Review of Murder at the Flamingo by Rachel McMillan

About the Book ~

“Maybe it was time to land straight in the middle of the adventure…”

Hamish DeLuca has spent most of his life trying to hide the anxiety that appears at the most inopportune times -- including during his first real court case as a new lawyer. Determined to rise above his father’s expectations, Hamish runs away to Boston where his cousin, Luca Valari, is opening a fashionable nightclub in Scollay Square.  When he meets his cousin's “right hand man,” Reggie, Hamish wonders if his dreams for a more normal life might be at hand.

Regina “Reggie” Van Buren, heir to a New Haven fortune, has fled fine china, small talk, and the man her parents expect her to marry. Determined to make a life as the self-sufficient city girl she’s seen in her favorite Jean Arthur and Katharine Hepburn pictures, Reggie runs away to Boston, where she finds an easy secretarial job with the suave Luca Valari. But as she and Hamish work together in Luca’s glittering world, they discover a darker side to the smashing Flamingo nightclub.
When a corpse is discovered at the Flamingo, Reggie and Hamish quickly learn there is a vast chasm between the haves and the have-nots in 1937 Boston—and that there’s an underworld that feeds on them both. As Hamish is forced to choose between his conscience and loyalty to his beloved cousin, the unlikely sleuthing duo work to expose a murder before the darkness destroys everything they’ve worked to build.

For more information about Rachel McMillan and her books, connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

My Thoughts ~

Next time I go to Boston, I'll see Hamish and Reggie. I'll see them everywhere. I'll see them at the Old North Church in the moonlight. I'll see them riding down the sidewalk on Hamish's bicycle, Reggie perched precariously on the handlebars. I'll see them blissfully savoring each bite of cannoli.

Oh, the cannoli!!! Was I the only one who closed this beautiful book (inside and out) desperately craving cannoli? No? Okay. :-)

Anyways, Murder at the Flamingo is like...cannoli. Delicious. A creamy romance stuffed into the crunchy shell of murder and mystery. Murder at the Flamingo is a clean read, and while none of the characters are overtly labeled as "Christian," the Christian themes are strong in the story. Much of the story sets up a grander mystery that I am eager discover, a mystery that arcs across the whole series! I also adored exploring one of my favorite cities through the lens of the 1930's! Rachel McMillan continues to be truly exemplary at immersing readers into former eras thanks to her keen eye for those special details that make a story come alive.

Reggie is a brave and clever woman, discovering who she really is away from the glitz and glam of her old life. I loved her spunk! Hamish is brilliant and endearing, discovering that his greatest weakness is actually his greatest strength. Rachel McMillan uses Murder at the Flamingo as a springboard to end the stigma against mental illness, using her own personal experiences as fodder for Hamish's journey. So many people, myself included, have fought against mental illnesses, such as panic attacks and anxiety disorders. This was truly an informative story that will fight for the good of many!

Four Stars ~ An excellent start to what is sure to be a positively radiant series! Murder at the Flamingo is the first book in Rachel McMillan's new Van Buren and DeLuca Mystery Series, which is a spin-off of Rachel McMillan's popular Herringford and Watts Mysteries Series. While you don't need to read the previous series to enjoy Murder at the Flamingo, there are a lot of fabulous Easter eggs (I need some more details about Maisie, please and thank you!) for those who have. I am sooo looking forward to the second book, Murder in the City of Liberty, releasing May 28th, 2019!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

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See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

 

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!