Spies and lies!

Groan! This was so good! I realize I’m now going to have to read the first in the series. That’s what the groan is for because my TBR list is out of control and adding one more just might tip it, and me, over the edge.
Talking of which, this an edgy read complete with post war gangsters, corruption, and questions left over after field operations during WWII didn’t go as planned.
Set in the Los Angeles in 1948 with flashbacks to Europe in the latter days of WWII, aeronautics heiress Evelyn Bishop and her fiancé Nick Gallagher (both former undercover operatives of OSS) find themselves contending with the past as it impacts the present. Berlin has been blockaded by the Soviets, the airlift is struggling, and General Henry Gibson, Evelyn’s commanding officer during her Service days is asking for her.
A genuinely immersive read!

A Kensington ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Book 2 in this engaging series continues the story of former WWII spies Evelyn Bishop and Nick Gallagher. Evelyn is busy running her family's aerospace company while Nick continues to follow cases as a private investigator. Evelyn's visiting aunt tries to get Evelyn engaged in planning her own wedding, but Evelyn is not the typical late 1940's bride, as she is worried about losing her individual identity when she becomes "Mrs. Nick Gallagher". Evelyn and Nick's former commanding officer contacts Evelyn when it comes to light that the missing family of Kurt Vogel, a scientist they helped smuggle out of Germany during the war, may have resurfaced in Berlin. Evelyn visits in the midst of the Berlin Airlift to see if she can find them, while Nick stays in LA pursuing a case that puts him back in touch with a childhood mentor and friend, and possibly in conflict with the LAPD. The story blends mystery and intrigue with history and a bit of romance. The fast-paced plot throws in a few twists, and the well-developed, likeable characters feel like old friends. If you haven't read book 1, it won't affect your enjoyment or ability to follow what's going on in this one, but it will give some things away.

An Unquiet Peace is an interesting historical mystery novel and book two in the Bishop & Gallagher Mystery series.

The book picks up post WWII and Evie Bishop and Nick Gallagher are paired together again. Evie is now in charge of her family business, Bishop Aeronautics, but is fighting off the misogynistic views of society. Evie's past mission for the OSS comes to back to haunt her, leaving her jetting off to Berlin and stuck in the middle of the Berlin Airlift incident (an operation by the US and the UK to deliver supplies to West Berlin after the Soviet Union blockaded land access to the city). Nick continues his career as a private investigator. He has just taken a case where a high-end brothel worker has disappeared. If their responsibilities are not stressful enough, they are both dealing with their upcoming wedding.

I enjoyed the premise of this book. There were so many twists and turns. I had no idea that this book was the second book in the series, so I will have to go back and read the first book; however, this book does well as a standalone book.

There is a bit of language throughout the book, so be aware if you don't care for heavy expletives.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. My review is voluntary and all thoughts are my own.

I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I was excited to read An Unquiet Peace after finishing the first book in the Bishop & Gallagher mysteries. I ended up enjoying the follow up more than the original. I liked that Bishop and Gallagher each had their own mystery to solve. It kept the pace of the story clipping along. I didn't see the who dunnits until nearly the end. A perfect mystery that isn't too cozy or too fierce.

its great to be back with book 2 of this series. there is so much to be said and learnt from just what people might have done after the war. how do you go back to the norm. especially if you were involved in some extra brave and dangerous missions. i often think about this. especially woman who were simply told and thought to just fit back into the kitchen with the rolling pin. uhum. uhum.
Evelyn is bought back into a case that has sat with her since the war. she once helped get a man out but could get his wife and daughter. there now appears word they are alive? can she finally reunite them?
nick also has his own things going on. hes a PI now and is on the case for an old friend that takes him to a brothel where woman are being hurt and or now missing.
but Nick also want to be there for his Evelyn. but the dangers are ever present. different from before but new dangers are about with new dangerous people.
can they both come out of this safely. together?

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Nick Gallagher and Evelyn Bishop are back in California and the war is over, there spying days are over. Nick is a private eye, and Evelyn is running Bishop Aeronautics. Their past is never far behind. Evelyn receives a call from her former commanding officer, who is overseeing the Berlin Airlift. He is concerned that the Soviets are trying to recruit Kurt Vogel, a scientist Evelyn and Nick smuggled out of Nazi Germany. After six long years, there’s word his wife and daughter may have survived the war. Nick has a reunion with a childhood friend who runs a high-class “gentleman’s club.” The clientele includes everyone from Hollywood royalty to mobsters. They both get dragged into cases.

I am thrilled that Nick and Evelyn are back and hope there will be more books.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington! #AnUnquietPeace #NetGalley

This was my first introduction to Shaina Steinberg's work, and I was so thoroughly impressed!

The narrative is rich with suspense and emotional depth, exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and the lingering shadows of war. Steinberg's attention to historical detail immerses the reader in the era, making the story both engaging and informative.​

Evelyn and Nick are a compelling duo—strong-willed, intelligent, and capable. Their partnership is balanced and refreshing, especially in historical fiction. I adore Evie & Nick's dynamic so much!

