Fiona had big dreams when she left her native Ireland, but her experience so far in Jazz Age New York isn't what she imagined life in America would be like. Max has been living as unadventurous a life as possible since he fought in the Great War and lost so many of his comrades. Neither Fiona nor Max would have foreseen they'd one day have a shared mission to solve a murder case in Deadly Pearls by author Miranda Atchley.

I was drawn to this ChristFic historical mystery novel as soon as I heard about it. The essence of the big-city, Roaring Twenties setting is clear throughout the story, and I liked the heroine most during her sleuthing scenes. Themes of prejudice and classism are important to the plot, and I appreciate how a key romantic thread here isn't rushed or forced.

Now, I would've liked if there'd been more originality to the (sometimes repetitive) phrasing and descriptions rather than several of the clichés, it seems the story is pretty preoccupied with a lot of blue and green eyes, and some of the supporting cast would have needed a little more dimension to go beyond being expected "character types" to me. Also, I prefer when sleuths or detectives figure out a little more in a mystery rather than the villian doing much of the explaining with a long monologue in the end.

Even so, I found this to be an entertaining and worthwhile opening to an upcoming series, and plenty of other ChristFic mystery fans should enjoy this one.
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I received an advance review copy of this book for an honest review. ( )