On March 15, 1923, Dot King was found murdered in her Manhattan apartment. Dot was known as the Broadway Butterfly and even now, over a hundred years later, her murder has not been solved. Dot was a 'model' and lived by being supported by her various lovers. One was a gang boss, one an Italian gigolo and one a very wealthy, very politically connected banker. The story is told through the viewpoints of the women involved.

Dot was found by her maid, a black woman named Ella Bradford. Ella was from the South but came to New York for better economic opportunities. She was married and had a baby. She had seen Dot the day she died but had left at her normal time. Still, she knew many of Dot's secrets and liked her as she had always been kind to Ella.

Julia Harpman was a female reporter in a time when that was not common, and more usually, was assigned to the crime desk. She is determined to get justice for Dot and chases the case even after the police have declared it closed. Although she comes across as a bit self-righteous, the case would have died in the public eye if it had not been for her continued attempts to solve it and her expose of those involved, even up to the Attorney General of President Harding.

Frances Stotesbury Mitchell is the wife of the wealthy man supporting Dot, J. Kearsley Mitchell. Her father is one of the wealthiest men in the country and she had what she thought was the perfect life. Several large homes, two healthy children and a husband who could support her and her society adventures. She is about to host President Harding on a golfing weekend in Florida when the story breaks. Frances is shocked to find out her husband has been cheating on her and must make a choice between staying with a man she no longer respects or loves or being shunned in society as a single, divorced woman.

Sara DiVello is known for creating an interview series called The Thriller Mavens where she interviews mystery writers. She sticks close to the facts of the case, and has various thoughts on why the crime wasn't solved. There were political reasons as the district attorney tried to run his own investigation instead of leaving it to the police. There were suspicions of influence peddling with rumors the Frances's father had paid $500,000 to have the case closed. There were multiple suspects. Mitchell was the last person to admit seeing Dot alive as he had stayed until 2 a.m. of the morning she was killed. The gigolo was known for beating Dot and intimidating her into doing things she didn't want to do. The connection to organized crime could have been a motive as Dot had been depositing large amounts in her bank, the source unknown. Regardless, the reader will have enough facts to make up their own mind. This book is recommended for true crime and women's fiction readers.

This is by far the best true crime book I have read. I have no idea how this is a debut because it is so insanely perfectly executed from start to finish. How is this still an unsolved murder!!? I was hooked from the very first page. I loved this so much I need the physical copy in my collection. YES SARA!!!! Look forward to reading so many more books by you!

Set in 1920s, Broadway Butterfly is historical fiction at its very best! I found this read very riveting and it flew by! I look forward to more books from Sara Divello. She is a fantastic writer!

Did i read this was based on the fact that this was based on a true story, No. I clearly did not read it properly when i asked for the Arc, but boy was i knocked off my seat. I absolutely loved how this book was written. Though in places i did feel it was a bit stretched but in the long run it all made sense. The author sure did her research well. After i read the book it compelled me to read articles about the case. All in all it was a good book.

I did not have the chance to download Broadway Butterfly, but I was so intrigued by the synopsis that I ended up buying and enjoying the book. It was a thrilling tale, and I will look forward to reading more from this author.

Sara DiVello is one of my favorite interviewers of authors. She spent so much time researching this book. I love the title as well.

Broadway Butterfly by Sara DiVello is a unique true crime historical thriller. This work is based on historical facts of true crime yet told in a fictional way. It was a really interesting time period and the author did a great job bringing the time period to life. The story itself felt a big long and dragged at times. It definitely made me want to learn more about the story behind the story. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

"Broadway Butterfly" by Sara DiVello is a riveting historical fiction novel that brilliantly transports readers to the glittering world of 1920s Broadway, with its dazzling lights, soaring ambitions, and shadowy secrets. DiVello masterfully blends real historical events with a richly imagined narrative, crafting a tale that is as captivating as it is informative, making it an absolute must-read for fans of the genre.

The novel centers around the mysterious and true story of the unsolved murder of a Broadway starlet, ingeniously weaving together the perspectives of three women whose lives are entangled in the intrigue and glamour of the theater world. DiVello's characters are meticulously crafted, with each woman providing a unique lens through which the era's complexities, including its social and cultural nuances, are explored.

DiVello's prose is lush and evocative, effectively capturing the essence of the Roaring Twenties. From the speakeasies bubbling with illegal liquor to the smoky jazz clubs and the opulent theaters, the setting is so vividly rendered that readers will feel as though they have stepped back in time. The author's attention to detail is impeccable, from the flapper fashion to the slang of the era, creating an immersive experience that is both entertaining and educational.

