Inspired by a real-life unsolved mystery, Lawhon (Eye of God) hauntingly reimagines the disappearance of New York State Supreme Court associate justice Joseph Force Crater. Plagued by rumors of Tammany Hall corruption, Crater stepped into a cab one steamy August night in 1930 and vanished. Three women in his life—cool, Chanel-clad Stella, his wife; leggy showgirl Ritzi, his mistress; and humble, part-time tailor Maria, his maid—posit possible outcomes. They all have secrets and a credible reason for revenge. The three voices are skillfully brought to life by Ann Marie Lee. VERDICT Recommended for readers who enjoy historical mysteries with a noir touch, though the author could have made more of the zeitgeist. End-of-book resources including the author's note were not recorded.—David Faucheux, Lafayette, LA

In this fictional reimagining of the infamous disappearance of Justice Joseph Crater from a street in New York City on August 6, 1930, events are perceived through the perspectives of the three title characters, the women who knew him best. At the time of his disappearance, there was much speculation that Justice Crater had become involved with organized crime, which may have led him to become the "missingest man in New York," as one newspaper dubbed him at the time. The novel begins years after Crater's disappearance, with his widow sitting in a bar. She has called a meeting with the investigating officer of the case, and when he arrives, she has ordered two drinks, one for herself and one for her late husband. Crater's widow is finally ready to tell the truth about what happened that August day, but readers will be happy that the facts are not revealed until the final pages. VERDICT This story is at once an intricate tale of disparate but coexisting definitions of love and loyalty as well as a tale of what it meant to be a person of power in New York City in the early 20th century. Historical fiction and true crime readers will thoroughly enjoy this book. Although this novel is dubbed a debut, Lawhon has published previous fiction, including Eye of the God, under the pen name Ariel Allison. [See Prepub Alert, 7/29/13.]—Caitlin Bronner, MLIS, New York

Lawhon's disappointing debut novel reimagines the 1930 disappearance of justice Joseph Crater, an unsolved crime that fixates armchair detectives to this day. Set among the speakeasies and society soirees of Jazz Age Manhattan, the story also winds its way through the cramped tenements of the Lower East Side and goes behind the scenes of Broadway spectaculars. One August night, Joseph Crater leaves Club Abbey, a speakeasy owned by notorious gangster Owney Madden, and is never seen again. There are rumors of political corruption and shady connections with the criminal underworld, but the story centers on three women in his life—his wife, Stella; his mistress, showgirl Ritzi; and his maid, Maria. The three of them, all severely affected by his disappearance, must deal with the unexpected consequences, while trying to decide if there is a chance that he might still be alive. Stella hides in her Maine vacation home to avoid being harassed by police detectives and journalists. Ritzi shoulders a grueling life that is nothing like the glamorous starlet's existence that she dreamed of. Maria, whose husband is a detective assigned to the Crater case, works on starting a family while managing two jobs. These women do everything they can to protect themselves and their families from the malevolent men who let nothing stand in the way of them and their money. A fascinating story, but rendered colorless by its lack of momentum and stock characters. (Jan.)