I particularly loved the strong female friendships depicted and hope to see more of these powerful female characters in future books!

For fans of historical mysteries with strong female leads and intricate plots, An Unquiet Peace is a must-read.

It's a testament to the resilience of those who served during the war and the complexities they faced upon returning home.​ I'm eager to go back and read the first book in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley & Kensington Publishers for providing ARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Evelyn Bishop, now president of Bishop Aeronautics in Los Angeles, founded by her father, was an OSS operative during the war with her now fiancé, Nick Gallagher. The missions they went on together were dangerous and often deadly. It was late 1940s and when Evelyn heard scientist Kurt Vogel, a man they'd smuggled out of Nazi Germany, had received a postcard from his wife, Hannah, and daughter, he was cautiously hopeful it meant she and their daughter Sophie, were still alive. Not managing to retrieve Kurt's family was a failure Evelyn felt often; now was the opportunity to reunite the family.

Nick was a private detective after being with the LAPD, and when he was contacted by an old friend, Helen, and told an employee had gone missing, he was immediately on the case. Mixed in with the mob as well as other undesirables, Nick was determined to find Julie, as well as assist Evelyn in the case back in Berlin. But could he? The danger was ever present...

An Unquiet Peace is the 2nd in A Bishop & Gallagher Mystery series by Shaina Steinberg and I haven't read the first. This is also my first by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it, with everything I love - intrigue, plenty of twists, top class characters, and a fabulous mystery. I'll be looking for more by this author and recommend this one highly.

With thanks to NetGalley & Kensington Publishers for my digital ARC to read and review.

This book has an engaging voice and a fast-paced plot. The characters are interesting and well-rounded. If you like mid-century spy thrillers, this book is for you.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

I absolutely loved An Unquiet Peace. I didn't know this was part of a series (face plant) but my error has be rectified. I was fascinated by the way the main characters, Evelyn and Nick, are a couple but have their own identities. I would find them on different sides of the world Solving a mystery. I saw the wonderful dynamics when they were together. They are the epitome of opposites attract. They are their own unique people but they stronger together.

With every page I read; I was more excited to see what happened next. Evelyn and Nick met as members of th OSS during WW2. Evelyn's training will come in handy as she tries to correct a piece of her past. She finds herself back in Germany, reconnecting with her past. What happens next is shocking. Nick rushes to her side, determined to discover what happened.

Nick uses his training every day in his work as a Private Investigator in the Los Angeles area. He soon finds himself in the thick of things as he searches for a missing girl. Not everything is as it seems. Not everyone wants her found. I was stumped. I was shocked. I found his case entertaining me for hours. When he discovers the truth, it is with Evelyn by his side.

Together they are stronger. Their love is obvious. Following their romance, their plans for the future, had me hoping for an amazing happily ever after.

I hadn’t read the first book in this series, but now I want to search it out. Private detective Nick Gallagher and heiress and former WWII spy Evelyn Bishop are engaged and preparing for their wedding. But both get involved investigating mysteries arising from their pasts. They both encounter old friends that awaken painful memories. Meanwhile, Evelyn’s aunt tries somewhat in vain to get Evelyn interested in planning a fancy wedding. Evelyn is forced to travel to Berlin during the Berlin airlift to try to find out what had happened to the wife and child of a German scientist she had helped escape Nazi Germany during the war. It wasn’t a time that I’d read in other historic novels and I found the depiction of defeated Germany very interesting.

I really enjoyed this mystery and look forward to reading more in this series.

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.

Two people who faced danger during the war, working for the OSS, take up new work in peacetime. Evelyn Bishop, trained as an engineer, takes over her disgraced father's aeronautical firm, an unusual job for a woman; Nick Gallagher works as a private investigator. Despite their different backgrounds (Evelyn comes from money, Nick lived on the streets before joining the military) they are deeply in love and plan to marry, but a well-meaning aunt's enthusiasm for wedding planning gets in the way. So does a mission to find the missing wife and child of a scientist refugee that takes Evelyn to Berlin during the 1948 airlift. Meanwhile, Nick has to find a kidnapped bartender who worked for the woman who taught him how to survive as a child and now runs a high-class but dodgy gentleman's club.

I found this historical adventure fun to read, though there seemed to me to be a bit of a lack of balance between Nick's case, which is quite thoroughly developed and eventful, and Evelyn's rescue mission, for which she had to rely on informants and go-betweens rather than be the primary actor in some key scenes. It might be wise to read this after reading the previous two books in the series to understand the past events that shaped the characters' lives, but I didn't, and didn't find it confusing.

A Thrilling Blend of Espionage, Noir, and Old Hollywood Intrigue

An Unquiet Place by Shaina Steinberg is a masterclass in historical mystery, seamlessly blending the high-stakes tension of wartime espionage with the moody allure of 1940s Los Angeles noir. It’s Mr. and Mrs. Smith meets Code Name Verity with a razor-sharp wit and an undeniable cinematic flair—truly a novel that grabs you from the first page and never lets go.

