A complicated mystery in which Edie Shippen tries to solve a series of poisonings. Gangsters and the brand-new movie industry also make appearances. Edie works closely with Gil, a coroner from an Irish immigrant family well below Edie's social status. The details of life in 1920s Philadelphia are fascinating, and the author does a good job developing the characters (Edie is more mature in her actions) and their relationships. "A Poisonous Silence" is the second in a series, and it may be difficult for a new reader to understand all of the relationships and characters' back stories. Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars so rounding up. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC.

It's 1921 and someone in Philadelphia is using cyanide to kill. Edie, our intrepid PI without a client is determined to find out who and why and she does it with an initially reluctant Gil. This second in the series should be fine as a standalone but even those who read the first book might appreciate a bit of a recap as this does build on it. Edie's old pal Ava is in town to make a movie but that movie is dangerous. And then the villain threatens Gil and Edie. I'm a fan of Gil, a WWI vet with PTSD and a small daughter to raise. These two make a good team and they give good banter. No spoilers from me on the mystery. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Looking forward to the next one.

I loved Jenny Adams's debut and had high expectations for her sophomore novel, and it did not disappoint! Adams is so deft at weaving historical detail and romantic tension together without sacrificing pacing to create a completely engaging story. Edie and Gil have my whole heart and I hope we get so many more stories with them!

Private investigator Edie takes on her first case when a film actress’s husband is murdered, all signs pointing to her friend. As the body count rises, she and a reluctant coroner’s assistant must solve the mystery before they become the next victims.

This is a fun and entertaining cozy mystery with a romantic subplot. While it can be read as a standalone, it would be better to read the series in order. The humor and character relationships add dimension to the mystery plot.

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

This sophomore effort in an historical mystery series was every bit as good as its predecessor...probably a little better as we already had the background set up, and I felt more invested in the characters and plotline.

This one centers around the 1920s film industry and features poison as the weapon of choice. Both the mains, Edie and Gil, are seen to be striving to overcome some issues in their lives, and I must say it's a bit refreshing to watch characters who have roadblocks in their lives reaching to heal/care for themselves.

We continue to see Edie in her quest to become a "modern" woman as she begins her private investigator endeavor, and Gil is a revelation as a man beset by past demons who is striving to become both a better caregiver/assistant coroner. Both are compelling in their own ways, but together they are a solid, intelligent team.

There's some humor and obviously some suspense, and even though I had figured out the villain from the cast of suspects, I didn't feel let down or have a "I told you so" moment. Rather I just enjoyed the ride to its conclusion.

I'm excited to see where this series leads and look forward to future Edie and Gil adventures.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing the free early arc of A Poisonous Silence for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

2.5 Stars rounded up.

This book was like someone poured me a giant shake of things I'm not going to like. You know - take some of this, add some of that, throw in some of this, shake it up, and pour. Too many bits and pieces that have nothing to do with the mystery are added to this book. Yes, it did have a twist at the end; I liked that part, but this is common with these sorts of mysteries.

It could have been great as a mystery minus all the side stories, although they did finally blend somewhat. I mean, we deal with PTSD, Drugs, Mafia, migraines, mild lesbianism, love, a whole slew of main characters and secondary/tertiary characters, and many other things besides several people being killed by poisoning. Cyanide specifically.

Perhaps it would have helped me like this book more had I read the first in this series, but if this book is anything to go by, I think not. I found it to be a tedious read, with nothing in it to make me like the characters or to even lose myself in the time period.

Others have liked this book, so I would suggest you take my opinion for what it's worth and go by your instincts.

*ARC provided by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, the author, and NetGalley.

A mystery that keeps you on your toes. Just when you think you figured out the culprit, another twist happens to throw you off kilter. It was such fun to read, even when things got a little grisly. Definitely a winner!!

Thanks to NetGalley for this arc, which I voluntarily reviewed.

I really wanted to like this more. I enjoy historical mysteries and unconventional pairings. Here we have Edie Shippen, a rich heiress from an elite Philadeplphia family and Gilbert Lawless, a medic veteran of WWI suffering from shellshock. He’s from an immigrant Irish family and has a small daughter to bring up with the help of his family. Is it a coincidence that Shippen was the name of Benedict Arnold’s wife who supposedly encouraged him in his treason. That’s never mentioned, but I couldn’t help but wonder about that.

There was just too much going on in the story. There are three separate murders, the victims all being killed by cyanide. There are dueling murderous gangs who may or may not be connected to the murders. There are threats to Gilbert’s family. There is a mysterious lady who supposedly is giving women who were victims of domestic violence poison to deal with their tormentors. There is a silent film being made in Philadelphia starring an old friend of Edie’s.