What sets "Broadway Butterfly" apart is DiVello's ability to seamlessly blend suspense with historical detail. The novel is as much a mystery as it is a historical narrative, with twists and turns that keep the pages turning. The suspense is skillfully built, leading to a resolution that is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving readers to ponder the intricacies of fame, fortune, and the price of ambition.

The themes of female empowerment and resilience shine through the novel. DiVello gives voice to women who dare to dream big and challenge the constraints of their time, making "Broadway Butterfly" not only a celebration of the era's glitz and glamour but also a tribute to the spirit of the women who inhabited it. The interplay between the characters, each striving for success and navigating the trials of their personal lives against the backdrop of a male-dominated society, adds depth and relevance to the narrative.

In conclusion, "Broadway Butterfly" by Sara DiVello is a dazzling and meticulously researched novel that offers readers a window into the vibrant world of 1920s Broadway. With its compelling blend of mystery, history, and drama, coupled with DiVello's exquisite storytelling and rich character development, this novel is a triumphant addition to the historical fiction genre. It's a story that not only entertains but also resonates, making it a perfect read for anyone fascinated by history, mystery, or the magic of Broadway.

This one is a historical fiction meets murder mystery in NYC. The writing will transport you back to the 1920s where you can easily picture everything happening and the surroundings.
When a model/flapper is murdered we follow the investigation from different perspectives surrounding the case. It was really interesting to read about the drama surrounding the case. You can tell the author did a lot of research into this story.
I loved Julia, the crime reporter. I was rooting for her throughout this one. Proud of her perseverance during this time period where reporting was a man’s domain. She would stop digging into this case even when she’s ordered to and even attacked.

I did find this story long but I also needed to know what was going to happen. I really loved the author’s note and going to the author’s website to learn more about the real characters.

Thanks so much to Sara for sending me an advanced copy of her book via NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Great true crime novel set in one of my favorite eras, the 1920’s.
A fast paced and well written and researched novel that I really enjoyed reading.

I'm going to come back to this one...will update my review when I do. I tried to get into it and found that I'm not currently in the right mindset for Broadway Butterfly. I love the premise though and hope to finish it sometime soon!

I love books set in historical time periods and a mystery/crime thriller in the 20's sounds like so much fun.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publishers, and Sara DiVello for the ARC of Broadway Butterfly.

Broadway Butterfly is set in NYC during the 1920's and is a thrilling look into the unsolved murder of the local "broadway butterfly". Dot King was found dead in her Midtown apartment with a chloroform bottle beside her. There were also many of her high priced jewels missing from her safe. From the moment the body was found, this murder had its citizens on edge as they looked for the murderer.

The words and tone which author Sara Divello uses throughout this story is completely captivating. It did me a bit to get fully invested but once I did I couldn't put it down. Each chapter is from the point of view of those involved in trying to solve this case: the chief investigator, the young female crime reporter, Dot King's black maid who was the one to find the body, and a wealthy high society woman. Each of them has their opinions what actually happened the night Dot King was murdered. I enjoyed taking each one in and breaking it down to see the actual truth.

Everything was honestly so corrupt in 1920's NYC and this story in a great representation of that. The way it intertwines the perceived glitz and glimmer of high society / flapper lifestyle with the darkness and danger of the seedy underground. It shows just how desperate some people were to either get to the top or to stay on top. You can also see the racism and sexism of this era in history.

Broadway Butterfly would be enjoyed by fellow lovers of historical fiction. The analysis of race, gender, and class are so well done through out the story. There are also aspects of a mystery and a thriller through out the story. The murder of Dot King was never truly solved but I think this is a great representation of what may have happened. Unfortunately, we will never know the whole truth.

Broadway Butterfly takes the reader to the roaring 1920's where the brutal murder of Dot King remains unsolved. A young and ambitious journalist, Julia Harpman is determined to find justice for Dot as she chases wealthy socialites, bootleggers, dancers and others involved with the glitzy and the sordid side of Broadway. As a female trying to find answers in a male-dominated industry, this book focused a lot on Julia's struggles and triumphs at finding the truth. The story takes plenty of twists and turns as Julia finds more lies hidden under buried truths.

I didn't realize that this was based on a true story when I first picked it up. I think that was why the ending left me a bit unsatisfied. But the book was well written and well-researched as I felt I was truly living during those times with those dodgy characters,

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for a review copy of this novel. It was released on August 1, 2023 and is available now.

