In the latest book in the Bishop & Gallagher Mystery series from Shain Steinberg, readers follow former OSS operative Evelyn Bishop as she struggles to adjust to civilian life as the president of Bishop Aeronautics where people only see her as a socialite. With former spy and current private investigator and fiance Nick Gallagher, however, Evelyn can be herself, and since the mission that first brought them together is still going on, Evelyn and Nick can take on a mission from her former commanding officer worried about the Soviets’ recruitment of scientist Kurt Vogel. Forced to deal with their past mission getting Vogel out of Nazi Germany and the consequences his defection might have for the Cold War, the readers are pulled into Nick and Evelyn’s investigation in this entertaining and high stakes new historical mystery novel. The details are absolutely brilliant, and Steinberg has brought postwar Los Angeles to life in absolutely fascinating detail. The characters are fantastic, and readers will love the added tension and drama of Nick and Evelyn’s personal and professional relationships. Entertaining, immersive, and detailed, historical fiction and mystery lovers alike will enjoy the characters, mystery, and historical setting and details in this brilliant new historical mystery novel.

This is author Shaina Steinberg’s (https://www.shainasteinberg.com) second novel. An Unquiet Peace was published last April and is the second book in her Bishop & Gallagher Mystery series. It is the 42nd book I completed reading in 2025.

Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R.

The story opens in 1948, with the world still recovering from the devastation of World War II. Nick Gallagher, Evelyn Bishop, and Carl Santos had been an OSS team during the war. Now, all three are in Los Angeles: Gallagher is a Private Investigator, Santos is an FBI agent, and Bishop is the President of Bishop Aeronautics. Gallagher and Bishop grew very close while serving together, and they have just announced their engagement.

An old childhood friend of Gallagher’s, Helen Becker, runs a ‘gentleman’s club’ in Los Angeles. After two of her female employees are intercepted and beaten on their way home, she hires Gallagher to stop the harassment of her girls. Threats to Becker insist that she turn over photos she has secretly taken of some of her high-profile guests. Those photos will keep her girls safe.

Gallagher ‘chats’ with a local low-level gangster, which seems to resolve the threat to Becker’s girls. Soon, though, Becker’s bartender, Julia Martinez, is kidnapped. Again, the ransom demands that the secret photos be turned over. Gallagher approaches the gangster again, but determines he is not behind it.

LAPD Detective Brian Caruso is supposed to be handling the kidnapping, but has been ignoring it. Gallagher meets him and tries to convince him to take more action. Unfortunately, the net result is that Gallagher is followed, and Caruso creates trouble. The deeper Gallagher investigates the kidnapping, the more it appears that someone at LAPD might be involved.

At about the same time, Bishop receives a call from their former commander, General Henry Gibson. While the trio left the service at the end of the war, Gibson stayed on and is still in Berlin. The Russians have closed off Berlin, and the US has an airlift in full operation to supply the beleaguered American, British, and French sectors of Berlin. Gibson asks Bishop to help with a mission she had long thought behind her.

In 1942, the OSS team was sent into Germany to bring out Kurt Vogel, a German rocket scientist. They met Vogel and managed to get him to England. Another team was supposed to bring Vogel’s wife and daughter out. Hannah and Sophie Vogel never made it out of Germany. Kurt Vogel is now working at JPL and has contacted Gibson, reporting that he has received a postcard from his wife.

Because of her previous connection to Vogel, Gibson asks Bishop to look into the claim. When a woman claiming to be Hannah is found, Bishop and Vogel travel to Germany to confirm her identity. Bishop and Vogel travel to the still ravaged Berlin. Bishop, Vogel, Gibson, and an aide visit the woman. After their interview, their vehicle explodes with casualties.

As the story approaches its conclusion, the why and who behind the bombing are being investigated, but they have a suspect. Gallagher is closing in on the kidnapper of Martinez. But the suspect’s political and financial clout will make it tough to bring a case to court. How will these unrelated cases be resolved?

I enjoyed the 6.5 hours I spent engrossed in this 337-page mystery. Though this is the second book in a series, it reads well as a standalone novel. I thought it was a fun and action-packed read. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a solid rating of 4.3 (rounded to 4) out of 5.

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"An Unquiet Peace" is the first book I've read by this author and it won't be my last. I was intrigued by both main characters: Evelyn Bishop, a former spy and now president of Bishop Aeronautics (I kept wondering if Evelyn had been inspired by Hedy Lamarr) and Nick Gallagher.

Evelyn and Nick are living together, and each is occupied with their professional concerns (Nick's a PI), but they're also considering formalizing their personal relationship through marriage.

The story opens with an wartime assignment Evelyn was on that now needs resolution. Evelyn had brought a German scientist, Kurt Vogel, out of Germany during the war, and the government had promised to extract his wife and daughter, which had not happened. Now, there is a possibility that these two may have survived. So Evelyn travels to battered post-war Germany to determine the truth and reunite the family, if possible. There are also attempts made on Evelyn's life as she traces elusive facts and rumours about Vogel's family.

Meanwhile, a former childhood friend of Nick's, Helen, who is also a brothel owner, comes to him for help. One of her girls, Julie, a bartender, is missing, and she needs someone reliable, and trustworthy, to help her find the young woman. Julie was going to university on the side, had loving parents and was known to have a good head on her shoulders. The LAPD had not been interested in searching, because brothel, and when Nick tried to engage, he encountered resistance and apathy.

I totally enjoyed this compelling story. Both leads are interesting, and I found their relationship fascinating as they support each other. It's a surprisingly equitable relationship, and I loved it.

