Have You Read... STRINGS ATTACHED

STRINGS ATTACHED by Judy Blundell

I was a huge fan of Blundell’s last book, WHAT I SAW AND HOW I LIED. So I was very excited to read STRINGS ATTACHED.

Disclaimer: I’m not typically someone who jumps all over historical fiction. And this is 1950’s New York. At first, I was worried I’d feel a little removed or out of place or something. But I didn’t.

Turns out, the feeling of being a teenager and being out on your own for the first time is kind of timeless.

So, this book is a mystery. But, really, it's many smaller mysteries -- mysteries with many layers that span a generation -- all tangled up in the present story.

The story of Kit’s time in New York is woven together with her history in Rhode Island, dating back to her early childhood.

And the way Blundell tells this story is pretty much masterful.

Blurb:

When Kit Corrigan arrives in New York City, she doesn’t have much. She’s fled from her family in Providence, Rhode Island, and she’s broken off her tempestuous relationship with a boy named Billy, who’s enlisted in the army.

The city doesn’t exactly welcome her with open arms. She gets a bit part as a chorus girl in a Broadway show, but she knows that’s not going to last very long. She needs help – and then it comes, from an unexpected source.

Nate Benedict is Billy’s father. He’s also a lawyer involved in the mob. He makes Kit a deal – he’ll give her an apartment and introduce her to a new crowd. All she has to do is keep him informed about Billy . . . and maybe do him a favor every now and then.

Kit isn’t just a lost girl in a big city. She’s a tough girl in a big city. She’s a little bit jaded, but she’s still trying to make it. And you get the feeling she’s the type that will.

Oh, right, but there’s the whole mob thing…

This book is intrigue all bottled up and delivered in a pretty package. The little mysteries start right away: Who’s the guy in the audience and what does he want? Who is this Billy character and what happened between them?

Why does Nate give her the apartment? And why has it been empty for years? And who did that compact she found under the couch belong to?

Why does Nate blame Kit’s father for his son joining the army? And what does Kit’s brother have to do with it all?

And that’s JUST THE START. Seriously. I could not put this book down.

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Comments

[Jessi]

So I'm not usually into historical fiction either, but this sounds very cool. Will give a try!

[Stasia]

I'm a huge Judy Blundell fan, too, and I thorougly enjoyed this book. The way she layers story, place, and character is just, well, amazing! Thanks for the review!

[Carolina Valdez Miller]

Ohhhhhh, layers. Love it. I've not read a lot of historical fiction either. Not recently anyway. But what a cool setting for a book. As usual, you've convinced me to read another book. Love your reviews.