This is one of the few mysteries I've read recently where I found myself really enjoying the memorable characters. Carefully selected elements brought the foggy 1930s San Francisco mood to life without feeling overdone, seamlessly integrating the setting into the fast-paced plot.

While I enjoyed the unique characters and setting, some aspects of the book seemed out of place. The beginning was a bit rushed and I'm not sure it was convincing enough to explain how Nick, the detective, behaves for the rest of the book. I also found the use of a racial slur to be quite jarring. While it may have been intended to contribute to the 1930s San Francisco perspective, it wasn't addressed enough in the book to feel fitting.

This was a solid 3.4 star book for me, and I'm looking forward to the second in the series!

**Disclaimer: Thanks to NetGalley for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.**

Wow, what a fantastic start to a historical mystery-thriller series! Set in 1930s San Francisco, Fog City is a fast-paced read with a setting you can see, hear, and smell through the viewpoint of our plucky MC, Maggie Laurent. This book picks up steam quickly, and as the bodies begin to pile up, it becomes harder to set it down. Fog City has a colorful cast of characters (suspects?) and a strong-voiced narrator, and I really, really enjoyed it. While I anticipated some of the twists, others caught me completely (pleasantly! I love a good mystery surprise) off-guard. The ending makes it clear that this is only the first we'll see of Ms. Laurent, but hopefully there is more to come. If historical fiction or mystery/thrillers are your speed, this book hits all the right notes.