New York City, 1950

Viviana Valentine and Tommy Fortuna have a lot of resolutions for the new year, like building up their detective agency and planning their wedding. On their way to Times Square to celebrate, they witness a brutal stabbing. When Tommy tries to chase down the culprit, Viviana tries her best to save the man. She’s unsuccessful, but Viviana hears his final words: a whispered apology to an unknown friend.

Clues are hard to come by, with the only leads being last words and a few matchbooks in the victim’s overcoat. Their investigation is halted when Detective Jack Lawson of the New York Police Department arrives, immediately ruffling Viviana’s feathers and bumping chests with Tommy, who he nearly arrested for murder months earlier.

Review Quote

“The sharpness and warmth of Viv’s lively patter and the evocation of postwar New York will stick with you.”—Kirkus Reviews

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