Re-imagining The Great Gatsby as a gossipy whodunit with middling result, Beautiful Little Fools has the ambition to focus the lens on the female characters of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic (even adding new ones to the mix), but the absence of stylish flair and compelling insight makes one questions if the experiment was actually worthwhile.

From the synopsis, I was expecting Beautiful Little Fools to be a direct continuation, with 3 women under suspect to be the true culprit towards Jay Gatsby's demise. But in reality, Beautiful Little Fools is a little bit of everything: it's a prequel (3 women's origin stories before The Great Gatsby), a retelling (roughly 30% of it is The Great Gatsby, the CliffsNotes edition), as well as a sequel (the investigation).

With so much grounds to cover, Beautiful Little Fools feels rushed, an onslaught of info dump and scenes (first love, infidelity, blackmail), but without the emotional lead-up making readers feel sympathetic or care. The bare-bones writing style also doesn't provide any evocative ambience to fill in the lapse in plotting. The 'women under suspicion' angle is also hilariously irrelevant, to the point these investigation chapters can be taken out, and made no impact to the overall plot. Which is a shame, because that perspective could've been the defining differentiator elevating Beautiful Little Fools beyond the framework defined by Fitzgerald's original.

Beautiful Little Fools is ultimately an inoffensive soap opera in Jazz Age sparkles; it has superficially broadened the scope, but at the same time constrained by its own rules. The fact it has to incorporate The Great Gatsby right in the middle of its own storytelling has ruined some of the suspense, as well as making a selection of its narrative choices highly questionable. Overall, a passable curiosity if you are seeking more The Great Gatsby-related content.

i am a sucker for feminist retellings and THANKFULLY this one didn't let me down
it really manages to delve into each of the women's lives and give them strong, unique voices
cantor's writing is flowing and manages to capture the beauty of fitzgerald's original writing
story itself is rich and complex and manages to make me hate gatsby even more than i originally did
the detective's pov is the only one that i felt was a bit unnecessary but it worked in context of the story
great twist at the end - we love women supporting women
yeah i really enjoyed this book

Wow, just wow! I don't give too many books 5 stars, but this book deserved it for sure!

I made sure that I re-read "The Great Gatsby" before starting this, but I found that I really hadn't needed to do so. This book does very well as is and gives you as much information as the original book. The twist is that this book is told from the women's perspective and gives us a different take on what happened at the end of "The Great Gatsby."

The imagery, language, emotions were perfect. I adored the fact that this bok was a bit easier to understand than the first one. "The Great Gatsby" was a bit too erudite (!) for my liking. This book didn't talk down to me, yet it was still intelligent in its prose.

The relationships between Daisy, Jordan, and Catherine and their outside relationships, their perspectives on life in that era were phenomenal. Everything happening just proved that adage that 'money can't buy you happiness.'

For a while, I sympathized with Mr. Gatsby but quickly came to see that he was not all I thought he was. Tom just made me furious and wished that he was the one to die. But, oddly, neither book made it clear to my satisfaction how Gatsby came by all his money, although I'm sure it was nefarious!

It is a perfect 'what if' book. I HIGHLY recommend this book.

*ARC supplied by the publisher Harper Perennial, the author, and NetGalley.

Wow! I was in love with the writing in this story, it flowed effortlessly, and beautifully. The voices of Daisy, Jordan and Catherine were felt and seen while reading the story. This book is set in the Great Gatsby era, with beautiful attention to detail and the misery and joy that was felt by the characters in that time span. The story behind Daisy and Jordan's inability to freely be themselves, and the decisions that were made for them by others in society was heartbreaking. I recommend this story to anyone who loves a beautifully written book, and to whoever needs to read about women who survive and triumph while being held down by societal norms.

4.5 stars. Fantastic reimagining of Great Gatsby, but from the women's points of view. And in their voices. Who murdered Jay Gatsby? Three women are irrevocably entwined in the mystery. Detective Frank Charles is determined to solve the mystery, even though the precinct considers it case closed.