There were also lots of references to the first book in the series. I’d read that book but didn’t remember enough of it to keep all the references straight. It’s a common problem that authors of books in a series have. They don’t want to tediously summarize the plots of previous books, but they need to give enough background so that new readers can follow and previous readers can have their memory jogged enough to remember what happened in an earlier book if it’s relevant. Here it was relevant to understand the tension between Gilbert and Edie. I wish the author had given us more.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

This book was just as enthralling as book 1. Edie and Gilbert are just amazing together. He thinks he made a mistake before and does not want to repeat it. She is just so independent and wanting to matter that she subtly pushes him to give more. Their tentative bond gets tested multiple times with all the murder, mystery, and mayhem surrendering them. I have my hopes and cheers up for them to make it together.

#netgalley #APoisonousSilence

3.5/5

Edie Shippen is now a private detective, but business is slow and she hasn't even had a solid case to investigate. This all changes when she runs into an old friend, Ava, who is now a movie star. Their reunion is cut short however when Ava's new husband, and costar, dies after being poisoned making her the prime suspect. This is not the only case of poisoning in the city, Gil Lawless has already seen two while working at the morgue. He's still recovering from the events of the previous book and would like to keep his nose clean and out of trouble. However, all three murders seem to be related, and Eddie and Gil won't be able to stay away from each other or from danger.

Another fun addition to this series! I enjoy reading about Edie's adventures because they're entertaining and have a good balance of tension and warm feelings. It's very much a detective book in the way of cozy mysteries, so while there are some stakes the core is mostly the characters and their relationships. Edie is still fun and vivacious, but she does come off as more mature than last book, meanwhile Gil is steady and focused yet more open to his feelings. The ensemble cast is back, characters like Lizzie and Marco make an appearance, plus some new minor ones that I'm presuming will get more developed as the series grows.

When it comes to the mystery this one was harder to solve than the previous one, that one was just too obvious. I liked the challenge and the twists it took but I felt the ending was a bit too rushed and needed a couple more pages of denouement, plus it hinged on a key piece of evidence that we only got near the end. Still, I loved the chemistry between Edie and Gil, and that kept me going even when the mystery wasn't my cup of tea at the end. Interesting set up there at the end for the next book, I'm glad the series is continuing and I will be reading for sure.

Philadelphia, 1921: While heiress Edie Shippen has become a private investigator, she has done more shopping than actual investigating. Her first case is from a woman who suspects her neighbor murdered her husband, a death that the police suspect is natural. When she finds out the coroners involved in the case are her assistant’s brother and her sort of friend Gilbert Lawless, she immediately decides to take the case. Gilbert helped her perviously but was injured. That injury coupled with PSTD from World War I had kept him sidelined, doing desk work until this case. It’s not exactly stated, but one gets the impression Edie is perhaps more than interested in Gilbert as a friend, while Gilbert is probably more interested in avoiding Edie. However, when she shows up at the office to question to question Marco and Gilbert, she manages to rope him into taking her to a party being thrown by a film company to celebrate their latest film as an old friend of Edie’s is one of the guests of honor of the party. Things quickly go sideways a few days after the party when the other guest of honor when her old friend’s new husband is killed during a scene, poisoned by a prop. Incidentally, the method of death happens to be the same as the neighbor in Edie’s first case. Edie is ready to jump in to the investigate, but Gilbert isn’t - he’s been warned about being involved in Edie’s cases.

I enjoyed this book even though it felt like it was as much a slow burn romance between Gilbert and Edie as it was a mystery. There was lots of backstory about Gilbert’s deceased first wife, his efforts to raise his young daughter and provide a better life for her and some about Edie’s family, too.

The is the second book in the Edie Shippen - Gilber Lawless series after 2024’s A Deadly Endeavor.. I think it works as a standalone as I hadn’t read the previous one and still enjoyed it. However, while there wasn’t any explicit spoilers about the first book, there were enough that you could probably figure out the guilty party was. If you’re highly sensitive to spoilers, I’d recommend reading the first book in the series before reading this one.

Highly recommended - I’ve add the first book in the series to by TBR list. I received a copy of this book through NetGalley.Com which I voluntarily reviewed.

