Glitter in the Dark

by Olesya Lyuzna

The search for a kidnapped singer in Prohibition-era New York leads an intrepid reporter from Harlem speakeasies to the dazzling world of the theater, all while grappling with her warring passions.

Ambitious advice columnist Ginny Dugan knows she’s capable of more than solving other people’s beauty problems, but her boss at Photoplay magazine thinks she's only fit for fluff pieces. When she witnesses the kidnapping of a famous singer at Harlem’s hottest speakeasy, nobody takes her seriously, but Ginny knows what she saw—and what she saw haunts her.

Guilt-ridden over her failure to stop the kidnappers and hard-pressed for cash to finally move out of her uptight showgirl sister’s apartment, Ginny resolves to chase down the truth that will clear her conscience and maybe win her a promotion in the process. When private detective Jack Crawford starts interfering with her case, Ginny ropes him into a reluctant partnership but soon finds herself drawn to the kind heart she glimpses beneath his brooding exterior. Equally as alluring is Gloria Gardner, the star dancer of the Ziegfeld Follies who treats life like one unending party. Yet as Ginny delves deeper into the criminal underworld, the sinister plot she uncovers seems to lead right back to the theater.

Then a brutal murder strikes someone close to her, and Ginny realizes the stakes are higher than she ever imagined. This glamorous world has a deadly edge, and Ginny must shatter her every illusion to catch the shadowy killer before they strike again.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Historical, Noir

336 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2025

About the author

Olesya Lyuzna is a Toronto-based author with one fatal flaw: she can’t resist a good mystery. Her debut novel, Glitter in the Dark, follows an advice columnist on the hunt for a missing torch singer, all while navigating forbidden feelings for a Ziegfeld showgirl in 1920s New York. Selected for a Pitch Wars mentorship by Layne Fargo and Halley Sutton, Glitter in the Dark is the first in a planned series that reimagines classic noir in the glittering, smoky world of the 1920s through a queer, female-driven lens.

When she’s not writing, you'll find Olesya hosting murder mystery parties, haunting Toronto’s historic movie theatres, and scouring the archives for unsolved crimes. Connect with her on Instagram at @olesyaisonline.

Reviews

[Sara Hashem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read a draft of this book a few years ago, and I am so excited to reunite with Ginny in this glittering, fabulously treacherous world! ✨

[Manon (mysterymanon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish I could’ve read this right after I sewed my own flapper dress out of scrap fabric so I could dress up to see the Great Gatsby movie in theaters in 2013

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVERYONE GET READY FOR A BANGER!

[Krissy (books_and_biceps9155) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Mysterious Press for my package and advanced copy. I don’t read too much HF these days, but I was intrigued by this premise.

Party Girl Ginny Dugan is an unforgettable character. She is flawed, unapologetic and trying her hardest to figure out the mystery plaguing Harlem in the roaring 20s. There was so much involved in this novel and it tackles so many important topics such as racism, sexism, drugs, addiction and classism. I was pretty blown away by Lyuzna’s writing style. It flowed right from the beginning. This was full of action, suspense and the twist at the end got me! I really enjoyed this change of genre. Also, look at the cover?! *Swoon*

[Halley Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wonderful!

[Bruce Raterink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this 1920's historical noir.. With engaging characters and a fast paced plot, it would make a great series. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Mysterious Press for an advanced reader copy

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait!!!

[Erricka Hager · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been loving the recent wave of historical fiction set during the Harlem Renaissance—it’s one of my favorite time periods to read about. Glitter in the Dark is a standout in that regard, plunging readers into a world of sex, secrets, and speakeasies.

The story kicks off with a bang: Ginny, our sharp and ambitious main character, is kidnapped after witnessing a murder. What follows is a fast-paced mystery as Ginny investigates the death of famed musician Josephine Hurston. As a beauty reporter turned amateur sleuth, Ginny navigates not just a dangerous investigation, but also the complexities of budding romances, toxic past entanglements, and the vibrant backdrop of 1920s Harlem.