Broadway Butterfly is set in New York in the roaring twenties and is a true crime novel that was based on one of the most notorious unsolved murders in this era. The book I was excited to read but sadly I did not love it like I had hoped to because it has repetition and was way too long I thought. The book was still a well done book that I would recommend to people who like true crime books and I still enjoyed reading this. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this book in exchange of my honest review.

Broadway Butterfly is written by Sara DiVello. This is the first book that I have read by this author, and it will not be my last. This book is carefully researched and based off the murder of flapper, Dot King. She is found dead in her Midtown apartment, a bottle of chloroform beside her and a fortune in jewels missing. To this day, this crime is still unsolved.

The cast of characters to bring this part of history to life include a female investigative reporter who wants to get to the bottom of it to one that will defy social norms to bring justice for Dot. The author has told the story beautifully. It's a shame that this was never solved.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

Sara DiVello's debut novel is chock full of twists and turns and you'll wonder "who did it" long past the last page. This is a perfect read for lovers of true crime and those obsessed with New York in the wild 1920s!

New York in the Roaring Twenties—a riveting true-crime novel, based on one of the most notorious unsolved murders of the era, where power, politics, and secrets conspire to bury the truth. Manhattan, 1923. Scandalous flapper Dot King is found dead in her Midtown apartment, a bottle of chloroform beside her and a fortune in jewels missing. Dot’s headline-making murder grips the city. It also draws a clutch of lovers, parasites, and justice seekers into one of the city’s most mesmerizing mysteries. Among Daily News crime reporter Julia Harpman, chasing the story while navigating a male-dominated industry; righteous NYPD detective John D. Coughlin, struggling against city corruption; and Ella Bradford, the victim’s Harlem maid, closest confidante, and keeper of secrets. Adding fuel to the already volatile a politically connected Philadelphia socialite, an Atlantic City bootlegger, Dot’s dicey gigolo lover, a sultry Broadway dancer, and a cagey sugar daddy guarding secrets of his own. From Broadway’s glittering lights to its sordid underbelly to the machinations of the country’s most powerful men, Julia embarks on a quest for justice. What she discovers, twist after breathtaking twist, might be even more nefarious than murder.

I thoroughly enjoyed this 1920s mystery and I have to say it was a whirlwind full of twists and turns. While reading, I felt l was living in the story. One of my favorite historical fiction but also true crime books I've read in 2023

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC and the opportunity to review the true-crime story.

When well-known and scandalous flapper Dot King is found murdered in her apartment, the police and journalists begin the hunt for her murderer. The story really follows Julia Harpman, an unusual and hungry New York crime reporter, and her dogged pursuit of the killer. Too soon, though, those in power--with positions, money, and reputations to protect--weasel their way out from under the microscope, shifting focus from one to another in a series of spiteful and questionable maneuvers that the police and reporters are unable to unravel.

The book keeps the reader guessing as the mystery keeps Harpman off her center (whose career flourishes with her reportage) and confounds NYPD Detective John Coughlin (whose career ultimately suffers by stymied attempts at solving the crime).

Though I was frustrated by the ending, I'm sure my frustration was nothing compared to the frustration of the reporter and detectives, not to mention King's family. I enjoyed the constant twists and turns, the guessing, thinking I had it figured out one minute and then finding myself thwarted the next.

Intriguing and well written true crime novel. I knew going in that this was based on a true story but I didn't realize that it would be open ended - no big reveal or resolution. Basically it's an extensive examination of the actual case with fictional enhancement.

It's an interesting narrative but had I known going in that there would be no real solution/ending I probably wouldn't have read it.

BOTTOM LINE: Use your own judgement. If you're someone who likes True Crime Podcasts that give you all the clues then leave it up to you to decide what really happened then this would be perfect for you. If you prefer to have some resolution then you might want to pass on this one.

This was a good book, though I found it a tad long. Dot King is found by her maid deceased on her bed, there are a number of people that may have wanted to end her life and the NYPD Detective Coughlin is tasked with finding who did it. Coughlin is one POV, there are two others, a female journalist, Julia Harpman and the wife of one of the suspects (though you don't find that out until much later in the story). There are also snippets from the maid, she is black and the racism she is subject to throughout her interaction with the police is very sad. Julia makes the most headway with turning up clues and putting pressure on the police to solve the case, but there are people in high places that don't want it solved. Julia was the most fleshed out character, she was the only female crime reporter for the New York Daily News and had to constantly fight to get her story in the paper. Obviously the ending is somewhat anticlimactic since the case has never been solved. The writing in this book is exceptional, it's clear the author spent a lot of time researching the details. Overall a very good book and I would recommend. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.