Read this one with my wife. This is our co-review.
I liked it well enough for a first book in the series, though I’m not sure I’ll continue. Susanna Calkins gets the era well enough without having to resort to too many cliches. I like the world she builds and the mystery is interesting enough, if not overly complex. After a rocky start, it really catches itself and I was engaged to the end.
The problem I had with the story, and the reason why I’d be hesitant to continue, is I didn’t have a handle on Gina. She’s supposed to be the main character and yet, I didn’t feel like I knew her or was invested enough in her. I knew enough about her but not necessarily what made her tick. I know she has a rough life thanks to living with her dad and being underpaid. But what are her hobbies, aside from fixing clocks? Does she read? Like dresses? Men? Women? What’s her deal. I wasn’t invested enough in her so while I enjoyed the story, I doubt I’ll be reading more.
My wife:
A thoroughly enjoyable mystery novel that can be understandably tedious due to the nature of setting up a series. More than the character Gina, I enjoyed the setting of Chicago during Prohibition. Gina was merely a vehicle to experiencing that. Though I can see how she was being set up for a prolonged series. Most of the mystery twists were appreciated. Use of the real life characters felt too on-the-nose. But overall, an easy read and an enjoyable mystery that was well-written, if a little tedious at times.