do so. In dire straits she agrees.
What ensues is a fun story about rich people, movie people, gangsters and rumpled but sexy private eye.
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next one.
At the funeral one of Albie's floozies asks her to find a film reel for her and offers her $3,000 to do so. In dire straits she agrees.
What ensues is a fun story about rich people, movie people, gangsters and rumpled but sexy private eye.
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next one.
quietjenn's review
3.0
Funny and entertaining, if slightly forgettable. It doesn't come close to the bar that TV-Miss Fischer has set for 1920s lady detectives.
dandreamelissa's review
4.0
Was the perfect light read I needed after reading a lot of very heavy and depressing novels. Lola and Berta are delightful protagonists and I can't wait to read more about Lola and Ralph, because I'm a sucker for tall, red headed love interests. Swoon
meganr's review
5.0
An exciting start to a new series! The style and setting are a complete contrast from Snow White Red Handed, the first of Maia Chance's other series, and as with Deanna Raybourn's switch from Lady Julia to the roaring 20's, you can feel the enthusiasm that the author has for the era and the creative buzz it gives her. The story is fast-paced with many twists - the relatively large cast of suspects makes the conclusion a bit sudden and slightly muddled, but that is easily outweighed by the fun of the journey of getting there. Lola and Bertha make a great team, and I look forward to learning more about Bertha's past and talents in future installments - this one is firmly Lola's show. If you are a fan of the classic 20's detective stories but wish the heronies had a more modern sense of self-reliance (and appreciation for cinnamon rolls), you will love this one!