An engaging murder mystery set in the 1940's, in Berkeley, California, The Golden Gate had me with its title. After that irresistible finger-wag, I was onboard from Chapter 1.

A rich family, a presidential candidate, a ghost, a major political power of China, an old historic hotel, a brand new detective, and I have to admit my favorite was the 11-year old sidekick. That's a new twist! Reminded me of Flavia de Luce in the Alan Bradley books. . .

Full of California and historical references, twists and turns aplenty, likeable characters and good plot development, this was an enjoyable romp through a mystery that kept me wondering to the very end. Bonus: Author's Note was a satisfying bow tying up the Whys and Wherefores of her writing choices, always an enjoyable treat for this reader. . . motivations are all.

*A sincere thank you to Amy Chua, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.*

DNF at 36%

I feel like a lot of people will like this book, it just wasn't for me, which is sad because I wanted to love it. I found the writing hard to follow and it was hard to remember all of the characters.

While I expected this to be a fun book about my area, I had no idea how exciting and compelling the story and details would be!

With a nod to noir writing, Amy Chua covers a lot of ground with her tough-talking detective, Al Sullivan. He finds himself at the hotel scene where the murder of a former Presidential candidate who was having an affair with Madame Chiang Kai-Shek happened. The evidence gathered in that murder sheds new light on an unsolved murder from decades earlier of a young daughter of a famous and wealthy family.

That was a great start to the book. She was able to put us in the period of the crimes, which was right after WW2, with tensions over the Japanese internment still raw, the housing crisis for many of the black workers who worked in the shipyards during the war, the Chinese gangs and political influence of Chinatown, and the Mexican immigrant laws that were recently enacted. It was a fraught time, especially for a detective with his own secrets.

For a debut novel, I thought it was a great read- especially true for anyone who in interested in the history of the Bay Area of California.

I would like to thank the publisher for access to a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to #NetGalley, and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review.

Amy Chau's debut historical mystery is a must read for all. Set in the 1940's bay area this novel is skillfully crafted to read like a classic detective novel, historical fiction, with a bit of family drama. It has well researched themes and amazing characterization. If I am honest the pacing of the work was a bit uneven, but never hindered or disrupted the story. So if you are looking for a crime novel with a bit of a ghost story. I recommend picking this novel up. Happy Reading

The Golden Gate is historical fiction, set in the 1940s in San Francisco, and it's a very complicated murder mystery story that covers the murder of a politician, a wealthy socialite family, and Chiang Kai-Shek and his wife. Al, the protagonist, is half Mexican but passes for white, and has to navigate some complicated situations. He is intrigued by and attracted to members of the wealthy Bainbridge family, while suspecting all of them in the murder of the politician.

I really had no idea what to expect going into this book. It was a very complex and even at times a little confusing murder mystery, but overall, it was extremely entertaining, and I couldn't recommend it more.

It leans more noir than thriller and is led by a Berkeley detective in 1944 with flashbacks to the past. Looks into the lives of the Bainbridge family and their secrets.

The author's note at the end detailing her research and inspiration is a must-read. I loved the bits of Californian history interspersed throughout the story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

In 1944 Berkeley, Homicide Detective Al Sullivan is thrust into a new case: the assassination of a presidential candidate, wealthy industrialist Walter Wilkinson. As he delves into the case, Sullivan’s investigation entangles him with the Bainbridge heiresses, political ambitions, and the intriguing world of forensic advances, all while dealing with issues of race and class.

Mysteries set in post World War II have been on my reading shelf this year, so when I saw this one, I was intrigued. A complicated mystery with multiple suspects and a connection to a ten year old mystery? Sounds fun! However, I wasn’t prepared for just how complicated it would actually be. It was difficult to keep track of possible motivations when the narrative kept jumping between the detective, memories of the past, and the grandmother’s written deposition.

I wouldn’t have minded as much if there had been a character I cared about and there just wasn’t. Every character was complex and it felt like the author wanted each one to be interesting. By the end, I had given up and when the culprit was revealed, I was just glad it was done.

Maybe I just don’t care for books with unreliable narrators. If you’re looking for a book set in the 40’s and focused on the upheaval of San Francisco, you might enjoy this more than I did.

I’m surprised I haven’t seen more of this one floating around on the bookstagram. This one surprised me in a great way. Part classic noir detective murder mystery, part historical fiction, part ghost story. I feel like the ghost story could’ve been played upon more though. The mystery was solid and kept me guessing all the way. I received e-galley and audio of this one as well and mostly did audio. Narrator was perfection! If you like detective noir stories, I highly recommend this one!

The Golden gate by Amy Chua is a wonderful debut mystery demanding I keep my eyes peeled for what this author does next. Pacing and foreshadowing were handled particularly well and there were plenty of clues to help those who like to solve the mystery alongside the characters. Due to the nature of racism against the Japanese when this novel is set there is prolific use of one slur that did make me particularly uncomfortable. This title is a good fit for thriller fans who enjoy a good deal of suspense leading up to a books conclusion.