I flew through this one—it was a quick, engaging read. While I thought some parts could’ve been a bit more developed, overall, it was an enjoyable experience. I’m guessing this is the start of a series, and I’m definitely looking forward to more of Ginny’s adventures in this rich and evocative setting.

Pick this one up if you’re in the mood for a historical mystery filled with glamour, grit, and a fearless heroine.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Nicole Wuthering Vines · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, major applause for this cleverly curated promo box and the absolutely breathtaking cover—it’s a total showstopper!

This was a dazzling debut! The premise pulled me in right away, and I’ve always found the Prohibition Era and Jazz Age to be incredibly captivating backdrops. I mean, who can resist a world brimming with secrets, speakeasies, and intrigue?

I especially loved Ginny—sharp, bold, and such a compelling heroine.

This historical mystery delivered on all fronts: fast-paced action, gripping suspense, and even a touch of romance. There’s truly something here for every kind of reader!

[Rory Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read. I could not put this one down. The book is full of wonderful surprises that keeps the reader on their toes. Perfect for anyone looking for a little excitement. Can’t wait for book 2!!

[Adrian Hockin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off strong. Jenny is MESSY. But the book quickly spirals into boring.

[Judy B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light and breezy, fun to read. Be interesting to see if she makes it into a series. Didn’t know she was Canadian when I read it but nice to know, love supporting our homegrown talent.

[Geonn Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, not too heavy/dense historical mystery novel with characters you haven't seen a hundred times in a hundred books. A high point in my recent reading journey.

[Lynne Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celebrity reporter and party girl Ginny Dugan parties her way through the increasingly treacherous Prohibition-era Harlem nightclub scene in an effort to rescue a kidnapped torch singer. Lyuzna’s beautifully crafted debut novel had me from the first page and never let go. Ginny’s efforts to unravel the mystery of the missing singer put her life in danger and expose her deepest fears as the world she inhabits becomes a house of mirrors, where nothing and nobody are what they seem. The plots twists and turns are as compelling as the novel’s vivid cast of characters and its alternately glamorous and gritty settings. Hope there are more Ginny Dugan novels to come! Highly recommend!

[Carole Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

She can't bring down all the evil in the world...

...but she'll try her best to do it anyway.

Welcome to Prohibition-era New York City where "modern girls" like Ginny Dugan leave behind their humdrum day jobs at the end of each workday and escape into the dazzling world of nightclubs and speakeasies, where bootleg liquor and other temptations await. Ginny is determined to make it in the big city, toiling away as an advice columnist for Photoplay magazine but hoping to convince the boss that she is ready to be a real reporter. She lives with her older sister Dottie, a chorus line dancer for the Ziegfeld Follies, and neither of them have any desire to move back home to Kansas. Dottie has always been the star in their family...beautiful, talented, and impeccable in her manners and morals...while Ginny has lived in her shadow. Dottie even landed the wealthy Charlie as her fiancé, on whom Ginny has a had a big crush since they were all kids together back in Kansas (and who is turning his charm on the susceptible Ginny of late) When Ginny and her friend Mary head out to one of Harlem's hidden clubs where it is rumored the famous singer Josephine Hurston will be performing, they toss back the bootleg booze and dance up a storm. But the girls separate, and when the club is raided by the police during Josephine's performance it is Ginny who both finds herself backstage watching the singer get snatched by some roughnecks and who gets shot and left for dead. Finding out what happened to Josephine might not only be the story Ginny needs to prove her worthiness as a reporter, it may also be the best way to keep herself alive when those who kidnapped the singer find out that Ginny isn't dead. She joins forces with Jack Crawford, a square and disagreeable PI who is looking into a string of drug-induced deaths in the Harlem clubs, and the stakes get higher by the day. Another death strikes, this time too close to home, and as they investigate both the club scene and the showgirls of the Follies she and Jack are making some powerful people very angry. Ginny's impulsive, live-for-the-moment ways may be the death of her, and may pull others down with her.
Set against the backdrop of NYC during the days of Prohibition, when liquor was against the law yet still kept flowing if one knew where to look, where jazz music, flapper dresses and bobbed hair were all the rage and the upper classes couldn't get enough of the Harlem clubs, this is a mystery with plenty of the titular glitter. Ginny is sassy and brassy, wanting to make it in a world where she doesn't have the right looks or the right connections to get where she wants to go. She makes bad choice after bad choice, trusts the wrong people, picks the wrong men, but she has the determination to get through those mistakes and keeps fighting to make it. Jack first seems to be hopelessly square but has a backstory that shows he is as flawed a person as Ginny is herself, and characters like Josephine, her sister Ruby and Follies star Gloria are all intriguing women who are finding success in a man's world on their own terms. Glitter in the Dark is by turns gritty and glamorous, and the world of speakeasies, showgirls and jazz comes alive within its pages. The pacing is for the most part quite brisk, though a few times the descriptions get repetitive and lengthy causing the story to lag. Ginny's attraction first to Charlie and later to both Jack and Gloria provides another thread within the story. I found it an engaging read, and given that a few plot elements were deliberately left dangling I look forward to the further adventures of Ginny. Readers of noir fiction, historical novels set during the Jazz Age, Layne Fargo, Tana French and Megan Abbott would be remiss if they don't give this colorful debut novel by Olesya Lyuzna a try. My thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers/Mysterious Press for allowing me access in exchange for my honest review.

