Carole's Monday: The Jade Tiger by EW Cooper

 

Author: E.W. Cooper

Title: The Jade Tiger

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery

Format: ebook

Published:  October 14th 2020 

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: NEW YORK, OCTOBER 1928. The Big Apple teems with the glitter of Bright Young Things, Prohibition, and scofflaws-the perfect place for Penelope Harris to start her life over. As a former opera singer turned Shanghai nightclub owner, she's seen and done a lot, maybe too much. With any luck, she'll leave more than The Jade Tiger casino behind her-a murdered husband, a blackmailing torch singer, and Thom Lund, the ex-cop who stole her heart. But Penelope has never had that kind of luck; her past is already waiting for her in New York.

When someone murders her chiseling blackmailer at an out-of-control party and Thom is accused of the crime, Penelope must face down her darkest memories to prove his innocence. Is the murderer her cousin Charles, suckered into a hasty marriage by Penelope's blackmailer? Or is it Penelope's over-protective mother, who can't remember a thing after a blow to the head? Or was it Thom after all, ready to commit murder to save Penelope from the blackmailer's wicked plans?

Among the opulent mansions of the obscenely wealthy and the grit of a Hell's Kitchen speakeasy, Penelope and Thom must navigate double-crosses, bad liquor, bootleggers, and dark, obsessive love to find the murderer before the past reaches out to put a noose around both their necks

Review:

The cover drew me in and then the summary had me super curious to read this. Yes, the cover is simple, but there is something about it that I can't stop looking at it. 

It is 1928 and Penelope is looking to start her life over and leave the past where it belongs. Penelope was a former singer turned nightclub owner in Shanghai, but when her husband is murdered she decides to go back to New York. However, the past never stays buried. She is soon approached by a blackmailer and things get worse when that blackmailer is killed at a party and a man who owns her heart is accused. 

Poor Penelope. She cannot get the peaceful life she wants and deserves! Poor thing. And poor Thom. 

Yes, I liked Penelope and Thom right off the bat. I just want them to be together and happy!

The mystery was certainly a mystery. I had no idea who or why! Yessss, there are a lot of people who would have an excellent motive for murdering that person. I felt bad for the cops...because there are a lot of suspects and lots of bad blood and secrets running around. I don't envy them this mystery. 

Now, there are a lot of dialogues that did seem to drag a tiny bit, but I do feel it was important conversations to the characters and even for the reader. Lots of clues, red herrings, and so forth. It fit and even though I was anxious to move forward it was important to read through.

The revelation was a surprise and I applaud the author for the twists and turns! That was one heck of a end. I enjoyed it immensely! It really made me curious about if there will be a book 2. 

Overall, I did really like this. It was short, but good. A very good mystery for a cold fall day. I'll give this 4 stars.