“If I told a jury that Japs killed Santa Claus, I could prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. Everything changes, Sullivan, once you’ve got a different color defendant in the box. There isn’t a jury in this state that wouldn’t send a Jap to the gas chamber if they had a chance.”

4.5 stars, rounded upward.

‘The Golden Gate marks the authorial debut for Amy Chua, a badass author whose stories will be read for a long, long time. My thanks go to Net Galley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press for the review copies. This book is for sale now.

Our story is set during two time periods, 1930 and 1944, in Berkeley, California. Detective Al Sullivan is investigating a murder whose roots are inextricably tangled with those of another, in 1930. Our point of view shifts often, both in time period and narrator. Most of it is told in the first person, either by Sullivan or by the elderly Genevieve Bainbridge, grandmother of the victim in the 1930 murder, now ready, in full Mama Bear protective mode, to do whatever she must to protect what family she has left.

The narrative has a strong noir flavor, and I halfway expect to find Humphrey Bogart around the corner, smoking and looking pensive. However, there is something Chua brings to the story that Bogart never did: a frank look at the injustices of the period, from the immense disparity of wealth among the denizens of Northern California, to the shameless victimization of people of color, who were much fewer in number in this part of the world then, than now.

I put this information up front, because in the early portion of the novel it isn’t obvious that the racism isn’t being highlighted, rather than propagated. I nearly discontinued reading this book because the “J” word is a hot button for me, and I initially believed that it was being used as a lazy way to depict the culture of Anglo Caucasians during this time period. I’ve seen it done many times, the use of the racial slur against Japanese because the author believed it increased the story’s authenticity. In Chua’s case, it’s the opposite.

The solution provided at the end relies overmuch on the journal of Mrs. Bainbridge, and in places, the details of the murder, and the motivation for same, are a stretch. For that reason, I initially rated this fine novel four stars. In the end, though, I realized that the social justice component more than makes up for it.

I was fortunate enough to have both the audio and digital galleys. Although the readers do a creditable job, the complexity of the story, including frequent changes of place, time period, and point of view, make for a confusing listening experience. For that reason I recommend the print version over the audio, unless both are available together.

Highly recommended.

Amy Chua’s debut novel The Golden Gate is a fascinating historical mystery set in the San Francisco area in the 1940s. It not only feels like a classic detective mystery, with a wide variety of characters and suspects, but it also sheds light on the tumultuous political and racial divides of the time period.

When Walter Wilkinson, a presidential candidate, is found murdered and left in an undignified manner in his hotel room at the famous Claremont Hotel in Berkley, Detective Al Sullivan is assigned to the case. The trail of clues leads him to a web of suspects, including the First Lady of China and the elite Bainbridge women. As he digs deeper into the mystery, more deaths are linked, including the tragic death of young Iris Bainbridge over a decade prior, at the same Claremont Hotel. Sullivan must figure out who is behind Wilkinson’s murder, and secure the weapon and motive, when no one is who they seem to be and the truth remains elusive.

This novel focuses on life in California during World War II throughout the narrative. Much of the book digs into the factual history of what happened to Japanese and Chinese immigrants after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the internment camps where Japanese immigrants were forced to relocate, and the hatred and racism that Asian immigrants faced as a whole. There are also discussions of the treatment of Black Americans and Mexican immigrants leading up to and during that time period as well. Sullivan, a Mexican American who can pass as white, takes his mother’s name after grappling with the events of his own family’s past, and begins to develop a deeper relationship with his biracial niece Miriam, adding emotional and familial elements to the overall narrative.

I learned so much throughout this book of how the state of California came into existence and the political, cultural, and socioeconomic shifts that the state faced throughout its history. The mystery was done well, with many twists and characters involved. It read like a detective mystery, and felt like it could have been a movie. Overall, if you enjoy detective mysteries that dig into the social and political themes of the era, you’ll enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for an advanced copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review.

A big thanks to Minotaur Books for sending me an advance copy in exchange of a review.

Set in the 1940s, the book delves into the investigation led by Detective Al Sullivan into the murder of a politician named Walter Wilkinson. The backdrop is the luxurious Clairmount Hotel in San Francisco, where a decade earlier, Iris, the young granddaughter of the Bainbridges, tragically passed away. Whispers persist that Iris's spirit still haunts the hotel corridors.

Beyond the central mystery, the book paints a vivid picture of San Francisco's growth and history. It also provides a unique lens into the immigrant experience in the US and the socio-economic transformation of the Bay Area.
The plot is layered with unexpected turns, and while the narrative captivated me, there were moments when I wished for a quicker pace. Overall, the author's storytelling prowess shines through, and I'd recommend this book to anyone with a penchant for mystery and a curiosity about San Francisco's past.