[dany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just so you know, this is not gay, not sapphic, not lesbian, not "queer". Ginny, a woman, has sex with multiple men on page, and is decidedly straight. There are two mentions of same-sex couples dancing. There is an under-the-influence "intimacy" scene with a fellow woman, which Ginny chalks up to girl friends having fun. This only happens in the last 20% of the book, and Ginny does not reckon with any feelings about her sexuality beyond a couple lines. The girl she experiences that with is the one the blurb claims Ginny is allured by (Gloria). She ends up being the ultimate bad guy behind all the drugs and abuse of women, and was playing Ginny the entire time.

So, no, there is NOTHING gay in this book, and it's insulting of the author to claim otherwise; false advertising, gaybaiting, whatever you want to call it.

To compare this to Queenpin is hilarious. You WISH you were Megan Abbott. Those characters had more lesbian sexual tension in their toenails than was present in this book. The girl in this book has sex with her sister's fiancé! There are descriptions of violent sex that are completely unexamined by Ginny and the author! The book ends with a promise that Ginny and one of the men will have sex again, if not end up in a romantic relationship.

(This book is also compared by the author to Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. This is not a cozy mystery nor are there fun side characters. The comparison is null beyond "1920s mystery". The author's friend's book, Dead Dead Girls, is a more apt comparison. This book is better written, but I liked that book more. At least there were actual lesbians.)

This is also touted as a feminist book. Female characters in a book making choices and being sassy ≠ feminism. Feminism is the liberation of women. That being said, because it always needs to be said, this book is not a bad representation of it at all.

Ginny ends up financially independent and secure with her own job. Josephine and Ruby are freed from their constraints. Dottie is...freed from something, certainly. The main male character is not a misogynist. Besides the irritating cliché with Ginny being suchhh a cool girl drinking men under the table, it's fine in this regard. (There are a lot of clichés in the first 20%. So many.)

So all of that, combined with the well-written prose and an intriguing plot, give it two stars. The setting is fully realized and I was never confused or annoyed by anachronisms. The characters were fine and no one felt poorly drawn (but Mary could have turned up more often, just a little). But still...the gaybaiting has got to stop out here. I'm dying.

[Richard Derus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Real Rating: 3.5* of five

The Publisher Says: The search for a kidnapped singer in Prohibition-era New York leads an intrepid reporter from Harlem speakeasies to the dazzling world of the theater, all while grappling with her warring passions.

Ambitious advice columnist Ginny Dugan knows she’s capable of more than solving other people’s beauty problems, but her boss at Photoplay magazine thinks she's only fit for fluff pieces. When she witnesses the kidnapping of a famous singer at Harlem’s hottest speakeasy, nobody takes her seriously, but Ginny knows what she saw—and what she saw haunts her.

