Shrines of Gaiety

I've just joined my first book club and this was the read chosen.
An interesting tale set against the backdrop of nightclubs in London in the early 1900s.
Enjoyed the characterisation though still a little confused by the ending.
Looking forward to chatting with book club this week to find out if others figured it out because I want to know!

Holy cow, I loved this. The characters were all so interesting and well done. The setting was perfect. The whole feel of it. I loved the inclusion of a Baby Party (see Bright Young People by D.J. Taylor). The whole obsession with The Green Hat that goes throughout most of the book (I'll have to finally read it! I first heard of it over a decade ago!). This ticked every one of my boxes. Loved it. It wrapped up a little quick and easy, but that's honestly my only issue and it's minor. So good! (I'll have to look more into the woman that Nellie is based on. She sounds fascinating too!) I think I'm definitely going to have to read more Kate Atkinson as I've loved the two I've read by her.

I just finished the Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson and here is my review

Nellie Coker has been released from jail and she is ready to pick up her empire where she left off. 6 kids and all of them with their own agendas. There is unrest within her ranks and threats from the outside has Nellie grappling to hold onto her crown.

The glitz and glamor of 1926 soho hides a seedy underbelly and the dregs of society long to be on the inside.

I held a constant dislike for Nellie the whole way through. Usually there is something redeeming about characters like her but I just never found that connection and I think that was done on purpose. I loved the character development and the different facets of personalities that we got to experience.

I have a real affection for the 20s and this book lived up to my expectations on all levels. The storyline was fluid and well thought out. I felt the research done by the author on the 1920s and soho, was very accurate. I really enjoy books that span a few different genres and this one definitely pulled it off with style.

I have a real love for crime books set in London. It's my go to so this book more than delivered on everything that was promised.

4.5 stars! This book was a real winner for me and if you haven't picked up this book or any by #kateatkinson then you need to remedy that today!

Thank you to #penguinrandomhouseca for my finished review copy!

This was an entertaining read with an extensive cast of characters. I was listening and multi-tasking, so I had a hard time keeping track of who was who, especially for the first third or half of the book. I would have liked more Gwendolyn ... and the dog ... but I enjoyed other characters too, including the indomitable Nellie (a badass matriarch). The plot had good twists and turns, and I'd recommend this if someone wants a light historical fiction, with a bit of mystery, and a few spunky and smart women characters. (I was a bit underwhelmed with the ending, however.)

Got distracted by life/other books. I'll come back to this eventually! 

The Jackson Brodie series is fantastic, but every book I've read of Kate Atkinson's since is boring. This book, in particular, is chock-full of way too many characters with stories that don't go anywhere. The book kept putting me to sleep no matter how much sleep I had.