What A Treat...!
What a treat! Set in 1940’s New York, Private Investigator Lillian Pentecost hires an assistant- enter the delightful and eccentric Willowjean Parker. So begins a new partnership. When the duo are tasked with a murder investigation they are faced with a seemingly impossible crime - of course, they know that there is no such thing. Enormously entertaining, wryly witty, clever whodunit with an entirely engaging pair of protagonists and a colourful cast. The first in a new series it seems. Bring on the next!

This was my first ever NetGalley copy to review and I’m delighted it was excellent. Although apparently from a first time author, his background as a playwright and journalist has obviously helped in a very smooth writing style. The blurb for the book mentions Holmes and Watson but it seemed much more like Nero Wolfe and Archie. I was slightly concerned the young apprentice was too omnitalented but this wore off. Delighted to report zero scores for physical violence, sexual violence and swearing. Hopefully nobody would be offended by two key same-sex relationships in the plot. 1945 New York was a well described background. The plot was strong although the very final reveal was perhaps over elaborate. I will definitely buy any further books in the series. Btw was a bit puzzled by two different titles for this book on the Fantastic Fiction web site.

I don’t think I’ve ever laughed out loud at the cast of characters at the beginning of a book before - I think from that point I knew I was in for a treat with this mystery novel!

Lillian Pentecost and Willowjean Parker are not your average detective duo. Ms Pentecost is New York’s finest lady detective, but she’s not getting any younger and needs an assistant to help her as she battles multiple sclerosis. She meets Willowjean while the latter is temping as a security guard to earn some extra money alongside her job in a travelling circus. Willowjean’s circus tricks soon come in handy helping Ms Pentecost catch a murderer (she can pick locks and throw knives, amongst other things), and she’s soon hired on board full time at the private detective agency.

Fast forwarding to a few years later, Willowjean recounts a particularly interesting case the two worked on: the deaths of the wealthy duo, Al and Abigail Collins. Al Collins was presumed to have committed suicide, until a year later his wife is bludgeoned to death by a crystal ball at a seance. Then it seems both deaths are suspicious, and the family hire Ms Pentecost to investigate.

Willowjean is an utterly delightful character to be led through this novel by; she has many, many great lines. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable read; think Sherlock Holmes and Watson but with all female leads and a ton of old time New York and quirky sass thrown in. I’m hoping that Lillian and Willowjean will be back for more mysteries - something tells me this is just the start.

My thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher, Headline, for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.