I also liked the many twists and turns of both cases; they kept me engaged and entertained from start to finish, and I am anxious to read more about these two characters.

I went back and forth between the prose and audio for this book, and enjoyed voice actor Carrie Coello 's take on the characters. I liked the confidence and warmth she brought to Evelyn, and the toughness and underlying sensitivity of her Nick.

Thank you to Netgalley, Kensington Publishing and to Highbridge Audio for this ARC in exchange for my review.

An Unquiet Peace by Shaina Steinberg
A Bishop & Gallagher Mystery #2

As I began reading this book I felt as if I had returned to the era of Hollywood’s black and white “noir movie” period. I was able to seamlessly find out how Nick & Evelyn were moving on after the war.

What I liked:
* Evelyn Bishop: president of Bishop Aeronautics, wealthy, privileged, raised in Los Angeles, multi-lingual, lethal, good friend, supportive, feminist of sorts, intelligent, engaged to Nick, trying to move on from the war
* Nick Gallagher: private investigator, engaged to Evelyn, poor as a child, abusive parents, abandoned as a preteen, survived on the streets, grew up in Los Angeles, wants to establish the loving family he never experienced, good friend, excellent investigator
* Carl Santos: member of the OSS team Evelyn and Nick belonged to, ex-LAPD officer, FBI agent, good friend, intuitive, bright, mediator, intriguing
* Aunt Taffy: Evelyn’s aunt, moved to be with and help Evelyn plan the wedding, socialite, organized
* Investigations that Nick and Evelyn were involved in and all that happened during them
* Helen: friend of Nick from his teens, businesswoman, strong, cares for her employees, intriguing
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing – I felt I was part of the story and cared about the outcome
* That there are people I would like to see again and hope to know more about in future books
* That it was realistic and dealt with the difficulties faced post-war
* That I was reminded of my childhood growing up in Los Angeles and thinking about my parents who were married just after WWII
* That the threads were all tied up at the end AND that there is another book to look forward to

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* The way war warped one character and the harm he did others
* The kidnapper and his entitled thinking and evil actions
* Thinking about war…have been through a few myself…

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

This mystery kept my attention with its intrigue and fast pace. I easily loved Nick and Evelyn and the working dynamics of their relationship. Chasing down a lost family, PI-ing to find a missing girl, surviving a house fire, explosion, and more. This is a good one!

I enjoyed this story. It has a cozy mystery kind of feel. I loved Evelyn and Nick. Both are great characters with lots of spunk and intelligence. Now, it did take me a bit to get vested in this book. But it turned out to be a pretty good read! I especially loved the banter between characters.

This was a captivating book so well written and completely captivating. It had all the things spies and war. However I noticed that this is the second book. The book follows a couple with a great dynamic. I would love much more and glad to know that there is a first book. Will recommend to first who want to read something that grabs from the first pages.

This book is set primarily in LA about 6 yrs after WWII, where Evelyn Bishop, a former OSS operative and Nick Gallagher, also former OSS, are engaged, and planning a wedding with the assistance of Evelyn's Aunt Taffy. Evelyn is trying to fit into her role as the President of Bishop Aeronautics after her father's fall from grace. Nick grew up on the streets of LA and is now a private investigator.
The couple get pulled in different directions as Evelyn is called back to one of her old missions in Berlin involving a German scientist who she helped rescue during the War. Meanwhile, Nick's old friend Helen, who owns a Gentleman's Club asks him for help when several of her employees are injured and her bartender goes missing.
This book was a seamless combination of mystery, historical fiction, adventure and romance which kept me guessing until the end. A little of the story was predictable but I think that the author blended the diverse elements very well. It was fast paced, and tension filled. And had a satisfying ending.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and am leaving my own opinions. Although it is the second book in a series, it is easily read as a stand-alone.

An Unquiet Peace, by Shaina Steinberg, is an almost perfect blend of mystery, historical fiction and light romance. The characters are much more developed than usual in this genre blend and are very likable. I found the plot somewhat predictable, but not boring. I look forward to the next entry in this series. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read a digital ARC. It was a pleasure.

Twisty, entertaining, and witty: it kept me hooked and turning pages. Well done
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

An emotional rollercoaster that set me on the edge of my seat. I'm looking forward to more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such an entertaining read. The history was weaved into the plot almost seamlessly, and I liked how even though Evelyn and Nick were handling separate missions, the POV switches didn't feel abrupt or disconnected. It did get a little repetitive and slow during the middle portion, but overall, this was an excellent book and I can't wait to read more about these two!

I mixture of intrigue and flashbacks to World War II for the characters in the book. Evelyn goes back to Germany while Nick still works in PI while in war did meet Evelyn and they worked together. A well written book that you don't have to read the first book to understand the story. I highly recommend the book.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and the Publisher and leaving a review by my own choice.

Evelyn Bishop formerWWII spy has settled into her new space as head of the Bishop firm and is settling in well with the former detective Nick Gallagher, whom she intends marrying shortly. Her hopes for a quiet wedding are dashed by the arrival of her Aunt Taffy who like a whirlwind starts wedding preparations.

On top of that Evelyn gets called in for a covert op to find out the whereabouts of a wife and daughter of a German scientist, who was rescued and whose family was supposed to follow and who never did. Going back to Berlin is dangerous for Evelyn who has many people who will wish her dead. The enquiry is convoluted, nothing is as it seems and the person who is seeking revenge is much closer than she thinks.

The whole book was a complete package combining all that one looks for in a story of history, mystery, intrigue with a touch of romance to add balance.

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?

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