3.5 stars

This was an interesting slow burn of a mystery. I was definitely intrigued at the start, but it kinda fizzled out shortly after. For whatever reason, it took me FOREVER to read this book. Although the plot hooked me for a bit, my desire to continue reading it faded more and more each day. The 1920s speakeasy setting was enjoyable. It wasn’t amazing and it wasn’t terrible, just not my vibe. I like to feel something when I read a book and I got nothing from this. I did enjoy the friendship between Vivian and Bea. Bea was a rider forsure and I liked how they had each others backs. I do understand that this is the 3rd book in the series and I have yet to read the others so maybe that’s why it didn’t hit like I wanted it to? Regardless, for the slow burn mystery lovers out there, this one is for you.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this arc.

This is a heroine who isn’t always easy to love and she, at times, made me want to shake her a bit over her confrontations with other characters. But then Vivian Kelly has grown up in the world of orphanages and hard knocks where you have to look out for yourself first. As this is book three in the series, there will be spoilers here for the first two. I think new readers could start here but it would be a steep learning curve to get all the relationships and tangled web of interactions straight.

Vivian has managed to advance in one of her two jobs where she worked long hours at a seamstress shop. Today’s delivery though has landed her with a possible murder charge as she was the one who found the victim. The Police Commissioner, who doesn’t really care if she did it or not, has given her a week to find the real killer or he’ll happily throw her to the wolves. Can Vivian find the clues from the people involved in order to clear her name?

Vivian also still works at The Nightingale, a speakeasy carefully and ruthlessly run by Honor Huxley, a queer woman who wears pants, knows which palms to grease, and who takes few prisoners. Vivian and Honor have felt sparks as they dance and kiss but as Vivian finds, she is still very much on her own despite what Honor seems to feel for her. Another person helping Vivian is Leo who has his own issues with the Police Commissioner but also some contacts who might help Vivian.

The people Vivian needs to assist her are usually not nice people and live by collecting and paying off debts. I do something for you and then can call in the debt when I need something from you. One sinister yet also interesting woman (who like Honor has bruisers who work for her) first appeared in book one and smilingly catches Vivian in a net of debt. Paying that off helps Vivian discover a few things. Other people Vivi knows from the Nightingale fill in some blanks in the puzzle. But Vivi’s Black friend Bea, who sings like a sultry angel, is probably the most helpful.

Vivi chases clues, eliminates red herrings, struggles to keep from collapsing from the work and stress but does finger the killer though the end way things play out is still complicated. She also shows she’s been learning and manages to put herself ahead of the debt game with one person who has lots of power and now owes Vivian … big. I also enjoyed watching Vivi and her (now married and very happy) sister Florence who have worked through tough relationship times.

There are still unresolved personal issues for Vivian and her sister as well as an upcoming and I hope happy event for them, and others, to look forward to. Vivian’s relationships with two other important people in her life have changed and yeah, now someone else owes her. Vivian is getting wiser, also a bit harder but is not one to go down without a fight. B-

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
The third book in the prohibition-era series about Vivian Kelly sees her faced with new challenges.
Even though she's happier with her work situation, with a day job making deliveries for a dress shop and a part time job as a waitress at the Nightingale speakeasy, Vivian's life is still complicated.
During one of her deliveries, she ends up being the last person seen with a rich socialite who appears to have been murdered. She does manage to gain time to try and prove her innocence by calling in some favours and her hunt for the truth takes her all over 1920s New York.
Like some other readers I was puzzled by the way the authorities kind of jumped to conclusions, but then let her go to investigate instead of the police doing this. I also find it odd that this series is described as 'queer', based on, a kiss or two between women? the inclusion of women dancing with women?
I'm also hoping that the somewhat abrupt ending promises a 4th book where Vivian might have some time to figure out what's really important to her.
Recommend for fans of mysteries with realistic backgrounds and 'regular people' characters.

This series is so fun! The setting is perfect and I love the roaring 20s vibes throughout the book! The mystery took me a little bit to get into this time, but by the end, I was very invested and loved the twists and turns. I also love the romance subplots! I definitely have my favorite love interest but both were so sweet and fun to read! I really hope Katharine Schellman writes another in the series very soon!

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Last Note of Warning is my new favorite in this sumptuous, decadent mystery series! It has more of the same fantastic speakeasy vibes: the parties, the dresses, the drinks, the music! Paired with the dynamic cast of characters we know and love and a great mystery makes this one hot summer read!

In The Last Note of Warning, our favorite lead character Vivian must prove her innocence in a murder case, and she's got one week to do it. I loved the time countdown with this book and I feel like Schellman improved her pacing in this installment. The timeline keep things moving along quickly and I really couldn't put this one down.

