The Last Drop of Hemlock (Nightingale Mysteries #2)

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

This thread is to discuss The Last Drop of Hemlock, the second book in the Nightingale Mysteries by Katharine Schellman.

Pages: 336 pages

Length: 1 month (July)

Participants: SarahKat, Beth

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

Hi Beth! I will probably start this on audio tomorrow or the next day

[Beth]

Hi Sarah! I finished book 1 on Sunday and will likely start this one tomorrow (Wednesday).

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

What did you think of the first one? I loved it! I read it 2 years ago and I'm actually surprised I remember all the characters as well as I do.

I've started the audio on this one. Will update when I get to a good pausing place.

[Beth]

It was just OK for me. It didn't feel as... professional? polished? as other mystery series I've enjoyed. That may be because it's a cozy, and I'm typically a fan of grittier detective novels. That said, I really enjoyed the setting of both time and place. I would definitely have been a Florence rather than a Vivian were I part of this story!

And I am definitely interested to see how the world expands in book 2 now that Viv and Bea have moved on to new jobs!

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

It was definitely more about the characters than any gritty details. It doesn't fit what I think of as "cozy" though. I'm also a Florence. I'd love to say I'm a Vivian but nope. I have zero risk tolerance.

Just finished chapter 10: (view spoiler)[I think the mystery in this is interesting so far. Not only did Bea's uncle get murdered, but neighbors around the area have committed "suicide" and received threatening letters if they don't give up their valuables.
I don't see that having anything to do with the mob. Why would they bother scamming poor people out of their one or two valuables?
It has to be someone who knows the people well to know they have these valuables in the first place.
I think the fact that the victims are poor and the police won't do anything because of that is very sad. It's set in the 20's but could see some of the same sentiments today. (hide spoiler)]

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

Through Chapter 18: (view spoiler)[I don't like how Vivian is jealous of Florence and Danny flirting and dancing. I'm thinking and hoping it's more because her two separate worlds are colliding and it's giving her some sort of discomfort even though she wanted Flo to come to the Nightingale. She already has Honor and Leo on the hook, she doesn't need Danny too!

I wonder about stealing the dress. Like she said, everyone else already owned the thing they were asked for as far as they know, but Flo was expected to steal the dress. It seems like a setup. But why?? Who?? (hide spoiler)]

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

Through Chapter 23: (view spoiler)[I had a feeling early on that Pearly might be the one scamming people and he got murdered because of it! I also had a feeling about Abraham. I don't know why. He's just sketchy.

Alba doesn't seem to know who Florence is though so are there 2 games going? (hide spoiler)]

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

Finished! Did you get a chance to start yet Beth?

I really enjoyed this one just as much as the first. (view spoiler)[I didn't see the doctor being the bad guy coming. I thought that twist was a good one. Pearly was the one doing the original letters but the doc killed him and took over so he could pay off his dad's gambling debt.

I still don't like how Vivian was jealous of Danny and Flo but she did explain that it was more about losing Flo to someone else than any feelings towards Danny so I guess that's okay. I'm glad she asked Leo out at the end. I think I'd be happy with her being with him or Honor but Leo seems like the safer bet emotionally.

The thing with finding someone who knew their mother was way too coincidental. A guy falls and calls her by her mom's name and then months or years later she sees him in a restaurant and tracks him down? And then of course he dies before he can talk to them! Ugh. I am interested in it but that was silly. (hide spoiler)]

[Beth]

Not yet. I think I’ll be able to start it over the weekend. Had a couple unexpected complications come up.

[Beth]

Still haven't started. I'm balancing my BRs over the month, and there are always some that wind up being last!

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

Beth wrote: "Still haven't started. I'm balancing my BRs over the month, and there are always some that wind up being last!"

No rush! I do the same. I didn't have as many this month though.

[Beth]

I’m starting tonight.

[Beth]

I'm just shy of half done; expecting to finish up tonight.

I look at this as a cozy since it's a non-professional working to solve the case. I know that's not necessarily the end-all be-all definition of a cozy, but it typically fits the bill.

I am also a Florence, most definitely. I do enjoy the relationship between the sisters, and between Leo and Viv. The relationship with Honor and Viv, though, seems completely irrelevent and more queerbaiting than anything else. If they get together, fine, but I don't really get how it's playing out. There are times when Viv just seems too self-assured that I don't see her show in other areas.

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

Beth wrote: "I'm just shy of half done; expecting to finish up tonight.

I look at this as a cozy since it's a non-professional working to solve the case. I know that's not necessarily the end-all be-all defin..."

I agree with that. I feel like both Viv and Honor are not "themselves" when they are veering towards a relationship.

[Beth]

Done! 3 stars for me.

Book 3 next month?

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

Yes! It's already posted actually. Carri is joining us for that one too

[Beth]

Excellent! See you then! :)