Review of "A Poisonous Silence" by Jenny Adams
Oh, I just finished "A Poisonous Silence" by Jenny Adams (huge thanks to Crooked Lane Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!), and I'm just bursting to tell you all about it! Imagine stepping into a 1920s drawing-room, all glittering and glamorous, but then peeking behind the curtains and finding a world of secrets and shadowy corners. That's exactly the vibe this book gives you – a wonderful mix of elegance and intrigue.
The mystery itself? Absolutely delightful! I was completely hooked, trying to piece together the clues right alongside the characters. And let me tell you, I was wrong so many times! Jenny Adams really knows how to keep you guessing, with twists and turns that kept me turning the pages late into the night.
But what truly made this book special for me were the characters. They felt like real people, with their own quirks and secrets. I loved getting to know them, and I was so invested in their stories. Plus, the way the book explores the lives of women in the 1920s, across all those different social classes, was just fascinating. It really made you think about the challenges they faced, and the strength they showed.
If you're looking for a mystery with a touch of glamour, a dash of intrigue, and characters you'll genuinely care about, "A Poisonous Silence" is perfect for you. It's like curling up with a cup of tea and a really good puzzle – you won't want to put it down! I highly recommend it!
Thanks again NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book was so much fun to read. I have not read the first but didn't feel lost in the slightest. I also don't think they spoiled enough of the first book to make it something I wouldn't pick up. The pace was steady, the romance was just enough to keep you interested, and the characters all likeable in their own way. I would definitely recommend this to someone that wanted a period (almost) cozy mystery.

An excellent follow up to the first in the series! I loved the glimpses into film and queer history and the mystery kept me guessing until the climax. Also, it looks from that ending like we may be lucky enough to get more in this series?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

Sick with the flu, I was glad to have this advanced copy to keep me company! The second in a series with Masterpiece Classic vibes, this did not disappoint! I was a big fan of the first book, and Gil and Edie were just as dashing and enjoyable to read about in this book. The plot was twisty and I loved learning more about all the characters. Jenny Adams writes beautifully, and the atmosphere and history is so rich!

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane for an early copy of this ebook. Opinions are my own.

This is the second book in the Deadly 20's series, and I didn't read the first. However, that did not take away from my enjoyment of this book. There is, of course, some back story that is eluded to here that I am missing, but it didn't detract overly much from the story. I would recommend reading them in order if you can, though.

Edie and Gilbert are both extremely likable main characters. She is feisty and determined while he is steadfast and loyal, but together, they make the perfect detecting team even when they don't want to admit it. I like the dynamics between them and hope that they continue to grow in their relationship. The side characters are also intriguing, and I appreciate that even those that seem like villains maintain an element of humanity and morality.

The crime here is also done well, and I found myself trying hard to determine the culprit right along with our sleuths. I did happen to get there before them, but that was okay. I enjoyed the suspense that, while certainly present, was not overpowering and did not detract from the mystery as it can sometimes do. It placed this book squarely in the mystery genre, as opposed to thriller, with just enough intensity to keep me turning pages.

I'll definitely be going back to pick up the first book in this series and look forward to future books as well.

📖 Book Review 📖 It may have been a year since we first met Edie and Gilbert in A Deadly Endeavor, but A Poisonous Silence picks up only a few short months after the end of the first installment in the Deadly Twenties Mystery series. While I do genuinely believe that you could pick up this as a standalone, the first book is so good and adds so much depth to the characters, I highly recommend a visit to your local library or independent bookstore ahead of reading this one to enhance the whole experience! If you are intrigued by the roaring twenties, Prohibition, old Hollywood films, and murder mysteries with an intelligent and strong female lead , then this one is definitely for you! Jenny Adams has done it again with a deliciously clever gem of historical fiction!

This the second installment in the Deadly Twenties series, and I was so glad to be back with Edie and Gilbert in prohibition-era Philadelphia. Edie is now working as a lady detective and has received her first case when her friend is accused of murder. Her second case quickly follows when a woman comes seeking her help and accuses her neighbor of the murder of her husband. With gangsters, movie stars, and murder, this is a really interesting plot! Unfortunately, it wasn’t as interesting as the first one and I found myself getting frustrated with the main characters as they seemed to make the same mistakes. I have high hopes for the next one where we should see Edie and Gilbert work together.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this early copy! All opinions are e timely my own.

Perhaps its because I didn't read the first book, but I really couldn't get into this one. Gilbert is still recovering from injury and this impacts his approach throughout (but its not mentioned in this intro). and his relationship with Edie. So there's a lot of tension. The tone and style of writing the dialogue just seemed stilted too

Perhaps just not my cup of tea - but I am sure there will be others who enjoy this style.

I am grateful to have received an advance reader copy. My thanks to Crooked Lane Books, Netgalley and the author. The opinions are my own.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for this digital ARC.

I was excited to jump into book 2 of A Deadly Twenties Mystery. Edie Shippen is trying to settle into life as a "private investigator"... but the problem is she has yet to book a case. When she finally gets her first job, it unexpectedly throws her right back together with Gilbert Lawless. Coroner's assistant by day, troubled veteran with shell shock by night. He and Edie were thrown together for the events of book 1, and their chemistry is undeniable.

Edie's old friend from California, major movie star Ava, comes under scrutiny when her new husband dies unexpectedly on a movie set. Can Edie and Gil untangle the threads of these cases that tie them together? and will they finally address their attraction to each other?

What a ride! Fingers crossed for book 3.