The Last Drop of Hemlock Book Review

The Last Drop of Hemlock

A Mystery

By: Katharine Schellman

Publish Date: 6 June 2023

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books

Historical Fiction/Mystery & Thriller

I would like to thank both St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Good Reads Synopsis:

In The Last Drop of Hemlock, the dazzling follow up to Last Call at the Nightingale, even a dance can come with a price…
The rumor went through the Nightingale like a flood, quietly rising, whispers hovering on lips in pockets of silence.

New York, 1924. Vivian Kelly has gotten a job at the Nightingale, a speakeasy known to the young and fun as a place where the rules of society can be tossed aside for a dance and a drink, and things are finally looking up for her and her sister Florence. They might not be living like queens—still living in a dingy, two-room tenement, still scrimping and saving—but they’re confident in keeping a roof over their heads and, every once in a while, there is fried ham for breakfast.

Of course, things were even better before Bea’s Uncle Pearlie, the doorman for the Nightingale, was poisoned. Bea has been Vivian’s best friend since before she can remember, and though Pearlie’s death is ruled a suicide, Bea’s sure her uncle wouldn’t have killed himself. After all, he had the family to care for . . . and there have been rumors of a mysterious letter writer, blackmailing Vivian’s poorest neighbors for their most valuable possessions, threatening poison if they don’t comply.

With the Nightingale’s dangerously lovely owner, Honor, worried for her employees’ safety and Bea determined to prove her Uncle was murdered, Vivian once again finds herself digging through a dead man’s past in hopes of stopping a killer.

Book Review:

This is the second book in a series. I would recommend that you read the first book before picking up this one. The author did a great job of giving you back story so you wouldn’t be lost just in case you haven’t read the first book. I gave this book 3 stars. Even though I liked the story and the characters I had a hard time wanting to pick it up, but once i did I couldn’t put it down. The story did seem to drag a little for me at least. I love the family and friendships in this story. i love how they back each other up and even though at time’s they were mad each other they never let that get in the way of their friendship.

Viv wants to help her friend, Bea figure out what truly happened to her uncle. Did he kill himself or did someone do it and make it look like it. Along the way they find out somethings that are hard to believe. There are several mysteries happening at once and this is what caused me some problems. Even though the death of the uncle is solved there are two more mysteries that need to be solved. At least two unsolved mysteries aren’t dangerous or are they. There is also a love triangle between Viv, Honor and Leo. Which one will win Viv’s love you will have to wait and continue reading the series. A new possible love looks like it might appear between Danny and Florence.

There is a lot going on in this story and I do find it interesting enough to continue on with the series but first I need to read the first book.