... deliciously suspenseful ... Readers will be enchanted by the period charm of Hare's ocean liner setting and will swoon as Lena gets to know Will, a Black musician ... Readers will enjoy playing sleuth, racing to figure out who did it, how and why, even as they ponder the ultimate question: Will Lena survive the trip to New York unscathed?
Hare’s well-crafted second novel oozes glamour ... Did someone mention Agatha Christie? Yes, but with the welcome bonus of subtle reflections on race and class.
Louise Hare’s second novel is a lovingly-told yarn. She creates a likeable main character in a mystery which does not airbrush uncomfortable truths about the past. Instead, race and class are well integrated into the plot, although the theme of 'passing' could have been developed even further ... At times the pace feels slow, with long descriptions, particularly of food, that interrupt rather than deepen the sense of atmosphere. There is a lot to recommend in this homage to the Golden Age of mystery writing, but it could have benefited from a sharper editorial knife to bring out the kernel of an intriguing book.
Many more elaborate plot turns strain credulity, but the sumptuous deco backdrop, along with Lena’s appeal as a conflicted heroine, will keep readers’ minds at least partially off the improbability of it all. Over the top but entertaining fare for the Christie crowd.
he novel’s ambiance is spot-on; somewhat like Carola Dunn’s Daisy Dalrymple set 10 years later or Marie Benedict’s The Personal Librarian. As Lena narrates, switching from the present to the past, readers gain helpful glimpses of her backstory ... With vividly drawn characters, this exciting blend of murder mystery and historical romance is hard to put down once one starts reading.
... charmingly retro ... Lena s an appealing heroine, and Hare handles her old-fashioned material with a light touch, a keen eye for period detail, and a sturdy grasp on her complicated but at least semicredible plot ... Readers will be treated to escapist fun and an homage to some beloved books.
... uneven ... These are well-drawn characters...Lena’s amateur sleuthing and romantic interludes with the ship’s handsome band leader are engaging, though the ending comes out of nowhere and Lena’s final actions feel out of character. Despite the nice buildup, the payoff ends up being a bit disappointing.
