Book Review: ‘The Fate Of A Flapper: A Speakeasy Murder Novel’ By Susanna Calkins

Following last years impressive novel Murder Knocks Twice, author Susanna Calkins is back with book two in her Speakeasy Murder series. It’s a great follow-up novel once again featuring Gina the cigarette girl/photographer/amateur detective and the strong supporting cast of characters. It’s a wonderful look at the times of the underground clubs and the people that went to them.

The year is 1929 in Chicago (and just days away from the crash of the stock market) and business at the Third Door (a moonshine parlor) is strong. For Gina she’s been making more money and she still has the camera equipment and apartment her late cousin left her, from the first book. And on this night two women are drinking it up and hit up a couple of rich bankers and they all leave together. Gina had overheard stuff about the two women in the ladies room that she thought was interesting.

The next morning her cousin calls her to bring her camera to the scene of a death, which could be a murder. When Gina arrives she notices the dead woman from the bar the previous night. And her roommate was also there. An investigation is underway and Roark is mad at Gina for getting involved.

When someone else gets sick from the same night and another dies, it looks like the bar might have gotten some bad booze. Gina continues to investigate and it leads to a showdown at the bar involving a gun.

You can pick up The Fate Of A Flapper in stores now form Minotaur Books.