The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
novelesque_life's review
4.0
3.5 STARS
"As the lawlessness of Prohibition pushes against the desperation of the Depression, there are two ways to make a living in Los Angeles: join the criminals or collar them. Kitty Pangborn has chosen the crime-fighters, becoming secretary to Dexter J. Theroux, one of the hard-drinking, tough-talking PIs who pepper the city's stew. But after Dex takes an assignment from Rita Heppelwaite, the mistress of Harrison Dempsey, one of L.A.'s shadiest—and richest—businessmen, Kitty isn't so sure what side of the law she's on.
Rita suspects Dempsey has been stepping out and asks Dex to tail him. It's an easy enough task, but Dex's morning stroll with Johnnie Walker would make it tough for him to trail his own shadow. Kitty insists she go along for the ride, keeping her boss—and hopefully her salary—safe. However, she's about to realize that there's something far more unpleasant than a three-timing husband at the end of this trail, and that there's more at risk than her paycheck." (From Amazon)
This was right up my alley - set in Hollywood during the 1930s - it is very Sam Spade but with the Girl Friday as Spade.
"As the lawlessness of Prohibition pushes against the desperation of the Depression, there are two ways to make a living in Los Angeles: join the criminals or collar them. Kitty Pangborn has chosen the crime-fighters, becoming secretary to Dexter J. Theroux, one of the hard-drinking, tough-talking PIs who pepper the city's stew. But after Dex takes an assignment from Rita Heppelwaite, the mistress of Harrison Dempsey, one of L.A.'s shadiest—and richest—businessmen, Kitty isn't so sure what side of the law she's on.
Rita suspects Dempsey has been stepping out and asks Dex to tail him. It's an easy enough task, but Dex's morning stroll with Johnnie Walker would make it tough for him to trail his own shadow. Kitty insists she go along for the ride, keeping her boss—and hopefully her salary—safe. However, she's about to realize that there's something far more unpleasant than a three-timing husband at the end of this trail, and that there's more at risk than her paycheck." (From Amazon)
This was right up my alley - set in Hollywood during the 1930s - it is very Sam Spade but with the Girl Friday as Spade.
grace_edwards's review
4.0
rounded up to 4 purely because the smokey atmosphere that was this hard boiled, fast talking, girl friday mystery that took me straight to depression era LA and never let me leave
holtfan's review
3.0
I love the feel of this book. A depression era/hard boiled detective read told (and solved) by "Girl Friday." The main character, Kitty, is a strong female lead. I got a irritated with the continual references to her father. Sometimes it added to her psychology but mostly it added a heavy, depressing element. Otherwise, Kitty is great. I like her relationships with those around her (especially the half-flirty, half-business attitude of a certain boss...)
Sometimes the book felt like it wanted to be historical fiction, other times it plays up the fictional element. Occasionally feels a little cross-purpose.
A fun read, however, with a good mystery.
Sometimes the book felt like it wanted to be historical fiction, other times it plays up the fictional element. Occasionally feels a little cross-purpose.
A fun read, however, with a good mystery.
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