The lives and voices of Daisy Buchanan, her best friend Jordan Barker, and Catherine McCoy, combine to tell the tale. Each voice is unique and each character fully realized women. The writing captures the atmosphere of the 1920s, and Gatsby itself. You will find yourself immediately absorbed into this world Cantor has created. This is my first book by Cantor, but it won't be my last.

"On a sultry August day in 1922, Jay Gatsby is shot dead in his West Egg swimming pool. To the police, it appears to be an open-and-shut case of murder/suicide when the body of George Wilson, a local mechanic, is found in the woods nearby.

Then a diamond hairpin is discovered in the bushes by the pool, and three women fall under suspicion. Each holds a key that can unlock the truth to the mysterious life and death of this enigmatic millionaire.

Daisy Buchanan once thought she might marry Gatsby—before her family was torn apart by an unspeakable tragedy that sent her into the arms of the philandering Tom Buchanan.

Jordan Baker, Daisy’s best friend, guards a secret that derailed her promising golf career and threatens to ruin her friendship with Daisy as well.

Catherine McCoy, a suffragette, fights for women’s freedom and independence, and especially for her sister, Myrtle Wilson, who’s trapped in a terrible marriage.

Their stories unfold in the years leading up to that fateful summer of 1922, when all three of their lives are on the brink of unraveling. Each woman is pulled deeper into Jay Gatsby’s romantic obsession, with devastating consequences for all of them."

Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Five stars and then some, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The way the characters’ voices shine through is superb. You know whose chapter you are reading without needing to see the chapter title. Beautiful Little Fools follows the women of the classic The Great Gatsby from the late 1910s through the early 20s. It is so well written, the characters and dialog and plot are all so believable, it’s like you’re a fly on the wall, watching the whole thing transpire. It gives you a good glimpse of the era, when women were all done being shushed at every turn, less than honorable men, prohibition, and women’s suffrage.

This is a good one. I highly recommend Beautiful Little Fools. Lucky for me, I was provided an early copy for my honest review, which is above. I will buy this one in hard copy to keep on my ‘read again’ shelf.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. This is the prequel/sequel to The Great Gatsby. I loved this book so much. I didnt want it to end. I know it had to but OMG to find out how these people all met and crossed paths and then to know what happened after The Great Gatsby ended. This was all i needed to fill that void. Well Done!

A beautiful story with a strong and courageous heroine. I couldn't put this down! Beautiful writing kept me turning the pages! Love this author!

It’s no secret that Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor was at the top of my 2022 new releases to read list, so the squeal of excitement was loud when I found a copy in my mailbox!

I loved this so, so much! Beautiful Little Fools is a retelling of The Great Gatsby but trying to solve who actually murdered Jay Gatsby.
Jillian Cantor gave us insight into the lives of Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker and Catherine McCoy, all three of whom had different relationships with Gatsby leading up to 1922, and all had motive for murder.
Detective Frank Charles’ investigation into a closed case was really interesting to see him come up with theories as to the who and why.
The writing was beautiful and truly captured the essence of the original Gatsby story - and it was intriguing to see how the people who knew him brought out different sides of him, and how they truly felt about Jay Gatsby.

Beautiful Little Fools reimagines the literary classic The Great Gatsby giving voice to three women.

1917, Kentucky. Daisy Fay, eighteen, on a hot summer day in Louisville meets a soldier named Jay Gatsby. That’s not a kind of man her father would approve off, but she finds a Louisville society man dreadfully boring.

Jordan, sixteen, is best friends with Daisy, which her father, Judge Baker, doesn’t approve of. But Jordan is not worried as she is not looking for a man nor marriage. Her life is golf. It is her sanctuary and strength.

1917, New York. Catherine follows her sister Myrtle from Illinois to New York. She doesn’t want to be anyone’s wife in a small town. She wants freedom in a big city. A place that offers excitement and opportunity. A place which now is buzzing with soldier, and she meets one of them named Jay Gatsby.