The Golden Gate by Amy Chua is a mystery set in 1944 San Francisco. This was a good story, and I learned quite a bit of history for the Bay Area. When a presidential candidate is found murdered, his family become prime suspects. The Berkeley Police department has to unravel the mystery. This was a great "who done it" read with a great family dynamic. This is not the typical book I would read but I did enjoy it!

In The Golden Gate, Al Sullivan is a multi-faceted and interesting character that you could easily build a series around. His relationship with his family, especially his niece Miriam is something I’d like to read about in further books.

This book was a mash-up of historical facts, mystery, and some family dynamics. The mystery plot was not as defined as I would have liked it to be. I think it is because it got lost in the historical facts and the family dynamics and history of the Bainbridge family.

There is a lot of interesting background information about San Francisco, history, and general facts that are told throughout the story. I think that this added to the richness of the story, with the caveat that it would have benefited from a lighter touch. I didn’t need to know random Sequoia facts, for example. Because of this, the book could have been about 50 pages shorter if the extra information that did not serve the mystery plot was edited out.

I am looking forward to this author’s next book because this first book held so much promise.

🌉This takes place in San Fransisco in 1944 and is from the POV of Detective Al Sullivan. There’s a lot going on- Walter Wilkinson, a handsome presidential candidate has been brutally murdered at the swanky Claremont Hotel. It turns out this hotel was also the scene of an unsolved crime when a young child was found dead in 1930, and seems that they could be linked. Suspects include the Bainbridge heiresses (two cousins and the sister of the child who died), their grandmother, and also China’s First Lady, Madame Chiang Kai-Shek.

There’s a ton of social issues and history woven into the story, which I found fascinating. We learn about the history of the Golden Gate Bridge, The Chinese Exclusion Act, the Japanese Internment camps (happening in the time frame of the story), and Mexican deportations in the 1930’s. Al Sullivan himself is half-Mexican and has changed his name in order to secure his position as homicide detective. It was well-researched, but also felt like she was trying to do a lot; made this book more of a genre bender. Those who read a lot of the mystery genre may find the story bogged down by some of this?

It did take me a while to get through… for whatever reason, I’d end up only reading small chunks at a time but this felt different than what I usually read and I was glad for a switch up! I’m wondering if we’ll see more of Detective Sullivan and his spunky niece, Miriam, in the future??

I could NOT put this book down. Worth all the hype.
The noir, femme fatale mood - just so well done.
A Presidential candidate is found murdered - and the granddaughters of a wealthy matriarch are the prime suspects. Family drama, a murdered daughter, mentally unstable mother and three gorgeous young women.
Told from two perspectives - a letter to the DA detailing the family tragedies and Detective Al Sullivan, this book will have you canceling all plans.
Classism, racism, passing as white, drug and alcohol addiction - poetic, tragic and so well done.

This is a new-to-me author, and given this book I am very excited to see what they do next.

The story is very film noir in that there are femme fatales, a tough as nails detective (with a secret heart of gold), and an over-arching mystery that threaded its way through the story. I enjoyed it very much - the story kept me hooked, and I did not see the twist coming - which is always good in a mystery.

The author included fascinating historical details that I never would have known otherwise - calling attention to many, many injustices carried out in the name of national security. While not entirely important for the plot, the information helped me to understand the motivations of certain characters and why they did the things they felt they needed to do.

It's a very good read, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a multi-layered whodunit.

I really enjoyed The Golden Gate by Amy Chua! A great mystery set in San Francisco in the 1940’s. Great characters and backstories, depicting the culture of prejudice, ambition, turmoil and discrimination for class and race. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the advance reading copy for review. All opinions are my own.

I went in completely blind for this one, and I couldn’t recommend it more!! I had absolutely no idea that this was about a murder mystery spanning years and based off of real events in the bay area around that time!! and it only gets more intense from there 🤯

a tragic accident from over ten years ago is unexplainably linked to a homicide of a well-known politician in present day, all surrounding the current events of san francisco in the mid-1940s. after reading amy’s background research in her author’s note, I was so impressed at the amount of research and detail that went into the background of this story.

I was absolutely sucked into the plot, flipping back and forth between the detective assigned to solve the case and the grandmother’s deposition of events from her family’s past. the way that it all linked together slowly but surely was excellently written and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time!!!

the story unfolds definitely on a slower pace, but the details and historic elements kept me intrigued. while I appreciated and loved the historical elements, the way that they were written into the story felt more like a history lesson textbook rather than a systematic intertwining. it felt like the detective was constantly trying to lecture 🫠🥴

I definitely enjoyed this one a lot, but the ending was a pile of “how many plot twists can happen in a span of a few chapters” 🙄

thank you to netgalley and minotaur for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: napa valley merlot

I love a fiction book that educates me on a time and a place, in addition to keeping me on the edge of my seat as a whodunit. Here, Al Sullivan, homicide detective in the early 1940s San Francisco, is trying to solve a series of homicides connected to a wealthy family and a landmark hotel in SanFran. A truly awesome historical mystery..highly recommend. Looking forward to anything else this author writes...great writer.