Without giving spoilers, the characters in this book, who were already mysterious, got another dose of intrigue. To be more specific: we get more back story on the elusive Honor Huxley. I really enjoyed getting deeper into the lives of these characters and now I can't wait for the fourth book!

I received a free digital copy of The Last Note of Warning from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

As a mystery, this book does a good job of telling an intriguing story. Maybe it’s me, but I had a hard time with the premise that the police wouldn’t bother investigating the murder of a prominent citizen—and instead assume that the person who discovered the body must the killer, and if she wants to avoid a guilty verdict, she’s going to have to find the true killer herself. If you can overlook this situation, then you might enjoy the story.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I got The Last Note of Warning and then realized that it was book 3 in a series. Of course, I went back and read the first two before I started this. While this ended up being my favorite, I’m glad I went back and read the other two. This one relies heavily on the background established in the first two books.

Vivian is at it again, but this time her freedom is on the line. She finally has a life she enjoys, delivering dresses for the shop during the day and serving drinks at the Nightingale by night. She has a steady date in Leo and while Honor has denied her a relationship they have been able to remain friendly. That is until Vivian is in the middle of a delivery and the husband ends up murdered and she is immediately to blame. She will spend the remainder of the story using all of her detective skills and high level connections gained in the first two books to try and clear her name and avoid spending the rest of her life in jail.

This one was definitely more high-stakes and I enjoyed it more than the other two. The semi-love triangle was a bit much for me, because at this point Honor no longer should be an option. She has clearly made her decision as to where her interests are and it is not in a relationship. I am also wondering if we are ever going to find out about Vivian and Florence’s parents. It seems like it has been dragged out way too long at this point.

Enjoyed the story, didn’t love the ending.

Whew! I wasn’t sure how Vivian Kelly was going to get herself out of this one! And while her physical person may be totally safe, her emotional self is all over the place. I can’t even imagine. Debts and favors and forgiveness and relationships are left scattered all over the place. And while the story was a little slow to start for me, by the halfway mark it was speeding along.

I received a copy of this book from Minotaur Books.

2SLGBTQIA+ Historical Mystery set in New York 1925 following a speakeasy waitress and dress shop assistant who turns sleuth after a client's husband's murdered and she finds herself the main suspect.

5/5 stars: This is the third entry in Schellman's Nightingale Mysteries series, which is a 2SLGBTQIA+ Historical Mystery that takes place in New York 1925 and features an underground speakeasy and dance hall waitress and dress shop assistant who turns sleuth after a wealthy client's husband's murdered and finds herself the main suspect. Given one week to find the killer, she'll cash in every favor to find out who's setting her up to take the fall. With plenty of twists and turns, Schellman has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. It's also evident Schellman pays attention to the historical details with plenty of research. I also love how she explores the 2SLGBTQIA+ lifestyle and the struggles of the Chinese experience and interracial marriage in 1920's New York. Additionally, Schellman's writing and character work is stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's great to catch up with Vivian and her friends and family. She's a tough and tenacious woman determined to live her life as she wants. And I have to say Viv's struggles with her love life, will it be Leo or Honor, keep things interesting. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Last Call at the Nightingale. This is a great read, highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

"The Last Note of Warning is the third in the luscious, mysterious, and queer Nightingale mystery series by Katharine Schellman, set in 1920s New York.

Prohibition is a dangerous time to be a working-class woman in New York City, but Vivian Kelly has finally found some measure of stability and freedom. By day, she's a respectable shop assistant, delivering luxurious dresses to the city's wealthy and elite. At night, she joins the madcap revelry of New York's underworld, serving illegal drinks and dancing into the morning at a secretive, back-alley speakeasy known as the Nightingale. She's found, if not love, then something like it with her bootlegger sweetheart, Leo, even if she can't quite forget the allure of the Nightingale's sultry owner, Honor Huxley.

Then the husband of a wealthy client is discovered dead in his study, and Vivian was the last known person to see him alive. With the police and the press both eager to name a culprit in the high-profile case, she finds herself the primary murder suspect.

She can't flee town without endangering the people she loves, but Vivian isn't the sort of girl to go down without a fight. She'll cash in every favor she has from the criminals she calls friends to prove she had no connection to the dead man. But she can't prove what isn't true.

The more Vivian digs into the man's life, and as the police close in on her, the harder it is to avoid the truth: someone she knows wanted him dead. And the best way to get away with murder is to set up a girl like Vivian to take the fall."

Here's a hint, never be the fall guy, or gal as the case may be.

