The Red Canary by Rachel Scott McDaniel | Book Review

The Red Canary has it all—romance, mystery, suspense with faith weaved in beautifully throughout this historical romance tale. This is Rachel’s second release and it does not disappoint. 

Back Cover:

In 1928, soot from the local mills and music from speakeasies linger in the Pittsburgh air. When the manager of The Kelly Club is found dead, nightclub singer Vera Pembroke is thrust into peril. As the only witness to the crime, she’s sentenced to hide away in the Allegheny Forest with a stuffy police sergeant as her guardian.

Sergeant Mick Dinelo harbors a burning hatred for Pittsburgh’s underworld after the devastation it left on his life—and heart. He should be out exposing culpable gangsters rather than tending to the impetuous woman who defies his every effort to keep her safe.

Mick and Vera must set aside their differences to solve the murder that someone wants to keep buried beneath the soot of Steel City.

My Review

I loved Vera and her extensive 1920s vocabulary. This character was painted amazingly well, and I enjoyed reading Rachel’s authors note about how this speakeasy singer’s character came together— and came to life—on the page. Vera is the kind of dame who does what she thinks is best, thinks no one is truly genuine or on her side, and you know . . . that’s the kind of character who will have you on the edge of your seat (and put her hero through quite a lot). Had this been a movie I would have been covering my eyes and peeking through my fingers from the pickles Vera put herself in. Loved it. And of course, Mick. The dashing hero buried beneath a mountain of his own secrets and regrets. But he was also a gentleman, a man of faith and a fierce protector. A rare find in a city where the good cops are hard to weed out from among the bad cops. 

This review would not be complete without mentioning Lacey. Every story needs a feisty grandma-type like Lacey. 

Goodness but does Rachel Scott McDaniel have a way with words! This story has it all—romance, mystery, suspense with faith weaved in beautifully throughout this historical romance tale. This is Rachel’s second release and it does not disappoint. 

I loved Vera and her extensive 1920s vocabulary. This character was painted amazingly well, and I enjoyed reading Rachel’s authors note about how this speakeasy singer’s character came together— and came to life—on the page. Vera is the kind of dame who does what she thinks is best, thinks no one is truly genuine or on her side, and you know . . . that’s the kind of character who will have you on the edge of your seat (and put her hero through quite a lot). Had this been a movie I would have been covering my eyes and peeking through my fingers from the pickles Vera put herself in. Loved it. And of course, Mick. The dashing hero buried beneath a mountain of his own secrets and regrets. But he was also a gentleman, a man of faith and a fierce protector. A rare find in a city where the good cops are hard to weed out from among the bad cops. 

This review would not be complete without mentioning Lacey. Every story needs a feisty grandma-type like Lacey. 

Goodness but does Rachel Scott McDaniel have a way with words! This story has it all—romance, mystery, suspense with faith weaved in beautifully throughout this historical romance tale. This is Rachel’s second release and it does not disappoint. 

I loved Vera and her extensive 1920s vocabulary. This character was painted amazingly well, and I enjoyed reading Rachel’s authors note about how this speakeasy singer’s character came together— and came to life—on the page. Vera is the kind of dame who does what she thinks is best, thinks no one is truly genuine or on her side, and you know . . . that’s the kind of character who will have you on the edge of your seat (and put her hero through quite a lot). Had this been a movie I would have been covering my eyes and peeking through my fingers from the pickles Vera put herself in. Loved it. And of course, Mick. The dashing hero buried beneath a mountain of his own secrets and regrets. But he was also a gentleman, a man of faith and a fierce protector. A rare find in a city where the good cops are hard to weed out from among the bad cops. 

This review would not be complete without mentioning Lacey. Every story needs a feisty grandma-type like Lacey. 

Purchase on amazon.com and amazon.ca today for yourself and that historical fiction reader on your Christmas list!

About the Author

Rachel Scott McDaniel is an award-winning author of historical romance. Winner of the ACFW Genesis Award and the RWA Touched By Love award, Rachel infuses faith and heart into each story. She currently enjoys life in Ohio with her husband and two kids. Rachel can be found online at www.RachelScottMcDaniel.net and on all social media platforms.

Note: I was given a complimentary copy of this story for my honest review. I can’t wait to read more from this author!