Guilt-ridden over her failure to stop the kidnappers and hard-pressed for cash to finally move out of her uptight showgirl sister’s apartment, Ginny resolves to chase down the truth that will clear her conscience and maybe win her a promotion in the process. When private detective Jack Crawford starts interfering with her case, Ginny ropes him into a reluctant partnership but soon finds herself drawn to the kind heart she glimpses beneath his brooding exterior. Equally as alluring is Gloria Gardner, the star dancer of the Ziegfeld Follies who treats life like one unending party. Yet as Ginny delves deeper into the criminal underworld, the sinister plot she uncovers seems to lead right back to the theater.

Then a brutal murder strikes someone close to her, and Ginny realizes the stakes are higher than she ever imagined. This glamorous world has a deadly edge, and Ginny must shatter her every illusion to catch the shadowy killer before they strike again.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review: The speakeasies, the sex, the showgirls, the secrets! Harlem during Prohibition never looked more glam. If you can see it through the proliferation of subplots, minor characters foregrounded, and lush overdone descriptions.

Enjoyable for all that, and sure to please my fellow series mystery lovers. (If this ain't a book one, never saw one more wasted.)

Mysterious Press requires you to surrender $17.95 (any edition) before legal possession is transferred to you.

[Lisa Brooke Reads Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Olesya Lyuzna's Glitter in the Dark is a stylish debut novel that plunges listeners into the smoky, jazz-soaked world of 1920s New York, where speakeasies, showgirls, and secrets collide. Lyuzna crafts a vivid noir atmosphere with a modern twist, centering on Ginny Dugan, an ambitious advice columnist turned amateur sleuth after witnessing a kidnapping at a Harlem nightclub.

The plot is rich with period detail and features a compelling mix of mystery and romance, including a queer love triangle that adds emotional complexity. However, the story sometimes feels overstuffed, juggling too many subplots—from a murder investigation to family drama and romantic entanglements—without giving each the space to fully develop.

The narration is competent and clear, though it occasionally lacks the emotional depth needed to fully bring the characters to life. Some listeners may find the pacing uneven—moments of high tension are sometimes undercut by slower, more introspective passages that don’t always translate well in audio format.

Glitter in the Dark is a promising debut with a lot of flair, but it doesn’t quite hit all the high notes. Fans of historical mysteries and noir with a feminist, queer twist will find much to enjoy, though it may be better appreciated in print than in audio.

Thank you to NetGalley, Olesya Lyuzna, and Highbridge Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Kate Hergott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glitter in the Dark is such a delicious blend of the prohibition era and noir storytelling!

Ginny Dugan is an advice journalist who is swept up into a complex crime after witnessing the kidnapping of an extremely popular Harlem singer. Hoping to further her career and assuage her guilt for not stopping the crime, she becomes obsessed with figuring out why the singer was kidnapped. In the process, she crosses paths with PI Jack Crawford, who is also investigating the case, and the two become begrudging allies. But when a brutal murder occurs, they both question how far they're willing to go to solve the case of the missing starlet.

I was so immersed in Ginny's world, and the full cast of characters felt fully realized and intriguing. I love a noir mystery, and this one delivers on that front while also transporting us to prohibition era Harlem, a fun and unique way to enjoy the genre.

Fans of Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen will love Glitter in the Dark!

Thanks to NetGalley and Mysterious Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Tom Godfrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the Roaring 20s in New York, and our lead Ginny Dugan, a native Kansan, has come to the Big City in pursuit of being a big-time journalist. Her sister is a trained dancer who somehow has been sidetracked into being a chorine with the Ziegfeld Follies. At an opening of a revue, Ginny witnesses the kidnapping of the major star, or maybe it was someone else. A murder ensues, along with various beatings, soirees, sexual encounters, and general Scott Fitzgerald-ness. There is a woman named Gloria who is the epitome of New York swank. There is a rather circumspect detective named Jack. She is attracted to both. Are they helping her or obstructing her? Ginny is what we would call liberated, but every time she and Jack are in an awkward/uncomfortable spot, she huffs off, a clear signal that she is going to get herself into trouble yet again...and again. To me, it comes off as bratty self-righteousness. Plus, you'll know who the criminal boss is with ease. Overall, this book is no more than average.