Evelyn Bishop is everything I love in a protagonist—brilliant, fearless, and constantly underestimated by those around her. A former OSS operative turned reluctant aeronautics mogul, she refuses to be confined by the expectations of high society. Her relationship with Nick Gallagher, a former spy turned private investigator, crackles with chemistry, blending romance, banter, and mutual respect in a way that feels both timeless and fresh. Together, they navigate a world of double agents, Hollywood scandal, and Cold War paranoia, where nothing is as it seems.

Steinberg’s writing is electric. The dialogue is snappy, the pacing relentless, and the atmosphere impeccably crafted—whether in the smoky back rooms of a gentleman’s club, the tension-filled streets of post-war Berlin, or the sun-drenched glamour of LA. The mystery unfolds with intricate twists, keeping me guessing (and gasping!) until the final reveal. It’s a perfect mix of action, espionage, and noir-infused suspense, with just the right amount of heart to make it all matter.

Fans of historical thrillers, whip-smart heroines, and intricate spy games will devour this book. An Unquiet Place is a must-read for anyone who loves a little danger with their mystery and a lot of style in their storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shaina Steinberg for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

The 'A Bishop & Gallagher Mystery Series' should be right up my alley: daring historical adventures featuring intriguing mysteries and a slow burn romance. I just don't prefer the way Evelyn Bishop and Nick Gallagher carry themselves. They are a bit more brash and worldly than I am used to in a more cozy mystery. I know this is a personal preference, but I won't be continuing with this series. The writing style and scope of the plot is well executed though.

Special thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Not having read the first book in the Bishop and Gallagher Mystery series I missed some of the background information. This might have added more to An Unquiet Peace (#2) by Shaina Steinberg if I had read the first. It may have been my current mood, but I had trouble staying focused on the story. Add in some topics covered in the story that I did not anticipate, and I struggled reading the book. Mybe on another day I may have given it a higher rating.

Releases Apr 29th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#AnUnquietPeace #NetGalley

I saw this book was about an undercover operative during WWII and had to read it. However, it didn't quite turn out to be what I thought.
First, I didn't know it was the second book in a series. I hadn't read the first one. I think it worked as a stand alone fairly well, but there was definitely backstory that would have helped define the characters more.
Second, I thought there would be more historical context to this story. However, I felt the plot to the story could have taken place anytime and anywhere. There were a couple twists in the story that I didn't expect. The content was definitely mature, but overall it was a good mystery.
I like that the ebook included discussion questions at the end.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC! It was a 3.5 for me! The book is baed on post war WW2.

I adore Evie & Nick! Such the power couple! I love that they're both strong-willed, intelligent, capable individuals who work well together as a couple! We could use some more of that balance (especially in historical fiction). Add to that their spy background, and you couldn't ask for more inspiring main characters!

But you also get a twisty mystery! This is book 2 with the dynamic duo, and I think I liked it even more! Definitely more spy intrigue - and more justice for Evelyn!

"And you're saying this isn't the most open-minded welcoming city in the world." (Nick, such a sarcastic wit)

"You can't be a moral person in an impossible situation and not have regrets. If you feel nothing, that's when you should worry. Borrowed peace? Borrow anything long enough and it becomes yours." (wise Evie, wise author)

And of course, you can't help but love well-meaning Aunt Taffy, the wedding planner!

"An Unquiet Peace" is an unusual mix of after the WWII activities and a chance to right a wrong that occurred during the war. Evelyn Bishop, president of an aeronautical company, so called socialite, and war-time spy, is caught in that in between place of who are you after the war. Fellow OSS officer and now her fiance, Nick Gallagher, is a place of strength, friendship, and grounding. At once comfortable with the plane business and somewhat off-kilter at the sudden inheritance of the company, Evelyn see opportunity through her old contacts and the air-lift taking place in Berlin to accelerate her business endeavors and to actually participate in an active mission. She has the opportunity to re-unite German scientist Kurt Vogel with his long lost wife and daughter. He has received a letter supposedly from her and she is in Berlin. Suspiciously cautious, they fly to Germany and is part of a group both wary that this is a Russian ploy, and hopeful that Mr Vogel will soon see his family and bring them back to California with them.

Laced expertly through this story is one of Nick as a private detective. Caught while investigating a clients husband for adultery, Nick is taken into a house of entertainment for gentlemen. Some are there for the drinking, some for the gambling, some for something entirely else.
Run by a childhood friend, Nick is soon hired to find a young woman who has disappeared from the club.

This story has all of the "Noir" aspects, underworld patrons, crooked cops, well known celebrities, etc.

While this is the second novel in the "A Bishop & Gallagher Mystery" series, I was not lost at all in this book as it is understood that things happened in the previous novel which have been rectified. I liked it so much that I purchased the audiobook of the first novel "Under The Paper Moon".

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.