1922, New York. Detective Frank Charles questions all three women. He knows that all three women lied to him. He just can’t put his finger on how and why yet. There was a shooting, resulting in deaths, and some things are not adding up. Jay Gatsby was known for throwing all the lavish parties and now he is dead. The big question is who pulled the trigger. He also finds a diamond hairpin close to the murder scene and that puts all three women under suspicion.

As the story develops, it brings in events from the three women’s lives and how those events shape their decisions. Those characters are interestingly explored; one chooses marriage to let her live comfortably, two pick freedom over marriage. But even with their strong convictions, they can’t predict all the curveballs that life throws at them. And there is one man who longs for only one particular woman, and will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.

The storylines are seamlessly woven, revealing intriguing layers. As the detective tries to figure out the case, once the first puzzle is laid out, it continuously builds the mystery of who did what. As it turns out, someone is exceedingly calculated, carefully orchestrating the scenario.

This reinvented classic brings fascinating women tinged with flaws, and complex life’s events with one detective trying to put the puzzles together - not only to solve the case, but also to receive the monetary reward that goes with it and the money that he could use to treat his wife to something nice and well-deserved. But he is still not there to solve the case and his wife is failing in health. Time is of essence.

Wonderfully reimagined and flawlessly written literally classic that brilliantly explores the women’s lives in 1920s; their choices, their decisions, the limitations, and the prejudice of the era.

Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com

This book is said to be a retelling of The Great Gatsby from the women’s point of view. I must say, I’m glad this is the book, of the two that I’ve read. I enjoyed getting to know these women, and how their lives intersect. Jillian Cantor does a good job of lining them all up as suspects before revealing what actually happened. I’m going to have to read more of her books.

I could not pass up an opportunity to read in advance a new book by one of my favorite authors. So, first I needed to get my hands on a copy of The Great Gatsby which unbelievably I had not yet read! (At my age this really was inconceivable.) I went on a literary journey that was a delight.

I liked Gatsby, but I loved Beautiful Little Fools. Jillian Cantor created fascinating backstories and entanglements for the Gatsby women, that were not present in F. Scott Fitzgerald's book. (I think he probably would have approved!) In doing so, Cantor gave them each a plausible motive for "the murder" and even put a piece of tangible evidence in each of their hands.

Chapters alternated by character, Daisy, Jordan, Catherine and even a few by Myrtle, in which each explained Gatsby events from their own perspectives. Additional chapters, featuring Detective Frank Charles as he interviewed suspects trying to solve the Gatsby murder and claim his investigation fee, were interspersed as the juicy and highly creative story unfolds.

I was immersed in Beautiful Little Fools from the beginning as Cantor beautifully expanded on The Great Gatsby. I was drawn into the new pieces of history of these women and was surprised with twists and turns I didn't expect. I was still guessing very close to the end of this marvelous book. Jillian Cantor, well done. This was fabulous. You have another winner!

This was a compelling take on the women in The Great Gatsby. While the plot lagged a little in the beginning, overall, I think Jillian Cantor did a great job of shaping the backstories of these characters and tying them into the original plot. Normally I have a hard time getting pulled into stories with multiple perspectives, but it really works here, even with a jumping timeline.

The Great Gatsby is the story of very rich men who have the world at their fingertips, Beautiful Little Fools is not that story. This is the story of the women who interacted with Jay Gatsby and paid the price.

Jay Gatsby ends up murdered in his pool and a detective has the suspicion that one of the women in his life is responsible.

Daisy Buchanan grew up in Louisville, Kentucky always looking for a way out. On one hot day, she makes the acquaintance of Jay Gatsby when going to visit the Almshouse with her sister, Rose. That day would forever change the course of her life. Jay goes off to war and Daisy deals with the sudden, tragic death of her father and sister Rose. At that moment, she decides the best way to take care of herself and her mother is to marry a rich man who could give her everything.

Daisy's best friend, Jordan Baker, is raised by her father and has a gift for golf. When she goes away for her first tournament she meets Mary Margaret and finds the one thing she has been missing...love. When their secret is discovered, Jordan is forced off the tour and retreats to Daisy's house.

