A MOMENT IN CRIME picks up directly where SANTA FE MOURNING left off. Maddie Vaughn-Alwin is attending an art show when her cousin, Gwendolyn Astor, stumbles in and begs Maddie to help her get out of trouble. The last time Maddie saw her cousin was a few years earlier when they were traveling cross-country to California. Maddie never made it to their final destination. Instead, she stayed in Santa Fe and left Gwen to travel the rest of the way alone. In Los Angeles, Gwen set her sights on becoming an actress in the silent films during what is known as the golden age of cinema. Now, Gwen is in Santa Fe to act in a movie that is being filmed outside of town. And she needs Maddie’s help to deal with the overbearing, blackmailing director. When Luther Bishop is murdered on set, Gwen becomes the police’s number one suspect due to her torrid affair with the man. Maddie refuses to believe that her cousin is a murderer, so she delves deeper into the director’s life and learns that he had a long list of enemies that could have killed him. With a slew of suspects, Maddie must find the one who called the final cut on the director’s life.

While I love the setting and time period of the novel – Santa Fe, New Mexico, during the Roaring 20s – I’m not a huge fan of Maddie. She steals evidence from the crime scene, but never turns any of it over to the police. She also learns about various motives that different suspects had to kill the victim, but she doesn’t share this information with the police. Maddie is even threatened by the killer, but she doesn’t tell anyone about that either. It was also a little too unbelievable that Maddie just happened to be given a job as artistic director on set, and is then able to snoop around the set/crime scene at her leisure. Not only did Maddie conveniently get a job on set, she also got a job as wardrobe assistant for her housekeeper. The “best buddies” relationship between Maddie and her housekeeper just doesn’t work for me. Nor is it believable that all of these people are telling Maddie their deepest, darkest secrets. After discovering the identity of the killer, Maddie grabs her deceased husband’s service revolver and rushes off to confront the killer in a completely preposterous scene. I hate to deem Maddie as one of those TSTL (Too Stupid To Live) amateur sleuths – mainly because I think this series has a lot of promise – but most of her antics will make the readers either laugh, groan, or bash their heads into the wall in reaction. Also, the victim was thoroughly unlikable, and I found that I couldn’t bring myself to really care who the murderer was because that person essentially did the fictional world a favor by removing the victim from it. Overall, the premise of the novel was very interesting, and the various suspects and motives did keep me guessing at the killer’s identity.

Maddie Vaughn-Alwin is settling into Santa Fe, pursuing her art, and adjusting to the loss of her husband in World War I. But then her cousin Gwen Astor arrives, having a bit part in a movie being shot in Santa Fe. Gwen is different than the girl who was Maddie's best friend when they were children. She's fragile and brittle and confesses that she had an affair with the director of the film who brutally dropped her when he thought she was pregnant. Maddie wonder why Gwen would be willing to still be in his movie.

Maddie also meets another old friend from New York City who is working as a writer for the film. He invites Maddie and her housekeeper to visit the set. Maddie is curious and her housekeeper is a fan of of all the movie star magazines. Maddie discovers that making a movie isn't really very glamorous as she quickly sees the tensions on the set. When the director is found dead - an apparent suicide, Maddie is suspicious. He didn't seem at all like the sort of person to take his own life. And no one on the film crew, including his wife, liked him.

When Gwen comes under suspicion, Maddie has to find out what really happened to save her cousin.

I loved the time period and the information about the early days of movie making. Maddie is an intriguing character who is overcoming her grief and building a new life that is just right for her.

A Moment in Crime is the second in a series of novels by Amanda Allen set in 1920s New Mexico. The protagonist, Madeline Vaughn-Alwin, comes from a background of wealth and privilege but following the death of her husband in the War she settles in Santa Fe where she works as an artist.

This novel picks up shortly after the first with Maddie attending a display of her work in a gallery. She is surprised when her cousin Gwen turns up to the party looking on the verge of collapse telling her that she needs her help.

