Tag: Claire M Johnson

City Lights by Claire M. Johnson (Historical Mystery)

Book two of Johnson’s “Fog City Noir” series, starring the undauntable Maggie Laurent — the hardboiled secretary for a hardboiled detective who has (likely permanently) left San Francisco for cooler climes allowing her to try to make it on her own (read episode one — Fog City — for the full skinny). Starting from a few seemingly small requests, Maggie ends up in the middle of the historic Industrial Workers of the World (the Wobblies) often violent organizing efforts crossed with some nasty business practices and (of course) crooked politicians. Great dialog, plenty of action, a strong female lead who learns to box and shoot a gun, to the great distress of her “loving” family, and enough reflection on her part to keep me happy. Plenty of good characters — some over the top, like Dickie who has got to be based on Truman Capote with plenty of endearing but wicked mannerisms, but all interesting and likable.

A fun read and I look forward to the next in the series.

Thank you to Level Best Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on July 15th, 2025.

Fog City by Claire M Johnson (Historical Mystery)

I loved this first episode of a new crime noir series starring a hard boiled detective’s equally hard boiled secretary who takes over for her boss when he goes on an extended bender. 1930s San Francisco where a wealthy elite doesn’t even give a nod to Prohibition, and absolutely everyone seems to be running their own con. A banker’s (second) wife comes to the agency to ask for help in locating her errant stepson. In no time we’re whirling about in opium dens, speakeasies, fancy restaurants, and police cells trying to get to the bottom of a widely expanding set of dead bodies. I loved the supporting cast (many of whom I look forward to meeting again in future books) — all fully fleshed out, non dull, people with distinct and intriguing personalities, and I loved that there were plenty of opportunities for philosophical discussions on evil vs “regular” sin and morality in general. The style (and environs) reminded me of Dashiell Hammett at his best — with the clever substitution of the substituting secretary. Plenty of great male characters, by the way, and full acceptance of what women were able (allowed) to do at the time. I always like stories where some group has difficulty getting things done because of social conventions but they get on and do it anyway without bothering to whine about it 🙂
A great surprise read for me!

Thank you to Level Best Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on July 30th, 2024