Wow. This book was just phenomenal. I don't give 5 stars lightly, but I think this first book in the new Art Deco Mystery series deserves it. I was a little concerned at first as I had a hard time getting into it, but as I do with every book, I gave it 50 pages. It didn't need that long before it grabbed me and never let go. There was so much action and intrigue in this book. I told my mom at one point that I had thought I was getting to the climax only to find that I was only halfway done with the book!

The characters are awesome. I love Lane and Evelyn and Mr. Kirkland and Finn and all of them! I cannot wait to get to know them further in other books. They're well-rounded characters and complex. There are so many things that you learn about them just in this first book!

The plot was brilliant. I read a "professional" review that said it was too formulaic but I think they were wrong. These days it's hard to find a book that doesn't follow at least some formula to a degree. In romance, you're going to have the getting together, then the problem/break-up and then the reunion and happy ever after. It's just inevitable. In mysteries, you're going to have the heroine trying to figure out how to save the day at the end, either by finding the killer/robber/arsonist or by stopping some horrible event from happening. It's just part of story writing. However, in my opinion, this story had so many ups and downs, so many little climaxes and then ratcheting up the action more that it kept it from being too formulaic.

I'd still consider this a cozy - even with the amount of suspense and intrigue that there was. There still wasn't much language or physical displays of affection. We had a young, female heroine who wasn't part of the police or other crime stopping team, though she certainly had plenty of ties there. Plus, when there was a death or killing, there wasn't a lot of discussion dealing with blood and gore. Nonetheless, this was definitely hopping more with suspense than your traditional cozy.

I absolutely loved this book and HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who is a mystery lover. You should seriously let your fingers run, not walk, to one of the online retailers or to a brick and mortar store and buy this book in some format.

Lane was raised by her aunt after her parents died and she almost died. Now she's working in the Mayor's office with the usual jealousy - especially with Fio's relationship with her aunt and his morning stops at their home for breakfast. The political opposition is believed to be behind the recent crime including the murder. They are getting more and more bold, so much so that she seeks the assistance of the well known (and feared) gangster with a promise that she'll find the killer. Amidst all this, Lane has recurring nightmares that include a silver gun, and now she's seen the real thing. What she finds out is unexpected and only adds to the mystery.

The characters are unique in their antics and personalities. The story includes subplots and red herrings to distract the reader. The pace is steady and I enjoyed the book. This is the first in the Art Deco Mystery series and I look forward to reading more of these as Lane matures.

What a wonderful book! The Silver Gun is the best historical mystery I've read in ages.

The setting of The Silver Gun is New York City, in 1936. Author L.A. Chandlar's love for her city and the Art Deco movement is readily apparent, and also her fondness for Mayor LaGuardia, one of the stars of this book.

Chandlar has incorporated some actual deeds, antics, and achievements of LaGuardia into her novel, which increased my interest and enjoyment of The Silver Gun. It's a very fun read that's almost impossible to put down. The action is told in first person by Lane Sanders, the protagonist. I love Lane's voice, her personality, her spunk.

The Silver Gun has humor, excitement, mystery, danger, romance, lots of great characters, and more! Action-packed rescues (yes, more than one!), thrilling climaxes (yes, more than one!), and trumpet fanfares! I really like the twist at the very end. It's quite a teaser for the next book in the series. I am eagerly awaiting the release of The Gold Pawn, Book #2, in September. I can't wait to read it. I will definitely continue with the Art Deco Mysteries!

I highly recommend The Silver Gun, especially to those who live, work, or vacation in the Big Apple, and to cozy readers who like their mystery mixed with history. I think you'll really enjoy it. The Silver Gun has earned our highest rating of Five Stars — it's amazing!

Note: I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of The Silver Gun. All opinions shared are 100% my own.

Originally published on my blog Jane Reads.

Lane Sanders has landed a job as the personal assistant to New York City’s mayor Fiorello “Fio” La Guardia in 1936 New York City. She’s enjoying her job even though some days it feels like she is just trying to keep up with her energetic boss as he is on a crusade to clean up the city. One night, at the scene of a fire, Lane receives a warning for her boss. But soon she begins to wonder if there is more to the warning. And is she really a target?

This new series gets off to a promising start. There’s a good mystery here that kept me engaged most of the time and certainly had me turning pages during the suspenseful climax. I did feel the beginning wandered a bit too much, although it did all come into play by the end. Likewise, the ending could have been tighter as it set up the next in the series. The characters, both real and fictional, are a varied bunch and a delight to be around.

Mixing fact and fiction, and adding in a few familiar landmarks and names, this book runs at a frenetic pace from the start. Lane Sanders is promoted from secretary to aide to one of the most influential and powerful mayors in U.S. history. This promotion also includes Lane in the political spotlight of the Mayor's inner circle, including all the danger that comes with it.
An amazing cast of characters with many secrets populates this novel.
Exciting and breath taking, this is only the beginning.

The first thing I noticed upon starting The Silver Gun, was how much the book reminded me of Beatriz Williams recent books. There was a nice mixture of history, mystery and romance going on in the story.



This is the first book in the Art Deco series and without giving out any spoilers, this is a series that you are going to want to read in order.



