Before I dive into the review of Katharine Schellman’s The Last Drop of Hemlock, I just want to mention her cover artist. The covers for the two books in the Nightingale series are just stunning, and this one is no exception.
Vivian Kelly and her sister, Florence, are two Irish sisters struggling to get by in 1920s New York City. They both work for a seamstress during the day, but Vivian now works at the underground jazz club, The Nightingale, serving drinks several nights a week. She loves it, but one night a buzz goes through the crowd. A new bouncer at the club, Pearlie, is dead. Although the verdict is suicide, his niece, Bea, can’t accept it. Bea is Vivian’s best friend, and she asks Vivian to help her, to look into Pearlie’s death.
It’s the second time Vivian has looked into a death associated with The Nightingale, and she’s reluctant. But, Bea and her family helped the Kellys when they knew no one, and she feels obligated. Bea and Vivian fear Pearlie’s death was connected to the Mob, and it isn’t long before the two young women find a bottle and a note. They suspect the bottle was poisoned, but it’s their only proof that Pearlie didn’t commit suicide.
As Vivian digs, she discovers Pearlie isn’t the only one in their neighborhood to have received a note. But, the other notes threaten their poor neighbors, inducing them to turn over valued keepsakes. With mobsters, crooked cops, and eagle-eyed neighbors, the blackmailer could be anyone. When Florence is threatened, Vivian knows she has to call on all her resources to keep her sister safe.
While this time the crimes are centered around the Kellys’ poor neighborhood, Vivian’s friends are at The Nightingale. The contrast between the neighborhood and the underground club is stark, but there are threats in both areas. The Last Drop of Hemlock is a fascinating story of hidden New York City in the 1920s. But, readers really should pick up The Last Call at The Nightingale, and read it first.
Katharine Schellman’s website is https://www.katharineschellman.com/
The Last Drop of Hemlock by Katharine Schellman. Minotaur Books, 2023. ISBN 9781250831842 (hardcover), 336p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I read a galley from NetGalley to review for a journal with no promise of a positive review.
I though for a minute you were going to reveal a librarian secret to the name of the cover artist. I’ve wondered in the past if different books had the same artist, but they don’t appear to be credited. And now AI infringing on artist territory creates a new controversy.
I wish I knew the name of the cover artist, MM. You’re right about AI. Berkley mystery paperbacks usually credit the cover artist, which is great. I’ve sometimes mentioned the artist when I love a cover. I would have mentioned this one. I think they probably did the first book in the series, too, which had a fabulous cover.
It’s a shame that cover artists aren’t routinely identified. It’s true that too many covers are just slapdash mixtures of stock art (how many times have we seen that running woman in the red coat?), but others, like this one, deserve praise.
Sandra, You made me laugh. Yes, the running woman in the red coat seemed to be on every book cover for a while. I love this cover art.