It's prohibition and Vivian Kelly lives in New York City. During the day she works for a woman who makes fancy dresses for the rich, and now she delivers the dresses and makes sure they fit. At night she works at the Nightingale, a speak easy. In this book she makes a delivery where the woman is out and she has to wait for her to do the fitting. She chats with the husband until the maid calls him away to meet another caller. After waiting a long time, she realizes she needs to get back to work. On her way out she finds the husband dead, and she is the only suspect. Leo tries to take care of her; the Commissioner lets her go, but tells her she has 7 days to prove her innocence or find the killer.

The book becomes very exciting. This is a great addition to the series. I thank Netgalley and Crooked Lane Publishing for the ARC so I could read the book before publication.

This is part of a series and I jumped in at this book. This book was so detailed and it sucked me right into the plot. I felt like dancing and swaying right along with them. I enjoyed the mystery and was on the edge of my seat right up till the end. Very well done. I love a good 1920 prohibition mystery.

This was probably my favourite of the Nightingale Mysteries so far! It's a strong 4.5 star rating! The book was fast paced and I couldn’t help but be invested into Vivian’s fate and the case. I loved the writing and I feel that Katharine refined the characters even more with this 3rd book. I honestly hope there will be more books in this series. I would be reading them in a heartbeat again!

Concerning the characters, Vivian is not only the FMC this time but also the accused even though she is innocent which gives her character nice twist and brings out how stubborn and strong she is. Her friend Leo is Vivian’s rock in this story and tries to help her as much as he can. Also her best female friend Bea is a great best friend to her and I love how supportive she is. Honor is mysterious and unconventional for the time owning the Nightingale speakeasy as a woman. I love how she breaks rules and crosses gender boundaries to some extent.

Particularly the incorporation of a drag ball with the historical background that Katharine provides in the Author's Note was a highlight for me. I think it was very interesting to learn about the culture at the time and how that type of event was already invented in the late 1800s. This book gets my recommendation for any 1920s, New York City and mystery book lovers!

This series just keeps getting better and better and, in this case, more nail biting. Once again, our heroine, Vivian, gets dumped into a situation that threatens her happiness and liberty. I have to admit that this book is so thrilling and scary that I lasted a whole 15% of the book before I peeked at the end or else I was going to stay up all night reading it. This is a fantastic mystery set in a dynamic era in time. Highly recommended!

Katharine Schellman has produced another exciting, enthralling entry in this series! I love the nooks and crannies of NYC history that these books provide -- won't give anything away, but there's a dive into a sort of demimonde that I'd love to learn more about. The mystery clips along and puts Vivian in serious jeopardy, both for her liberty and in her various relationships, and watching her try to navigate those rough waters really pulled on my heartstrings.

I had to give myself a minute to recover before writing about the newest installment in The Nightingale series by Katharine Schellman. This book was suspenseful and had me quite emotional! The main character, Vivian Kelly, has to prove herself innocent of a murder. At the same time, she is navigating changes in her relationships with her newlywed sister, her boss/sometimes love interest, and another friend who is also a love interest. All this while we see all the characters trying to survive working-class, 1920s New York. There's a stunning contrast between the lives of our main characters and that of upper-class New York, as the main character makes deliveries for an exclusive, custom dress shop.

The writing in this book instantly took me to the 1920s. From word choices to setting descriptions, the atmosphere permeated the story. Each chapter counted down the days until Vivian was to be taken into custody by the corrupt police commissioner, which heightened the suspense and gave me a feeling of dread as she followed leads (and worked her two jobs, which barely provide for food and shelter). I cried before Vivian did over her hopeless situation! Of course, there was a break in the case and a satisfying conclusion, but not without a little hint of more to come with Vivian's relationship with her boss.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC**

This story takes place in the 1920’s and although it’s the third in the series, it’s the forest I’ve read. I love the characters and the story. This mystery was delightful with great plot twists.

"The Last Note of Warning" by Katharine Schellman is a captivating addition to the Nightingale mystery series, set in 1920s New York. Protagonist Vivian Kelly finds herself embroiled in a murder case when the husband of a wealthy client is found dead, and she becomes the prime suspect. With danger lurking and time running out, Vivian must navigate a treacherous world of secrets and deception to clear her name. Schellman's vivid prose and intricate plot twists make for a gripping read, perfect for fans of historical mysteries.

I really enjoyed this mystery, I was invested throughout and needed to know who was really behind the murder. Vivian tries her best to solve it and does everything she can, and I enjoyed the side characters as well, who were surprisingly fleshed out. The relationships between all the characters are well written too, and I love Leo.

The ending fell a little flat for me personally but it did make sense. There are some plot holes that made me wonder how incompetent the police were about solving the crime but overall this was a really enjoyable read!

As hard as I tried, I could not get into this story.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.