Gwen is an actress who has a role in a movie production that is in town to film some scenes on location. She tells Maddie that she had slept with the director, Luther Bishop, who had promised her a big role but that she was ultimately only given a bit part. He blames his wife, the film’s leading lady, for his reneging on the deal and when she has a pregnancy scare he tries to pay her off to take care of it.

Maddie soon discovers that other members of the cast and crew have grievances against their director and that he may have also made some enemies among the locals. The reader will not be surprised when Maddie discovers him dead, hanging from the ceiling in his office in a staged suicide.

Like the first novel in the series, I found this to be an entertaining and lively read. The setting is quite wonderful and appeals enormously to me both in its sense of place and time. There are plenty of interesting historical and cultural details about the city to pick up on and I do think those details help the setting to feel real and vibrant. Both books have given me an urge to travel to Santa Fe and visit the landscape and the La Fonda hotel which plays a prominent role in both stories.

The bohemian nature of Santa Fe’s artistic community in this period allows for a book that can incorporate those historical elements and themes while still feeling modern. Allen develops a great cast of supporting characters surrounding Maddie such as her housekeeper Juanita, best friend Gunther, her English doctor beau David and Chesterton superfan and crime solving buddy, Father Malone. They are all distinctive and charming, making it easy to enjoy their company.

The idea of setting a story around a film production coming to town is an interesting one. The casting couch element of the story feels particularly timely and I think it is handled quite well. Some readers may be surprised by just how messy, improvisational and chaotic a major film production might be in this period but I think the novel effectively conveys the idea that this is a time where the film industry was becoming glamorous but also that this is happening before the studio system reached its heights.

It makes a great setting for a mystery and I think the early part of the case is quite intriguing, setting up multiple suspects and giving them convincing reasons to want Luther dead. Once again Allen gives Maddie a convincing, personal reason to want to dig deeper into a case by having her cousin become the Police’s chief suspect and this works well to motivate her even when things become more dangerous.

There are some issues with the way the case develops that I think do detract from the book when judging it as a mystery. While this is set up to be a detective story, as with the first novel Maddie really stumbles onto the solution as a consequence of an action she takes rather than through deduction. This would not bother me if the reader could have solved it before the reveal but while the solution is clued, at that point there is little to disqualify some of the other suspects.

Similarly, I felt frustrated that Allen identifies several suspects early in the novel but never really does anything with them. One of those suspects has a particularly strong and interesting motive to want Luther dead that I think is at least as convincing as the killer’s and yet it goes unexamined. I do wish that space had been found to take a closer look at that suspect within the investigation as I think it would have not only helped with the case, it could have enhanced one of the novel’s themes.

Though I have a few issues with the manner in which the mystery is resolved, I did thoroughly enjoy the adventure that led to that point. This series has a wonderful sense of character and setting and I thoroughly enjoy spending time with Maddie and her circle of friends. I would certainly suggest these books for those who are looking for a historical setting away from the familiar environments of the big metropolises and I look forward to reading future installments in this series.

Santa Fe has become a place of respite and creativity for Maddie Vaughn-Alwin. Her art is flourishing and her love life definitely going well. A movie comes to town and suddenly the town has the cinema bug. Maddie cousin, Gwen Astor, is an aspiring actress, but real life and reel life don't always mix well. Maddie comes to the rescue to investigate when Gwen is arrested for killing the director.

This cozy has period details of Santa Fe and the early days of silent films wrapped up in an enjoyable mystery and charm.

A Moment in Crime by Amanda Allen is the second book in the Santa Fe Revival series. I have not read the first book in the series, yet A Moment in Crime stands well on its own. It feels like a cozy mystery with a Santa Fe flavor and lots of glimpses into the early of the silver screen. The story is complex, gripping and has lots of twists and surprises. The characters (and suspects) are many. They are also complex and gripping. I felt I knew them and wanted to read more about their adventures.