[Kathy Allard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd better get with writing this review before I totally forget about this book. I suppose 3.5 stars? If a book is set any time between the 1920s and early 1940s, I want to read it, yet I often find myself disappointed. Case in point, another "Prohibition in NYC with a plucky gal solving a mystery" that I have already forgotten the name of. This one too fell short for me and I'm shocked by the rave reviews, unless the author has a lot of friends.

This one had me rolling my eyes bc the female lead was so unrealistically bad ass, in fact at first I thought this was a YA book (yeah, watch her drink the big boys under the table, then get shot and walk out of the hospital right after so she can go party. Later she gets pistol whipped with zero ill effects, and there's another trip to the hospital and she once again walks out.).

My hopes remain high for future 1920s-40s set novels. C'mon authors!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

_Glitter in the Dark_ by Olesya Lyuzna is an immersive historical noir debut for fans of Prohibition-era and crime fiction. Ginny Dugan is an advice columnist tired of writing fluff pieces when she witnesses the kidnapping of a beloved singer at a Harlem speakeasy. She pursues the case and partners with detective Jack Crawford, leading the pair deep into the world of organized crime. With plot twists and well-developed characters, this book will appeal to many readers.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Morgan B · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a bit to get into this book, but I enjoyed it once I did! The pacing is good, and the story is entertaining. Ginny’s character is likable, and I found myself rooting her on even when she was making questionable decisions. I did find this book to be a bit predictable. However, I stayed engaged through to the end. If you’re interested in historical fiction with elements of mystery, I’d recommend checking this book out! Thank you NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Meg Staggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

This was a really good historic drug boss type story. It honestly surprised me so much. I liked the pieces falling together and finding out the web that everyone was involved in. I definitely didnt see the top person being who it was. I was actually betting it to be someone else.

I think anyone who enjoys historic crime mob type things would love this.

[Gwen Tuinman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glitter in the Dark by Olesya Lyuzna is a lip-biting, sequin-covered whodunnit that transports readers back to the Roaring Twenties era of showgirls, nightclubs, and excess. Just behind the curtain lie questions about race, gender, and workplace sexism. Lyuzna’s passion for mysteries shines here as does Ginny, her feisty, take-no-guff heroine. The exquisite setting research and crackling dialogue add to the pleasure of this read. Highly recommended!

[David Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and intriguing from the start, Glitter In The Dark takes the reader on a thrilling ride through prohibition-era Harlem. Exploring Jazz Age NYC speakeasies and the characters that populated them was enjoyable.

Could have been really good, but the plot thinned out in the second half of the book, delivering plenty of twists but not enough depth for my taste.

Atmosphere 5 stars
Characters 4 stars
Voice/writing: 3 stars
Plot 2 stars

Overall: 3.5 stars

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this book 3.5 stars. What I really liked about this book is that it brought me to the roaring 20s. I could imagine myself at those parties while I read. I thought the writing was solid. Characters likable. I thought it was just a bit long though.

Thank you Penzler & Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book!

[Alyssa Leyritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 recommend! For those in the dance, showbiz, theatre, arts communities or anyone who enjoys a well done mystery novel in the coolest of settings - check this book out! Lyunza knows how to to paint the scene of glitz and gatsby mixed with murder/mystery and add a layer of sex appeal to create a read that’s impossible
To put down! I hope Olesya writes many more novels - what a talent!

[Cindy Ladensack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gritty and atmospheric mystery traversing the lows and highs of 1920s show biz society. Maybe a little too gritty for my taste — there was a lot of fighting (I swear the protagonist or someone else was beaten and/or bloodied somehow in what seemed like every scene!) and a lot of drugs, booze, and sex. The mystery, I thought, was interesting but the solutions/ twists were a tad obvious.

[Karrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an Advance copy of Olesya Lyunza’s debut novel, and after finishing it I am eagerly awaiting her next. I wonder if Ginny and Jack will be in the next book and if this is the beginning of a new series? I enjoyed this one and look forward to and will continue to hope for more!