Happy Friday, all! Today I am super excited to share my review of another book I group read, and we unanimously endorsed, City of Secrets by Victoria Thompson, now available from Berkley!
My Thoughts:
Elizabeth Miles is a fascinating character, and she happens to be a con artist. Her only “friend” is Priscilla Knight, who has her own share of baggage.
On her second marriage, Priscilla’s husband has died in a suspicious accident. Truth be told, her first husband died in an “accident,” too.
Priscilla brought her own money into the second marriage thanks to the benefits from her first; however, all she owns is in jeopardy when a banker lets her know it’s been siphoned off. Priscilla turns to Elizabeth for help and in finding the truth.
Set in the 1920s, City of Secrets is the second installment in an engaging and well-written historical mystery series. I absolutely loved Elizabeth’s complex character. She is rough and unscrupulous, but she is warm and endearing at the same time. She is in a relationship with straight-laced Gideon, a lawyer who lives by the rules.
Every character is wonderful, the writing is smart, and I loved City of Secrets from start to finish. I’m reading book one now to get some backstory, and it’s only enriching th experience I had with book two. Well-done!
Thanks to Berkley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
Con artist Elizabeth Miles has determined that Society is the biggest con of all. So far, Elizabeth’s only real social success has been with Priscilla Knight. Priscilla is a dedicated suffragist who was recently widowed for the second time in her young life. Her beloved first husband, DeForrest Jenks, died in a tragic accident and left her with two young daughters and a comfortable fortune. Soon after his death, her pastor convinced her she needed a man to look after her. Before she knew it, he had engineered a whirlwind courtship and hasty marriage to fellow parishioner Endicott Knight. Less than nine months later, Endicott is also dead in a somewhat less tragic and even more suspicious accident.
Priscilla confides to Elizabeth that she had understood Endicott was wealthy in his own right, and she had brought a sizeable fortune to the marriage as well. Now her banker is telling her she has hardly any money left and that her house has been mortgaged. The banker has hinted at a scandal that could damage the family’s reputation and her daughters’ future prospects. Fearing destructive gossip, Priscilla doesn’t know whom to trust.
Elizabeth discovers some unsavory evidence that seems to point to the possibility that Endicott’s death may have been connected to blackmail. To save her new friend’s future, Elizabeth must use her special set of skills to find the truth.
Check out these reviews by the other Book Besties:
Berit at Audio Killed the Bookmark
Holly at Dressed to Read
Mackenzie at PhDiva
Melisa at The Book Collective
Have you read City of Secrets, or is it on your TBR? Have you read any of Victoria Thompson’s other mysteries? Do you have any favorite fall reads? Happy Reading! ~ Jenni THR
A sweet little someone always loves to smell the flowers! 🌺 🌸 ♥️
Fabulous review Jennifer!! 🌸Love that pic of your kitty smelling the flowers! 😍
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Thank you, Lindsay! She has this way of getting in the middle of my photos, and I love it! ♥️
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I love it too! 😍 🐈
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I’m a big fan of the author as a group of us are reading her Gaslight Mystery series together, one book a month, and loving it. We’re reading #11 this month. I can’t wait to start this one. Excellent review, Jennifer!
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Thank you, Jonetta! I love that you read this series as a group and that you are already a fan of this special author! Yay to #11! I need to get busy!
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I’m so looking forward to Book 3 and more Elizabeth/Gideon!! Fab review ❤
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Thanks, Holls! Me, too!!!! 💕
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I am definitely going to get to this one. As you know I do love those historical fiction books. Terrific review!
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Thanks, Marialyce! I hope you love this series! It’s so charming!
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I really loved reading this one with you all and I’m thrilled that you’re enjoying this series – and you usually don’t read series! A winner!🎉
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I know- it’s got to be amazing for me to read it, and here I am with this one. It’s definitely brilliant! I loved reading this with you, too, Melisa. ♥️
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Wonderful review, Jennifer!!! Yes I agree-Elizabeth is a mix of tough and soft. I loved her!!! This was such a joy to read together!
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Thanks, Mack! Elizabeth is such a wonderful character! This was a terrific group read! ♥️
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Love the picture! Great review, Jennifer. I added to my tbr list.
Happy Friday!
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Thanks, Virginia! I had so much fun with this one, and I think you’ll enjoy it too! ♥️ Happy Friday!
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I love her Gaslight Mystery series, so I’m super excited to see that she has a new series! Adding to my to-reads!
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Yay, Amanda! You are in for such a treat! I can’t wait to start reading the Gaslight Mysteries now!
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Fantastic review! Let me know how the first book is!💛💛
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Thank you! I am really enjoying having the backstory-it’s helping it all make sense! ♥️
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Wow awesome review Jen! Happy Friday my friend!! It snowed here today but thankfully it only stuck to the grass!!🍁😊💕
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Thanks so much, Sus! Oh my, snow already? I’m glad it didn’t make a big mess. Stay safe and warm! ♥️
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Great review! Love your kitty too-what’s her (?) name?
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Thank you, Mallika! That’s my Coley! ♥️
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This sounds like a fabulous read. A wonderful review as always!
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Thank you, Chrissi! It was terrific!
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Aw that is such a precious photo with your cat !!!! ☺️
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Thanks so much! She’s always getting in the middle of things, even at 16 years old, and I love it! ♥️
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After reading all the great reviews of this book by the Besties, I will have to wait until it is published to buy a copy. Berkley never approves me, so I will have to be patient. I love that the MC is flawed and complex. Wonderful review Jennifer.
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Yayy, I just checked and my library has some on order.
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Oh, that’s awesome, Carla! There are two series- The Counterfeit Ladies, which this is number two in the series, and then, the Gaslight Mysteries, which number in the teens. The Gaslights are well-loved by many, too, if you happen to try those.
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Thank you, Carla! I think you’ll enjoy this author and series!
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Looks like a fab read Jenni! Great review 🤗
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Thanks, Beth! It was so charming! I loved it!
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Lovely review… making me even more excited about this series. I keep meaning to start it. Lol.
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Ohhhh, this series has your name all over it, Nina! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts. Have you read her other Gaslight series? I want to try that one, too.
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LOL. No. I haven’t read anything by her as yet. But everything I see I like! hahaha
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Beautiful review Jennifer!! I LOVED the kitty photo! So glad you ladies loved this <3.
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Thanks, Kendall! That’s my little sweet girl! This was a terrific read! ♥️
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