Murder Knocks Twice - (The Speakeasy Murders) by Susanna Calkins (Paperback)

About the Book

"Gina Ricci takes on a job as a cigarette girl to earn money for her ailing father--and to prove to herself that she can hold her own at Chicago's most notorious speakeasy, the Third Door. She's enchanted by the harsh, glamorous world she discovers: the sleek socialites sipping bootlegged cocktails, the rowdy ex-servicemen playing poker in a curtained back room, the flirtatious jazz pianist and the brooding photographer--all overseen by the club's imposing owner, Signora Castallazzo. But the staff buzzes with whispers about Gina's predecessor, who died under mysterious circumstances, and the photographer, Marty, warns her to be careful. When Marty is brutally murdered, with Gina as the only witness, she's determined to track down his killer. What secrets did Marty capture on his camera--and who would do anything to destroy it? As Gina searches for answers, she's pulled deeper into the shadowy truths hiding behind the Third Door"--]cProvided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

The first mystery in Susanna Calkins' captivating new series takes readers into the dark, dangerous, and glittering underworld of a 1920s Chicago speakeasy.

Gina Ricci takes on a job as a cigarette girl to earn money for her ailing father--and to prove to herself that she can hold her own at Chicago's most notorious speakeasy, the Third Door. She's enchanted by the harsh, glamorous world she discovers: the sleek socialites sipping bootlegged cocktails, the rowdy ex-servicemen playing poker in a curtained back room, the flirtatious jazz pianist and the brooding photographer--all overseen by the club's imposing owner, Signora Castallazzo. But the staff buzzes with whispers about Gina's predecessor, who died under mysterious circumstances, and the photographer, Marty, warns her to be careful.

When Marty is brutally murdered, with Gina as the only witness, she's determined to track down his killer. What secrets did Marty capture on his camera--and who would do anything to destroy it? As Gina searches for answers, she's pulled deeper into the shadowy truths hiding behind the Third Door.

Review Quotes

A 2019 Agatha Award Nominee for "Best Historical Mystery"!
Nominated for a Lefty Award for Best Historical Mystery Novel!

"Calkins Captures the era's contrasts and gives Gina an intriguing backstory."--Publishers Weekly

"There's nothing like a slick and sassy speakeasy for atmosphere, and MURDER KNOCKS TWICE delivers. The secrets are as heady as bathtub gin in this smart 1920s mystery that will keep you guessing."--Deanna Raybourn, bestselling author of the Julia Grey Mysteries

"An exciting 1920s world of speakeasies and Chicago gangsters...a fascinating cast of characters...Gina's adventure is the perfect start to a thrilling new series. I can't wait for the next installment!" --Victoria Thompson, bestselling author of Murder on Trinity Place

"Calkins deftly captures the language and atmosphere of Prohibition-era Chicago in all its glory and terror in the first book in her new series...Peppered with memorable characters and rich historical details, Murder Knocks Twice is sure to have readers asking for another round."-Anna Lee Huber, bestselling author of the Lady Darby Mysteries

"A page-turning romp through Prohibition-era Chicago! This first book in Susanna Calkins' new mystery series set in the 1920s will be a real treat for her fans. Filled with bootleggers, speakeasies, intrigue and murder, you're in for a wild ride once you step inside Calkins' action-packed world at the Third Door."--Renee Rosen, author of Park Avenue Summer

About the Author

SUSANNA CALKINS, author of the award-winning Lucy Campion series, holds a PhD in history and teaches at the college level. Her historical mysteries have been nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark and Agatha awards, among many others, and The Masque of a Murderer received a Macavity. Originally from Philadelphia, Calkins now lives in the Chicago area with her husband and two sons.