Catherine McCoy and Myrtle Wilson are sisters who are as different as they can be. Catherine is a feminist who wants to help Myrtle get out of her abusive marriage, Catherine is also an ex-lover of Jay Gatsby who asks for his help in freeing her sister from her husband.

Years later, Daisy's marriage is falling apart, Jay comes back into her life and tells her that he is still in love and will do anything to be with her...including blackmail and breaking up her marriage.

I have been a Jillian Cantor fan since The Lost Letter and I had high hopes for this book. All my hopes were exceeded. The most popular historical fictions tend to be set during World War II or shortly thereafter so this was a wonderful change of pace. I enjoyed seeing Jay Gatsby from the perspective of the women he interacts with during the story. I enjoyed reading this book and purposely made time during my day to read it and will be purchasing it for my personal shelves.

I absolutely adored this book! The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite books of all time, so when I heard about this book I was immediately sold. This book turns the story of the Great Gatsby into a murder mystery focusing on Daisy, Jordan, and Catherine (Myrtle's sister). The book does an amazing job of adding depth and complexity to all of the women in the story, which was so fascinating and refreshing to read. Also, Jordan Baker is now officially one of my favorite characters of all time.

TW: Sexual assault, alcohol use, violence, death of a family member, homophobia, cheating

BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FOOLS by Jillian Cantor is beautifully-written reimagining of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, The Great Gatsby. It is told from the alternating perspectives of three women characters in the timeless story as well as a detective who just can’t let the case go. In the summer of 1922, Jay Gatsby is shot dead in his swimming pool in West Egg, NY and the case is closed quickly when a local mechanic’s body is found in the nearby woods, a plausible murder/suicide. But a diamond hairpin found near the pool raises suspicions about three women who are or have been in Gatsby’s life. Daisy Buchanan, her best friend Jordan Baker and suffragette, Catherine McCoy are all hiding secrets that could have devastating consequences if they are revealed. We learn of the lives of the three women leading up to the fateful summer of Gatsby’s death. It is a story of friendship, marriage, obsession and ultimately money with a murder mystery thrown in. I was transported back to the 20s with the vivid descriptions that brought the characters and setting to life. I really enjoyed this entertaining and creative story and highly recommend it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

Jillian Cantor delves deeply into the psyches of the women in the classic novel, “The Great Gatsby.” She reimagines the lives of these women and what lead each of them to become intertwined with Jay Gatsby. With all the glitz and glamour of the original story, we experience the joys and sorrows of their daily lives. By analyzing these women, the author has created a new and very plausible ending to this love story. Very well done and now I am excited to rewatch the original movie. Do not miss this remake of the original novel! #BeautifulLittleFools
#JillianCantor #NetGalley

This is a dazzling retelling of The Great Gatsby from the perspective of the women in the story. This book is a wonderful idea and skillfully executed. A murder mystery added to the plot is oddly compelling, despite those familiar with the original already knowing the outcome. Despite the jazz age setting, it feels very modern. This is a lovely companion to the original.

: I had just told a friend that asked what I was reading that I was looking for a good 1920’s era book. Beautiful Little Fools was next on my TBR pile, and it was exactly what I was looking for. The story starts with Jay Gatsby and George Wilson being found shot. The story continues as a who-dun-it with many twists and turns.
I love the female characters. The strengths that they show while all trying to find their ways in life are inspiring. The friendship of Jordan and Daisy has been lifelong and the way they protect each other shows how important they are to each other. Catherine stands up for women’s rights and when her sister, Myrtle, finds herself in a tough situation she does what she needs to try to help her out. I liked that each character had flaws, but those flaws just made them real. While each woman is unique, they come together in Beautiful Little Fools to make this an unforgettable story.
This retelling of the Great Gatsby through the women’s eyes was perfect. I love every word and recommend picking up your own copy.

Created around the characters from the classic The Great Gatsby, we see the story from the perspective of the women that he impacts in various ways. The beautiful weaving of storylines and lives slowly draws you in. How can one decision change your life? How does tragedy shape your choices? A wonderful story of friendship, love, and the things that tie us together.