The Silver Gun is set in the 1930s NYC. It is a perfect mixture of fact and fiction. with one of the primary characters being Fiorello La Guardia, the 99th mayor of NYC. Lane is his fictional assistant. La Guardia is a colorful character in history, so he really makes this book more interesting. The cast of characters is fabulous here. I adored Finn, he was a great romantic interest.



The mystery is one that will keep you on your toes, with a mixture of the mob and Lane's back story, which gets more and more intriguing as things go on. This is really an edge of your seat mystery, with some twists and turns on the way. Just when you think you know who's who, things change.



The title of the book also figures into the story, in a big way. I love when this happens, even though you don't know the full significance until the end.



This is a great start of a new series. I can't wait to read more about Lane especially with the ending, which wasn't quite a cliffhanger but more a harbinger of what's to come.

THE SILVER GUN by L.A. Chandlar
The First Art Deco Mystery

Working for Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia is always an adventure, but after Lane Sanders runs into a mysterious good looking man exiting his office and locks eyes with another man with an evil glare who's watching her at the subway things get even more thrilling. Lane must not only keep up with the mayor's antics and deal with two sourpussed secretaries jealous of her promotion, but she must join forces with friends and family to work on "the case". There's a threat against the mayor, but the attacks are aimed at Lane. Could she be the real target? Should she trust that mysterious man who seems to pop up whenever she's in danger? And what is the meaning behind the silver gun in her dreams?

Intrigue, adventure, and a touch of romance, this historical mystery has it all!

THE SILVER GUN is filled with unique richly developed characters. Lane Sanders is an eager young woman willing to reach out for what she wants and who is not one to sit by the sidelines. She thrusts herself into danger and rescues herself, no wilting flower is she! Lane lives life to the fullest. She's a woman I'd love to know and call friend. Finn Brodie is not only swoonworthy, he's a complex character with hidden depths. Speaking of hidden depths, there are lots of characters with mysterious backgrounds. Not everything nor everyone is as it seems, which adds to the excitement and surprises which continue to unfold throughout the book.

I love just about everything in this first Art Deco mystery. The rich attention to detail provides added layers. I love hearing about the artists and songs from the time, and laugh as Lane gets the lyrics wrong. I appreciate the architecture, fashion, and the food. I never realized potato chips where a thing in the 1930s and I desperately want some fried olives.

THE SILVER GUN grabbed my attention from the start and would not let go. There are so many dimensions involved and the novel captivated me in so many ways. With laugh out loud escapades, romance, camaraderie, danger, and special dreams, it's thrilling, charming, and funny, and not to be missed.

This is a brilliant must read mystery! I couldn't put it down and am begging for another book by the author. It was a perfect depiction of suspense, character personality and the end was epic. It is a great read for anyone looking for a change of a pace from their usual mysteries.

I really enjoyed reading something set in this time period. It's mid Depression and the addition of such a colorful historical character like Mayor LaGuardia was interesting. I was surprised at Lane's job at first, but as the gangsters and intrigue piled up, liked how the fast pace of the story played out.

This is a fun read and one you will enjoy. This is a thrilling look at the art deco period of New York, the art, the architecture , the vivid pulse of the city. I found myself transported as I read about the excitement of the story and the people. You will love the smart independent main character Lane as she navigates as a modern woman in a time gone by. A very enjoyable read. This book is both charming and well written with exquisite detail. Thank you for the ARC which did not influence my review.

The Silver Gun by L.A. Chandlar is the first book in An Art Deco Mystery series. Lane Sanders is aide to the 99th New York City Mayor Fiorello “Fio” LaGuardia. It has been busy with Fio’s efforts to stop the various gang enterprises in the city (slot machines for example) and his many reform ideas. One night at the scene of a fire, Lane is grabbed and threatened. One of the gangs is trying to scare off Fio through Lane. This is just the beginning of their efforts to scare Lane and get Fio out of office. Lane and her friends work to find out which gang leader is behind the attacks and stop them before the violence escalates. Lane has noticed a handsome man that seems to be following her. Is he out to help her or a part of the conspiracy?

The Silver Gun has a wonderful, strong female main character in Lane Sanders (well thought out and developed). Lane is spunky and has moxie. L.A. Chandlar did her research for An Art Deco Mystery series. She captured the era, the city and did a wonderful job at portraying the dynamic Fiorello LaGuardia. My rating for The Silver Gun is 3 out of 5 stars. I did think that the pace of the novel was slow. The author put so many details, events, and characters into the story that it made the story seem lengthy (and at times it read like a book on the history of the era). I wish the author had a different writing style. It would have made a world of difference (if she wrote like Leslie Meier, Laura Childs, Ellery Adams or Kate Carlisle for example). The mystery seemed complicated, but it is easily solved early in the story. I did find it unusual that Lane seemed to meet the same people no matter where she was in the city. Fio seemed to arrive at any incident in the city within minutes of it being reported (sometimes faster). I was curious how Fio showed up before Lane has been rescued from the train tracks. Her family also arrived equally as quick. I thought adding the famous painter (name would be a spoiler) to the story was a bit of a stretch (just made me roll my eyes in disbelief).

