Monday, February 26, 2024

Book Review: While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden

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


MY THOUGHTS

While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden made me want to eat yummy Italian desserts while flipping the pages. There was mystery, crime, romance, and danger to hold my attention, but also tidbits of scrumptious food, Italian family life, and Catholic faith, all of which added variety. The historical setting combined with these details to create a lively story with characters that felt authentic.

Katherine, the lead female character in While the City Sleeps, held a unique occupation - a female dentist working the night shift in New York City. Though I couldn’t identify with Katherine’s night owl tendency, Lieutenant Jonathan Birch of the NYPD certainly did. Katherine and Jonathan matched well in certain aspects and not-so-well in other areas. Both characters had embedded flaws which offered opportunities for personal and relational growth. Though I sometimes wanted them to learn their lessons more quickly, I enjoyed the growth of their relationship and the romance.

While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden commences the Women of Midtown series and I look forward to reading the rest of the novels in this series. Four stars!




Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.


PURCHASE LINKS



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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