While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Are you a day or a night person?  I am a night person that is forced to live a daytime existence.

Katherine Schneider works as a dentist in 1913 at Painless Parker Dentistry in Times Square, New York City.  Her work shift ends at midnight and for the past two years, the dashing Lieutenant Jonathan Birch from the police force has been there to walk her safely to the subway.  She lives in the Martha Washington, a hotel with apartments that serves only professional women.  Katherine and Jonathan seem to have feelings for each other, but their relationship has not progressed.  Jonathan harbors secrets from his past and he is not willing to open up to another. 

When one of Katherine’s patients spills secrets while he is under the influence of laughing gas, Katherine soon realizes that the secrets seem to align with bombings that are taking place around the City.  With the help of Jonathan, the two investigate the crime. Will they be able to solve it before the criminals silence Katherine forever?

I greatly enjoyed this historical mystery.  As soon as I started reading this story, I was riveted and could not put it down.

What I liked about this book:

-        Great romantic tension between the two lead characters.

-        Riveting history as part of the setting in 1913 New York City.

-        Strong female character living an independent life as a professional dentist.

-        Strong male lead who must come to terms with his past in order to move on with his future.

-        Diverse characters who are professionals that are able to help other people in the City.

-        Engaging mystery story that kept me guessing.

-        Great historical notes and discussion questions at the end of the novel.

-        Also, at the end of the novel, a first glimpse at the next book in this Women of Midtown series.  I will be reading it when it comes out in 2025!

I also must add that there was one section of the book that was my very favorite.  This is a Christian book.  Most Christian books don’t really have any Christian themes in them but are just clean reads.  This book has a section in the first part of the novel where Katherine and Jonathan have a great discussion about forgiveness.  Here is a snippet of the discussion:

“’I know they’re bad men, but I’d like to think they can be redeemed.’

He slanted her a look, but she kept staring through the window, the outline of her profile as pure and refined as the statues of the saints he saw in church each Sunday.  ‘Do you really believe that?’

‘Of course,’ she said automatically.  ‘If someone gives themselves over to Christ, all things are possible.’

He smothered a cynical laugh.  Her innocence was delightful but a bit naïve.  ‘What about Nero?  Judas?  John Wilkes Booth?’

She shrugged.  ‘No person is so lost they can’t be forgiven.’

‘Let me get this straight,’ he said.  ‘If John Wilkes Booth, the man who shot Lincoln and derailed the reunification of our nation, managed to choke out an apology on his deathbed, you would say it’s okay. . . . that all is forgiven?’

She lifted her chin.  ‘God would. Jesus would.’”

I loved this entire conversation and there is even more to it in the book.  It’s a great plot point as Jonathan and his family are not perfect either.  I feel like this is the start of him thinking about, can he and his family be forgiven for things they have done in the past?  Or does the stain of their sins make it so that he cannot be forgiven and move on with his life?

Overall, While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden was a captivating and engaging historical mystery novel. It is one of my favorite books this year so far.

Book Source:  Review copy from author Bethany House Publishing as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

QUICK FACTS

·       Title: While the City Sleeps

·       Series: The Women of Midtown (Book 1)

·       Author: Elizabeth Camden

·       Genre: Historical Mystery, Historical Romance, Gilded Age Fiction

·       Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (February 13, 2024)

·       Length: (352) pages

·       Format: Hardcover, Trade Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook 

·       ISBN: ‎978-0764241710

·       Tour Dates: February 12 – 26, 2024

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Amid the hushed city, two hearts must navigate danger and deception, bound by a love that outshines the stars.

Katherine Schneider's life as a dentist in 1913 New York is upended when a patient reveals details of a deadly plot while under the influence of laughing gas. As she is plunged into danger, she seeks help from the dashing Lieutenant Jonathan Birch, a police officer she has long admired from afar.

Jonathan has harbored powerful feelings toward Katherine for years but never acted on them, knowing his dark history is something she could never abide. Now, with her safety on the line, he works alongside her through the nights as they unravel the criminal conspiracy that threatens her . . . even as he keeps his deepest secrets hidden at all costs.

Join award-winning author Elizabeth Camden for a sweeping and romantic adventure of dangerous secrets and wounded hearts, fighting to overcome the darkness while the rest of the city sleeps.

PRAISE FOR WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS

• "History, mystery, and romance set against the backdrop of New York City at night--a must-read!"— Gabrielle Meyer, bestselling author of When the Day Comes, and In This Moment
• "Elizabeth Camden brings the bustling metropolis to living color like no one else. . . A novel that will keep readers up late into the night."— Jocelyn Green, Christy Award-winning author of The Metropolitan Affair
• “I loved the historical details that make the story feel authentic.”— Kim Prudhoe, All the Lovely Pages

PURCHASE LINKS

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AUTHOR BIO

Elizabeth Camden is best known for her historical novels set in gilded age America featuring clever heroines and richly layered storylines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her favorite is the continually growing library in her own home. Her novels have won the RITA and Christy Award, and she lives in Florida with her husband who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books.

 

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