This was a fun read with great period detail. Lane is a great heroine with minimal TSTL moments. Yes, there were a few, which was frustrating, esp when she acknowledges that unlike dumb females in movies, she knows better than to not stay put when told (sly wink), then goes prancing off and gets caught (repeatedly). But it's not much of a story if the heroine is always obedient and careful, I suppose... ;)

The setting of the story was vivid, and 1930s New York felt like its own character in this novel. I love all the descriptions of Lane's clothes, the food she ate, and places she went. I learned some history too, which was presented as a natural part of the narrative in a non-pedantic fashion. The description of the characters were vivid and full, and I felt like I got to know some of them (Lane, Fio, Aunt Evelyn, Mr. Kirkland) so well after just a short time. They were really well-drawn, and I was engaged from the start. (Fio is the greatest)

A couple nits: I don't live in NY, but it did seem to me that 1930s NYC must only consist of about 10 city blocks and about 500 people, for all the coincidences that keep cropping up. Where does everything take place? How does Fio arrive on the scene of every crime within minutes? How does everyone keep running into each other, fortuitously or otherwise? For that matter, why is it that Finn (whose mystery, I thought, was not very mysterious at all) has zero operational security? For someone whose existence Lane shouldn't even know about, lest it endanger her, he sure is casual about hanging around, taking her out in public places, and opening them up to situations in which they could be easily seen (though this seems to be the only time that people actually *don't* run into each other on the street). Don't get me wrong - I liked Finn and getting to see their relationship develop. It just seemed like he could have been a lot more wise about it. Just sayin'. The mystery was fun - one plot twist made me shout, "WHAT?!" and another, "I knew it!!" That's the mark of a good mystery to me. ;)

I'm very much looking forward to reading the next installment in this series. Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC via netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks Kensington Books and netgalley for this ARC.

I loved everything about this book! This is a winner. Hope to read more very soon.

Thanks Kensington Books and netgalley for this ARC.

I loved this energy, danger, and wistfulness of this first book. I can't wait to read more of this series.

1936, New York City and Lane Sanders is the personal aide to the city's Mayor La Guardia. But then her life is in danger from an assilant connected to one of the city's gangs.
I didn't really take to the characters or the plot, not sure why, maybe the plot was too reliant on gangsters to be overly interesting to me. It was interesting enough to keep me reading to the end, and I might try the next in the series to see how the characters develop in a new mystery.

Very interesting and well written. I highly recommend!

Thanks Kensington Books and netgalley for this ARC.

This is a awesome, scrappy, cool, and jump off the page alive start to a series. I am going to be watching closely for this next book because this series has me hooked.

Unsure if it was the writing style or my general mood while reading but I couldn't fully enjoy this book. Character development was ok, story was ok, but nothing wow=ed me.

3.75 stars

An energetic and likable series debut set in post-Prohibition New York City in the mid 1930s.

Lane Sanders leads an interesting life -- she is personal assistant to colorful Mayor Fiorella La Guardia, and lives with her Bohemian painter aunt. Lane's parents were killed when she was just a girl, and she is still haunted by mysterious nightmares.

La Guardia is out to reform infamously corrupt Tammany Hall politics, and powerful enemies are determined to get him out of office. Lane gets caught up in murder and mayhem and she and her circle of friends are in peril. Mysterious Finn Brodie keeps appearing whenever there is a problem and Lane has to figure out whether she can trust him.

This is a fast-paced and entertaining read. The plot and scenes are occasionally implausible, but Lane is such a nicely drawn character that the reader doesn't seem to mind. I look forward to seeing this new series develop.

I was provided an ARC via Net Galley in return for my honest review.

Any fan of historical mysteries will love The Silver Gun.  Set in New York City during the 1930s, it has the flavor of a city on the move, growing and changing.  Art Deco is at its height and the role of women in society and the workforce is changing.  It’s a vibrant time and The Silver Gun is a match for its brilliance.

Mayor Fio La Guardia is turning the city upside down in his attempts to root out corruption, revitalize the economy and put an end to mob control.  Lane Sanders,his 23 year old aide, has her work cut out for her.  It's a tough job but she loves it - and is willing to protect it when trouble comes, first in the form of an alleyway threat and then when she is pushed in front of a train.  Naturally Lane wants to know why she is being targeted.  With the help of her friends and family - and a mysterious and attractive stranger (cliche but extremely well done), Lane investigates the threat to Fio, herself and the city.  

Chandlar’s characters are vibrant figures depicted with depth and purpose.  Each is fascinating in his or her own way.  Even Finn Brodie, the man Lane quickly falls for, is far more than a sketch of a romantic ideal.  Normally I hate insta-love, but in this case the attraction between the two is palpable and easy to accept. Fio LaGuardia is a force of nature.  The plot is delectably complex with many exciting moments.  Between the absorbing plot, the electric setting and the vivid characters, I was glued to the page from beginning to end.  My only disappointment is that now I will have to wait for the next book in the series.

The Silver Gun is a must read for fans of historical mysteries.

5 / 5

I received a copy of The Silver Gun from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom