The Orchid Hour

In 1923 New York City, Zia De Luca lives with her in-laws in Little Italy and works at the public library. When a poetry-lover is murdered outside the library, the police investigation focuses on Zia, who learns that both crimes are connected to a new speakeasy in Greenwich Village called The Orchid Hour. She must contend with a group of players determined to find wealth and power in New York on their own terms, and she begins to wonder if she too could rewrite her life's rules.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 08 August 2023
Publisher: Lume Books

In the depths of the night, when the world is still and silent, there exists a mysterious hour when the scent of the orchid can ensnare the soul. It was in the bustling city of New York, in the year 1923, that Zia De Luca's life was about to be irrevocably altered. Having lost her beloved husband to the horrors of The Great War, she found herself living with her in-laws in the vibrant neighborhood of Little Italy, where she worked at the public library. However, the tranquility of her existence was shattered when a quiet poetry-lover was brutally murdered right outside the library's doors. The police, driven by their quest for justice, immediately focused their investigation on Zia, casting her as a suspect in the murder.

Yet, as fate would have it, a second tragedy struck even closer to home, leaving Zia's world in shambles. Her cousin, with whom she shared a special bond, was also implicated in the crimes, leading her into the treacherous world of The Orchid Hour, a new speakeasy in Greenwich Village. This world, filled with allure and temptation, had always been shunned by Zia, but now she was compelled to confront its secrets. With the help of her cousin, who served as a guide to the shadowy realm of The Orchid Hour, Zia delved deeper into the mystery, determined to find her own answers.

As she navigated through the treacherous world of The Orchid Hour, Zia encountered a group of players who were driven by a thirst for wealth and power. They were a ruthless bunch, willing to do anything to achieve their goals, and Zia found herself caught in their web of deceit. With every step she took, she grew more and more fearful, knowing that her secret could be exposed at any moment.

As the investigation into the murders stalled, Zia knew that she had to take matters into her own hands. She embarked on a perilous journey, piecing together the clues and following the trail that led her to the heart of the conspiracy. Along the way, she faced countless challenges and obstacles, but her determination never wavered.

In the end, Zia was able to unravel the truth behind the murders and bring the killers to justice. It was a triumph of the human spirit, a testament to the power of perseverance and the indomitable human will. As she looked back on her journey, Zia realized that she had been able to rewrite her life's rules, to embrace the darkness and the unknown and to emerge stronger and more empowered than ever before.

The scent of the orchid had once been a source of fear and mystery for her, but now it held a newfound significance. It was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope, and that the human spirit can overcome even the most daunting of challenges.

Weight: 234g
Dimension: 128 x 198 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839014802