Fans of cozy mysteries will enjoy this offering from Amanda Allen which focuses on Madeline Vaughn Alwyn, a member of the illustrious Astor family. The story, set in 1920s Santa Fe NM, follows Madeline as she is pulled into the exciting and glamourous world of movie-making by her cousin Gwen. Maddie has retreated to Santa Fe after losing her husband in WWI. She’s found her paradise, where she can paint and live outside the drama of her family back in New York. She has a gentle and comfortable love interest and rounds out her household with a spunky and capable housekpper and her twin daughters. Maddie’s keen mind and curious nature has gotten her into trouble before, and she is inexorably drawn into the fray when an odious movie producer/director is murdered and all fingers point to cousin Gwen.

Allen is a capable and clever writer, successfully delivering a captivating and puzzling mystery peopled with engaging characters. Second in a series that promises to be every bit as fun and exhilarating as other Jazz Age mysteries out there, A Moment in Crime offers you several tempting and enjoyable hours away from real life. I suggest you take it! Recommended.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the first in the Santa Fe Revival Mystery Series, and look forward to reading future entries!

A Moment in Crime is a cozy mystery set in Santa Fe, New Mexico (a Santa Fe Revival Mystery series). A movie production company comes to town and Madeline, a former New York socialite turned painter is stunned when her cousin, Gwen Astor arrives on her doorstep in a terrible emotional state.

An inspiring sleuth comes face to face with the biggest names Hollywood in this dramatic whodunit!

This was a fun book. I wasn't really sure what to expect but the combination of Santa Fe, movies, and the 1920s time period was perfect. I'm also reading a biography of William Fox and this brings the dry history to life. Maddie is a great gal and will appeal to Maisie Dobbs and Miss Fisher readers.

Absolutely loved this book! It’s the second in a series about a young woman in the 1920’s settling into the growing art community of Santa Fe New Mexico. It’s an engaging mystery with interesting characters and a very clever plot centered around the new silent movie industry. I am really looking forward to a third in this series!

This was a compelling mystery. I loved the well developed characters and the setting. Well done Amanda Allen! I highly recommend this book for those who love historical mysteries. I must add the first book to my tbr list. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Not only is this book a fabulous mystery but it gives a realistic insight into the world of 1922, and especially the world of silent pictures. Set in Santa Fe it really makes for excellent reading, the characters are pretty believable and they envoke the feelings of the time and era. The mystery was solid and a really god read, one that you really don't want to put down till it's finished.

If you enjoy historical mysteries, you will delight in Amanda Allen’s second suspenseful Santa Fe Revival mystery - A Moment in Crime.  The shifting hues of the desert provide a stunning backdrop for this jazz age tale of ambition, betrayal, blackmail and murder.


Maddie’s cousin, Gwen Astor, ran away to Hollywood to become an actress, while Maddie settled in Santa Fe to paint and recover from her husband’s loss.  Gwen arrives suddenly, exhausted and in tears, after a failed love affair with Luther Bishop, Hollywood director and notorious womanizer. Luther Bishop is filming a western epic in Santa Fe.  Conflicts between the director and his cast and crew make filming a nightmare. Accidents plague the set. Then Luther is found hanging in his office, and Gwen is amongst the suspects.


The jazz age is a fascinating time period, for its social change and its artistic innovation.  Acting is one of the areas where women could have ambitions - but few amongst the many aspiring starlets were successful, and many suffered abuse.  A Moment in Crime offers readers an intriguing view of the movie making process as well as an interesting mystery. I particularly enjoyed the unique setting and the rich local color.


A Moment in Crime is an excellent historical mystery, beautifully composed, and filled with unique characters.  It is easy to care about the compassionate Maddie and her many friends. I look forward to reading more of Amanda Allen’s Santa Fe Revival mysteries.


5 / 5


I received a copy of A Moment in Crime from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


— Crittermom

I received this ARC via Netgalley for an honest review. I enjoyed this mystery very much. Set in the roaring twenties era of silent movies, the heroine moved to Santa Fe after losing her husband in WWI. She is a cousin of 'The Astors' and a painter. This is the second book in the series and can easily be read as a stand-alone. When a Hollywood film production descends on the town, Maddie discovers that her favorite cousin, Gwen Astor, is among the actors who've arrived, along with a boorish director, his leading lady wife, and various other cast and crew of the production. Then, murder and mayhem on the production prompts Maddie to seek justice. It's a well-researched and well written story; I liked it very much. The characters are believable and, having just returned from my first trip to Santa Fe, Ms. Allen describes the area beautifully. The 'who done it' is believable and how the case is solved is also well done. I recommend this to those who like cosy, period mysteries.

I love Amanda Allen's choice to write about Santa Fe in the 1920's and she does a good job in evoking the beauty and almost magical appeal of the place. I also was attracted to the fact that her character was a painter and hoped the book would include a little more background on the artistic movement during the early 20th century in Santa Fe.

My disappointment in the book stemmed from my personal reading experience---I never accepted the behavior of the principal character, Madeline. The reader needs to believe that a wealthy, well-bred New York debutante (from the Astor family, no less) would insert herself in to a movie colony after a casual invitation, snoop in the Director's private office, pick up evidence from a crime scene (and withhold it) and later, tote a gun to confront the
evil-doers----well, I just couldn't go there.

I liked Madeline's spirit, but couldn't believe anything at all about her actions. I would readily return to Ms. Allen's series if she demanded a little less "suspension of disbelief" on the part of her readers.

NetGalley provided me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sending me the advanced digital copy of A Moment in Crime by Amanda Allen. The book offers a delightful mix of western, wonderful characters, most of whom you would like to at least meet if not befriend, and a neat murder mystery to complete the package.

The beauty of Santa Fe is drawn here with enough description to call to mind the gorgeous vastness of the western United States, without being so belabored as to feel like a travelog. It’s just enough to remind anyone who has lived or visited the area of the beauty they experienced and to provide enough intrigue for anyone who hasn’t to want to spend some time there. The period nature of the book, taking place around a silent film set in the small town of Santa Fe evokes just enough atmosphere to create the feel of having stepped back in time.

This was my first read in the Santa Fe Revival Mystery series, but hopefully not my last. Although it is part of a series, the book is a complete mystery in itself, and as such, can easily be read as a stand-alone. There are some recurring characters who are enticing, and who add enough charm to the story to make it even more interesting. The only drawback to the series is there are a few “spoilers” in this book that relate to the first book in the series. This might make reading out of order a bit frustrating to someone who wants to read mysteries with an opportunity to solve the puzzle along with the protagonist.

Clues are sprinkled throughout the book, along with red herrings, in such a way as to be present without being overly obvious. In addition, there are characters who are so warmly drawn the reader almost can’t help being drawn in and hoping they are neither victim nor perpetrator. As for the protagonist, she is a thoroughly modern woman who has a clear picture of what she wants and is taking steps to follow her dream regardless of family expectations and mores of the time.

The story takes place against the backdrop of a film shoot happening on location in New Mexico, but has more to do with the personalities of actors and other film professionals than the technical aspects of shooting. While most of the personalities ring true, there is a slight hiccup with the film’s female lead in that when we first encounter her she doesn’t appear very likeable. However, as the story unfolds she is much more sympathetic and likeable, but there is no explanation that would suggest a change of her heart. Rather it seemed as if the original concept for her was one of a more self-centered individual, and then she morphed into a more caring one. The transition was a bit abrupt, but she remained believable in the new persona.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good mystery wrapped up in the pages of a cozy book that has little violence and well drawn characters. These characters are written with distinctive voices enough so that it is easy to keep them firmly in mind as you progress through the story. As such, this book is equally suitable for someone who wants a vacation book where they can read straight through or a book they can pick up and put down as they progress through their other routines.